HP: The Wizard Who Paints with Magic

Chapter 321 322: Journey to the Giant Tribe!

Summer had arrived.

Ethan had a unique way of spending his holidays.

Now entering his fifth year, while other students either stayed home, went on holiday, or—like Hermione—began early preparation for the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams, Ethan chose a different path.

He was off to the distant, hidden mountain ranges with Hagrid—and Luna.

Their mission: to seek the aid of the giants for the coming great war.

Partly, Ethan was curious about what true giants in the magical world really looked like.

For the sake of his painting art, firsthand observation was essential.

But there was another reason: to search for the "weapon" that could help him face the avatar of fate once more.

[Immortal Advancement Condition Three: Defeat an Avatar of Fate!]

Ethan didn't know who fate would choose next.

But he was certain it would be far stronger than Voldemort.

After all, Death itself was now determined to end him.

Ethan mused, "To fight fate, I'll need rare painting materials."

The old stories spoke of the First Giants—how they had split the mountains with their bare hands, drawn flame from the earth's core, and shaped stone into living form.

From that primordial fire, they had forged their kind.

"I wonder if that ancient flame still exists," Ethan murmured, gazing toward the peaks ahead.

"A visit to the giant settlement is definitely worth the effort."

At that moment, Ethan, Luna, and Hagrid were climbing the treacherous slopes of the giants' hidden home.

This was the legendary place where the First Giants stole fire from the earth's heart—the Carpathian Mountains.

A rugged range in a remote part of Europe, it stood like a natural barrier, veiled in mist.

The jagged rocks rose sharply, the highest peak resembling a mighty sword plunged into the earth.

"It's said that this entire mountain range was formed from the bodies of the First Giants who died from exhaustion," Ethan said, stroking the steep, grey-white cliff beside him.

He sat atop the thick back of the three-headed dog, mere inches from a sheer drop.

With every step, pebbles tumbled down, clattering into the white mist below.

No traveller would come here unless desperate.

Luna leaned against Ethan's shoulder, gazing down at the cliff with interest.

She asked, "I've been wondering—how many steps does it take to put a giant in a freezer?"

Ethan considered, "Hmm… Open the freezer, put the giant inside, close the freezer… Probably three steps."

Luna's eyes twinkled. "I think just one step is enough~"

"All you need is a Freezing Charm, and the giant becomes the freezer himself!"

Ethan snapped his fingers, eyes shining. "Genius!"

Ahead, Hagrid, struggling to keep the Thestrals moving, stumbled.

He nearly pitched over the cliff, becoming "Hagrid Sauce."

He turned, staring at the two of them as they laughed together.

All along the way, he'd endured one mental jab after another—and been made to choke down a bowlful of kibble.

It was a serious blow to the heart of a lonely old bachelor!

Headmaster Dumbledore, I really ought to file this trip under workplace injuries, Hagrid thought miserably.

He'd hoped he'd get to travel with Madame Maxime, his fellow half-giant.

So why had Dumbledore sent Ethan?

Ethan was outstanding in magic, but this trip was exactly the one place where magic was least welcome!

Hagrid couldn't help warning, "Ethan, remember—don't use magic when we meet the giants! They hate magic more than anything!"

Because of this, Hagrid hadn't let Ethan use any portals near the summit.

"Show respect to the giants! They despise wizards!"

It sounded like he was lecturing a child before visiting relatives.

"Mmm~"

Ethan gave a noncommittal hum, flipping through an ancient tome.

This was his reward for increased lamp brightness—

[Ancient Magic: Gravity Magic Fragment.]

According to legend, the masters of ancient gravity magic could manipulate gravity, move mountains, and summon meteorites from the sky.

Though this fragment didn't contain spells that powerful, its novel and profound concepts fascinated Ethan.

"No magic?"

Got it.

As long as I'm not caught.

Ethan smiled, leaning back against the thick fur of the hellhound.

He was the picture of calm, in stark contrast to the tense Hagrid.

Ethan remembered the way it had gone in the original story: magic or no magic, Hagrid had still come back from the giant colony black‑and‑blue, half‑frozen, and lucky to be alive.

He twisted a strand of dark purple magic between his fingers, just as the book described, the memory of Hagrid limping through the Hogwarts doors flashing before his eyes—bloodshot eye, split lip, and robes hanging in tatters.

Hagrid was still far too naive.

If he wanted to deal with creatures that only bowed to brute force, he would have to show them what real strength looked like.

Beside him, Luna's golden hair fell softly, the warmth of her arm against his side a comfort.

The wind howled past the peaks.

At last, they reached the giant settlement at the mountain's summit.

Several towering figures, as tall as trees, stood or crouched among the rocks.

Their massive shadows cast an oppressive weight.

Hagrid swallowed hard, tethering the Thestrals behind a boulder.

He stepped forward, holding a large wooden gift box.

His out-of-place figure was instantly noticed.

"There's a strange smell!"

A giant sniffed, his face twisting with greed. "Meat! Grul wants meat!"

"Ahem!" Hagrid coughed loudly. "I come on behalf of Dumbledore to visit the leader of the Giant tribe!"

"Dumbledore…?" Young giants looked at each other. "Never heard of him."

"Doesn't matter! Fresh meat has come to us!"

Seeing the tree-like figures drooling and closing in with greedy, cruel eyes, Hagrid's mind went blank.

What should he do?!

He'd only prepared to persuade the giant leader.

He'd never expected that, after years of isolation, the giants had become so savage!

"I… I brought gifts—"

Before he could finish, Hagrid saw the giants pause.

Then, their fierce faces turned to terror.

They stumbled back, as if these massive giants had seen something truly terrifying.

Hagrid: "Huh?"

He followed their gaze.

He saw three pairs of orange-yellow eyes, each as large as copper bells.

They stared silently, unblinking, at the giants.

Drool dripped from sharp fangs, and a bloodthirsty growl rumbled from their throats.

It was the hellhound—its size rivalled that of the giants.

Its knife-like claws could tear through their rocky bodies.

"You… you tamed this beast?!" the young giants said, eyeing the hellhound with fear and respect.

Hagrid was stunned.

He realised they were mistaken.

He quickly explained, "No! This dog isn't mine! It's—"

"It's my pet."

A clear voice answered.

Ethan stepped out from behind Hagrid.

Compared to the hellhound and Hagrid, his figure was tiny.

He smiled, his deep blue eyes meeting the giants' gaze.

The giants stared, then burst into thunderous laughter.

"Ha ha ha! This little man claims to be the master of that beast!"

"He's not even as big as Baka's hand!"

"He wouldn't even fill a tooth gap!"

Amid the laughter, Ethan's smile never wavered.

He held a card that emitted a twisted, black aura.

The shadow at his feet seemed to come alive, writhing.

Hagrid's heart pounded.

He feared Ethan might provoke the giants.

But at that moment, a hoarse voice called out.

"You say you were sent by Dumbledore?"

"I never thought I'd hear that name again. Follow me—I'll take you to the leader."