"This is…?!"
Feeling the raw power coursing through his bones, flesh, and blood, Rhine instantly understood.
The Iron Skin and Diamond Bones talent—according to the system's description, it meant being impervious to blades and bullets, fire and water, immune to curses, and extends lifespan...
But this ability came from Yuan Hong before his ascension, when he was still a powerful mutant white ape. Tearing tigers and leopards apart with his bare hands was likely child's play to him.
Given that, such a body would have to house immense strength; otherwise, it wouldn't hold up.
And so, upon awakening this talent, Rhine found his physical power greatly enhanced.
He threw a punch to test it out—and with a sharp sonic boom, his fist almost blurred from the speed as it struck the wall.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the surface, dense and deep. The impact zone was visibly dented inwards.
Rhine stared at the destruction he had caused, stunned.
A punch like that… wasn't it as devastating as some of the more powerful spells?
And yet, his arm should have suffered at least some backlash—but he didn't feel even a hint of pain. It was as though a soft breeze had brushed against his skin.
Offense and defense in perfect harmony!
"No wonder he could go toe-to-toe with Erlang Shen! This talent is leagues above anything the wizarding world has to offer—Parseltongue, Legilimency, silver tongues—bah!"
"Oh, and it even extends life by over a century."
"Voldemort went to all that trouble—murder, Horcruxes—just to gain a few extra years, and in the end, he didn't even live that long. Miserable way to exist, really. What was the point?"
"If he ever found out about this Iron Skin and Diamond Bones talent… wouldn't he be crying from sheer envy?"
And if Rhine could also get that divine-level staff mastery talent from Hagrid later on, he'd be even more unstoppable.
He clenched his fists, feeling a rush of excitement, and finally stepped out of the bathroom.
Hagrid looked up as Rhine exited, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Rhine, did you hear something just now?"
"I could've sworn I heard a loud thud."
"And for a moment… I had this creepy feeling, like some extremely dangerous magical creature was nearby. I'd estimate at least a Class 5X."
Rhine's heart skipped.
Could that ominous aura Hagrid sensed have been the residual energy from awakening Iron Skin and Diamond Bones?
It made sense—this was a talent born of a primeval mutant white ape. Even the tiniest leak of its aura would feel terrifying.
Especially to someone like Hagrid, who spent most of his life dealing with dangerous magical beasts. His instincts were bound to be sharp.
Though, Rhine thought, Hagrid was still underestimating it.
5X level?
If Yuan Hong's pre-ascension form ever appeared in the wizarding world, he could probably rip those so-called 5X-class creatures into shreds and snack on them like beef jerky!
Rhine smiled and offered a casual explanation.
"Oh, that thud was just me closing the toilet lid. And as for magical creatures? That can't be right. We're still in the Muggle world. Before I met you, I didn't even know magical creatures were real."
"Maybe you were too absorbed in those dinosaur fossils and your imagination ran wild?"
Hagrid scratched his head. Though he still seemed unsure, Rhine's words did make sense.
"True, what kind of dangerous creature would show up around here?"
"Well, then—Rhine, time's almost up. I'd better take you to the wizarding world now. Lots of shopping to do!"
"As for the dinosaur fossils…"
Hagrid's eyes drifted toward a nearby Triceratops skeleton.
Impressive as that was, Hagrid clearly had a soft spot for carnivorous dinos.
He hesitated, torn between the Velociraptor and the Pterosaur.
The next moment, Rhine made a decisive offer.
"Hagrid, no need to choose. I'll give you both the raptor and the pterosaur fossils."
"If you see me as a friend, don't say no. Once we're at Hogwarts, you can show me some magical creatures in return, yeah?"
"So don't worry about turning me down. Getting me to the wizarding world is the real priority, isn't it? It's getting late already."
Hagrid's face turned beet red with excitement. He thanked Rhine repeatedly, pounding his chest and promising to take him into the Forbidden Forest to see something truly rare.
Rhine's grin widened.
He felt even closer to Hagrid now.
And he was sure—when Christmas or Hagrid's birthday came around—if he gifted him a T-Rex fossil, their bond would become one of true, unshakable friendship.
And with a friend like Hagrid, who cherished loyalty above all else, earning his deep trust could pave the way for even greater benefits.
Like the legendary Staff Mastery talent.
Or the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique Manual!
Soon after, Rhine left his home with Hagrid.
They didn't use Apparition to reach Diagon Alley—perhaps because Hagrid wasn't great at it—but Rhine didn't mind.
After all, he remembered the books describing Apparition as feeling like being squeezed through a narrow tube or flushed down a toilet.
He had no desire to try that firsthand.
Not to mention, Apparition came with risks. Rhine had serious doubts about Hagrid's ability to transport him safely in one piece.
By comparison, the flying motorbike Hagrid rode in on was way cooler.
Seated in the sidecar, as the bike soared through the sky, Rhine—empowered by his Windborne Gift—felt no fear. He opened his arms wide, embracing the wild wind.
"Woohoo!"
"This is amazing!"
"Hagrid, can we go even faster?"
"Or maybe—can I drive for a bit?!"
Hagrid glanced at the boy standing confidently in the sidecar, hair whipping in the wind, and couldn't help but smile and give him a big thumbs-up.
"Rhine, you've definitely got a talent for Quidditch! But this bike isn't easy to handle—once you're on the team, I'll let you have a go."
"All right, we've arrived—the Leaky Cauldron!"
The motorbike dipped through the clouds, revealing a shabby old pub below.
When they landed in the rear courtyard, Rhine reluctantly climbed out of the sidecar.
Once he entered the wizarding world, he was determined to get himself something that could fly.
In the Muggle world, he was still too young to do much. But here, he could at least get a broomstick—no driver's license required!
And if memory served, the Nimbus 2000 was available this year.
In a couple more years, the Firebolt would hit the market with major performance upgrades.
He had to get one—no question about it!
Hagrid then demonstrated how to open the passage to Diagon Alley via the brick wall.
With his Heart of Seven Apertures talent, Rhine's memory was virtually photographic—one demonstration was enough.
As the bricks shifted and parted, the passageway slowly opened to reveal the bustling scene of Diagon Alley.
Even though Rhine had seen it countless times in books and films, witnessing it firsthand still left him breathless.
Hagrid, meanwhile, beamed with pride.
"This is the wizarding world. You'll have plenty of chances to explore it."
"Come on, let's get you to Gringotts to exchange some money first."