Darkness enveloped everything.
Yet, despite the pitch-black surroundings, his consciousness remained vividly clear. Logic dictated that such an unusual state should evoke fear, especially since Fox knew with certainty that he was supposed to be asleep. But fear didn't come. Instead, he felt an inexplicable comfort, a sense of peace so profound that it reminded him of being cradled in his mother's arms as a child.
Curiosity stirred within him.
In this endless void, a mix of curiosity, anticipation, and unexplainable longing began to rise in Fox's heart.
Tread. Tread. Tread.
Guided by an unseen force, he began to run. Each step felt purposeful, as though someone—or something—was leading him forward, urging him to discover what lay ahead.
He had no sense of time here. It could have been minutes or hours, but suddenly—
Buzz!
A surge of light burst forth, banishing the darkness. The brightness was overwhelming, and Fox instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes, expecting a sharp sting. Yet there was no pain.
Blinking cautiously, he lowered his hand and found himself standing amidst a scene so vivid and beautiful it seemed otherworldly.
The air was fresh and fragrant, filled with the scent of wildflowers. A lush green meadow stretched out before him, dotted with vibrant blossoms of every color. Birds flitted about, their melodious chirping creating a symphony of life. Tall, ancient trees swayed gently in a soft breeze, their branches home to creatures that watched him curiously.
Fox's eyes widened, his breath hitching as he took in the sight of the magical beings roaming the grassland.
A majestic unicorn, its silver mane shimmering in the sunlight, grazed peacefully nearby. Not far away, a rhinoceros with a glittering, venom-tipped horn moved with a mixture of power and grace. Above them, a rainbow-colored bird darted through the sky, leaving trails of luminous light in its wake.
"This… this is incredible," Fox murmured to himself. He had never seen anything like it before, not even in his wildest dreams.
A realization struck him suddenly.
This is a dream.
The thought brought a smile to his lips. A lucid dream! He could control his actions, explore freely, and interact with the wonders around him.
Excitement surged through him as he sprinted forward. He had to touch the unicorn's shimmering coat, feel the power of the rhinoceros, and perhaps even catch the rainbow bird. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he wasn't going to waste it.
But just as he closed the distance, something unexpected happened.
Boom!
"Ah!" Fox cried out in surprise as he collided with what felt like an invisible wall. Pain shot through his forehead, startling him.
"That… hurt?" he muttered, bewildered. The sensation was jarring. Wasn't this supposed to be a dream? He had never heard of anyone feeling pain while dreaming.
Reaching out cautiously, his fingers met a cold, smooth surface. It was as though an invisible barrier separated him from the magical creatures on the other side.
Confused, Fox turned around, hoping to find some clue as to what was happening. The darkness he had left behind was gone, replaced entirely by the vibrant meadow. Yet amidst the beauty, he noticed something unusual—a figure standing a short distance away.
Fox squinted, wiping his eyes to make sure he wasn't imagining things. The figure was real.
Relief and curiosity intertwined as he sprinted toward them, shouting, "Where is this? Who are you? What's going on?"
But no matter how hard he ran, he couldn't seem to get any closer. The distance between them remained constant, as though the figure was perpetually just out of reach.
Finally, he stopped, panting and frustrated. "Why can't I reach you? What is this place?"
The figure stepped closer on their own, their presence calm and assured.
"Calm down, Daniel Fox," a soft voice said, resonating with a strange, magical power. The words soothed him instantly, and his racing heart began to slow.
Now able to see clearly, Fox realized the figure was a young woman. She wore light blue robes that shimmered faintly, and her delicate features carried an air of quiet authority.
"Daniel Fox, welcome to the dream world of Kamar-Taj," she said with a serene smile.
"Kamar-Taj?" Fox repeated, the name stirring a faint memory. Images of a glowing advertisement flashed in his mind—the one he'd seen earlier that day at the mall.
"What is Kamar-Taj?" he asked hesitantly. "Am I dreaming? And why am I here? I don't have any money, so if you've kidnapped me, you're wasting your time."
The woman chuckled softly at his rambling questions. Waiting for him to finish, she finally spoke. "Daniel Fox, allow me to answer your questions."
She gestured to the meadow around them. "Kamar-Taj is a school for wizards, founded by Headmaster Gilderoy Lockhart, one of the most accomplished wizards of our time. Here, students learn spells, potions, flying, combat, and much more. This, what you see now, is a dream world constructed by Headmaster Lockhart as part of the admissions process."
"A dream world?" Fox asked, his skepticism evident.
"You can think of it as a virtual world," she explained. "It's designed to test potential students in unique ways. Here, you'll experience different scenarios, learn basic magic, and undergo challenges to determine your aptitude."
She paused, watching his expression shift from disbelief to cautious wonder.
"Your presence here means you have the potential to become a wizard," she continued. "The first test is what we call the Dark Heart Test."
Fox tilted his head. "What's that?"
"The Dark Heart Test examines your ability to face and overcome inner fears," she said. "In the darkness, we assess your spiritual aptitude. Those with strong potential often feel excitement or curiosity in the dark. Those with average aptitude may experience calmness but also a mix of fear or doubt. However, if they can conquer those feelings and move forward, they pass."
Fox absorbed her explanation, his earlier panic now replaced with excitement.
Meanwhile, outside the dream world, Peggy Carter continued her explanation to Dumbledore, Fudge, and McGonagall.
"Principal Lockhart's dream world allows us to evaluate candidates on a large scale," Carter explained. "It's impossible to personally assess every individual, given the numbers. By using the dream world, we can test thousands at once and identify those with the most promise."
She smiled faintly. "I value rationality and self-control in students. Those traits are vital for mastering magic responsibly."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully but kept his gaze fixed on the young woman guiding Fox. His sharp eyes seemed to perceive something beyond the surface.
Fudge, however, was practically buzzing with excitement. "This dream world is extraordinary!" he exclaimed. "Imagine the applications within the Ministry. Lockhart may have outdone himself this time."
Carter paid Fudge's enthusiasm little mind and resumed her explanation, only to be interrupted by McGonagall.
"Ms. Carter," McGonagall began, her tone sharp, "if a student wishes to join Kamar-Taj, how do you convince their parents? Particularly those attending Muggle schools—how do you handle such cases?"
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