Chapter 45: Special Grade (1)

Holographic screens floated before August, emanating a soft glow across the room. The cosy living area, bathed in warm December sunlight, offered a beautiful view of the busy streets of Minato. August sat on the plush couch, casually dressed in a knitted grey woollen sweater and black trousers. His fingers traced the rim of the steaming ceramic coffee cup as he sipped the warm brew while news his attention was fixed on the news reports playing on the immersive displays of the floating screen. 

The rich scent of freshly brewed beans wafted through the air as he took a sip of his coffee, relishing in the warmth seeping through the ceramic cup and into his fingers and mingling with the light tension emitted from the news anchor's words, mirroring the apprehension of the general public of the supernatural world.

His gaze remained focused on the holographic screen, following the latest developments on the infamous dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald.

The headlines blazed across the screens, repeating like a haunting refrain:

"Gellert Grindelwald Remains Elusive: ICM's Frustration Grows as Weeks Pass Without Capture"

The world had been consumed with the search for Gellert Grindelwald for weeks. Ministries of Magic across the globe were mobilizing their forces in hopes of capturing the notorious dark wizard. However, despite their exhaustive efforts, Grindelwald remained elusive, a shadow that loomed over the minds of all.

As the news segment carried on, the screen was filled with public responses to Grindelwald's escape. The horrors he had unleashed years ago still haunted everyone, and the determination to capture him only grew stronger. But despite all efforts, the truth remained out of reach, leaving the world in a state of suspense.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang—pulling him back to the present. August set down his coffee cup and approached the entrance. As he turned the knob and swung open the door, he was met with silver locks and piercing lilac irises - Mei Mei, the enchanting sorcerer, dressed in her uniform. Her hair was styled into intricate double braids, and her presence exuded both elegance and danger.

"Hello, Mei-san," August welcomed her into his apartment. He led her to the living room and offered her a seat on the comfortable sofa. "Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.

Eying the half-empty mug on the table, Mei Mei nodded. "A hot cup of coffee would be perfect," she replied.

August quickly disappeared into the kitchen to brew a fresh pot. As he returned, he couldn't help but notice a change in Mei Mei's demeanour. "What brings you here today?" he asked curiously as he handed her the steaming mug.

Sipping her coffee, Mei Mei settled back onto the plush sofa, "I've been appointed to escort you," she said in a calm voice, locking her lilac eyes onto his. "To your Special Grade evaluation."

The warm sunlight filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow on her features. She had always been an enigma; her lilac eyes held secrets that even the most skilled sorcerers couldn't decipher.

"When?" August asked, his interest now fully sparked. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of this unexpected turn of events. He had anticipated a quiet day, perhaps some paperwork or a routine mission as a Grade One sorcerer. But Mei Mei's presence and words suggested something far more important on his agenda for the day.

"Now," she responded steadily. "The evaluation begins in an hour."

August raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why so suddenly?" he questioned. "I wasn't given any prior notice like I was for my Grade One advancement test."

Mei Mei's lips curved into a half-smile. "A Grade One and a Special Grade have fundamentally different duties," she explained. "A Grade One is allocated missions by the HQ, following a structured protocol. But a Special Grade has more freedom—they choose their own missions and must always be ready for anything. The security of our nation relies on it."

August nodded, absorbing her words. Even so, he still couldn't understand the urgency and secrecy surrounding this evaluation. "But why keep it a secret?" he probed further. "Why not inform us beforehand?"

Mei Mei leaned in closer, locking her gaze with his. "Because," she whispered, "a Special Grade must always be ready for the unexpected. The most difficult tests often come when you least expect them."

August couldn't help but tease, "Are you giving me a lesson in philosophy now?" He smirked playfully. "But seriously, what kind of challenge awaits me?"

Mei Mei's smile turned mischievous. "This time," she said mysteriously, "you won't have to go through the full evaluation process. You can skip straight to the final trial."

August furrowed his brow in confusion. "Is there a reason behind this?" he inquired.

Mei Mei leaned in even closer, her warm breath tickling his ear. "I may have already told you more than I should have" she whispered slyly. "Consider it a token of our friendship"

August's mind raced as he tried to unravel the puzzle. "Why?" he asked softly. "Why make an exception for me?"

Mei Mei's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Because," she stated with a playful tone, "sometimes secrets are the most valuable currency."

August chuckled at her response. "In that case," he said thoughtfully, "I owe you a favour. How about dinner? As a way of thanks?"

A genuine laugh escaped Mei Mei's lips before she replied, "Only if you succeed." She raised an eyebrow teasingly, adding, "I'll consider your offer for dinner if you manage to pass the evaluation."

__________

The luxurious black Maybach glided smoothly along the twisting paths of the forest, its wheels crunching against the gravel beneath them. The bustling city of Minato was long gone, replaced by a peaceful expanse of greenery. August gazed out of the tinted windows, watching as the urban landscape faded away into a blur of vibrant emerald tones.

Beside him sat Mei Mei, with an unreadable expression that gave away nothing.

The car glided to a gentle halt in front of an unusual tree with a Y-shaped trunk—signifying their arrival at their destination. Its gnarled branches twisted upward, seemingly trying to touch the sky. August opened the door and felt the crisp forest air surround him. Mei Mei followed suit and emerged from the car as well, her silver hair shining in the dappled sunlight. She pointed towards the unique tree, her lilac eyes filled with intensity.

"We are here" she murmured in a barely audible voice.

August nodded, understanding the significance. He sensed the spatial or dimensional overlay on the area as soon as they turned right into the forest trail road from the highway, centred around the weird-looking tree.

Mei Mei reached out and placed her hand on the rough bark, her fingers lightly tracing over the surface as she gestured for him to join her. He followed suit, feeling a faint tingling sensation in his fingertips as if they were picking up on traces of magic left behind.

"Unveil the unseen, clearer than sight, Bridge the realms, wider than the night," Mei Mei chanted, her eyes closed. "Call forth the mirror dimension, beyond light's bend."

A familiar sensation enveloped them—an otherworldly pull, like stepping through a veil. August surrendered to the magic and when he opened his eyes again, the forest had transformed. Colors intensified and the air shimmered. Mei Mei stood beside him, unfazed by the change.

"Follow me," she commanded firmly.

Walking slowly behind her, August felt the ground give softly beneath his shoes. They reached a small clearing where an older man stood waiting for them; His hair had turned grey and his face was lined with years of weather, but his piercing brown eyes seemed to stare straight into August's soul.

"No wonder," August murmured in recognition while an impossibly intense aura suddenly emanated from the elderly man, washing over them like a tsunami drowning a little rock, its force seemed to distort the mirror dimension they were in.

"I couldn't passively detect his presence!" August stood calmly in the face of the old sorcerer's powerful aura, while Mei Mei's back became slick with cold sweat but she remained steady with her ever-present smile.

The old sorcerer intensified his aura, specifically targeting August. "This is your last chance to turn back, kid," he warned. "If you take another step forward, you won't be able to—"

But before he could finish, August stepped forward with a condescending smirk playing on his lips. "Don't bore me with unnecessary drama, old man. This isn't some high school test of courage."

The sorcerer's aura fluctuated for a moment before vanishing completely. Or rather, it camouflaged itself with the surroundings and made his previous imposing aura indistinguishable from a normal tree.

Sensing the impasse, Mei Mei quickly intervened. "This dimension is under surveillance and the live feed is being directly streamed to the supreme council. Now that Sorcerer August Blackwood has consented to the test, it will formally begin."

She glanced at the midnight-haired man beside her before stepping back and speaking with authority in her lilac eyes. "Grade One Sorcerer August Blackwood," she said. "You stand on the threshold of the Special Grade evaluation. Your task is simple yet formidable: defend the city behind you from Special Grade Sorcerer Genbu Kushihashi for five minutes."

August studied the elderly man standing before him, Genbu Kushihashi - a sorcerer renowned throughout the ages. His hair was now peppered with grey and his face held lines of wisdom earned through years of experience. Despite his calm appearance, there was a powerful aura exuding from him that was unlike anything August had encountered before. It seemed as though the very essence of reality shifted in response to Genbu's presence.

Even his Observe attested to the fact with the small information box floating above the head of the man.

[Genbu Kushihashi - Human(Cursed) - 'The Pillar of Orthodox Faction' - 'Archdruid of the Cursed Grove' - Tier 6]

[CE Reserve-S, Innate Cursed Technique-Mokuzai Rebirth]

This man was, without a doubt, the strongest adversary August had faced yet.

'Well, excluding Gojo. We weren't really fighting, it was more of a....friendly spar.'

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