Intermission

*Narrator pov*

After the tough loss that Stiles faced Hogwarts lost once again this time it was Remus, he might be a good duelist but the poor lad was still coming out of his shell and hesitated to use more damaging spells.

But, that did not mean Hogwarts suffered a great loss on the contrary Sirius won his match leading into another victory by Severus. leaving Hogwarts in the lead with the score now 5-3 in their favor.

Just like their match against Durmstrang, another intermission was called allowing the students to take a break to do whatever they may need to be it eat, get something to drink, go to the bathroom, or just mingle with the foreign students.

The students were now in the eating area this time it was packed with bodies, the sight might have been daunting for some with social anxiety but the hunger and tiredness from the duels abolished the anxiety as they joined the Japanese students.

Stiles in a bold move went to find Ryujin. The match left him with many thoughts and he never dueled against someone who was also extremely proficient in one elemental magic.

"Stiles!" Ryujin greeted the wizard with a bright smile

"Ryujin," Stiles replied with a smile, "Our match was enlightening I'm sad I lost but I promise it won't happen again," he said with a slight smirk

Ryujin bursted into laughter, "Then we shall duel again soon, I almost lost the match I wasn't expecting someone to be proficient in ice magic as you are," he replied while pouring a cup of tea for Stiles

"Thank you," Stiles smiled tasting the tea, "It's good, better than British tea," he said causing Ryujin to laugh once more

He didn't seem as serious now.

"So, elemental magic is that something widely taught here?" Stiles asked

Ryujin nodded, "Yes, our headmaster Kazuki is widely known as the prominent master of elemental magic," his voice was full of respect

"Wicked," Stiles murmured

***

All around the cafeteria students were mingling, Kingsley was talking to a couple of students who were interested in the light spell and some of the wind spells he used.

James and Sirius were scarfing down food like maniacs while Evan was surprisingly talking to the opponent he beat about magical combat.

Lily was talking to some sorceresses.

The older Hogwarts students were also mingling it was a lot more laid back than Durmstrang, it felt a lot more like an exchange than a battle for dominance.

Albus and the rest of the professors sat with their Japanese equivalents talking about schooling plans and what they think is important to teach.

Only two figures were missing from this picture, Kazuki and Morpheus. Both were not to be seen, hearing Morpheus's earlier words everyone figured they were catching up from the old days of Kazuki teaching classes at Morpheus's old school.

*Morpheus pov*

After the third years were done with their matches and intermission was called I made eye contact with Kazuki, we both knew this conversation couldn't be put on hold for too long.

As I walked over to his office I thought about the matches, they went about as expected. Stiles losing was something I foresaw when I saw the matchup. He needs to learn how to conserve his energy when against an opponent who can counter his spell work so effectively.

Severus and Sirius winning were expected, both are good duelists, and had confidence in themselves and the determination to cast spells without the worry of 'what if' scenarios.

Lily losing was a surprise, it wasn't as if he was brutally outclassed but I thought she would have put forth a better performance. Especially because she is training with Severus.

What I can say for certain and I'm sure Abara and Yowie noticed this as well, the students are not used to such a wide breadth of footwork. The Japanese style of dueling consists of a lot of movement and dodging instead of spending the effort to shield. Which made it hard for the Hogwarts students to keep track of their opponents and be accurate with their spells.

Finally, I reached Kazuki's office. It was annoyingly at the very center of the school which meant from the platform I had to walk quite a ways.

I'm sure he apparated to buy himself more time. Unlike with Hogwarts, I am not built into the wards of this school making it an impossibility to apparate.

Opening the door I was greeted with the sight of a peaceful office, tea was brewing and Kazuki sat trimming a bonsai tree.

"Please sit," he motioned before him

I sat and waited for him to pour the tea, "You didn't respond to my letter," I pointed out

He sighed, "I'm old Morpheus, unlike you I aged. Can you respect my wishes to stay out of this war?" he asked no almost pleaded

I chuckled mirthfully, "You chose to use an artifact to live longer, you should have known you would need to fight again," I replied

He took a sip of his tea, "A war maybe but, this?" he motioned at me, "What you are dealing in is no mere war I'm old far too old Morpheus," he sounded tiered

"Too old? I'm too old," I sneered, "and yet I fight for all of this," I motioned around him, "To stay how it is, to save humanity from dying,"

"If you can cast a spell you can fight and I know you can do a lot more than cast a spell," I added

He chuckled, by no means was it a warm one, "And whose fault is it that we are fighting a war once again!" his aged fist slammed onto the table, "It is yours! It is always you are that brother of yours fault! So many people have died for your cause and I don't doubt you already have your claws sunk into more victims at this very moment who don't even realize they are in a war!" he sneered his magic flaring

My eyes chilled and my magic slipped, "do not talk about my brother you fool," I sneered, "you do not understand a fraction of what we have done, I do not care if we are called the worst wizards to ever live BUT, that does not give you the right to judge our actions! Like it or not you will be fighting in this war Kazuki because they will come for you and your students,"

Kazuki paused, "What do you want me to say Morpheus?" he asked quietly, "You speak of yourself and him as if you are a shield protecting humanity but, you have done far more to damn them,"

I chuckled no I roared in angry laughter, "And I'm sure we will suffer for eternity because of it, but this war is coming, and you need to get on the same page as us, or everything will be for naught,"

"You speak as if he is still alive," Kazuki pointed out

I stared at him impassively before a small smile crept onto my face, "Memories just seem to merge together at my age," a poor excuse

"The last war," he murmured changing the subject, "that's what you called it last time, how can I trust you this time?" he asked

I sighed, "Everything I've been working on has been for this, humanity either perishes or wins. There is no third option, the veil will soon crack under their pressure leaving large ravines armies can swarm through. They are dying behind the veil this is their last chance as it is ours," I replied

"I understand you are tired but you will need to fight," I stood and slowly began to walk out

"Kazuki,"

"Yes?" he asked his voice was so tired

"For what it's worth I am not lost on the fact I am a monster for what I've done, and for what I will do,"

"And that is the worst part,"

—

A/N: Patre on : patreon.com/Boogie324