Chapter 50 - Encounter

Before Otto and Anna could react, a voice echoed, "Hey, old man! Where's your beetle phone?! I've been calling you for the past half hour! Damn it, why did you decide to move to Adastra at all? Is it really so hard to give a heads up? If it weren't for your daughter Lisa, who said you're here, Grindewald would have mobilized all his saints and sent them on a quest to find you."

"Hehe... you found me," Ollivander chuckled.

"Of course, we found you. This street belongs to me, and besides, Lisa told us where to look for you."

"Hmm. Daughter, the traitor!" Ollivander turned away, muttering discontentedly.

"Who's talking? You're slacking off from your work! Nico and I are almost done. We just need suitable wands, and for their crafting, we need your help. Nicolas said your research on wand materials would be very useful."

"I refuse! I will never do something so outdated. It's not even a magic wand. Just take any old stick and let them try."

"You..." Asmodeus struggled to restrain himself from hitting the old craftsman.

"Do you realize this could bring a new kind of wizards to the magical world?"

"Yes."

"And you're still against it because of the silly idea that a wand must have a core?"

"Yes!"

"Then what do you say about my staff?! You sold it to me yourself!"

"It's my great-grandfather's discovery, and it has nothing to do with me!"

"Believe it or not, I'll burn your little shop and all the wands in it right now."

"No! You monster!! They're alive, they're my children!"

"An old pervert who loves showing wands to children..."

"A pyromaniac who just wants to burn everything! Not a single wand chose you! Go wave your staff somewhere else."

"You!" Asmodeus gasped for breath. "You're not good enough to make a wand for me!"

"Maybe I just didn't want to waste materials on you." Otto and Anna watched in surprise as this scene unfolded, nibbling on candies they bought at Honeydukes until they noticed a dark red card.

"Asmodeus Noren Morningstar - 14 years old. Now known as the wizard with the brightest future and the deepest pockets. He is the leading contender for the title of the most powerful wizard after Dumbledore's retirement. An outstanding magician, he has a strong affinity for the element of fire, influencing almost every spell he casts. Possesses tremendous combat potential, confirmed by killing a troll with a simple flame-summoning spell, leaving only ashes behind.

Responsible for developing a method to turn squibs into wizards and numerous highly useful inventions, such as magical gates, beetle phones, and more. Also, he is the founder of the wizard village Adastra and the trading street Omnis. The founder of the Morningstar family."

"Oh my, you're Mr. Morningstar!" exclaimed Anna, comparing the photo on the card to the live person.

Otto, in turn, solemnly said, "Mr. Morningstar, thank you very much for the opportunity you've given me. Without you, I wouldn't have known that the world could be so bright and magical."

"Eh, don't mention it. But what are you talking about?"

"He used to be a squib."

"Aah, I see. Well, you don't need to thank me. If you've signed a contract, it means you're obligated not to harm the Morningstar family. It's a deal. And you don't owe me anything."

"I know. It's just human gratitude."

"Then, you're welcome."

After Otto's response, Asmodeus looked at Ollivander again. "Let's go, old man! Your son will look after this shop."

"Do you really need me?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, but take them with you."

"Why? Because of the girl?"

"Yes, do you feel it too?"

"Yes, she's not a wizard or a squib, but it's like she's drawing nature to her."

"Yes, I feel the same. I think she's very suitable for that type of magic."

Otto looked surprisingly at Anna, who also didn't understand what was being discussed.

"Uh, Mr. Morningstar, Mr. Ollivander, can you tell us what's happening?"

"Well...," Asmodeus began his tale.

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Let's go back a week. At that moment, Otto and Anna hadn't even set off towards the amusement park, and they hadn't even thought about the existence of magic.

Asmodeus sat on the floor in the library, surrounded by stacks of books, muttering to himself, "...druids... druids once existed in this world... hmm... the first wizards... connection with nature... weak in battles..."

In the process of reading, Asmodeus soon came across a sketch on one of the pages, and a blurry image flashed in his mind. Clearly artificially carved cave. In front of the cave, there was an array of huge stones, arranged in some sequence, among them grew peculiar plants forming incomprehensible patterns.

Among the stones, on a large boulder, there was a circular cavity, and it seemed like something had to be placed there. Next to the boulder, stood several quadrupedal animals, resembling a magical version of alpacas, with different fur colors, but all with large eyes. At that moment, they all looked at the stone formation in front of them, seeming a bit... silly?

Asmodeus pondered, "Artificial caves, stone formations, strange patterns, circular inserts, and quadrupedal animals... I always feel like I've seen this somewhere before."

"Wait... could this animal be... a Mooncalf?"

Asmodeus had seen this creature many times; Scamander often called him to his suitcase...

Mooncalfs are extremely shy creatures that come out of hiding only during a full moon. Their bodies are smooth, usually light gray in color, with round bulging eyes on the top of their heads. They have thin legs with very large flat feet. Mooncalfs perform intricate dances on their hind legs in the moonlight in secluded areas, believed to be their mating rituals. After such dances, they leave behind trampled patterns in the field, confusing Muggles with complex geometric shapes…

The Mooncalf dances were not only a charming spectacle; they had practical benefits. If their silvery dung was collected before dawn and scattered on flower beds and vegetable patches with magical herbs, the plants would grow faster and suffer less from diseases.

Thinking about this, Asmodeus suddenly realized where he got the déjà vu feeling... because he had been there.

"Isn't this the Moonstone Garden!" In the game called Hogwarts Legacy, Asmodeus had already visited there.

"Could it be that Druids have some connection to the Moonstone Garden?"

Contemplating this, Asmodeus reached for the staff leaning against the bookshelf next to him and, using it for support, emerged from the pile of books. Taking a couple of books and checking if he forgot anything, he headed towards the library exit. However, Madame Pince's voice stopped him:

"And who will tidy up?"

"Madam Pince, please, this is the last time. I'm really in a hurry. Besides, my levitation spell... well, you already know," he said, gesturing to the side.

The last time he tried to clean up, the book he lifted with the levitation spell started to smoke... Fortunately, it didn't catch fire. It was just moisture accumulated in the book evaporating. Since then, Madam Pince had banned him from using magic in the library. You know, even though there's a fire barrier around the object that Levitation lifts and protects it, the temperature is still a factor... so it's not advisable for Asmodeus to use the Wingardium Leviosa spell on flammable items.

"This is the last time, Mr. Morningstar. I know your research is important, but you can't leave a mountain of books behind every time. I can't keep cleaning up after you indefinitely. Have at least the most basic respect for books!"

"I know, sorry again. I promise it was the last time."

"I'll believe you this time, but if it happens again... I'll forbid you from taking more than one book at a time!"

Asmodeus: "ヽ(o＾▽＾o)ノ Thank you very much, I won't let you down."

He said and rushed towards the exit, as if escaping from a monster. After a couple of minutes, he found himself in the headmaster's office.

"Albus, I need to go to the Hog's Head Inn. Nicolas is there, right?"

"Yes, he's there, but what's the rush?"

"That's why, I know where it is!" He said, pointing to the sketch in the book.

"What is this?"

"Possibly the place where Druids left their legacy!"

"Druids? Those who disappeared hundreds of years ago? Nature mages?"

"Yes, yes, exactly!"

"But why do you need this? If I remember correctly, their magic was... not exactly combat-oriented."

"So what? Any magic has its place!"

"I agree with that, it's just... you know, your affinity with fire... Let's say, it's not exactly compatible with Druidism."

Asmodeus: "Are you being polite?"

"Ahem, ahem. Okay, whatever... the fireplace is open if you want to use it at any time."

"By the way, when will you finally install gates in Hogwarts?"

"I'd be glad, but I can't find a suitable place, and besides, I don't see much point in them... no student except you is allowed to leave Hogwarts except for a walk in Hogsmeade. And if we open gates directly to Hogwarts, the Hog's Head Inn will lose a large share of customers among those who want to come to Hogwarts for a tour."

"Alright, do as you wish; it's your school. In my academy, there will be much more freedom!"

"Ummm, okay."

"Well then, goodbye. I'm going to find Nicolas. He has long wanted to explore some ruins with me."

In reality, Nicolas and Asmodeus had become close friends over the past six months. Although Asmodeus also got along well with Dumbledore and Grindelwald, Nicolas seemed closer to him in spirit. In his youth, Nicolas was extremely active... he explored magic and roamed the world, and those who got in his way were beaten by Nicolas to the point that their mothers wouldn't recognize them. Now he looks like a powerful old man, but from Perenelle's stories, it's evident that he used to be quite a daredevil.

"Alright, goodbye. Let everyone know I won't be around for a while!" Asmodeus shouted, disappearing into the flames.

"Cough, cough, what a crazy teleportation technology. No wonder I redesigned it!" Asmodeus said, clearing his throat and shaking off the dust.

He exited the fireplace, which no one used anymore, so besides ashes as before, there was now a layer of dust, and even spiders had spun their homes here.

Leaving the utility room, Asmodeus headed to the registration desk. "Hello, Rosa, where's Nicolas now?"

"Hello, Mr. Morningstar. He and a few other alchemists are having lunch in the restaurant. Shall I guide you?"

"No need, I'll find it myself. Thanks for the help."

"You're welcome. Our staff is always happy to see you here!"

Nodding, Asmodeus headed to the dining hall. After a couple of minutes, he spotted a table where 5-6 old men, including Nicolas, were sitting.

Approaching from behind, he gestured with his hand, signaling everyone at the table to be silent.

"Tickles, tickles, tickles - the sound of tickling."

"Ah, who dared! I'll tickle you to death myself!" Nicolas exclaimed, jumping up.

Thanks to the magical circle, his body now resembled that of an 80-year-old and alchemical implants allowed him to feel like a 60-year-old, so Nico was now an active old man again.

"Is that you, Asmodeus? You know, you need to get rid of this habit..."

Every time Nicolas is engrossed in his work, Perenelle tickles him to distract him since Nicolas is very afraid of being tickled. She jokingly told Asmodeus about it once, and he decided to try it. Gradually, he got used to tickling Nicolas when he doesn't notice. It reminds him of the caretaker at the orphanage who took care of him in his first life.....

"Nico, I'm here for business. Look!"

"And?"

"I know where this is!"

"What?! Why didn't you say so immediately? Get ready, let's go! Sorry, guys, the meeting will have to be postponed for a couple of days."

"No problem."

"Yeah, it's a shame, but at least during this time, we'll enjoy the new wizard village."

"Yes, Rick is right. Go, I would have come with you, but I need to buy some materials before the conference."

"Yeah, not a problem; we'll find something to occupy ourselves."

"Go, just be sure to tell us what you find there!"

After saying goodbye to the alchemists, Asmodeus and Nicolas headed to teleportation hall #1.

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