Chapter 88

Why did Leo take the risk of kidnapping a dark wizard from Knockturn Alley?

This decision stemmed from his recent study of all the spell-related books he could find.

He discovered that spells in the wizarding world are mainly divided into ordinary spells and dark spells.

Ordinary spells include practical magic like the Levitation Charm, Cleaning Charm, and Cooking Charm—spells related to daily life. Dark spells, on the other hand, are mostly aggressive and harmful spells.

Ordinary spells are widely available and can be learned from spellbooks that are readily available for purchase, with detailed explanations included.

However, dark spells are a different matter.

Dark spells are categorized into jinxes, hexes, and curses. Jinxes and hexes typically cause minor harm, and many of them can be found in spellbooks along with instructions on how to learn them.

For example, spells like the Knockback Jinx, the Bat-Bogey Hex, the Knee-Reversal Hex, and the Revulsion Jinx are all relatively easy to find.

But curses, which are much more dangerous and cause severe damage, are rarely learned by ordinary wizards. As a result, it's difficult to obtain them through normal channels.

Since Leo had entered this world, there was no way he would pass up the chance to learn these powerful and extremely useful curses.

So, he came up with a method that would save him both time and Galleons while allowing him to acquire curses and have someone guide him in learning them.

That method was to directly kidnap a dark wizard and bring them back to the estate.

Knockturn Alley, where dark wizards frequently gather—especially at night to trade in illegal magical items—was the perfect place to find a target.

As the owner of an herb shop, Tom Fawley had also visited Knockturn Alley at night. In fact, nearly every wizard had gone to Knockturn Alley at some point to buy something, as certain rare items could only be found in such places.

This explains why, despite everyone knowing how dangerous Knockturn Alley is, it still exists and continues to thrive.

"Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique!"

Upon arriving in Knockturn Alley, Leo found a secluded spot and used a D-rank Earth Release jutsu, instantly blending his body into the wall of Knockturn Alley.

Well, not exactly blending—his body took on the same color as the wall, making it appear as though he had merged with it.

Dark wizards vary greatly in strength. Some are so unskilled that they might not even be as capable as a Hogwarts student, while others are quite formidable. 

Most of them share a common trait: extensive knowledge of vicious dark spells. Being careless could easily lead to disaster.

Therefore, Leo didn't plan to confront them head-on. Instead, he opted for a more cautious approach—an ambush.

Dark wizards almost certainly know Apparition, a spell for escaping quickly, making it impossible to catch them without a surprise attack.

Moreover, those dark wizards who have survived multiple attempts by Aurors to capture them would likely flee at the slightest sign of trouble.

One hour passed, then two, then three. Leo remained hidden with the Earth Release technique, carefully selecting potential targets as they passed by.

He ruled out anyone too young, anyone too far away who might be difficult to ambush, and anyone who had another wizard within their line of sight.

Finally, around 3 a.m., he found a suitable target.

It was an old wizard, likely nearing sixty, clutching a handful of Galleons he had just earned from selling his homemade poisons. He looked satisfied as he exited a nearby magical shop.

As the old wizard approached the wall where Leo was hiding and prepared to Apparate away, Leo struck.

He didn't launch a direct attack on the old wizard, unsure if the wizard had protective enchantments like the Shield Charm on his robes or if he could react quickly enough to counterattack.

Instead, Leo moved at his maximum speed, swiftly closing the distance and snatching the wand from the old wizard's hand.

In this world, most wizards are rendered nearly powerless without their wands. Even if they can still cast spells, their power and speed are greatly diminished compared to when they have a wand in hand.

Only top-tier wizards like Dumbledore or Grindelwald could close this gap.

The moment the old wizard lost his wand, he was stunned, having never expected a hand to emerge from the wall.

However, the old wizard wasn't one to give up easily. Despite losing his wand, he quickly began chanting a spell, attempting wandless magic.

But Leo, prepared for this, didn't give him the chance. As soon as he grabbed the wand, he tackled the old wizard and Apparated away.

Apparition is the most convenient form of spatial travel for wizards, but many avoid using it unless necessary due to its discomfort. The sensation is akin to being squeezed through a very tight tube, accompanied by intense dizziness.

Many wizards vomit the first time they successfully Apparate.

The moment Leo Apparated with the old wizard, the intense discomfort interrupted the dark wizard's attempt to cast a spell. By the time he recovered and tried to cast again, a flash of magic hit him squarely in the back.

"Well done, Bally!"

Back at the Fawley estate, having just shaken off the effects of Apparition, Leo saw the old wizard unconscious and gave a thumbs up to Bally, the house-elf standing beside him.

Bally nearly burst with excitement at her master's praise.

Leo had instructed Bally to wait for him in the estate before he left, ready to cast a Stunning Spell on whoever he brought back as soon as they arrived.

House-elves can cast spells without wands and without incantations, making them formidable opponents, especially against a wandless wizard who had just been through Apparition.

After stripping the old wizard of all his belongings, Leo securely chained him in the basement and instructed Bally to keep an invisible watch over him. Then, he went upstairs to get some sleep.

The next morning, Leo didn't immediately go to the basement to check on the old wizard. Instead, he began examining the items he had taken from him.

There weren't many—a total of three items: a silver pocket watch that emitted faint magical energy, presumably a magical item with unknown properties; a wand, the old wizard's wand, which was of little use to Leo; and a small, unassuming box.

When Leo carefully opened the box and peeked inside, his face lit up with delight.

The box, like his pouch, had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, giving it a considerable internal space. Inside, he found several Galleons and a few magical books.

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