Chapter -56.
"Bernard, This is the end!"
As Lester gazed at Bernard, lifeless on the ground and being trampled by the fierce fire beasts, a wave of hatred washed over him. All the grievances he had endured over the past few weeks culminated into a massive fireball in his hands.
When other travelers arrived, they typically brought power or connections; at the very least, they were orphans from an orphanage, with at least one meal to sustain them.
But Lester? He had just arrived in this new world, still trying to get his bearings, when he found himself thrown directly into Azkaban. Wasn't that just plain cruel?
And who was responsible for all of this? It was none other than Bernard, who lay before him, being mercilessly trampled.
Filled with rage, Lester concentrated all his anger into a colossal fireball of Protego diabolica. As the eerie purple flames flickered to life, they transformed the area around him into a searing furnace.
"Die!!!"
With fury sparkling in his eyes, Lester launched the immense fireball toward Bernard, its force obliterating everything in its path.
Finally, it crashed down heavily upon Bernard, still motionless on the ground.
Boom!!!
A thunderous explosion resonated, followed by a violent tremor and a towering mushroom cloud that billowed skyward from the destruction.
...
Meanwhile, in a courtroom at the Ministry of Magic, onlookers, including high-ranking officials, could only watch in horrified silence.
"Who is that person? Does anyone know him?" an elderly wizard with a shock of white hair asked, pointing shakily at the grinning figure on the screen known as 'Zombifier.'
The others exchanged worrisome glances, indicating they had never seen him. Only a few of the Ministry's higher-ups, newly escaped from danger, recognized Zombifier's familiar face, deep in thought.
Unlike these older members of the Wizengamot, who owed their positions to family fame, the more formidable officials of the Ministry of Magic were in touch with the real pulse of power in the wizarding world, their information much more reliable.
They were aware that the man unleashing raging fire on Bernard was Arlis, a Muggle wizard once dominated by Bernard!
Yet now, everything has shifted. Arlis had risen, rallying a band of prisoners to assault the Ministry, forcing everyone to reassess his standing.
"Minister, should we send someone to speak to Arlis soon?" Two shadowy figures observed the events unfold from a dark corner, their bright eyes revealing their intent.
It was 1990, ten years after Voldemort's defeat, and the current Minister of Magic was Albert Smith.
Unlike other ministers who acted as mere figureheads for pure-blood families, Albert, a respected leader, had fought against Voldemort's tyranny, participating in the resistance that saw many Death Eaters face justice.
Now, as the former war hero regarded the mushroom cloud rising on the screen, his expression was grave.
"Talk? Just look at him; he's about to obliterate the Ministry of Magic. Do you think he'll want to negotiate with us?" Smith exclaimed, agitation evident as he pointed at Arlis still wreaking havoc on Bernard. "I want to negotiate too, but what can we offer him?"
"Power, wealth, fame. With his abilities, all of those are within his grasp. If he wanted, he could easily become another Dark Lord!"
After a series of excited remarks, Smith's tone moderated. "Have we reached out to Dumbledore yet?"
Smith regarded him with a hint of hope. Once, he had disdained Dumbledore, especially during the wizard's peak of influence, recognizing how easily Dumbledore's endorsement could jeopardize his ministerial position.
Now, however, he genuinely wished for Dumbledore, who had gone abroad a few days prior, to return swiftly to help resolve this crisis.
"Principal Dumbledore…" one aide said hesitantly, "It seems the wizarding community in that country is experiencing turmoil. Their entire communication network is down, and our owls and letters can't reach them at all."
"Damn that country!" Minister Smith fumed. "They can stage a coup if they want, but why do it now? Isn't that just courting disaster for us?!"
...
While the Ministry officials worried, the fierce conflict between Lester and Bernard continued.
After hours of intense battle, it was clear only one outcome was possible: the elimination of the opponent!
"Die for me!!!"
At that moment, Lester stood at the edge of a vast hole on the third floor, conjuring terrifying purple fireballs and relentlessly hurling them at the seemingly unresponsive Bernard below.
Like a spell cannon with limitless magic, Lester simply summoned fire from his surroundings and threw it down at Bernard.
Meanwhile, Bernard lay on the ground, allowing Lester to pummel him, while the swirling black mist around him responded to each of Lester's hits by releasing more black mist that slowly enveloped him.
And that's not the end of it; several fierce fire beasts were also tearing at Bernard, using either their hooves or teeth in their assault.
Simultaneously, the eerie flames completely engulfed Bernard, turning him into a fiery figure wrapped in shades of purple and black.
This relentless assault was the only way Bernard was able to produce black mist to counter the fierce flames; without it, even the likes of Voldemort would be reduced to ashes by such a fierce inferno.
As Lester observed Bernard, now seemingly indifferent to the battle, his compassion vanished, and he became a fireball-throwing maniac, launching endless rounds without restraint.
Boom!!!
Boom!!!
In an instant, the underground fifth floor reverberated with the sounds of explosions. Yet, amidst the chaos, Lester had the leisure to control the tempo of his fireball launches, creating a little tune from the cacophony. He believed with all his might that under this relentless barrage, Bernard couldn't possibly emerge intact.
While Lester enjoyed the thrill of the assault, the Wizards of the Wizengamot downstairs were suffering from the powerful aftermath of each fireball that rattled the judgment chamber.
***
Tl/N : Want to read more while supporting me, you can join me on PATREON: where I have kept stockpile of 20 chapters.
PATREON.com/SoulDream.