The city of Guǐ was truly magnificent. Once you ignored the slightly gloomy atmosphere, you could appreciate the ancient, ghostly-looking constructions. It was even larger than the city of Xuézhě de xiūxí; a heavy flow of people, the murmur of the crowd's voices, and the occasional harmless spell crackling through the air.
Extimum walked alongside Harry and Mei, glancing at the signs and shop windows. The market was not as traditional or local as the one in Xuézhě de xiūxí; instead, there was a wide variety of products coming from different foreign places.
There were clothing stores from many cultures and a wide assortment of restaurants.
At one point, they entered the shop Mei had mentioned earlier. The store's name, written in floating letters of misty white, read: "So Sweet It Could Kill You." A skull drawn on the sign winked every few seconds.
Harry: "What a name…". He commented, raising an eyebrow.
Mei: "Ghostly humor"—she replied casually—"It's quite common here".
As they crossed the door, a spectral bell released a soft wail that faded into the air. The interior was lit by floating candles and decorated with glass jars containing clouds of color. Behind the counter, a ghost wearing a striped apron stirred a bowl that seemed to be filled with glowing mist.
Mei: "Three cloudy ice creams, please."
"Right away." The ghost nodded with a friendly smile and began forming spheres of "cloud" that floated gently before settling onto translucent cones. Sweet vapor curled above each one, leaving a faint trail in the air.
The three cones floated in front of them while Mei took out some money to pay.
Extimum and Bloom looked with curiosity at the ice cream before them. It was a very peculiar sensation. Like holding something, yet not at the same time. When he took the first bite, a puff of sweet vapor filled his mouth, followed by a creamy cold that ran across his tongue.
Harry: "It's like biting cotton candy… but cold and… it actually tastes like ice cream!" he said, trying to catch with his tongue a strand of vapor escaping from his cone.
Mei: "Because it is…". She rolled her eyes slightly.
Extimum: "It's an interesting experience… but I prefer normal ice cream." He commented while wrapping a bit of the ice cream around his finger and offering it to Bloom, who was staring intensely from the pocket of his coat.
Ice cream in the magical world differed greatly from the ones made by muggles. Although they kept the essence of ice cream, the flavors were more diverse and, at times, peculiar. The base of the product varied depending on the establishment: some used milk from ordinary animals fed with magical plants; others used milk from magical creatures, which didn't add supernatural properties, but did give a unique nuance to the flavor.
After buying the "ghostly ice creams," they stepped back into the bustle of the street. They moved at a slower pace, savoring the ice cream while drifting from one shop window to another. The route led them through narrower streets, where enchanted paper lanterns floated at low height and the shop displays looked like an endless runway for mannequins wearing outfits from every era and style.
As they continued walking, the atmosphere of the market gradually began to fade behind them. The shops became more scattered and, between them, quieter buildings started to appear: old residences with wooden balconies, inner courtyards hidden behind carved gates, and small side streets where the flow of people was thinner.
In some places they still passed open businesses or discreet restaurants, but the noise of the great market grew more and more distant. They walked like this for quite a while, simply letting themselves be carried along by the rhythm of the city.
Eventually, the road opened into a small circular plaza. In the center, a group of ghosts was performing a familiar play before an audience.
Extimum: "Romeo and Juliet?"
Mei: "Something like that, it's an adaptation."
They joined the crowd to get a better view and, as they made their way between the spectators, one particular conversation reached their ears.
Man 1: "I'm telling you, the guy who told me is trustworthy… and I paid well for the information. He says Harry Potter, the one who defeated the dark wizard Voldemort, is here, in China."
Man 2: "Really?"—he let out a low chuckle—"But the rumors about him are extremely contradictory… Some say he's a very dangerous dark wizard. I don't think it's a good idea to get involved."
Man 1: "Bah Those are just rumors. How could he be a dark wizard? Not to mention a dangerous one—he's barely even a kid."
Man 2: "Even so, wouldn't it be better to sell that information to the Death Eaters in the United Kingdom? I don't see how we could profit much otherwise."
Man 1: "Tsk, tsk… you lack ambition. If we could capture him ourselves, we could ask for a much higher price."
Man 2: "…"
The two men passed by them without lowering their voices, as if the crowd were enough to hide their conversation.
Extimum and Mei exchanged a brief glance, a barely perceptible gesture, before continuing to walk as if nothing had happened. There was no pause in their steps nor any change in their expressions, although their ears remained attentive to the conversation fading behind them.
Harry, meanwhile, stopped abruptly, turning his head in every direction as he searched the crowd for the two men.
Extimum: "What are you waiting for? Let's go."
Harry: "But they—". Clearly alarmed, he tried to reply, but Mei quickly covered his mouth.
Mei: "Shh. You're drawing too much attention." she whispered, giving him a stern look.
Extimum resumed walking and Harry, after a second of hesitation, followed them with obvious unease, suspicious of everyone around him.
.-.
Man 2: "Hey, now that I think about it… didn't that kid from earlier look quite similar to the description? Foreigner, black hair, and green eyes."
Man 1: "Nonsense. My contact said he wore glasses and was skinny. Besides, I didn't see his scar."
Man 2: "Hehehe… but it's not like it matters even if it isn't him, right? We just need to put some glasses on him and we could sell him, and by the time they realize it, we'll already be gone with the money."
.-.
The distant conversation barely reached Extimum's ears as he struggled to filter out the noise of the crowd.
Without saying a word, Extimum quickened his pace with Mei and Harry following close behind. They turned down a quieter side street, moving away from the large crowd while keeping watch to see if they were being followed.
Fortunately, whether they had lost sight of them or simply lost interest, the men did not follow.
Even so, just in case, Extimum chose a nearby establishment to enter and pass unnoticed.
As they stepped inside, a waitress wearing a green qípao gave them a slight bow and spoke in Chinese.
"Welcome, a table for three?"
Mei (Chinese): "Yes, if possible somewhere toward the interior of the building."
Waitress (Chinese): "Of course, please follow me."
The woman led them through a corridor lined with shelves full of porcelain teapots and small jade carvings. They arrived at a secluded room enclosed by wooden panels covered with rice paper, where the noise of the street faded into a distant murmur.
"Here you are." The waitress said, handing them a menu with a list of teas.
Harry did not even bother looking at it, far too worried to care. Mei, on the other hand, being someone familiar with the region, took the liberty of ordering for the three of them.
Harry's gaze constantly drifted toward the door and the window, and the moment the waitress left the room he voiced his concerns.
"How do they know I'm here? I've barely spoken to anyone, and I haven't even said my real name."
Extimum: "I can only think of Li Xie, the man from the slave shop. He might have recognized you. You're almost a public figure— even if people don't know you personally, your features precede you. Though you do look significantly different from when you first arrived."
The sliding door opened again and the waitress entered carrying a tray. On it rested a steaming teapot and three cups. She poured the tea with slow, practiced gestures before leaving the room without another word.
A rich yet gentle herbal aroma instantly spread through the small room, reaching Extimum's nose and making him take a deep breath.
"Hmm, it's not bad tea. You should try it, Harry. It'll help calm you down."
Harry sighed softly and reached out to take the cup. Extimum's monotone voice made him feel as though he were the one overreacting, though somehow it also helped soothe him a little.
Mei: "Have you had it before?" she asked with slight surprise. The tea was a local specialty.
Extimum: "Not at all. It's just the aroma—how should I put it? It gives a certain feeling of peace."
Mei raised an eyebrow at his answer, studying him with mild scrutiny.
Mei: "You sound like my father. He says things like that sometimes. This tea actually doesn't release much aroma unless you hold it close to your nose."
Extimum simply looked at her for a moment without reacting before quietly taking his own cup of tea.
In the calm atmosphere of the room, they drank slowly. A small break after walking through the city. They had already visited quite a few shops, yet Extimum had not noticed anything truly interesting. He could not deny the variety, but he had not found anything particularly useful or that caught his attention—aside from the sweets, of course.
Extimum: "I don't think there's much more to see around this area. Do you have any idea where we should go next?"
Catching the hint, Mei thought for a moment before answering.
"In that case, let's go to the southern part of the city. I know a few interesting places we could visit."
The best option was clearly to move away from that area. That way Harry wouldn't spend the whole time tense, wondering whether those ill-intentioned men might recognize him.
…
They remained in the establishment for about an hour. By the time they left, the tea had worked wonders, and not only were they more relaxed, they also felt full of energy to continue exploring.
After leaving the tea shop, they immediately headed toward the southern part of the city. The atmosphere there was different: the streets were slightly narrower, and the facades, though just as old, were decorated with paper charms and small lanterns casting dancing shadows.
Harry seemed calmer, though he still occasionally glanced at the crowd. They remained attentive, but nothing happened.
Along the way, Mei and Harry bought a few trinkets and souvenirs from various stalls, but Extimum still couldn't find anything that truly caught his interest. On top of that, his funds were limited, so every purchase had to be convincing enough to justify it.
After leaving a small ink art museum, they continued walking through several more streets. On one of them, a bookstore caught Extimum's attention, and he went in with the others to take a look.
Most of the content was already available in the sanctuary's library, but even so, he bought a book on how to make magical talismans. It would serve as study material for the future.
As they left, he stored the book in his expandable bag.
'Not bad, although…'
His gaze drifted slightly as they walked.
He still held a certain expectation of feeling something like that again—finding a possible treasure or something along those lines. It wasn't wrong to dream a little, right?
'Although before and after Bloom, I haven't felt anything similar again, even when I traveled throughout the entire city of Xuézhě de xiūxí—not to mention what I've seen here in Gui City…'
'Hmm? This is…'
He stopped in his tracks.
His eyes lit up slightly.
That feeling… had returned.
Without hesitation, he spun on his heels and started running in a direction.
Harry blinked, surprised.
"Huh? Hey, what's going on now?"
Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, observing Extimum's reaction before following him without asking questions.
They turned a corner.
Then another.
Extimum slowed down, his gaze scanning the surroundings carefully, trying to pinpoint the exact source of that sensation.
Finally, his eyes settled.
On the street corner stood a relatively discreet shop, almost modest, especially compared to the flamboyance and stylization of the other establishments. Its only distinguishing feature was a simple wooden sign hanging above the entrance.
"Talisman and Amulet Shop"
Extimum: "Let's go in here."
Mei and Harry also stopped to see what had caught his attention. When Mei's gaze landed on the sign, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Wait… that place… *sigh*, fine." There were a few things she would have liked to say, but it was already too late. Extimum was already inside.
Extimum heard her, but he was already two steps ahead, drawn by an insistent call.
That same feeling… identical to the one he had felt some time ago when he found Bloom, pulling at his attention and anticipation.
He still didn't know what it was, but… it wasn't really that important.
The interior of the shop was small, but orderly. The air smelled of incense and old wood. On the walls and shelves were displayed pendants, necklaces, hairpins, earrings, belt buckles, and weapon accessories, alongside Taoist talismans of different colors and materials.
Behind a small counter near the entrance, a short elderly woman sat in a reclining chair. Her gray hair was tied into a bun, and she wore a dark blue tang jacket. In one hand she held a cane; in the other, a lit pipe from which thin streams of smoke drifted upward.
She opened her eyes slightly when she saw them enter, then closed them again without saying a word.
Mei remained near the entrance, reluctant to go deeper into the shop, while Harry moved closer to examine the items on display.
Extimum, for his part, let his gaze wander across the tables and shelves, allowing his hand to brush lightly against some of the objects. Almost as if he were toying with them, feeling them carefully.
There were too many small and eye-catching pieces; some ordinary, others with clear magical ripples.
Unlike before, the initial sensation was weak and almost completely vanished once he entered, leaving him unsure of what exactly he was looking for. Even so, he slowly went through the shelves, attentive to any reaction.
Finally, almost by chance, his gaze stopped on an object nearly buried among the pile.
A white jade pendant, somewhat dirty and worn, hanging from a purple cord.
"You have a good eye…" —the old woman said in Chinese, her deep voice breaking the silence— "Most young people look for the brightest or the newest things, but you notice that old pendant."
Pulling his gaze away from the pendant, he looked at the old woman who had finally decided to pay attention to him, wondering whether she was simply making a casual merchant's remark or actually knew something about the pendant.
Extimum (Chinese): "I feel a particular affinity with it… what are its uses?"
The old woman slowly rose, leaning on her cane, and approached.
"It is the talisman of Pāramitā. In its time, it was powerful… now? Nothing more than an ornament with a bit of history. I kept it here more out of nostalgia. I didn't think anyone would be interested in it, but if there truly is affinity, I'll sell it to you for ten galleons."
Extimum lifted his gaze from the talisman again to look at her, and almost as if anticipating his reaction, the old woman continued.
"It's a bit expensive, I know, but even if it now serves only as decoration, many of its runes are still intact and the enchantment framework is not hidden. If you see it as a rare study object, it's worth that amount."
Extimum considered it briefly. The price was not very high, but for a damaged talisman it was. If it weren't for the feeling that it might be useful to him, he would consider the offer a scam.
"I'll buy it… along with these two hairpins."
He didn't think about it for more than a second, accepting the purchase and adding two more items. After all, he still hadn't bought any souvenirs to give away.
Old Woman: "Just pay me for the pendant. I'll give you the hairpins."
"They help focus the mind when casting magic without focusing artifacts. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."
'Goodwill…'
Extimum looked at the old woman more seriously. Although her words were simple, for some reason he had the feeling that they weren't.
Old Woman: "Not a bad offer, right?"
The offer wasn't bad. In fact, it made him feel better about buying the pendant, but the strange feeling still persisted. Even so, he finally nodded. Forming good relationships was always something beneficial, even if he didn't know whether he would ever see this old woman again.
The old woman smiled slightly, but as she turned to return to her seat, her gaze stopped on the pocket of Extimum's jacket with a trace of doubt.
'How strange… I could swear I felt… *bah*, I must have imagined it.'
Extimum paid her and left the shop, rejoining Mei and Harry, who were already waiting outside.
"What were you trying to tell me earlier, Mei?"
Having moved away from the shop, Mei finally released the discomfort she had been holding in.
"I wanted to tell you that that shop… belongs to the Mòshuǐ family. That woman probably didn't recognize us… or at least, not you."
Extimum: "Oh… I should have been more careful. I'm sorry for not listening earlier. In England something like this usually isn't a concern. Though they shouldn't bother us just for buying from their shop, right?"
Mei: "Not really. It's not exactly a problem. It's just that… the current generation of the Mòshuǐ family is very arrogant and troublesome. I prefer to avoid their places to reduce the chances of running into them."
Harry raised an eyebrow as he asked:
"Are they that annoying?"
Mei: "Believe me… not even their own family can stand them."
With that matter settled, the conversation drifted into something more casual while they decided to return and meet with Leonardo. They had already had enough for the day.
They hadn't gone very far when Extimum suddenly stopped.
Harry almost ran into his back— "What's wrong…?"
Extimum: "Don't move."
Mei also stopped, instinctively bringing her hand toward the sword at her waist. Something was wrong.
Harry: "What's happening?"
Extimum: "Listen to your surroundings." he said with a more serious tone as his wand appeared in his hand.
Everything seemed normal. People continued moving around them, the light afternoon breeze cooling the air, the gloomy yet vibrant contrast of the city, except…
Harry: "But I don't hear anything…"
Silence. Absolute silence. Nothing could be heard except their own voices, as if they had been isolated from reality. More importantly, it had happened without them noticing.
The realization made Harry draw his wand, swallowing nervously.
Without realizing it, the three of them formed an inverted triangle, with Harry behind and Mei and Extimum at the front, advancing cautiously.
A crowd of pedestrians suddenly turned at the intersection and walked straight toward them. Before they could move aside, they passed right through them.
They exchanged glances. They hadn't felt anything. As if it had been a mirage.
Still on guard, they advanced a few more streets until they stopped at the same time.
Mei: "We came back to the beginning…"
They were standing almost exactly where they had started. The people were different, but the place was the same.
Extimum's pupils narrowed and his eyes faintly glowed, scanning the surroundings and the shadows of the people passing by. Suddenly, his gaze snapped sharply to one side, fixing on a particular wall. Without giving any signal, he raised his wand.
Devorans tenebras
A dark ray shot from Extimum's wand, striking the ordinary wall and disappearing into it as if nothing had happened.
A few seconds later, however, the solid brick wall rippled like the surface of a pond. A dry crack spread through the air and the illusion fractured.
'Playing with illusions against me…'
An alley took shape where the wall had been, as two silhouettes emerged.
"We've been discovered… how unexpected." one of them murmured, not taking his eyes off Extimum.
"It doesn't matter," the other replied, evaluating the trio. "It's still manageable, though I would have preferred the show."
"Let's keep it simple. Hand over that boy and the rest of you can leave." he said while pointing at Harry.
Mei: "Impossible." Without hesitation or doubt, she immediately refused, looking at them coldly.
"Very well then… Desmaius."
A spell shot toward Harry without warning.
The two men moved at the same time, coordinated. One of them aimed directly at Harry, launching a rapid succession of incapacitating spells.
Harry: "Protego".
A shield was raised hastily, vibrating upon impact and forcing him back several steps.
'That was close-'
**Swoosh**
A beam of light whistled past just inches from his shoulder, striking the ground with a small burst of fading sparks.
His eyes widened.
Too close.
In that moment of hesitation, another spell shot straight toward his head.
His face tightened, gripping his wand in panic.
**Chirkkk**
A silver flash gleamed, deflecting the attack at the last moment.
Mei: "Focus. There are only two of them."
Stepping forward, Mei moved with grace, her magic sword humming faintly as she deflected another attack and countered, sending arcs of light slicing forward.
The two men moved swiftly, dodging the energy blade and circling the trio.
"Expelliarmus."
"Desmaius."
"Protego."
Harry: "Gulp Shouldn't we call Leonardo?" he asked nervously, barely managing with the spells he had learned.
Mei: "That won't work. We're inside a barrier, cut off from the outside world. The fact that they set it up here is already foolish—no different from lighting a beacon in the dark. The Aurors will realize something's wrong."
Within seconds, a barrage of spells flew back and forth.
"They're not bad, don't you think, Zhang?" one of the men said with a slight smile, clearly taking the situation lightly as he cast another spell.
Zhang frowned.
"Focus! …Hey… what's wrong with your arm, Zhao?"
Zhao: "My arm? It's—what the—?!" His free arm had somehow turned completely black, like charcoal.
Zhang: "What's happening to you?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the three children in front of him.
Zhao: "I don't know…" Uncertainty filled his voice as he watched the darkness slowly spread, consuming his body.
Zhang: "It's a curse! That boy did it! The spell he cast earlier hit you."
Zhao: "Let's finish this quickly."
Their mood shifted instantly, their smiles turning into serious expressions. In seconds, their spells changed from disabling to potentially lethal, fired with far greater aggression.
Extimum: 'It's acting a bit slower than I expected…'
He deflected an incoming spell with a minimal flick of his wand, his gaze settling on his test subject.
'…but the effects are stable.'
The man's arm trembled slightly. His expression was tense, and a hint of hesitation appeared each time he tried to cast a spell.
Despite the constant exchange of attacks, Extimum calmly analyzed how his curse was slowly devouring him.
Without fully diverting his attention, he twisted his body at an unnatural angle, dodging two spells that passed near his head and hip.
"Diffindo."
"Protego."
A translucent barrier flickered into existence, holding back a sinister flash of energy. As he made a small turn to regroup, his figure silently split in two—one returning to formation while the other moved off to the side.
His gaze met Mei's. Her eyes widened slightly upon seeing the second silhouette… but the surprise vanished almost immediately.
Without a word, she gave a subtle nod.
When she looked forward again, there was only one Extimum.
"Expelliarmus, Flipendo."
"Bombarda Maxima."
**Boom**
A cloud of dust and fire rose as chunks of pavement and splinters of wood were blasted in all directions. At the same time, a shockwave darkened the surroundings from the epicenter.
Zhang: "Are you insane, Zhao?! What if you blow them to pieces?! Do you even remember our objective?"
Zhao: "Grr, I know—but this is taking too long."
Behind the cloud of dust and fire, an energy field trembled violently in front of the trio.
Harry looked slightly pale, while Mei tightened her grip on her magic sword.
From two different perspectives, Extimum calmly observed the destruction caused by the explosion. It had been strong—but still within what he could handle.
Suddenly, Mei turned, abandoning her position as she stepped back.
"I have an idea."
Opening a simple pouch hanging at her waist, she rummaged quickly until a metal tube covered in inscriptions appeared in her hand.
"Cover me for a moment," she said without turning, pressing a button on the tube as she began reciting in a low voice.
The smoke and fire finally receded, revealing the three children unharmed within the devastated area. The two men watched with furrowed brows, slightly surprised.
However, the next instant, something else caught their attention.
From the rear, a beam of light shot into the sky, causing visible ripples across the invisible dome.
Zhang: "They're trying to break the barrier! Quickly—we have to stop her!"
All attention immediately focused on Mei, with multiple beams of light shooting toward her from different angles.
"Diffindo, Confringo."
"Bombarda, Flipendo."
"Expelliarmus, Protego."
Hidden beneath a layer of illusion, the real Extimum moved his hand rapidly as a multitude of spells escaped his lips, repelling, deflecting, and counterattacking with precision, blending his real actions with those performed by his illusion.
His movements were quick, but unhurried. Only absorbing just enough of the pressure falling upon Mei, while Harry was the one forced into a desperate—but surprisingly effective—role covering her.
Just when it seemed he could not endure any longer, Mei finally rejoined the battle. Her sword traced brilliant arcs, sending slashes of energy toward the opponents without stopping her murmured recitation of the artifact's enchantment.
The ripples in the sky intensified.
"Agh!"
Zhao's scream broke the rhythm of the battle.
The darkness devouring him had reached his neck and part of his mouth. Until then it had remained almost silent, but it was finally beginning to make itself felt.
Zhang: "Zhao!"
Zhao's breathing became erratic. He gritted his teeth and continued casting spells, but every time a killing curse or dark spell crossed his mind, the blackness in his body reacted violently, accelerating its advance and forcing him to stop.
His steps began to grow clumsy.
He felt as if something cold were spreading through his body, wrapping around him more and more and… leaving less and less of himself behind.
'Am I going to die this pathetically?'
The unnoticed shadow of death breathed down his neck, bringing ridicule and fear with it, shaking his mind. When he looked at the trio of children in front of him, all purpose seemed to vanish, replaced by a sudden and iron resolve in his eyes.
This was no longer an opportunity to make money.
If he was going to fall, then—
"Die!"
Extimum perceived the change immediately.
The man affected by his curse suddenly slowed and then lunged forward recklessly, magic swirling dangerously around him.
"Avada-"
Magic condensed into a sinister green glow at the tip of his wand.
Harry and Mei felt a sudden chill wrap around them for a brief second.
'I suppose this practice can't continue any longer.'
Before the man could finish his spell, Extimum moved first.
He vanished from his position.
The figure they had been watching… was simply gone.
Zhao barely managed to sense a presence behind him.
"Confringo."
**Boom**
The impact was immediate.
A brief yet violent explosion engulfed him. The flames turned crimson as fragments of burned cloth, flesh, and blood rained down from the sky.
The air fell silent for a brief moment. A nauseating burnt smell mixed with the surroundings.
Harry froze in place, his eyes fixed on where Zhao had been moments before.
Zhang: "Zhao!" he shouted, his eyes wide open. "Aahhh! You'll pay for this!"
"Bombarda, Bombarda, Bombarda."
'Die, die, die.'
A cloud of smoke rose from the explosion site, the trio of children hidden behind the veil.
He tightened his grip on his wand, ready to unleash another barrage of spells—but then… a chill ran down his spine.
Like a bucket of cold water, his anger faded.
'This is bad… too much time has passed… and those kids… it's better to retreat.'
'Zhao… I won't let this end like this. I'll avenge you. I promise.'
The image of the curse that had consumed Zhao flashed through his mind.
He hesitated no longer.
He stepped back as he began manipulating the barrier, trying to escape as quickly as possible.
"Damn it…"
Even so, he still felt anger and sorrow at how things had turned out.
**Rumble**
"What now…?"
From the sky, thin cracks began to spread from a small opening created by the beam of light striking the dome.
**Crack… Crack… Crash**
Like shattering glass, the sky split apart as fragments of light fell.
A dark shadow was cast across the sky, and with it, an invisible pressure fell upon Zhang, immobilizing his body.
His breath caught.
'Impossible! They shouldn't have arrived so fast!'
**Thud**
The dark shadow landed in front of Zhang, rising slowly above his head.
A massive figure—over two meters tall—with a fierce smile and terrifying eyes stared down at him.
"Leonardo-…"
The name slipped from his lips before he could stop it.
There weren't many men in China with such a dominant build… nor with features like his.
His instincts screamed at him to run… but his body wouldn't respond.
**Chiclukk** Flesh tearing**
A sharp pain pierced his chest, forcing him to look down.
A gigantic scorpion tail had impaled his torso, sinking completely through and lifting his body slightly off the ground.
His strength faded as darkness began to claim him.
'It was supposed to be an easy job… just a trio of kids…'
The invisible pressure vanished abruptly.
Leonardo stretched his back, calmly observing all the mess around him. Then he smiled brightly while looking at the trio.
"It seems you had fun without me."
As he spoke, a large wooden staff appeared in his hand. With a light tap against the ground, the shadow beneath his feet spread out, stretching like a dark tide until it reached the scattered bodies and remains. It wrapped around them without resistance and dragged them into the darkness, swallowing them until nothing remained.
The scene was left clean.
At the same time, bright particles began falling from the sky, like luminous dust. The barrier finally dissolved, and the destruction that had marked the street blended with reality, softening, restoring itself. The chaos faded as if it had never existed.
The bustle of the city returned immediately.
Voices. Footsteps. Distant laughter.
Standing in the middle of the street, with their clothes somewhat disheveled and subtle traces of the fight still visible in their posture, everything felt as if it had only been a dream… or a brief nightmare they had just awakened from.
Still wearing a bright smile, Leonardo inspected them with a scrutinizing gaze, his eyes lingering a few moments longer on Mei before speaking.
"You didn't do bad. You kept calm and handled it well."
Harry: "You… were watching the whole time?"
Leonardo kept smiling, but he did not answer.
Of course he had been watching them.
How could he neglect a group of children in the city of Gui? Besides, those men had raised a barrier in the middle of a magical city. Even if he had wanted to ignore it, most powerful wizards would have noticed. The fluctuations did not go unnoticed; several alarms must have already been triggered in the Auror office.
Even so, he did not intervene immediately.
There was no need.
Young people needed to grow. And those fools had been a convenient opportunity.
However, the moment Mei managed to open a breach in the barrier, he no longer had much excuse to keep observing.
He turned his gaze toward his daughter.
"Although I'm surprised you didn't charge straight to the front, Mei'er."
The comment carried a meaningful undertone.
Mei calmly straightened her clothes and returned her sword to its sheath, deliberately ignoring the implication.
Leonardo shifted his attention toward Harry.
"You've improved."
Harry blinked, still trying to steady his breathing.
Finally, Leonardo looked at Extimum.
"You already master the basic concepts of Devorans tenebras… but you still lack practice. It took effect far too slowly. All this time, and that under constant spell use by the target, and you only managed to consume a third of the body. You must reinforce the impulse. Infuse the greed for the inner darkness."
Extimum nodded slightly.
He had discovered the spell not long ago in the family library. It was natural that he had not practiced it much yet.
Mei had shown him the dungeons with criminals to experiment with dark spells, but that did not compare to real combat.
Devouring darkness.
The darkness present in every person.
Except for rare exceptions, almost no one could escape it once struck. Without the proper counter-spell or an immediate amputation, the fate was to be completely consumed. The process was painless… but relentless. In the end, nothing remained but a solid black stone, with a few special uses.
Leonardo lightly tapped the ground with his staff.
"Now then, let's leave here quickly. Even though the commotion was brief, the Aurors shouldn't take long to arrive."
In the distance, hurried footsteps and approaching magical fluctuations could already be heard.
Harry: "Just… like that?"
He walked a few steps, still somewhat stunned. Everything had happened far too quickly. Drops of sweat were still sliding down his forehead, reminding him of the tension that had only just begun to leave his body. And now…
Not even the body of his opponent remained.
His confrontation with Quirrell had been different. Or perhaps it was because he had fainted right at the end and had not had to face the aftermath so directly.
But now…
The practical and indifferent way Leonardo had made the bodies disappear, the almost cold serenity of Mei and Extimum… all of that left him slightly unsettled.
The city continued on its course.
As if nothing had happened.
Led by Leonardo, the group moved through several alleys with quick and practiced steps, leaving the place behind as they headed toward the nearest magical vehicle departure area to catch a ride out of the city.
Soon, the elevated platforms became visible before them. Several carriages, brooms, carpets, and artifacts of all kinds were ascending and descending in a constant flow.
Next to the entrance, a tall man stood with his back straight, his hands behind him. His eyes settled on the group as soon as they appeared, as if he had been waiting for them.
He wore a white hanfu with black lining, whose wide sleeves fell with controlled elegance. In one of his hands he held what looked like a giant brush.
He wore a tall traditional hat that further accentuated his slender figure. His black hair fell long down his back, straight and well kept. His pale complexion, slightly made up, gave him a refined, almost ceremonial air.
When the group approached close enough, he slightly inclined his head.
"Leonardo Shadowless."
"Mòshuǐ Yuxuan."
The two men looked at each other. One with a light, relaxed smile; the other with a hard coldness.
Yuxuan: "There was a disturbance in the city's magical flow a few minutes ago."
Leonardo did not stop walking.
"Is that so? The city of Gui is always somewhat restless. It's good that you're here then."
Yuxuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes. Although it is curious… trouble and you seem to coincide far too often—almost inseparable. I don't know whether to call it coincidence or… conclude that you simply cannot stay still."
Leonardo: "It's just a coincidence."
Yuxuan: "Perhaps… A pity you didn't start it. Otherwise, I would have the pleasure of escorting you to the Ministry to give a statement."
Leonardo met his gaze as he walked past him, letting out a low, mocking laugh.
"Heh… Don't tempt your luck, Mòshuǐ Yuxuan. Even if one day you must take me in, whether you can do it or not… is another matter."
Yuxuan: "Hmp."
Without further words, each continued on his way.
Once in the free takeoff zone, Extimum and Mei carried Harry and Leonardo on their flying swords to the outskirts of the city.
The light of dusk appeared on the horizon, welcoming their departure with a vibrant warmth, very different from the darker atmosphere of Gui.
They landed in an open clearing.
The curiosity, held back until then, finally surfaced. Casting a glance at Mei, Harry asked:
"Who was that?"
Mei: "Father's former rival. He also wanted to marry Mom, but she rejected him for Dad."
Leonardo smiled to the side, visibly pleased, remembering how he had defeated Mòshuǐ Yuxuan back then.
Marriages between the great ancient families were always complicated. There were too many political, social, and, of course, conflicts of interest involved.
Inheritance. Nobility. Magic. Blood.
There existed a delicate balance between the families. Relationships changed with the eras: brotherhood, alliance, neutrality, rivalry, enmity. An almost inevitable cycle for lineages so long-lived. It would not be an exaggeration to say that, in one way or another, the nine great families were connected.
As generations passed, arranged marriages had become less frequent, but they had not disappeared.
Harry: "Oh… but why did he say he would arrest you? Is he an Auror?"
Leonardo replied in a carefree tone:
"Not just any. He's the head of the Auror Office of China. Even so, he can't take me in over something this small. Those are the privileges of belonging to an ancient family… as long as you're not the main culprit, of course."
Harry: 'But didn't people just die?' The thought disturbed him. He felt that the world did not function exactly as he had been taught. He couldn't understand how what had happened could simply be considered "something minor."
Extimum: "Here should be fine for you to call Abil." He interrupted the conversation to remind them.
Leonardo nodded faintly as he took a breath and then shouted.
"Abil!"
**Roarr**
A distant roar sounded in response, and seconds later a gigantic shadow descended from high above the clouds, landing in front of them.
Waves of dust rose, stopped by a transparent barrier that Leonardo had opened beforehand.
.
Over the following days, Extimum and the others traveled on Abil across different parts of the magical and Muggle world. No unexpected incidents occurred again.
The last place they visited was the city of Ji Nian. It was not very different from Xuézhě de Xiūxí; however, the landscape and the atmosphere felt far more peaceful and natural.
The city stood atop a mountain, in an area removed from the main Buddhist monasteries and from non-magical cities. From above, vast forests and rocky formations surrounded the place, while low clouds slowly drifted between the nearby peaks.
[Ji Nian]
Religion in the magical world was a somewhat complex subject, though in essence simple.
A large part of magical beliefs had their origins among Muggle peoples. For centuries, wizards lived alongside non-magical communities, and the constant cultural exchange—combined with the large number of Muggle-born wizards—meant that many of those ideas eventually became integrated into their own worldview.
However, the perspective of wizards was different. For them, religion was rarely understood as an absolute truth, but rather as a form of philosophy of life: a mixture of culture, ethics, and spirituality that, in some cases, even served as a guide for understanding magic. Their interpretation tended more toward the esoteric, the spirit, and the relationship with the universe.
Although few claimed to know the true nature of the gods, wizards did acknowledge the existence of legendary figures who had reached the summit of magic. Great sages whose power, knowledge, and enlightenment seemed to border on the miraculous. For that reason, rather than unquestionable deities, many saw them as elevated beings worthy of respect and admiration.
And, in any case, wizards did not usually argue much about the deities of the religions they followed.
(Neither do I).
The religious beliefs of wizards were also reflected in their clothing, their customs, and in the more spiritual applications within the path of magic. For that reason, upon arriving at the place, it was not strange to see wizards dressed as true monks, meditating in different corners while refining their magical control.
[img]
Near the city of Ji Nian, it was sometimes possible to glimpse the school of Shēng shàng tiānkōng. The Chinese school of magic was an ancient castle settled upon a great mass of floating land that remained suspended in the air, spending most of its time hidden among the clouds.
At that moment it was the holiday period, so no students or professors could be seen heading there. However, Mei had commented that, in order to enter, anyone could travel on their own using the flying tool or mount of their choice. And if someone did not have one, they could always wait for the school's transportation in the city of Ji Nian: an enormous flood dragon that traveled through the skies from the school to the city.
[img]
After finishing their small dragon tour, which lasted about thirteen days, they returned to the Shadowless sanctuary, where they remained for another five days. During that time, Extimum dedicated himself to training with Mei and sharing some moments with the family.
His stay there was the closest he had ever come to a true family relationship. There was Lian Hua, who generally behaved like a loving and somewhat eccentric mother; Rou, who seemed more like an older sister; Leonardo who, although not the best example, could fulfill the role of father; and Mei and Harry, who remained as friends.
However, the holidays only lasted three months, and he had already spent a little more than a month staying in China. There were still several subjects to study back home, and Harry also could not remain away from his own home for too long.
Harry also made good use of his time. At his house he did not have access to so many books nor did he have as much free time to study. In addition, the large space he had there allowed him to practice more freely. He took advantage of every moment to learn new things and improve his magic, while, like Extimum, he also enjoyed himself and spent good moments with the Shadowless family, who welcomed him kindly and without any ulterior motive.
.
It was around two in the afternoon.
Extimum was in the mansion outside the sanctuary, in the original plane. Everyone had gathered there to say their farewells, since they could not use a Portkey inside the sanctuary while being in another plane.
Lian Hua sighed softly.
"Aish, time passed too quickly. It was a great joy to have you here and share time with you, and I see that it was for you as well. I hope you come visit us again, Extimum… and you too, Harry."
"By the way, if possible, I would like you to ask your parents why they have not communicated lately with the other branches of the family. Although, in any case, the family reunion will be in a few years, so in the worst case we will see each other then. It is a little unusual to cut off all communication."
Leonardo nodded with a smile.
"That's right, boy. I'll keep my attention on your branch on the day of the reunion, hahaha"—Then he looked at Harry—"And you, Harry. You have improved a lot during your stay here. I see great potential in you. However, as a man of this family, it is my duty to take certain precautions for it. I hope you will forgive me."
When he finished speaking, he took out his wand, which transformed into a magical staff. With a slight motion he waved it toward Harry.
A beam of white light shot from the tip of the staff and struck his scar directly.
"They are only a few countermeasures that you will understand in the future"—Leonardo explained calmly—"It will not affect you. On the contrary, it may help you in a moment of need."
Harry rubbed his scar. Curiously, after the impact he felt lighter, though he did not perceive anything else.
"Alright"—he finally said—"I can understand it. Thank you."
Leonardo's spell had sealed, or rather encapsulated, the memories of everything Harry had seen inside the sanctuary and its location. Harry would still remember it, but no one else could access those memories through him.
Rou crossed her arms with evident displeasure.
"Hmp. On the other hand, you two have not made me happy at all. You devoted yourselves entirely to studying magic or spending time with Mei and completely left me aside. How ungrateful, when it was I who brought you here."
She said it in an annoyed tone, although in truth it seemed more like a spoiled gesture. Rou had a curiously tsundere attitude: she could behave like a cold and arrogant lady before others, but within the family she was quite childish.
Extimum smiled lightly.
"You exaggerate too much, Aunt Rou. It's just that, with so many hills and curves, it's hard not to end up looking toward more modest plains."
Rou blinked at the comment. She felt that there was something more behind those words, but she could not find the connection with what she had said before.
Leonardo let out a laugh.
"Hahaha. Boy, although Rou speaks English well, that doesn't mean she understands all its subtleties. You'll have to give her a moment for her brain to finish processing what you said."
Lian Hua covered her mouth as she laughed.
"Don't you feel embarrassed, Rou? Even Mei, who is younger than you, seemed to understand what Extimum said."
Mei's cheeks were slightly pink.
Harry: "But I didn't understand either…"
Rou immediately found support in his words.
"See?"—she said in Chinese—"Even Harry, who is a native speaker, didn't understand Extimum. Just because you have your minds somewhere else doesn't mean I do too. Don't forget that I manage the business; unlike you, I deal almost exclusively with locals, so I don't use English that much."
Lian Hua smiled with amusement.
"Oh, Harry, you are too innocent. Maybe you will understand it later."
Mei: "*cough* Have a good trip." Still somewhat blushing, she said her farewell calmly.
Extimum: "Thank you all for taking care of us during our stay. We will see each other again if the opportunity arises."
As he spoke, he took the brush-shaped Portkey from his bag.
At that moment, Bloom flew out of his pocket and perched on his shoulder. During the past few days she had almost fully recovered. She could already fly normally and hide the aura that made her stand out among fairies. As long as she concealed her abilities, no one would suspect her origin.
Mei: "Goodbye to you as well, Bloom."
Bloom: "Goodbye."
Harry grabbed the other end of the brush.
An instant later, they disappeared.
Lian Hua sighed once more.
"*Aish*… I just hope everything is fine in the English branch. I couldn't see anything clearly, but I felt that some troublesome situations were approaching."
Leonardo shrugged.
"Don't worry. Extimum is very capable. I'm sure he'll be able to resolve it… and if not, we'll help him."
Then he smiled mischievously—"Although… what's this? Did our Rou finally understand what Extimum said?"
Rou blushed slightly.
"Shut up! I'm leaving."
She left quickly. Just as Leonardo had said, she had understood the meaning of those words only after Extimum had left and she had time to think about it.
Leonardo looked at Lian Hua with curiosity.
"Perhaps… should we include her in the proposal during the next family reunion?"
Lian Hua laughed softly.
"Hehehe… perhaps. Only time will tell."
Rou almost stumbled when she heard that.
"Mei! Don't associate with them. Come with your aunt instead. They will lead you down the wrong path."
.
.
In a secluded corner of Diagon Alley, a slight distortion suddenly appeared in the air. The next instant, Extimum, Harry, and Bloom emerged from it.
Harry looked around.
"Coming back here and seeing everything so familiar… it feels as if a whole lifetime has passed."
Extimum nodded slightly.
"In a way, it has."
Bloom looked around the place with curiosity.
"Is this where you live?"
Extimum: "No, this is Diagon Alley. From here we departed to China earlier. We'll go to my home later, but for now… Bob!"
*Pop*
The house-elf appeared immediately.
Bob: "Ah! Master Extimum has finally returned. Bob is very happy to see him back. Bob hopes that Master enjoyed his vacation. Mistress Ava has not been very pleased with his long disappearance."
Bob could naturally sense his call upon entering the territory of London.
Extimum: "Alright, problems later. Take us to number 4 Privet Drive."
Bob bowed.
"As you wish, Master Extimum."
Bob took hold of the hem of Extimum's and Harry's clothing and the next instant they disappeared from Diagon Alley.
*Pop*
.
It was around nine at night when they returned to London.
Extimum left Harry at his house, along with his suitcase and the objects he had bought during the trip. Afterwards, accompanied by Bob and Bloom, he returned to the Shadowless mansion.
Extimum: "Now then, Bob, tell me the details of the matter."
His tone and mood cooled almost unconsciously as he returned to his usual attitude. It was not a very noticeable change, but Bloom, being connected to him, was probably the only one capable of perceiving it clearly.
Bob: "Yes, Master. Mistress Ava came about three days after Master Extimum left on his trip. As usual, she asked me about your situation and about my personal observations."
Extimum said nothing. He simply looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
"But since Master was not here, Bob could not say much. Mistress Ava waited an entire day for your return…"
Bob hesitated for a moment.
"However, you did not come back. Bob only said what he knew: that Master Extimum had gone on a trip. Bob did not mention the place."
Extimum: "Mmm, you did well… aside from that, did she say anything else?"
Bob: "No, sir. Although Mistress Ava seemed upset, she did not add anything more. She only asked to be informed if you returned."
Extimum remained silent for a moment.
"Good. Do what you need to do. If something happens, you already know where to find me."
Bob lowered his head respectfully.
[ To clarify, although I believe I have made it obvious, but to avoid confusion, the great wizarding families refer to houses such as Malfoy, Gaunt, Potter, etc. However, the word 'ancient' is not used afterward because, for the nine natural wizard families, such families cannot truly be considered ancient in comparison to them. But if it causes confusion you can tell me and I will change the term with which I refer to them. ]
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I created a Discord server to upload some images of the characters, because some I uploaded late and not everyone has seen them, on the other hand, I will also upload info about some things for more detail and in case someone wants to write suggestions, mmm I don't know, We will see if it is put to use.
discord.gg/ZZrUfk3msj