Erwin handed the crystal ball to Cassandra. "Alright, let's go fishing. Stay close to me—that one's trouble you can't handle yet."
She nodded and followed closely behind him. Erwin led her straight out of the manor. The moment they stepped outside, a spell lanced toward Cassandra from the shadows.
Erwin snorted coldly. In an instant, a shimmering Shield Charm enveloped her.
A startled voice rang out: "Such a powerful Shield Charm—silent and seamless! Cavendish's strength surpasses our expectations!"
As the words faded, more spells erupted from all directions, targeting Erwin and Cassandra.
His face hardened. "You cowardly lot, show yourselves!"
Erwin's magic surged in a powerful burst, deflecting the incoming curses with rippling waves of force. He'd honed this technique through repeated use, and it proved devastating against lesser wizards. Now, with his enhanced magical power, it felt effortless.
The magical ripples expanded outward, flushing hidden attackers from their cover like smoke from a bellows. Erwin flicked his wand, sending a streak of purple light at the slowest one. The wizard's face drained of color as the Killing Curse struck home.
The others panicked. "Killing Curse—run!"
They scattered, but Erwin's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Think you can come and go as you please? Dream on."
He vanished in a swirl of Apparition, reappearing beside the nearest fugitive. With a sharp gesture, vines erupted from the ground, coiling around the man and slamming him down. In moments, Erwin had subdued the rest the same way.
He flicked his wand again, levitating the bound wizards into the air before dumping them in a heap on the ground. Terror etched their faces—they hadn't expected such swift defeat.
"Right," Erwin said coolly. "Now, which families sent you?"
They clenched their jaws, refusing to speak.
He chuckled. "Stubborn, eh? I like that—it makes this more entertaining."
His gaze settled on one, and the man's face twisted in sudden agony as the Cruciatus Curse wracked him. He screamed, thrashing on the dirt.
"Stop! Kill me—please!" the wizard begged.
The others watched in horror. "You could have used the Imperius Curse! Why torture him with the Cruciatus?"
Erwin smirked. "Clever observation, but I'm not in the mood for puppets." The Imperius Curse wasted time; fear broke spirits faster, saving him the hassle.
He held the curse until the man lay sweating and drooling, a broken grin on his face—madness had claimed him.
"Boring," Erwin said, eyes sweeping the group. "Who's next?"
They trembled under his stare, finally grasping his infamous reputation in British wizarding circles. It wasn't just his power or lineage; it was his unflinching ruthlessness.
His wand hovered like the Grim Reaper's scythe, prolonging their dread. One cracked first. "I'll talk! The Roberts family!"
Erwin glanced at Cassandra.
"A second-rate American family," she explained. "They must be acting on Demos's orders—too cowardly to move alone."
He nodded. Once the dam broke, the rest spilled forth: the Dalsey, Bard, Prescott, and Woodrow families.
Cassandra confirmed they were all mid-tier wizarding clans in America. For context, the Demos ranked as top-tier, with affiliates like the Worleys and Simpsons as first-tier—ancient lines with vast wealth rivaling Britain's pure-blood houses. Second-tier families had three or more generations of wizards, school graduates with solid but unremarkable strength and fortunes. Below them lay third-tier "families"—barely households of five or six, often just one or two wizards. Cannon fodder, really, the first to fall in any conflict.
Without the Cavendishes, Britain's magical world would lag behind America's. The key difference? Britain once lacked a pinnacle family to lead. Now, with Erwin's house, the scales balanced. A true clash would hinge on the Demos versus the Cavendishes—the victors claiming the rest.
...
WANT 15 BONUS CHAPTERS?
Enjoy the read, and let's get started on the next goal immediately!
Power Stones: [58]/300
5 Star Reviews: [13]/20
— MrGrim