Cairo, Egypt.

  Inside a modest house near the Nile River, the soft tapping of metal tools echoed through a brightly lit square room. Three long tables lined the walls, their surfaces covered with a disorganized collection of electronic parts, unusual crystals, and vibrant fragments of metal and minerals, scattered without any apparent order.

  At one of the tables sat a young man with short, curly black hair. Dressed in a plain white shirt and black jeans, he was engrossed in his work, his attention fully focused on what appeared to be a magnifying device.

  His hands moved with careful precision, manipulating two thin silver tools as he tended to the object beneath his gaze, each movement deliberate and controlled.

  Minutes passed, stretching on for what felt like a long time, until finally, he lifted his head. A slow smile spread across his lips, his expression reflecting quiet satisfaction.

  With careful hands, he picked up the item—a flat, rectangular piece, mostly white with brown shades and small splashes of other colors. It was about the length of a finger and three-quarters wide, with golden lines etched into it, forming detailed patterns like a fine piece of craftsmanship.

  He moved to another table, where electrical components and scattered items covered the surface. From the mess, he picked up something that resembled a cell phone.

  This wasn't like the sleek devices of the future. It was only 1990, a time when the word "mobile" was rarely used to describe a phone. Still, this one fit the description—it had no wires connecting it to another component. The device was bulky, larger than his palm and nearly the size of a brick, with a design focused more on function than form.

  He reached for the phone's antenna, but his hand froze mid-motion as he sensed movement outside. Deciding otherwise, he placed the phone and the small rectangular item he'd just finished working on back on the table. Slowly, he turned his head toward the room's only door.

  Just then, the door creaked open, and another young man stepped into the room.

  The young man appeared Middle Eastern at a glance, with dark black hair, a short, neatly shaved beard, and dressed in a long-sleeve shirt and pants. The two young men exchanged a brief look before the first one asked the newcomer, "How did it go?"

  "Just as you said, some people showed up..." He paused, seemingly recalling something. "Not just any grunts. Fortunately, Aisha and I managed to set up an ambush."

  "Wizards?"

  "One of them," the Middle Eastern-looking man replied. "There were two. The second one was... well, I'm guessing a mutant." He paused, glancing at the other, raising an eyebrow. "Strange, right?"

  "Hmm..." The young man stroked his chin, his brow furrowing in thought as he processed the unexpected turn of events. "Why would a mutant be part of a group harming their own kind?" he asked. "Ali, did you check if the mutant was under any mind control?"

  "No," The middle eastern looking man, now named Ali answered, his tone clear of doubt. "No sign of it." He paused before adding, "Maverick, maybe you should take a look... try to get them to talk..."

  Maverick took a moment to think, then nodded before asking, "Where's Aisha?"

  "At the underground base. She's guarding the two kidnappers..."

  Maverick hummed thoughtfully. After a brief pause, he scanned the room, then snapped his fingers. The door closed on its own, followed by shimmering golden patterns briefly appearing on its surface.

  He nodded, satisfied, then walked over to Ali, who showed no surprise at his actions, and placed his hand on his shoulder.

  "Let's go," Maverick said, and in an instant, both of them vanished from sight.

  ...

  A few miles from Cairo, deep in the Sahara Desert, ten meters underground, Maverick and Ali popped into existence in a dimly lit small room. There was no door, only an entrance that led to a long walkway. On the walls were some kind of glowing objects, not electronic, nor fire. The temperature was neither hot nor cold, just a comfortable warmth—unusual for an underground structure in the desert, clearly hinting that magic was involved.

  They walked down the path, and after a few moments, came to a door. Maverick tapped his fingers on it, and it opened, revealing a much larger and brighter hall.

  As they entered, they saw a woman in a black tank top and brown jeans, her head leaning back against the sofa she was sitting on.

  The woman stirred at the sound of their arrival, her eyes slowly opening, and a smile spread across her face.

  "They're inside," she said, motioning toward the door beside her.

  Maverick smiled and gave a nod before glancing at Ali beside him. "You can stay or come watch..."

  Ali met Maverick's eyes briefly, then turned to Aisha. After a moment, both of them shook their heads.

  "Do your thing... we'll wait outside," Ali replied.

  Maverick shrugged, then, without another word, walked toward the door.

  As Maverick entered, he saw two men—one middle-aged, the other slightly younger—bound in chains. Their mouths were gagged, and their eyes covered with cloth. The chains, if one looked closely, were carved with intricate patterns, and any knowledgeable person in alchemy would recognize that they were enchanted in some way.

  Despite being bound, there were no visible signs of injuries on their bodies.

  The two men lifted their heads at the sound of the door opening and footsteps.

  Maverick stopped two feet in front of them, tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and gave the two individuals a sharp glance. His fingers moved slightly within his pockets, and the door behind him shut with a soft click. A second flick of his same finger made the blindfolds and gags disappear.

  "Asshole, do you have any idea who we are..." the middle-aged man spat, his voice laced with fury, as soon as the gags were removed.

  Only then did they take a proper look. What both captives saw was not Maverick at all. No, before them stood a humanoid figure cloaked in black, with misty fumes swirling from its surface. Even the room they thought they were in was completely different.

  It was an endless stone flat surface, stretching out in all directions with no walls in sight. The small area they stood in was lit only from above, while the rest of the space above them was completely engulfed in darkness.

  The middle-aged man's expression changed as he took in the strange scene. Confusion quickly turned to fear. The younger captive stayed silent, his eyes wide, showing the same fear—only his was even stronger.

  Maverick remained silent, allowing the eerie stillness to settle over the room. The whole scene was an illusion he had created before removing the blindfolds and gags from the prisoners. More importantly, he was here to interrogate, and what better way to do that than by reading their minds?

  Mind arts worked best when the victim's emotions were unstable, and fear was the most effective tool in this situation. Once their mental defenses wavered, Legilimency would easily provide the answers he needed.

  Even in the original world of Harry Potter, Legilimency was considered illegal magic, and in this universe, it was even more strictly prohibited, with severe punishments for any wizard caught casting it.

  Fortunately, Maverick didn't need a wand, which meant there would be no evidence to find in the first place. Moreover, with his advanced proficiency in the spell, he could use it like a natural Legilimens—simply by making eye contact.

  Maverick took his time, letting the tension slowly seep into the room. The dark figure's crimson eyes never blinked, fixed on the two prisoners. The longer they held his gaze, the more their calm began to crack, panic slowly creeping into their expressions.

  Then, a faint sound of flapping wings echoed through the room, making the two chained men glance away from the figure before them.

  At first, it was barely audible, but with each passing second, it grew louder, closer. The men twisted their heads frantically, their fear growing as they couldn't tell where the noise was coming from or what it was.

  Slowly, dark silhouettes began to take shape—crows, ravens—each casting eerie shadows in the dim light.

  As the seconds dragged on, the air grew heavier, the experience becoming increasingly unbearable for the two bound men.

  Before them stood an unknown figure—something, or someone, they couldn't understand. All around them, the crows circled, their crimson eyes locked onto them, flying in every direction—above, below, in front, behind—each one brushing past with the unsettling rush of wings, sending icy chills down their spines.

  With every passing second, their fear deepened. Though they strained against their chains, their bodies refused to move. They were trapped, bound to something, somewhere they couldn't see.

  Maverick observed the two men closely, not just with his eyes, but through his Magical-Sense. When he sensed their emotions had become unstable enough, he began the real interrogation.

  ---

  Maverick observed the two men closely, not just with his eyes, but through his Magical-Sense. When he sensed their emotions had become unstable enough, he began the real interrogation.

  The sound that filled the room was distorted, heavy—unnatural. It didn't sound human at all.

  "Name!"

  The two men instinctively turned their heads toward the voice. The figure before them seemed to have grown taller, more imposing. Their minds, overwhelmed by fear, barely registered the words.

  "NAME!"

  The voice boomed, louder now, filling the space with a heavy presence.

  "B-b-b... Benjamin... my lord..." the younger man stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

  The older man, hearing the younger's response, found his own voice. "Samuel... my lord. S-s-Samuel Sameer..."

  With Legilimency active, Maverick confirmed the truth from their thoughts. He probed deeper, delving further into their minds to uncover more about their identities.

  Samuel, an Egyptian local, was a wizard in his fifties, a man who had reached his limit—unable to grow any stronger and lacking significant talent. With no better-paying job opportunities and limited options, he took the easiest way out, joining the mysterious group of traffickers, lured by the promise of money.

  Then there was Benjamin, the younger of the two. Ali had been right. Benjamin was indeed a mutant, though not a particularly powerful one—just slightly stronger than an average human at his peak, with the unique ability to detect other mutants within close proximity.

  He was a cruel and greedy young man, barely in his thirties. He used his unique ability to track other mutants for traffickers, showing no remorse for the suffering he caused. Unlike the magical community, which had its own governance and laws in each country, the mutants were scattered and disorganized, left to fend for themselves. As a result, the disappearance of any random mutant went unnoticed, causing no immediate reaction or concern.

  Though Maverick was not one of them, he came from a world where racism—against anyone, for any reason—was a concept deeply loathed and instinctively rejected. Every cell in his body recoiled at the idea of exploiting others for profit.

  This alone was enough for Maverick to decide that Benjamin should disappear, not to mention the other crimes—murder, rape, and more—that he had committed. The situation he was in now made him relive the horrific things he'd done, and Maverick had a clear, unwavering image of the kind of creature he truly was.

  Samuel and Benjamin watched in growing horror as the shadowy figure's eyes glowed with an ominous red light, locking onto theirs. The intensity of the gaze felt suffocating, as though it could pierce straight through them. The air seemed to grow thicker, the flapping of wings louder, each beat echoing like a countdown.

  Before delivering a merciless beating to the two filth, Maverick needed to find something that could lead him to the people behind them. The answers were hidden in their minds, and he would extract them no matter the cost.

  "Tell me," he began, his tone deliberate, "are you involved with the missing children? The Half-bloods... the veelas, werewolves... mutants?"

  Samuel flinched, his gaze dropping to the ground as if he could escape the weight of the figure's eyes. His jaw trembled, sweat dripping down his forehead, but he remained silent. His lips pressed tightly together, betraying the fear that churned within him.

  Beside him, Benjamin's resolve crumbled under the pressure. "W-we're just scouts!" he blurted out, his voice shaking. "We grab targets, that's it! We don't know anything..."

  Maverick took a slow step forward, the illusion around him changing ominously. Shadows rippled across his form, giving the impression that he was growing larger, darker, more menacing. His voice, low and cutting, broke the heavy silence.

  "Who were the ones behind yesterday's attempt to kidnap the Half-blood Veelas?" The voice was calm yet razor-sharp, slicing through the oppressive rhythm of flapping wings.

  Benjamin's breath hitched, his words tumbling out in a trembling stammer. "J-just... random mercenaries, my lord... I swear, we'll never do it again... please, just let us go."

  Maverick's crimson gaze remained steady, unblinking, slicing through the feeble excuse as if peeling back their very souls.

  "You," the figure said, with the voice cold as ice as it raised a hand to point at Samuel. "Who do you answer to?" The demand came cold, leaving no room for evasion.

  Benjamin's eyes flicked toward Samuel, silently pleading for him to speak, to cooperate. But the older man kept his gaze fixed on the ground, refusing to look back. Instead, his hands clenched into fists, the chains around his wrists rattling in the suffocating silence. His lips trembled as he finally forced out words, his voice hoarse and barely audible.

  "Orders come through... intermediaries. Just names and locations," Samuel admitted, his voice shaky. "We pay dark wizards desperate for money and give them the targets." He swallowed hard, his eyes flickering toward Maverick for the briefest moment before darting away. "There's a witch. She calls herself Ruby..."

  As Samuel spoke, Maverick delved into the older man's mind, sifting through every fragment of information that could lead to the true masterminds behind the scenes.

  For now, one thing was certain: these two were merely middlemen, slightly higher up the ladder but still just intermediaries. They, too, passed on names to other desperate souls willing to carry out the dirty work.

  Neither Samuel nor the mutant Benjamin possessed any real strength, and even the mysterious witch Ruby failed to impress. Samuel was merely a magus, and Ruby, though a stronger magus, was still just that—a magus.

  The dark figure's gaze sharpened, its crimson eyes locking onto Samuel. "What else? How do you contact her?"

  Maverick needed to find this witch who supposedly held some influence in the group. If anyone could lead him to the boss, it would be her.

  Samuel shook his head weakly, his entire body trembling. "I don't know. I swear I don't know!" His voice cracked, and he looked down at the ground. "We only hear from her when there's a job. If we fail or talk..." He stopped, his breathing growing shallow as fear overtook him.

  "She'll kill us," Samuel finally whispered, his voice breaking. "Or worse... they will."

  Maverick leaned closer, his glowing eyes locking onto Samuel's. His voice dropped, low and cold. "Who are they?"

  Samuel froze, his lips twitching as if struggling to form words. He opened his mouth but hesitated, his fear of the unknown forces behind him matching the terror of the figure in front of him.

  "I—I can't..." Samuel stammered, his voice trembling. "There... There's a Marquis behind them... Please... you don't know how powerful he is..."

  "And what rank," the figure asked slowly, its voice as cold as ice, "do you suppose I am?"

  Before either man could respond, a suffocating pressure spread outward, emanating from the shadowy figure and enveloping the two captives. It felt like the weight of a mountain pressing down on them, a tsunami of raw energy hammering against their very spirits. Their trembling bodies bent forward under the crushing force, their heads slamming onto the cold, unyielding ground.

  "K-King...?" Samuel managed to choke out through gritted teeth, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. In all his years, he had never encountered an Arch-Magus, those seven beings whose sheer presence was said that could paralyze magus like himself with nothing more than a glance.

  Although he had never experienced the domineering presence of an Arch-Magus before, his subconscious told him this was it—the crushing sensation of utter insignificance, like a worm crushed beneath the weight of a towering mountain. The overwhelming force pressed down on him so completely that he could barely stay conscious.

  Benjamin, his so-called partner, collapsed the moment Maverick released his dominant spirit. Maverick had extracted everything he needed from the mutant's mind, and he felt no sympathy as he crushed the man's spirit.

  Meanwhile, outside the room, Maverick's two acquaintances were feeling the effects of his momentum, struggling to keep their composure.

  "Fuck!... You said the boss was a Great-Magus..." Aisha panted, sweat dripping down her brow. Her hand gripped the sofa tightly as she fought to remain upright.

  Beside her, Ali looked equally strained, his breaths shallow and uneven. He forced himself to speak, the words coming out in strained gasps. "I... I never asked. I saw him using Magical-Energy Manipulation, so..." He gasped for air, his body trembling. "I assumed he was..."

  Let's rewind time a little to clear up the confusion of why and how our protagonist ended up here.

  It had been one year and two months since Maverick began his travels, starting from Australia, just as planned. He spent a few weeks there, learning magic and studying their magical culture. When he felt he had absorbed enough, he moved on to the next country.

  He traveled to India, where he learned valuable magical knowledge, especially in healing, along with rare spells and rituals that granted unique abilities. He also studied India's unique alchemy and potions, picking up skills that helped him progress the two talents quickly.

  After India, Maverick traveled north—first to Pakistan, then Indonesia, the Philippines, and finally China. He spent about two weeks in each country, but in China, he discovered a treasure trove of magical knowledge. The country's magical world offered unique combat magic that complemented his Magical-Energy-Manipulation and provided deep insights into alchemy, particularly runes and warding.

  By the sixth month of his journey, Maverick found himself in Russia, one of the few places where an Arch-Magus resided—someone who could possibly rival his teacher.

  By now, his Magical-Energy had increased by 300 units, going past 1200. Even more importantly, he now had nearly 4000 points saved up and ready to be invested.

  Instead of seeking new knowledge in Russia, Maverick chose to fly north to a desolate, remote area where he couldn't sense any intelligent life. His flight was made in complete secrecy, using his suit's camouflage mode and his own magic suppression to ensure there was no chance of detection. And yes, he flew—no broomstick involved. The moment the new year arrived, Maverick replicated the Extraordinary-Characteristic of his overpowered broomstick, gaining the ability to fly and maneuver in the air at speeds far faster than sound. It was all thanks to the system's miracle, and he didn't bother questioning the principles behind it.

  Far to the north, after days of careful scouting, Maverick chose a secluded spot in the mountains as the location for his breakthrough. Unlike his previous rank-up to Magus, he knew that a physical phenomenon would occur during this transition, which is why he had picked such a remote spot.

  He invested nearly 1900 points into his magical energy, pushing his total to 3000—just the "bottleneck" that most Magus would reach before breaking through to the rank of Great-Magus.

  The intense magical fluctuations from his breakthrough affected every living creature within a half-kilometer radius. Unfortunately, the few polar animals that lived nearby were not spared—most fell unconscious, and some even died from the overwhelming energy.

  As for Maverick himself, the process was painful beyond what he had experienced during his rise to Magus. The agony lasted for nearly half a day, but once it was over, he felt completely rejuvenated, as if reborn.

  His appearance remained unchanged, but the feeling within him was exhilarating. He felt a power greater than he had ever known, making him briefly entertain the thought of challenging his teacher. However, he quickly dismissed the foolish notion. Maverick knew that, even at his new rank, he was no match for the Arch-Magus.

  His magical energy grew from 3000 to over 4000, absorbing ambient magic during his breakthrough.

  But it wasn't just the increase in magical energy that had changed. Maverick had gained new abilities, just as he had suspected. The system now displayed two new talents: Space Affinity, a power his teacher had used, and Dominant Spirit, a skill he had only heard of from Edward, though he had no real understanding of it.

  Both talents were marked as beginner proficiency, which was no surprise. At this level, he lacked the knowledge and experience to use them effectively.

  Maverick understood that these talents could typically only be properly used after advancing to the rank of Arch-Magus. This was the usual, much like how Magical-Energy Manipulation and Magical-Sense—talents unlocked at the Magus rank—could only be effectively utilized by Great-Magus or higher.

  Without a second thought, he spent 220 points to push both talents to advanced proficiency, then new memories and instincts seamlessly merged into his mind, granting him mastery and years of experience in the two skills.

  A few days later, after adjusting to his breakthrough and new abilities, he followed the same routine as in other countries, exploring the wizarding community and gaining new knowledge. In two weeks, he completed everything he needed and moved on, traveling west toward the Middle East. He started in Saudi Arabia, then moved on to Morocco, where he first met his Middle Eastern confidant.

  Ali was not just a wizard but also a werewolf. Maverick was never one to judge anyone—wizard, creature, or otherwise—based on first impressions. This wasn't his first encounter with werewolves, and he quickly noticed something unusual about Ali. Unlike other werewolves, who often carried an air of malice and dark emotions, Ali seemed different. There was no trace of the usual hostility lingering around him.

  Curious, Maverick decided to keep an eye on Ali. He followed the man for two weeks, observing his actions and even peeking into his surface thoughts. The more Maverick watched, the more he liked what he saw, leading him to investigate Ali's past.

  What he discovered left him deeply impressed. Ali's behavior showed discipline and strong morals. He had accepted the hardships life gave him without bitterness or despair.

  ---

  Ali had been an orphan, with no family, and graduated from Durmstrang in the early 1970s. His life took a cruel turn after graduation when he was bitten by a werewolf, turning him into one. Instead of giving up, Ali chose to endure. Every full moon, he isolated himself to protect others. His effort was a sign of his fight for his humanity—not just against the curse, but against the stigma society had placed on him and others like him.

  Living humbly, Ali struggled to find steady work because of his condition, but he held onto his values. Most people in his situation would have given in to their darker instincts, but Ali was different—a rare light in a grim world. Maverick, watching from the shadows, found himself quietly impressed by him.

  One night, Maverick followed Ali to a remote canyon where he went to isolate himself for the full moon. Maverick had planned to introduce himself afterward and hopefully bring Ali to his side. But fate had other plans.

  A group of Muggle campers had unknowingly set up their tents nearby. Maverick noticed them but was confident he could keep them safe if anything went wrong.

  As Ali's transformation began, the werewolf instincts took over quickly. The beast caught the scent of the campers and, driven by hunger, started moving toward them.

  Despite the overpowering instincts of the wolf, Maverick saw something remarkable. A part of Ali's humanity remained, trying to steer the creature away. But the fight was futile. With each step, the werewolf's instincts grew stronger, and Ali's will weakened.

  The Muggles, unaware of the danger, were sitting around their campfire when the werewolf emerged. Its glowing eyes and bared fangs sent them into a panic. The beast swiped at a tent, tearing it open, then lunged at a young woman who stood frozen in fear.

  That's when Maverick acted.

  From the shadows, he raised his hand, extended a finger, and cast "Impedimenta!"

  Perhaps feeling overly confident after his recent breakthrough, he used only a fraction of his power—barely five percent—assuming it would be enough to stop the beast. He stood still, taking no further action as the werewolf was knocked back.

  But the creature roared, shook off the spell in an instant, and locked its glowing eyes on Maverick.

  The ease of its recovery made him raise an eyebrow and reconsider not only the magic resistance of magical creatures but also his own overconfidence.

  Dodging a swipe from the werewolf, Maverick cast "Stupefy" with more power. The spell hit the mark, but it only slowed the creature for a moment. Once again, the werewolf shook it off like it was nothing, snarling as it recovered.

  He had no intention of testing the creature's power. If he truly wanted to, the fight would have been over in an instant. The spells he used were normal ones, designed to immobilize the beast rather than causing it permanent harm.

  Taking a moment to ponder and review his arsenal of spells, he quickly cast "Nidra Shanti," a powerful sleep charm he had learned in India. The spell worked wonders, wrapping around the beast instantly. Its movements slowed, and it staggered, its growls fading to soft whimpers before collapsing. For a brief moment, Maverick thought he glimpsed Ali's human eyes—filled with gratitude—before the werewolf finally succumbed to sleep.

  The Muggles, still in shock, began murmuring in confusion, unsure of what had just happened. With a quick "Obliviate," Maverick erased their memories, ensuring they would recall nothing of the encounter. He then turned his attention back to Ali, carefully securing the werewolf and returning him to the isolated spot he had originally chosen.

  Watching over the sleeping creature, Maverick couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the man who had fought so hard against an uncontrollable fate. Ali might not have been able to completely stop the wolf, but the fact that he had tried spoke volumes about his character.

  Ali woke up the next day, and for the first time, Maverick introduced himself. After much consideration, Maverick decided to invite Ali to join him. He admired Ali's character but more importantly, he saw a man with no one to rely on and no one to care for.

  Though it was mostly for his own benefit, Maverick genuinely intended to befriend the man and offer him a way out of his hopeless situation. A couple of days passed as they shared their stories and got to know each other better.

  Maverick laid out his plans, sharing some of them to gauge Ali's thoughts, all while carefully sensing the emotions and surface thoughts coming from him. This was crucial. While Ali was a righteous man, Maverick didn't want someone overly righteous. He needed a subordinate who could navigate the gray areas when necessary. Fortunately, Ali didn't shy away from the more radical aspects of Maverick's plans and was fully on board.

  To Ali, Maverick seemed like a good person, but more importantly, he was a powerful wizard who could control his beastly side when needed. Maverick even offered to provide Ali with a monthly dose of wolfsbane potion and promised to research a permanent solution.

  Though Ali didn't hold much hope for the latter, he appreciated the gesture. A morally good, accepting of his condition, and powerful wizard—these three qualities made Ali willing to offer his services to Maverick. More importantly, Maverick had saved him from committing an awful act that would have haunted him for the rest of his life.

  Time passed, and Maverick's solo journey turned into a two-man team. They moved on to Syria, where they first heard about the kidnappings of children. Word spread through the magical community that hybrid children, born of wizarding bloodlines, were going missing. The victims were often mixtures of veelas, werewolves, and even non-magical superhumans, like mutants.

  Syria, a country with loosely governed magical laws, was a haven for dark wizards and criminal activities. The authorities, if there were any, barely enforced order.

  Maverick and Ali did some digging, trying to help as best as they could, gathering clues about why only hybrid children were targeted. This made Maverick suspect that a larger conspiracy—or perhaps a greater force—was behind it. Their investigations took them to other countries, revealing that the trafficking network was far larger than Maverick had anticipated. It made him question why the International Confederation of Wizards (ICW) hadn't launched a global investigation into it.

  Months later, Maverick and Ali found themselves in Egypt, where they got closer to the people behind the trafficking ring. It was here they met Aisha, the third person to join their group.

  Unlike Ali, Aisha was not a werewolf—just an ordinary witch. She was a local Egyptian but a Muggle-born. Like in England, Egypt had pureblood ideologies, though not as extreme. As a result, Aisha had struggled to find stable work. She became a private investigator, and her path crossed with theirs as she, too, was following the trail of missing children.

  A few weeks passed as Maverick got to know Aisha better, and he found himself increasingly impressed by her character. She was outgoing, optimistic, and had a relentless attitude that never seemed to give up. From what he had observed, she was a law-abiding witch, but not overly righteous—a perfect fit for his team, if she agreed.

  So, Maverick decided to take a risk and invited her to join him, sharing some of his future plans. Aisha, being straightforward, didn't hesitate long and agreed without much thought. She even enthusiastically supported Maverick's ambitions, joking that she would be his right hand in the quest to unify the magical world and abolish the Statute of Secrecy. If any ordinary witch or wizard had overheard their conversation, they would surely report it to the ICW, and their group would likely be hunted by the entire magical world.

  One night, the trio followed the clues and managed to bust a kidnapping of a hybrid veela child. However, the perpetrators didn't know much about the operation.

  Maverick suggested that Aisha and Ali stay at the site and wait to see if any higher-ups in the trafficking circle would show up. And this is where the current events take us—Maverick interrogating the people who came later.

  Back to the present, with Maverick and the two traffickers.

  Maverick read Samuel's thoughts and decided not to correct his assumption about being an Arch-Magus, recognizing that it worked to his advantage. The fear of facing such a powerful being, coupled with the oppressive atmosphere, would only heighten Samuel's anxiety, making him even more susceptible to Maverick's manipulation.

  ---

  Maverick read Samuel's thoughts and decided not to correct his assumption about being an Arch-Magus, recognizing that it worked to his advantage. The fear of facing such a powerful being, coupled with the oppressive atmosphere, would only heighten Samuel's anxiety, making him even more susceptible to Maverick's manipulation.

  Samuel's eyes widened as the truth hit him hard. His lips trembled as he looked up, fear clear on his face. In that moment, he decided to spill everything.

  ...

  It didn't take long for Maverick to extract what he needed. He didn't rely solely on the criminal's fear-driven words; instead, he carefully probed Samuel's mind, verifying the details without the man ever realizing.

  The only thing that puzzled Maverick was why mutant children were being targeted. He hoped to find the answer when he got his hands on the witch, Ruby.

  Once the information was extracted, Maverick shattered the man's spirit, just like his accomplice, sending him into a coma. If they were on the ICW's wanted list, Maverick would turn them in for a profit. If not... they would dissappear. Either way, Maverick had no intention of letting them walk free.

  This wasn't a sudden change in Maverick's character, where he became cold and ruthless out of nowhere.

  Over the past year, Maverick's travels had been about more than just learning new magic. He had encountered different cultures and, more importantly, a wide variety of people. While many experiences were positive, he also saw the darker sides of magical society.

  What surprised him most was how simple the logic behind evil often was. It wasn't about complex reasons or grand schemes—it was simply because someone had the power to do it. That was what set this world apart from his old life.

  Moreover, Edward, his teacher, had taught him not only about the lines between good and evil but also the gray areas in between. Even Edward wasn't a saint, and Maverick had been exposed—whether intentionally or not—to his teacher's morally ambiguous actions. He came to understand that these were meant both as lessons and as demonstrations of his teacher's tolerances.

  Finally, Maverick understood that, in order to achieve his ambitions, he would need to lower his moral standards from the norm. He wouldn't blindly defy the law, nor would he become a villain. He wouldn't be a hero people wanted either, but a symbol, the world truly deserved.

  The illusion faded, revealing the plain, small room. Maverick paused for a moment, his expression unreadable, then turned and walked out.

  Outside, Ali and Aisha were waiting, their faces tense as Maverick stepped through the door.

  Maverick raised an eyebrow, noticing the tension in their expression. "Something happened?"

  Ali cleared his throat quickly to shake off the awkward tension and asked, "Did you find anything?"

  Maverick gave Ali a look before nodding. "A name: Ruby. A witch. She might lead us to the ones behind this..." His tone was steady, then shifted slightly. "The two are out cold for now." He turned to Aisha. "Check for any warrants. If there are, we hand them over."

  Aisha nodded, her tension easing slightly. "And if not?" she asked, voice a bit uncertain.

  "They'll disappear," Maverick said flatly, then met their eyes. "I'll show you what they've been up to... who they really are."

  Aisha cut him off. "No need, boss. We trust you." She glanced at Ali, who gave a small nod in agreement.

  Maverick paused and nodded, sensing the sincerity in their words and actions. This was what he wanted—not just subordinates, but people he could trust, and who trusted him in turn.

  "We'll move tomorrow night. The witch is supposed to meet them for the handover..." Maverick said. "I have the time and location. If she shows up, we'll grab her quickly and interrogate her too." He glanced at Aisha, who had more experience with authorities. "See if you can dig up anything on her."

  Aisha nodded. "I'll head out then." She glanced at Ali.

  Maverick noticed the tension between them again. They were hesitating, clearly holding something back.

  "Alright, spill it," he said, raising an eyebrow.

  The two tensed even further, and finally, Ali spoke. "Are you... really just 19 years old?"

  Maverick gave them a confused look, genuinely unsure of what they were thinking. He held back from probing their minds, as they were now his companions, and he didn't want to become reliant on Legilimency—or end up like Dumbledore, at least not the way he had read about him in the fanfictions from his previous life.

  "What makes you doubt?" Maverick asked, instead of answering directly.

  "What Ali means, boss," Aisha explained, "is that we've never heard of an Arch-Magus so young... Actually, not even a Great-Magus..."

  Maverick understood now. They had assumed he was an Arch-Magus after his display of magic earlier.

  After a brief pause, Maverick chuckled. Instead of explaining, he drew his wand and raised it with a steady hand, speaking clearly, "I, Maverick Caesar, hereby swear upon my magic that no more than 19 years have passed since I was born into this world. Should I speak falsely, may my magic be taken from me, never to return—"

  Aisha's eyes widened. "The hell, boss? You didn't have to go that far..."

  Ali was also startled, but Maverick could sense the relief in both of them after hearing the magical vow.

  "Anything else?" Maverick asked with a smile. He had carefully worded the vow, using the lessons his teacher had taught him about the dangers of magical vows—and how to maneuver around them.

  They both quickly shook their heads.

  Aisha perked up first, her usual energetic personality returning. "This is so awesome, boss! You must be the youngest king in history or something... I can't wait to see your plans unfold."

  Maverick chuckled, not bothering to correct her.

  ...

  The sun had set over Cairo, casting a faint orange glow over the Zamalek district. The streets had grown quieter, a stark contrast to the chaotic midday rush, though the occasional honk of a passing car reminded Maverick and his two subordinates that this city never truly slept.

  They moved silently under Disillusionment Charms layered atop Muggle-Repellent wards, navigating a narrow street lined with palm trees. This section of Zamalek was residential and calm. The houses were well-spaced, offering just enough cover to stay hidden but close enough for anyone to blend in if needed.

  As they approached a villa at the end of the street, Maverick signaled for them to stop with a subtle gesture. The house was old, a grand remnant of Egypt's colonial past, surrounded by an iron gate that stood slightly ajar. Through the narrow gaps in the metal, Maverick could make out a shadowy figure standing in the garden, waiting.

  "That's her," Aisha whispered, her voice tense. Ruby, the witch, was a notorious international criminal. Her face had been plastered on wanted posters for decades, and Aisha had found her warrant with little effort. At over 90 years old, she was well past the halfway point of a typical Magus lifespan.

  Ruby had managed to evade capture for years, with her bounty growing steadily. Despite her growing notoriety, her crimes were often only uncovered long after she had disappeared without a trace.

  Maverick nodded, his gaze fixed on the villa as his Magical Sense extended outward, analyzing not just Ruby but also the surroundings.

  Samuel's memories had confirmed she would be alone tonight, and they were correct. Whether it was due to her arrogance or simple miscalculation, Ruby clearly hadn't anticipated becoming the target of a Great-Magus.

  And given her history of evading capture, Maverick wasn't taking any chances. Some might consider his precautions excessive—there was, after all, a full rank of difference between them. He knew overconfidence could easily lead to his downfall.

  "Stay here and observe," Maverick instructed the two beside him.

  He raised his hand, extended his index finger, and tapped the air.

  The spell he was casting was his teacher's illusion, perfected through advanced proficiency and powered by his Great-Magus rank. Now, it would be nearly undetectable to anyone below an Arch-Magus. Even an Arch-Magus would take time to sense something was amiss, and by then, Maverick could accomplish plenty.

  Still, he wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could take on an Arch-Magus head-on just yet. He lacked the experience and raw power that came with their rank. His strength lay in his extensive knowledge of mastered spells and magical talents. While he didn't expect to win in a direct confrontation, he looked forward to testing himself against his teacher the next time they crossed paths.

  "Illusio Lunam Lectorem!" Maverick murmured, his voice calm and low, audible only to his companions.

  Ali and Aisha watched in confusion as seemingly nothing happened from their perspective. Maverick smirked at their puzzled expressions before stepping toward the villa, his movements confident and deliberate.

  The hunt had begun.

  A little further ahead, Ruby, their target, stood in silence. Tonight, she was expecting a delivery from two of her lackeys.

  Her attention was suddenly drawn to the caw of a crow, followed by another from her right. She turned her head and saw two of them, dark as night with crimson-glowing eyes, land on a branch of a nearby tree. What unsettled even the seasoned witch was that both birds simultaneously twisted their necks, locking their eerie, glowing gaze onto hers.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  A flicker of unease passed through Ruby, but she quickly shook it off. She had seen much creepier things in her time. With a dismissive huff, she returned her focus to the task at hand, patiently waiting.

  Once again, she heard the same eerie caw, this time from a different direction. The caws grew louder, followed by the sound of flapping wings. In just a few seconds, the air was filled with the unsettling chorus of caws and flapping, and the dark witch began to feel a growing sense of unease.

  Frantically, she turned her head, only to find crows—countless—filling the air, all with glowing crimson eyes. Each bird seemed to be staring straight into her soul.

  Instinctively, she tightened her grip on her wand, bracing herself for a confrontation, though she had no idea what she was about to face.

  "Who is it?!" Ruby called out, her voice sounding much older than her middle-aged appearance suggested.

  "Show yourself!" she demanded again, her wand sweeping in all directions, but the only response she received was the same—crows, cawing and flapping, their crimson eyes burning through the shadows.

  Tap. Tap.

  Suddenly, she heard the slow, deliberate footsteps. It was illogical to hear them so clearly with the cacophony of caws and flapping around her, but there was no time for logic. Ruby's senses were on edge as she pointed her wand toward what appeared to be a dark figure emerging from the shadows. The figure's eyes glowed crimson, and a dark cape billowed from its shoulders, its edges smoking and fading into the air like tendrils of black mist.

  "The fuck is you?" Ruby demanded in broken English, her wand aimed threateningly. But the figure didn't answer, only continuing its slow approach.

  "Stop! I warn you..."

  The tip of her wand began to glow a menacing green, signaling she was ready to cast the Killing Curse at any moment.

  Maverick halted, now just a few feet away from the dark witch.

  Ruby's wand flared brighter, the green glow intensifying as she demanded again, "I said, who the fuck is yo—"

  Her words were cut off abruptly, as if something invisible had seized her throat. She gasped, struggling to breathe, her hands shaking as they clutched at her neck, trying to break the unseen grip.

  "Who... cough... fuck... it..." she gasped.

  Determination flashed in her eyes, and with a sudden surge of energy, a green beam of light shot from her wand, heading straight for Maverick. Or did it?

  A little further behind, Ali and Aisha watched the entire scene unfold from their own vantage point. Maverick had cast the illusion not just on Ruby, but on everything around him, enveloping any living thing within a 100-meter radius.

  The crows, the eerie sounds, and even the dark, ominous figure Maverick presented were enough to send chills down their spines, despite knowing it was all part of his doing. The sheer intensity of the illusion—sight, sound, even the smell—made it feel all too real. It was a display of power, control, and a form of magic they had never encountered or even heard of. It shocked them, even after everything they had witnessed Maverick do.

  They remained frozen, watching, until the green light shot toward Maverick. It happened so suddenly, they barely had time to react. Their eyes widened in shock, and Aisha was the first to scream, "No!" She lunged forward instinctively, with Ali following suit.

  However, they remained frozen, unable to move. Both of them tried to act, but an invisible force stopped them.

  They turned their attention back to Maverick, their concern for him clear on their faces. But as they looked at him—or the dark figure he had become—their worry changed to disbelief.

  Unlike the expected outcome after being hit with the Killing Curse, the figure stood tall, unwavering. Even more shocking was the green glowing orb rested atop its palm, emanating sinister energy.

  Ruby, the witch, along with Aisha and Ali, stared in wide-eyed in astonishment.

  Of course, Maverick wasn't actually catching the Killing Curse like a volleyball—it was all part of the illusion. The dark witch did cast the curse, but under Maverick's manipulation, her aim was completely off.

  Maverick, or rather the dark figure he had crafted, locked eyes with Ruby. In that instant, an unnatural command reverberated through the air as he spoke.

  "Kneel!"

  The voice was heavy, distorted, and nothing like a human's. Maverick infused his words with a measure of his own domineering spirit, making them impossible to ignore.

  The witch's body stiffened, her breath catching in her throat. "Mi-Mi l-lord..." she struggled to speak—no, to plead. Her pompous demeanor had vanished, replaced by trembling fear.

  Perhaps it was her old age, or maybe it was the first time in her long life she had ever encountered such an overwhelming presence. Never before—not even from her current or former employers—had she felt this small, this utterly powerless.

  The domineering spirit was a mysterious form of magic, a power that allowed one to assert complete dominance over another.

  Scarcely mentioned in only a few obscure texts, this magical talent was so rare that few in the wizarding world would ever encounter it firsthand in their lifetimes.

  Among the wizarding population, only seven individuals were known to wield this ability effectively, and they weren't the type to flaunt their power casually.

  So, when a witch or wizard experienced this overwhelming force for the first time, they would all feel the same crushing hopelessness that the dark witch Ruby was now facing.

  Therefore, just moments after Maverick used it, Ruby began mumbling incoherently before losing consciousness, never even managing to put up a fight.

  Maverick sighed, briefly considering that he might have gone a bit overboard, but quickly dismissed the thought. Better safe than sorry.

  He dispelled the illusion gradually, its effects fading as he turned to look at Ali and Aisha. A slight smile graced his lips—not because of the bewildered expressions on their faces, but because he could sense they had endured his domineering spirit better this time. Training them to strengthen their will was part of his plan, and what better method than exposing them repeatedly to his presence.

  ---

  Hours later, back at the underground base, Maverick emerged from the interrogation room, his expression grim. He had spent hours extracting every scrap of information from Ruby, the old witch, digging into her mind until there was nothing more to uncover. Maverick had encountered evil before, but what he had just witnessed was a completely different level—pure, unadulterated darkness.

  The rage that surged within him, fueled by the horrors he had witnessed, almost drove him to lose control. Yet, he didn't kill the wicked woman. Instead, she now lay in a deep coma, her spirit shattered and on the verge of collapse. With great effort, he reined in the fury burning inside him before turning to leave.

  Outside the room, Ali and Aisha stepped forward as soon as they saw him emerge, their faces showing concern at the expression painted on his face.

  "Did you get anything out of her?" Aisha asked, her voice heavy with worry.

  Maverick gave a single, deliberate nod. "I did," he replied, his tone changing. "But it's... troubling."

  Aisha cocked her head, her gaze narrowing. "Troubling in what way?"

  He didn't answer immediately, instead looking at both of them in turn. Finally, he asked, "What do you know about Victor Morvain?"

  Ali and Aisha exchanged confused looks, both frowning as they tried to recall.

  "Morvain?" Ali spoke, tapping his chin. "The old guy... ICW High Council member?"

  Aisha nodded, her expression thoughtful. "He doesn't appear much in public... I heard..." She paused, locking eyes with Maverick before continuing, "For some reason, he's said to have lived for over five centuries... much longer than a typical Great-Magus..."

  Maverick nodded again. "Anything else?"

  Aisha hesitated. "He's often accused of corruption. Nothing concrete... Just rumors. He's careful..." She paused, her tone shifting. "Rumors are rumors, but when they surface too often..." She didn't finish, then added, "I guess he knows how to protect himself."

  Maverick's gaze grew colder as he listened. "According to Ruby's... confession... it seems he's the one orchestrating the kidnappings."

  The two stared at him, wide-eyed in shock, until Ali broke the silence, his voice filled with disbelief. "But that's... that's insane. Wait..." He paused suddenly, as a thought struck him. "Isn't he also the commander of the International Special Auror Unit (ISAU)?"

  Maverick nodded, his expression grim and solemn. "That's why I said troubling..."

  "But kidnapping wizarding children? That's a crime serious enough to warrant execution!" Aisha exclaimed, then met Maverick's eyes, her tone faltering. "Are... you sure, boss? He's... the one?"

  Maverick nodded firmly, his voice confident. "Positive."

  He glanced at them both before adding, "And there's very compelling evidence..."

  After a moment, Ali asked, his tone skeptical. "Compelling enough to bring down someone from the High Council?"

  "Don't get us wrong, boss," Aisha said hesitantly. "I mean... that guy has been alive for Merlin knows how long and probably has connections everywhere."

  Maverick understood their concerns. It was true—and likely the very reason Morvain had evaded capture for so long. But Maverick wasn't worried. He had his own connections.

  "First of all," Maverick said, glancing at Aisha, "you're right. The old bugger has, in fact, outlived his Great-Magus lifespan." His eyes narrowed, his tone growing colder. "Dark... very dark magical rituals," he added, his mind drifting back to the horrors he'd uncovered in Ruby's memories. "That's why he's taking the hybrid and mutant children."

  "You mean he's using dark magic to extend his life?" Ali asked, quickly catching on.

  Maverick nodded, his jaw tightening. "He's been at it for a long time..." He clenched his fists, anger flashing across his face. "Every decade or so, he conducts a blood ritual. And guess what the main ingredient is?" His voice hardened as he ground out the answer: "The children..."

  Ali and Aisha spoke at the same time. "The children?"

  Maverick repeated grimly, "Yes. The children. Apparently, hybrid children born of magical parents enhance the ritual's effects. The same goes for mutant children... somehow."

  "Is he killing them, or just taking their blood?" Aisha asked, her voice trembling with anger.

  Maverick glanced at her, his tone growing colder with each word. "Killed would be an understatement." His magic rippled visibly in the air. "He... uses them... alive... They die in the end, in excruciating pain..." Maverick clenched his fist, the echoes of the screams and the terror in the children's eyes haunting him once more as he recalled the witch's memories.

  Aisha gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Ali's eyes widened in shock.

  "What kind of monster... Have the ICW and the Speakers been blind this whole time?" Aisha exclaimed, her voice trembling with outrage.

  A heavy silence filled the room until Ali finally asked, "How long?" He looked at Maverick, his voice steady but grave.

  "I don't know for sure," Maverick replied, his tone bitter. "Ruby wasn't certain. She's been his pawn for the past sixty years, so it's been at least that long... probably much longer."

  Ali clenched his fists, but as the oldest among them and no stranger to suffering, he quickly regained his composure. "How are we going to go after him?" he asked, looking directly at Maverick.

  Aisha glanced at Maverick too, both of them knowing this wasn't a simple case of ambushing a dark wizard. Even if they could, the consequences—both good and bad—would be immense.

  "I..." Maverick began, his tone hesitant before it turned firm. "I'll ask for help." His expression grew solemn as he raised his hand to examine the ring on his finger.

  His gaze hardened as he nodded to himself, then pulsed his magic into the ring with a deliberate rhythm.

  Ali and Aisha watched intently. It was clear something significant was happening, though they didn't understand the nature of it. They stayed silent, not daring to interrupt.

  Moments later, to their astonishment, a crack appeared in the air before them, slowly widening into a dark pathway.

  "Step back," Maverick instructed, his tone calm but firm. Ali and Aisha instinctively obeyed, retreating a few steps.

  Out of the pathway emerged a silhouette, tall and imposing, with thick, long hair cascading over broad shoulders.

  Step.

  Step.

  Edward Garling strode out, exuding an aura of power and authority. His piercing gaze landed on Maverick, his pupil who had been absent for over a year without a word.

  He wore a Hawaiian shirt with the top two buttons undone, exposing his bare chest, paired with brown shorts. But the most striking feature was his mane of golden hair, gleaming like a lion's.

  "Little Rick, so you finally remembered your old teacher..." came the booming voice of Edward Garling as he stepped through the space passage.

  The man didn't even glance at the two others, his focus entirely on Maverick.

  Maverick felt a chill crawl down his spine but quickly regained his composure. There would be time for reminiscence later; more pressing matters demanded his attention.

  "Teacher, it's been a while..." he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

  A moment passed as teacher and student locked eyes, the silence thick with unspoken words.

  "I don't sense any danger..." Edward said, his gaze drifting around the room before returning to Maverick. This time, his eyes narrowed, as if taking stock of his student after a year apart. He smirked before adding, "Impressive mana suppression... even I can't see through you now..."

  Maverick couldn't help but return the smile. He hadn't mentioned his breakthrough to Great-Magus yet—but that could wait.

  "It's not dangerous for me, teacher," he said, his words trailing off as a sudden idea sparked to life.

  He glanced at Edward again, his eyes thoughtful. "Teacher, it might be easier if I just show you..."

  Maverick waited until Edward gave his approval. After a moment, Edward raised a brow, his voice calm but curious. "Well, go on then."

  Without further delay, Maverick cast the illusion spell again, extending it to include Edward, Aisha, and Ali.

  For Aisha and Ali, he wanted them to witness what he had experienced firsthand, even if they already believed him based on his words alone.

  This was a slightly modified version of the illusion spell, adapted for situations like this. Inspired by the concept of a Pensieve, it allowed others to not only see but also hear and feel everything he had experienced, making it as close to the real thing as possible.

  He began from the moment he and Ali first heard about the kidnappings, leading them through their discoveries and encounters, and ending with the chilling details he had extracted from the dark witch. The entire display lasted nearly two hours.

  When it was over, Edward's expression was hard to read, but it was far from pleasant. Maverick could sense the subtle fluctuations of his teacher's magic—a rare occurrence for someone as skilled in control as the Arch-Magus. Clearly, the darkness of what they had witnessed had unsettled even him.

  Ali and Aisha were visibly shaken. Ali's face was pale, his jaw tight, while Aisha's horrified expression melted into tears. By the end, she was openly crying, overwhelmed by everything they had seen.

  "The memory vials. Do you have them?" Edward asked after a brief silence filled the room.

  Maverick nodded and raised his hand. A wooden box materialized from his storage ring. "She kept these as insurance, I guess... There's even ledgers—names of everyone involved. A clever witch... ironically, it ended up backfiring on her."

  Edward took the box, opened it briefly, then closed it and stored it away in his own ring. Meeting Maverick's gaze, he asked, "What's your plan?"

  ---

  Edward took the box containing the memory vials, opened it briefly, then closed it and stored it away in his own ring.

  He nodded reassuringly, meeting Maverick's gaze, and asked, "What's your plan?"

  "My... plan?" Maverick asked, a little confused. Just as he spoke, Aisha cut in, exclaiming,

  "Aren't you a speaker...? You've seen the terrible things... arrest him—"

  Before she could say anything else, Maverick silenced her with a quick wandless spell. He didn't blame her for being rude in front of his teacher; he understood she wasn't in her right mind. No one would be, after seeing all of that.

  He glanced at Edward apologetically, then asked, "Don't mind my friend, teacher..."

  Edward raised his hand to dismiss the interruption. He didn't even look at Aisha, but kept his gaze on Maverick, waiting for him to answer.

  Maverick paused for a moment, thinking. He realized that his teacher was asking him to come up with a plan to take the enemy down, and that Edward would assist according to the arrangements he made.

  Moreover, he realized this would be the perfect opportunity for his alternative self to make an entrance and establish his presence in the world.

  After taking some time to consider, he spoke. "We'll go and inspect his main base in Turkey. If there are any children there, our first priority will be to rescue them." He paused, then, seeing that his teacher didn't object, continued.

  "We can gather more evidence there. The advantage is ours because he doesn't know we're onto him. If he's there, we take him down quickly and conduct a search and rescue. If not, focus on finding any surviving children, collect all the evidence, and..." He paused, his voice turning colder. "Eliminate anyone who stands in the way or was involved in the deeds."

  Edward still didn't respond, his expression unreadable. Ali and Aisha, now a little calmer, listened in silence.

  Maverick continued, glancing at Edward. "Teacher, if you can spread some of the memories to the newspapers, and, with your authority, launch an investigation simultaneously, it should be enough to make him go into hiding... If it's you, he wouldn't meddle in the case right?"

  Edward huffed. "I dare him..."

  Maverick's tone grew confident at that. "Then he'll go into hiding. I'll set the ambush... take him down myself."

  Edward stood with his arms crossed, never breaking eye contact as his student made his plan clear. After a brief silence, he spoke, his tone a little uncertain. "That old fool is at the peak of Marquis... centuries of experience..." He narrowed his eyes and asked, "You think you can take him?"

  Maverick subtly pulsed his suppressed magic at his teacher, causing his pupil to flinch momentarily. "How... when?" he asked, surprise evident on his face.

  "Few months back..." Maverick replied, giving a confident look before adding, "I can take him!"

  Edward let out a sigh. He didn't have the words to comment on his pupil's growth rate, so he simply accepted it. This wasn't the first time Maverick had left him speechless.

  After a moment of thought, Edward nodded. "I'll place a tracking spell on him, leak some of the memories to the press, and, as you suggested, launch an investigation simultaneously." He fixed Maverick with a steady gaze. "You'll ambush him once he's clear of civilian areas..." He paused, considering the details. "And make sure to take space-blocking tools when you set the trap."

  Maverick looked at him appreciatively. "Thank you, teacher."

  He fixed Maverick with a steady gaze, his tone heavy. "Around this time, he'll be at the ICW HQ. I'll hold him off, keep him busy... and you handle the raid... collect everything you can..."

  Maverick nodded, his resolve clear.

  Edward left without another word. Neither of them lingered, knowing that every moment of delay increased the suffering of any children, if there were even any left alive.

  As soon as Edward left, Aisha spoke, her tone apologetic. "Boss... I—"

  Maverick cut her off. "Don't mention it. I don't blame you," he reassured her, then glanced at both of them. "Are you ready?"

  Both of them nodded, their expressions determined as they answered, "Yes."

  ...

  Half an hour and a few Apparitions later, the three of them arrived in Eastern Turkey. The first thing that struck them was the icy wind, sharp and relentless, as though it aimed to carve through flesh and bone. For ordinary humans, it would have been unbearable.

  They stood silently, heavy camouflage spells cloaking their forms, as they took in the desolate ruins of Ani. The jagged outlines of broken churches and crumbled towers loomed against the darkening sky. Shadows danced unnervingly across the landscape, giving the abandoned city an eerie, malevolent presence that felt almost alive.

  "This is the place?" Aisha asked, her voice barely audible.

  Maverick nodded, extending his Magical-Sense while scanning the eerie surroundings with his eyes. "The old witch's memories were clear..."

  His gaze sharpened as he focused on a distant structure. "Don't panic," he murmured, glancing at the two beside him. "This is just my magic."

  As he spoke, a circular magical construct materialized beneath their feet, lifting them gently off the ground.

  Ali and Aisha wobbled briefly but quickly steadied themselves as Maverick guided them forward.

  "It feels like... the place itself is watching us," Aisha murmured uneasily, her wand already drawn and gripped tightly.

  Maverick shot her a sidelong glance. "That's not just your imagination. Stay sharp, both of you," he said in a low voice, leading them deeper into the ruins.

  The only sounds accompanying their advance were the mournful howls of the wind and the occasional screech of a distant bird. Maverick relied on his Magical-Sense to guide them, tracing faint trails of lingering magic clinging to the ancient stones.

  Minutes later, they came to an abrupt stop as Maverick's heightened senses detected a ward ahead. Its faint outline shimmered in his vision, just barely perceptible to the untrained eye. He maneuvered the magical construct closer, reaching out to study the barrier's intricate patterns.

  "Old... but still operational," he muttered, his voice thoughtful. "Basic defensive wards, with a few nasty surprises built in. Smart, but not smart enough."

  Confident in his alchemical expertise, Maverick crouched to work. From his storage ring, he retrieved a set of alchemical vials and a rune-etched rod. With deliberate precision, he traced an opening in the barrier. A section of the ward flickered briefly before dimming, leaving a silent gap just wide enough for them to slip through.

  "Let's move," he said, urging the construct forward as they passed through the breach undetected.

  As they moved carefully through the ruins, Ali whispered, "This place feels wrong," his voice tense with unease.

  "It's supposed to," Maverick replied without turning. "The wards are designed to rattle intruders. Don't let it mess with your head."

  They soon arrived in front of what appeared to be little more than dismantled ruins. However, it was anything but that. To anyone without advanced proficiency in Magical-Sense, the true structure would remain hidden—a castle-like fortress concealed behind layers of heavy wards.

  The wards were intricate, designed both for offense and confusion. Maverick studied them with a critical eye. He wasn't certain he could dismantle them without triggering an alarm, but he was confident he could create a path inside.

  After half an hour of meticulous effort, the wards flickered briefly before collapsing. The moment they fell, figures emerged from the shadows—six robed men, wands drawn, moving in coordinated formation.

  Maverick's Magical-Sense remained extended, scanning the area. There were no threats above Magus level. His expression didn't waver as one of the grunts stepped forward, a sneer curling on his face.

  "Well, well, look who we have—"

  Before he could finish, Maverick interrupted him with a cold, calm tone. "Handle them," he said, addressing Ali and Aisha, before stepping back. His expression remained focused as he concentrated on extending his Magical-Sense further into the castle, searching for any signs of children.

  Ali moved first, his wand slashing through the air as he cast a wide Expulso, forcing two grunts to dive for cover. He followed up with a rapid Stupefy, dropping one instantly.

  Aisha's style was more precise. She sidestepped a barrage of Reducto curses with practiced ease, her wand movements fluid as she retaliated with a well-aimed Petrificus Totalus, freezing one of the attackers mid-motion.

  One of the remaining grunts aimed at Ali with a dangerous green flare—Avada Kedavra. Maverick intervened with a casual flick of his finger, an instant transfigured sheild of metal appeared between Ali and the spell. It shattered the curse mid-flight.

  "Focus," Maverick advised, his tone steady, before sending a Confringo that scattered the remaining grunts, giving Ali and Aisha the space to finish them off.

  Their fight wasn't quiet, drawing more enemies as they advanced. By the time they reached the castle courtyard, eight wizards blocked their path.

  Aisha raised a shimmering shield, deflecting a curse, and retaliated with a Confringo, forcing a wizard back with a cry of pain.

  Ali charged forward, binding one opponent with Incarcerous before blasting another with Expulso.

  Maverick stayed back, casting precise spells to protect them. When a wizard targeted Aisha from behind, Maverick's Impedimenta stopped the attack, giving her the chance to finish the enemy with Bombarda.

  Suddenly, Maverick spoke, his tone decisive. "Three children inside," he announced. "Hidden chamber deeper in the castle. Small, confined space. They're alive."

  Ali and Aisha nodded, pushing harder to clear the path. Resistance increased as they moved, but Maverick decided it was time to step in. With a sharp wave of his hand, he unleashed a powerful surge of magic, a collective Incarcerous that slammed the entire group against the walls. Chains wrapped tightly around their bodies, rendering them immobile.

  Ali and Aisha paused for a moment, glancing back in awe. The effortless way Maverick subdued the group left them both lost for words.

  "Let's go," Maverick said, ignoring their stares. He was calm, focused on the kids as he led the way.

  They encountered more wizards as they advanced, but Ali and Aisha worked quickly, clearing the way with precise teamwork.

  Finally, they reached the chamber Maverick had sensed earlier. He stepped forward, raising a hand as his magic pulsed outward. With an effortless gesture, akin to telekinesis, the metal door screeched before being ripped clean off its hinges.

  Inside the small, dark space were two boys and a girl, barely ten years old. Though not malnourished and seemingly well-fed, their wide, frightened eyes told a story of terror. Maverick stepped aside, letting Ali and Aisha move forward to check on them.

  He kept his Magical-Sense extended, scanning for any threats while also searching for signs of more children.

  ---

  Ali and Aisha crouched down near the children, speaking softly to calm them while quickly checking for any injuries. Once satisfied they were physically unharmed, Ali glanced back at Maverick.

  "What's next, boss?" he asked, his voice low but urgent. Though physically unharmed, the children were mentally shaken and in desperate need of attention.

  Maverick didn't respond right away. With his eyes closed, he pushed his Magical-Sense to its limits, sweeping across the entire castle. After about half a minute, he opened his eyes again, his expression growing cold with barely concealed anger.

  "No more children," he said, pausing as his eyes narrowed. "But..." It was clear to Ali and Aisha that he had discovered something far more horrific than what they had already seen.

  Aisha frowned. "But what?"

  "Follow me," Maverick ordered. Rather than explain, he felt it would be better for them to see for themselves.

  Before that, Maverick first cast a charm to make the children fall asleep, then created a magical construct to envelop them before levitating them into the air, keeping them close as he moved.

  He led them deeper into the castle, moving cautiously through dimly lit hallways until they reached a massive door etched with dark runes. He didn't hesitate and blasted it open with a push of his magic.

  Clearing the dust, the group slowly stepped inside, but they froze the moment they entered.

  This was most likely the ritual hall, and it was horrifying. The room reeked of death and dark magic, the air thick with malice. In the center of the room stood a small mountain of bones, clearly those of children.

  Ali turned away, his face pale with rage and disgust. Aisha stared at the sight, her wand trembling in her hand. "Monsters..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

  Just from a glance at the small skulls, they could estimate the number to be well over a hundred.

  Maverick's expression remained unchanged, though his clenched fists revealed his true emotions.

  "Make sure to capture everything... but be quick about it," he said coldly, snapping them out of their shock.

  Along with the rescue and clearing of the dark wizards, they had brought magical cameras to document everything they saw.

  "I'll sweep for any other evidence that can tie this all back to Morvain."

  The three worked quickly, their movements efficient and silent as they combed the castle. They found grim artifacts, cursed tools, and documents detailing Morvain's operations.

  The old fool had grown overconfident with centuries of experience and authority, neglecting to remove the physical evidence here.

  This castle was his most secretive place. Perhaps he believed none of his direct contacts or accomplices would betray him or reveal its location. After all, he was a Great-Magus, with only seven others in the entire wizarding world who surpassed him in power and authority within the ICW.

  The old witch, Ruby, was clearly skilled in Occlumency and would never have betrayed him, but who made her assume Maverick was an Arch-Magus?

  He didn't even have to try; she spilled everything out of fear of the absolute power that surpassed her master's.

  Everything they collected painted a clear picture of Morvain's atrocities, leaving no doubt about his guilt.

  Half an hour later, they stood outside the ruins, along with the three children wrapped in cloaks, peacefully sleeping within a protective magical construct.

  The entire operation had lasted three hours from start to finish, and Morvain never appeared. Maverick was certain that by now, he would be aware something had happened here.

  Maverick figured his teacher had something to do with holding Morvain back, as that was the task he had set out to complete while they carried out the raid.

  Even if Morvain had shown up, Maverick was confident he could defeat him—or at least hold him off until he could signal for his teacher to arrive.

  "Let's go," he said, his voice blank. Without another word, he made a gesture with his hand, and a crack formed in front of him, expanding to create a gateway.

  He didn't want to Apparate away, not wanting to cause any more discomfort to the children.

  They all then disappeared from the ruins of Ani, returning to Egypt.

  ...

  Back at their temporary underground base, Maverick's first priority was to check on the children. He knew many spells—not just the standard ones, but also more advanced and specialized healing and diagnostic magic he had learned during his travels.

  The three children were still asleep when Maverick began his treatment. Ali and Aisha stood nearby, watching as he worked. After about half an hour, he finished and was relieved to find no major physical injuries on any of them.

  "How are they?" Ali asked as Maverick stepped out of the room where the children were sleeping.

  "Physically, they're fine," Maverick replied. "We'll only know the extent of their psychological injuries once they wake up." He turned to Aisha. "Could you prepare something light for them to eat? Maybe porridge and fresh juice, if possible."

  Aisha nodded silently and left without hesitation.

  Maverick turned back to Ali. "The teacher's not here yet. Let's organize what we've gathered before he returns."

  "Right," Ali agreed, then hesitated for a moment before continuing, "So... you're Speaker Garling's student?"

  Maverick blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sudden question. Then he remembered—they hadn't had the chance to discuss much in the rush of recent events. He nodded after a brief pause. "Yes, he's my mentor. I've learned most of what I know from him."

  Ali let out a small sigh, his expression softening into a smile. "Well, with his help, we can deal with Morvain without worrying about him interfering in the process... right?"

  "That's the plan," Maverick said. "We'll know more once the teacher gets back."

  Another hour passed as Maverick, Ali, and Aisha busied themselves sorting through everything they had taken from Morvain's castle.

  When Edward finally returned, Ali and Aisha went to check on the children, giving them space to talk privately. Though they were loyal to Maverick, they weren't as familiar with Edward. Maverick appreciated the unspoken gesture, even though it wasn't required.

  Once they were alone, Maverick cast the illusion spell again, showing everything they had accomplished during the raid. Edward scrutinized every detail carefully, his expression unreadable—a clear sign of his mastery in controlling his emotions, even in the face of the horrifying acts Morvain had committed.

  "It's good you left when you did," Edward remarked as Maverick finished his demonstration. "He was impatient to leave, and I knew he'd been alerted to his wards being breached." Edward chuckled. "The old fool was too timid to mention it, probably afraid I'd try to dig deeper."

  "But what did you say to keep him there? I mean, meeting him out of the blue like that—didn't he find it suspicious?" Maverick asked.

  "You don't need to worry about that," Edward replied. "There are plenty of reasons for someone like me—a speaker—to meet someone like him, the director of ISAU, without warning." He paused, then added, "Anyway, I'm sure he went to check the moment I left. But I placed a tracking spell on him. Unless he's as skilled as I am—or as you are—in mana perception, he won't notice a thing."

  Maverick nodded, relieved that the plan had gone smoothly. "What about the memory vials?" he asked.

  "Handled," Edward replied. "By tomorrow, the major newspapers will run headlines that will destroy his reputation—enough for the ICW to issue a summons."

  "A summons?" Maverick echoed, uncertain. "Teacher, with your authority, can't you just issue a warrant directly?"

  Edward raised an eyebrow. "I can," he said calmly, "but think about what I've taught you about maintaining order."

  Maverick frowned initially, but after a moment of reflection, he recalled the lesson and understood the meaning behind his teacher's words.

  Noticing the realization on his apprentice's face, Edward added, "So, do you really want me to do it, or...?"

  Maverick didn't answer immediately, taking a moment to think. His teacher wasn't just a speaker; he was one of the most powerful figures in the wizarding world, both in terms of magical ability and political influence. For Edward to intervene directly without solid evidence against another official wouldn't be the wisest move.

  Maverick understood the deeper meaning behind his teacher's words: "Play by the book, use the law as your leverage, and bend it just enough—never break it."

  These were the lessons his teacher had drilled into him from the very beginning.

  With a steady gaze, Maverick looked at Edward and said, "We've got footage, paper trails... enough evidence that, if it's made public, it'll stir up enough noise to force the ICW to issue a dead or alive warrant for him."

  Edward nodded, signaling him to go on.

  "If there's a hearing, sure, he could deny everything or exploit a few loopholes to slip away... With his centuries of connections, he'd play every card in his hand." Maverick paused, his eyes narrowing. "But that warrant is all I need. Dead or alive, out in the open. I can take him down before he even gets a chance to speak."

  Edward gave Maverick a long, thoughtful look before smirking. "Good," he said, his voice full of approval.

  Maverick handed over everything he had collected from Morvain's lair, including his own memories of what they had witnessed there.

  Maverick would still rely on Edward's influence, but only to work behind the scenes and pull a few strings.

  Getting the press to publish dirt on someone like Morvain—politically and magically powerful—would be nearly impossible for Maverick alone, even with the solid evidence. It required someone even more powerful, and that's where his teacher came in.

  Once that was done, it would be a waiting game for the world and the authorities to take action. And when they did, Maverick would be there, ready to deliver the checkmate.

  Just as they were finalizing their plans, Ali came to report that the children had awakened and asked Maverick to check on them again. Edward, too, decided to join, wanting to see for himself, offer help if necessary, and to understand from them what had happened.

  Of course, Edward wouldn't ask directly—such questions could only add to the trauma of their already fragile mental state. Fortunately, as wizards, they didn't need to ask; they could simply delve into the memories and understand the truth directly.

  ---

  The three children, now awake, lay in separate comfortable beds with bowls of porridge in front of them. While cautiously taking small spoonfuls, they cast nervous glances at the unfamiliar faces in the room.

  They seemed on guard—understandably so—but noticeably less so with Aisha. Maverick and Edward stood back, listening quietly as Aisha spoke gently to them, trying to put them at ease.

  It didn't take long for Aisha to gather some key information from the children.

  One of the boys was a werewolf hybrid, while the other, with his slight disfigurements and shorter stature, turned out to be a half-goblin.

  The girl, on the other hand, appeared to be a muggle, but that wasn't the full story. Morvain hadn't been targeting only magicals—he had also been abducting mutants as well. The truth was clear, though the girl hadn't revealed exactly what her ability was.

  After a while, Maverick decided to approach the children himself. He didn't want to seem like a stranger to them.

  "How are you kids feeling?" he asked gently, doing his best to offer a warm, reassuring smile.

  The three children immediately glanced at Aisha, seeking reassurance, unsure whether they should respond.

  During the rescue at the castle, it had mainly been Ali and Aisha who interacted with them. Scared as they were, they likely hadn't realized Maverick was there.

  "It's okay," Aisha said reassuringly, "This is Brother Maverick. He was with us, helping beat up the bad guys and rescue you."

  They slowly opened up to him, responding that they were feeling much better and thanking him in their own childish ways.

  After a few friendly questions, Maverick asked the important one—the one he needed to know for their sake.

  "Do you have any relatives we can contact, so we can take you home?" Maverick asked.

  The two wizard boys immediately responded, sharing details about where they were from and how they had been abducted. Fortunately, it wasn't all bad news. The kidnappers had struck when their parents weren't around, and no one had died—at least, that's what they knew.

  The children's responses made it clear—they were eager to go home.

  Without hesitation, Maverick turned to Ali in front of them, instructing him to get in touch with their families.

  Unfortunately, the girl had no one. Maverick confirmed this as he engaged in small talk with the children, subtly reaching into the girl's memories to understand more about her situation. She remained mostly quiet while the two boys spoke.

  What took him by surprise was what else he found in her mind—her superpower.

  It wasn't overpowered, but it was undeniably impressive. Maverick immediately thought about raising her and keeping her by his side. It was a selfish thought, yes, but considering the orphanage where she had been staying, it seemed the better option. Though she was fed and given a place to sleep, they had treated her harshly, isolating her, calling her a freak, and subjecting her to the usual bullying. She clearly wasn't happy there, but stayed because she had no other choice.

  More importantly, her kidnapping had only happened a few days ago, unlike the two boys, who had clearly been held for months based on their memories. This meant her psychological condition wasn't as severe as the others—still traumatized, but easier to heal than the two boys. From what Maverick could sense, what she really wanted was simple: acceptance.

  He glanced at his teacher, and from Edward's expression, Maverick could tell that he too had seen everything from their memories.

  Edward met his gaze and shrugged. "Do what you need. I trust your decision..."

  Maverick wasn't entirely sure if Edward shared the same idea of taking in the girl, or if he was simply giving Maverick the space to make the decision first before offering his own suggestion. In any case, Maverick had made up his mind. He then turned to address the children, starting with the two boys.

  "The uncle who just left is going to find your parents, hopefully soon, and we'll get you home. You don't have to worry about those bad people anymore... okay?" Maverick said gently.

  Both boys' eyes welled up, and they nodded, quietly thanking him.

  Maverick then turned his attention to the girl. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

  The girl, clearly saddened by her situation, met his gaze. She answered softly, her voice lacking the joy one might expect after being rescued.

  "Sarah... sir," she said, pausing for a moment before suddenlyexclaiming, "please, don't send me back to the orphanage." Her eyes flickered to Aisha, and she continued, "Can I please stay with Sister Aisha here?" Her voice trembled, and tears began to well in her eyes as she looked at him with a pleading expression.

  Aisha was taken aback. Unlike Maverick and Edward, she didn't fully know the little girl's situation. She subconsciously opened her mouth and said, "But that's where your friends—"

  But Maverick raised his hand, making her stip what ever she was going to say. He gave aisha a look, silently asking to let him handle it.

  "Hi, Sarah." Maverick walked over to her bed and crouched down to meet her gaze. "Since you don't want to go back to the orphanage, can you tell me why?"

  He spoke gently but with purpose, hoping the question would help her reflect on her situation and, in turn, give him a clearer picture of her memories.

  More importantly, Maverick needed to understand her character—whether she had ever retaliated against the bullies, and if so, how she had done it. He also needed to know how she managed her abilities and whether she could control them. These were critical factors in his decision about whether or not to take her in.

  Her superpower was impressive, but Maverick had no intention of welcoming someone into his camp, no matter how capable, unless he could trust their character—even if that person was just a child.

  Sarah bravely began to recall her situation, sharing everything with the room. Maverick couldn't help but admire her courage in speaking up, and it made him respect her more.

  She revealed that she had just turned nine last month. On her birthday, while alone, she celebrated with a small muffin and a candle—until that was when she was captured. She explained her time at the orphanage, detailing the neglect and harsh treatment she'd endured, which made her prefer staying away from it if she had a choice.

  As Sarah spoke, Maverick quietly delved into her memories. With each passing moment, he gained a clearer understanding of the kind of person she was, and his determination to keep her by his side only strengthened.

  He knew it wasn't morally ideal to read someone's thoughts without their permission, but he didn't have the luxury of playing by the rules of morality right now. He had a bottom line, though. He wouldn't probe into the minds of those he trusted.

  Once Sarah finished explaining, Maverick glanced at Aisha, curious about what she had wanted to say earlier and her thoughts on Sarah's request.

  Aisha misunderstood his look and hesitated before speaking, "Boss... I... if you really want... I mean, I don't know anything about raising..."

  Maverick inwardly sighed. He wasn't sure what to say if Aisha truly wanted to take Sarah in. He could tell that Sarah would prefer to stay with Aisha for now—she was more familiar with her and likely felt safer with her.

  Nonetheless, Maverick would give her the option first and see what she decided. Either way, he was determined to keep her in his camp—whether that meant staying with Aisha or being closer to him, as part of his family.

  Maverick raised his hand, gesturing for Aisha to stop, and then glanced back at Sarah.

  "Listen," he said gently. "I understand now why you don't want to go back to the orphanage." He paused and raised his finger, focusing. A mist of white appeared and swirled, shaping into a small raven. It began to hover above his head, flapping its wings quickly.

  "You see, just like you, I'm special as well..." Maverick continued softly, watching Sarah's eyes widen in surprise as she focused on his Patronus.

  He willed the Patronus to fly toward her and gently land on her head. For the first time, Sarah smiled.

  "It's... beautiful..." she whispered, her eyes following the raven above her head, trying to catch a better view.

  Maverick made the Patronus disappear, and her mood shifted. She was no longer as sad as before, and there was a hint of hope in her eyes.

  Maverick smiled warmly at her. "You know, I've always wanted a little sister... so..." He paused, carefully choosing his words. "I can be your big brother... if you want me to. You can stay with my mom and dad, in our home, go to school... you can be part of my family." He paused again, his expression becoming serious. "I will protect you. My family will protect you."

  Sarah's eyes widened in shock. After a moment of stunned silence, her gaze softened, and tears welled up in her eyes. Before long, she broke down, crying on the spot.

  Even Aisha and Edward were taken aback. They hadn't expected Maverick to be so direct in offering Sarah a place in his family.

  Maverick Gently gave a pat on her head and stood up. "You can think about it... okey."

  But before he could take back his hand from her head, she quickly grabbed on to his palm with her tiny hands. "Are... are you being serious..." she asked disbelieving. It all sounded too surreal to her.

  Maverick nodded, showed the gentle smile. He didn't retract his hand. "I promise... i am serious..."

  "But I'm—"

  "Different?" Maverick cut her off, his voice gentle but firm. "Like I said, you're not the only one who's unique." He paused, gesturing to Edward and Aisha. "All of us. We're all special."

  Sarah's eyes filled with even more tears. "Can I... can I really call you brother?"

  "Of course," Maverick replied, his tone softening. "And even if you don't want to stay with my family... you can still call me Brother Maverick."

  "No!" She exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Please... I want to... I want to be your family..."

  Maverick inwardly sighed, fighting to maintain his calm. He knew this might seem selfish—because, in a way, it was. But it wasn't just for him. It was a win-win situation. Sarah would finally have the childhood she deserved, a chance to go to school, and a safe home.

  The only hurdle left was convincing his parents, but Maverick wasn't worried. He was confident they would welcome her with open arms once he explained her situation. Besides, his mother had always talked about wanting to have a daughter.

  Maverick smiled at Sarah. "Then from now on, you'll be Sarah Caesar. My little sister... and I'll be your big brother." Before he could finish his sentence, Sarah leapt off the bed and threw her arms around him in a tight hug.

  Maverick patted her gently on the back. "Now, as your big brother, I never want to see you sad or crying. That's the first thing I ask of you."

  Sarah tried to hold back her sobs but still failed, resting her head on his shoulder.

  After a while, Sarah pulled away and sat back down on the bed. Maverick could see the visible shift in her mood, now much better, and through his Magical-Sense, he could feel her emotions had lightened considerably.

  He glanced at the two boys. "Please, get along, okay? Become good friends. We adults have some grown-up talks, so we'll be back soon." After they nodded, Maverick turned to Aisha and Edward.

  Maverick hadn't forgotten his teacher's presence for a moment. Edward had remained silent throughout, standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, observing everything without offering a single comment.

  He nodded to the children one last time, then, along with Aisha and Edward, left the room and stepped outside.

  ---

  "Don't you think that was a bit rushed?" Edward asked as they stepped outside.

  Maverick shot his teacher a sideways glance but stayed silent until they all settled on the seats. Aisha sat down last, her eyes darting between the two men.

  "I meant every word," Maverick said, his voice steady as he locked eyes with Edward. "You saw what she can do. Leaving her at the orphanage isn't an option..."

  "What about Mike and Arie? Shouldn't you at least talk to them before... I don't know... giving them a daughter?" his teacher asked, his tone sharp.

  Maverick couldn't deny the reasoning. It made sense. Even if he believed they would accept it simply because he asked, making such a decision without consulting them was wrong. But his mind was set, and he'd deal with the apologies later.

  He glanced at his teacher again. "I'll make it up to them..." He paused, then added, "Sooner or later, someone's going to notice her. Maybe the government, maybe someone worse. Terrorists, even. They won't give her a choice. They'll turn her into their pawn. It's only a matter of time."

  Edward leaned back, his expression unreadable. "That's even more hypocritical, don't you think?" he said bluntly, not bothering to soften his words.

  Maverick didn't flinch at the comment. Instead, he nodded and admitted, "You're right." He paused to collect his thoughts. "But I'll give her a safe home. A place where she doesn't have to look over her shoulder or face discrimination. My parents will love her like their own—I'm sure of it. She'll have a real childhood, go to school, make friends..."

  His tone changed, hardening with conviction. "And I won't ask her to work for me or anyone else... Not unless it's what she wants."

  Edward regarded him in silence, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of doubt. For Maverick, it felt like an eternity before Edward finally shrugged. "Do what you want. Just remember, you can always come to me if you need help."

  Maverick let out a quiet breath, a weight lifting from his shoulders. A small part of him had worried that Edward might disagree or even see him differently because of his decision.

  Aisha, meanwhile, sat in silence, her gaze shifting between the two men. She listened intently but kept her thoughts to herself, her face revealing nothing of what she might be thinking.

  With the matter settled, they turned their attention back to the plan to force Morvain into hiding, and aisha, sitting their with them was glad as was finally able to add her input.

  Time passed slowly as the plan began to take clearer shape, each detail refined as they outlined their next steps.

  Half an hour later, Edward rose from his seat, his face calm but focused. "I'll handle the newspapers."

  He glanced at both of them, then tossed Maverick a rolled-up parchment. "This map has his location. Tomorrow, once the news breaks, he'll be forced into hiding. The ICW will summon him."

  Maverick nodded. "He won't go. His lair's been raided, and by now, he should realize that some very important things are missing..."

  At that moment, Ali stepped in through one of the doors. "I found them..." he exclaimed, quickly walking toward them.

  Edward glanced briefly at him before turning back to Maverick. "I'll be leaving then."

  Maverick nodded, giving his teacher a grateful look. "Thank you, teacher... for your help."

  Edward smirked, then disappeared with a soft pop.

  As soon as he was gone, Aisha spoke up, turning to Ali. "Did you meet both of them?"

  Maverick's attention also shifted to Ali. "All good news, I hope?"

  Ali didn't respond immediately as he approached and stopped, glancing between them. "Uh... did something happen?" he asked. "Why did Speaker Garling suddenly leave?"

  "Everything's fine," Aisha answered, speaking quickly. "He went to his newspaper connections to share some of the new materials we collected from Morvain's lair. Tomorrow will be the first leak—just the memory vial contents from the Dark Witch. The next day, we'll release the real bombshell."

  Ali's expression brightened. "Great news..." Then, remembering the reason he was there, he turned to Maverick. "Uh, yes. Everything turned out fine. I first did some digging while staying hidden... Both cases."

  He paused for a moment before continuing. "They're still mourning, still worried, even after all this time. Neither of the boys' parents had given up searching for them. When I showed up with the news, they were overjoyed. I told them to give me half an hour, and I'll bring them back."

  Maverick smiled. "Let's break the good news to the kids..."

  Aisha smiled, her mood brightening too as they walked toward the room where the kids stayed.

  ...

  Once Ali had delivered the news to the boys, he didn't wait long. He left again and returned a short while later, this time accompanied by four people. The mothers and fathers of the two young wizards.

  Maverick, Ali, and Aisha watched with quiet smiles as the families reunited. Maverick, not forgetting Sarah, his new sister, walked over to her and sat beside her, making sure she didn't feel left out in that moment.

  The scene was filled with tears of joy, the long-awaited embraces between parents and children. The parents' excitement was beyond words, a mixture of relief and gratitude that could hardly be captured. It took a long while before they were able to pull away from their emotional reunion and approach Maverick and his team, offering their heartfelt thanks.

  Maverick took a moment to explain how they had uncovered the truth, carefully planned, and executed the rescue. However, he made it clear that the details needed to remain private.

  While the parents were eager to express their gratitude as loudly as possible, they reluctantly agreed to honor his request and keep everything quiet.

  Before leaving with their children, the parents offered one final round of thanks, assuring Maverick they would help with anything he might need in the future. Maverick acknowledged their words with a nod, his mind already considering a plan—though that would have to wait for another time.

  Once the matter with the children and their parents was settled and they had left, Maverick teleported straight to his home in England without hesitation.

  This wasn't the first time he had visited since his travels began. As a wizard with the ability to Apparate effortlessly, he would occasionally return home, though for brief visits, just to ease his parents' worries.

  This time, it was important. He was honestly worried—or rather, unsure—of how they would react to the bombshell he was about to drop on them. But Sarah's situation needed to be explained, and the sooner it was, the better.

  Luckily, when he appeared that evening, both his mother and father were home.

  Maverick wasted no time. He first showed them her memories, starting with her life at the orphanage and continuing through her kidnapping and rescue. Though, the rescue part was explained in a heavily watered-down version.

  Then he got to the point. To say they were surprised would be an understatement. After all, who expects their son to suddenly come home and... ask to adopt a child?

  They hesitated, not because they lacked sympathy or were unwilling to take on the responsibility, but because it all came so suddenly.

  Maverick had expected their reaction. He had walked in knowing it. So, slowly and with a pleading look that came from the heart, he spoke to them, offering his reasons.

  He promised not to dump all the responsibility on them, assuring them he would visit more often to check on everything. He even suggested hiring a sitter to care for her, but his mother firmly rejected the idea. She'd rather have her not stay than hire someone to look after her.

  Since Maverick's request was to adopt her, it had to be done properly. Their care for this child couldn't be faked—it had to be genuine.

  After some back-and-forth reasoning, his mother was the first to accept. It still felt odd, of course, but for her son, she convinced herself. Once her mind was made up, she even showed signs of excitement.

  Michael, well, he agreed as well. He had simply been waiting for his wife's decision.

  They talked a bit longer as Maverick added more details about their soon-to-be adopted daughter. Fortunately, they didn't flinch when he mentioned Sarah's powers. They only asked if she could control them, and once Maverick assured them that she could, they didn't bring it up again.

  Maverick then briefly explained that he would be busy for the next few days, working on something with Edward. His parents had no objection, and they asked him to bring Sarah over as soon as possible.

  Maverick returned to Egypt, and while later brought a nervous Sarah to his family home in London. To help her settle in, Maverick stayed with her, all while she was showed around the house, and for her to get comfortable with his parents.

  It took some time, but eventually, everything fell into place. Though it all felt rushed, Maverick had no other choice. Tomorrow, the plan to take down Morvain would begin, and he couldn't afford to stay here. He couldn't keep Sarah at the underground base in Egypt either. He promised himself he would spend a week at home before continuing his journey, after everything with Morvain was dealt with.

  After Sarah had drifted off to sleep, Maverick quietly let his parents know that he was leaving, then Apparated back to Egypt.

  ...

  The following day, thanks to Edward's arrangements, the major wizarding newspapers erupted with headlines exposing the dark deeds of Morvain, an ICW high council member and the man in charge of commanding the international policing Aurors.

  The reports were filled with magical images from the memories of his accomplices, revealing him planning kidnappings, committing murder, and performing forbidden spells and rituals.

  The wizarding public was thrown into an uproar. Morvain's kidnappings had spread far beyond one country, affecting nearly every region. The children he had taken were all hybrids, a highly specific detail. Families who had reported missing children of that description were the first to protest, their anger quickly spreading throughout the wizarding community.

  The reaction was far more intense than Maverick or Edward had anticipated. The ICW prosecutors and justice departments had no choice but to issue a worldwide summons for Morvain.

  But the man had vanished without a trace. Not a word to any authority, not even a denial of the accusations—he simply disappeared. Except, of course, for one person, who continued to track his name, moving silently across a piece of parchment.

  The next day, even more explosive material leaked, some of it even mysteriously found its way to the doorstep of ICW prosecutors. The public outcry grew louder, and protests started to erupt outside magical ministries in several wizarding communities.

  Faced with mounting pressure and undeniable evidence—not just memories, but physical proof—the ICW had no choice but to change the summons into a "dead or alive" warrant for Morvain.

  Maverick, Ali, and Aisha stayed at their safe house near the Nile River while everything unfolded. For the past two days, their movements had been quiet, mostly spent reading the news, and more importantly, tracking Morvain's movements on the magical parchment.

  Maverick received the news of the "dead or alive" warrant before it even hit the newspapers. Edward had returned shortly after it was issued, bringing the information straight to him.

  It was now the waiting game. Maverick needed to lure Morvain to a location far from civilization, somewhere uninhabited. The duel would not be quiet, and the last thing he wanted was innocent bystanders getting caught in the crossfire.

  The evil old wizard, centuries old and at the peak of the Great-Magus rank, would be Maverick's strongest opponent yet. Although Maverick had recently achieved that same rank, in terms of experience, he was still a complete beginner.

  But Maverick wasn't scared. He had his own cards up his sleeve. Still, he knew this wouldn't be easy, and victory wasn't guaranteed.

  This duel was important. Until now, he had been playing everything on easy mode, never facing a true challenge. This time, it would be a real duel—one where neither side would hold back for fear of injuring the other.

  His teacher, Edward would still be there, but remain hidden, as he had specifically requested not to intervene unless it became a life-or-death situation.

  This was an experience Maverick needed. Both of them understood that. Most of all, Maverick was determined to put an end to the man himself.