2033, New York, Kamar-Taj Secret Land
"So, Headmaster Dumbledore died like this?"
At the dining table, Vera's mouth opened slightly, her tone filled with disbelief.
The table before them shimmered, and all the cutlery, plates, and forks vanished in an instant. Simultaneously, the other students departed without fanfare, as if responding to an unspoken command.
Only Ian, Vera, and the teachers of Kamar-Taj remained in the vast dining hall. The departing students seemed to sense the gravity of the moment and left of their own accord.
"No, we're not completely certain," Snape stepped forward and said, confusion evident in his voice.
Ian looked up and studied his former professor, who still wore the same black robes from his memories, though his face had visibly aged with the passing years.
"Although Carter reported that Dumbledore disappeared that night," Snape continued, "we performed divination afterward."
"Every divination result indicated that Dumbledore is still alive."
"It's simply that, until now, no trace of him has been found."
"Yet every divination seems to hint at an answer just beyond our grasp."
Snape's tone deepened as he reached this point.
Some of the other professors remained silent, while others opened their mouths to speak, but ultimately said nothing. The mood had grown increasingly somber.
The entirety of Kamar-Taj seemed to be in decline. The joy of past days had long since vanished.
Even the youngest wizards had become unnaturally solemn. The entire environment grew more oppressive with each passing day.
Ian decided to change the subject. "Teachers, professors—don't worry. Tom Riddle's arrogance won't continue much longer."
Ian's confident tone immediately drew everyone's attention.
He began to share encouraging news in an attempt to restore their collective faith.
"In the new world, our mentor has succeeded as Kamar-Taj's new Sorcerer Supreme."
"He has mastered the Eye of Agamotto."
Ian's words confused some wizards originally from the Harry Potter universe. However, those like Carter and Snape—who had visited the Marvel world or originated from it—displayed obvious excitement.
"Really?"
"That's wonderful news!"
"Where is Lockhart now? When can we see him?"
Carter fired off questions like cannonballs, her excitement barely contained.
Even Snape's typically stoic face showed signs of joy.
The other professors and senior officials wore expressions of renewed hope and anticipation.
After years of hiding together, they all had developed a relatively detailed understanding of many things, including the nature of the new world. The fact that Kamar-Taj had survived Tom Riddle's relentless pursuit to this day was testament to their resilience.
The existence of the new world represented their paramount hope. Like a distant light guiding them through darkness, though elusive, it provided them with powerful emotional support.
Then there was Lockhart—the supreme wizard who had once subdued Voldemort and sent him fleeing. This memory sustained them through their darkest hours.
They firmly believed that Lockhart's return would bring about a dramatic reversal of their fortunes.
Just as now...
"Everyone, please remain calm," Ian said evenly. "The changes in the wizarding world have exceeded all of our expectations."
"Time flows differently between our worlds."
"I didn't expect that while we've been in the new world for only half a year, nearly thirty years have passed here in the wizarding world."
Ian's measured tone gradually restored calm to the assembly. Vera's clear voice added from beside him:
"This time, our return to the wizarding world has been affected by these temporal shifts. We represent only the first contingent of wizards to return."
"Beyond this world, a large number of wizards are still waiting for their opportunity to cross over."
Hearing this, Carter seemed to detect another meaning in Vera's words.
She couldn't help but ask: "How many have come to the wizarding world in this initial group?"
"All of the sorcerers under our mentor's direct instruction are here," Ian replied. "And they've brought significant resources cultivated by Kamar-Taj."
Noticing Carter's questioning look, he extended his palm in a gesture that encompassed everyone present.
"We estimate more than five thousand in total, with about twenty returnees like myself in this first wave."
Hiss!
Ian's revelation caused everyone present to draw in sharp breaths.
Five thousand sorcerers.
This was an extraordinary number.
Even accounting for the current growth of the wizarding world's population, this represented a significant influx of magical talent.
While most Muggle wizards had limited potential and remained at lower levels of magical proficiency, the number of wizards with genuine potential, strength, and magical bloodlines was not particularly large.
In truth, the current number of Kamar-Taj Masters, even including students, did not exceed one thousand.
Lockhart's return would effectively increase the population of Kamar-Taj magical practitioners by fivefold.
And these would be no ordinary wizards. Everyone present intuitively understood that anyone returning with Lockhart would likely possess either considerable power or unique magical abilities.
The news Ian shared electrified the gathering with excitement.
However, Snape's measured words soon brought everyone back to reality.
"What is our current situation?"
"How long until Lockhart himself returns?"
"The temporal flow between the New World and the Wizarding World moves too quickly."
Though Snape left his final sentiment unspoken, everyone understood his concern: they could not afford to wait another thirty-four years.
Vera quickly reassured them: "Don't worry, it won't be nearly so long this time."
"The sooner we act, the sooner your teachers can return."
She then turned to the group with a more practical question: "I need to understand Kamar-Taj's current situation."
"There are certain matters for which we'll need your assistance."
New York, Blanche District
In an ordinary coffee shop, Kaecilius sat by the window, quietly observing the apartment building across the street.
He watched the comings and goings at the apartment entrance with a calculating eye.
This location was not merely a gathering point for the Adept Masters. It would soon become the new address of the future New York Sanctum.
This was why he attached such importance to it.
Still, he avoided hasty action, preferring quiet observation while waiting for developments to unfold.
He wasn't concerned about a delay of a day or two. If exchanging time could purchase greater safety, Kaecilius was willing to wait. He believed that under similar circumstances, Lockhart would make the same choice.
Hssss!
Kaecilius lifted his coffee cup, blew gently across its surface, and took a small sip.
He savored the unfamiliar bitter taste, narrowing his eyes slightly.
The quality was average, but the flavor was novel. It seemed that technological advancement had influenced even the evolution of taste.
Like this world itself.
Unlike the Marvel universe with its abundance of magical elements, Lockhart's wizarding world seemed comparatively barren.
Of course, this might relate to their specific environment. This was merely an ordinary secular location, not the seat of a professional magical organization.
Still, it suggested that the upper limits of this world's magical potential might not reach the heights he had initially imagined.
Kaecilius sat by the window, closing his eyes in meditation.
Some time passed before—
Buzz!
A familiar wave of magic pulsed through the air. Kaecilius opened his eyes.
The aura of the Vishanti.
One of his companions was approaching.
Scanning the street before the apartment building, Kaecilius examined each passerby with careful attention.
Soon, his gaze settled on a woman dressed in dark yellow robes.
Udyr?
She must have been in London previously and received their message.
Tap! Tap!
His fingers drummed lightly against the glass window, producing a series of small popping sounds.
The sound, infused with magic, reached the ears of the yellow-robed sorceress.
Whoosh!
Udyr suddenly turned her head, eyes alert with vigilance.
Sensing the magical direction of the sound, she spotted a familiar face and visibly relaxed.
Without hesitation, she strode toward the café across the street.
"Give me a cup of Wizard's Dream!" she ordered casually, then sat down across from Kaecilius.
"Instructor, I didn't expect you to be the first person I'd encounter here."
Udyr's respectful tone brought a smile to Kaecilius' face.
"Udyr, this is your first visit to the Supreme Sorcerer's world. What are your impressions?"
Kaecilius asked with a gentle smile before her coffee arrived.
Udyr frowned slightly. "This world exerts a suppressive effect on sorcerers."
"The power of most spells has diminished by at least thirty percent."
"Some specialized magics fail completely."
"I'm genuinely impressed that the Supreme Sorcerer originated from such a world."
"If given the choice, I would prefer to return to Kamar-Taj or the New York Sanctum for my practice."
"Hahaha!" Kaecilius laughed softly at her assessment.
Udyr had always been serious-minded, but her straightforward answer amused him greatly.
Her perspective was purely that of a Kamar-Taj practitioner.
Indeed, sorcerers from Kamar-Taj faced many restrictions when entering the wizarding world. Their natural resistance was understandable.
"Don't worry," Kaecilius smiled reassuringly. "Everything will improve once the Supreme Sorcerer arrives."
Even now, he hadn't forgotten the massive quantity of resources they had brought with them—truly an impressive amount.
Udyr nodded, seeming to understand Kaecilius' meaning.
She was considered part of the New York Sanctum lineage and had studied under Kaecilius previously, creating a stronger bond between them.
This naturally positioned her as a subordinate of Lockhart, the new Sorcerer Supreme, where the seeds of loyalty were already blossoming.
She understood the significance behind their mission.
It represented not only a substantial allocation of resources but, more importantly, an opportunity to enter fully into the Supreme Sorcerer's awareness.
Such was the way of their world. Once you entered the attention of someone in a position of power, as long as you avoided egregious failures, your future held promise.
Hard work and dedication would not go unrewarded.
So when positions for the first wave of arrivals were announced, she had immediately applied.
"Udyr, have you studied this world's history during your preparation?"
Kaecilius inquired.
"I've acquired some understanding," Udyr nodded. "Tom Riddle, the Federation King in this world, is remarkably powerful."
"It's no exaggeration to call him heroic in his own right."
"Setting aside other considerations, his respect for wizards and his unification of the world are impressive accomplishments."
"Through his vigorous promotion of magic, the number of wizards in this world far exceeds that of Kamar-Taj."
Kaecilius nodded as he listened to her analysis.
Udyr differed from him. She had arrived with minimal preparation, approaching the situation from a fresh perspective.
He, however, wanted Lockhart to have comprehensive information before his arrival.
It wasn't that they couldn't provide detailed briefings to all the advance party. Rather, their varying levels of preparation formed an experiment in itself.
Each member of the advance party carried their own distinct mission.
"What do you perceive as the Federation's primary weakness?" Kaecilius asked.
Udyr closed her eyes, contemplated briefly, then responded: "Currently, there are no obvious systemic problems."
"The established status of wizards, combined with the new magic system, provides them sufficient time to address emerging issues."
"But therein lies the potential problem."
"Without external threats, the ruling class accelerates its accumulation of power—faster and faster, with increasing momentum."
"Especially wizards, who begin with inherent advantages and continuously monopolize more resources."
"They established the Federation more than twenty years ago, and while problems aren't yet apparent, I believe that within another twenty years, social conflicts will become increasingly severe."
Hearing this fair and objective analysis, Kaecilius nodded imperceptibly.
Like father, like son.
The adage held true.
After he had designated the entire Federation, including Tom Riddle, as adversaries, his perspective had shifted dramatically.
Udyr's viewpoint represented the more original, unbiased assessment.
"Udyr, I can now confirm that the entire Federation, including its king, Tom Riddle, must be considered our enemies."
"What course of action would you recommend?"
Udyr was remarkably intuitive and intelligent.
Kaecilius had noticed these qualities during her time at the New York Sanctum, which explained his high regard for the sorceress before him.
This was not romantic affection but genuine professional respect.
"The most effective approach would be to eliminate Tom Riddle," Udyr stated without hesitation.
She had evidently been considering this question for some time.
"That represents both our optimal strategy and a feasible option."
"Provided the Supreme Sorcerer arrives to lead us."
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Kaecilius drummed his fingers on the table, appearing to evaluate her proposed plan.
"Do you have alternative suggestions?"
"Beyond direct confrontation, our best option would be to cultivate alliances with certain pure-blood nobles and potential opposition within the wizard community."
"We could gradually gather our forces to dismantle the Federation's structure from within."
Udyr spoke softly.
"This approach requires more time and extensive preparation. Personally, I still favor the direct method."
"Strike straight at the heart."
Kaecilius nodded noncommittally, withholding any definitive response.
They shifted to discussing their experiences since arriving in this world.
Udyr recounted the battle in London and its aftermath.
As he absorbed these details, Kaecilius pursed his lips thoughtfully.
He seemed preoccupied with some unnamed concern.
At that moment, the coffee shop door swung open.
A group of figures entered.
He glanced up casually.
Then—
"Grindelwald?"
"Sir, you've returned!"