Hunter Association, President's Office
In the spacious, well-lit office, a clearly visible light projection hovered before Luca and Draco, displaying the street where the New York Temple was located. To the casual observer, the scene appeared perfectly ordinary, with no indication of a hidden magical sanctuary.
"Draco, are you absolutely certain this is Kamar-Taj's stronghold?" Luca asked with a hint of skepticism. "We can't afford another mishap like the gangster incident."
They had deliberately used Rhodes as bait, releasing him with the intention of following his trail to capture either Kamar-Taj's location or more dark wizards. Initially, they'd moved hastily, believing the gang that harbored Rhodes was connected to the dark wizards of Kamar-Taj. They'd arrested several leaders only to discover their mistake during interrogation, forcing them to erase memories and release the captives. The incident had become something of an embarrassing joke among their colleagues.
Draco remained silent at the reminder, his jaw tightening slightly.
"Let's move on," Luca said, waving his hand dismissively. "The plan itself was sound; the execution was simply rushed."
"Rhodes has been inside for considerable time without emerging," Draco responded, finding his voice again. "Additionally, my intelligence indicates significant activity at this location recently—multiple workers summoned, unusual movements. All of this occurred immediately following the London incident." His voice deepened with conviction. "I have substantial reason to suspect a connection to Kamar-Taj. We've stationed several Aurors to monitor the situation. Any abnormal activity will likely confirm this as Kamar-Taj's stronghold."
Draco leaned forward slightly. "President, I request authorization to ban phantom migration and spatial teleportation throughout New York City."
Luca hesitated, his brow furrowing. While New York was undeniably vast, and though they possessed mature interference arrays that weren't particularly costly to deploy individually, the city's sheer size meant significant resource consumption overall.
"What if we restrict just the Blanc area?" Luca suggested as a compromise.
"It's not impossible," Draco conceded, "but such a targeted approach would effectively alert Kamar-Taj that we've narrowed down their location. Moreover, if they're actually outside the Blanc area, such a limited action would certainly give them ample opportunity to vanish completely."
After a thoughtful silence, Luca nodded decisively. "Very well. We'll prohibit teleportation throughout New York's entire magical space. You'll bear sole responsibility for the next phase, Draco. If your suspicions are confirmed, I'll authorize full mobilization."
Luca gently patted Draco on the shoulder, adding with meaningful emphasis, "Time grows short. We must be willing to make sacrifices."
Less than half of their one-month deadline had elapsed. Another failure would not only cost Draco his position but would likely incur severe punishment as well.
Draco nodded in understanding. He and Luca were now completely bound to each other's fate—they would either rise or fall together. The unspoken message was clear: whatever it takes, hold nothing back.
At this thought, Draco's eyes narrowed, his expression turning predatory like a cheetah that had spotted its prey, unable to conceal his eager determination.
Luca wanted the presidency of the Hunter Association, and Draco desired to return to London. Their ambitions were not only compatible but complementary.
"I'll deploy our best Aurors immediately," Draco said, rising from his seat. "And I'll arrange for the Goblin Eyes to be delivered from London. If there's anything to be found, we'll find it."
Meanwhile, Inside the New York Temple
Rhodes had just arrived at the sanctuary, his body bearing the marks of prolonged torture. He wasted no time with pleasantries as he listed off six or seven potion names to Ian and Kaecilius, all remedies designed to repair soul damage.
Ian, standing nearby, immediately called for other wizards and instructed them to prepare the corresponding potions according to Rhodes' specifications.
"Rhodes, come over here and tell us in detail what happened after your departure," Kaecilius said, guiding his former student to a seat.
"It wasn't all bad, actually," Rhodes began. "Initially, I made it to Africa, and not long after that, I found fellow wizards who told me what was happening in the wizarding world." He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Later, I traveled from Africa to London, where I received the message to join the New York Temple. So I set off for America."
Speaking of this part, Rhodes' expression darkened noticeably.
"As it turns out, the Aurors have been monitoring the black market smuggling channels. When they mentioned Kamar-Taj, I inadvertently revealed interest. That was all it took—they captured me immediately."
Rhodes's understated conclusion failed to convince either Ian or Kaecilius, who understood the gravity of what had been left unsaid.
"It's good that you've returned safely. Be more cautious next time," Kaecilius said after a thoughtful silence, his expression unreadable as he offered this consolation.
At that moment, another wizard approached from the side, leaned in to whisper a few words into Ian's ear, then promptly departed.
"Rhodes, the potions you requested are ready," Ian informed him. "Go and take them to begin your recovery. Your safety is our priority right now."
In response, Rhodes nodded, then followed a wizard who had appeared to guide him away.
Once Rhodes was safely out of earshot, Ian waited a moment before turning to Kaecilius with a serious expression. "Teacher Kaecilius, do you truly know this student? Can we trust him?"
"Of course," Kaecilius replied with certainty. "I know his character very well. He would not betray us."
It was obvious that Kaecilius suspected something unfortunate might have occurred.
"Very well," Ian nodded and continued in a grave tone. "I just received some disturbing news. Several wizards have been observed passing by the New York Temple multiple times. This doesn't feel coincidental. I fear the Temple may be under surveillance."
Kaecilius' face immediately darkened. The timing was too convenient—Rhodes arrives, and suddenly a wizard is spotted near the Temple. For ten days prior, not a single wizard had approached, yet now several appeared in one day. Who would believe there wasn't a problem?
Out of trust in his student, Kaecilius could only hope that Rhodes had been deceived rather than turned.
"Inform Carter immediately and put everyone on high alert," Kaecilius commanded, his voice deep with concern. "If we're certain there's a problem, we can't afford to wait any longer."
Ian nodded in acknowledgment.
"Also," Kaecilius added more quietly, "send two more mages to assist Rhodes with his treatment."
Although it was possible that Rhodes had been unwittingly used as bait, they couldn't take chances. This was a threat they needed to guard against. Kaecilius had encountered fallen mages before and had eliminated quite a few. He wouldn't hesitate to do so again if necessary.
Streets Outside the New York Temple
Two Aurors sat in a café not far from their surveillance target, sipping coffee while observing the nondescript building through the plate glass window. To ordinary eyes—and surprisingly, even to their trained magical senses—the structure appeared to be nothing more than a newly renovated apartment complex.
"Aaron, have you found anything?" Auror Ali asked softly from across the table.
The wizard Aaron neither nodded nor shook his head, responding with measured calm. "The dark wizard Rhodes went in and never came out. Plus, Muggles leave the building on their own initiative every time they pass by it—clear signs of a Muggle-repelling charm." He frowned slightly. "But I can't detect the slightest trace of magic. There's no magical signature here, which is precisely why there must be something amiss."
"Maybe it's just the Muggle-repelling spell cast by Rhodes himself," Ali suggested, taking another sip of coffee. "Let's wait a bit longer. Anyway, Rhodes is being monitored by the Goblin Eyes and can't escape."
Hearing this, Aaron nodded in agreement.
"If this is really Kamar-Taj's stronghold, then he truly has been crafty," Aaron remarked with a smile. "Those Goblin Eyes are something else—a treasure His Majesty obtained after dismantling that goblin faction. Not only can they monitor targets, but they can break through illusions as well."
"It ranks among the top 100 magical treasures in the Federation," Ali replied with undisguised envy. "If Director Draco hadn't been so well-connected, how would we ever have had the chance to utilize such an artifact?"
As the two continued their conversation, Aaron's expression suddenly froze. He subtly kicked Ali under the table, signaling that something was wrong.
Ali glanced in the indicated direction, careful to maintain an appearance of casual indifference.
A remarkably handsome middle-aged man had emerged from the building they were surveilling. More interestingly, he appeared to be heading directly toward the café.
"Unfamiliar face, and I'm not detecting any magical aura," Aaron analyzed swiftly in a hushed voice. "But that doesn't rule out concealment. Can't tell if he's a Muggle or not. Stay alert and watch his next move carefully."
His voice rose slightly with barely contained excitement as he added, "If he turns out to be a wizard, we may have just caught ourselves a significant target."
Ali nodded across the table, raising his coffee cup for a small sip to mask any change in his demeanor.
During this period, it wasn't just the Hunter Association that had been preoccupied with the search—the entire Auror department and Ministry of Magic had been frantically hunting for any trace of Kamar-Taj. With His Majesty's direct orders and constant pressure from above, every Auror felt the weight of expectation, especially those reporting directly to Draco.
Finally, they might have a breakthrough.
At that moment, the handsome middle-aged man who called himself Wilson pushed open the door to the coffee shop. The waiter greeted him with immediate recognition.
"Casey, one Americano!" the middle-aged man called out.
The waiter nodded with familiar ease, indicating he understood, and headed to the counter to prepare the coffee.
Both Aurors felt a twinge of relief at this ordinary interaction but maintained their vigilance. Though they appeared relaxed, chatting like old friends, their eyes periodically flicked toward the middle-aged man, assessing his every move.
"Let's make a bet," Ali transmitted magically, his lips barely moving. "I think he has a connection to the dark wizards of Kamar-Taj."
"Be careful of exposure!" Aaron warned without directly addressing the wager, then fell silent.
A trace of disdain flickered across Ali's mouth before his expression returned to neutral. He raised his hand, signaling to a waiter in the distance.
"Waiter, may I see the menu?"
The waiter approached promptly, placing the menu in All Might's hands with a professional smile. "Sir, what would you like to order?"
"Any signature recommendations?" Ali asked, flipping through the menu with apparent disinterest.
"Sir, if you're looking for desserts, we recommend our salt-baked chocolate cookies and nut pastries," the waiter replied, maintaining his courteous demeanor.
Ali listened quietly, nodding occasionally as the waiter completed his recommendations. "We'll have three orders of salt-baked chocolate chip cookies," he decided finally. "One portion for each of us, and one for that gentleman over there." He pointed toward the middle-aged man who had recently entered.
The waiter turned, appearing mildly surprised. "You know Mr. Wilson?"
Ali nodded noncommittally before asking, "Is he a regular customer here?"
The waiter's response was mixed—first a nod, then a shake of his head. "Mr. Wilson only moved to the area recently, but he's become a frequent visitor to our café."
Ali acknowledged this information with a nod, then waved the waiter away to prepare their desserts. His eyes followed the retreating figure of the server as he appeared lost in thought.
A moment later, he stood, coffee in hand, and walked purposefully toward the middle-aged man's table. Aaron sighed with a helpless expression before rising to follow his partner.
"Hello, Mr. Wilson. I'm Ali, and this is my friend Aaron," Ali introduced, sliding into the seat opposite the middle-aged man with a practiced smile.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Wilson merely glanced at the pair. Without acknowledging the introduction, he lifted his coffee as if he were entirely alone, took a deliberate sip, and closed his eyes in apparent appreciation of the brew.
The smile vanished from Ali's face instantly, his expression becoming cold as frost. As Aurors—the federal government's magical law enforcement—they were accustomed to receiving immediate respect from everyone they encountered.
Aaron's expression remained unchanging.
Then came a decisive sound—clatter!—as Aaron placed his wand on the table with deliberate intent. The message was clear: we are wizards, and we are Aurors.
Throughout the Federation, wizards commanded respect, and it was common knowledge that only true wizards could wield wands. Displaying one's wand was the simplest method of establishing identity and authority—a reminder of the hierarchy of power in their world.
Meanwhile, Ali observed Mr. Wilson intently, watching for the slightest change in expression. As Aurors—the largest and most powerful wizarding law enforcement agency in the Federation—they were accustomed to others avoiding them, not the other way around. With Ali's temperament, a mere suspicion that someone might be a dark wizard was typically sufficient grounds for arrest and interrogation, regardless of whether evidence existed to support the claim.
Now that they had revealed their identities as wizards, what happened next would depend entirely on the stranger's reaction.
The middle-aged man finally opened his eyes, regarding the wand on the table with what appeared to be mild interest. His lips curled into the faintest of smiles as he looked up at them.
"You Aurors," he said evenly, "are really stubborn."