Chapter 150. Do You Want to Spirit Away My Bird?
Boom.
Duncan's clawed foot, with sharp nails, slammed into the soft mud.
The dead branches and fallen leaves on the ground were crushed to powder.
But Duncan still wasn't reassured.
He ground his massive foot hard against the earth to make sure there was no large solid object underfoot.
Then he lifted his foot and looked down to inspect it.
His nostrils flared as he sniffed, and there was none of the blood scent he had expected.
"Where did that fellow run off to?
I didn't expect him to react in such a short time.
He really doesn't seem like an old man!"
Duncan shook off the clods sticking to his sole, narrowed his eyes to scan the surroundings, and misty heat puffed from his mouth from time to time.
"Your nerve is far too great, actually deluding yourself that with your meagre skills you could kill me."
Bishop Charles stepped out from behind a cypress to the side.
The corner of his mouth curled in a scornful smile as he jeered.
However, his appearance didn't match the ease in his words.
The hem of his black clothes was caked with mud, and even his legs seemed a bit unsteady.
"But I can forgive you."
Bishop Charles halted directly in front of Duncan.
"You keep giving me more and more surprises!
Transforming into a magical creature?
To be honest, I had never even dared imagine such a thing before, yet you've done it.
You are simply a gift from God to me, bringing me the gospel!"
Hearing Bishop Charles's sickening words, Duncan's yellow pupils narrowed to slits, and he cursed, "To hell with your God!"
Black dragonfire surged from his mouth.
The temperature around them shot up, and the rainwater pooled on the ground was baked dry in an instant.
Sensing that astonishing pressure through the curling smoke, Bishop Charles didn't dare take it head-on.
He darted back to the side at once.
Duncan's ferocious head turned, and the dragonfire shadowed him relentlessly, giving Bishop Charles not a moment's rest.
"Damn it!"
Bishop Charles was grazed by the dragonfire, and half his clothes vanished in an instant, his backside burning with pain.
"Whatever you say now is too late.
I will kill you.
When the time comes I'll obtain everything I want from your corpse!"
He drew in a sharp breath like an enraged bull and bellowed.
He raised his wand, and at its tip sparked the green light that signified Death.
Only, before he could cast it, several spells drifted in from afar and shot precisely toward where he stood.
Unwilling, Bishop Charles lowered his wand and retreated again.
The spells struck the ground with a bang, leaving a large pit, and a giant tree that was accidentally brushed was instantly reduced to a skyful of dust.
Like sifting snowflakes, a grey gauze settled over the surface of Bishop Charles's clothes.
He glared wide-eyed at Duncan for a moment, then dared not linger, and decisively Disapparated to escape.
Out of the corner of his eye, Duncan glimpsed several figures streaking through the woods like lightning not far away, racing swiftly toward his position.
Duncan let out a low, muffled roar, endured the pain, and quickly changed back before those wizards arrived.
Up ahead, as Dumbledore and the others were destroying the base in the cave, Duncan's only main quest prompt completed, and rewards were tallied.
He received one thousand virtual coins and a magical skill—"Marvellous Transformation."
It could let him establish a magical link with an animal whose affection with him had reached 100, transform into that counterpart's form, and use its magical abilities.
After only a moment's hesitation, Duncan decisively chose the most powerful magical creature he currently had—the mighty Hungarian Horntail.
"I didn't expect that old man to grow craftier with age.
His reaction was quicker than a youngster's.
Even at such close range I couldn't stamp him to death!"
Duncan sighed with regret.
It seemed the library plan was imperative.
That wizard would certainly make trouble for him again in the future, and he had to boost his strength quickly!
Just as Duncan was mapping out the future, Tina led several wizards toward him at a brisk pace.
She stood in front of Duncan to shield him, wand held high, and swept her gaze swiftly around.
"Where are that wizard and that dragon?"
"The wizard ran away.
I put the dragon into my case," Duncan said.
"Only these prisoners of Mist are left."
Although a wizard could transform into an animal, in the long history of the wizarding world there had never been an Animagus whose form was a magical creature.
Perhaps he needed to give everyone a bit more time, subtly letting them come to know that his Animagus was a little unusual.
So that some people wouldn't go insane with envy.
"You're not hurt, are you?" Tina asked, and the wizards who had come with her all looked Duncan up and down with curious eyes.
"No.
With them by my side, I'd find it hard to get hurt," Duncan said with a smile, pointing to Mist and Sessi beside him.
"That doesn't mean you can let your guard down!
Where are Newt and Silvanus?"
"In the case.
That wizard was very cautious just now, and I had no chance to open the case to notify them."
"Next time just smash the case straight at the enemy!" Tina offered a tactic.
"As soon as the case takes a hit, they can detect it and rush out to help you!
Newt's case is very sturdy.
It won't break after just a few knocks.
I've tried it before!"
"Alright, I'll do that next time," Duncan nodded.
He couldn't help picturing Tina swinging the case to smash the enemy while Newt climbed out with question marks all over his head.
"Enough.
It's getting late.
Let's head back to the town as well.
The forest isn't very safe right now."
Once she had spoken—and once Mist, Sessi, and those wizard prisoners had gone into the case—Tina took Duncan by the hand with one hand and waved her wand with the other.
Suddenly, Duncan felt the air around him pressing in.
His eyeballs seemed squeezed into his skull, and his eardrums pressed deep into his head.
It was as if his whole body had been balled up and forced into a very narrow rubber tube.
A few seconds later the discomfort vanished at once.
Duncan stood again on solid ground, gulping the cold winter air.
"Are you alright?" Tina gently steadied Duncan by the shoulder and asked with her head bowed in concern.
Duncan shook his head and groused, "I'm fine.
This feels as wretched as ever.
It's far inferior to a phoenix's instant movement…"
"Oh?
Are you thinking of spiriting away my bird again?
Can't your whole family leave him be?"
Dumbledore stood smiling in a small courtyard to the side, his wizard's robes wrapped tight against the howling wind.
"Heh-heh, Professor, you misheard.
Nothing of the sort!" Duncan replied with a beaming smile.
Just then, Fawkes inside the house heard the commotion.
He flapped out and landed on Duncan's right shoulder, begging for food.
Dumbledore's smile deepened.
"And now?"
"Heh-heh…" Duncan chuckled without answering, slipped off to the side with Fawkes, and held his favourite food in his hand.
"How is it looking?
Can Snape replicate the antidote we found?" Tina stepped forward and asked.
"He can," Dumbledore nodded slightly, eyes narrowed.
"But there's still a tiny snag."
"What snag?"
"Come with me and you'll see."
Dumbledore turned on his heel and walked into the house.
Duncan's eyebrows arched, and he hurried after him, full of curiosity.
Enjoyed the story? Support me and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at: Patr*eon*.com/Resium
Free members can read 10+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Paid member can read 150+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts