The reproduction speed of the Acromantulas is very fast, and the territory allocated to them in the wardrobe space is very limited, so they often kill and eat their own mates and offspring.
Vid didn't immediately release these ferocious creatures; he sat down and opened the Friendship Book.
The page belonging to SSC already had a few more lines of text, with the Weasley Twins sharing their Egypt trip.
The Weasleys recently won the Prophet Daily's annual award, so the family, who hadn't planned to travel, immediately packed their bags for a trip to Egypt where their eldest son Bill works.
Soon, Hermione joined in the conversation, recounting her holiday experiences in France. Theo told her that there is a Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France, which is also excellent.
Clearly, the communication in the Friendship Book had been restored.
Vid didn't intend to share what he was experiencing with his classmates, so he turned the pages, pausing first at Remus Lupin's page, and then moved on to the page connected to Dumbledore.
[Professor Dumbledore, today I encountered...]
Vid picked up the pen, but before finishing a line, the tip of the pen stopped moving.
He struggled and hesitated for a moment, then erased the unfinished line.
Then he put away the Friendship Book and even sprinkled some of the collected Gold Powder on Professor Morry once again, finally pouring out a bottle of Life and Death Potion to form a thin mist, enveloping everyone on the ground, ensuring they wouldn't wake up mid-way even if they were pretending to be dead.
Next, Vid closed the wardrobe space, only bringing out the Acromantulas that could fill the entire truck and Mikhail.
Having not breathed free air for a long time, the Acromantulas became agitated, waving their pincers and making "clicking" sounds.
"Quiet," Vid whispered.
The entire truck fell silent instantly.
Acromantulas are intelligent creatures, cold-blooded and cruel, yet they understand how to seek advantages and avoid harm.
The young wizard radiated a fresh, meaty scent that seemed quite delicious.
But beside him, a firebird, slightly larger than a sparrow, was hopping around curiously, observing the foul-smelling carriage.
The Acromantulas concealed the ferocity in their eyes, obedient as loyal puppies.
Vid leaned against the carriage, closed his eyes to rest, while weighing his plans in his mind.
Calling the headmaster would certainly ensure safety and solve the enemy issue.
However, Dumbledore's "solution" and Vid's desired "solution" are not the same.
Sending someone who wants to harm him to Azkaban, where a massive breakout might happen in the future, cannot be considered a "solution."
Moreover, those people know his background, have seen his appearance, and might even trace his parents.
Vid's own safety might be assured, but what about Vid's parents? Would he have to rely completely on the neurotic Moody? Or the very busy Dumbledore?
Magic allows wizards to accomplish many things that ordinary people can only imagine, like gods, but it also binds wizards greatly.
Ordinary people harm others, whether using a knife, a gun, a rope, or bare hands, it's physical harm to others, perhaps only mentally affecting the perpetrator, if at all.
But when a wizard kills, whether by magic or physical means, it inevitably harms the soul.
But...
Vid's gaze shifted to the spiders beside him.
—What if a magical creature does the killing?
...
The box truck drove along the highway, leaving the lights of London Bridge behind.
It merged into the vehicles heading to the dock.
Suddenly, a ball-sized round hole appeared on top of the truck, from which a deep brown bird emerged. It looked around, with the patterns on its neck flashing a blue glow.
A roadside car suddenly swerved, accompanied by a piercing cacophony of honking.
"Scared me to death!" complained a voice from the passenger seat of the car. "What are you doing? Dozing off on the highway?"
"No..." The driver said nervously, "I just... seemed to see a child on top of that car..."
"What?" asked the person in the passenger seat, craning their neck to look. "Where?"
The truck already some distance away, its roof empty, showing nothing.
"Maybe... maybe I was mistaken?" The driver said uncertainly.
"You're definitely dozing off!" concluded the person in the passenger seat. "Let's take a break at the service area later."
"...Alright."
The driver had no strength to argue, still doubting if their vision had really deceived them.
...
The honking made Vid glance back, but seeing no accident, he uninterestedly returned his gaze.
He remained atop the truck, using an Invisibility Spell after resuming human form.
Vid had planned to follow the truck to see where it was headed, but realized his folly after emerging.
Although the air inside the truck was foul, the environment harsh, with countless unfriendly eyes watching him...
Flying alongside a high-speed truck was a massive test of endurance. And if the truck entered a closed location, having a peregrine falcon fly down wouldn't be more conspicuous?
Among Will's group, even if there were no official wizards, they couldn't possibly be unaware of Animagus magic.
Since he was already outside, Vid didn't intend to return and sit with the Acromantulas, opting instead to sit atop the truck, using a series of wind-proof and cold-proof adhesive spells to ensure his stability and comfort.
He didn't care about triggering a Trace—if capable, the Ministry of Magic could locate him on the highway! And they'd have to verify it was he who cast the spell first.
If the Ministry really were so efficient, they'd first have to deal with these driving fellows.
The night deepened, the truck and a van ahead proceeded straight along the dock-laid road, onto a massive cargo ship, winding up to its designated position.
Due to weight differences, the van was separated by several parking spots.
Soon, everyone disembarked from both vehicles. They had removed their masks, allowing Vid to see everyone's faces.
"We can relax here," Will said, "I need to get back; I have to go to work tomorrow morning."
"Sorry, but you must stay with me until the ship leaves." The counter employee laid a hand on his shoulder, her smile carrying a hint of threat, "You understand, right... We're worried you might secretly inform your werewolf friend."
"Remus Lupin is not my friend."
Will said expressionlessly, "He's just a high and mighty, self-righteous benefactor. Every time I smile at him, I feel nauseated."
"Glad you think that way!"
The burly man with a beard patted his shoulder sympathetically, "He's the son of Lael Lupin, yet manages to attend Hogwarts and make friends. How can he truly understand our situation?"
"Oh, wait... According to those folks, we're not even considered human and supposedly lack souls! Hahaha..."
The bearded man laughed heartily.
"Shut up; you'll attract attention!" said a man with bowlegs and thick eyebrows coldly, then asked the truck driver, "What about those wizards?"
"There's Gold Powder!" The driver chuckled, "They're quiet all the way."
"Go check!" said the man with thick eyebrows.
"Hey, there's no need, right?" The freckled driver lazily evaded, "What if opening the door scatters the Gold Powder?"
"Go look!" the man with thick eyebrows urged, suppressing his anger.
"...Alright."
The freckled driver reluctantly said, slowly putting on the mask, walking to the back of the truck, unlocking and then opening the iron door.
Countless green eyes looked over, all at once.