Chapter 367: Dragon-Drawn Carriage

When Newt fell into thought, Professor Taira smiled warmly at him from the main guest seat.

Wizard Sean had already finished his sweet lemon soda and walked toward the castle’s exterior.

The snow outside was pristine, nearly untouched, save for deep footprints left by Ilvermorny students returning to the castle.

“Will—”

Wizard Sean called out.

“I’m here, respected Mr. Green.”

Will emerged from behind the statue at the entrance, glancing enviously at the statue before turning to Wizard Sean and bowing his head.

“We signed an employment contract,” Wizard Sean said after a pause.

“Master William said the greatest source of folly is ignorance of oneself. Will is your steward, nothing more—just your steward. Please give Will your orders.”

Will kept his head lowered as he spoke.

“Can you take me to the snowfield ahead?”

Wizard Sean could only look at him and speak.

“It would be my greatest pleasure!”

Will lifted his head in delight.

They then transported themselves to the distant snow-covered mountains. Wizard Sean first expanded the interior of his Wizard’s Book to four hundred fifty square meters.

He then began carving out sections of space and moving them all into his Wizard’s Book.

This step was arduous, as the difficulty of expanding space increased with each extension—while expanding, the wizard must also maintain the stability of the existing space.

Fortunately, they had set out in the afternoon, so Wizard Sean still had time.

Snow fell softly, settling on tree branches, rivers, and the heads of rabbits at the entrance to snow caves.

Only after the rabbit finished gnawing the carrot in its paws did the young wizard finally reopen his Wizard’s Book.

The entrance still led to an open field, where lush green grass sprouted small yellow and pink flowers, carrying the scent of damp earth.

To the left of the field ran a brook, winding past a small wooden cabin with bright windows and a chimney puffing steam; a sign hung on the door: Wizard’s Cottage.

To the left of the cottage, however, it was entirely different.

Here, a space as large as the forest had first been carved out, followed by a gently rolling hill enclosed by thickets—Wizard Sean could not move an entire mountain—covered in deep snow, with rabbits poking their heads out.

After arranging the space, Wizard Sean swiftly cast Separation Charms to isolate the different areas.

The purpose was to ensure the independence of each space, allowing better application of Weather Charms.

During the expansion, Wizard Sean fully appreciated the charm of magic.

For instance, with Weather Charms, a wizard cannot directly summon wind and snow—but if one first imagines a cloud, the snow falls on its own.

With Separation Charms, a wizard cannot directly create barriers—but if one places a sign, builds a fence, or encircles an area with trees, the separation becomes effortless.

For example, a separation spell cannot be cast directly, but if you place a sign, erect a fence, or surround an area with shrubbery, the separation becomes effortless.

After completing the spatial transformation, Will respectfully offered a cup of black tea. As Wizard Sean drank, Ifa curled at his feet, then dashed off into the snow to play.

[You have gained the affection of the magical creature Cat-Panther (Ifa) at an expert’s standard. Affinity +50]

[Magical Creature Cat-Panther (Ifa): Closely Affected (Beginner Level) (870/900)]

Ifa’s affinity for him had risen rapidly, reaching the final stage of closeness.

But crossing this threshold would take longer—emotion, after all, cannot be measured at will.

“I remain here, respected Mr. Green, to assist in managing the interior space of your Wizard’s Book—that is one of my duties.

“Remaining here, respected Mr. Green, to assist you in managing the space within the Book of Wizards, is one of my duties.

Will stared at the thin bed and lifeless kitchen, as if some instinct had been awakened.

“Thank you for your help, Will.”

Wizard Sean said softly.

“Master William said that from the moment the contract was formed, Puckich shall offer absolute loyalty… all for Master Green.”

Will bowed with a hand over his chest.

Wizard Sean understood Puckich’s loyalty, and as he pondered, he stepped out of the interior space of the Wizard’s Book.

Ilvermorny was always snowing; distant mountains were a blinding white, and owls occasionally flew past.

The castle’s snowfields were always filled with people playing snowball fights, wizards freely frolicking.

Wizard Sean met Professor Taira in the snow.

“We’re leaving, my dear student. Use… the dragon.”

Professor Taira smiled.

Wizard Sean looked up at the professor, puzzled. The professor meant… dragon-drawn carriage?

That was a serious violation of the Statute of Secrecy. Wizard Sean was not accustomed to breaking laws unless absolutely necessary.

“Mr. Scamander has some dragons that need to stretch their wings, and I happen to have reliable concealment magic barriers.”

Professor Taira spoke as if this were a trivial matter—as if concealment barriers capable of evading the American Magical Congress and British Ministry of Magic were as common as gnomes in a wizard’s garden.

Professor Terra seemed to be speaking of some trivial matter, as if the concealment magic barrier evading both the American Magical Congress and the British Ministry of Magic were as common as gnomes in the Wizard’s Garden.

Wizard Sean nodded. It sounded implausible—and in truth, it was.

But with Professor Taira and Mr. Scamander present, there seemed little to worry about.

With Professor Terra and Mr. Scamander here, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.

Professor Taira blinked, then gazed toward the distance where Mr. Scamander was slowly approaching with his suitcase.

Professor Terra blinked her eyes, then gazed into the distance, where Mr. Scamander was slowly approaching, carrying his suitcase.

Wizard Sean said.

“Mr. Green.”

Newt replied, shy and slightly dazed.

It was then that Wizard Sean heard a loud snort from the Ilvermorny forest nearby.

He guessed it was the dragon.

Sure enough, they soon walked toward the forest where the sound originated.

When the dense woods passed behind him, Wizard Sean saw what had been hidden—

Two fierce adolescent dragons were confined within a pen of thick wooden planks, standing on their hind legs, letting out deep, rumbling breaths—puffs of flame shot from their gaping, fanged mouths toward the magical barrier; their necks arched high, their mouths fifty feet above the ground.

Two ferocious juvenile fire drakes were confined within an enclosure of thick wooden planks, standing upright on their hind legs, letting out low rumbles and puffing heavy breaths—bursts of flame shot from their open, fanged mouths toward the magical barrier, their necks arched high, their mouths fifty feet above the ground.

“Henry and Latch will, under my watch, stretch their wings for the first and last time—crossing the ocean in their Wing-Spread Rite, then return to the Hebrides.”

Newt spoke softly, yet his eyes shimmered with joy and sorrow at parting.

The adolescent dragons ceased breathing fire as Newt approached, instead fixing their large, narrow eyes on him.

Though dragons could never be fully tamed, Mr. Scamander’s dragons always gave Wizard Sean a sense of vivid liveliness.

“I’m glad you could join their Wing-Spread Rite.”

Mr. Scamander smiled—and at that moment, the dragons spread their wings.

Mr. Scamander laughed, and at the same moment, the dragon spread its wings.