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Chapter 269: Disaster Department, Silent Alarms
🕑 Added 2025-01-16 15:49:23 +0000 UTC"You can't possibly make that happen!"
Ino spoke his mind without any reservation.
Trying to change the magical world was akin to following Grindelwald's path, but times had changed. The Muggles of World War II and those of the twenty-first century were entirely different.
"Why not?" Pansy asked, a bit stubbornly.
"Because you can't fight against the entire Muggle world unless you unite all the wizards, which is also impossible. Different countries, different races, and even different ideals..."
Ino leaned forward slightly, different from his earlier subconscious avoidance; this time, he gazed at her intently.
"And even if you did unite them, do you know what the greatest threat to wizards is? It's not dark wizards, not 5x magical creatures, not even the Statute of Secrecy or Muggles..."
"The greatest threat to wizards is unchecked power!"
At this moment, although he was speaking to Pansy, he was also reflecting on many things internally.
He also somewhat understood Dumbledore, who, despite his immense power, still adhered to rules and regulations.
This wise old man might have foreseen the eventual outcome of certain things, which is why he led by example. This wasn't prophecy or divination; it was a recognition of the inherent flaws in human nature. Unchecked desire inevitably leads to destruction.
"I won't wield my power without limits..."
Pansy was a bit dejected. She had come looking for an ally, but instead, she found disapproval and skepticism.
"I believe in your good intentions, but this is really hard to achieve!"
Ino's tone was filled with sighs. History never lies; many endeavors began with good intentions but often ended in disappointment.
At this moment, he decided to persuade Pansy earnestly, but if he couldn't, he would have to leave it to fate.
...
Outside, the picturesque sunset quietly disappeared, replaced by a cold, poetic crescent moon.
"I'm not lying to you. Many things can't be easily attempted; we can't gamble with the entire wizarding community..."
After more than two hours of conversation, Ino tried his best to explain the positions of both Muggles and wizards, and he also introduced some of the Muggles' large-scale weapons.
"I don't doubt you! It's just that it's hard to accept, and I'm feeling a bit down."
Pansy leaned alone on the sofa, no longer as confident and imposing as she was at the beginning. She looked fragile and weak.
Although Pansy had given up her previous idea, Ino was not happy.
Because a new problem had arisen: Pansy's magical imbalance was worsening.
In his ten years in Middle-earth, perhaps due to his increased power or richer experience, he had gained a powerful wizard's unique ability—to detect magical anomalies.
Professor Flitwick had used this ability before.
At that time, Ino had just entered the magical world and found this ability to see through others fascinating.
But now, possessing this ability himself, he detected a change in Pansy's magic.
This time it wasn't a positive change but a beginning of chaos.
This was understandable, akin to the emptiness one feels after a belief collapses.
In this case, if it were an ordinary person, a few days of rest would suffice. But for a wizard, this must not be taken lightly. The emergence of an Obscurial fundamentally stems from a change in the mind.
In the living room on the first floor.
In his perception, Pansy's magic began to increase dramatically, and her chaotic emotions were gradually spreading.
This scene seemed irreversible, but Ino didn't give up.
He was now racking his brains, trying to find Pansy a more reasonable and realistic goal.
...
At the same time.
England's Ministry of Magic, third underground floor.
In the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, an ear-piercing alarm suddenly went off.
As the frontline team of the entire department, the Reversal Squad became busy immediately upon hearing the alarm.
"Location, Hogsmeade! Highest level, suspected Obscurial! Move quickly!"
As the detailed information was read out, the staff on duty sighed deeply.
The young employees might not think much of it, but the older ones knew very well what an Obscurial represented.
If things went wrong, they could be snatched away by the Obscurial as easily as eating a chocolate frog—one bite without chewing.
"Merlin's beard! It's been fifty years; I thought England would never see an Obscurial again, and in Hogsmeade of all places..."
As the most senior member of the Reversal Squad, Johnson found it incredible at first but quickly adjusted his mindset and began advising his younger colleagues.
"Remember your duties, but prioritize minimizing casualties! If things get out of hand, evacuate the wizards. This isn't like last year when the Savior inflated his aunt..."
With Johnson's warnings, the young employees grew more serious. They understood the concept of an Obscurial from their textbooks, but the reality was vastly different, almost as wide as the English Channel.
Within seconds, or perhaps even less time, as the Reversal Squad prepared to set off, the piercing alarm suddenly ceased.
It was as if the entire incident had been an illusion.
"Alarm canceled?"
From being on high alert to absolute calm, the extreme contrast left everyone present feeling surreal.
...
Hogsmeade.
In the small cottage's living room.
"While some things might be impractical, you can focus on what you can achieve."
After a brief contemplation, Ino had thought of another idea, which, though somewhat unreliable, was much safer than the previous one.
The familiar voice seemed like a guiding light to Pansy, who was deep in self-doubt. She looked up expectantly.
"For example? What more meaningful thing?"
"For instance, enabling young wizards to live freely, integrating magic with technology, or finding a balance between Muggles and wizards..."
Ino knew his words were vague, but that was precisely what was needed.
A vague concept could help Pansy find her own path.
...
