Semifinal Opening Ceremony

Lucius returned to Malfoy Manor after eight in the evening.

He sat wearily on the luxurious leather sofa in the sitting room, his Serpent-head Cane carelessly propped against the black walnut coffee table before him.

Hearing the noise, Narcissa came out of her room.

She stepped forward, removed his satin overcoat, and gently kneaded his shoulders. "Why are you so late today? Did they lock you in a little black room again?"

Lucius shook his head. "After laying the groundwork for days, they finally came to bleed me dry."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Where's Draco?"

"In his room." Narcissa sighed softly. "Ever since that day, he's been much quieter than usual."

After witnessing grown wizards panic with his own eyes, and seeing his father "invited" to the Ministry of Magic every day, no child in his early teens could possibly remain the same as before.

Except Wayne.

Not only had that boy not been afraid, he had even chased after them alongside Dumbledore.

If he had not been Muggle-born, Lucius truly would have admired him.

Maturity far beyond his age, outstanding magical talent, genius-level creativity...

Lucius's eyes suddenly lit up, and he straightened on the sofa.

Narcissa looked worried. "What is it?"

"Nothing. I just remembered something."

During the hollow pleasantries earlier, Fudge had mentioned that Wayne Enterprises would voluntarily open the terminal interfaces of the Magical Base Stations. That meant any wizard could get a share of this emerging market.

The larger the initial investment, the greater the returns would naturally be.

Having witnessed the miraculous effects of Magical Projection firsthand, Lucius believed this market would likely be far from small.

The Malfoy Family had connections when it needed connections and Gold Galleons when it needed Gold Galleons. They could certainly take the biggest slice of