The Calm Before the Storm

Elebic walked into the red telephone box. He picked up the receiver with his right hand and held it to his ear, but instead of dialing with his left, he spread his palm over the dial.

Invisible magic flowed from Elebic's left hand into the telephone. Soon afterward, a burst of garbled static sounded in his ear.

After a while, as though some mechanism had been activated, a mechanical female voice said, "The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day."

There was no questioning and no inspection. A square silver badge appeared in Elebic's hand, and as the ground sank beneath him, he descended into the Ministry of Magic.

The alchemical analysis device on Mechanical Soldier Number One could crack the inspection procedures of most alchemical creations, allowing Mechanical Soldier Number One to pass inspections smoothly and reach wherever it wished to go.

The true purpose of this alchemical analysis device was likely to forcibly break through the Alchemy Formation-based defenses and surveillance measures of enemy strongholds during an assault.

Elebic's use of this ability in the red telephone box that led into the Ministry of Magic was merely a test.

Yes, Mechanical Soldiers like Elebic had originally been intended for war. The reason he had been sent to carry out this mission was to conduct one final practical test.

Unlike simulated tests in a laboratory, only testing under completely real conditions could yield the most authentic results.

After entering the Ministry of Magic's main hall, Elebic went to the Wand inspection station and said evenly, "Hello. My name is Elebic, a special envoy from the American Magical Congress. I would like to meet your Minister."

After Elebic stated his purpose, a Ministry of Magic employee led him to Barty Crouch Sr.'s office.

In some cases, having fewer people