Knockturn Alley

Although Slytherin's Halloween Costume Ball was canceled, Klein's "Arthur Pendragon" persona was deeply etched into the minds of the young wizards trapped in the restroom.

As a result, besides Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor gained two more loyal "Klein fans"—Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.

"I'm telling you, it was absolutely insane. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it."

At the Gryffindor table, Ron was recounting last night's experience to his companions.

He gesticulated wildly, describing the troll's size, and then talked about how he'd used a mop to strike the oaf's knees.

When he got excited, Mr. Weasley even pulled Harry along to reenact the scene: from being trapped in the restroom to the troll breaking down the door, then Klein's magnificent entrance, effortlessly turning the tide, and summoning Divine Guard Knights to escort them back to the common room.

The entire story was perfectly presented to the Gryffindor young wizards.

The young wizards, clad in orange-trimmed robes, couldn't help but smack their lips after hearing the story. While still wanting more, they actually felt a trace of envy towards Ron and Harry.

An experience like that, they might never encounter in their lives.

"Divine Guard Knights."

They sounded so cool!

At the edge of the crowd, Hermione, who appeared to be dining quietly but had been listening intently, couldn't help but curve her lips upwards.

Not far away, the stronghold of the "Klein fans"—the Slytherin table—was also buzzing with discussions about yesterday's events.

The female fans, led by Pansy Parkinson, and the male fans, led by Draco Malfoy, had united in a rare display.

Seeing their excited and eager expressions, one might have thought they had defeated the troll yesterday.

"Klein only said one word, and that ugly thing couldn't move anymore!"

A Slytherin girl exclaimed excitedly, drawing gasps from those around her.

"That's right, I can vouch for it. Klein didn't even use his wand!"

Another girl nodded in agreement, and the gasps grew even louder.

"It's a shame the ball last night was canceled."

The young wizards who had seen Klein's transformation were, after all, a minority. Other Slytherin students couldn't help but regret it.

If the ball had proceeded as scheduled, they too could have witnessed firsthand the splendor of the "Knight King" who defeated the troll.

But the young wizards were unaware that the figure of legend they spoke of—Klein Grindelwald—had already used the Elder Wand to Apparate and quietly left the castle.

London, Knockturn Alley.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of potions mixed with decay. The dim signs on either side of the street flickered with faint magical light.

Wizards on the street hurried along, their faces either masked or hidden by large hoods. Only a few dared to show their faces, and most of them had grim expressions and strange smiles.

Weaving through the many shady wizards, Klein, who had completely changed his appearance, took a deep breath of the scent that was once so familiar.

Rotten, violent, sinister.

Truly nostalgic.

"Alright, time to get down to business. I wonder who today's lucky person will be."

After lingering in his memories for a moment, he quickly regained his composure and continued to wander through the dangerous area as if on a stroll.

The process wasn't entirely smooth, as Klein's clothes, from the "Transcendent Clothing Store" in the neighboring Diagon Alley, were too conspicuous among the tattered robes, attracting many greedy glances.

However, after he released his Fiendfyre Spirit Crow, all overt scrutiny vanished one by one.

"Madman!"

The wizards with ill intentions mentally labeled Klein as the most dangerous person and quickly left Knockturn Alley.

Fiendfyre was something just anyone could handle?

If they didn't run, they were just waiting to die!

"Heh heh."

Klein chuckled softly.

This was enough.

Now he was conspicuous enough, and the "Big Fish" should be biting.

"Tsk, when did London get someone like this?"

Caractacus Burke, the owner of "Borgin and Burkes," frowned as he looked at the unfamiliar man in the crystal ball.

This guy was like a hungry wolf, barging into the rats' nest with impunity.

As one of the larger "rats" in the nest, he felt a great sense of danger from the man.

"Hm?"

As he was observing the dangerous individual's movements with the magic orb, Caractacus suddenly caught sight of his shop's sign.

The man paused, looked up as if sensing something, and gave Caractacus a perfectly standard smile.

"You're looking at me, aren't you?"

"Hiss!"

My heart pounded, Caractacus didn't have time to think and quickly broke the magic connection.

But it was too late.

The man actually pushed open the shop door and walked in!

"Hey, Mister, calm down, please let me explain!"

Never expecting his magic to be exposed, Caractacus broke out in a cold sweat.

He raised both hands to show he meant no harm, while shifting his body to approach a certain spot near the counter.

"If you're counting on that magic circle to give you some sense of security, I'm very sorry to tell you that your expectations are destined to be in vain."

Stepping forward lightly, Klein smiled and stomped the floor tile beneath his feet, shattering it.

Terrifying cracks spread out like a spiderweb, kicking up dust.

Caractacus's eyes widened, and he almost suffocated.

Shattered?

But...

Wasn't the floor tile used to store the magic circle made of Shuo Jin?

Shuo Jin, which even dragons couldn't easily destroy, was so simply...

Shattered?

"Give up on those useless attempts. If I wanted to kill you, you would have been dead the moment you used your divination magic to spy on me."

Klein understood Caractacus's current feelings, but in the dark wizard world, in Knockturn Alley, the one with the biggest fist was always the boss.

How coincidental.

In terms of strength, who could compare to him?

"Of course, of course, this guest, oh no, I mean Mister, no no no, esteemed Your Excellency..."

Having lost a crucial life-saving trump card in an instant, Caractacus hesitated for only a second before abandoning the thought of drawing his wand.

He quickly walked out from behind the counter, his hair slicked back, rubbing his hands together with a fawning smile.

The old fox had figured it out.

This guy was someone he couldn't afford to offend.

"Heh."

Klein chuckled, not replying. He casually walked around the shop, occasionally picking up strange goods to play with.

Caractacus, following behind him, was covered in sweat, filled with deep regret.

Why did he have to provoke this jinx in the first place!

If he had known this guy was so terrifying, he should have run, even if it meant abandoning the shop.

"Some good stuff, but nothing that catches my eye."

Casually tossing aside a dried monkey's paw, Klein was somewhat disappointed.

"That's only natural."

Caractacus quietly swallowed, bowing his head respectfully.

"Very well, this place belongs to me from now on."

Seeing the old man so obedient, Klein didn't want to scare him anymore and directly issued his ultimatum.

This was not a negotiation.

It was a command!