Moon Base

The next morning, the night had yet to fade, and the air was filled with the scent of metal and magic.

The World Gate hummed softly within its energy circuit, light flowing along the runes like water.

Ian stood before the gate, his fingertip lightly touching the center of the rune array.

After a full night of thought, an idea gradually took shape—

This laboratory had to be moved off Earth.

The World Gate's magical intensity was astonishing. Any high-ranking wizard who came within several kilometers could sense that energy.

On top of that, the large number of Muggles and dark wizards used during the experiments meant that if even the slightest trace leaked out, the Ministry of Magic would eventually be able to follow the trail.

No matter how tight the defensive spells were, there was always a chance they might be seen through.

Reason told him that Earth was no longer safe.

The only absolutely safe place—the moon.

This idea was not a momentary impulse, but the result of meticulous analysis.

It was far enough away, its surface was stable, and there was no interference from life, making it suitable for establishing an independent research area.

As long as the World Gate could operate, any coordinates could be reached.

The runes flashed, and the metal gate slowly opened.

The Expansion Charm suitcase he carried was gripped tightly in his hand. All the data, experimental equipment, and core devices had been stored inside.

A surge of energy flashed, and the World Gate transformed into a stream of light, swallowing him and the entire experimental system.

If an astronomical telescope had been pointed at the moon at that moment, its observer would have witnessed an unbelievable scene—

A huge silver gate appeared from the Void, followed by a figure stepping out, soundlessly landing below.

His first step fell onto the gray-white dust.

There was no wind in the vacuum, yet the cold, icy stillness could be felt.

The air was impossible to breathe, and oxygen was scarce.

Ian immediately cast the Bubble Charm. A silver shield enveloped his entire body, supplying his lungs with sufficient oxygen.

He then activated the Gravity Charm. This technique was the result of years of alchemical research, inspired by the Anti-Gravity Tree recorded in Goshawk's Guide to Magical Plants.

It was a strange plant that could grow suspended in the air atop mountain peaks, its roots able to release a gravitational field in reverse.

Ian had once personally traveled to the mountains of Nepal to discuss its structural principles with the local wizards.

Years later, he had finally mastered the Gravity Adjustment Technique, and now he cast it with effortless fluency.

His footing gradually stabilized.

The surface dust was loose due to the low gravity. He precisely controlled his magic, keeping his body's gravity balanced with the ground's tension so that he would not sink in.

He then released the Warming Charm, regulating the surrounding temperature and resisting the cold of the lunar night.

The World Gate was moved to the far side, where the terrain was concealed.

Using earth-element magic to excavate a passage, silver-gray dust swirled through the air as a deep cavern took shape amid the magical vibrations.

The cave entrance was sealed with rocks and runes. He then cast the Expansion Charm, causing the interior area to expand a hundredfold.

The various laboratory modules in the suitcase were then released one after another—the alchemy room, rune room, gene chamber, and archive—each settling into place.

The walls were lined with constant-temperature rune arrays, while gravity circuits were carved into the floor.

Magical plants grew from their culture dishes. Purification magic restructured the air, making the oxygen concentration and humidity nearly identical to those on Earth.

A new habitat took shape.

Several days later, the defensive system was fully activated as well.

Hundreds of layers of defensive magic were stacked together, including genjutsu, invisibility, spatial disruption, and mental interference.

If a wizard approached, all they would sense was a stretch of dead, silent Void.

This underground space was named the Moon Base.

After the new base was completed, the experiments resumed.

The primary research objectives remained the Life Code and the Werewolf Conversion Factor.

Recently, he had successfully extracted a substance from the infection source that could reconstruct bloodlines, naming it the Moon Silver Factor.

This molecule could perfectly embed itself into a bloodline chain and trigger localized magical reorganization.

If properly controlled, it might allow Muggles to obtain magic directly.

The instruments operated as streams of rune-light swirled around them.

The silence on the lunar surface formed an eerie contrast with the rumbling of the underground experiments.

A week later, the research had achieved an interim result.

The stability rate of the magical reaction chain had reached seventy percent, but it was still insufficient for testing on living subjects.

At that moment, the communication mirror flickered, and silver light appeared in the air.

A familiar figure appeared in the mirror—

The house-elf Momo.

Her voice was urgent. "Master, something unusual has happened at Gringotts. Hagrid entered the bank with Harry Potter. Apparently, they took out some valuable item."

Ian's expression shifted slightly.

"The Philosopher's Stone."

This item had been added to the research list several years ago.

If he could obtain it, research into the Life Code would enter a new stage.

However, the opportunity to take the Stone vanished in an instant.

The World Gate could return to Earth at any time.

The energy array activated, silver light swirling around it. The Moon Base fell into a brief silence, leaving only the runes trembling faintly in the darkness.

Amid flashes of light and shadow, the figure vanished without a trace.

At daybreak, Diagon Alley was bustling with people.

Ian appeared beneath a patch of shadow, cast the Disillusionment Charm, and blended into the crowd.

In front of Gringotts' marble doors, Hagrid was awkwardly squeezing through the crowd, clutching an envelope and a bag in his arms, his expression uneasy.

Several wizards disguised as Muggles were quietly following nearby.

"Dumbledore really doesn't completely trust anyone."

The voice sounded in his heart.

The Philosopher's Stone was destined to be impossible to seize at this moment.

The guards were too tight, and the risks of the plan were too high.

His gaze swept over the light and shadows at the street corner before finally withdrawing.

There was no disappointment, only a calm assessment.

The essence of research had never been about fighting for something, but about understanding it.

The Philosopher's Stone would eventually be brought to Hogwarts. That would be the true opportunity.

The wind swept down the long street, making wizard hats sway slightly.

Ian left along the cobblestone road, his steps unhurried.

Dust was swept up by the wind, while the distant bells echoed leisurely.

Deep within that forgotten moonlit shadow, the silver gate stood in silence, like an eye watching the world.

No one noticed that the prologue of a new era was quietly unfolding.