Chapter 170: The Snowball of the Era
Chapter 170: The Snowball of the Era
Things really went as Uriel had planned, completely spiraling out of control.
Felix stepped out of the hotel, and the Magic Cameras flashed blindingly, releasing plumes of purple smoke. The French magical journalists were as excited as if they had taken a frenzy potion, their faces flushed from their nostrils to their necks.
In the courtyard, two black-robed wizards stood, a circle of empty space around them. People seemed to have a contradictory mindset, wanting to get closer but also harboring some hidden concerns, so they settled in an awkward middle ground.
Their masks were already off, revealing two young faces. One was the student leader, Uriel, and the other was Bethany's brother, Byers.
"Byers, you don't need to come along", Uriel whispered.
"What's the point of hiding now that I've already been seen? I just hope I can see Bethany one last time before they lock me up", Byers said nonchalantly.
"You might regret it."
"At least not yet. Why aren't they arresting us? The reporters have been taking pictures for a while now. Honestly, the flash is making my eyes hurt."
Uriel said rationally, "The longer we can drag this out, the better. See, Celeste is already at a loss."
Celeste was indeed at a loss. She was warning the sweating Moore in a commanding tone, "Mr. Director, you can't let the reporters in. This concerns international diplomacy."
Moore mumbled a string of indistinct French, "I can't control them. Reporters have that right."
"At least take these two students away?"
"I can't make that decision; it concerns international diplomacy", Moore replied with the same words, "I've already informed the minister. Until he arrives, I won't do anything. Perhaps you can take matters into your own hands."
Celeste wasn't foolish enough to take matters into her own hands. Didn't she see how excited the reporters were already?
Did she want to fan the flames even more?
What would her reputation be like tomorrow?
Celeste felt like she had lost control again. She walked over to Cecil and forced out a sentence through gritted teeth, "Where are our people?"
"They were lured away by the Reform Society. By the time they returned, the attack was over. They're out trying their luck, hoping to find someone, but there's no news yet", Cecil said.
"Get those idiots back! What's the point of going after them now when they've already delivered themselves?" Celeste said, feeling as if the chair in her office at the Woolworth Building had grown legs and her hat had sprouted wings—everything seemed to be slipping away from her.
"Sorry, I can't reach them", Cecil shrugged.
"Look outside! More people are coming!" a short journalist said.
"Is it the minister?" the journalist beside him asked.
"… More black-robed wizards!" The short journalist couldn't wait to give Uriel and the others a new name for tomorrow's front page.
No, it would be tonight's front page!
A dozen journalists, carrying black cameras, rushed out. In their excited expressions, dozens of black-robed wizards appeared outside the Boussard Hotel, their faces masked, moving silently with perfectly synchronized steps, their presence particularly captivating to the reporters.
Maxwell asked, "Director, what should we do?"
Moore looked up at the sky, studying the shape of a cloud as if it held some great discovery. Under the watchful eyes of the French Ministry of Magic staff, the Ilvermorny students walked into the courtyard unimpeded.
Uriel and Byers stared blankly at their brazen companions, still in shock even as they approached.
"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to leave? You just needed to write a letter…"
"Hey, Uriel, we've completed our mission. But before leaving, we figured we couldn't miss this spectacle", a voice full of enthusiasm said.
"Matt…" Uriel murmured.
"It's me", the wizard said, lifting his mask to reveal a beaming smile.
"Me too, Uriel", a witch with a ponytail said, removing her mask and winking at him.
"Ha, we couldn't just sneak away like cowards", another wizard said, lifting his mask with a hearty laugh.
"Right, he's right. I'm not about to leave without a fight."
"Me neither."
…
One by one, the black-robed wizards lifted their masks. They were men and women, tall and short, fat and thin, but all exuded a youthful energy.
Celeste was utterly stunned, her lips moving silently, her expression wooden.
She wasn't the only one. Moore, Cecil, Maxwell, Burbage, the journalists, the Muggle research experts—everyone present was shocked by the scene.
After a brief pause, the courtyard erupted. The shutter clicks of the Magic Cameras blended into a continuous hum, like a swarm of bees.
Owls streaked across the sky above Paris.
Faced with this situation, a mere Director of the Department of Law Enforcement was completely overwhelmed.
The French Ministry of Magic minister arrived first, but even he found it difficult to handle. Hesitating between arresting them or not, he was interrupted by the apparition of several figures.
"Americans!"
The French Ministry of Magic Minister exclaimed in surprise.
A woman strode over, "Greetings, Minister. I've been dispatched by the President to communicate with you. He will arrive a bit later, as you know, to calm the Congress..."
"Have you received the news?"
The woman sighed, "That's part of what I need to discuss. Good heavens, they are truly resourceful."
"We were among the first—using Portkeys and Apparition from our reserves. More concerned Wizard citizens might follow..."
Her statement was somewhat understated; it was definitely more than just a few enthusiastic citizens.
A few hours later, the valley was half-filled with people who had rushed over upon receiving the news.
The French Ministry of Magic Minister urgently mobilized a third of his staff to secure the area around the hotel.
Holidays were canceled, and no one was allowed to slack off. The staff worked overtime, casting various Concealment and Protection spells like rain, making the Boussard Hotel temporarily disappear from the eyes of ordinary people.
Felix stood in a corner, silently observing, unsure how things would end. But the girl named Bethany and the few young leaders would likely be recorded in history.
Even as an outsider, he couldn't help but look forward to how things would unfold, especially after witnessing how the students made their decision.
More and more important figures arrived.
The President of the American Congress of Magic, the Headmaster of Ilvermorny School, a member of the International Confederation of Wizards, and a familiar figure—Albus Dumbledore, the President of the International Confederation of Wizards.
"Dumbledore, you're here too", the President of the American Congress of Magic, Marcus, greeted him with a brisk step.
"Marcus, I had to come. The commotion has even reached my somewhat deaf ears, so you can imagine how significant the impact is."
"No one expected this... The congressmen are furious, and they want to punish these students severely."
"What will you do? Lock them up in prison?" Dumbledore's expression was very serious, his silver beard trembling. "Forgive me, Marcus, but any action you take now will affect the future—years, even decades from now. No one will be spared."
"Indeed, I just learned that they did break the law, but the nature of their actions isn't that severe. The critical point is—the impact is enormous. If mishandled, by Monday at the latest, these people might storm the Woolworth Building and overturn the entire Magical Congress!"
"Look, Dumbledore, there are nearly a thousand people outside."
Felix didn't listen closely. He stepped out of the hotel and watched the crowd, more than half of whom were from America.
With these enthusiastic people, the bigwigs inside the hotel wouldn't be able to leave until a resolution was reached.
A French staff member maintaining order grumbled, "They're all practically illegal immigrants... But no one is dealing with it right now."
"But I hope they get a hefty fine after all this!"
...
Felix stood on a small hill, gazing at the hotel from a distance. From this vantage point, the surging crowd gave him a sense of detachment, making his thoughts more rational.
Ministry of Magic... regular Wizards... students...
Uriel's actions gave him a new understanding of the organizational structure of the magical world.
Someone spoke up beside him, "I never thought I'd see such a scene in my lifetime."
Felix had noticed someone approaching and turned to see an elderly man shuffling over, his face pale as if painted white. It was hard to say whether his hair or his complexion was whiter.
He hurried over to support the man's arm.
"Ouch", the old man cried out in pain.
"Uh, I'm sorry?" Felix looked at him, puzzled.
"It's fine. I'm old, and my bones are a bit brittle."
Felix looked at him oddly, considering whether to suggest he take some calcium supplements.
Come to think of it, would calcium supplements even work for Wizards?
...
This chapter primarily expands the world view and will not involve politics in the future. They will return to school tomorrow.
PS: The unfamiliar characters appearing in recent chapters:
- Bethany (the student leader)
- Uriel (the Auror who has been secretly passing information, a member of the Reform Society)
- Rigel (Bethany's brother, the one whose mask Felix removed)
- Brett (an attacker Felix overheard in a conversation)
- Others are extras.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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