Chapter 518: The Fire God
“Protego Totum! Fortis et Invicte!”
“Protego Totum! Fortis et Invicte!”
Cloaked Wizards chanted the spell, their wands emitting streams of silver-white light that poured into the Giant’s semi-transparent barrier. What had once resembled a fragile membrane gradually hardened, becoming dense and unyielding. From above, it looked like a crystal shield had been planted across the earth.
Wade approached Gellert Grindelwald, who spoke in a low, weathered voice:
“Do you remember what I told you—about a magic capable of restraining a Fire Shield Defense?”
“Yes,” Wade replied.
Spells like “All-Spell End” were universal counters, capable of resisting any magic—but they were far from optimal. Especially when facing Flame-based magic that grew stronger the longer it burned, they proved inefficient and cumbersome.
According to Gellert Grindelwald’s theory, the most effective way to counter a Fire Shield Defense or an Inferno Flame was to fight fire with fire.
Both were devastatingly destructive. Yet the Inferno Flame was different—it seemed almost alive, sentient, with the ability to consume any combustible material. Still, its temperature wasn’t extraordinarily high.
This meant that even if the flame was only a few feet away, as long as no one touched it directly, there would be no thermal radiation damage, no scorching from superheated air, and no risk of gas ignition.
The key strength of the Fire Shield Defense lay in its selective lethality: anyone who touched the flame was instantly reduced to ash, while allies remained unharmed—unaware even of the heat nearby.
But in the dark magic tomes Gellert Grindelwald had given Wade, there existed another kind of fire spell—one focused on extreme heat and annihilating power. It could instantly suppress and devour an Inferno Flame, breach even the most resilient Fire Shield Defense, and obliterate the caster in an instant.
The cost? The spell drained the wizard mercilessly and lasted only a brief moment.
“You once said my approach was flawed,” Gellert Grindelwald said, “that slaughter and tyranny could never change the magic world.”
Wade’s expression flickered slightly. He’d thought the old man had already let that moment pass. Why bring it up now?
Then came the voice of the former king, laced with arrogant amusement:
“Most wizards are foolish, complacent sheep. When a lion tries to turn them into a pack of wolves, they don’t embrace the change—they resist. They fight back.”
Wade raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it natural to fight for your life and your family?”
Behind them, the barrier was nearly complete. Yet Gellert Grindelwald still kept his wand tucked in his pocket, showing no intention to intervene.
He chuckled softly. “I’ll grant your argument has merit. I can see you’ve thought deeply about change.”
“But child, thought and morality alone are not enough. They won’t make people truly follow you.”
“Most people in this world only fear overwhelming violence. They cannot appreciate kindness or mercy.”
Gellert Grindelwald’s gaze seemed to pierce into the distance. Wade felt a chill—this moment, this look, reminded him of Dumbledore.
Even though in this timeline, the Ministry of Magic had not yet turned against Dumbledore or Harry, nor had they plotted to frame them, Gellert Grindelwald seemed to already foresee it.
He was aware—neither savior, no matter which one, would ever be truly thanked by the magical world.
“So if you want others to listen to you,” Gellert said, smiling faintly, “you must demonstrate your power—your destructive power. Only then will those inside be polite, will they love peace, and will they respect your will.”
“Even Athena wielded a shield and spear, Wade. Only violence can stop violence. Go. Let them see your strength.”
As he finished speaking, a thunderous roar erupted from the forest.
Boom—Boom—Boom—
Wade’s eyes widened. Seven or eight Giant Trees tore their thick roots from the soil and began marching toward the campsite.
Their trunks twisted and contorted, branches and leaves thrashing wildly. The limbs swung like weapons, toppling smaller trees in their path. Even two large trees standing close to each other began violently attacking one another.
The smallest trees stood as tall as five or six stories; the tallest reached thirty or forty meters. They moved through the darkness with a heavy, grinding rhythm, shaking the earth beneath them.
Seeing such a scene—one that seemed destined to destroy everything—Gellert Grindelwald actually laughed.
“I thought those Home fellows would wait until the match ended. Seems our friend lacks patience.”
He raised his wand skyward. A massive glowing orb shot into the air, like a new sun born over the wasteland, illuminating everything around with blinding clarity.
Beneath the black hood, many Wizard Purity Party members turned pale. Their legs trembled uncontrollably. Had it not been for Gellert Grindelwald standing firm before them, many would have Disapparated the moment the first tree emerged.
Even Antoine, who had been joking with his companion moments before, had gone silent. His grip on his wand tightened, his knuckles whitening.
Beside him stood a young woman with short brown hair, clutching a mother’s mirror. Her hands shook. “W-Why are we facing this… this thing alone? There are a hundred thousand wizards in the stadium behind us!”
“Gellert Grindelwald has his reasons,” Antoine said, forcing calm into his voice. “Trust in our leader.”
The girl nodded, eyes wide. Then she saw it—Wade, the seemingly unimposing wizard beside Gellert Grindelwald, stepping forward… walking straight toward the approaching, monstrous trees.
“What… what is he doing?”
The girl’s voice cracked with panic.
Antoine said nothing. He glanced at Wade, then at Gellert Grindelwald, took an involuntary step forward—then froze, held in place by Dreian’s sharp gaze.
As Wade walked, something strange happened. He felt no fear. Instead, an eerie calm settled over him.
It felt unnatural—even to himself. It was as if he weren’t facing towering, flame-scorching giants, but simply walking downstairs to buy breakfast.
He thought: I didn’t start out wanting to change anything. I never dreamed of mastering influence or power. I just wanted to learn magic safely, in peace.
Magic was wondrous. The wizarding world was beautiful. But if Voldemort returned… I even considered taking my parents and leaving, seeking a safer land.
But when had my thoughts begun to shift?
Wade looked ahead at the approaching Giant Tree. He exhaled softly, raised his wand—
“Ignis Divinum Furor! (Divine Fury of Fire!)”
(End of Chapter)
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