Chapter 814: Busbaron
Chapter 814: Busbaron
When Fengnu left, she seemed angry, but in reality, she was quite pleased...for Conna.
At least Kyle's performance just now earned an eighty out of a hundred in her eyes, even though she was right beside him, his gaze never left Conna.
This was already quite rare.
At least in terms of beauty, Fengnu could be considered extremely confident, and she looked down upon everyone equally.
She indeed had the capital for this; her Veela heritage was as powerful as the Elder Wand, making no sense.
Just now in the store, she didn't suppress her innate alluring ability, yet Kyle still ignored her.
Although she felt a bit of frustration, she was mostly happy for Conna.
Besides her sister, Gabriella Delacour, Conna was her best friend...even though they hadn't spent much time together.
Don't be fooled by Fengnu's fame in France as a notable Busbaron alumna and Triwizard Tournament champion; she didn't have many friends.
Half of her Veela heritage not only gave her stunning beauty but also took away her ability to make friends.
Although she had countless admirers in school, most of those boys had their own motives, mostly attracted by her appearance, and the rest were either because of the Delacour family or both.
The Delacour family had some fame in France and was very close to Madame Maxim, so naturally, many people wanted to befriend them.
Apart from these, most of the girls were more jealous of her than friendly.
The cautious and sensitive nature of her Veela heritage allowed her to sense the hidden malice in others' hearts more keenly.
With her experiences, her desire to make friends naturally diminished, so usually, she was alone in school...at least until those people surrounded her.
Fengnu aimlessly wandering on the street for over ten minutes, and to avoid attracting too much attention, she walked into a bookstore and passed the time by reading in a corner.
After some time, she realized that the light in front of her was blocked.
"I've been looking for you for a long time. Why are you here?" Conna stood in front of her and glanced at the cover of the book in her hand.
"Moon Mountain's Magical Journey"
"How come I didn't know you like reading this type of book?"
"I don't like it," said Fengnu as she put the book back on the shelf next to her. "But it's still better than affecting your heart-to-heart talk."
"Not bad, you have some insight," Kyle nodded. "It's not in vain that I spent time and effort researching the Hair Growth Serum for you..."
Fengnu wanted to hit someone again, but since they were outside, she had to maintain the image of a Delacour.
"Shut up," Conna said as she gently stepped on Kyle's foot.
"We want to go out for a walk. Why don't you come with us?" She said.
"Go out for a walk?" Fengnu blinked, thinking she had misheard.
Didn't Kyle know how she got here? It was illegal immigration! If discovered, she would be arrested!
"Don't worry."
Kyle didn't need to guess to know what Fengnu was thinking. He immediately said, "The Aurors can't catch me, and I'm not one of those high-profile dangerous Dark Wizards they're after. No one will pay attention to me as long as I don't loudly promote myself on the street."
"Besides, I rarely come to France, so I should take the opportunity to look around. Consider it a vacation."
"Haha, do as you like." Fengnu was too lazy to persuade them further, seeing that they had made up their minds.
Anyway, even if Kyle was caught by the Aurors, the Delacour family's capabilities could get him out. If all else failed, there was still Madame Maxim.
Just as Kyle said, his fame wasn't that impressive.
Perhaps he was well-known in Britain, but this was France. Who knew who Kyle was? If not for the Triwizard Tournament, she wouldn't have known about him either.
Rescuing such an "ordinary" wizard wasn't difficult. At most, it would cost a large sum of Galleons.
Of course, this sum of Galleons wouldn't come from her...Kyle was rich.
"Where do you want to go?" As they walked out of the bookstore, Fengnu immediately put on a wide-brimmed hat, hiding her face under the brim.
"The first stop is definitely Busbaron," Kyle said without hesitation.
Not going to Busbaron in France was like not eating fish and chips in Britain; both were missing out on the most characteristic experiences.
"That's great. Madame Maxim mentioned you to me a few days ago. We can go see her together," Fengnu nodded.
"Wait a moment," she looked around and walked into a shop.
"Where is she going?" Kyle asked curiously.
Conna shook her head.
Don't be fooled by her long stay in France; she didn't know much more about the surroundings than Kyle. She only knew that the signboard of the shop Fengnu entered said...something about Lady Selir's travel essentials. It was roughly this meaning.
They didn't wait long, about five minutes, and Fengnu came out, but now she had an extra carpet in her hand.
"Why did you buy a carpet?"
"You British wizards really lack exposure," Fengnu said disdainfully. "This is not just any carpet; it's a flying carpet."
"After all, you can't Apparate or ride a magical carriage with your status. We can't exactly fly on broomsticks to Busbaron, can we?"
"Follow me." She led the two of them to a fenced-off area next to Gringotts and unfurled the... flying carpet onto the ground.
"Come on, what are you waiting for? It'll be dark soon."
Kyle quickly sat down on the carpet, and Conna followed suit, sitting next to him.
Before Kyle knew it, the flying carpet lifted off the ground and flew swiftly forward.
This was Kyle's first time using this mode of transportation. He patted the carpet in front of him, and despite being suspended in mid-air, it felt as if he were sitting on solid ground, with no sense of being airborne.
"This is quite an expense," Kyle sighed. "I didn't expect you to buy a means of transportation on a whim."
"Instead of saying that, why don't you give me the money you spent on the flying carpet?" Fengnu said without turning back.
"You're being too polite," Kyle said, turning his head to the side. "Talking about money hurts feelings, and I can't take this thing with me anyway."
"You can't take it with you... Oh, that's right. I remember you don't have flying carpets on your side." Fengnu said from the front.
"No," Kyle replied. "This is my first time riding a flying carpet."
In the British Ministry of Magic, flying carpets were prohibited items for trade. As a law-abiding wizard, he had never experienced them.
"You're really strange," Fengnu couldn't help but ask. "Why ban such a convenient means of transportation? Flying carpets are much more comfortable than oversized broomsticks. In France, they are the most popular mode of transportation."
"I guess this is an oversight," Kyle thought for a moment. "Carpets were registered as Muggle artifacts long ago, and it's forbidden to cast spells on them."
"So, as long as this thing flies in British airspace, it's illegal. But the process of amending a bill is too cumbersome. It's just a means of transportation, and the ministers probably don't see the need for it."
"Tsk," Fengnu clicked her tongue, but didn't say anything further.
It was as if Britain had a dedicated network of flying roads, and France seemed to have designated paths for flying carpets. Not a single Muggle looked up at them along the way.
Although Kyle didn't think the speed of the flying carpet was impressive, they reached the Pyrenees Mountains, far from Paris, in just one hour.
This was also the location of Busbaron's campus, like an alternative name for the school, a magical garden nestled among the mountains.
Fengnu continued to pilot the flying carpet forward, flying over mountain peaks and through thick clouds, heading towards the center of the mountain range.
The flying carpet eventually came to a stop near the highest mountain in the vicinity.
"We're here," Fengnu said with a hint of pride, pointing forward. "That's Busbaron over there."
Following her finger, Kyle saw a massive estate surrounded by mountains.
Yes, an estate—Busbaron itself resembled a uniquely shaped mountain peak.
This was the largest place he had ever seen, even larger than Hogwarts... of course, excluding the Forbidden Forest.
"How do you feel about it?" Fengnu asked.
"More beautiful than Hogwarts," Kyle replied.
This was the truth. The magical aspects of Hogwarts were mostly internal; from the outside, it looked like an ancient castle, even appearing a bit eerie when it was dark at night.
But Busbaron exuded grandeur. At first glance, it was a vast expanse of dazzling gold and blue, and the architectural style was more intricate.
Especially the massive fountain in front of the castle—it was the most impressive fountain Kyle had ever seen. The water column could reach a height of nearly fifty feet, and then the water would disperse evenly at different heights, forming seven massive circular water curtains.
Even the colors of these water curtains were different, totaling seven in all, resembling a spherical rainbow. Surrounding this, there were three flying pegasi, also made of water.
Compared to this, the fountain at the Ministry of Magic seemed like a poorly designed water tap. It lacked creativity and was unattractive.
"Everyone who sees Busbaron for the first time thinks the same," Fengnu said with a smile. "Come on, I'll take you inside."
"Is it possible now?" Kyle asked. "You've already graduated, and we're not part of this school."
"Others can't, but you can," Fengnu said. "If you wish, you can become an official professor at Busbaron tomorrow."
"That's tempting," Kyle said with a smile. "If Hogwarts is ever occupied by the Dark Lord, I'll consider your offer."
"That's a firm rejection," Fengnu said, understanding Kyle's meaning but not taking it to heart.
After all, she had already graduated, and it was Madam Maxim who wanted to recruit Kyle.
"Follow me, don't take the wrong path, or I'll have to come looking for you." Fengnu stepped forward from the mountaintop and suddenly plummeted, disappearing into a cloud layer.
"Conna, stay where you are. Let Kyle jump first. I'll come for you later."
The faint sound of Fengnu's voice grew increasingly distant in the air.
Seeing this scene, Conna's face had already paled, and she subconsciously took two steps back.
Although she knew this was some kind of magic to enter Busbaron, just like the pillar at Platform 9.
But knowing was one thing; it was still hard to accept jumping down from such a height.
Was Busbaron a proper school with such a thrilling entrance?
Moreover, the last time she came, she didn't enter like this.
As Conna hesitated, she felt her hand being grabbed by someone.
"It's okay, Fengnu is doing it on purpose," Kyle whispered reassuringly.
"On purpose?"
"Yeah, it's just a large magical illusion, a protective device for Busbaron, and even the place we're standing isn't a mountain."
Kyle led Conna a few steps to the left, then circled around a pine tree and stopped in front of a boulder.
"This is it," Kyle said, "walk forward."
Conna subconsciously took a step forward.
Then she saw that everything around her had changed. The originally barren mountaintop had transformed into two massive stone pillars carved with statues, and she was now standing in the middle of the two pillars, right at the center of the Busbaron entrance.
"Kyle, have you been to Busbaron before?" Fengnu's questioning voice came from not far away.
"Nope," Kyle also appeared next to Conna.
"Then how do you know the right way?"
"I haven't been here, but I've read many books about alchemy, and I've also been to Nigellus Blackmanor."
Kyle walked forward and patted the eye of the Thunderbird statue on the pillar, which was a dazzling blue sapphire.
"A classic protective alchemical item, there's one at the entrance of Blackmanor Manor, and with the magic runes on the body, it can hide everything within range." Kyle said nonchalantly.
In fact, the entrance to Blackmanor Manor also had a similar setup.
The eyes of the two dragon statues were also such alchemical gems, and the patterns on their bodies were specially designed magic rune symbols.
Anyone who entered without Nigellus' permission would get lost in a mist.
From an outsider's perspective, they would seem to be spinning in place, and then get squashed by two alchemical dragons.
This place wasn't as advanced.
Kyle touched the patterns on the Thunderbird's wings...they were just basic protective magic runes, and the magic flowing from them wasn't enough to make the Thunderbird statue move.
"Tsk..." Fengnu clicked her tongue in displeasure, "Why does a Hogwarts student know so much about alchemy?"
"The more you know, the better," Kyle smiled, "isn't it useful now?"
"Don't show off."
Fengnu's carefully devised revenge plan was easily seen through by Kyle, which made her feel very displeased. She turned and walked forward.
"This time, you have to stick close to me," she said, "Busbaron isn't like Hogwarts, with just one non-magical caretaker. If they find us, they'll send you straight to the Ministry of Magic for illegal intrusion into Busbaron."
"Won't I get sent to the Ministry if I follow you?" Kyle asked.
"Of course not," Fengnu said, "If we're found together, you won't be sent to the Ministry, but rather handed over to the Ministry, charged with illegal intrusion into Busbaron."
Kyle's expression froze, "That's worse than being expelled."
"I know," Fengnu said nonchalantly.
"I'll take you on a path that few people know, which leads directly to Madame Maxim's office."
She walked to the front of the fountain and jumped in without hesitation.
After learning from the previous lesson, Conna subconsciously looked at Kyle.
"This time it's real, not a magical illusion," Kyle shrugged.
"Did you figure it out?" Conna asked.
"Nope," Kyle said, "This fountain itself is a large alchemical item, and even if there are small things set up inside, I wouldn't be able to discover them."
"Then how can you be so sure?"
"Because Fengnu didn't let me jump first this time," Kyle said casually, "Since she didn't remind you, it means there's no risk here, so there's no problem."
After saying this, Kyle jumped in as well. The colored fish in the fountain were startled and scattered quickly.
The falling water droplets felt cool and refreshing on the skin, but Kyle didn't fall into the water.
The inside of the fountain was empty, and he seemed to have passed through the water and landed in a passageway.
The passageway was surrounded by clean marble, and a few stones emitted a bright light, illuminating the passageway.
Looking up, the water's surface rippled with light, and Kyle easily touched the water with his hand.
But they remained above, very calm, and even the water droplets that Kyle unintentionally brought with him would float back up after a moment, reintegrating into the water.
"This is a real magical passage," Kyle couldn't help but exclaim.
In an instant, he felt that Hogwarts was too inferior, not only in appearance but even its magical passages couldn't compare to Busbaron.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
