Chapter 469
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of rushing air filled the underground tunnels as the trolley bumped and rattled along the tracks, speeding toward its destination. The wind whipped against the passengers' faces, though it seemed to have no effect on the Kamar-Taj wizards. Cloaked in magical equipment, their movements remained steady and unaffected, as if the chaotic ride was nothing more than a gentle glide.
As the trolley began to slow, Ian raised his gaze. Up ahead, a shimmering waterfall of prismatic light cascaded from the ceiling, its ethereal glow illuminating the dark passage. The sight was mesmerizing, but Ian's sharp focus remained unwavering.
A goblin's nasally voice broke the spell of the moment. "Dear wizards, what you see before you is the Anti-Thief Waterfall," the goblin explained, its tone carrying a mix of pride and warning. "This enchantment nullifies all disguises, stealth spells, and magical concealments. Any such magic cannot withstand its power and will be rendered completely ineffective. For your safety, please refrain from casting any spells in its vicinity to avoid potential backlash."
The goblin's gaze shifted pointedly toward the Kamar-Taj wizards, their equipment gleaming faintly in the dim light. With an almost grudging tone, he added, "Master wizards, I must caution you: if you wish to avoid the waterfall's interference, I suggest you remove your magical gear. The enchantment is highly sensitive to all magical artifacts."
The goblins from Gringotts and the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic turned their attention to Ian, Wanda, and the other Kamar-Taj wizards. Their eyes lingered on the shimmering magical equipment adorning the wizards, the faint glow of enchantments betraying their immense power.
Wanda, standing tall at Ian's side, broke the silence with a calm, clear voice. "It's fine," she said, her tone reassuring. "Keep moving forward."
Harmon, the elder goblin leading the group, narrowed his eyes slightly at her words but chose to remain silent. The goblins behind him, however, seemed to relax their grips on the cart as if they had anticipated some disruption.
The trolleys pressed on, speeding toward the luminous Anti-Thief Waterfall.
Whoosh!
Even before they reached the magical cascade, the sound of rushing water echoed through the tunnel like a torrential downpour. Yet, strangely, there was no moisture in the air—no mist, no humidity, only the otherworldly sound of the waterfall's flow.
As they approached the Anti-Thief Waterfall, all eyes turned toward the Kamar-Taj wizards, eager to witness how their magic-infused presence would fare against the enchantment. The goblins, in particular, seemed almost eager to see the wizards stumble. Their envy of the wizards' power and wealth was palpable.
But Wanda's response was far from what they expected.
With a slight motion, she raised her hands, her fingers spreading gracefully. A deep crimson light began to emanate from her, swirling outward like strands of silk. The oppressive darkness of the tunnel shifted as the light expanded, engulfing everything in its path.
The air grew thick with power, and the underground space seemed to transform before their eyes. The tunnel's walls, the rails, the carts—all of it turned red. Even the cascading Anti-Thief Waterfall was consumed, its radiant colors replaced by a deep crimson hue.
The wizards and goblins looked around in awe and fear, realizing that their surroundings had become something entirely different.
This was no ordinary spell.
Wanda had summoned the Dream World.
Through her innate magical talent to manipulate probability, Wanda brought forth a realm where dreams replaced reality. Here, the rules of the physical world held no sway, and everything—life, death, power—was under her control. In this domain, she was a god.
Developed by Lockhart specifically for Wanda, this magic was notoriously complex, even for the most experienced wizards. For Wanda, however, it came naturally. Her ability to influence probability turned even the most intricate spell into an effortless act.
As the Dream World enveloped them, the once-bumpy ride smoothed out, and the howling wind fell silent. It felt as if they had transitioned from a rough dirt path to a polished highway.
The Anti-Thief Waterfall, now entirely crimson, seemed frozen in time. The rushing cascade of water had stopped mid-flow, each droplet suspended in the air like glimmering rubies. The entire waterfall resembled an enormous sheet of silk, stretching across the underground expanse.
The cart slowed to a crawl, allowing everyone to take in the surreal sight. As they reached the base of the waterfall, the suspended crimson water began to move—upward. Defying gravity, the cascade reversed its flow, parting in the middle to reveal a gaping hole.
The trolley passed through the opening, leaving the waterfall behind.
As the crimson light faded, the tunnel returned to its original state. The earthy yellow hues of the walls and the metallic gleam of the rails reappeared, and the howling wind resumed its haunting melody.
The transition was seamless, yet no one present could ignore the profound display of power they had just witnessed.
Harmon, Umbridge, the Aurors, and the goblins all stared at Wanda as if she were a creature from another world.
A monster.
To see such magic performed by someone so young was beyond comprehension. If Dumbledore or Grindelwald had conjured the scene, it would have been extraordinary but not entirely unexpected. But this girl, barely twenty years old, had achieved something that defied all reason.
Ian, standing nearby, couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes. He sighed deeply, a tinge of envy creeping into his expression.
"This is talent," he muttered under his breath.
It was no wonder Master Lockhart had chosen Wanda as his personal disciple. Her potential was unmatched, her gifts terrifying. Ian believed he could one day stand on equal footing with her, but for now, Wanda was in a league of her own.
Lockhart's decision to grant her partial authority over the Dream World had created a synergy between her talent and its immense power. In a short span of time, Wanda had risen to become one of Kamar-Taj's strongest wizards.
Even if Lockhart were absent, Wanda alone could defend the foundation of Kamar-Taj. This display of power was a message to their allies and enemies alike: Kamar-Taj was not to be trifled with.
As the group pressed onward, the tunnel widened, and a massive platform came into view. Surrounding it were rows of vaults, each sealed behind heavily fortified doors.
But what truly commanded attention was the enormous creature at the center of the platform.
A fire dragon.
Its pale, scaly hide gleamed faintly in the torchlight, while its wings, covered in jagged bone spurs, lay folded at its sides. The dragon's nostrils flared, releasing bursts of hot, white air, and its eyes remained closed, giving it an almost statuesque quality.
This was a Ukrainian Ironbelly, a creature as terrifying as it was majestic.
However, beyond the dragon, one vault door stood out—torn from its hinges, revealing a gaping hole in its place.
This was their destination.
Kamar-Taj's treasury.
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
Check out new Fanfic:
A Book of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones : Magic Network
Marvel : Mutant God
=============================================