Karkaroff hesitated before answering. “My younger brother teaches at Durmstrang in Northern Europe. I reached out to him, and he’s agreed to take me in.”
Alex nodded, retrieving a letter and a piece of parchment from his pocket. “Durmstrang’s tolerance for dark magic makes it a suitable refuge for you. And it’ll get you out of reach of the Death Eaters for now. But there are tasks I need you to complete once you’re there.”
He handed Karkaroff the letter. “This is a message for Yaxley’s brother. When you’re settled, find him and keep him under surveillance. Prioritize your safety, but I expect regular updates on his whereabouts and activities.”
“Understood, master,” Karkaroff said, taking the letter.
Alex handed him the parchment next. “This is a list of materials I need. Some of them are hard to acquire in England without smuggling. Gather what you can.” Finally, Alex pulled out a leather pouch and placed it in Karkaroff’s hands. “There are five hundred Galleons in here. Use it for the materials and your journey.”
Karkaroff bowed his head in gratitude. “Thank you, master.”
"If you're short on funds while gathering materials, send me a letter. But don't even think about trying to cheat me. I know exactly how much these things are worth," Alex said, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument.
"Understood, Master. You can count on me," Karkaroff replied, his voice unusually sweet as he eagerly accepted the money pouch Alex handed him.
"And this here is a tracking talisman," Alex continued, pulling out a small object inscribed with intricate runes. "Keep it on you at all times. I’ll use it to find you when necessary. If you lose it, well, I'll have to track you through the object in your stomach. And if the talisman capsule in there explodes because of instability, that's on you, not me."
Karkaroff’s expression stiffened. "Yes, Master," he muttered nervously, gingerly taking the talisman and tucking it into his pocket. He silently resolved to find a chain and wear it around his neck for safekeeping.
"Pack your things and leave as soon as possible. Even though the Dark wizards in this area are lying low for now, they might still be watching you," Alex warned, his gaze sharp as he added, "And don’t forget to complete your task. You’re well aware of my methods. Don’t try anything foolish."
"Yes, Master. I won’t let you down," Karkaroff said earnestly, fully aware of how much his life depended on his obedience. With that, he quietly stepped into Alex’s fireplace and disappeared in a flash of green flames.
Once Karkaroff was gone, Alex allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Sending Karkaroff ahead to explore Europe was part of his carefully thought-out plan. With that matter settled, he could now focus on his own preparations. Alex made his way to the second bedroom on the third floor, which he had converted into a study and laboratory. His next project would be to turn the basement into a secret lab—an ideal place for experiments requiring more dubious materials.
Closing the door behind him, Alex pulled out his prized possession: the metallic magic book. He flipped straight to the page containing the ancient lightning rune, his heart racing with anticipation. Today, he would attempt something he had never done before—analyzing an original rune.
Under Professor Bones’ guidance, Alex had successfully analyzed many basic runes in the past. However, original runes were a different beast entirely. These ancient symbols held secrets that could not be understood by sight alone. To decipher one, a wizard had to extend their magic power to interact directly with the rune’s structure. Only then could they begin to comprehend its intricacies, replicate it using their own magic, and eventually develop spells or optimize its usage.
Scholars who managed to restore runes from ancient texts or ruins were rare and often revered. Yet, even for them, the process could take decades. Worse, unknown original runes were inherently dangerous. No one could predict what might happen when their magic came into contact with such volatile symbols.
To prepare, Alex had cleared the room of unnecessary items. Only essential furniture and an assortment of potions remained, including freshening draughts, nourishing potions, burn salves, and even Felix Felicis—just in case. He didn’t store them in his spatial bag; he anticipated that prolonged rune analysis might drain his magic and stamina, and having potions within arm’s reach was far more practical. He also donned a specially prepared outfit: a full-body plastic suit to protect against electricity. The only exception was his right hand, left uncovered to wield his wand.
Finally ready, Alex carefully held his wand and extended it toward the lightning rune. The moment his wand came close, sparks of electricity leapt from the rune toward it, lighting up the room. Alex froze in shock but quickly steadied himself, observing the phenomenon. There was no pain, no discomfort—just an odd tingling sensation in his wand hand. The rune appeared to be responding to the wand itself, sending currents along its surface that flowed into the wand’s intricate carvings.
Alex’s wand seemed almost alive, as silver-blue light traced the delicate patterns etched into its wood. He felt no resistance or harm in his hand. Though the interaction seemed harmless, Alex knew he needed to push further to confirm his theory. Taking a deep breath, he channeled his magic into the wand, letting it touch the rune directly.
The moment his magic connected, a wave of exhilaration coursed through him, a faint electric current traveled through his wand and up his arm, shooting straight to his brain. The sensation bloomed in his mind like brilliant sparks from firing neurons, leaving him momentarily stunned. The feeling was strange—a mix of numbing cold and goosebump-inducing electricity. But as the current passed, it left behind a refreshing sensation, similar to stepping out of a cool shower on a sweltering summer day. It was oddly comforting.
Refocusing, Alex realized that his magic was merging seamlessly with his wand. Under this influence, his wand underwent subtle yet extraordinary changes. It felt revitalized, as though the lightning rune had infused it with new life. “This is incredible,” Alex murmured, his brow furrowing in thought. “It feels as if the ancient Rune itself has awakened.”
The idea fascinated him. The rune felt intrinsically tied to him, his wand, and something far greater. Since the rune seemed stable, Alex decided to proceed with the analysis. Drawing on his earlier perceptions, he grew bolder and gradually extended his magic further into the rune, letting it flow along the wand’s core. Then, with a sudden boom, the rune burst into dazzling silver light, filling the room with an intense, rhythmic flicker. If someone had glanced through the windows, they might have thought a disco was taking place inside.
Despite the dramatic visual display, what Alex felt was the complete opposite. A vivid scene unfolded in his mind—a memory embedded in the rune’s essence. He found himself soaring high above a desolate savannah. Sparse yellow grass and dead trees dotted the ground, while rattlesnakes coiled in the shade of weeds. Occasionally, antelopes or hares darted across the dry terrain.