He put down the book, picked up the magic potion, sniffed it, then raised his head and drank it.
...
A few minutes later, Moro and a young wizard with brown hair and very fair skin were walking through the corridor.
"How about it, the guy I chose for you looks pretty good, right?" Moro said, "From now on, I'll call you Braun!"
"Brown?"
"Right, you were 'Gray', now you're 'Brown', just to make sure you don't accidentally forget your own name."
They passed through the hall and entered the banquet hall.
Unlike the bright and colorful halls of Hogwarts, the banquet hall of this castle seemed gray as well, dimly lit and shrouded in smoke.
Around the hall were long tables that could seat more than a dozen people, filled with food and drinks. In front of the fireplace, some people were holding guitars, accordions, and other instruments, playing and singing.
Most people were eating and drinking, some walked around with their glasses, others smoked long pipes or rolled cigarettes, and more than a dozen people were dancing in the central clearing, with some onlookers cheering them on.
Vid originally thought Grindelwald's banquet would be very solemn, or perhaps elegant and courteous, but he didn't expect it to have the vibe of a regular little pub.
"Feel free to eat or go sing, you can also invite a pretty girl to dance!"
Moro, leaning beside him said, "Even if you want to drink a couple of strong drinks today, it's okay, I'll take you back if you get drunk! Do whatever you want, my dear friend, you also deserve a share in the victory!"
His voice was a bit loud, and a brown-haired girl passing by with a plate overheard. She glanced at Vid, smiled with pursed lips, revealing two adorable little canine teeth.
Vid casually took a glass of red wine but didn't intend to drink it. He walked to the fireplace, found a random stool, sat down against the wall, and listened to those people sing.
"The wind of magic blows through the quiet town, the ancient bell shatters dreams... Under the old oak tree, wizards and elves dance together. The centaur guides the way, a brave young man embarks on a journey of search... A story passed down through millennia, ancient promises guarding the earth..."
"What's the promise mentioned in this song?" Vid casually asked the person next to him.
"Something from over a thousand years ago, who knows?" Moro shrugged and said.
"Over a thousand years ago?" Vid asked.
"This song probably sings of Merlin's era; I heard back then all races could live under the sun, and wizards were highly respected," a nearby witch said sadly.
"No need to yearn for the past, Mary," another person clinked her glass and said freely, "We're creating a new era!"
"That's why I want to follow Mr. Grindelwald!" the wizard with a little moustache said loudly, "I don't want to hide anymore!"
"But recently those guys have strengthened their defenses; they all know someone is hunting them! Injuries are becoming more common," Mary said worriedly.
"Muggle weapons are indeed terrifying, but the young guys also lack training," another older person said, "Mubi, doesn't your Iron Armor Spell always lag? Last time you even got shot in the leg?"
"That was an ambush! An ambush!" Mubi said angrily, "Could you block a bullet shot from behind?"
"I've never been injured; isn't that the best proof?" the previous person said, shaking his head complacently.
Many people chuckled, comforting Mubi, "Don't mind, scars are a man's badge of honor! Or maybe apply more Scar Remover?"
"Just getting a leg broken is already pretty good; that idiot Nubel got himself killed!" someone else said.
"Fighting the enemy always involves casualties."
Delaine appeared from nowhere, inserted a word, then looked at Moro and said, "I've been looking for you, Antoine. The person you're supposed to be taking care of? Why aren't they in the room?"
Moro patted Vid's shoulder and said, "Here he is! Ah, usually there's nothing, just when I finally bring someone down for a drink, you have to disturb us."
He casually complained.
Delaine looked at Vid in surprise, finally recognizing the true form of this brown-haired young wizard when their eyes met.
"Sorry, I have two bottles of Moselle Riesling; I'll send them over later," Delaine said seriously, "But now, please come with me."
"I actually don't like drinking."
Vid put down the untouched red wine, stood up, and asked, "Is something the matter?"
Seeing everyone around looking over curiously, Delaine said, "It's some issue related to... weapons."
He cautiously didn't call Vid by name or even mention the word "alchemy."
Even though they all knew, Vid didn't want to reveal his true name and appearance because he still wanted to return to his original life, but none of them "exposed" Vid, even actively helping to cover for him.
This respect and understanding even gave Vid the illusion that he had already become one of their companions.
The two of them passed through the crowded group, and Delaine casually pushed away a few drunkards. Some young people gathered together, loudly talking and laughing, singing praises for recent victories.
In contrast, Delaine's perpetually cold face made him seem like an anomaly; Vid seemed more integrated into the current environment than he did.
Behind, Moro was a step late, gulped down the wine in his cup, then hurriedly caught up.
Exiting the hall, Moro took a deep breath of the chilly air outside, shook his head, and suddenly thought of something.