The Gray family was a branch of the Keeper Percival Rackham's family. Over centuries of changes, the once-great family became vassals of the Lestrange family.
Calling them vassals was practically no different from servants, and now, it was even more so in name only.
Inheriting the Introduction to Ancient Magic passed down from his ancestors, Bode Gray had ambitious aspirations since childhood—he wanted to restore the Gray family to its ancestral glory.
Now, stepping on the damp ground of the ancient ruins and feeling the active magic factors around him, he felt he was closer to his goal.
What was his purpose in wanting to kidnap Audrey Astley? Wasn't it to obtain the power of ancient magic?
But he only knew from his ancestor's notes that powerful ancient magic power was preserved underground at Hogwarts, and only wizards who could see traces of ancient magic could find it.
However, the goblins pointed out another clear path for him: the knowledge of ancient magic was actually hidden deep within ruins all over the world!!
The corridor before him was as wide and tall as the main gate, as if the former owner of the ruins were a giant.
After thousands of years of wear and tear, the lighting system inside the ruins should have long been unusable. Bode proceeded carefully with a Lumos charm.
He was so cautious, as if a monster would jump out at any moment from the deep darkness beyond the reach of the Lumos charm.
He looked back and didn't see Thetis and the group of goblins she led. They must have chosen a different path from him at the previous fork.
The corridor was silent, save for Bode's own footsteps, crunch, click, crunch, click...
The extremely oppressive atmosphere made his hair stand on end. He felt as if something was peeping at him from the deepest part of the ruins.
Click, crunch, click, crunch...
His heartbeat grew faster, his breathing more rapid.
Finally unable to bear it, Bode raised his wand and waved it fiercely towards the depths of the corridor.
The best way to face fear is to shatter it.
And anger can also dilute unease!
A bolt of lightning shot out. The bright silver electric light illuminated the corridor and flew into a stone chamber.
By the light of the lightning, Bode saw the way forward clearly.
He floated up and quickly entered the stone chamber.
The stone chamber was still immense. Exquisite murals were painted on the walls, seemingly describing the glory of the tomb's owner.
The stone coffin in the center was beautifully carved. With Bode's shallow knowledge of alchemy, he barely recognized a few common magical patterns.
On the front of the stone coffin, written in runes:
"Here lies Angrboda, Enemy of the Gods."
Angrboda?
Bode Gray's pupils contracted sharply.
Angrboda (transliteration issue, don't argue) was a female fire giant in Norse mythology, mother of the grain goddess Gerda; but she was more widely known as Loki's mistress, who gave birth to the wolf Fenrir, the World Serpent Jörmungandr, and the Goddess of Death, Hela!!
What an Enemy of the Gods!
Bode Gray floated up to the ceiling, which allowed him to see the full view of Angrboda's coffin.
The coffin lid was made of a single piece of crystal. Perhaps because the volume was too large, or perhaps because she was the Enemy of the Gods, the crystal hadn't been polished. Through the bumpy crystal, Bode saw the outline of the renowned ancient giant.
More than twice as tall as existing giants, her skin had a faint red hue.
After thousands of years, Angrboda's body showed no signs of decay, as if she were still alive!
"Ah—!"
Boom!
"Help!!"
Faint wails of goblins came from the outer corridor. Bode Gray's heart palpitated.
Danger!
This stone chamber was obviously just a tomb. Both sides were murals; there was absolutely no ancient magic knowledge.
A voice like rolling thunder sounded. Though childish, it was imposing and soul-shaking.
"I am Dalton, son of Magni, grandson of Thor, blood of the great God-King Odin. How dare you lowly slaves disturb my slumber!"
"I sentence you to death!"
...
...
Gilderoy Lockhart was performing vigorously on the podium. He pulled Bonnie Hanover to perform a segment from Wandering with Werewolves.
"Traces of the Gods"
Audrey watched happily from below the stage, occasionally clapping and cheering, drawing the gaze of all the little wizards.
They had accepted that this sixth-year superstar senior was taking classes with their fifth year to retake her O.W.L.s.
It was just her behavior of treating Professor Lockhart like a clown that made them look sideways.
As expected of Senior Astley, even when she went this far, the professor didn't get angry!
Angry? Why get angry?
Lockhart didn't know how happy he was right now! Someone was actually supporting his little theater!
Looking closer, wasn't that the big star Audrey Astley? This girl's fame was almost greater than his! Receiving her applause was clearly a delightful thing!
Even if the girl had a teasing look on her face.
But confident as Lockhart was, he didn't think it was teasing—he had seen this expression a lot, it was definitely affection, yes, affection for his talent, admiration for his charm!
What a pity! If the publisher's boss hadn't warned him that Audrey Astley was an existence he couldn't mess with, he might have really hoped to develop something with this superstar.
What he didn't know was that the publishing house that published his books in previous years now had the surname Astley.
"Audrey!"
After class, Isaline rushed over from the Potions classroom. "Let's go eat together!"
"Okay..."
Audrey's waist suddenly felt hot. It was Edmond calling her.
"Oh, wait a moment, Isaline, I have some matters to deal with. You go to the Great Hall first, I'll join you later!"
"Okay!"
Crack!
...
Returning to the dormitory, Audrey opened the two-way mirror.
"Audrey, our people tracking Bode Gray and Thetis have news to report."
"What could be so urgent!"
"A violent explosion occurred inside the ruins they were exploring. So far, no one has left the ruins."
"They courted death themselves, let them be. No need to notify me about this, right?"
"The following is the key point. A little boy about ten years old walked out of the ruins. From several kilometers away across the sea, he spotted our surveillance personnel. He casually waved a beam of light, sinking our ship, then soared into the air and disappeared without a trace."
Audrey's pupils contracted. She asked quickly, "Casualties?"
"The crew jumped ship in time and saved their lives, but the temperature of that beam of light was extremely high. The surrounding sea area boiled. Our people were injured quite badly and are currently receiving treatment."
"Edmond, notify our people. If they see that little boy again, hide a bit. Don't increase meaningless casualties."
Edmond nodded, then asked, "Then that ruin...?"
"What did Teacher Grindelwald say?"
"He said you decide."
"Damn old man, won't let me have a moment of peace!" Audrey muttered a few words. "Let the goblins of the Heaven and Earth Bank go explore it. The reason... the reason is that excavating ruins is their goblin specialty!"
...
...
With golden hair and golden eyes, the extremely handsome Dalton landed in Oslo, triggering gasps from Muggles.
"Tsk, are these the descendants of Líf and Lífþrasir? Mortals are just mortals, making a fuss about nothing!"
"Though it is quite surprising that mortals can create such beautiful houses," Dalton strolled on the street, allowing passersby to take photos of him. "Father God's residence... Father God's residence, ah, over there!"
Dalton floated up and flew rapidly in one direction. His destination was Oslo Cathedral. Although the environment here had undergone earth-shaking changes compared to thousands of years ago, he could sense his father's aura.
Landing in front of the cathedral, the surroundings suddenly dimmed, as if a cover had been placed over this area.
"Little friend, we are from the Norwegian Ministry of Magic. You have violated the Statute of Secrecy. Please come with us!"
Dalton turned around, killing intent flashing in his golden eyes. Mere mortal wizards dared to challenge him?
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