"A letter?"
Avada frowned and beckoned, drawing the envelope into his hand. "People this identity knows number fewer than ten—and I've only been part of British wizarding society for a single week!"
Inside the envelope was an entirely ordinary letter, with no strange magic or hidden tricks attached. After confirming that much, he quickly moved to a quiet corner with little foot traffic. He deftly opened the envelope and unfolded the neatly folded parchment inside to read.
[Dear Mr. Nathan Clarke,]
[Please forgive this abrupt letter. My name is Bill Trimble, and I am likewise one of those hoping to install Anti-Apparition wards on my residence.]
[You likely won't see any recruitment notice from me in the newspaper. Originally, I had a friend who works for a company that manufactures portable wizarding tents, and he promised to help install the wards. However, due to work commitments, he won't be free until at least next month. Recently, though, I happened to hear that Britain has welcomed an exceptionally young spatial magic expert who has already elegantly resolved the warding needs of three clients. I therefore hope to save some time and complete the installation sooner. Beyond that, I would also be very pleased to make the acquaintance of a talented young professional…]
[If you happen to have the time, I would like to invite you to meet at the Leaky Cauldron at three this afternoon. I inquired and learned that you are staying there, so there's no need for you to make an extra trip—though with your level of spatial expertise, comfortable Apparition must be effortless.]
[I very much look forward to meeting you.]
[Bill Trimble]
"…Have I already made a name for myself?"
After quickly finishing the rather short letter, Avada raised an eyebrow. "Then again, the Pure-blood social circle is small—news probably spreads fast…"
"This is ridiculous. The information I actually want has barely advanced at all, yet I've already earned enough Galleons to buy a high-end broom—and it's only been a few days!"
"So this is the advantage of being a high-level specialist? Making money is as easy as drinking water… or did I just happen to catch the right wave?"
As he folded the letter and tucked it away, Avada headed once more toward the magical supply shops. It was still early afternoon, with some time left before his meeting, more than enough to purchase the materials he would need the day after tomorrow.
"I should make time to go to Gringotts and open a vault for this identity. Otherwise, someone with no permanent residence holding this many Galleons is bound to attract suspicion…"
…
After buying part of the materials, he returned directly to his room at the Leaky Cauldron. He withdrew his mental focus back to his true body and took a brief nap. At precisely two in the afternoon, he rose, took control again, opened the door, went downstairs, and bought a mug of apple cider from Tom's bar…
"Oh, Nathan, someone came looking for you just now,"Tom said as he poured the drink, pointing toward a table in the bar. "That fellow over there. He said he had an appointment with you and asked whether you were in. You've been Apparating straight back to your room these past few days, haven't you? Merlin's beard—I've hardly seen you use the stairs at all…"
"How about installing an Anti-Apparition ward in my pub someday?"
"Hah. Your pub is already hidden on the street with spatial magic. Installing wards under those conditions would be an entirely different price—and with an area this large, I'm not even sure I could manage it."
Grumbling lightly, Avada took his drink and turned toward the table Tom had indicated. Sitting there was an older wizard, leisurely flipping through a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"Excuse me,"Avada stepped forward and interrupted him. "Are you Mr. Bill Trimble?"
"That's right—yes, I am."The wizard looked up, then immediately stood with a smile. "You must be Mr. Nathan Clarke. Even though it's not quite time yet, since you came over first, I assume you won't mind if we sit down and talk now?"
"Of course."
Avada pulled out a chair and sat across from him, quietly shifting most of his mental focus into this body. It was immediately obvious that the wizard before him was not using his real appearance—Polyjuice Potion or a similar magical disguise was at work.
What's going on? Installing Anti-Apparition wards requires this much secrecy?
While thinking this through, Avada spoke first, cutting in before Trimble could begin.
"My apologies, Mr. Trimble, but your timing is a bit unfortunate. I accepted a client's commission this morning, so for the next three days I won't have time to handle your request."
"Three days is already more than fast enough for me,"Bill Trimble laughed. "My friend wouldn't be free for a full month!"
He's lying.
The man's mental state betrayed him without hesitation. If he had to fabricate even his reason for approaching Avada, then this person was highly suspicious.
"I'm glad to hear that,"Avada replied calmly, not showing the slightest hint of unease. "That said, we can still go over some basic details in advance—such as the size of the area you need warded, whether your home already has any spatial enchantments attached, or anything else that might be relevant. For example, when I installed wards for a previous client, his child kept trying to play pranks on me. If you have children, I'd appreciate it if you could keep them in line."
Hm?
When Avada mentioned "children," he clearly sensed a sudden spike in the other man's mental activity—nervousness, suspicion, and alertness all at once.
Did the clue just deliver itself to me?
"Hah, no need to worry,"Trimble said with a smile, continuing his lie. "My son graduated quite a while ago and is working abroad now. As for the area, it's not large—about a quarter of an acre. There's no other spatial magic involved, so it shouldn't interfere with your work. May I take a look at your contract?"
"Certainly."
Avada naturally handed over his contract template. On the surface, Trimble appeared to be carefully reading every line—but in reality, a flurry of detection spells, silent and wandless, were already being cast one after another.
This man is a combat specialist.
Avada's heart tightened. His own mental strength far exceeded that of ordinary wizards, yet the man opposite him could cast so many spells so quickly and discreetly. In a direct confrontation, Avada might not even be able to defeat him.
A dangerous expert, deliberately setting his sights on Nathan Clarke…
What was he after?
(End of Chapter)