AN: Welcome everyone for another week of updates!
This chapter sure is packed.
In the aftermath of the revelations, the crew continues their investigation into this world and Dormammu, and then comes the first confrontation.
Anyway, I hope you will like how the direction the story is heading.
Please leave your comments and let me know what you think!
Enjoy reading~.
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Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
Inside the study of the Potter Mansion, Lord Charlus Potter sat behind a heavy oak desk.
Evening moonlight passes through the tall windows behind him, casting faint light onto the floor. The fireplace burned softly, giving warmth and light across the room. The air carried the faint scent of parchment and polished wood. Old portraits lined the walls, some awake, some pretending not to be.
In his hands was a letter bearing the seal of Gringotts, sent by Rulvek, the Potter accounts manager. He had read it three times since it arrived, trying to make sense of what was written there.
Charlus finally lowered the parchment, rubbing his beard thoughtfully.
"Hmm… a Peverell descendant, huh," he murmured.
A soft knock sounded at the study door.
"Father?"
Charlus did not look up immediately.
"Come in."
His son, Fleamont Potter, stepped inside. "There is something I wish to speak with you."
"Hmm? What is it?" Charlus raised a brow.
Fleamont approached the desk and took out a sealed letter, placing it in front of his father.
"A colleague of mine wishes to arrange a meeting with you," he said. "Damien Greengrass, the current head of the Greengrass family."
"Greengrass?"
Charlus blinked once, then narrowed his eyes slightly as he took the letter and broke the seal.
"Yes," Fleamont confirmed. "We both serve as Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries. He approached me earlier today about the possibility of meeting Lord Potter."
Fleamont watched his father carefully, but Charlus' expression revealed nothing. His attention remained on the parchment in his hand.
"He asked me to deliver this personally," Fleamont added. "He said the reason for the meeting is explained inside."
After finishing the letter, Charlus set it down on the desk, placing it neatly beside the one from Gringotts.
"...Son, what do you know about the Greengrasses?" Charlus asked.
"Are you asking personally or professionally?" Fleamont raised a brow.
"Both."
Fleamont took a moment before answering.
"Professionally, Damien Greengrass is competent and careful," he said. "He speaks only when necessary. In our line of work, that is a strength."
Charlus gave a small nod, waiting.
"He doesn't chase recognition, nor does he loudly tie himself to any faction," Fleamont continued. "If he holds an opinion, he keeps it until it matters."
"And personally?" Charlus prompted.
Fleamont's lips twitched slightly.
"He's a decent man. Reserved, yes. Calculating, perhaps. But not cold."
A faint chuckle escaped him as he recalled a Ministry gathering.
"I've seen how he is with his wife and children. He is protective of his family."
"I see."
Charlus leaned back in his chair, his eyes settling on the two letters resting side by side on his desk.
"From what you've said, Damien Greengrass—a careful man—approached you today."
"Yes."
"And it happens to be the same day this letter arrived." Charlus tapped the Gringotts parchment once. "Interesting."
Fleamont recognized the seal on the letter.
"That's from Gringotts?"
Charlus nodded and handed the letter to Fleamont. He read in silence. The longer he read, the more his brows furrowed.
"…Heir Peverell?" he muttered. "How?"
He looked up, confusion clear on his face.
"I thought we were the only remaining descendants of the family."
"So did I," Charlus admitted calmly. "But the lineage test confirmed he is a direct descendant. Director Ragnok himself verified it."
Fleamont stared at the parchment again.
"This is real?"
"Apparently."
A brief silence followed between them.
"…The timing is almost too perfect," Charlus murmured as he stared at Damien's letter.
Fleamont caught on at once. "Do you... think they're connected?"
Charlus didn't answer immediately. He picked up Damien's letter again and read a line in silence.
"I will send a reply," he said at last. "I am willing to meet him in two days."
Fleamont frowned. "Two days? But the one claiming to be Heir Peverell also requested to meet in two days."
"That works in our favor," Charlus replied plainly. "If the Greengrasses discovered him, they will attend the same meeting with this newly confirmed heir."
Fleamont's eyes sharpened. "Could this be a trap?"
"Possibly… But unlikely," Charlus answered with a smirk.
"From what you've told me, Damien Greengrass would not risk his family's standing on a fabricated heir. And Gringotts does not issue lineage confirmations lightly, especially not with Ragnok's name attached."
Fleamont studied him carefully.
"So you think they align with each other?"
"I believe," Charlus corrected him calmly, "that too many careful pieces have moved at once for this to be a coincidence."
He tapped the two letters side by side.
"Greengrass approaches you on the very day Gringotts confirms a Peverell heir."
His eyes sharpened.
"Something set this in motion. Events like this do not simply align on their own."
Fleamont considered that carefully.
"…Are you suggesting an unseen hand is guiding matters behind the curtain?"
Charlus let out a snort of amusement.
"Ohh… doesn't that sound interesting?" he said with a faint grin, a hint of mischief appearing across his face.
Fleamont's cheek twitched. He gave his father a flat stare, which Charlus simply laughed off.
"I am saying the timing is interesting. Nothing more."
After a moment, Charlus rose from his chair and walked toward the window, looking out across the Potter grounds.
"Anyway, if this young man truly carries the Peverell lineage, then this is our chance to see what sort of person he is."
He placed his hands behind his back.
"After all, the Peverell blood is not a trinket to wave about. It holds a history heavier than any title."
A faint, knowing smile appeared on his lips.
"Power draws attention. Legacy sets things in motion. When both appear at once, people will act."
He glanced back at the letters on his desk.
"So tell me," he murmured, eyes narrowing with interest, "what kind of young man are you?"
His smile deepened. "I look forward to meeting you, Noah Alden."
—--------
Lunch inside the rented apartment of the Express Crew was unusually silent. Aside from the lively chatter between the two versions of Reinforce Zwei, the rest of the table carried a clear sense of awkward tension.
The Ace trio and the Wolkenritter of this universe easily noticed the not-so-subtle glances March 7th kept throwing at Noah, along with Caelus's thoughtful stare. Even Dan Heng—normally unreadable—was watching Noah differently this time.
At least Welt and Himeko were handling it with far more restraint than the younger trio.
On the opposite side of the table, Nanoha-chan leaned closer to Fate-chan.
"…Something big happened while they were out, didn't it?" she whispered.
Fate-chan gave a small nod; her eyes went toward the crew.
"It feels that way," she murmured back. "They've been like this since they returned."
Hayate-chan, seated between the two Reinforces, tilted her head.
"… Did they experience a life-changing moment or something?" she muttered.
Reinforce stops chewing her food and looks at Hayate-chan in surprise. She hit the mark.
The Wolkenritter exchanged looks.
"…Life-changing?" this universe Reinforce Zwei repeated, glancing at Hayate-chan.
"Ahahaha… I was just joking," Hayate-chan said quickly, waving her hand as if to dismiss her own words.
"…That might not be too far off, Hayate-chan," Shamal replied gently. She had noticed the slight reaction from the other Reinforce.
Signum raised a brow. "…Are you suggesting they discovered something on their trip that deeply affected them?"
Shamal gave a slow, thoughtful nod.
Hayate-chan puffed her cheeks. "I was just throwing out random guesses…"
Zafira leaned back in his chair with a huff.
"This feels like… family tension."
All of them turned toward him at once.
"…What makes you say that, Zafira?" Hayate-chan asked.
Zafira shrugged.
"They're giving off the same atmosphere we do whenever someone tries to hide something from Shamal… and she already knows."
That shut everyone up. Their attention slowly went to Shamal, who was smiling pleasantly.
Someone swallowed.
Nanoha-chan's lips curved faintly.
"…That's very specific."
Hayate-chan, Reinforce Zwei, Signum, and Zafira all looked away.
Vita, who had clearly had enough, set her bowl down with a louder-than-necessary. "I don't know what happened to you all, but this weird tension is ruining the food Hayate made! So either you start talking right now, or I'm smacking every one of you with Graf Eisen!"
March and Caelus flinched. Dan Heng, for once, actually looked guilty.
Welt let out a sigh as he removed his glasses and wiped them clean.
"We should explain it to them," he said calmly. "They weren't there, after all."
The crew exchanged glances before their eyes went toward Noah. Sirin sat beside him, and Hayate was already staring at them, waiting.
After a moment, March slowly set down her fork and exhaled.
"…So," she began, rubbing the back of her head, "we found out this afternoon that Himeko is Noah's great-grandmother… and Caelus is his grandfather."
"WHAT?!" The TSAB group shouted in unison. They clearly hadn't been prepared for that.
"Being my grandfather's wife, that technically makes you my grandmother, too, March," Noah added with a crooked smile.
March's face turned red at once. "...I am way too young to be called grandmother."
"Oh...Wait—WHAT?!"
Another wave of shock rolled across the TSAB group.
Himeko chuckled softly. "He got you there, March."
March pouted at her. "…You're taking this way too well."
Himeko took her cup. "When you've traveled long enough as a Nameless, you stop being surprised by strange things."
Caelus leaned back in his chair, arms crossing over his chest.
"Strange is fine," he muttered. "But this? This is on another level."
He glanced at Noah.
"You do realize how bizarre this looks from our side, right?"
Noah scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile. "Believe me, it's no less bizarre than mine."
Dan Heng spoke up. "I did notice the way you looked at March and Caelus before… but I never imagined this was the reason."
March suddenly pointed at Noah.
"And don't forget the 'Stelle Alden Terravox' situation."
Caelus nearly choked on air.
"I never thought I'd live long enough to see a female version of Caelus!" March declared.
"…Shouldn't that line belong to me?" Caelus protested weakly.
Noah let out a small laugh before answering.
"…Stelle was my grandfather's twin sister. She married into the Terravox family, which was headed by Dan Heng… well, the Dan Heng from my world."
Dan Heng exhaled slowly, his expression twitched for a bit.
"…I genuinely don't know how I'm supposed to react to that."
"Wait! Wait! Hold on a second!" Hayate-chan suddenly cut in, unable to contain herself any longer.
"Great-grandmother?! Grandfather?! Grandmother?!"
She pointed rapidly at Himeko, Caelus, and March in turn. Himeko only smiled, Caelus gave a helpless shrug, and March's face turned even redder.
"What exactly did you people walk into?!"
Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, and the Wolkenritter wore the same stunned expression as Hayate-chan.
"How are we even supposed to explain this?" March buried her face in her hands.
Himeko set her cup down lightly.
"Well… while searching for clues on Dormammu's whereabouts, we met a family who introduced us to the hidden magical side of this world. That led us to a bank, where Noah took a lineage test. The result confirmed he's a descendant of this universe's version of his ancestral family." She gave a small smile. "And from there, we learned that in his line of reality… I, Caelus, March, and even Dan Heng are part of his ancestry."
"One big happy family," Dan Heng remarked dryly, glancing at Caelus and March—both of whom immediately avoided his gaze.
"…Oh."
That was all the TSAB group managed to say. Even they needed a moment to process it.
Welt let out a chuckle.
"As someone who once traveled the Sea of Quanta, I've seen familiar faces living entirely different lives," he said, a faint smile appearing as old memories crossed his mind. "Our bonds may differ from world to world… but that doesn't stop us from forming new ones."
Caelus became thoughtful after hearing Welt's words.
"…So what does that make us?" he asked.
Noah met his eyes and gave a small smile. "Whatever connection we might have in my universe… being Nameless already makes us family."
March blinked, then folded her arms with a huff.
"…You better not start calling me granny."
Noah let out an amused snort. Sirin covered her mouth, shoulders shaking, while Hayate coughed into her sleeve to hide her grin.
"I'll admit… I almost called you that when we first met," Noah admitted with a smirk. "...Out loud."
Sirin immediately looked away.
"Ahahaha…" Hayate scratched her cheek.
"…So you are calling me that in your head?" March demanded, her cheeks twitching.
"Teehee~."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY TEEHEE?!"
That was enough. The tension broke completely as laughter spread around the table.
—-------
The next day, the crew returned to Diagon Alley. This time, not everyone came along. Only Himeko, Caelus, and March accompanied Noah for the scheduled meeting with the Greengrass family.
The moment Hayate learned that a hidden magical society existed in her own homeworld, even if it's an alternate universe, her commander instincts kicked in. If Britain had one, then what about Japan? How was it structured? Who governed it? How secure was it?
She wanted answers.
Sirin immediately volunteered to go with her, brushing off Noah's appointment as "just a boring meeting" with the Greengrasses. With Himeko by his side, she wasn't worried in the slightest.
Welt and Dan Heng joined them as well. For two seasoned Nameless who had crossed countless worlds and anomalies, observing how magic functioned outside of Britain, how it was organized, enforced, and maintained, was far more interes—worthwhile than attending a political introduction.
So for now, Noah, Himeko, Caelus, and March sat at one of the open-air tables outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, waiting for Pandora to arrive and guide them to their home for the meeting.
At first glance, the scene around them looked lively and carefree. Children laughed with bright scoops of ice cream in hand, couples wandered past enchanted storefronts, and the sweet scent of fresh waffles drifted warmly through the air. An ice cream sundae crowned with floating chocolate stars gently lowered itself onto March's table, and her eyes lit up at the sight.
"Okay, I'm never getting used to food serving itself," March said, snapping a quick photo before digging in. "Magical desserts are officially top-tier."
Caelus let out a small laugh as a nearby display window rearranged its contents on its own. "It really does feel like a fantasy theme park."
Himeko, however, stirred her coffee, her attention moving past the colorful displays and toward the crowd instead.
"On the surface, maybe," she said. "But if you look a little closer… something doesn't feel right."
March stopped mid-bite. "Huh?"
Diagon Alley felt different today.
The shops were open, and the street was busy, yet there was an underlying tension within that cheer. Conversations were softer than they should have been. People glanced over their shoulders more often. A few witches and wizards flinched at sudden sounds. And scattered along the alley stood pairs of robed figures who clearly weren't there to shop. They positioned themselves at intersections and near storefronts, watching the crowd instead of browsing it, their hands never going far from their wands.
"Yesterday, everything felt overwhelming. We were distracted by the novelty of it all," Himeko said, setting her cup down. "But today, with clearer eyes… It's easier to notice the details we overlooked."
March looked around again, more carefully this time. Her cheerful expression slowly faded. "…Wait. Yeah. People aren't really talking, are they? They're whispering. And—are those… patrols?"
Caelus followed her stare. A pair of robed figures stood near the intersection ahead. The badge on their chests was clear even from a distance. The way they moved was careful and alert. This left little doubt about their purpose.
"…Yeah. Those aren't random guys trying to look important," Caelus muttered.
Noah studied them in silence, already piecing things together—the increased patrols, the tension in the air, and how it might connect to Dormammu's presence in this world.
Then, from the table beside them, a burst of laughter cut through the low murmur of the alley.
Four teenage boys sat there in light summer clothes, their robes tossed over the backs of their chairs the moment the heat became unbearable.
"Oi, Prongs, you nearly fell off your broom yesterday," a tall black-haired boy with a sharp grin teased.
"I did not fall," the messy-haired boy shot back immediately. "I executed a strategic landing."
"Strategic landing?" another boy with sandy hair snorted. "You clipped the goal post."
The fourth boy laughed a little too hard at that.
The black-haired boy leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out lazily. "Anyway, my cousin's been going on about this nonstop. Says You-Know-Who's recruiting again."
The boy with sandy hair winced, though he kept his voice casual. "…People have been saying that for months."
"Yeah, well," the black-haired boy shrugged, lowering his voice just a touch, "that doesn't stop my mother from acting like she's already met the next dark messiah."
The messy-haired boy rolled his eyes. "Let him try. Dad and Grandpa say the Ministry's handling it."
The last boy nodded quickly. "There are Aurors everywhere now. You can't walk ten steps without seeing one."
For a brief moment, none of them spoke. It wasn't long, but it was there.
Then the messy-haired boy suddenly grinned. "Anyway! Padfoot, are you actually finishing that essay this summer, or are you praying it writes itself?"
The change was abrupt. The black-haired boy groaned and dropped forward onto the table. The sandy-haired boy shook his head with a small smile, and the last one casually stole a fry from someone's plate.
Teenage chatter picked up again as if nothing had happened, but the words they'd uttered so casually remained in the air.
You-Know-Who.
Recruiting again.
Aurors everywhere.
Noah's attention moved away from the boys, his thoughts working to get the real picture.
'Yeah… this place isn't as peaceful as it looks.'
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
A familiar voice pulled Noah from his thoughts. Pandora approached their table, slightly out of breath as though she had hurried down the alley. Her light summer robes were neat despite the rush, sleeves rolled up casually.
"I hope I didn't make you wait too long."
"Not at all," Himeko replied smoothly, offering her a cup of water. "You're right on time. We arrived a little early to look around."
March lifted her spoon with a grin. "And by 'look around,' she means I needed ice cream."
"It was your idea," Caelus said.
March gasped. "Excuse me? You were the one who said we should try something 'authentic.'"
"I meant bookstores."
"Bookstores? From you?" March placed a hand over her heart. "Is this a sign the universe is collapsing?"
Caelus shot her a look. "You're impossible."
March stuck her tongue out in response.
Noah chuckled softly at the familiar exchange. After yesterday's surprise, the two of them had been more relaxed around each other, less guarded, and more natural.
"Either way," Noah added, "we weren't waiting long."
Pandora gave Himeko a grateful nod before accepting the cup. She took a sip and let out a small exhale.
"That's a relief."
Then she noticed the group of boys at the table beside the ice cream stand watching her openly.
"Ah… hello," she greeted, offering a small, polite nod.
"Greengrass," the messy-haired boy returned, nodding his head in acknowledgment.
Pandora hesitated for a second before replying, "Potter."
That single name got a subtle reaction from the crew's table. After all, Noah was supposed to meet the Potters tomorrow, and yet here, one of them already.
The black-haired boy leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp with interest. "Didn't expect to see you out this early in the summer break."
"My family has some matters to attend to," Pandora answered evenly. "We're meeting acquaintances."
"In Diagon Alley?" the sandy-haired boy asked with a faint smile.
"For now," Pandora replied. Then her expression softened slightly. "I hope you're doing well, Remus."
The sandy-haired boy—Remus rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed. "Yeah… thanks to you, Lily, and the rest of your group, I've been doing a lot better lately."
"I'm glad to hear that," Pandora said sincerely.
The last boy fidgeted slightly in his seat. "So… are you meeting someone?"
Pandora hesitated briefly before her eyes went toward the crew's table.
The boys followed her line of sight. For the first time, they properly took in the unfamiliar group sitting a short distance away.
The messy-haired boy's eyes settled on Noah, narrowing slightly as if picking up on something he couldn't name.
"…Are they the acquaintances you mentioned?" he asked.
March waved her hand cheerfully. "Yahoo~."
Noah choked, coughing at her casual tone.
Caelus turned toward her, disbelief written all over his face.
March blinked. "What? I was being friendly."
Himeko rested her chin against her hand, clearly amused. "You may want to dial that down a little, March. We're trying not to stand out."
March lowered her hand with a sheepish smile. "Right. Low profile. Got it."
Pandora cleared her throat softly, trying to recover from her shock. "Well… something like that."
The black-haired boy's eyes narrowed with interest. He wanted to ask more, but... A loud blast tore through the alley, interrupting the fragile peace. Screams followed. Then another explosion shook the ground.
The robed patrol figures spun toward the source instantly. A streak of green light flashed across the street and then… someone helplessly fell on the ground.
"...W-what…?" March covered her mouth with her hand the moment she saw the person fall.
"March!!" Caelus snapped, grabbing March's wrist and pulling her away from the open walkway.
Noah was already moving. Himeko followed, her hand already on the handle of her drone suitcase.
The next second….
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
More apparition pops were heard in rapid succession. More figures emerged further down the alley, cloaked in dark robes and masked.
"Death Eaters!" someone shouted from the crowd.
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