For the next two days, Kai Adler and Hermione transformed into ordinary tourists, holding hands and enjoying the food, drinks, and fun scattered across the streets and alleys of Berlin.
However, they weren't entirely alone—they had a guide.
A young man named Lukas trailed behind them, his expression perpetually serious.
As Uncle Leon had explained, "You're both unfamiliar with Berlin. I'm usually too busy, so I asked Lukas to accompany you."
"Besides, you're just two kids. It's safer to have an adult with you."
Kai couldn't help but recall the humiliating experience of being turned away from a restaurant in Britain, so he reluctantly agreed.
Thus, a version of reality where only Lukas suffered quietly was born.
He followed behind them, inwardly sighing.
He understood Old Man Leon's intentions clearly—it wasn't just playing tour guide; it was babysitting. Bodyguard duty, in other words.
Lukas, being the most skilled Magician within the Berlin branch besides Old Man Leon himself, couldn't help but feel this task was beneath him. Watching over two foreign teenagers? Wasn't this a waste of talent?
And more importantly… who exactly were these two young wizards from Britain that Old Man Leon valued them so highly? Could they be connected to the British Ministry of Magic?
Given Berlin's current tensions, the possibilities made his expression darken with suspicion.
Suddenly, a flash of golden light shot toward them from the horizon, streaking across the midday sky with alarming speed.
Kai immediately turned, sharp eyes following the light as it came to a halt directly in front of Lukas. The golden light resolved itself into a piece of parchment—an enchanted talisman etched with ancient runes on yellowed paper.
Lukas caught the talisman with practiced ease and pressed it to his forehead.
"What is that?" Hermione asked curiously, her brown eyes sparkling with interest.
Kai shook his head. "No idea. But I suspect it's some kind of magical message."
"Correct," Lukas confirmed, lowering the parchment. "It's a Sound Transmission Talisman."
With that, he formed a hand seal, and the parchment ignited in a quiet burst of golden flame, the ashes vanishing into the air.
"Apologies, I can't be your guide any longer," Lukas announced flatly. "A passenger plane made an emergency landing in the Baltic Sea this morning. Old Man Leon has asked me to investigate."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "You handle ordinary plane accidents too?"
"Normally, no," Lukas replied, his gaze steady. "But there were signs of supernatural disturbances onboard. It falls under our jurisdiction."
"Supernatural disturbances?" Hermione echoed.
Lukas gave her a brief glance. "In our world, it's not just Wizards and Magicians who possess abilities beyond ordinary mortals. There are also strange individuals and phenomena that can't be classified under traditional wizardry or magical theory. We categorize them broadly as supernatural disturbances."
"Oh!" Hermione's face lit up with that all-too-familiar expression of delight at learning something new.
Lukas sighed quietly, shaking his head. "That's all. Be cautious while I'm away."
"Understood. Thank you for your time," Kai responded politely.
Lukas nodded once, forming another hand seal. His body erupted into golden light and vanished from sight in an instant.
"It does look cooler than Apparition…" Hermione muttered, watching the lingering glow fade.
Kai flicked her forehead lightly. "With that much golden light announcing your every movement? You'd be seen a kilometer away. Just stick to mastering proper Apparition."
"Ow…" Hermione rubbed her forehead, pouting as she obediently fell into step beside him.
Kai's lips curved into an indulgent smile. "Come on, let's find something delicious."
Finally, their third wheel had left.
"Okay~!" Hermione chirped happily.
Just ahead, Kai spotted a small food stall. "Want to try fish balls?"
"Fish… balls?" Hermione repeated suspiciously, a mental image of peculiar, squishy sea creatures forming in her mind.
A slight shiver ran through her.
"Is it fish eggs? Is that even edible?" she asked, peering nervously at the stall.
Kai chuckled. "You'll know after trying."
"I… I don't think so…"
Before she could protest further, Kai had already taken her hand and dragged her along.
"Are we seriously going to eat that? Isn't that the sort of thing house-elves would serve?" she protested weakly.
But the moment she caught sight of the sizzling, glossy white fish balls cooking on the hotplate, the little foodie in her awoke.
"Those… are fish eggs? Why are they so big?"
The vendor, efficiently flipping the skewers, gave her a friendly grin and spoke in fluent, Berlin-accented English.
"Tourists, aren't you? Fish balls are made from fish meat, not eggs," he explained with a chuckle, gesturing to the sizzling snacks. "Want a couple of skewers?"
Hermione immediately whirled to glare at Kai, who was trying—and failing—to hide his amusement.
"You were teasing me!" she accused, smacking his chest lightly.
"Not at all," Kai replied smoothly, an unrepentant smile on his face. "They're simply called fish balls."
The vendor grinned at their banter. "Exactly right."
"Hmph…" Hermione puffed her cheeks. "Two skewers, please~"
"Coming right up," the vendor said cheerfully, quickly preparing them. "Want some congee with that? Best way to enjoy Berlin street food~"
"Okay—" Hermione began, only to be intercepted by Kai.
"It's nearly lunchtime. Just have a snack for now; we'll get a proper meal later."
"This fills you up too~"
"Kids who snack too much don't grow tall," Kai warned gently.
"You act like you're so much older," Hermione retorted, but she relented, accepting the two skewers and immediately stuffing one into Kai's mouth.
"Shut your mouth, trickster."
The vendor laughed and resumed calling for customers. "You, the tall fellow—tourists too? Want congee and dim sum? Berlin street food's only worth it if you try both~"
Before they could answer, three imposing shadows blocked the afternoon sun.
The figures towering over them were exceptionally tall—each over 190 cm—and dressed peculiarly.
Two of them appeared European. One wore a black student uniform accented by an absurdly thick iron chain dangling from the collar. His cap, adorned with gold embellishments, gave him the air of a delinquent or gang member.
The second man sported a green uniform. His pink, wavy hair stood out sharply, though his expression carried a quiet, composed gentleness.
Both seemed to be in their early twenties.
Behind them stood a broader, older man with dark skin, dressed in a crimson robe over a white underlayer, with a white turban wrapped around his head. His features suggested Middle Eastern or Indian heritage, and his muscular frame radiated strength.
All three were staring intently at the vendor.
The vendor, sensing their combined presence, visibly tensed, his scalp prickling with unease.
Kai instinctively drew Hermione two steps back, his eyes narrowing. Each of these individuals carried an aura unlike conventional magic—strange, powerful, and impossible to categorize.
Could these be the 'supernatural disturbances' Lukas mentioned?
His mind briefly drifted to the passenger plane that made its emergency landing. Surely this wasn't connected?
Either way, he wasn't interested in involving himself. His only goal was enjoying Berlin with Hermione, uninterrupted.
"Let's eat properly," Kai whispered.
"Ah, right…"
The two slipped away without incident, arriving at a cozy restaurant soon after.
The waiter eyed them both with mild skepticism. "Er… where are your parents?"
Kai offered his signature, disarming smile. "No need to worry. We can cover the bill."
He casually placed a few crisp Deutsche Marks onto the table. "And here's a tip, by the way. You accept these, I hope?"
The waiter's expression instantly transformed into one of warmth. "Absolutely, sir. Euros or Marks are always welcome."
Kai hesitated for a heartbeat, recalling how those Magicians from Berlin's Association had stared at him and Hermione.
"Sir?" the waiter prompted, puzzled.
Kai shook it off, handing over the money. "It's nothing. Let's order."
But as the menus were placed before them, Kai's gaze flickered toward the entrance.
Four tall figures entered—the same three they had just encountered, accompanied now by a fourth stranger.
Kai's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Trouble had followed them in.