After leaving, Kai Adler and Hermione continued their journey using the Patronus Charm, and by evening, they set up a comfortable tent under a starlit sky. A day later, the coastline of Singapore appeared before them.
They arrived as "stowaways," and to avoid unnecessary trouble, they used the Disillusionment Charm.
Singapore is a city-state, its name derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "Lion City," and fittingly, a lion is even present on its national emblem.
Upon arriving in this new place, Hermione's nature immediately kicked in—she was eager to visit libraries, museums, or anywhere rich with knowledge. When she learned more about the city, she quickly developed a fondness for its elegant, well-ordered atmosphere.
After all, Gryffindor's animal totem is the brave and resolute lion—Gryffindor students often call themselves little lions.
Hermione, already enamored with the place, suggested they explore, and Kai Adler agreed without hesitation.
Like Hermione, stepping foot in unfamiliar territory always stirred his curiosity.
But strangely, both of them felt an inexplicable familiarity, as though they'd been here before.
It didn't take long to understand why.
This place… looked far too much like Berlin.
Singapore is a nation where a significant portion of the population has European roots, and due to its international atmosphere, German, English, and other European languages were heard everywhere. Even the food had subtle familiarities.
Kai Adler couldn't help but imagine Uncle Leon emerging from the corner with a cigarette dangling from his lips…
He bought a tourist map, and together, he and Hermione visited some of the local attractions. Kai even bought a Polaroid camera and captured countless photos of Hermione. Though these photographs lacked the enchantment of magical moving pictures, Hermione cherished them all the same, purchasing an album to carefully store them.
During their stay, Kai also stocked up on water and food supplies. Their plan was simple: spend one night in Singapore, sail across the Indian Ocean to Yemen, and from there, travel overland by train to Cairo, Egypt.
"Kai! How does this look?"
Kai, head down, focused on their route, looked up and was momentarily stunned by Hermione's radiant smile.
The young girl wore a light, wheat-colored sunhat slightly askew, her thick, curly brown hair tumbling from beneath the brim, shimmering with golden hues under the sunlight.
She held a small item in her hand, presenting it proudly.
Kai reached for it, realizing upon touch that it wasn't a real flower, but rather a brooch—cleverly crafted from wood, shaped like a tulip. It looked like polished holly wood, carved so intricately it was nearly indistinguishable from a genuine white flower at first glance.
"That would look perfect on you," Kai commented instinctively, offering her a compliment.
Hermione's nose crinkled in mild disapproval.
"What do you mean? This is for you to wear."
She snatched the brooch back and carefully pinned it to his chest, stepping back to admire her work, nodding with satisfaction.
"It's a gift for you."
Kai looked down, quietly agreeing it did suit him.
As for how Hermione had bought it, the Grangers, being a comfortable middle-class British family, certainly gave her enough pocket money for little trinkets like this.
"Why the sudden gift?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.
But Hermione's sharp look cut him off.
"What? I can't give you something? But when others do—"
"Of course you can! I love it!" Kai quickly interrupted, raising his hands in mock surrender.
Hermione gave a satisfied nod, seemingly pleased.
Kai exhaled silently.
The mention of "others" reminded him of that Christmas brooch… the one gifted by a female vampire. Though nearly half a year had passed, Hermione clearly hadn't forgotten. Worse still, he had foolishly complimented the vampire's beauty in front of her…
Kai sighed inwardly.
Even though Hermione's heart hadn't fully awakened to romance, the way she instinctively reacted to other women near him spoke volumes—a deep, soul-level possessiveness budding in her.
This only strengthened his resolve to find his parents alone. The clues to their whereabouts inevitably led to Werewolves—and dealing with Ciel, the enigmatic vampire, was unavoidable.
"What's on your mind?"
Hermione's voice pulled him back to the present. She stood before him, leaning in, eyes glinting with curiosity and a half-smile.
Years under Grindelwald's tutelage taught Kai Adler how to mask his emotions flawlessly.
"I was thinking about casting the most powerful Patronus I can manage."
"Why?" Hermione tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
Kai lightly stroked the tulip-shaped brooch on his chest, replying softly,
"Because I don't want this flower to suffer even the slightest damage. After all, it's the first gift you've given me."
"Huh?" Hermione blinked, momentarily stunned. Then she lightly patted his chest.
"You're such a strange one," she said, turning and walking away, her lively steps betraying her good mood.
Kai rubbed his nose with a faint smile, about to follow, when he suddenly froze.
A surge of dark magic rippled through him, drawing his gaze toward a nearby stall.
There, resting quietly among trinkets, lay an old, rusted ring.
It pulsed faintly with forgotten power—waiting.