"Sphinx!"
"Be careful, you guys, hurry up and deal with it!"
Several Wizards who had rushed over leaped out of the cave. They saw Misk, cried out in surprise, and raised their wands, preparing to attack.
But before they could even cast a spell, their vision became chaotic, and they were too dizzy to see the path ahead.
This was the Sphinx's special magic; it could confuse people in front of it when asking a question, making them feel as if they had entered a labyrinth with no exit. Only by answering the question or the Sphinx leaving would they regain clarity, which was why those Wizards were afraid of the Sphinx asking them questions.
But Wizards were continuously arriving from afar, and it was unknown how large a hideout Newt had attacked, or how many enemies he had drawn.
Duncan couldn't help but remind him, "Grandpa, Misk can't hold on for too long. We should leave!"
"Oh, right!" Newt came back to his senses and pulled a feather from an inner pocket of his coat. "Quickly, put your finger on it."
The feather was a Portkey Newt had secretly made, unbeknownst to the Ministry of Magic, which led directly to a small hill near their home.
Duncan had the Sphinx return to its case. The moment his finger touched the feather, a whooshing sound of wind blew in his ears, as if an iron hook had snagged his navel, dragging him into the sky. The scene before him gradually blurred.
In the final moments, he saw several spells flying towards them, among them a few terrifying green lights. If he wasn't mistaken, that should be the famous, essential spell for murder and robbery—Avada Kedavra!
"Luckily we got away fast. These guys are really ruthless..."
Duncan thought with relief, continuing to fly forward like a gust of wind.
At the same time, a transparent screen appeared.
[Successfully rescued Erumpent, optional quest completed]
[Quest Reward: Virtual Currency x100, druid whistle x1, Erumpent's Friendship x40]
[Current Virtual Currency: 210]
A moment later, Duncan's feet landed heavily on the ground, and he stumbled, almost falling.
"druid whistle?"
Duncan noticed the information on the screen. His gaze shifted to the bottom row of small grids, where he saw a round, tube-like object with a green sheen, somewhat resembling bamboo, with a line of small text beside it.
[druid whistle: A whistle said to have been used by Druids. When blown, it can soothe the violent temper of any animal, turning them into quiet, docile kittens. Effect duration five minutes, cooldown two hours.]
Duncan mentally retrieved it. Holding it, he felt a warm, cool sensation, like holding a piece of emerald jade.
This was a good item, meaning that no matter what dangerous animal he faced in the future, he would have five minutes of leeway.
For someone like him, who dealt with dangerous animals all day, it was nothing short of a divine artifact!
If Newt knew, he would probably be green with envy!
So, for Newt's safety, Duncan decided to keep it a secret.
There was also another reason: he hadn't yet figured out how to explain to Newt where this item came from.
Duncan happily put away the druid whistle and looked up ahead.
Newt had already fixed his clothes and was striding down the small hill.
He seemed to have completely failed to notice that someone hadn't kept up, that a person was missing from his side.
"Grandpa, wait for me!" Duncan waved and shouted, quickly chasing after him.
"Duncan, hurry up. Those two Erumpents are injured; we need to get back quickly to treat their wounds."
Newt walked faster and faster, almost running. It was clear he was very anxious.
Duncan, panting, ran to Newt's side. A thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and he quickly tilted his head up and asked, "Grandpa, are their injuries serious?"
"Don't worry, they're just minor injuries. Erumpents have very thick hides, so it's not easy for those Wizards to really hurt them. But their ankles have several marks from iron chains; we need to get back quickly to unchain them and apply some medicine," Newt replied with a smile, comforting Duncan and telling him not to worry.
Although he had worked hard and been busy all day, even hovering on the brink of death a few times,
As long as those two Erumpents could be rescued, it was all worth it!
Newt looked at the sunset, which was about to dip below the horizon, and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. His steps quickened even more.
"In that case..." Duncan said, "Grandpa, shouldn't we go to Diagon Alley first?"
"Diagon Alley?" Newt's steps halted. He blinked at Duncan in confusion. "Why go there?"
Duncan sighed, covering his forehead, and said, "Did you forget why we came out today?"
"Hmm?" Newt put down his raised leg and stood still, staring blankly at Duncan, waiting for his explanation.
"Wands, Grandpa!" Duncan gestured as he spoke. "We came out today to buy wands and things for school. If we go back empty-handed, Grandma will..."
"Oh, right!" Newt slapped his thigh suddenly, realizing with a start. "How could I have forgotten about this!"
"Grandpa, I saved you again. You must remember my kindness!" Duncan said earnestly, his gaze sliding to the case in Newt's hand. "Don't forget our agreement then."
"I know, I haven't forgotten..." Newt's expression stiffened slightly. "When you go to school, I'll take you to the station, and then I'll give you the case I made for you."
"But you must remember not to bring dangerous animals to school, and absolutely remember not to let any magical creatures out!" Newt warned with the tone of someone who had been there before. "If you do that, you will be severely punished and very likely expelled!"
"Don't worry, Grandpa, I will strictly follow your instructions and never overstep any boundaries!"
Seeing his goal achieved, Duncan said that even with restrictions, Newt agreeing to make him a case was already very good.
Without a case like Newt's, he wouldn't be able to find so many magical creatures to complete related tasks and get rewards.
"Just remember that." Newt nodded. "Let's go, we'll quickly go to Diagon Alley to buy a wand, and then rush back!"
"Mhm." Duncan nodded and grasped Newt's outstretched left hand. As he waited for Newt to Apparate, his peripheral vision caught the sunset, which was now just a sliver of an arc on the horizon. He suddenly realized a problem, "Grandpa, the wand shop isn't closed yet, is it?"
"It shouldn't be..." Newt's wand-waving hand paused in mid-air, and he said with a lack of confidence.
He couldn't help but imagine Tina's furious expression if they returned without buying a wand.
Newt instantly made up his mind, "Don't worry, Duncan, we'll definitely buy a wand today, and we'll definitely get the Galleons into Mr. Ollivander's hands!"