The night passed, and with it, a new day began.
Extimum woke up early; he had enjoyed a good night's sleep.Looking down at his chest, he saw that Bloom was still sleeping there. Her wings seemed brighter and more colorful than the day before; her body would probably take only a few days to fully recover. Her mind, however, would require more time.
From his observations and what he had felt so far, Extimum didn't believe she was bad. At first, she had been rather defensive—something natural given the circumstances—but she accepted her current state without issue. He still knew little about her, yet, now that they were bound, it was only a matter of time.
Not wanting to wake her, just like the day before, he used his tail—which was keeping her warm—to carefully lift her and hold her at a slight distance. Then he got up and headed to the bathroom for a shower.
Upon entering, he left his tail outside to keep holding her and cast a Silencing Charm on the tap. The cold morning water washed away any trace of drowsiness left in his body. He preferred hot water, but cold was better for waking up.
Once the shower was done, he dried himself with a nearby towel and reached toward his bag. A set of clothes flew into his hand, and he proceeded to get dressed.Refreshed, he took a quick look in the mirror before moving his tail—still holding the fairy—and gently placing her on his hair. He had mentally instructed her to shrink so he could put her there, and her body had done so automatically, even in her sleep.
Although he didn't plan to abuse that power, it was an unexpected detail about how the role of master worked under the contract.
He left his room intending to practice with his new sword and try to imbue it with magic. The day before, he had seen Mei do it: her sword emitted a magical glow that left a faint shadow with each thrust. With his sharp eyesight, he had caught certain details that greatly interested him, especially considering it was a completely different method of using magic from the one he knew.
These were precisely the reasons that drove him to visit other magical communities. Although over time magic had become standardized in basic concepts and spells, each community preserved unique theories and practices shaped by their historical, environmental, and geopolitical context. In essence, they all pursued the same goal, but from different foundations.
The true mastery of a wizard still lay in the ability to perform magic without a wand or artifacts, though using them wasn't bad as long as they were a help and not a dependency. Some focusing methods included magical creatures as intermediaries, or specific natural elements; they were more limited in range than common magic but offered finer control over certain aspects.
Of course, this also depended on the wizard's talent and affinity. Magical creatures had strong inclinations toward certain elements and an innate control over them, but found it harder to master the opposite ones. Natural-born wizards, on the other hand, didn't have such limitations: they had talents, but no inclinations, which granted them versatility without the restrictions of other creatures.
One example was the Enoch, with their natural talent for darkness, later refined into shadow control. Any wizard could study that branch, but never with the same ease or skill. An Enoch only needed the idea and a basic level of control to manipulate shadows as naturally as breathing. Even so, they had limits according to their magical level and expertise.
Some techniques, such as Shadow Theft, remained exclusive to them; to this day, no one else had been able to replicate them.
—
He wandered through the palace, appreciating the fine architecture and the details he hadn't noticed before. Despite his good memory, he couldn't help but feel a little lost due to his lack of familiarity with the place. He eventually had to call a house-elf to guide him to the practice rooms.
The area turned out to be simple and traditional, more like a rustic temple than the rest of the palace. The medium-sized wooden hall was surrounded by eight sliding rice-paper doors, each inscribed to indicate whether it was occupied. He opened the nearest one and stepped into an artificial courtyard that simulated an outdoor environment.
He had dressed in a white kimono with purple details he had bought at the local market. He had never worn one before, but managed to put it on with some luck, though he wasn't sure if he had done it correctly. He had chosen it to try the local style, and it felt comfortable, more elaborate than the clothes he usually wore.
He left his bag and belongings on a table, took his sword, and positioned himself in the center. He spread his feet shoulder-width apart, relaxed his body, and harmonized his breathing before closing his eyes. One hand rested on the hilt, the other on the sheath.
His mind flowed slowly, focusing on the sword in his hands. Unlike a wand, the sword was a more advanced magical artifact and did not channel magic automatically; the wizard had to do it manually, in a process similar to wandless magic, though somewhat simpler.
He visualized the sword from the handle to the tip of the blade, first perceiving it through his physical senses—its weight, temperature, texture—and then as something alive, receptive. Guided by his will, his magic flowed through his body and concentrated in his left hand, seeking a connection.
Soon, something clicked. He felt his will, his consciousness, infuse the blade entirely.
He maintained that state for several minutes, familiarizing himself with the sensation, while the morning wind stirred his kimono. The silence was broken only by his breathing and the whisper of the air.
When his magic flowed steadily, he unsheathed the blade without opening his eyes. In his mind, he could see the energy circulating between himself and the sword in a perfect cycle, without waste.
** Sword Cry **
He opened his eyes. The blade looked normal at first glance, though a faint vibration ran along its edge. He felt the initial connection between them deepen, turning it into an extension of his body.
To anyone who could see magic, it would be evident—the serene yet vigorous energy surrounding the edge, occasionally emanating outward.
Magic has no shape or color; it is merely energy, but it takes on the characteristics the wizard applies to it.
Without breaking his concentration, he began to move, starting a smooth martial dance.
** swoosh **
** swoosh **
** swoosh **
Each time the blade stopped, it released a cutting energy that whipped through the air. In a fluid motion, his left hand released the hilt and, with a gesture, summoned his wand from its case. The dance changed, adapting, but kept the same serenity and sharpness.
Internally, part of his magic split, flowing toward his wand. Each time he fed it energy, the stability of the magic in the sword wavered slightly. It wasn't so much about channeling it to two different points in the body, but rather that both tools acted as foci at the same time.
It was a delicate exercise. Channeling energy into two separate foci—a sword and a wand—demanded fine control: any imbalance could cause a spell to overflow, an accidental discharge, or even a clash of energies. In the best case, it would just be an annoying explosion; in the worst, a magical wave capable of destroying the courtyard.
For several minutes, he managed to maintain the balance… until an unfamiliar sensation slipped into his awareness—a nearby presence. His concentration faltered, and the magic he had been channeling into his wand shot toward a rock in the courtyard, causing a small explosion.
It was fortunate it hadn't been his sword, or the damage could have been worse.
Steadying his breathing, he turned toward the courtyard entrance… only to see Mei standing there.
Their eyes met, hers carrying a faintly embarrassed look.
She had woken up early to practice with her sword, as she usually did. Upon entering the Temple of Illumination, where she often meditated, she heard a sound coming from one of the courtyards.
She frowned; there normally shouldn't be any noise there, and she was sure her father didn't plan to train that morning. For a moment, she forgot they had guests; it wasn't common in the ancestral home.
Following the source of the sound, she found an open sliding door. Peeking inside, she saw Extimum in the middle of his practice.
Mei: "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," she said, bowing her head slightly in apology.
Extimum: "It's fine, it was my fault for not closing the door." He had forgotten he was no longer at his own home, where most doors closed on their own.
Mei: "Do you want to practice with me?"—she asked, stepping into the courtyard—"I usually do it with my father or someone else from the family, but I don't think he's coming this morning. By the way… your magic control is really amazing. I've tried using a sword and wand at the same time, but in the end, I can only channel magic into one of them."
Extimum: "How do you usually do it?"
Mei: "I generally focus more on the sword. I set the rhythm with it, and then I just let the wand do its thing while I cast a pulse or some spell."
Extimum: "Hmm, maybe that's the problem. You let the wand take control as when you normally cast magic, but since both act as foci, it's not a very suitable strategy"—he paused briefly before continuing—"You should try directing it slowly to each of them, or at least that's what I did."
"First, I kept my magic in my sword and then slowly and steadily directed magic toward my wand, and it seemed to be working… well, let's just practice."
Mei blushed slightly, understanding that "seemed to be working" implied "until you came and interrupted me."
Despite her young age, Mei showed unusual maturity. Perhaps martial discipline and relentless practice had tempered in her a serene character, devoid of the exuberance typical of children her age. For Extimum, that behavior was more comfortable, as it avoided superfluous words and stuck only to what needed to be said.
Mei carried only her sword and wand. As soon as she stepped into the center of the courtyard, she took up a combat stance. Extimum did the same, and for a few seconds, they measured each other with their eyes, searching for any flicker of hesitation.
Finally, it was Mei who moved first. Extimum had decided to give her the initiative to study her fighting style. However, his surprise was immediate: Mei's blade was coated in a blue glow the moment she took the first step, attacking without restraint with the magic-imbued edge.
Extimum channeled his energy into his own weapon and managed to intercept the strike, though a fraction of a second later than she did. In a way, he was glad he had let her start—otherwise, he would have attacked with steel alone while Mei wielded an empowered blade, leaving him at a clear disadvantage.
** Clack clack **
The clash echoed through the air, making his hands vibrate and ruffling the fabric of their kimonos with the shockwave.
** Clack clack **
The exchanges came quickly. Mei's sword carried extra weight in each impact, the effect of the magic imbued in its edge. Extimum's natural strength allowed him to withstand it without trouble, but he wasn't used to a duel where both blades were infused with magic. He still didn't know how to optimize defense and attack under those conditions.
** Clack clack **
After several blows, Mei seemed to notice. Shifting the flow of her energy, the blue on her blade turned into a deep green. The change wasn't just aesthetic; the pressure of her attacks transformed, shifting the weight into a swifter, more piercing edge.
Extimum adapted quickly, keeping his balance and using his pure technique to neutralize the assaults. Even so, he couldn't ignore that the young girl had more experience integrating magic into her swordplay.
What she couldn't achieve with the blade alone, she compensated for with refined control of her body: precise steps, measured turns, and smooth transitions that allowed her to gain angles or open gaps in his defense. It was the advantage of someone trained in both martial arts and swordsmanship.
Although Extimum was aware of it, countering her wasn't easy, leading them to a stalemate. Still, the fight had been highly instructive for him—not only in integrating magic into his sword, but also in learning certain useful strategies for close combat.
That said, both were true prodigies for reaching such mastery at their age without neglecting the primary path of magic.
The fight went on for almost an hour. Extimum maintained technical control, but Mei dominated the field in the magical aspect, forcing him to explore strategies that were unusual for him. Finally, after a more intense exchange, they stepped back a few paces, breathing heavily yet steadily.
Mei: "*Pant*… you're really good with the sword," she admitted, with a light pant.
Extimum: "You're not bad yourself"—he replied—"You were much more capable than me in the fight."
Mei: "Hmp. Tell me that when you're not holding back so you don't wake her up," she said, puffing her cheek slightly and gesturing toward his head.
Extimum: "You noticed?"—he arched a brow—"I wasn't really trying to hold back, I just reduced the force of my strikes a little. In a skill match, I shouldn't have lowered my level."
Mei: "We'll only know that when we fight again"—she stated, sheathing her sword—"For now, we should go have breakfast. My parents should be up by now, and your friend is probably in the dining room."
It was true—Extimum had softened his movements to avoid disturbing Bloom, who was resting in his hair. While it took away some of his power, it didn't diminish his real skill; if anything, it gave Mei a slight advantage.
The path of the magical swordsman was that powerful; it didn't matter if the opponent was physically stronger—the sword could still cut if magic was used properly. Of course, natural advantages still played a role, but they weren't an insurmountable obstacle.
After tidying their kimonos and drying their sweat with a spell, Mei glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
Mei: "You don't know how to tie a kimono, do you?"
Extimum: "Not really… it's my first time wearing one. I just more or less copied what I saw. Is it that obvious?" he admitted without the slightest shame.
Mei: "Pfff… Hahaha. Yes, it looks really funny. If you went out like that, you'd get more than a few mocking stares." She hadn't noticed it at first because the swords had all her attention, but now that she saw it, she found it hilarious.
It was like someone wearing mismatched socks of different colors and sizes.
Extimum wasn't offended; on the contrary, he found it normal. If asked, he'd say that, for a first time, he had done quite well. Ignoring the strange way he had tied it, it had withstood his vigorous movements during the duel and wasn't uncomfortably tight.
Mei: "Haaaa Come on, let me help you. I'll show you how it's done."
Extimum: "Alright, thanks."
Mei: "Mm-hm, it's fine, you just have to hold it like this and then…"
Once the knot of his kimono was corrected, Mei guided him out of the practice courtyard. She gave him a brief explanation of how the courtyards and the temple connecting them worked before leading him toward the dining room.
...
Upon entering the dining room, they noticed that only the two of them were missing from the table. The plates were already served, and the rest were waiting to begin.
Leonardo: "Oh, you've been practicing, hahaha. It's good to build a friendship; the best friendships are forged in battle, and what better way than to trust your life to the other's sword." Leonardo seemed pleased with such a development, and was especially suggestive when he mentioned them building their friendship.
Rou: "Hmp, only barbarians like you would think of making friends that way," she replied disdainfully.
Extimum and Mei ignored the argument and took their seats.
Lian Hua: "Oh, that reminds me"—she interjected—"you two haven't been in China for very long. How about Leonardo guiding you through the other magical cities? He might even take you to some of those interesting… Muggle places."
As she spoke, the house-elves brought in the last trays and placed napkins next to each plate.
Rou: "Hey, wait, why do you want him to take them?"—she cut in—"I could—"
A single silent look from Lian Hua was enough to shut her up.
Harry: "I think that would be fine"—he said—"So far we've already seen everything in Xuézhě de xiūxí City, and it would be nice to have a guide to show us the best places."
Oh, Harry would probably regret that decision a few days later.
Extimum: "I agree… though I'd like to leave in about three days. Practicing with Mei is very productive for my training."
Lian Hua nodded, and Extimum guessed her motives: she probably wanted Leonardo to accompany them for safety. China was one of the largest countries in the magical world, and it was also home to the ancient Mòshuǐ family. The Enoch and the Mòshuǐ were not declared enemies, but their relationship was far from cordial; a fragile balance kept the waters calm. And if they discovered the origin of the fairy accompanying him, they might take too much interest in her.
Leonardo: "Don't worry"—he said with a confident smile—"As long as you're with me, I'll make sure to take you to the most fun and interesting places in China. Besides, I'm sure no one will dare cause us trouble… unless they don't know who I am."
.
The following days passed quickly.
Extimum and Mei trained daily, alternating between sword duels, magic, and sometimes combining both disciplines. Mei's magic was fascinating: many of her spells blended with the environment or transformed into part of it, such as deadly showers of petals, storms of needles, or clever reversals of spells.
Unlike British magic, which focused more on efficiency and less on appearance, the magic Mei practiced was imbued with an aesthetic sense that didn't diminish its lethality.
At times, she also used shadow-based techniques, though always maintaining a striking visual component. One that most impressed Extimum occurred during training: Mei sent a flurry of petals at him, and the shadows they cast detached to attack from a second angle. Luckily, as with all Enoch, Extimum was especially attuned to the element; he was able to dodge most of them, though his clothes ended up with several holes.
In turn, Extimum practiced spatial spells and others he had found in the local library, following Mei's recommendations. The family library here wasn't hidden; it was simply divided by an invisible barrier separating the public volumes from the family ones, but even the open section offered valuable material for a curious wizard.
The original plan was to leave after three days, but the productive exchange of techniques extended their stay to eight. Extimum didn't neglect Harry—he pointed him toward books with basic knowledge any wizard raised in a magical family should have, as well as others on the Chinese language and some spells that caught his interest.
During that time, Extimum met other members of the family who lived in more distant palaces. Though they were part of the same branch, they had already become independent and formed their own families, so they lived in different areas. Among them was Lian Hua and Rou's grandmother, who lived in the outermost part of the city.
She was an elderly woman with a frail appearance, but an imposing air when she set aside her gentle expression. It seemed Lian Hua's temperament ran in the family. He wouldn't have been surprised to discover that she was as powerful as Dumbledore… or perhaps even more so.
She devoted herself to caring for the forest and the magical creatures that lived there, and had raised Lian Hua and Rou when their parents died.
It was thanks to her that Extimum understood why there were so few elderly people in the family branches. It wasn't a set tradition, but most would retire from their administrative positions and dedicate themselves to traveling the world, perfecting their magic, and visiting the magical sanctuaries of other branches.
Sometimes, elders would enter seclusion to research a particular topic; other times, they would simply wander through the non-magical world, expanding their knowledge and leading a quieter life.
That was why it wasn't strange for a branch to have very few elders… or, conversely, for several to gather in one branch for a time.
Extimum didn't get the chance to ask her if, based on that, he himself had any grandparents. His mother had never mentioned them, and relying solely on records wouldn't tell him if they were still alive.
Still, he learned something important from her: unless they chose to return of their own accord, or there was an emergency at the level of war or the destruction of the family, it was unlikely they would come back to their branch in the short term.
And considering the long lifespan of wizards…
—
Leonardo: "Alright, alright… today we're going to one of my favorite cities: Guǐ City"—he announced enthusiastically—"It might not be the safest place or the most visited by regular tourists, but it will definitely be an interesting experience."
Harry: "Is… that the ghost city?" he asked hesitantly.
Leonardo: "Well, looks like you learn fast. You're right—it's a real ghost city.
"In its origins, it was a wizarding city destroyed by an ancient dragon; none survived except those who weren't there at the time. Driven by their grudge against the creature, their souls refused to pass to the other side and remained as ghosts. Over time, they stopped blaming all dragons… except the one that killed them."
Extimum: "Oh… I read something about the place. According to the pamphlet, it's inhabited by wizards and creatures with a rather dark leaning, but it also houses the largest magical market in China."
Leonardo: "Exactly. In its early years it didn't have a good reputation, but after our family and the Mòshuǐ invested in it, it began receiving wizards of all kinds. Nowadays, you can find practically anything there, even rare materials and ancient objects… if you're lucky." He smiled.
Harry: "And why are we here? Aren't we going by Floo? Or by Apparition?"
Harry asked this because at that moment they were on the palace's terrace, in the garden, instead of near a fireplace or simply gathering on the lower floors to travel by Apparition.
Leonardo let out a laugh—"No, no, if you're visiting, I naturally have to give you the full experience"—he chuckled, then raised his voice loudly—"Abil!"
His call rumbled like thunder.
** Roarrr **
A deep roar answered from the back of the building. Through the mist, an immense shadow approached, until it blocked out the sun. A red dragon about ten meters long appeared, flying over the terrace.
Its scarlet scales shone like polished metal; two muscular wings extended from its back, and a long tail ended in an arrow-shaped tip. A row of golden horns framed its face, crowned by bulging, gleaming eyes: a true Chinese Fireball.
The dragon didn't land. It simply hovered in front of the building, close enough for them to jump onto its back.
Harry: "A dragon!" he exclaimed, eyes wide.
It was enormous—nothing like Kaida (Norbert).
Leonardo: "And not just any"—he replied with a proud air—"It's a Chinese Fireball with one of the purest remaining bloodlines. Just look at its size."
Extimum, though impressed, wasn't entirely surprised: with such vast territory, it was logical for the family to keep magical creatures of that caliber.
Mei was the first to jump onto the dragon's back. She hadn't been scheduled to come, but had quietly followed the group. And who was her father to stop his daughter from going on an adventure?
Besides, there weren't many children her age in the ancestral home, so she was somewhat lonely until she returned to school.
Extimum didn't hesitate either and leapt on, followed by Leonardo, leaving only Harry, who wore a slightly hesitant expression.
Leonardo: "Come on, boy. If you can't do this, you won't live long in the future, hehehe." His tone sounded like a joke… but with a hint of truth.
Harry swallowed hard, braced himself, and jumped. The dragon's surface was surprisingly stable underfoot.
Mei: "You should hold on tight. Abil likes to start off abruptly."
Extimum thanked her, and before they took off, he picked up Bloom—who was peeking curiously from his hair—and placed her in a pocket of his jacket.
'Stay there until the dragon steadies.'
Bloom nodded, gripping tightly and poking her little head out to keep watching.
The dragon waited until everyone was ready, then beat its wings hard, propelling them forward with a force that threatened to hurl them into the void. A cold, fierce wind slammed into them head-on, tearing away leaves and petals that were caught in the air currents.
Extimum had to discreetly hold Harry with one of his tails or he would have been thrown off. Leonardo and Mei, however, seemed to know the technique for holding on, though only Leonardo remained standing, blocking much of the wind coming from the front.
As they climbed, the city fell away behind them, replaced by the vast forest surrounding the territory. From that height, the sea of green treetops stretched to the horizon, hiding all paths and minor buildings.
Abil flew fast—so fast that the landscape below blurred. Without warning, Leonardo stretched out his arm and punched the air.
** Boom-crack! **
The impact sounded like thunder, and space itself tore open, revealing a huge rift in the veil of reality. Abil dove in without hesitation, crossing the breach in the blink of an eye.
In an instant, the forest was gone. They now flew over a dark valley nestled between two colossal mountains. The air became drier and harsher, and a deep echo accompanied the beat of the dragon's wings.
** Roar! **
Abil's roar echoed in excitement, as if celebrating his return to the original plane. The sound bounced off the mountains, and the dragon accelerated, bursting through the clouds until he left the valley. Only then did he slow down, gliding steadily and giving an occasional flap of his wings.
The veils of mist cleared, revealing the mountains and the valley they had left behind.
...
The mountains seemed to be in a remote place, as they didn't see any non-magical cities until an hour into the flight. At some point, Leonardo must have camouflaged the dragon; Extimum hadn't noticed it, but supposed that Abil already carried some enchantment or artifact for concealment, or that Leonardo had used another method to keep a ten-meter dragon from being seen flying overhead.
The trip lasted about three hours, mainly because Leonardo asked to slow down several times to show them certain places in non-magical cities. Even so, the journey was surprisingly quick for going from Nanchang to Jixi.
When they reached Jixi, they flew over a large mountain and, after passing it, found a wide flat valley. The place held remnants of ancient ruins, though most had disappeared over time. There were no nearby non-magical settlements; the last one Extimum had seen was on the previous mountain.
Leonardo: "Hehehe… now comes the fun part of our trip"—he announced with a broad smile—"Since Abil can't enter the city, he'll drop us off along the way."
Harry: "And what's so fun about that?"—he asked suspiciously—"Isn't it just walking into the city? Or is there something special about the entrance?"
Leonardo just kept smiling as the dragon began to fly over the ruins.
Extimum, with a vague suspicion of what was coming, suddenly stood up, unsheathed his sword, and mounted it. He barely had time to do so before the dragon bucked and turned sharply, throwing them all into the void.
Extimum: "Damn it… don't tell me everyone in my family is crazy?" he muttered. He wasn't exaggerating—the drop was considerable, and except for Mei, who was already flying on her own sword, Harry and Leonardo were in free fall.
Bloom: "No, it's his manticore bloodline that makes him so wild"—she said from the pocket of his jacket—"I wouldn't be surprised to see him eating humans."
Extimum: "Have you recovered more of your memories?" he asked, adjusting his position in the air.
Bloom: "No, they're just things I know… like common knowledge, I guess. But sometimes it comes to me instinctively, like now."
—
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Harry screamed as the wind slammed into him full force.
Leonardo: "Hahaha, you're a brave one; I thought you'd wet your pants"—he said, drawing closer, his voice projected with magic so it could be heard—"Alright, we're almost there, so get ready."
He extended his left hand, grabbed Harry by his clothes, and held him firmly against himself.
At some point, they passed through an invisible veil, and the entire landscape changed. The bright morning sun was hidden behind a dull sky, and the warmth vanished. The new environment was barren and rocky, with a somber atmosphere; below, the light seemed like that of an eternal sunset.
—
Extimum and Mei descended on their swords behind Leonardo and Harry. Extimum had planned to rescue Harry, but seeing him secured by Leonardo, he assumed the man had his own method of landing.
Soon, the city unfolded before their eyes: an ancient urban landscape, with a dark air and lamps burning with green fire. Although the first impression was gloomy, the activity in the streets broke that feeling; even the deadest among them moved with energy.
[Image]
As they neared the ground, the back of Leonardo's hanfu tore open, and enormous red bat-like wings emerged. With a powerful flap, he slowed their fall and landed smoothly, Harry still hanging from his arm with eyes wide as saucers. A moment later, his wings folded away and vanished, and the hanfu's fabric repaired itself as if nothing had happened.
Although their arrival drew a few glances, the locals seemed used to such eccentricities. Perhaps, in a place like this, common sense was flexible enough to accept the incredible as ordinary.
On the other hand, what they saw wasn't exactly the same as what Extimum perceived. To the locals, the man and boy had simply been falling… until, mysteriously, they stopped short. They didn't catch the deployment of wings; maybe only someone from the Mòshuǐ family would have noticed it.
Leonardo: "Hahaha, wasn't that fun, kid?"
** Bluergh **
Harry vomited almost immediately as Leonardo patted his back. His face was deathly pale, as if he had just looked death in the eye.
Extimum: "No, that wasn't fun at all. Maybe it would have been if we all had a flying tool or the certainty of being able to fly before landing."
Mei: "Yeah… he did the same thing to me on my first visit here. I never went out with Dad again after that; now I only go with Aunt Rou and Mom."
Leonardo: "Eh, I thought it was fun"—he said, shrugging—"I've seen some Muggles do it, and when I asked them why, they said it was for fun. So I tried it from Abil and found it entertaining… maybe for wizards it's boring?" He genuinely seemed to consider the question.
Harry: "Ugh… that's skydiving, and you're not supposed to do it without a parachute. Actually, you're not supposed to do it from a dragon…"
Leonardo: "Skydiving? And what's a parachute?"
Harry: "Didn't you say you saw them jump?"
Leonardo: "Oh, you misunderstood me"—he clarified—"It was once when I snuck onto a Muggle warplane carrying prisoners of war. When I asked a soldier why they were dropping them, he told me it was fun to see their faces before throwing them and watching them fall… Yeah, maybe I shouldn't look for recreational activities with soldiers."
Harry put a hand to his face, incredulous. Who sneaks onto a warplane carrying prisoners? Even without Hermione, he could imagine many things to say about how wrong that was.
Extimum: 'Sneaking onto a warplane…'
Leonardo: "Alright, changing the subject… what do you think of the city? I think it's grown lately, don't you, Mei'er?"
They had landed in the area designated for flying tools. Guǐ City, as its name implied, was full of ghosts: some floated aimlessly, others ran market stalls. They wore old-fashioned clothes, many singed; some burned with eternal flames, though most looked relatively normal.
Still, it wasn't just ghosts—creatures and wizards with a darker bent also filled the streets. Their auras were unmistakable, even if they tried to hide them. Extimum even caught sight of a lich—perhaps the only skeleton that could walk through a city without being destroyed.
Mei: "It actually seems much livelier and bigger than before."
Leonardo: "Good. Although I mainly came to keep an eye on you, I don't want to be too much of a bother. Just be careful. I'll be in that bar. If you need me, just shout my name; believe it or not, I'll hear it." He said the last part more for Harry than for the others.
With his senses, even in a noisy city, he could pick out someone calling his name among all the voices.
The bar Leonardo pointed out was an old tavern nearby, marked by a most peculiar sign:
Tavern: Drunk to the Bone.
After saying goodbye, Leonardo headed for the tavern.
Extimum: "Alright, let's explore the city"—he said with some enthusiasm—"Maybe we'll find something interesting to buy."
Mei: "Mmm… we should stop by an ice cream shop I know. They sell ice cream that looks ghostly; I don't know how they make it. It's like eating a cloud, but it tastes like ice cream."
Harry: "Like cotton candy?"
Mei: "There's cotton you can eat?"
Harry: "Uh… no, it's not actual cotton. It's sugar, but it looks like cotton. It's a sweet kind of like what you're describing."