The next day, Fang and Shalltear continued their surveillance efforts. Alex knew better than to rush things. Moving too fast could alert the enemy, and he needed solid intel before making any moves. So, instead of wandering around again, he focused on something more important.
In East Berlin, specifically in the Köpenick district, Alex appeared quietly in a narrow alley beside an old building. Cloaked in a disillusionment spell and dressed in the Silver Wand uniform, he blended into the shadows, ready to take his next step.
After making sure no one was around, Alex pulled out his aspen wand and tapped it against a marble wall in a specific pattern. The moment he finished, he Apparated and vanished from the spot. When he reappeared, he had traveled over ten kilometers and landed in a quiet, empty alley in theHellersdorf district of East Berlin.
As soon as he stepped into the alley, he felt a strange sensation, as if his entire body had passed through a magical barrier. Realizing this, Alex immediately lifted the Disillusionment Charm he had cast on himself and stood still, quietly waiting.
This alley was the concealed entrance to the Silver Wand's headquarters. Everything he had done up to this point, traveling a certain distance and casting a signal spell, was part of the secure entry process. Anyone wanting to enter the headquarters had to follow this exact procedure.
If someone tried to go straight to the location without following the steps, not only would they be denied entry, but the entire headquarters would remain sealed and invisible, making it impossible to find, even if they were standing right in front of it.
After learning how the entrance worked, Alex had come to a conclusion. The alley he was standing in wasn't the actual site of the headquarters, more likely, the door that would open next served as a portal that transported people to a different location entirely.
He didn't have to wait long. The brick wall at the end of the alley shifted and cracked open, similar to the way the entrance to Diagon Alley worked, revealing a pitch-black tunnel. But Alex didn't rush in.
According to what Thunderbird had told him, someone from the inside was supposed to guide you through once the door opened. Entering on your own could be dangerous, this portal could lead anywhere, and stepping through without permission might land you in outer space or the bottom of the ocean.
Not wanting to take any chances, Alex activated a small alchemical device hidden in his teeth that altered his voice. Channeling Thunderbird's impatient tone, he shouted toward the opening, "Don't waste my time, I'm not in the mood for games."
He knew the one guarding the entrance was the infamous 'Ashwinder,' a twisted individual with a habit of playing cruel tricks. Sometimes, he'd open the door without saying a word, tempting unsuspecting members to step in, only to send them off to some random and dangerous location.
Sure enough, a voice echoed from the darkness, dripping with mock surprise.
"Well, well... I was wondering who it was. It turned out to be Master Thunderbird .Why are you back at headquarters so soon? Don't tell me the transfer station in the UK is already up and running?"
the voice teased. "You're not here for the medicine again, are you? It's only been a few days since your last dose. It's not even close to the four-month mark yet."
As the voice echoed through the tunnel, a figure emerged slowly from the shadows. Dressed in a similar robe and wearing a faceless mask, the man stepped into the dim light in front of Alex. It was the Silver Wand known as "Ashwinder." His tone was casual, almost mocking, as if amused by Alex's sudden appearance.
These Silver Wands held high ranks within their organization, and all of them were familiar with the elixir, and likely users themselves. Alex figured this guy was no different.
"Tch. Cut the crap," Alex snapped with a scowl. "Just take me inside. Or do you really want me to stand here and chat with you all day?"
"Alright, alright," Ashwinder replied with a smirk, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just a lowly doorman. Who am I to mess with someone like you?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, but he turned around without another word and led the way through the tunnel.
"Stop messing around with your little tricks, Ashwinder!" Alex snapped as he stepped forward, grabbing Ashwinder by the shoulders just as he was about to walk through the cave entrance. He made sure to take control of the teleportation guide, he wasn't about to let Ashwinder handle that part.
After all, who knew what this guy would do if left to his own devices? Ashwinder had a reputation for being shady, and in Alex's eyes, he was one of the most untrustworthy people in the entire organization.
In a place like the Silver Wand Club, you couldn't afford to let your guard down. Trust had to be earned, and even then, it was never absolute.
"Geez, you're still so uptight," Ashwinder said with a bored shrug. "After all these years, when have I ever actually tricked you?"
"Hmph. I'm just not giving you the chance," Alex replied with a cold snort. "And if you ever did try something, well... the headquarters could always use a new doorman."
Ashwinder raised an eyebrow at the not-so-subtle threat, but he didn't seem fazed. He just gave a lazy smirk. "You know, you really should try being a little more charming, like me, for example. Ever heard of being nice?"
Alex couldn't help but laugh sarcastically.
"You? Nice? Don't make me laugh. I prefer being direct. It gets things done faster. Now are you going to open the door, or are you waiting for another man to get handsy with you?"
As he said that, Alex tightened his grip, squeezing Ashwinder's shoulder hard enough to make him wince. Ashwinder cursed silently, this guy was as rough and forceful as ever. Dealing with him was always a pain.
The real reason Ashwinder had been stalling at the entrance wasn't because he doubted Alex's identity. He wasn't suspicious, he just enjoyed messing with people. It was part of his twisted sense of humor.
The truth was, every member of the Silver Wand Club had taken the elixir that extended their lives, and after living so long in isolation, most of them had become a little... unstable. Some, like Alex, grew increasingly irritable over the years.
Others, like Ashwinder, developed a more erratic, playful madness. Compared to the veterans, the newer members, who had only been around a few years, actually seemed quite normal.
Still grumbling about his failed prank, Ashwinder reluctantly activated the magic portal and led Alex through it.