Chapter 134: 134: The Prelude to the Journey

Words : 1262 Updated : Oct 2nd, 2025

As soon as the summer holiday began, Nolan stayed in Randall Gorge for just a single day before leaving with the elf. They were heading to Ireland, across the sea, to use the Philosopher's Stone to solve the elves' problem—though Nolan had always been skeptical about the whole thing. That day, they arrived in London, where they would catch a ride to Manchester before taking a boat to Dublin, Ireland. London's summer was scorching, and the streets bustled with tourists rushing about. To avoid the sunlight, Nolan wore long sleeves, cradling a black cat in his arms. Beside him, Ligeitoli wore a breezy blue floral dress, her perfect golden hair cascading down her shoulders. On her feet were pale blue sandals adorned with tiny bells that jingled sweetly with every step she took. She had tucked her pointed ears beneath her hair, making her look just like an ordinary Muggle girl. They lingered in front of a CD shop for a while before Nolan went inside to buy something. Afterward, the elf dragged him into a burger joint, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Muggle food is amazing!" The clumsy elf held up a hamburger as if she had discovered a hidden treasure, her excitement boundless. "It's so much better than what house-elves cook!" "This is the first time I've seen an elf who enjoys junk food..." Nolan squinted at her while sipping a tomato juice before urging, "Hurry up and eat. If we miss our ride, I wouldn't mind turning into a raven and flying there. That means you'll have to smuggle yourself aboard, just like you did when you first came from Ireland to England." Ligeitoli, her mouth full of burger, protested with a muffled voice, "I did not sneak in!" "Doesn't matter to me." Nolan didn't even look up. He reminded her once more, his tone firm, "I want the elf rangers. That's the deal. No rangers, no trip to Ireland, and definitely no Philosopher's Stone for you." The elf pouted in frustration. "I know! I'm an elf! I wouldn't lie to you!" "Elves don't lie? That's questionable." The voice came from the black cat nestled in Nolan's arms—Miss Nancy. For some reason, she was clutching a single french fry, lazily stretching her body as she yawned. "Honestly, elves themselves are deceptive creatures. With their pale skin and delicate features, they look like the pampered heirs of aristocratic families. Who would guess that they actually live like savages in the wilderness?" "Elves are not savages!" Ligeitoli shot back indignantly, though her delicate voice lacked any real intimidation—it sounded more like she was sulking. Nolan let out a light humph and flicked her forehead with his finger. A red mark immediately appeared on her fair skin. "I'm not worried about you lying to me," he said coolly, "because you know the consequences would be severe." His expression darkened slightly. "What I am worried about is whether the elves will even listen to you. You're a half-blood, and in your clan, that doesn't grant you much authority." "That—" Ligeitoli gasped, but then fell silent. She bit her lip and pouted again, looking even more aggrieved. "That's true..." Most elves in the forest barely listened to her, even when she was right. Or at least, when she thought she was right. "Do you really have the authority to send elves to Randall Gorge as rangers?" Nolan raised an eyebrow. "Or are you planning to count yourself as one of them?" "I..." Ligeitoli clutched the hem of her dress with both hands, lowering her head. "Am I not good enough? Do you also think pureblood elves are better than half-bloods?" "I do think that," Nolan said mercilessly. "Not because they're purer, but because I hate Veela." Miss Nancy's voice turned sharp. "Veela are disgusting! All they ever think about is seducing men, no matter what kind of creature they are!" "That's a misunderstanding!" Ligeitoli tried to explain. "Veela don't choose to do that—it's an unconscious trait! They can't help absorbing the attention of the opposite sex!" She looked at Nolan with wounded eyes. "Even vampires have a similar effect! I know all the little witches at Hogwarts are drawn to you. They're always trying to get close to you!" "But I control it," Nolan said quietly. Ligeitoli, ever shameless, reached for a packet of ketchup—only for Nolan to slap her hand away without hesitation. "Eat your own." "But you don't even eat fries! Why are you hogging the ketchup?!" "I like it." Nolan sank his fangs into the packet, piercing it effortlessly, and began sucking up the thick red sauce as if it were some fine delicacy. Ligeitoli eyed him strangely. "Does it even taste good?" "Hmm... interesting flavor. It's not just tomatoes—damn Muggle additives." He paused for a moment before adding nonchalantly, "Still, it doesn't compare to the taste of your blood. A virgin's blood is the best." "...Oh." Ligeitoli immediately lowered her head, her golden hair falling over her face. From Nolan's angle, he couldn't see the way her cheeks flushed a deep red. Nolan shook his head and tapped his fingers impatiently against the table. "Back to the topic. Vampires are naturally attractive to the opposite sex because we crave their blood. But Veela? Their allure exists only to make breeding more efficient. And unlike vampires, whose abilities can be controlled, Veela are born to be mesmerizing, whether they want to be or not." Ligeitoli glanced around the burger joint, quickly realizing that nearly every girl in the restaurant was staring at Nolan. She blinked and asked, "This is what you call control?" "I'm already controlling it," Nolan replied flatly. Just then, a group of students entered the burger joint, drawing Nolan's attention. More precisely, only one of them caught his eye. She wore a classic British school uniform—blazer, plaid skirt, and knee-high white socks. A cute backpack was slung over her shoulders. If not for her long black hair and distinctly East Asian features, she could have passed for any Muggle schoolgirl just leaving class. The moment she spotted Nolan, she visibly hesitated for a second before breaking into a grin. After saying something to her friends, she strode toward him. "Nolan!" She called out from a distance. Nolan looked at her coolly. "School's out? Why aren't you heading home?" "I prefer staying at school," she answered stubbornly. "I'm grown up now—I want to be independent. Only Cho still clings to Mom and Dad like a little kid. We're different." Nolan recognized her instantly, even though he had only met her once—nearly two years ago, during a Christmas visit to the Changs' home. This girl was Cho Chang's younger sister, Bai Chang. In just a year and a half, she had changed a lot. The last time he saw her, she had been a clueless little girl, barely out of childhood. But now? She was trying to act like a young woman. Her school skirt was deliberately shortened, her uniform adjusted to look more mature—though at her age, it was impossible to associate her with the word "sexy." Her hair had been straightened and styled, and if one looked closely, they could tell she was even wearing makeup. "Cho's worried about you," Nolan remarked indifferently. "I'm leaving soon. Why don't you go play with your friends?"

Chapter 134: 134: The Prelude to the Journey

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