Hogwarts: I graduated before the system came

"Dragon's blood is strong and yang, and is the best adhesive and flavor enhancer. But the main and auxiliary ingredients alone are not enough." He added some black powder.

"These are the ashes of the burnt meditation vine. Its function is to delay the effect, allowing the flavor of this dish to linger on the enemy longer."

He used a stone pestle to slowly grind the three into a thick silver paste, and a strange, acrid smell with a hint of wood ash filled the air.

"Now, start flavoring the weapons."

He dipped the end of a feather into the sticky silver liquid and began to draw tiny, intricate runes on the axe.

"And this delay rune I carved will slow down the enemy's movements by even just one tenth of a second."

His voice sounded like he was talking to himself, but also like he was explaining something to the learners.

"In real combat, one tenth of a second can mean the difference between life and death."

"When I was in school, I started a club at Hogwarts called the Magical Items Daily Maintenance and Basic Enchanting Research Club."

Douglas' voice was lighthearted with a hint of reminiscence.

"At the time, Professor Flitwick thought I was doing something unproductive and stealing the goblins' jobs."

He took a roll of copper wire and began to wind it around the axe handle.

The copper wires formed a strange loop in a complex, irregular pattern.

"But I think a wizard should know how to make tools other than his wand reliable."

When he finished winding the last coil of copper wire, he tapped the end gently with a small hammer.

hum-

The axe, which was originally full of gaps, suddenly made a low buzzing sound.

A flash of silver light flashed on the axe blade.

The entire axe still looks like that worn-out axe, but when held in the hand, one can feel a steady and sharp force flowing continuously from the copper wire of the axe handle into the palm.

"Try it."

Douglas handed the axe to Aldo next to him.

Aldo took it doubtfully and just casually waved it at a rock next to him.

puff!

There was no deafening crash.

The axe blade sank silently into the hard rock like cutting a piece of cheese, leaving a cut as smooth as a mirror.

The elders around were instantly silent.

Aldo always thought that Douglas was just a powerful professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, proficient in all kinds of magic, and a very powerful potion master.

But Douglas's actions once again refreshed his cognition.

At this moment, the choice made by these elders and patriarchs is so wise.

Douglas did not make any powerful explosive potions, nor did he enchant any earth-shatteringly powerful magic.

All he did were these tiny, precise details that were enough to change the situation of the battle at the critical moment.

Wrapping the axe with leather soaked in tranquilizers allows the user to maintain a sense of clarity even in the midst of rage.

A small piece of tempered obsidian is embedded in the tip of the wooden spear, which can slightly absorb dark energy.

Douglas was like the most efficient quartermaster, using the most limited materials to equip this makeshift army to every detail.

In the cave, the sounds of sharpening knives, the soft sounds of carving runes, and the steady sound of Lupin guiding his breathing in the distance intertwined.

It forms a strange, peaceful yet powerful melody.

Hope is being sharpened bit by bit.

Revenge is being carved rune by rune.

The Ash Claw tribe, this sleeping, wounded beast, is being reawakened in Douglas's hands.

Its claws are being polished.

Just waiting for the most ferocious wild dog in the distance to follow the mixed smell of blood and hope and step into this hunting ground carefully prepared for him.

"Mr. Holmes."

An old and steady voice sounded behind him.

It's Aldo.

She was standing behind him at the moment, with deep confusion in her eyes.

Douglas didn't look back. He just raised the dagger to his eyes, facing the firelight, and examined every tiny detail on it.

"Aldo, do you have any questions?"

"You told us before to be careful, to hide, and not to attract anyone's attention."

There was respect in Aldo's voice, but confusion was also real.

"But now, you're asking Marco to send out all his scouts to spread the news all over the world?"

"That would be like lighting a torch in the darkness. It would not only attract Greyback, but also all eyes watching here. The Church, the Ministry of Magic... and those enemies hiding in the shadows."

Aldo paused, his tone becoming more sincere.

"Doesn't this... contradict our original purpose?"

Douglas finally put down the dagger.

Lupin also came over, he also wanted to know the answer.

Douglas didn't answer immediately.

He picked up a clean cloth, slowly and methodically wiped away the last trace of silver paste in the mortar, and put it away.

He turned around and looked at Aldo calmly, his eyes sweeping over the werewolves around him with their ears pricked up.

Their faces were a mixture of trust and confusion.

“Because things have changed.”

Douglas' voice was soft, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Before, you were the desperate seekers for help, and I was the hired helper."

He paused and analyzed clearly in an almost businessman's tone.

"The relationship between us is one of equal employment. I help you and you pay. The transaction is clear and the liability is limited."

"In this situation, my first priority is to ensure the safety of my partner Lupin, as well as myself."

"I will solve this troublesome Greyback problem with minimal risk."

His words were calm and almost cruel, but the werewolves understood them perfectly.

Then, he changed the subject.

Something sharp as a knife lit up in those deep eyes.

"But now, Chief Malko, on behalf of the Ember Claw tribe, swear allegiance to me."

"You signed that agreement."

"From that moment on, you are no longer my client."

His voice was not loud, but it was like a small hammer, hitting every werewolf's heart hard.

"You are my subordinates, my...own people."

The word "one's own people" carries a strange magic.

Chapter 410 The rules on the chessboard are determined by me

“When it comes to your own people, the rules are completely different.”

Douglas glanced at everyone and saw a hint of a burning fire on their confused faces.

“I’m no longer just thinking about minimizing risk.”

"What I have to consider is maximizing benefits."

He spoke each word with unquestionable authority in his voice.

"Your future, your dignity, your right to survive on this land, have become my responsibility."

"So, I will no longer let you hide in the gutter forever like hunted rats."

His voice rose, carrying a stirring power.

"I will make you stand out in your own territory like lions, and tear apart every enemy who dares to step into this place."

"You have entrusted your fate to me, so I will naturally strive for the best future for you."

Douglas looked around at everyone, a mocking arc appearing at the corner of his mouth, and that mockery was directed at the invisible enemies outside the cave.

"As for the Church and the Ministry of Magic? Let them see."

"The more they see, the less they will act rashly."

"From the moment you choose to follow me, the rules of this game are determined by me."

The entire cave was silent.

There was only the crackling sound of the burning bonfire.

Aldo was silent, and the cloud of confusion on his weather-beaten face had dissipated.

Instead, there is a kind of enlightenment after being shocked.

He bent down slowly and deeply, not out of courtesy, but out of submission from the soul.

"We...understand."

The last trace of doubt in the eyes of the werewolves around them also disappeared.

The awe and gratitude were ignited at this moment, sublimating into an almost fanatical worship and absolute trust.

They finally understood that they were following more than just a powerful wizard with destructive powers.

He is also a leader who dares to carry their fate and dignity on his shoulders.

……

The night was darker.

Most of the tribesmen have fallen into a deep sleep to recuperate.

Only Marco and Aldo were still with Douglas and Lupin.

Douglas took out a strange object from his storage suitcase.

It was a palm-sized brass plate with a surface as smooth as a mirror. There were no pointers or scales on it, only circles of complex and ancient oriental cloud patterns engraved on it.

"Marco."

Douglas handed him the brass tray.

"I call this little thing 'being in the same boat.'"

Marco took the copper plate, which was warm to the touch, with a strange warmth.

"what's it for?"

"It can't indicate directions or convey messages," Douglas explained calmly, "but when my companions, or rather, when our tribe, faces betrayal from within, its surface trembles violently like boiling water."

Marco's pupils shrank suddenly.

Internal betrayal.

This is an issue that no leader can avoid.

Even the gentle Ash Claws have had traitors throughout their history.

“However, it has a premise.”

Douglas added: "Everyone who officially joins the tribe must sign that new allegiance agreement."

"My magic is engraved on the agreement. It will record each person's scent and establish a connection with this copper plate."