Chapter 789
Agreement
Chapter 789 Agreement
Graves took the business card, his gentle, smiling eyes meeting Corbett's scrutinizing gaze. Their eyes briefly met in mid-air.
People who share certain common traits are more likely to find their own kind in a vast sea of people.
At this moment, both of them saw a familiar, unspoken look in each other's eyes—the greed for power and the cold essence hidden beneath a polite facade that they saw in the mirror every morning.
“It’s an honor to have the attention of the Security Department,” Graves said softly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Corbett.”
The two extended their palms and shook hands politely.
……
"Crack!"
With a flash of the shutter, an FMC reporter perfectly captured the moment, photographing the two shaking hands.
Behind the reporter, another pair of gray eyes were also watching this scene.
Wade's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
“It’s time to go, Wade.” Professor Morrie put on his hat and urged, “Otherwise, once those merchants and officials who have caught wind of this come over, we won’t be able to get away today.”
“We’re here!” Wade responded, following the professor into a passageway reserved for judges and contestants. He said, “I have a few friends with me; they’re in the audience boxes.”
Professor Morrie said nonchalantly, "Oh, then they are completely free to move around now, and they can meet up with you after they leave the arena."
Professor Morrie viewed the well-dressed wizards in the audience as nothing more than hyenas and jackals labeled "troublesome," and he would never let Wade walk into their trap.
The passageway was quite empty, and the faint sounds of other judges discussing in hushed tones could be heard from ahead.
Although the contestants' works were not yet mature, the young people's boundless creativity inspired these older people, and their profound knowledge was enough to transform that inspiration into mature works.
The contestants were nowhere to be seen in the passageway, as they had mostly chosen to reunite with their families first. Some, though they did not win awards, had created works that were unique and were approached by others to discuss collaborations.
For those socially awkward alchemists, such business negotiations are more tiring than standing by the furnace forging iron all day. But they have no choice but to stand there stiffly, engaging in small talk that they are not good at at all.
The vast majority of ordinary alchemists start as apprentices in magic workshops—because this way they can practice with materials that don't cost money.
Then gradually familiarize yourself with alchemy, make products independently, and then try to create your own things (at this point, the wealth you have accumulated in the early stages will disappear as quickly as a flood).
Alchemists can only distinguish themselves in similar settings after they have created their own works.
If you're lucky, you might gain the appreciation of some powerful and wealthy businessmen, thus beginning a life like Professor Morrie's where you can make money while lying down.
Those who are unlucky or have limited talent will drift aimlessly in the extremely expensive hobby of alchemy, filled with unfulfilled ambitions and destined for a lifetime of poverty.
This is why alchemists who can stay in basements for years at a time, to the point that their shoes get moldy and overgrown with weeds when they go out, participate in such competitions—they need to let the world know about them and see their talents.
After getting away from the noise of the arena, Professor Mori slowed down and looked at the silent Wade beside him.
"Wade, what were you looking at so intently just now?" Professor Morrie asked. "Were you still concerned about that Graves?"
Wade snapped out of his reverie, saw the professor's concerned face, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
He said softly, "I was just thinking... if I hadn't been fortunate enough to become your student, perhaps I would have ended up like those other people..."
He tilted his head slightly, gesturing towards the direction of the arena behind him:
"After graduating from school, one will have to work hard to find resources and support for one's research, deal with all sorts of people, and may even be used or deceived... and then embark on a completely different path from today."
Looking back, when the Book of Friends had just been published... it was Professor Morrie who used his own reputation as collateral to invite friends, allowing Wade to step into the limelight without having to scheme or plot.
It was Professor Morrie who stood in front of him, blocking those who were greedy and calculating, and striving for his interests bit by bit, which prevented Vader, who was completely unaware of magical contracts at the time, from falling into certain traps.
The more Vader learned about the magical world, the more he understood what a great favor Professor Morrie had bestowed upon him.
He said softly, "I'm so lucky to be your student, Professor!"
Professor Morrie was taken aback at first, then a smile of immense satisfaction mixed with a hint of reproach spread across his face. He reached out and gently patted Wade's back as if he were his own child.
"Silly child, what are you saying!"
Professor Morrie smiled and said, "With your talent and temperament, even without me, if someone else were to become the alchemy professor at Hogwarts, you would definitely succeed... it's just a matter of time."
His gaze toward Wade was unwavering and full of loving kindness:
"I think it's my good fortune to have you as my student... Throughout history, many outstanding alchemists have only been famous while they were alive, and were soon forgotten by time after their death."
"But future history books will perhaps always record it as—Terrence Morrie, a fine alchemist who guided Wade Gray in alchemy—and that is the greatest achievement of my life."
His tone was slightly exaggerated, which was extremely rare for an old man. While amused, Wade also showed a clear and visible emotion.
He paused for a moment, needing time to process this weighty affirmation, before finally saying:
“You are mistaken, Professor… ‘Guidance’ is too mild a word. It should be said that all my achievements in alchemy are proof and extension of your thoughts, knowledge, and research.”
Professor Morrie was stunned for a moment, and his eyes even felt slightly hot.
Inheritance...
He had long regarded Vader as his successor, carefully guiding this exceptionally talented young man on his path of alchemy. But only now did Terence Morey feel, for the first time, the profound meaning and satisfaction of "having a successor."
This emotion transcends even the worldly meanings of kinship, friendship, and love; it surpasses the natural bond maintained by blood ties, representing a purer spiritual inheritance and resonance.
It was as if the flame he had pursued and carefully nurtured throughout his life would not be extinguished by his death, but would instead burn even brighter in another pair of hands, illuminating the distant places he had yet to reach.
This joy and satisfaction is enough to comfort all the loneliness and hard work on the academic path.
Professor Morrie took a deep breath, suppressing the slight lump in his throat. All his unspoken words were condensed into a trembling sigh: "Good...good...that's wonderful..."
……
As I stepped out of the passage, a slender yet upright figure stood before me—
Ms. Serafina Picqueli tilted her head slightly, like a black swan resting in the middle of a lake, and Vader could almost picture her elegant and capable appearance in her youth.
Seeing the two of them come out, Ms. Picqueli smiled faintly and teased, "You two are walking so slowly. I thought you were lost in the passageway and was just about to ask someone to go in and look for you."
“Ah, teachers always have so much to say to their students…” Professor Morrie tugged at his tie and said, “If you’re envious, why don’t you go to Iphamoni and take on a few students?”
Ms. Picqueli narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at the subtle, smug expression on Mori's face. Recalling his earlier conversation with Fontana Versailles, she vaguely understood something.
So she didn't respond to Morrie's comment, but simply shook the brightly colored brochure in her hand.
"Speaking of which, a young man just gave me an interesting brochure. It mentioned an 'Adventure in Lilliput' and even included the name Wade?"
"Oh?"
Morrie's gaze swept over the colorful booklet—on the cover was a dynamic image of a tiny person, no bigger than a thumb, leaping among giant flowers and plants.
He turned to Wade and asked silently, "When did you get involved in this mess again?"
“These are some projects I collaborated on with Marchionni. Actually, I only came up with a few ideas,” Wade explained. “But they did use a safe and harmless method that can instantly shrink a person to the size of a beetle.”
Because Ms. Piqueli was also present, Wade did not explain it very clearly.
Professor Morrie understood immediately; the so-called "security measures" couldn't possibly be Wade's invention. He then thought of the painting, and his doubts and expectations instantly transformed into disdain for the other name.
"Machioni? I knew it, it must have been him again! That guy whose head is full of Galon symbols!"
He turned to Wade, his tone softening slightly: "Wade, I know you're capable of handling both, and playing games occasionally is fine, but don't let Machioni lead you astray..."
"Alright, Terence, stop criticizing your former students in front of me," Ms. Picqueli said with a smile. "Otherwise, the next time he sees Marchionne, he'll think I'm the one sowing discord behind his back."
She said jokingly, then looked at Wade: "I'm very interested in this game, Mr. Gray. Can you really shrink anyone?"
“Of course,” Wade said confidently, “the real deal.”
Ms. Piqué said with a smile, "I would love to hear you talk in detail about the design concept and technical details of this project. If you are free this Sunday, I would like to invite you to my home."
Before the match, Wade had expressed his desire to visit Ms. Picqueli. Her invitation at this point was not only logical but also showed her approachability.
"Thank you for the invitation. I'm free all day Sunday, and it would be an honor to visit your home," Wadeley said. "May I ask when would be a convenient time?"
“Hmm… three o’clock in the afternoon, perhaps,” Ms. Picqueli said with a smile. “That’s just the right time.”
Professor Morrie didn’t actually want Wade to get too close to Ms. Picquartie—the situation in the Magical Congress of the United States of America has always been much more complicated than that in the British Ministry of Magic. Although Ms. Picquartie had been the president of Congress for half a century, she had never completely withdrawn from the political center.
However, before Morrie could refuse on Wade's behalf, he heard Wade readily agree, so he had to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue and instead frowned and said:
“Seraphina, I don’t mean to spoil the fun, but… isn’t it a bit too risky for older people to play these kinds of adventure games?”
Ms. Picqueli, far from being offended by this, let out a pleasant chuckle.
"Terrence, it's precisely because we're this age that we should experience things we've never tried before!"
She slightly raised her chin and said, "Is it because death is waiting ahead that you don't even have the courage to try new things? If so, I don't think you're suitable to teach a young man like Wade anymore. You should let me teach this student!"
Professor Morrie had initially admired her nonchalance, but upon hearing what she said next, his eyebrows immediately stood up!
"Ha! I knew you were eyeing my student! Dream on! There's no way that's possible in your lifetime!"
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Ms. Piqueli laughed again and waved her hand, saying:
“Morley, you’re too worried about your students. You’ve even lost your usual composure. And Wade, Sunday at three o’clock… don’t forget.”
She waved goodbye, and Wade saw that the two people who had been following Ms. Picqueli, who had previously been keeping a distance, immediately followed her.
Several people even emerged discreetly from the corner, dressed in their usual black uniforms, and quickly joined the queue, surrounding Ms. Picqueli as they left.
Wade couldn't help but whisper, "Is this a show of force... for protection or surveillance?"
"Both, right?"
Professor Morrie sighed, but unlike before, he was not optimistic. A knowing yet complicated expression appeared on his face.
“She is no ordinary chairperson… Serafina Piqueli, her position, the secrets she knows, the political power she represents, and the influence she can still wield after leaving office all make her an extremely special and sensitive figure.”
"But don't worry."
The old professor comforted his kind student: "Mrs. Piccolo's children all work for the Magical Congress, and the heads of some important departments were her confidants. Not to mention, she was also a close friend of Dumbledore."
"Even many in the Magical Congress, who had never met her, trusted her abilities and character. They believed that if the American magical community were to face another major crisis, someone like Seraphina Picqueri would still be needed to lead the way."
"So those people won't restrict her freedom too much... In this type of person, although the line between protection and surveillance is often very blurred, this is the norm that the position cannot escape."
Professor Morrie shook his head, seemingly unsurprised, and said, "So I want to tell you that although the visit on Sunday has been arranged, you should learn to maintain an appropriate distance from her afterwards. This will be good for both of you."
Upon hearing this, Wade nodded silently.
(End of this chapter)