Chapter 838
Traveler
Chapter 838 Traveler
Wade leaned back in his seat, pinched the bridge of his nose, and pretended to be half asleep. He then rested with his eyes closed against the cabin wall to avoid being spoken to by the passengers next to him.
At this moment, he sported slightly casual short black hair, maintained a medium height, and wore an open collar on his worn Oxford shirt, revealing his wheat-colored skin.
He was neither tall nor good-looking; all his potentially striking qualities were cleverly hidden beneath his unremarkable appearance.
As the economy class cabin gradually filled up, Wade heard a loud voice from afar:
"Let me tell you, that fatal flight from New York last week—yes, the one that got struck by lightning and turned to ashes! I was on it!"
Those around him bluntly questioned, "Come on, stop bragging! I've already heard from three people today that they've been on that plane!"
"Absolutely true!" the man said in an unusually loud voice. "My plane ticket stub is still at home! What a pity, my brand new game console went down in the fire along with the plane!"
Hearing that there was a ticket stub, the other passengers began to believe his story more, and one couldn't help but lean over and ask:
"What exactly happened on that plane? I heard the passengers survived with very close calls?"
However, the man who had been so eloquent just moments before suddenly lost his composure when faced with this simple question, and stammered:
"Uh... well... actually, I was asleep at the time... when I woke up, the plane had already landed, and there were police cars and ambulances everywhere outside..."
"Alas--"
A chorus of hisses and laughter erupted in the cabin, spreading a cheerful atmosphere.
Someone scoffed, "He doesn't even think before he talks! Everyone else can explain what happened on the plane perfectly clearly!"
Others eagerly boasted about news they'd heard from who-knows-where: "It's said the plane leaked fuel when it landed, which is why it burned like that! Those passengers are incredibly lucky to be alive!"
Amid the commotion, listening to the passenger's weak and unconvincing rebuttal, Wade's lips twitched slightly upwards.
It's obvious that the man most likely did indeed take that flight, which is why he couldn't say anything.
As for those who speak eloquently, they are merely piecing together what they believe to be "facts" from the news and bragging to others.
Wade had no interest in joining this tedious discussion. He watched the passengers boarding one by one, and after confirming that there were no obvious risks, he pulled down his blindfold, sank into the seat back, and took a short rest.
……
"squeak--"
The taxi stopped on a not-so-bustling street. On the corner was a three-story hotel called "Traveler's Inn." The neon lights on the sign were missing a few letters and flickered, making it look like it had turned into "Velcro Hotel."
Wade paid the fare, ignored the sewage flowing on the street, looked up at the sign above, and then carried his suitcase into the dimly lit lobby.
Behind the front desk, an old man who was watching TV looked up and glanced at him listlessly.
“Single room, one week.” Wade placed the rolled-up cash and passport on the table.
The old man asked nothing, skillfully registered the money, collected the payment, and then tossed a key with a plastic tag onto the wooden table with a clanging sound.
"Third floor, 307, breakfast is not provided, but the sandwiches and burgers at the restaurant next door are pretty good."
Wade picked up the keys, carried the suitcase, and went upstairs.
The room was just as he had expected—small and old, but fortunately clean, and there was even a faint smell of disinfectant in the air.
Wade locked the door, drew the heavy curtains, and stood quietly in the darkness for a while, his fingers twitching slightly, an invisible magic spreading out.
After a moment, he relaxed, making sure there were no extra eyes in the room—no matter what kind. Wade rubbed his face, and when he lowered his hand, he had returned to his original appearance, even his clothes seemed a little oversized.
Considering the various inconveniences of compound decoctions, Vader ultimately chose to use metamorphosis to change his appearance.
After learning the Animagus, he quickly mastered the art of transfiguration, especially since he had two of the best teachers in the world.
The changes in appearance between "Wade Gray" and "Joel Black" were not significant. He simply made himself a little taller and subtly adjusted his facial features, making him appear much more ordinary. Even acquaintances would not recognize him in person.
Then, Wade opened his suitcase, which contained only ordinary clothes and toiletries, no different from other young people traveling to other places.
The real key is in the pocket on the side of the box.
Wade ripped off the pocket stuck to the side, shook it on the ground, and a wardrobe taller than a person suddenly appeared. This was the only place where he could truly rest in peace.
As night deepened, Wade transformed his appearance into that of "Joel Black," changed into a black trench coat, and went out again.
The old man at the front desk was replaced by a young man in his early twenties who was engrossed in playing video games on a game console. He was completely absorbed in the "bang bang bang" sound effects and did not notice someone walking past him.
Wade bought a hot dog from a street vendor, walked to a bench in a nearby park, sat down, and slowly ate it, his gaze subtly sweeping over everything around him.
Office workers in suits hurrying by, teenagers laughing and playing, hoodlums swaying with their clothes hanging off their arms, homeless people rummaging through trash cans under streetlights...
From this spot, you can also see the Shirahashi Hotel on another street.
Travelers dressed in a mix of Muggles and wizards, blending seamlessly into either group, came and went.
Wade didn't see the familiar faces who had been staying at the hotel with them for the past week, but he did see several guys who looked like government officials walk in.
With a flick of his sleeve, Wade sent out a tiny wasp that flew at incredible speed toward the White Bridge Hotel. As it approached, it abruptly slowed down and glided slowly through the window.
A cold, hard voice suddenly rang in Wade's ears:
"...All check-in records must be sealed and handed over immediately; this is an order from the Magic Congress."
"I'm so sorry!" the hotel owner said slowly, "I accidentally set the registration book on fire a couple of days ago while I was smoking. We're using new ones now, and they only have records for two days. Do you need them? If you do, please take them!"
An exasperated voice rang out: "What a coincidence! We were just looking for you when your register was burned!"
"It's not a coincidence, it was accidentally burned a couple of days ago," the innkeeper said. "You can ask them if you don't believe me, or you can use that detection magic to find out."
"Yes, yes," two or three guests in the lobby chimed in, "We all saw it, it really was an accident."
"very good."
A moment later, the cold voice of the Ministry of Magic official rang out again:
"The British Ministry of Magic is on its way. For the sake of the overall safety and stability of both magical societies, Mr. Henderson, the Magical Congress demands that you maintain absolute and permanent silence regarding all the unusual events that have occurred here recently!"
"Any form of information leak will be considered a serious crime endangering magical security!"
After a long pause, the hotel owner said softly, "I understand."
……
Across the street, Wade narrowed his eyes slightly.
The colorful neon lights shone on his face, making his ordinary features appear multicolored and his expression indistinct.
A slightly worn-out ice cream truck slowly drove down the street, past Wade, and slowly disappeared around the corner.
(End of this chapter)