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Chapter 164: Compromise
🕑 Added 2025-05-21 09:48:34 +0000 UTC“Oh my God! You’re a sorcerer from Kamar-Taj?!”
The middle-aged man’s expression was blank with shock. Even the Aurors who had arrived with him, those familiar with the wizarding world, looked just as stunned.
Kamar-Taj was far too distant and mythic for most to believe it was real—let alone expect to meet a sorcerer from there in person.
Angelina was confused. Not every young witch or wizard knew of Kamar-Taj. Clearly, she hadn’t heard of it before.
As for the two vampires and the nearby Muggles, the name meant absolutely nothing.
“Aren’t you a Hogwarts student?”
“And who says I can’t have other teachers just because I went to Hogwarts?” Noah rolled his eyes. Judging by the man’s demeanor, he was probably from the Ministry of Magic.
To be honest, his appearance helped Noah out. Even though Noah had boldly claimed all vampires should die, he hadn’t yet taken action against Selene—the infamous Death Dealer standing right in front of him.
“Ah—apologies, that was rude of me.” The middle-aged man quickly corrected himself, speaking formally: “I’m Ferenc Lakatos, Mr. Finniel.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ferenc.” Noah nodded politely.
Hungarian names were interesting—surname first, given name last. So this man’s family name was Ferenc, given name Lakatos. Noah had read about this cultural detail before and never thought it would come in handy.
Sure enough, Ferenc’s expression softened when Noah addressed him correctly, becoming much more respectful.
Angelina, still new to Noah’s little team, remained quiet, listening carefully. There was still so much she didn’t know.
“Mr. Finniel,” Ferenc said nervously, “please don’t kill them yet.”
He was genuinely nervous. After hearing from Professor Snape that Noah was considered a fourth-circle magician, Ferenc knew that Noah’s magical prowess was far from ordinary.
They didn’t officially use that rating system at the Ministry, but it was enough to understand that if Snape was fifth-circle—and everyone knew how dangerous he was—then fourth-circle had to be terrifyingly strong.
And now it turned out that this boy had a teacher from Kamar-Taj.
Ferenc didn’t need to know which master it was—just being connected to Kamar-Taj said enough. This magician couldn’t be taken lightly.
“Why?” Noah asked curiously. “Don’t tell me you’re friends with vampires?”
“Of course not! If it were up to me, I’d gladly see them all gone. But there are... things I need to confirm before that happens.”
Ferenc wasn’t showing sympathy. He just needed to understand what these creatures were planning before making a move.
“Fine. We’ll leave one alive.” Noah shrugged. He already knew their purpose, but he couldn’t just reveal it.
His gaze swept over the two vampires frozen like statues. Without hesitation, he launched a near-invisible strike toward the male vampire—clean, precise, and deadly.
Selene remained untouched.
To be honest, her backstory as a Death Dealer was bizarre enough that Noah found it strangely compelling. And, well—sometimes appearance did matter.
“Alright,” Noah said, facing Selene. “Now can we talk?”
If she cooperated, he wouldn’t mind lending a hand. But if she resisted—well, Noah wasn’t feeling charitable.
Sure, maybe she only killed the scum of society. In that case, Noah wouldn’t care—he hated scumbags more than monsters.
“Fine,” Selene said coldly. “I’ll talk.”
“Good. We’re all ears.”
“We found werewolves here,” she began. “Though their numbers have drastically declined over the years, we can’t allow them to resurface. That’s why I came.”
“You came out here and started shooting up the place just because of that? Why not set up a formal duel or something? Honestly, I kind of wish both sides wiped each other out.”
“We’d love that,” Selene replied dryly, “but they’re the ones running and hiding.”
She wasn’t lying. The remaining werewolves had scattered, and whenever they found one, the Death Dealers made sure to eliminate them.
“I hate to break it to you,” Ferenc said, sneering, “but they’re still here. Lots of them. You just can’t find them. Do you know what they’re after?”
“No, but it seems they’re following someone. That’s all I’ve been able to determine.”
She couldn’t move while restrained, and she hadn’t seen their target clearly.
“Hmph.”
Ferenc turned toward Noah and bowed respectfully. “Mr. Finniel, I once begged Professor Snape to deal with these vampires and werewolves, but he refused. I heard you arrived with the exorcist—John Constantine, correct?”
“No need to explain,” Noah waved him off. “Helping Constantine is exactly why I’m here.”
Now that Angelina’s trial was over, it was time to get serious. Even if Constantine liked operating underground, the organization they’d founded still needed to show results.
So far, Noah had only relied on his reputation to gain privileges with the Mage Alliance’s young spellcasters. But that kind of favor wouldn’t last forever.
Now was the time to act.
If he could manipulate events so the monsters themselves broke their magical accords—without even lifting a finger—he could bring everything crashing down.
And he doubted the Hungarian Ministry of Magic would hesitate to pay handsomely for that.
“Let me think,” Noah mused aloud. “Even if I don’t know who signed that cursed agreement, it’s simple—if I can’t annul it, I’ll wipe them out. Same result.”
He turned to Ferenc. “Do you know where their main nest is?”
Ferenc looked troubled. “I do, but I can’t say. The agreement binds me magically. Perhaps Constantine knows more.”
“That won’t be necessary. Thanks for showing up when you did.” Noah’s gaze shifted to Selene.
“Her?”
Ferenc frowned. “Would she even cooperate?”
“Miss Selene,” he asked, “will you help Mr. Finniel? If you agree, I’ll guarantee you legal status in our territory—on the condition you don’t harm civilians.”
Selene’s face turned sour.
She was a Death Dealer—one of the elite warriors of the vampire coven. To become a guide now? It was disgraceful.
The worst part? She’d be branded a traitor by her own kind. There would be no future for her.
“Don’t be hasty,” came a calm voice.
It was the black Auror Noah had seen earlier, stepping forward.
“We know your coven’s rules. For example—your father, Viktor.”
“We don’t attack civilians without cause. Viktor himself forbade it. We’re not like werewolves,” Selene snapped.
“True. But your firefights still endangered Muggles. Let’s cut to the chase—do you know who you really are?”
Selene narrowed her eyes. “Of course. I’m Viktor’s daughter. Selene, the Death Dealer.”
“No. You’re not,” the Auror said bluntly.
“You—and your entire family—were once human. Your parents helped Viktor design the prison used to confine William, the original Lycan. When their work was done, Viktor killed them—because he didn’t like the taste of 'livestock' blood anymore. So he walked into your home.”
“Lies!”
“Is it?” the Auror asked quietly. “He spared you only because you resembled his deceased daughter. That’s the only reason you were turned. Do you know how his real daughter died? Viktor killed her—with his own hands—for falling in love with a werewolf and bearing his child.”
“No… no… that’s not true…”
The Auror paused. This kind of truth was hard to swallow.
Imagine being raised and trained by someone for centuries—only to learn he was your parents' murderer.
He glanced at Noah, who gave a slight nod. The glow at the tip of his wand faded.
“There’s a way to prove this,” Noah said calmly. “Take me to him. Wake Viktor. Let’s confront him face to face.”
Selene remained silent, wrestling with herself.
Finally, she glared at the Auror. “If I find out you’re lying—”
“I want you to confront me. Once you do, the accord is null and void. We’ve never said this aloud before because no one believed us. But even if you did… going back alone would’ve gotten you killed. Now you have help.”
The black Auror's voice remained level. Then he leaned in and added,
“So... with a Kamar-Taj sorcerer on your side—are you going to fight back, or let Viktor control you forever?”
"So, there's an outsider magician helping you... don’t you plan to make use of that?"
The black Auror's words pierced Selena's emotional wall like a sharp dagger. She clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into her palms. For the first time in decades, doubt clouded her crimson eyes. Was everything she believed in a lie?
Noah could see the internal war raging inside her. He stepped forward, his tone neutral yet firm.
“Selena. You can continue being a Death Dealer clinging to a false legacy—or you can get the truth yourself. I’ll go with you. I’ll ensure Victor doesn’t kill you before he speaks.”
Selena slowly looked up, conflicted but swayed. “You’re really willing to face Victor? He’s not someone even experienced vampires dare challenge lightly.”
“I’ve fought worse,” Noah replied with a casual shrug. “Let me guess—he drinks blood, turns into a monster, and thinks he’s immortal? Cute.”
Angelina blinked. “You say that like it's nothing.”
“I’ve seen Dormammu smile. That was scarier.”
Selena narrowed her eyes. “You’re not joking.”
“I never joke about cosmic horrors,” Noah said, voice dry.
Ferenc stepped between them. “If Miss Selena agrees, the Ministry will officially recognize her cooperation. She’ll be granted temporary status as a neutral party… assuming she doesn’t attack civilians.”
“I don’t attack innocents,” Selena said coldly. “Not all vampires are monsters.”
“But enough are,” the black Auror muttered.
“Agreed,” Noah added. “Which is why we need to end this cycle of secrecy and betrayal. If Victor's been lying about everything—including who you really are—then it’s time that truth comes out.”
Selena fell silent. At last, she nodded.
“Fine. I’ll take you to him.”
“Excellent,” Noah said, brushing imaginary dust off his robe. “Let’s go pay Dracula-lite a visit.”
“His name is Victor,” she hissed.
“Sure,” Noah smirked. “Victor Von Discount.”
Even Angelina snorted at that.
The black Auror stepped back. “We’ll coordinate with your agency, Mr. Finel. The Department of Magical Enforcement will also observe from a distance.”
“Good. And if anything goes wrong,” Noah glanced at the group, “you run. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Selena turned, leading the way through the darkened alleyways like a phantom. Behind them, Ferenc watched Noah with a mixture of awe and unease.
“Magicians from Kamar-Taj…” he murmured, “They really are something else.”
“More like something terrifying,” the Auror added.
Noah didn’t look back. He simply muttered, “Let’s see if the truth is enough to bring down a king.”
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