Chapter 381: Chapter 380: Aerial Support, Celestial Spells
In Sussex County, within Ashdown Forest, a swampy area of this ancient forest was engulfed in fog, with several Aurors attempting to disperse the magical mist in front of them using spells.
However, their spells were largely ineffective, managing only to push the fog back a few meters before it rolled back in.
"Maybe we should set it on fire," suggested one Auror, thinking of burning the area to clear it.
"Do you want to burn the entire forest down?" Serica Wood, now the Deputy Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, gave him a stern look. "Everyone, prepare for a unified action. Let's try the Final Curse once more..."
Just then, a bolt of lightning appeared behind them, and Serica saw a familiar figure she hadn't seen in a long while.
"Serica, long time no see," Murphy said.
"Murphy... sir," Serica added a title somewhat awkwardly, her demeanor shrinking as if encountering a natural predator.
The action team members of the Disaster Management Department were stunned. Was this the same fierce Serica?
Despite Serica's petite and cute appearance, everyone in the Ministry of Magic knew her to be a tough character who once made Director Fudge lock himself in the toilet and cry. Known for her workaholic nature, she handled cases decisively, unhesitant to use the Obliviate spell. It was said the number of Muggles she had erased memories from could line up from the Ministry to Diagon Alley.
Her violent demeanor had kept suitors at bay despite her being a classic beauty with wealth.
Yet, here she was showing a different side.
Murphy raised an eyebrow.
Sir?
Was it that unfamiliar?
He extended his hand, intending to pat her head as a reminder of old times, but considering her subordinates were present, he didn't want to embarrass her and retracted his hand.
Thinking about it, it had been a while since they last contacted; some unfamiliarity was to be expected.
But before he could lower his hand, Serica held it.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling just like years ago, "Why are you here?"
"Cough, official business," Murphy said, patting her hand as a reminder they were being watched, "I was told there's a magical disaster here. What happened?"
Serica reluctantly let go of Murphy's hand, taking a moment to regain her composure, though her cheeks were still flushed with excitement, "Several Muggles went missing here. We detected abnormal magical fluctuations nearby."
"Initially, this was our responsibility, but the Special Training Group wanted to take new recruits on a mission and took over. Unexpectedly, once they entered, they couldn't get out. A group of Aurors sent in for search and rescue also disappeared."
The Special Training Group was a department formed by the Ministry of Magic not long ago, initiated by Murphy who felt ordinary Aurors and Watchers, despite their combat skills, lacked tactical knowledge and experience in coordinated combat, unable to organize large-scale fighting teams.
Anticipating the potential for large-scale wizard battles in the future, Murphy had werewolf mercenaries and Muggle military officers, who were now aware of the wizarding world, train wizards in tactics.
These trained wizards formed the Special Training Group, eventually to become Murphy's wizarding special forces.
A single wizard in open combat might not be much stronger than a Muggle soldier with a rifle, but if wizards were organized into teams, combining their magic, their effectiveness would be completely transformed.
"Because of this fog?" Murphy approached the edge of the fog to feel it.
This fog, unlike the Spirit World Fog that appeared at Hogwarts, also had a strong magical blocking effect. However, this alone couldn't stop him now.
Closing his eyes, he sensed one of his magic satellites passing over the area. His consciousness connected to that satellite through radar lines. Then, he gestured for Serica to come closer.
"Close your eyes, Serica."
She obediently closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering with anticipation and nervousness. Murphy simply touched her forehead.
"There, I've updated your access to the Mind Network. You can now request to use the Starlink satellite's capabilities."
"Try calling Lucas and ask her to use a celestial spell to generate a hurricane to disperse the fog."
While Murphy could easily do this himself, he preferred to distribute similar permissions through the Mind Network when not lacking computing power, as such minor tasks no longer required his direct intervention.
"Lu, Lucas?" Serica was a bit confused.
Then a voice responded in her mind, "Number 31, Serica Wood, I am Lucas. What do you need?"
Serica didn't know who Lucas was and rarely communicated through the Mind Network with anyone other than Murphy. The permission to converse directly in her mind without her consent was a high-level access, indicating this "Lucas" must be someone Murphy highly trusted.
And it sounded like a girl?
"Lu, Miss Lucas, please release a celestial spell on the fog in front of me to generate a hurricane and disperse the fog. This is, this is an order from Lord Murphy," she added for emphasis.
"Understood, Starlink network access request confirmed. Command generated, satellite reaching designated position," Lucas's voice echoed in her mind, "Please retreat to a safe distance. Celestial magic activation countdown, 10, 9, 8..."
"Murphy... the countdown..." Serica was nervous, unsure if she had made a mistake.
"It's okay, she's just giving a heads-up. It's just a tornado; it won't have much impact if you're not in the center of the spell."
"4, 3, 2, 1."
The countdown in Serica's mind suddenly stopped. The next instant, a beam of light lit up in the sky.
"Celestial magic activated."
Following Lucas's voice, a gentle breeze picked up, carrying a few fallen leaves.
As Serica wondered if the spell had taken effect, thunder rumbled, and clouds in the sky began to swirl like a giant millstone, with flashes of lightning. A dark tornado, carrying tremendous power, spiraled down.
Before touching the ground, it whipped up a fierce wind in the forest.
The next moment, the tornado connected with a wind vortex carrying countless twigs and leaves on the ground, forming a towering tornado that swept everything away, clearing the forest fog as efficiently as a whale drinking water.
A minute later, the tornado dissipated. Serica, looking at the ravaged forest, was at a loss for words.
"From now on, if you encounter difficult situations during missions, you can directly call Lucas and use similar powers to solve problems," Murphy advised. "Now that the obstacle is gone, take your team and move out. Let's see what's causing trouble in there."
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