Bidding farewell to Tony, Sebastian ended the call and turned back toward the mountain’s winding path.

He stood on Mount Jurupa in California, the wind tugging at his clothes. Since mastering the portal magic of Kamar-Taj, distance was no longer a barrier for Sebastian. The ability to step through shimmering gateways made travel effortless, connecting far-flung places in an instant.

His purpose here wasn’t recreation, though. Sebastian had come to Mount Jurupa for a singular reason: an ancient oak tree, its roots stretching back roughly 13,000 years, a living relic of unparalleled history. (This oak tree, known as the Jurupa Oak, truly exists.)

The wand in Sebastian’s hand, crafted by his own skill, was only a temporary tool. From the moment he made it, he knew its materials—hastily chosen and roughly shaped—were inadequate. Its essence clashed with his own, lacking the harmony a true wand required. The ancient oak, with its deep magical potential, could provide the core for a wand worthy of his abilities.

Sebastian’s magical power had surged in recent months, unlocking abilities from his past life, including several darker spells. His current wand, however, was no longer adequate for his growing strength.

With many tasks temporarily resolved, Sebastian set out to craft a wand truly suited to him—a wand that would channel his magic with precision and harmony.

In his previous life, his ideal wand had been crafted from the heartwood of an oak tree, its essence perfectly aligned with his own. Naturally, when seeking materials in this life, Sebastian’s sights turned to oak. Learning of the 13,000-year-old Jurupa Oak on Mount Jurupa in California, he immediately set off, drawn to its ancient power.

The trees of this world often lacked the innate magical essence of his past life, but some, over centuries, developed a faint spiritual quality. His current wand, carved from a century-old pine, was one such rarity, but it paled in comparison to what he needed now. The Jurupa Oak, with its 13,000 years of growth, promised a heartwood imbued with extraordinary potential, even if it lacked the full spirituality of his former world.

Sebastian spotted the ancient oak at once, its gnarled branches whispering of millennia endured. Transforming into a swirl of black smoke—a refined form of Apparition—he glided to the tree’s trunk. He extended his hand, sensing the oak’s energy, and pinpointed the heartwood, where 13,000 years of subtle spirituality had gathered.

Raising his wand, Sebastian cast Diffindo, lightly tapping the trunk. The bark parted like living flesh, revealing a pale, golden heartwood glowing faintly with accumulated magic.

Though rich in spiritual essence, the heartwood lacked its own consciousness, unable to resist his magical intrusion. By extracting this vital core, Sebastian would diminish the oak’s unique qualities, rendering it more ordinary. Yet, the tree would not perish—it would continue to grow, and in a few hundred years, it might form another heartwood of similar potency, a far shorter span than its ancient past.

Sebastian envisioned a future where, if circumstances allowed, he could transplant the ancient Jurupa Oak to his own sanctuary or laboratory, preserving it as a legacy for generations. Its 13,000-year history held a quiet power that resonated with his magical ambitions.

With precision, he extracted the oak’s heartwood, placing it carefully in a prepared box. He waved his wand, casting Reparo to restore the trunk to its original form, leaving no trace of his intervention. Opening a portal, he stepped through and left Mount Jurupa behind.

Back at his home, Sebastian opened the box, lifting the heartwood to sense its vibrant spiritual essence. Its faint pulse of magic seemed to whisper its potential, guiding him to a clear realization: only a dragon’s heartstring, drawn from the mightiest of dragons, could serve as the core for a wand crafted from this oak heartwood. The dragon had to be extraordinary—among the strongest of its kind.

Sebastian had a target in mind, but no dragon in this world would willingly surrender its heart. He would need to take matters into his own hands, a daunting task requiring careful planning. For now, he stored the heartwood and resolved to revisit the project when time allowed.

Suddenly, the Ancient One’s voice echoed in his ear, calm yet commanding. “Master Sebastian, please come to Kamar-Taj to discuss an urgent matter.”

Sebastian understood that the Ancient One’s summons likely concerned either the events in Mexico or the Witch Heart Demon and the demons stirring worldwide. The Mexico situation, tied to Asgard’s power and Thor’s arrival, was likely beyond his current abilities, making it an unlikely topic. The demon threat, however, was more plausible. Kamar-Taj’s mages were skilled but few, and facing a swarm of demons would stretch their resources thin. Sebastian’s expertise could tip the balance.

He rose immediately, opening a portal to Kamar-Taj. The Ancient One’s call stirred a mix of respect and opportunity in him. Her wisdom and strength, like a steady beacon, had always guided him, and their shared moments of counsel hinted at a deepening trust. He’d long coveted certain Kamar-Taj magics but was reluctant to trade his own spells outright. A mission like this could be the perfect chance to exchange his skills for access to the knowledge he sought.

Lately, Sebastian had been devising a plan to blend his Harry Potter magic with this world’s, particularly Kamar-Taj’s mystic arts. The research demanded a wealth of magical knowledge, and this opportunity could provide it. If he weren’t so intent on preserving the uniqueness of his magic, he might have already traded potion recipes or spells directly. For now, strategic exchanges through missions suited him best.

Moreover, crafting his new wand required a dragon’s heartstring, and securing one from a formidable beast would likely need the Ancient One’s support. Slaying a dragon wasn’t beyond Sebastian’s skill, but finding one powerful enough to meet his standards was no small feat. Her guidance could make all the difference.

As the saying goes, aligning with a powerful ally brings great advantages. The Ancient One’s mentorship was a cornerstone Sebastian intended to rely on, helping him navigate his vulnerabilities until he could stand fully on his own.

Kamar-Taj buzzed with a quiet intensity, the air thick with the weight of recent battles.

Sebastian approached Casillas, whose chest was wrapped in bandages, and asked, “Casillas, what happened? Did those demons do this?”

Casillas nodded grimly. “If it was just an ordinary demon, I wouldn’t be in this state. But one of them could transform into wind itself. Its raw power wasn’t overwhelming, but my attacks barely touched it. Its speed and agility were too much for me.”

“A demon that turns into wind?” Sebastian frowned. “Is there such a creature on Earth?”

“They were once angels,” the Ancient One interjected, her voice steady as she approached. “After their fall, they became distinct from Hell’s native demons.”

Sebastian turned to her, noting the calm authority in her presence, a reminder of the trust they’d begun to build through shared purpose. “Master Ancient One, you mentioned ‘they.’ Are there others besides this wind demon?”

“The wind demon is known as the Air Demon. There are also Earth and Water Demons—fallen angels stranded on Earth, now serving Hell. They’ve aligned with the Witch Heart Demon, rallying Earth’s demons for a major upheaval.”

“Witch Heart Demon…” Sebastian murmured, the name tugging at a vague memory he couldn’t quite place. “What does this Witch Heart Demon want on Earth?”

“I’m uncertain,” the Ancient One admitted. “But Casillas and his team learned that the Witch Heart Demon seeks an artifact left by Mephisto on Earth.”

“Master Ancient One, how powerful is this Witch Heart Demon?”

“Mephisto’s heirs are formidable, second only to him in Hell’s hierarchy. They’ve used some unique method to reach Earth, bypassing the barriers that block Mephisto’s true form. Bringing his son to heel will be no small task.”

She turned to Sebastian, her gaze piercing yet kind. “Master Sebastian, Kamar-Taj will handle the demons, but I need your help with a critical task. We must uncover what the Witch Heart Demon seeks. I entrust you to investigate this, as it may reveal the truth behind his plans and help us counter him.”

“I’ll need some leads,” Sebastian replied. “Without clues, I’m searching blind.”

“This matter ties to another figure. With the Witch Heart Demon’s emergence, that figure should soon awaken. Follow the knight wreathed in flames—he will lead you to answers.”

A knight wreathed in flames…

An image flashed in Sebastian’s mind: a skeletal knight, engulfed in blazing fire, roaring through the night on a flaming chariot.

Ghost Rider!

The realization hit, unearthing fragmented memories. The Witch Heart Demon’s story began to take shape—a rebellious son seeking his father’s hidden weapon to seize power, only to be thwarted by Mephisto’s enforcer. That enforcer, however, was too powerful, slipping beyond even Mephisto’s control. But that was a tale for another time.

Tracking the Ghost Rider was feasible, but dangerous. The Rider’s unpredictable nature and his Eye of Judgment posed a real threat. Following him required caution—close enough to keep pace with Apparition or a portal, but distant enough to avoid detection.

Sebastian nodded to the Ancient One. “Master Ancient One, I understand. Leave this to me. I can’t promise everything, but I’ll uncover the core details.”

“Good. Thank you, Master Sebastian.”

“No need for thanks. After this is resolved, I have a favor to ask of you, Master Ancient One.”

“Of course, we’ll discuss that once the Witch Heart Demon matter is settled.”

“Master Ancient One, I won’t take up more of your time. I’ll head out now.”

“Please, Master Sebastian.”

With a nod, Sebastian opened a portal and stepped through, leaving Kamar-Taj behind.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep