AN: Welcome everyone to this week's last update.
This will be the continuation of the last chapter. So more talking and info dump.
Again, not my best work, but workable for the purpose of world-building.
So please forgive me if the quality is not good.
See you next week.
======================
Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
The silver bindings on the case opened before Ragnok even touched them. It was only a simple click, soft yet short, but inside the private room, it was loud enough to draw every eye toward the table.
Even Noah stared at the case.
The dark leather remained still, but the silver clasps had unlocked on their own. The old goblin script engraved across the surface glowed faintly for a brief second before fading again.
Ragnok's sharp eyes moved from the case to Noah.
"It seems the record recognizes your presence," he said.
Noah looked at him with a weary expression.
"…Is that normal?"
"For most heirs?" Ragnok replied. "No."
Caelus leaned slightly toward March. "There it is."
March nodded gravely. "Heir energy."
"Please stop saying that," Noah muttered without looking at them.
Charlus watched the exchange with clear amusement, though his eyes never strayed far from the case for long. Beside him, Fleamont appeared calm and dignified, but under the table, his fingers had tightened slightly over his knee. James, on the other hand, was doing a terrible job hiding his curiosity. His eyes kept bouncing between Noah, the case, and Ragnok like he was watching a Quidditch match where the Quaffle had suddenly started arguing with the Snitch.
Ragnok ignored the side comments and placed his hand over the case.
"The Peverell family records stored in Gringotts do not respond to simple blood," he explained. "Blood can be stolen. Blood can be diluted. Blood can even be imitated through magic, if one is desperate and foolish enough."
His eyes moved toward Noah, and a small smirk appeared on his lips that made Noah's expression twitch. Not much, but enough for Sirin and Hayate to notice.
"The records respond to recognition," Ragnok added, opening the case fully and withdrawing a roll of parchment sealed in black wax. "Just like your answer to me."
The seal bore the Peverell crest.
A vertical line inside a circle, inside a triangle.
A simple design, yet heavy with meaning.
The moment the parchment touched the table, the room felt different. It was like something that had been sleeping for a very long time had finally opened one eye.
Ragnok broke the seal.
The parchment unrolled by itself, spreading across the table in one smooth motion. Ink rose from the blank surface in thin black lines, writing itself into existence as everyone watched.
Names appeared first, then branching lines along with family crests.
Noah saw the Potter crest appear on one side, linked by a golden line that reached back toward the Peverell name. Another line extended elsewhere, dimmer and incomplete. But at its foot, a brighter thread formed and moved toward a name that had no business being in this world.
Noah Alden.
Everyone in the room held their breath once more.
March leaned forward, then seemed to remember this was a serious meeting and slowly pulled herself back with great effort.
Charlus' eyes softened for a moment.
"So now it is confirmed," he murmured. "The line continued beyond what our records knew."
Fleamont studied the parchment carefully, his brows drawing together. "House Potter was always taught that we were the last branch with any living claim."
"You were the last known branch in this world," Ragnok corrected. "That is an important distinction."
James glanced at his grandfather. "So… what does that make us?"
Noah closed his eyes. He felt it coming. Especially when he heard March inhale beside him, like someone witnessing the birth of a beautiful disaster.
Charlus turned slightly toward James. "Distant family, perhaps."
March's eyes immediately twinkled with delight.
Noah opened his eyes at once. "Lord Potter, please don't encourage her."
Charlus blinked, then turned toward March.
She sat perfectly straight, hands resting neatly on top of her lap, wearing the face of someone who had absolutely not been preparing family chart arrangements in her head.
Caelus looked away.
Sirin narrowed her eyes. "You were thinking about it again."
"I was not," March replied quickly.
Too quickly, that sounded suspicious.
Hayate smiled gently. "March-chan…"
"…Only for a tiny bit," March admitted.
James looked between them, then slowly grinned. "This is brilliant."
"It is not," Noah said at once.
"It's a little brilliant," Caelus said.
"Gramps."
"What? I'm supporting family unity."
"You are supporting chaos."
"Same branch, different leaves."
Noah stared at Caelus, who looked far too proud of himself.
Himeko lifted a hand to hide her smile, while Welt let out a heavy sigh that sounded like a man watching trouble multiply in real time.
Ragnok tapped one finger lightly against the table.
"As entertaining as distant kinship may be," he said dryly, "we must clarify the legal and magical standing of both lines."
That immediately drew the Potters' attention back to the record.
Ragnok gestured toward the golden line connected to House Potter.
"House Potter carries Peverell blood. That has never been in dispute. Your family's claim is legitimate, documented, and recognized by Gringotts."
Fleamont's expression eased slightly, though he remained attentive.
"However," Ragnok continued, "your recognition is branch recognition. Strong, but incomplete. The Potter line inherited part of the Peverell legacy through descent, but it was never acknowledged by the core family magic as the sole continuation of the Peverell will."
Charlus nodded, showing no surprise. "That matches what our family has long suspected."
James blinked. "It does?"
Charlus glanced at him. "Your father and I did not tell you everything while you were still more interested in broom polish than inheritance law."
James opened his mouth, then closed it.
"…Fair."
Fleamont cleared his throat, though amusement flickered in his eyes for half a second before disappearing again.
Ragnok's attention turned toward the brighter line connected to Noah.
"Noah Alden, however, was recognized differently."
The parchment reacted to his name as Ragnok spoke. The ink around it deepened, not glowing like a spell, but darkening as if the parchment itself wanted to emphasize the point.
"Direct continuation through Iolanthe Peverell's line, maintained outside this world, bound by blood, soul, and family magic. More importantly, the core inheritance responded to him without resistance."
Charlus looked at Noah again, more carefully this time.
Noah resisted the urge to sigh. He was starting to hate how often people looked at him like he was a door that had appeared in a wall everyone thought was sealed forever.
Ragnok rolled the parchment slightly, revealing several old clauses written under the family tree.
"In simple terms," the goblin director said, "House Potter is related to the Peverell line. Noah Alden is recognized as the active heir of the Peverell inheritance."
March leaned toward Caelus and whispered, "Active heir sounds stronger than heir energy."
Noah didn't even turn. "...I heard that."
"I know."
"Then why say it?"
"Because it was important."
"It was not."
Charlus let out a small chuckle. The sound caught Noah's attention again. The old Potter studied him for a moment, then laid his hands over the table.
"Then I have a question for you, Mr. Alden."
Noah straightened.
Charlus' voice remained polite, but the air around the table changed. It was no longer just legal confirmation. This was something more personal.
"If Gringotts recognizes you as the heir of the Peverell line, and if that name still carries the influence Lord Greengrass believes it does…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What do you intend to do with it?"
—----------
The atmosphere tensed slightly the moment Charlus directed that question at Noah. The Potters watched him with curiosity and intrigue, while the Greengrasses looked on with support.
March and Caelus became attentive, their playfulness fading. Dan Heng's eyes narrowed slightly, but Himeko and Welt remained calm. Not because they didn't care, but because they trusted Noah's character.
Hayate, Reinforce, and Sirin looked at Noah with worry, yet their trust in him was clear.
After a stretch of silence, Noah finally let out a long, tired sigh.
"Nothing," he answered. "I have no desire or intention to use the Peverell family name for anything."
"Nothing?" Charlus blinked as he looked at Noah. His expression said enough. He clearly couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Yes." Noah nodded. "We came to this world to chase someone. I never expected, or wanted, to get dragged into family inheritance trouble."
His brows furrowed at the thought of it.
"I don't need political power here. I don't want people bowing to me because of my family name," Noah admitted.
The room remained silent. The Potters and Greengrasses processed what Noah had just said. Even March didn't interrupt him this time, though Ragnok wore the look of someone who had expected this answer.
Noah looked at the parchment on the table, at the name Peverell written there as if it had been waiting for him, then let out a deep breath.
"But unfortunately, that Dark Lord is connected to the one we're chasing. And if the Peverell inheritance can somehow help this case… then I can't just completely ignore it either."
Charlus didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained on Noah, weighing every word.
Fleamont leaned forward slightly. "Hold on a second… I just want to make this clear. Did you just say you came to this world to chase someone?"
Noah glanced at him.
"Yes."
James, who had been doing his best to remain silent, finally failed. "Sorry, but… this world?"
That question changed the atmosphere.
Charlus' eyes sharpened, and Fleamont's brows drew together. Damien, Elizabeth, and Cyrus remained silent, already aware this part would come eventually, while Pandora simply lowered her eyes as if confirming another piece of her vision had arrived.
Noah looked at James for a moment, then at Fleamont, and finally at Charlus.
"…Right," he muttered. "That would sound strange from your side."
Caelus leaned back slightly. "To be fair, it sounds strange from most sides."
March lightly elbowed him. "You are not helping, dear."
"I wasn't trying to."
Noah gave him a flat look before turning back to the Potters.
"To answer properly… we aren't from this planet. More specifically, I, my wives, Sirin, Hayate, and our dear Rein aren't from this universe," he clarified.
For a moment, no one from House Potter spoke.
James blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…You're what?"
Fleamont stared at Noah carefully, as if trying to decide whether he had misheard something impossible… or had heard it far too clearly.
Charlus, however, did not react with disbelief right away. His eyes moved toward Ragnok first.
"Director," he said slowly, "was Gringotts aware of this?"
Ragnok folded his hands over his cane. "Gringotts was aware that this matter was not ordinary."
"That is not an answer," Fleamont said, a little sharply.
"It is the safest one," Ragnok replied without hesitation.
Caelus muttered under his breath, "…Banker answer."
Ragnok smirked at him. "Correct."
March covered her mouth, trying not to laugh despite the tension. Noah sighed and continued before the room could derail again.
"We're called the Nameless. Trailblazers who ride the Astral Express and journey between worlds."
James stared at him.
"Express? A train?"
"Yes."
"A train that travels between worlds?"
"Yes."
James slowly turned toward his father, then his grandfather, as if asking whether anyone else had heard that sentence.
Fleamont looked like he was doing his very best to keep a straight face.
Charlus, on the other hand, remained thoughtful.
Noah continued, "Our purpose is simple. We explore, understand, establish, and connect. We are travelers who are always moving forward."
His eyes lowered briefly toward the Peverell parchment.
"That's why I said I don't want to use this name for myself."
Himeko smiled faintly beside him, letting him speak without interruption.
Welt adjusted his glasses. "We originally came to this world in pursuit of Dormammu, a dimensional being that consumes worlds."
"And now," Dan Heng added, "there is a reason that leads us to believe he has made contact with your Dark Lord."
The Potter family's expressions changed. The words Dark Lord pulled the conversation back from wonder into danger.
Charlus' face turned grave. "You believe Voldemort is being influenced by something outside our world."
"We believe he has gained access to something he should not have," Welt replied. "Whether he understands the true nature of that power is another matter."
Sirin crossed her arms, her voice cold. "And knowing his kind, he probably thinks he's controlling it."
Hayate nodded. "That is usually how these things become worse."
Fleamont's eyes narrowed. "And you came here to stop this Dormammu."
"Yes," Noah answered. "Voldemort became part of the problem because he touched that power. If we stop one without understanding the other, the threat may remain."
Charlus looked at him for a long moment.
"So you are not here to claim the title."
"No," Noah said at once. "We're here to prevent someone else from consuming this world."
That answer settled over the table differently. Not as a boast, nor as a promise of victory. Just a statement of purpose.
James slowly raised a hand, catching all attention toward him.
"…So just to make sure I understand," he said carefully, "you're my very distant relative from another universe, you arrived here on a world-traveling train, you punched a Death Eater in the face, and now you might have to stop You-Know-Who because he got involved with something even worse?"
Noah stared at him.
March's shoulders began to shake. Caelus pressed his lips together. Sirin looked away, while Hayate covered her mouth.
As for Noah, he closed his eyes.
"…When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous."
James nodded slowly. "It is ridiculous."
"Unfortunately," Himeko said with a soft smile, "it is the truth."
Charlus let out a deep breath. For the first time since the meeting began, his expression softened with something close to amusement.
"Then I understand your reluctance, Mr. Alden."
Noah opened his eyes. Charlus was looking at him with understanding now.
"A man who seeks power would have answered differently. He would have spoken of rights, authority, inheritance, and destiny."
His eyes remained firm.
"And yet you spoke of it as an inconvenience."
Caelus nodded sagely. "That's our Noah."
Noah's cheek twitched. "Gramps."
"What? It's true."
Charlus' lips curved in amusement.
"Even still," the old Potter continued, "inconvenience does not erase responsibility."
Noah's tired expression faded slightly.
Charlus looked down at the parchment, then back at him.
"If the Peverell name can help oppose Voldemort's fear, then whether you wish for it or not, people will look to you."
Noah did not answer immediately. His fingers curled slightly against his knee.
"I know," he said at last.
The words were small, but honest, carrying a resolve that made everyone hold themselves.
"I don't want to lead your society. I don't want to claim authority over people I just met. But if that name can protect them from fear… if it can give people a reason to stand again…"
He raised his eyes toward Charlus.
"Then I'll use it for that much."
Charlus held his stare.
For a moment, no one spoke... until the old Potter gave a slow nod.
"That," he said softly, "is an answer I can respect."
Ragnok's sharp eyes glinted with satisfaction, though he said nothing.
Damien visibly relaxed. Elizabeth's expression softened, and Cyrus let out the breath he had been holding. Pandora clasped her hands together, a no small amount of relief passing over her face.
James leaned toward Fleamont and whispered, "So he's the good kind of terrifying."
Fleamont closed his eyes briefly. "James."
"What? I'm right."
March nodded solemnly. "He is right."
Noah turned toward her. "Please don't join him."
"But he's family."
"Granny, please..."
Caelus grinned. "Seems like the family meeting is going well."
Noah looked like he wanted to disappear through the floor.
Himeko, watching him with gentle amusement, finally spoke.
"Then perhaps we should discuss how the Peverell name can be used without forcing Noah into the center of Magical Britain's politics."
Charlus looked at her with approval. "A wise suggestion."
Welt nodded. "A symbol is useful. But if handled carelessly, it becomes another chain."
"And Noah already has enough chains trying to find him," Sirin said, her voice sharp.
Hayate gently squeezed Noah's hand. "Then we make sure this one becomes a shield, not a shackle."
Noah glanced at them, and some of the tension in his face eased.
Ragnok tapped the case.
"Then we proceed to the second matter," he said. "The relationship between House Potter and the Peverell inheritance… and what protections may be invoked now that the active heir has been recognized."
Noah stared at him.
"…Protections?"
Ragnok smirked at him.
"Did you believe the Peverells left only money behind?"
March's eyes widened. Caelus slowly leaned forward. James did the same from the opposite side of the table.
But Noah's expression became wary. "…Why do I feel like this is about to become even more troublesome?"
Ragnok's smirk widened into a full grin.
"Because, Heir Peverell, you are beginning to understand inheritance."
—----------
Ragnok's grin did not fade; if anything, it became worse.
Noah stared at him for a moment longer before slowly leaning back in his chair.
"…I don't like that expression."
"You are wise not to," Ragnok replied.
March immediately leaned forward, eyes bright with dangerous curiosity. "Wait, wait. What kind of protections are we talking about?"
Noah turned toward her sharply. "Don't get too excited, Granny."
"But it sounds important!"
"That is exactly why I don't want you to get excited."
Ragnok took out another old parchment and unfolded it on the table.
"The Peverell inheritance is divided into several recognized branches," he explained. "Material holdings, sealed vaults, family archives, sanctuary wards, oath-bound protections, and old contract rights."
Noah's expression slowly went blank.
Caelus blinked. "That sounds like a lot."
"It is," Ragnok said.
Noah closed his eyes. "Of course it is."
Ragnok continued as if Noah's suffering had no legal value.
"The material holdings are the simplest. Gold, properties, old investments, and objects placed under Gringotts protection."
"Simple," Noah muttered. "He says, while describing more paperwork."
"The sealed archives are more complicated," Ragnok went on. "They contain research records, family spell theory, wardcraft, inheritance law, and several restricted branches of soul magic."
The moment he said that, something in the room changed.
Charlus' eyes sharpened, Fleamont leaned forward slightly, and Welt's expression turned thoughtful. Then Hayate and Reinforce exchanged a glance, while Sirin's grip on Noah's arm tightened just a little.
Noah let out a tired breath. "…Soul magic. Of course."
Ragnok looked at him. "You do not seem surprised."
"I've learned that if something can become troublesome, it usually will."
"That's his real inheritance," Caelus nodded solemnly.
"Gramps… why?"
"What? I'm telling the truth."
March raised a hand. "What about the sanctuary thing?"
Ragnok's eyes moved back to the parchment.
"The Peverells established hidden sanctuary locations across Magical Britain. Some were meant for family. Others were meant for those fleeing persecution, magical instability, or unlawful pursuit."
Elizabeth's expression softened at that.
"So the stories were true," she murmured.
Himeko looked at her. "You heard of them?"
"Only rumors," she answered. "Old stories about places that welcome the desperate."
Ragnok nodded. "Not stories but promises."
Noah's eyes lowered toward the parchment.
For the first time, his tired expression switched into something more than annoyance.
"…They built shelters?"
"Among other things," Ragnok said. "The Peverells were not rulers. They were builders of protections, keepers of difficult magic, and witnesses to old oaths."
Charlus crossed his arms as he added. "That explains why the name still carries that much influence."
"Yes," Ragnok replied. "The Peverell name was trusted not because it demanded obedience, but because it often stood between danger and those who had nowhere else to turn."
March glanced at Noah. Sirin and Hayate did the same. Noah didn't speak immediately. That explanation had landed somewhere deeper than annoyance.
Then Ragnok ruined his peace by continuing.
"Of course, as active heir, you may now reawaken those protections."
Noah's eyes slowly lifted.
"…Reawaken."
"Yes."
"Meaning they are inactive."
"Dormant."
"Meaning I have to do something."
"Correct."
Noah stared at him.
Ragnok stared back.
Caelus slowly leaned toward March. "I think I can hear his soul leaving his body."
March nodded gravely. "The heir energy evolved into administrative energy."
James, who had been listening with wide eyes, raised his hand a little. "Sorry, but does that mean he can just… open secret Peverell safehouses?"
"In theory," Ragnok answered.
James' eyes brightened. "That's brilliant."
Noah pointed at him. "Do not encourage this."
Charlus' lips curved faintly. "I am afraid James has always been difficult to discourage."
"Grandfather."
"It is true." Fleamont cleared his throat, though his shoulders shook once with restrained amusement.
Ragnok tapped the parchment again.
"There are also oath-bound protections. Certain families, should they formally request Peverell witness, may receive defensive recognition under old contract law."
Damien's expression changed. "That could protect neutral houses."
"It could," Ragnok confirmed. "If used carefully."
Himeko's eyes narrowed slightly, understanding immediately. "So Noah does not need to rule or command anyone. He only needs to become a recognized shelter point."
"A shield," Hayate said softly.
Sirin's voice was colder. "Or a target."
The words settled over everyone.
Noah glanced at her, then gave a small nod. "Yeah."
Ragnok did not deny it.
"Protection always draws the attention of those who prefer helpless prey," the goblin director said. "If you invoke these rights, Heir Peverell, Voldemort and his followers will not ignore it."
Caelus' expression hardened for a moment. "Good."
March looked at him.
He shrugged. "If they come, we know where to hit them."
Noah sighed, though there was no real argument in it this time.
Charlus studied him quietly. "This is why I asked what kind of heir you intend to be."
Noah looked back at him.
"You were not asking if I wanted power," he said.
"No," Charlus replied. "I was asking what you would do once responsibility found you anyway."
Noah became silent. He looked down at the parchment.
"…Haaa. This really is troublesome."
March smiled gently. "But?"
Noah closed his eyes for a moment.
"…But the shelters might become really important."
Everyone took in his words. Then, the next moment, Noah opened his eyes again.
"If those protections can keep families alive, then we should at least understand how they work."
Ragnok's grin returned, sharp and satisfied.
"A wise answer."
Noah immediately narrowed his eyes. "Why do I feel like I just walked into more paperwork?"
"Because you did," Ragnok said plainly.
Caelus covered his mouth. March failed to hide her laugh. Even James snorted.
Noah lowered his head into one hand.
"…I hate inheritance."
Ragnok rolled the parchment a little farther.
"Then you will despise the next section."
Noah slowly looked up.
"…There's more?"
"There is always more," Ragnok smirks at him.
'I really hate this already….' Noah groans internally.
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