Chapter 200: Hawke
Martin didn't know what he should do. He himself often fantasized about appearing openly before the world, overcoming the odds in front of everyone, and returning home in glory.
The Magi-Metal Wizard who had brushed past Martin, now some distance away, turned back in confusion. He thought he had just seen a very familiar figure—Martin, the famous figure from the Magi-Metal Academy.
"It seems Martin does live around here... I remember meeting him when we used the Portkey together before..."
Worry crept into his heart. His actions were indeed in direct conflict with the professors' repeated warnings. He was afraid Martin would tell on him.
"What did you say?" asked one of his no-good friends, a Muggle enthusiast of the occult.
He shook his head. "Think I mistook someone."
That night.
Martin went to the abandoned cellar where the Portkey was kept, only to find a large group of people waiting for him.
"There's no rule saying you need a group to use the Portkey," he asked. "What's going on?"
The rule had been set by Madame Maxime for their convenience and secrecy: any registered student of the academy could use the Portkey. This was meant to reduce the chance of large gatherings attracting the attention of unaware passersby.
A crowd like this was rare; usually, it was just three or five people who happened to arrive at the same time.
"Martin, we need to talk."
The leader slammed his wand heavily onto the ground. Dust and soot drifted down from the beams above. The wind tapped the window against the curtain, momentarily blocking the moonlight.
But the curtain soon fell limp again. A hand rested on a pillar, and the moonlight streamed through the holes in the tattered fabric, illuminating the rising dust.
They didn't come with good intentions. The thought rose unbidden in Martin's mind. He realized instantly they were here to block him.
Most likely because he had caught the leader violating the Statute of Secrecy that morning.
"I know what you want to talk about, but talking to me won't help," Martin said. "We've all touched magic. We know its mystery. Trying to guess how wizards know things with our mindset is foolish. So whether I tell the professors or not, they will know about your actions."
"As long as you don't talk, the professors won't know what we did!" the leader growled. In reality, he was afraid of the mystery of the wizarding world, hoping the wizards couldn't monitor everyone.
This stemmed from their only experience with the magical world being their studies at the academy, leading to an exaggerated reverence for magic.
If they stepped out into wizarding settlements, they would discover that while magic was mysterious and unreasonable, it had significant limitations. And most wizards were no different from ordinary people, just with more convenient lives.
"You..." Martin was shocked. "All of you have been showing off that you're wizards?"
"So what! What's wrong with saying it?"
"Exactly! Why can't a wizard say they're a wizard!"
"Those people bully us every day! Are we not allowed to show off a little now that we have power?"
Martin looked around the circle. No one thought they were wrong. Every face was filled with validation for their actions and mockery for Martin, who followed the Statute of Secrecy like an obedient beast of burden.
He felt a deep sense of powerlessness. Their future and destiny depended on others, yet these pig-headed teammates were acting recklessly, ignoring all warnings!
Did calling themselves "Magi-Metal Wizards" for so long make them think their wizard status was natural, innate, and impossible to take away?
"Wake up! Without wands, we are Squibs! Without education, we are Muggles!" Martin cried out in heartbreak over his compatriots' shortsightedness and stupidity. His advice turned into a wail. "Go see the professors! Confess everything! I've heard Memory Charms can modify memories—your actions can still be salvaged!"
"Bullshit!" A figure stepped out from the crowd blocking Martin.
Martin realized it was an old acquaintance—the balding, middle-aged businessman. He had learned the man's name during his time at the academy: Hawke Green, a self-proclaimed contributor to the French perfume industry.
"It's precisely because they have Memory Charms that they could modify everyone's memories, including ours! We can't trust them! We should play both sides, Muggle and magical, to strengthen ourselves! To gain real power!"
Hawke spat as he spoke, sounding logical and persuasive. It was as if following his plan would allow them to carve a path between the oppression of both worlds and lead the Magi-Metal Wizards to the top of the world.
His expression was firm, decisive, and serious.
The surrounding listeners were agitated, believing Hawke was the only god, and that even Ryan Welles was just a schemer using them for his own profit.
Only Hawke Green was the brave warrior willing to shed blood for all Magi-Metal Wizards!
Martin closed his eyes in defeat. He didn't understand what had happened.
He could understand a few individuals being ungrateful wretches; diversity meant there would always be greedy ingrates. Such people would do anything to amass power and wealth for themselves, wrapping their actions in a cloak of righteousness.
But the vast majority were kind, gentle people who understood propriety and had been baptized by freedom and justice! Why were they listening to Hawke Green as if possessed?
He couldn't understand, but he was certain Hawke Green couldn't achieve what he promised. Only one person could fulfill that blueprint: Ryan Welles, the one who had pulled them out of the mud.
"With magic, we can dominate the Muggle world! We can use Muggle power for our own ends!"
Hawke continued to paint his picture, his speech full of certainty.
Martin, still immersed in his worry, felt something was off but couldn't place it.
Seeing Martin unresponsive, Hawke directed everyone to move forward. "Martin, you have eyes! Recognize the situation! Don't stand with the few; submit to the will of the majority! You'll have a good end!"
Martin finally snapped out of it. His lips trembled with palpable fear, like a child playing games on the computer during the holidays without doing homework, only to realize a parent was standing behind them.
Hawke thought he was afraid. Just as a smile touched his lips, he heard Martin ask:
"Why did you say... with magic, we can dominate the Muggle world?"
~~~
Get early access to 50+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn