The letter had been sent by Gianna, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Strictly speaking, it was an official invitation from the British Ministry of Magic, requesting that Lewis and Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon assist with a special assignment.
The mission involved traveling overseas to deal with a black dragon that had escaped from Britain.
The invitation read, in essence:
In light of the exceptional danger posed by the black dragon involved in this operation, and upon the recommendation of the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Jaina Proudmoore, the Ministry of Magic formally invites Mr. Lewis Green, recipient of the First Class Order of Merlin, and Miss Cirilla Riannon, recipient of the Second Class Order of Merlin, to serve as specialist consultants in this mission. We sincerely hope that Mr. Green and Miss Riannon will lend their expertise in protecting the wizarding world. Appropriate compensation and support will be provided…
The departure date was set for three days later.
"So," Ciri asked, tilting her head, "do you think we should accept?"
She looked puzzled.
"I thought you were always unimpressed by the British Ministry of Magic."
Lewis nodded.
"That's true. I don't think much of this Ministry."
He tapped the letter.
"But this invitation is different."
"Because it came from Gianna?"
"Exactly."
Lewis gave a faint, knowing smile.
"If this were an ordinary Ministry initiative, they'd never stoop to inviting two underage wizards to handle a dangerous dragon."
Ciri nodded thoughtfully.
"So Madam Proudmoore is unusually open-minded."
"That's part of it," Lewis said.
Then he lowered his voice dramatically.
"But the real reason is that Gianna is fundamentally one of us."
Ciri blinked.
"One of us?"
It took her several seconds to understand.
"You mean… she's also from another world?"
Lewis nodded.
"Gianna comes from a world called Azeroth."
He began to explain.
"In terms of overall civilization, it's roughly on par with your world. But its magical development is far more advanced."
He folded his arms.
"In other words, she is a natural ally."
"She shares our ultimate goal."
"If she asks for our help, I'll accept no matter what."
Ciri smiled.
"Understood."
She folded the letter and handed it back.
"Then our summer vacation is officially a trip to South America."
Three days later, at the tower house.
"Ciri, are you ready?"
Standing before the fireplace, Lewis called out with mild exasperation.
Moments later, Ciri descended the stone staircase.
She and Lewis were no longer dressed like Hogwarts students.
Instead, both wore sleek witcher-style gear.
The design was entirely Lewis's work.
Lewis wore a white linen shirt beneath a leather vest, reinforced bracers, layered belts, and a flowing cloak woven from Acromantula silk and unicorn hair.
Ciri's outfit was even more striking.
She wore a fitted white blouse, long leather gloves, a high-waisted leather corset that accentuated her waist, black leather trousers, and sturdy riding boots that highlighted her long, athletic legs.
There were no jewels or ornamentation.
Only practical elegance.
Every leather component had been crafted from basilisk hide by Lewis himself.
Watching the silver-haired witcher descend the stairs, Lewis sighed with satisfaction.
"My design turned out rather well, don't you think?"
He grinned.
"You've got Geralt's style down perfectly."
Ciri examined both her own appearance and Lewis's.
She nodded.
"You really did capture the spirit of a witcher."
Of course he had.
Lewis had practically recreated their outfits from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Ciri's ensemble in particular closely resembled her adult appearance in the game.
The costume was so accurate it could have won awards at a cosplay convention.
Then Ciri narrowed her eyes.
"There's something I've been wondering."
She tugged lightly at the corset.
"How did you make this fit my waist and hips so perfectly?"
Her cheeks flushed.
"Don't tell me you secretly…"
Lewis looked offended.
"I don't need to."
He puffed up proudly.
"The moment I first saw you, I could determine every one of your measurements with perfect accuracy."
Ciri stared at him.
"What kind of perverted superpower is that?!"
Once dressed, they strapped their Arcane Swords to their backs, tossed Floo Powder into the fire, and stepped into the flames.
A burst of emerald light swallowed them.
When they emerged, they found themselves in an unfamiliar room.
The room was modest in size but tastefully furnished in a classical style.
It had a distinctly medieval aesthetic.
Yet to Lewis's surprise, the room also contained Muggle appliances, including a television.
For a wizarding home, that was highly unusual.
Then again, the owner was no ordinary witch.
The people of Harry Potter's world might be technological relics, but Gianna came from Azeroth—a world of gnomish engineering and goblin technology.
Her acceptance of Muggle devices was hardly surprising.
"Oh, little Lewis! Miss Riannon! Welcome!"
Lewis turned to see Gianna approaching in a flowing blue dress, smiling warmly.
Though this was only their second meeting, Ciri bowed respectfully.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Madam Proudmoore."
Lewis was much more casual.
"Looks like this is your official introduction."
He gestured toward Ciri.
"This is the Princess of Cintra, heir to the Elder Blood, and refugee from what I call the Witcher world—Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon."
Then he gestured to Gianna.
"And this is the Princess of Kul Tiras, apprentice to the leader of Dalaran, and one of Azeroth's most brilliant mages—Jaina Proudmoore."
Lewis spread his arms.
"You two, plus me, are the only confirmed interdimensional travelers I've found in this world."
He smiled more seriously.
"If we ever want to return home, we'll need to work together."
"That makes us comrades with a common goal."
"So please, get along."
His words softened both women's expressions.
Soon they were discussing their experiences in this strange world.
They had more in common than either had expected.
Eventually, the conversation shifted to Lewis.
Gianna gave him a teasing look.
"So, you've been living together for more than a year?"
She arched an eyebrow.
"What exactly is your relationship?"
Lewis shrugged.
"Comrades. Close friends. Boyfriend and girlfriend. I'm fine with any of those labels."
He spread his hands innocently.
"Besides, I'm not even fourteen yet."
"I'm still a child."
Ciri, however, reacted very differently.
The phrase "boyfriend and girlfriend" caused the corners of her mouth to curl upward uncontrollably.
Gianna noticed immediately.
Her eyes widened.
Apparently, Ciri was far more comfortable with Lewis's outrageous attitude than she'd expected.
Gianna shot Lewis a sidelong glance.
"Young people today really know how to have fun."
Lewis grinned shamelessly.
"With your looks, Gianna, no one would think you were old."
He leaned closer.
"You could always join in our 'fun' if you wanted."
Gianna rolled her eyes, though she did not seem offended.
Then her expression turned serious.
"In truth, there's another reason I invited you here."
She clasped her hands.
"If this were merely an ordinary black dragon, I wouldn't have troubled either of you."
She looked from Lewis to Ciri.
"A moment ago, Lewis said the three of us are the only known travelers from other worlds."
Her voice lowered.
"But that number may actually be four."
She paused.
"Because I strongly suspect…"
"That dragon is from another world as well."
If you want to read 60 chapters ahead of the public release, head over to: Patreon.com/RedString