"Wizards are gods! Magic is miracles!"
Pietro, now 14, stood by the window, murmuring these words with a kind of reverence. He gazed out at the magical creatures moving freely across the lawn, his expression full of envy and longing. Ever since overhearing the conversation between Professors Lockhart and Snape about the nature of magic, Pietro's interest had turned into a kind of feverish obsession. The way Snape spoke about magic had struck a deep chord within him.
What had begun as simple curiosity was now something more powerful, a spark that ignited an insatiable desire to unlock the mysteries of magic. Yet, mingling with his excitement was a pang of regret and envy.
Unlike his sister Wanda, whom Professor Lockhart had praised for her remarkable magical talents, Pietro had only been told his potential was average—nothing more. He wasn't gifted with the same affinity for magic as Wanda, who had even managed to get Professor Snape to help him develop his own abilities. Pietro now possessed his own unique powers, but he could sense the limitations.
Reflecting on this, Pietro raised his right hand in front of his face. His hand began to vibrate at an incredible speed, creating a faint, blurry afterimage. As he started to move in a small circle, his hand slicing through the air with a soft hum, a small whirlwind began to form around him.
Then, in a flash—
Boom!
The door flew open, and Pietro vanished from the room, moving with such speed that he left nothing but a faint blur. For him, the sensation was otherworldly; he felt as though he had entered another realm, where everything around him slowed down, even though he himself moved at his usual pace.
With a quiet whoosh, Pietro appeared outside the magic training room in mere seconds, having covered nearly half a kilometer in the blink of an eye. This was his power, his super speed. He could travel vast distances almost instantly, but his energy was limited. He'd only recently awakened this ability and found that he could only maintain it for short bursts before exhaustion set in.
Taking a moment to savor the feeling, Pietro opened the door to the training room and slipped inside. He found the room buzzing with activity; wizards gathered in small groups, some practicing spells with their wands, others engaged in lively discussions.
"Pietro, over here!" called Wanda, spotting him near the entrance.
In a heartbeat, Pietro zipped over to Wanda, his sudden appearance drawing a smile from her. He also caught the eye of Vera, who laughed softly.
"Wanda, your brother's abilities are impressive," Vera said, glancing at Pietro with a mix of curiosity and admiration.
"Sister Vera, don't praise me too much," Pietro replied with a playful smile, though his tone held a hint of envy. "No matter how fast I am, a single spell could stop me in my tracks. Besides, with your magical talent, I wouldn't be surprised if you find a way to make yourself just as fast."
Vera chuckled at the compliment. "Wanda, your brother certainly knows how to charm. I think I like him already."
Turning to Pietro, Vera lifted her wand, and a bronze amulet appeared in front of her. With a flick of her wrist, it floated toward Pietro.
"Here, take this," she said kindly. "It's a defensive talisman my mentor gave me. It's not as useful for me now, but it could protect you. You may be fast, but your defenses are still like anyone else's. This could save your life someday."
Pietro's eyes widened with surprise, and Wanda smiled gratefully beside him. "Thank you, Vera," Wanda said, her voice warm with appreciation.
Pietro accepted the amulet with a wide smile. "Thank you, Sister Vera. Besides Wanda, you're the best!"
Vera smiled back, understanding the value of goodwill. She knew that Lockhart had high hopes for Wanda, and she wanted to foster a friendly bond with her and Pietro. Offering the amulet was as much a gesture of friendship toward Wanda as it was a gift for Pietro.
"So, Wanda," Vera said, shifting the topic, "how's your progress with magic coming along?"
"I've managed to master some basic spells and a few minor dark charms that the mentor taught me," Wanda answered, then hesitated before continuing. "There are three combat spells I've been working on: the Throat-Cutting Curse, the Crushing Curse, and an Invisibility Charm Professor Snape showed me. My mentor suggested I avoid overusing dark magic early on, though. Some of the spells Snape taught are challenging, and I don't always cast them successfully."
"That's impressive, Wanda," Vera said, nodding with approval. "No wonder our mentor values your potential. You're advancing faster than most of us."
Vera had been trained to recognize potential, and she wasn't shy about giving praise where it was due. Complimenting Wanda seemed to strengthen the bond between them, as Wanda blushed with a shy smile.
"Actually, Wanda," Vera added, "there are some practical exercises coming up. They're a bit advanced for your level, but if you're interested, it could be a good experience to gain some combat practice."
With a calm expression, Wanda nodded. She wasn't a stranger to combat, and her years of surviving on the streets had made her adaptable and resilient. "I'd be honored to join."
Seeing the spark of determination in Wanda's eyes, Pietro immediately asked, "Can I come too, Sister Vera? I don't want to hold my sister back. I want to learn to fight too."
Vera hesitated, observing Pietro's young face with a mixture of pride and concern. "Pietro, maybe in a couple of years," she said gently. "The kind of combat we're talking about isn't safe. You're still young, and in these fights, there are injuries… even deaths. Now is the time to refine your abilities."
Wanda placed a hand on Pietro's shoulder, her voice firm but caring. "She's right, Pietro. Focus on strengthening your powers for now. There's no need to rush."
If they had still been living on the streets, she might have encouraged Pietro to develop faster, out of necessity. But now, in a secure environment with the resources they needed, she saw no reason to rush him into harm's way.
Pietro sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement. "Alright, but… has there been any decision about me learning magic? I may not have Wanda's talent, but that doesn't mean I can't try, right?"
Wanda hesitated before finally nodding. "I'll talk to Professor Lockhart again."
In truth, Wanda had already approached Lockhart about Pietro's request, and he had politely declined. Pietro's talents lay elsewhere; his potential was rooted in his natural super speed, and though he could learn some basic techniques, he wasn't suited for magic in the way Wanda was.
Lockhart had explained that Pietro's potential was decent, but he would gain far more by developing his inherent abilities. Additionally, training dozens of students with exceptional talent demanded extensive resources, which were already stretched thin. To bring Pietro up to speed, so to speak, would require costly rituals or the infusion of rare magical bloodlines. Even with resources at their disposal, it simply wasn't a practical investment for Pietro.
Wanda understood this, and though she wished things were different for her brother, she knew Lockhart's decision was based on practicality. Yet she couldn't bear to crush Pietro's hope, especially when his excitement was so genuine. Perhaps, if she grew powerful enough one day, she could help him herself.
For now, Pietro seemed content with her promise, nodding with a satisfied smile before disappearing in a blur.
Watching her brother leave, Wanda turned to Vera. "So, when do we start?"
Vera smiled. "I'll check with the professor, but I believe we'll begin the exercises this afternoon. Stick close to me, Wanda. It'll be challenging, but we'll stay safe."
Wanda nodded, understanding the need for caution.
Afternoon, Spell Training Room.
Twenty or so wizard apprentices stood assembled in a neat formation. At the head were Ian, Vera, and Remy, leading the phalanx. Before them stood Steve Rogers, with his iconic shield, and Professor Snape.
Steve addressed the students in a deep, commanding voice. "We've received intelligence on another Hydra base location, one that's perfect for a training exercise. Today, you'll be applying the skills you've learned in real-world combat."
Turning to Snape, Steve asked quietly, "Anything to add, Professor?"
Snape gave a small nod, stepping forward with his characteristic intensity. His gaze swept over the students, his expression cold.
"Remember," he said, his tone biting, "every battle carries risks. Mistakes can cost lives. Trust your teammates. Do not try to play the hero, and don't waste time showing off. Understood?"
"Yes, Professor!" the students responded, their expressions shifting to match the gravity of the situation.
With a satisfied nod, Snape turned to Ian, Vera, and Remy. "Open the portal."
The three stepped forward, each lifting their wands to trace red lines in the air. Slowly, three glowing circles formed, coalescing into portals.
Suddenly—
Bzzz! Bzzz!
A loud alarm blared from the other side of the portal, accompanied by flashing red lights and a robotic voice announcing, "Alert, alert! Enemy invasion detected!"
Snape sneered, muttering disdainfully, "Typical Hydra."
"Let's go!" he commanded, and the students moved as one, passing through the portals in quick succession, each team shielded by a golden defensive barrier.
Ian, Remy, and Vera kept watch by the portal's entrance, ready to intervene if anything went awry. Steve and Snape, meanwhile, observed in silence, knowing that this was the real test for their students. They wouldn't step in unless lives were at stake, trusting that the students' training had prepared them for this.
They were confident. Lockhart's students had received the finest training, resources, and instruction. These apprentices were on a fast track to becoming the wizarding world's elite.
Los Angeles, Hydra Underground Base.
In the command room, Pierce watched the screen, his expression darkening as he tracked the red dots signaling an enemy presence at the Houston base. A slow smile formed on his lips.
Five figures stood beside him, each with a cold and powerful aura, their stares sharp and predatory. These were Hydra's heads, its most ruthless commanders.
"Pierce," one of them spoke with a gruff voice. "My base in Canada was hit. Make sure this time isn't a repeat."
"It's time they learned who they're dealing with," added another, a sinister edge to his tone.
Pierce's smile widened. "If it's Lockhart himself, I won't make any promises. But his students and his followers? They won't be leaving Houston alive."
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
Check out new fanfic in 2nd account Garuda_Translation - Bleach: The Invincible Slacker from Rukongai With more Early Access in my P@treon
==============================================