Chapter -50.
Bernard Venus has transformed a once-diminished pureblood family into one of the mightiest in the wizarding realm, making him quite an extraordinary character. Just twenty years ago, however, he was simply a regular pureblood wizard fresh out of Slytherin.
Back then, Muggle-born wizards were held in low esteem, and even the lesser pureblood families faced ridicule from the true aristocratic bloodlines.
Fresh from graduation, Bernard found himself in a situation similar to that of today's Muggle-borns: he was full of talent and ambition but had no chance to prove himself.
He had two paths available to him: one was to serve the established pureblood families as a servant, thereby reducing the entire Venus family to a subservient status; the other was to take on simple jobs like many Muggle-born graduates from Hogwarts, earning a meager wage.
However, the exceptionally gifted Bernard refused to serve the old purebloods or resign to a mundane existence in the magical world.
Fearless and adventurous, he chose the most perilous yet potentially rewarding path: that of an adventurer! It's widely recognized that old aristocrats don't wield power solely due to their bloodlines, but rather because of the extensive resources and connections their families have built over centuries.
Take the Malfoy family, for example.
They are well-known backers of Voldemort and have participated in many of his dark deeds, yet the Ministry of Magic has not imprisoned them in Azkaban. This is mainly because about one-tenth of the entire British magical economy hinges on the businesses run by the Malfoy family.
If they were ever pushed too far and chose to leave the country, it would send the British magical economy into a tailspin, setting it back decades. Not to mention the potential for widespread unemployment among wizards and their inevitable dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Magic.
Poorly managing such a situation could lead to unemployed wizards struggling to survive in the magical world, potentially sparking a rebellion that could plunge the entire wizarding community into chaos—a normal, yet deadly wizard war surpassing even Voldemort's era! Thus, even the renowned white wizard of the 20th century, Dumbledore, tacitly accepted the Ministry's lenience toward these old pureblood families.
If Dumbledore had insisted on punishing these war criminals, few officials in the Ministry would have dared oppose him, given his towering reputation and the public's disdain for Death Eaters.
Therefore, the unchecked actions of the old aristocrats in the magical world stem from wealth and knowledge, not just bloodline.
Adventurers provide the best chance for many everyday wizards hoping to take control of their destinies.
If you're lucky enough to survive an adventure in ancient ruins and come back with treasures and lost ancient magic, congratulations! You'll have earned the right to join the ranks of pureblood families, equipping you to stand up to the old aristocrats.
Bernard's journey from relative obscurity began with an archaeological adventure in an ancient ruin located in Europe, during a time when the continent was opening up and revealing its mysteries to the outside world.
Seizing the moment, Bernard disguised himself as a British investor and joined a Muggle investment group entering that part of Europe.
Once there, he posed as a businessman and began to splurge, hiring people to gather information about peculiar sites across the country.
Eventually, fortune smiled upon his determination; Bernard discovered an ancient ruin nestled in the mountains. After facing numerous life-threatening challenges, he didn't just learn two ancient dark magic spells from its previous inhabitants; he also unearthed a fortune left behind by the ruin's original owner.
Returning to the British magical world with newfound wealth and powerful dark magic, Bernard immediately embarked on his rise to power.
Using his wealth as a foundation and his knowledge of those two potent dark spells, Bernard made strides in the political landscape. Furthermore, following Voldemort's downfall, the old pureblood families also took heavy losses, paying significant reparations to survive, which only bolstered Bernard's influence.
Some might argue that if it weren't for the legendary Dumbledore still being alive, Bernard would have already held absolute authority in the magical realm. As he settled into his high status, some lesser figures even dared to provoke him.
"Magia Descende Obscurae!" [The dark magic descend]
With an emphatic shout, a powerful black mist surged from Bernard's body, pulling in the negative emotions of everyone around him like a vacuum, turning them into magic that he could wield.
The dark mist swirled as the fierce flames that had been enveloping Bernard's form suddenly extinguished, leaving him in a state reminiscent of being deprived of oxygen.
In that moment, Bernard transformed into a cloud of humanoid black mist, with only his glowing crimson eyes visible, radiating a bloodthirsty aura.
Indeed, this was one of the dark magics he had learned from the ancient ruin, Magia Descende Obscurae.
"Not good!" When Lester heard those words from Bernard, his heart raced. Watching Bernard enveloped in the black mist, Lester was overtaken by a sense of dread.
Despite his fear, Lester knew he had to show strength in this confrontation.
"Burn him for me!"
With a steely gaze, Lester's eyes ignited with a fierce resolve, and he lashed out violently with a fiery whip directed at the misty figure of Bernard.
The crack of the whip slicing through the air showcased the force of Lester's attack. For an average adult wizard, such a strike would likely be fatal, especially with the added ferocity of the flames.
As Lester's whip sped toward him, Bernard merely rolled his eyes in disdain and raised his hand.
In an instant, a thick veil of black mist appeared before the fierce flames, completely absorbing the attack without so much as a ripple.
Seizing the moment, Bernard waved his hand, and a thick stream of black mist surged forward toward Lester.
The roar of the air echoed throughout the underground level three.
Every observer, whether it was the prisoners seeking trouble or the Ministry officials forced into defense, paused in awe, unable to look away from the astonishing duel unfolding before them.
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