Harry Potter: The Legend of Nero Ravenclaw-Chapter 120: Letters

As they returned home, Nero and Mio found Mu and Zen seated comfortably on the couch, sipping tea in perfect tranquility.

The atmosphere in the room was relaxed, almost lazy, as though time itself flowed slower within these walls.

Nero took one look at them and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you guys really the only Legend-rank magicians in Japan?

Don't you have too much free time on your hands?" he asked, his voice half-teasing, half-curious.

Zen nearly choked on his tea, turning to Nero, his face twisted in exaggerated indignation.

"O-Oi! What kind of disrespect is that, brat? Do you have any idea how hard we work?

We put our lives on the line for this country!"

He dramatically clutched his chest, as though wounded by Nero's words.

"This is slander! Utter slander!"

Mu, ever the composed one, opened his eyes just slightly, his calm gaze resting on Nero.

"The responsibility of a Legend-rank magician isn't only about constant battle.

It is to be ever-prepared, to keep one's mind and body in prime condition.

Readiness is a state of being. We cannot afford to be anything less than optimal."

Nero hummed in amusement.

"So in other words, you're telling me being lazy is part of your job?"

Zen nearly spit out his tea again. "You little!"

Mu only sighed. "Believe what you will."

Nero had grown close enough to Zen and Mu over the past few months to allow himself to tease them a bit.

Zen's eyes twinkled mischievously as his gaze flickered toward Mio.

"Forget that, what are you doing here with Nero, Mio?

Are you guys truly dating as the rumors say?"

Mu subtly raised an eyebrow, finally showing a sliver of interest.

Mio's face, usually so composed, flushed immediately, her usual cool demeanor cracking.

"W-What?! Absolutely not! Where the hell did you even hear that?" she snapped, her voice rising slightly higher than intended. "Those rumors are ridiculous!"

Zen leaned back, grinning. "Well, you're always hanging around him, and now you come back together looking all serious. Doesn't look good, Mio."

Mio stiffened slightly.

A second later, a frown formed on her lips, and she snapped,

"Aren't you the ones who asked me to take care of him in the first place?"

Her voice carried an uncharacteristic bite, and for the first time in a while, she looked genuinely irritated.

Zen blinked before bursting into laughter. "Oh-ho! The ice queen shows emotions after all!"

"It's nothing like that!" she huffed, crossing her arms before sighing.

"I came here today because we gave Nero a test today. Ayaka and I set up a trap to check if he was truly qualified to train under you two.

I accepted the results, but Ayaka... didn't. She challenged Nero to a duel this Sunday."

Zen burst into laughter, slapping his knee.

"Hah! That girl is so predictable! I swear, she'd rather fight than breathe sometimes."

Mu, however, turned his gaze toward Nero. "And? What do you plan to do?"

Nero smiled slightly. "I accepted, of course. This will be a good way to gauge my progress."

Zen grinned widely. "Oh, this just keeps getting better!"

Mu took a sip of his tea before speaking, his voice steady as ever.

"Do not underestimate Ayaka. She may be brash, but even if she is a sixth-year student, she has already surpassed the level of a seventh-year about to graduate."

Nero's expression remained unfazed.

Instead, he smirked. "Even better. If she's that strong, then this will be a great way to measure how far I've come with Eastern magic."

Zen laughed even louder. "Good! You've got guts, kid! This is going to be fun!"

The days passed quickly, filled with rigorous training. Zen and Mu observed as Nero refined his techniques, forcing him to push himself beyond his limits.

The shift from Western spellcasting to Eastern methodologies was challenging, but Nero found himself adapting at an alarming pace.

Mio watched in silence, when she came visiting. free𝑤ebnovel.com

On Saturday, the eve of the duel, Nero sat on the veranda, the crisp evening air wrapping around him like a silent promise.

His body was sore but alive with energy, thrumming with the anticipation of the fight.

He gazed up at the night sky, his mind lost in thought when an owl suddenly swooped down toward him.

Without hesitation, he reached out, and the bird gracefully dropped a letter into his hands before flying off.

Zen groaned loudly, rubbing his temples. "Not another one! That's the third bloody owl today! I swear, why can't the British use Shikigami like civilized people?"

Nero chuckled, turning the sealed letter over in his hands.

The familiar wax insignia made his heart stir.

Mio raised an eyebrow. "Who's it from?"

"My three dearest friends," Nero said with a fond smile.

"I sent them a letter last week. This must be their reply."

Zen huffed. "I hope they don't send another one tomorrow.

We might wake up to a whole parliament of owls sitting on the roof at this rate."

Nero smirked but didn't break the seal immediately.

Instead, he placed the letter beside him, letting the anticipation linger.

His thoughts drifted to Ember, Lilith, and Alaric.

Even in a place as distant and different as Mahoutokoro, the bond they shared remained as strong as ever.

"Ayaka's going to come at you with everything she has. I hope you're ready." said Mio.

Nero grinned, stretching his arms. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

He added with a mischievous smile "But tell me Mio, who are you going to cheer for?"

Mio, who had just taken a sip of tea, choked slightly, coughing as she quickly set down her cup.

"W-What kind of question is that?" she spluttered, her usual composed demeanor cracking.

"I don't, I mean, it's not like I..."

Zen, who had been observing quietly, immediately perked up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Oh-ho! What's this? The unshakable Mio, flustered? That's a more and more common sight!"

Mio shot him a glare, trying to regain her composure.

"I'm not flustered! It's just a stupid question!"

Zen leaned back with a smirk. "Right, right. You're just deeply contemplating your answer, huh?

We all know you're invested. Maybe even rooting for dear Nero here?"

Mio crossed her arms, scowling. "I'm just interested in a good fight, that's all! I don't pick sides."

Zen chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Suuure. That's totally believable."

Tuning out Zen and Mio's playful exchange, Nero carefully unsealed the first letter and unfolded it.

His anticipation grew as his eyes scanned the familiar handwriting, and soon, a smile found its way to his lips.

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