Chapter 5 The Wizard Commercial Street

My impression of magical transportation was still stuck on my uncle's magic carpet.

But Isabelle completely updated that impression today.

She pulled out a whistle and gave it a sharp blow. The air rippled, and a red Chevrolet sedan appeared out of nowhere, slowly rolling to a stop in front of Isabelle and me.

Wow.

A magic car.

I had thought it would be some kind of magical creature, like a unicorn or a dragon. Or at least a ghost ship — I wouldn't have minded playing a Caribbean pirate for a while. Thinking about it, that was unlikely, but still, a magic car as a vehicle completely changed my view of wizards.

This thing was way cooler than a flying carpet, and it looked insanely fast.

"Buckle up." Isabelle winked at me, wearing that mischievous look of someone about to pull a prank. I fumbled with the seatbelt until it clicked into place — and then it felt like the whole world got yanked backward.

"Whoa!"

The scenery outside started screaming past, blurring into streaks of color. I felt like my internal organs were about to get thrown into the back seat. I gripped the handle for dear life, my face probably pale. Even more unbelievable — Isabelle's hands weren't even on the steering wheel. She just sat there relaxed in the driver's seat, turned to look at me, a bright smile playing on her lips.

"Don't worry, Charles," her voice came through clearly over the roar of speed — there was no real wind in the car, but it felt like there should have been — "it's magic. We won't crash."

I forced myself to look out the window. This fire-red metal monster was weaving and drifting through streets, crowds, even buildings at a terrifying speed, like a ghost. But amazingly, it didn't hit anything — not even a scraping sound. The pedestrians and vehicles outside completely ignored our insane speeding car, as if we didn't exist at all.

A huge sense of wonder slowly washed away my panic.

This was magic? Not the wand-waving, tongue-twisting spell kind, but something this cool, this modern, this deeply woven into everyday life?

I turned to look at Isabelle. In the rushing light and shadow, her profile looked especially vivid, golden hair brushing past her smiling eyes.

"What a shame," she sighed in mock disappointment, "I thought you'd scream all the way to our destination."

I swallowed and tried to steady my voice. "...My heart's pretty strong."

God knows my legs were still shaking slightly.

"It's called 'cognitive confusion' and 'spatial folding,' just some basic magic," she said casually, clearly seeing through my shock. "They teach it at school, along with some magic invented in modern times."

As soon as Isabelle finished speaking, I felt my ring move.

"You interested in this?" I asked silently in my mind.

"Of course." The old wizard's voice sounded in my head. "Magic keeps advancing. Decades ago, my potion skills were still at the forefront of the wizarding world, but when it came to life-or-death duels between wizards, not so much."

So he really was a relic from decades ago.

The thought crossed my mind.

"By the way, you don't need to speak out loud. Just think at me and you can talk to me," the old wizard said.

I stiffened in surprise.

Could this old guy read my thoughts?

The old wizard seemed to sense my worry and quickly added, "Don't worry, I can't read minds in my current state. Only when you focus on talking to me can I pick up that part of your thoughts."

"That's good, then."

I let out a quiet breath of relief.

When the car finally slowed and stopped at the entrance to what looked like an ordinary residential block, I actually felt a little disappointed it was over. But the moment I stepped out of the car, my eyes were instantly captured by the scene before me.

The Wizard Commercial Street.

Honestly, that name was too plain. This place was basically a fantasy theme park and a supermarket smashed together into one crazy space.

The air was filled with all kinds of strange yet enticing smells: freshly baked gingerbread men that twisted on their own, giving off hot butter and cinnamon; next door, a huge cauldron bubbled with colorful foam, releasing the fresh scent of rain-soaked earth and mint.

Old wizards in robes covered with clinking little bottles strolled along at an easy pace; sharp-looking men and women in suits carrying glowing briefcases walked briskly past; most eye-catching of all were the non-human customers: a crow with a monocle and sleek, shiny feathers perched on a dwarf's shoulder — I swear that was a dwarf — chattering excitedly at the sparkling gems on a stall; a pointy-eared lady with bark-like skin was walking a... pig with butterfly wings. The little pig oinked as its wings scattered fine phosphorescent dust.

I felt like a country bumpkin visiting the big city for the first time. My eyes didn't know where to look.

In the shop windows, self-dancing dinnerware sets sat next to the latest "magic communication boards" with flowing mercury screens. Outside a shop with a sign showing crossed skulls and test tubes, a light-screen ad read:

"This season's new invisibility potion: 30% longer duration, with the chance of side effects (possible temporary color blindness) below 0.01%."

"Hah..." I couldn't help but laugh.

This wizard society was almost too down-to-earth. Even their ads were this "scientific."

"Stunned?" Isabelle's voice sounded by my ear with a laugh. She naturally moved closer, her arm brushing against mine. "Welcome to our world, Charles. I believe..." She paused, her voice dropping but still clear, "...you'll soon truly become part of this place."

My heart gave a sudden thump.

Not because of the bizarre street in front of me, but because of the "our" in her words, and the warmth of her closeness. For three years, this was the first time I'd felt this close to this dazzling world — not just a Squib pressed against the glass on the outside.

And the one who brought me in was her.

Just then, a notice board caught my eye:

"District 8 Commercial Street Wizard Code"

1. Underage wizards must enter the street accompanied by a parent.

2. Magic drones are prohibited. No drone flights, and using drones to carry living creatures is forbidden.

3. Large-scale magic is prohibited here. To hold large events or use large-scale magic, please contact Anna and apply for temporary removal of magic suppression.

4. X-ray vision magic is prohibited here. Do not spy on others' privacy. For official use, please contact Anna and apply for temporary removal of magic suppression.

...

98. When a wizard dies, notify management immediately and stay at least 100 feet away from the body.

99. Dark wizards are forbidden to enter. Only wizards on the approved list are allowed access. If you notice a suspected dark wizard, step away at once and notify management.

...

"Let's go, Charles. We need to add your name to the approved list, or you'll be blocked by the detection magic," Isabelle said.

I followed behind her, glancing down at my ring.

"Do you need to come out and register?"

"No need."

The old wizard's voice sounded in my head.

It seemed he'd been here decades ago, or maybe he was simply powerful enough to ignore this rule.