55 Hall of Ravens

Before Casimir could make sense of what was happening, he was directly stuffed into a carriage, heading outside the underground city with Alexander and Verna. It would've all been normal if it weren't for the fact that Alexander had a grim expression as he sent out an owl carrying several letters, and Verna was singing to herself and was clapping wildly.

"Father, where are we going?" Casimir finally couldn't help but ask, his confusion was already so close to killing him if he bore with it for one more second. "You'll find out soon." Alexander answered.

In truth, the man was actually so proud of his son, managing to react so calmly despite such strange things happening to him. If it were other children his age, they probably would've long been in tears of confusion and freight.

(Casimir: Sorry, but I'm actually already around my fourties if you include my age from my past life. Hurhurhur.)

Concluding that he won't get any proper answer from either Verna or his father, Casimir just stayed quiet, watching the scenery flash by from the carriage window.

...

After they had exited the tunnel and through the manhole, the trio rushed all the way from Paris towards Loire valley and finally arrived back at the Proulx manor in record time. Unlike other times, however, the manor wasn't so peaceful today.

From the gate to the front of the manor, various cars and even creatures used as mounts littered the place, as if tens of people had arrived suddenly. It was even grander that the time when Casimir had his birthday banquet years ago.

When they entered the manor, Alphonse immediately came to greet them with a serious expression. "Master, they are all awaiting for you in the hall."

Hall? What hall? Casimir was confused. Other than the dining hall, which he could see from where they were standing, that was obviously empty, there was no other hall in the manor.

Seeming to understand what Alphonse said, Alexander nodded. "I see. Have all the servants been sent away?"

"Yes, master." Alphonse said with a bow. "I have sent Edgar to lead them away temporarily."

"Good." Alexander said and began to walk towards the stairs and led the other two towards the third floor. "Make sure nobody disturbs us in this time."

"Yes, master."

When they arrived on the third floor, Alexander directly walked towards the storage room, not even bothering to stop by his office, confusing Casimir even more. Just what exactly are they supposed to do here?

Before he could voice out his confusion, however, Alexander had already pulled open the door to a closet that was at the very back of the storage room.

Under the eyes of the other two, Verna laughed giddily and entered the closet and closed it behind her. Three seconds later, Alexander pulled the closet door open once again and woe and behold, Verna had disappeared!

Casimir was awed. He had never seen magic this mystical before! This is directly defying the laws of space!

Unfortunately, Casimir couldn't admire the closet for too long since Alexander had suddenly pushed him inside the closet and closed the door shut.

Afterwards, Casimir suddenly felt dizzy but, it only lasted for a second and disappeared. The next thing he knew, he was in a different closet. The surroundings looked similar but, it was obviously a different closet. The aura it gave was slightly different from the other one.

Not daring to stay any longer inside the closet, Casimir opened the door and, what greeted his sight outside the closet was something that surprised him.

Thirty-three people sitting together on a long table, all of them staring right at him in interest and curiosity. Although all of them had unconcealed interest towards him within their eyes, Casimir could not feel any trace of ill will from them which, calmed him down slightly but not enough for him to lower his guard.

As he got down from the closet and closed it behind him, he stood still, cautious. It was not until he felt another presence appear behind him that he truly felt safe.

Alexander got down from the closet and surveyed the room, nodding when he saw that the presence of all the people was complete. Including him and Casimir, it was now thirty five.

For the first time in nearly fourty years, the Raven Covenant had finally been complete in a single meeting.

It just goes to say that, whatever is to be discussed today, it will be something that will cause massive upheavals in the wizardry world.

When he walked towards the head of the table with Casimir in tow, all eyes were on them, silently studying, trying to figure out and speculate what special matter it was that needed them all together.

It also cannot be denied that all of them were excited to an extent, both fearing and anticipating what was to come.

None of those present were young and naive anymore. All of them had faced numerous tribulations of their own and had tons of experience under their belt to tell to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. The only catch was, if they could live after the events that would come.

After all, the last time they met up was to stage the goblin uprising. One of the most chaotic uprisings after the great muggle and wizard war as well as Grindelwald's uprising. Both of which, had their direct and indirect influence in.

The Raven Covenant is formed with wizards of great prowess and influence. They not only dabbled in information but, if one dug underneath, they would discover that, each member of the covenant was a wizard of great influence in their own rights. Whether it be dark wizards or wizards of the light, the all coexisted peacefully within the covenant.

The only thing that bound them together was their similar thirst for conquest and power. And that was what birthed the Covenant of Ravens.

And, today, marks the rise of the covenant once again. The key to this, a child with the mark of the son of darkness.

Alexander sat at the head of the table and gazed at everyone seriously, Casimir sitting on the empty seat to his right.

"Let the meeting begin."