#205 - Analysis of the Thunder Rune

"What? Do you have a problem with that?" Anduin asked, seeing some dissatisfaction on Karkaroff's face, his expression hardening.

"No, not at all," Karkaroff quickly put on a flattering expression and smiled.

"What are your plans now? With your reputation, it's not appropriate for me to openly harbor you, and I imagine you're about to become unwelcome in the British wizarding world. The white wizards despise you, and the dark wizards want you dead." Anduin poured a butterbeer from the nearby liquor cabinet and handed it to Karkaroff.

"Thank you, Master," Karkaroff said somewhat cautiously, accepting the drink. "My brother teaches at Durmstrang Institute in Northern Europe. These past few days, while searching for a place to settle down as you ordered, I thought of him."

"In his reply, he expressed great willingness to take me in. If you allow it, I think I could go to him."

"That school is relatively tolerant of dark magic, which suits you well."

Anduin nodded and took out a letter and a piece of parchment from his pocket.

"Going to Northern Europe will also allow you to temporarily escape the pursuit of those Death Eaters, which isn't bad, but after you get there, you'll have to do a few things for me."

"This letter is from Yaxley to his brother. After you arrive in Europe, use this letter to find him and monitor him. Of course, you can prioritize your own safety first, and try to do it after you settle down. At least find out where he's staying, understand?"

"Yes, Master," Karkaroff nodded, acknowledging the order.

"This parchment contains a list of materials I need. Some of these materials are impossible to obtain in Britain except through smuggling. Collect as much as you can for me." Anduin then took out a leather pouch from his person and handed it to him. "Here are five hundred Galleons. Keep it safe, use it to buy materials and to help you get to Northern Europe."

"If you don't have enough money when collecting materials, you can send me a letter, but don't think about deceiving me. I know the value of these things very well."

"I understand, Master. Rest assured," Karkaroff said, his voice dripping with sweetness as he happily accepted the pouch of money.

"Also, this is a tracking amulet. Keep it close to your body. I'll use it to find you later. If you lose it, I'll have to find you through that thing in your stomach. If that capsule explodes due to instability, it's not my problem," Anduin said, tossing an amulet to Karkaroff.

"Uh, yes, Master," Karkaroff said nervously, catching the amulet and quickly stowing it away safely. He planned to find a chain to put it on and wear it around his neck every day.

"Put everything away and get going. Although the dark wizards in the country are very low-key right now, some might have their eyes on you." Anduin finished speaking and then looked seriously at Karkaroff. "Remember to complete my tasks. You know my methods, don't try to play any tricks on me!"

"Yes, Master, I guarantee I will complete the task. Rest assured," Karkaroff replied earnestly after hearing Anduin's instructions, knowing that his life was still useful to him, he felt relieved.

Afterward, Karkaroff quietly left through Anduin's fireplace.

Anduin had clear plans for his future. He would definitely go to mainland Europe, and he might as well have Karkaroff scout the way for him now.

After dealing with Karkaroff's matter, Anduin could finally do his own thing with peace of mind.

First, he returned to the second bedroom on the third floor, which he had arranged as a study and laboratory. At the same time, he also planned to set up a secret laboratory in the basement, where he could conduct research on any unsavory materials in the future.

After closing the door, Anduin couldn't wait to take out the metal magic book.

Then he went straight to the page with the ancient lightning rune, ready to officially begin analyzing this original rune.

He had never tried to analyze an original rune before. Under the guidance of Professor Bones, he had analyzed many basic runes.

Analyzing runes requires extending one's own magic power and making contact with the corresponding rune, because many runes and glyphs are difficult to understand in their subtle structure with the naked eye alone.

After all, only by fully understanding the structure of a rune can one construct it with one's own magic power, and subsequent development and optimization work involves combining them into spells and translating them into incantations.

Therefore, those scholars who can directly restore paper runes from ruins or ancient texts can almost be said to be creating something from nothing. Of course, it may take them decades to restore a single rune.

However, analyzing unknown runes, especially unknown original runes, is inherently risky. No one knows what will happen after contacting such a rune with one's own magic power.

Therefore, Anduin had made ample preparations for this. First, he had almost emptied the room except for the necessary furniture.

Then, he placed various potions next to the experimental table, including Essence of Dittany, invigorating potions, burn healing potions, and so on. He also prepared Felix Felicis.

As for why he didn't put them directly in his space bag, it was mainly because he was afraid that if he consumed too much magic power later and lacked physical strength, these readily available potions would be more convenient.

Secondly, he specially prepared a set of plastic clothing for himself, wrapping his entire body from head to toe, except for his right hand, which needed to hold his wand, tightly.

After all, lightning runes still have to conform to the laws of physics, right? Wearing non-conductive plastic clothing can prevent the current from running around and causing secondary damage.

With preparations complete, Anduin carefully pinched his wand and slowly extended it towards the lightning rune.

Zzzt! Zzzt! Zzzt!

Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred. Anduin had only moved his wand forward, and hadn't even had time to output magic power, when a current actively jumped onto the wand.

This scene startled Anduin, but he still managed to steady his mind in the fastest possible time.

After observing carefully, he found that there was no pain or discomfort.

It was just that the rune seemed to be attracted by his wand, constantly emitting electric currents that drilled into the wand.

And 'Dark Drawing', his wand, as if stimulated, actually revealed dense silver-blue light along the fine lines on its body, and his right hand, which was holding the wand, did not feel any discomfort.

"This is? Could this rune have caused some resonance with Dark Drawing?" Anduin had some guesses in his mind, but he was still not very sure.

"It doesn't seem like a bad thing. Perhaps this is related to Dark Drawing's own Thunder Feather and Thunderstruck wood material. I still have to try to activate magic power."

With an idea in his mind, Anduin began to slowly output magic power.

Ah!

After his magic power finally came into contact with the lightning rune, Anduin couldn't help but let out a cry of comfort.