166: Chapter 164 The Unexpected Weinuo for Zhang Mu, the Train About to Depart

Sitting in the helicopter cabin, Toby was busy putting on his parachuting gear.

His mind drifted back to the last time he had parachuted.

That was seven years ago.

For some reason, Toby only remembered that the last jump was seven years ago.

But the events of that time were like a painting shredded by a paper shredder; all he could see were fragmented images.

He simply couldn't recall exactly what had happened.

"Sir, we've arrived!"

The helicopter hovered high above the outskirts of London. The accompanying Royal Guard loudly reminded the dazed Toby.

"Sorry." Snapping out of it, Toby gave an awkward smile, stood up, walked to the cabin door, and reached out to slide it open.

It was raining.

Bean-sized raindrops accompanied by fierce winds invaded the cabin. Thunder roared angrily in the pitch-black sky, and the wind blew so hard Toby could barely keep his eyes open.

At this point, vision was of little use.

The sky was already dark, and with the torrential rain, Toby couldn't see his surroundings at all.

He felt a bit lucky in his heart. If it were daytime, he really wasn't sure if he would have the courage to jump out of the cabin.

"What's wrong?!"

The Soldier behind him shouted the question. Toby didn't respond, bracing both hands against the sides of the door and taking a deep breath.

Maybe... actually, I don't have to jump.

After all, this is just a guess. Maybe even if I succeed in the jump, I won't receive an Interview Letter.

And the price of failure is incredibly heavy.

Toby, who was usually decisive, showed a rare moment of hesitation in his eyes. His grip on the doorframe tightened, and the veins on the back of his rain-drenched hands bulged.

As long as I'm alive... even if I fail this assessment, there will still be a chance when Hogwarts recruits students next time...

"What are you waiting for?"

The confused Soldier looked at his stiff back in bewilderment. "Because of the weather, we can't stay here for long!

Hurry!"

The urging voice was like a hammer pounding on Toby's soul.

He had parachuted many times and had encountered situations far more dangerous than a rainstorm.

But he had never been warned to act quickly.

At this moment, he finally realized that the thing he was once best at had, at some point, become the deepest fear buried in his heart.

Jump!

He forced himself in his mind, but his legs felt as if they were filled with lead and wouldn't move at all.

"Do we need to turn back?" The Soldier couldn't help but walk up behind him and ask.

"No." Toby looked down at the darkness beneath his feet. How could I be afraid of a difficulty I have already conquered?

He lifted his foot and stepped out of the cabin.

Under the force of gravity, he rapidly plummeted toward the ground.

The Soldier breathed a sigh of relief, braced himself against the cabin wall to steady his body as it swayed with the helicopter, and reached out to pull the door shut.

"Coo— coo—"

A strange cry pierced through the roar of the propellers and the boom of thunder, causing the Soldier to look out the door in confusion.

Just as a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, he saw an Owl with an envelope in its beak diving toward the ground.

"Close the door quickly, we have to leave!" the pilot shouted loudly.

"Understood!"

His eyes flickering slightly, this Soldier did not mention his discovery. He pulled the door shut and sat back on the bench without a word.

Then, glancing at the cockpit out of the corner of his eye to ensure they weren't paying attention to him, he pulled a coin-sized circular device from his pocket.

He pinched the front and back with his thumb and index finger, pressing it rhythmically.

...

"That guy... wasn't lying?"

Walking through the streets of London with an umbrella, Wino looked at his phone with a look of utter shock.

He had thought Leon and Klaisi were tricking him, but Prince Suleiman's people confirmed that Toby had already passed the test.

In other words...

"I really do have to overcome something?"

Looking down at the raindrops splashing onto the surface of his leather shoes, he couldn't help but ask himself what it was he was afraid to face.

Unlike Toby's lack of self-awareness, he thought of it in an instant—Prince Suleiman.

As his direct superior, Wino had always felt an inexplicable panic toward him.

The reason was unknown; perhaps it was that constantly gloomy gaze, like a venomous snake waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Or perhaps it was the cruel methods the man used to deal with subordinates who made mistakes.

In short, whenever Wino stood before him, he always felt an instinctive dread in his heart.

Snapping out of his memories of Suleiman, he exhaled and checked his phone.

21:13.

There were still over two hours left; time was running out for him.

He couldn't miss this chance to take his destiny into his own hands and escape Suleiman's grasp.

Wino bit his lip so hard that blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"This is the only... hope I have in this life!"

He raised his hand to hail a taxi. An hour later, he arrived at a castle on the outskirts of London.

After multiple security checks, he walked into a gabled building made of stacked stone.

The white-haired Prince Suleiman, wearing pajamas, sat on the living room sofa, his eyes fixed on the book he was holding. "You shouldn't be here at this time."

"Prince Suleiman." Wino knelt on one knee in greeting. "I have found the way to pass the assessment."

"Oh?" Suleiman looked up. "You've already obtained the Interview Letter?"

His tone carried a hint of excitement.

His mother was too domineering, suppressing him to the point where he could barely breathe. In this Hogwarts incident, there wasn't even a crack for him to intervene.

And this subordinate before him, who was not highly regarded but had unexpectedly obtained the qualification for the exam, was the only pawn he could move in this revolution.

"Not yet."

With his head lowered, Wino looked at the floor and felt the gaze upon him grow cold. He hurriedly explained, "Because it is related to Your Highness."

"Me?"

"Yes, Your Highness. May I..." After a moment of silence, Wino suddenly gritted his teeth. "May I slap Your Highness!"

As expected, Suleiman did not shout in anger or call for Soldiers to drag him out.

"Heh." He chuckled. "Becoming the demon my subordinates fear most is exactly what I have been working hard to do.

But Wino, you must understand the consequences if you don't get the Interview Letter. I think you know better than anyone."

"Yes."

Wino's heart, which felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, slowly relaxed.

He had gambled correctly.

Suleiman was unwilling to give up the only pawn in his hand, even if it meant being offended by a despised subordinate.

"Come then." He turned to look at the round clock on the wall behind him. "It's almost midnight."

"Please forgive my transgression."

Wino stood up and, without daring to delay for a second, walked quickly to Suleiman on the sofa.

He raised his hand without any hesitation, fearing that even a moment's pause would sap his courage to swing his palm.

"Slap—"

The loud sound of the slap was quickly drowned out by the thunder.

Wino retreated to his original spot, knelt on one knee again, and buried his head deep against his thighs.

"Tick— tock—"

Both remained silent. In the empty living room, there was only the sound of the clock's gears turning.

"Coo— coo—"

A low cry reached his ears. Wino, his head still buried, felt sharp claws land on his shoulder, and the violent trembling of his thighs gradually subsided.

"Get up."

Thank Hogwarts.

Wino, nearly in tears, forced them back and stood straight. "Prince Suleiman, I offer you my loyalty!"

Curling his lip noncommittally, Suleiman, who never believed there was such a thing as loyalty in the world, said:

"You possess the Interview Letter that I desire but cannot obtain, and I possess the vast resources that you cannot imagine.

We can cooperate."