Hogwarts’ John Wick 179: Johnny Silverhand’s Branch

179: Johnny Silverhand’s Branch

The two-week overseas trip didn't particularly excite John, but Mrs. Wick was thoroughly enjoying herself.

She would drag John around, dressing him up in various styles under the pretense of "fashion."

However, when it ca to the hip-hop style—complete with a huge gold chain and a backward cap—John drew the line.

Of course, the trip wasn't without its inconveniences.

A woman traveling abroad, especially a beautiful one, inevitably attracted attention.

That's when her little knight would step in. John would drag those unwelco suitors into an alley, breaking a few fingers or knocking out a couple of teeth.

On one occasion, he knocked out all of a thug's teeth. The man, convinced another gang was responsible, sparked a skirmish that led to both sides exchanging gunfire, causing quite a stir.

Because of that, the streets were rather unsettled for a while.

John also made a side trip to the Plymouth Colony, where a branch of the Johnny Silverhand's Speciality Store had recently opened.

The store was managed by a stunning Asian woman who relied on a wheelchair for mobility.

So people had entertained sinister ideas about her, but after two wizards ended up as gibbering idiots, no one dared to act on those ideas openly.

The large Johnny Silverhand logo sat prominently in the center of the settlent.

A bald, bronze-skinned man with a fierce expression stood at the door, glaring equally nacingly at everyone who passed by.

This was the security guard for the Arican branch—and one of the many followers of Johnny Silverhand quietly taking root around the world.

"Johnson, step aside a little, will you? Who's going to dare co in with you standing there?"

Behind the security guard, a man in a suit and monocle grumbled in dissatisfaction.

Johnson shot him a glare but silently shifted his position.

The man behind him stiffened montarily, took a deep breath, and reminded himself not to argue with the brute.

As a proper salesman, even if the manager hadn't instructed him to drum up business, he felt it was his duty to take the initiative.

Straightening his bow tie, the salesman raised his head with a haughty air and strode out the door, ready to et with several wizards he had appointnts with.

anwhile, John strolled toward the Johnny Silverhand store.

Standing at the entrance, Johnson spotted him and silently raised a hand to block his path.

"Are you a student?"

Johnson asked bluntly, "There's nothing here for students. You should try the shop across the street."

John chuckled and asked, "Why?"

"Johnny Silverhand himself said we must protect the future blossoms of the magical world. The things here are extrely dangerous and unsuitable for students," Johnson explained patiently despite his intimidating deanor.

That was, indeed, sothing "Johnny Silverhand" had said—or rather, sothing Rita Skeeter had fabricated for one of her articles.

The intention was to highlight Johnny Silverhand's kindness, and surprisingly, the quote had earned him quite a bit of favor among family-oriented wizards.

John shrugged and said, "I'm here to see your manager. Please inform her that John is visiting."

"The manager?" Johnson stared at John suspiciously for a mont before pulling a hemp rope near the entrance.

A delicate orchid blossod from the rope, and the flower spoke in a gentle voice.

"Johnson, what's the matter?"

"Miss Nagini, soone nad John is here to see you."

"John!"

A delighted voice ca through the orchid. Nagini's tone was urgent. "Let him in!"

Johnson blinked in surprise but stepped aside to let John pass.

As John entered, the shop revealed rows of magical items on display.

However, John knew these were just the visible wares.

When he initially planned the Arican branch, its niche was defined as a firearms store with local flair. Each display case had been enchanted to conceal unregistered wands and offensive magical devices.

Inside, a few custors were browsing, each wearing a monocle.

The monocles were enchanted; only by wearing them could one see the hidden stock beneath the counters.

'Good good~ Very good~'

Three salespeople were present, enthusiastically explaining the rchandise to the custors.

Two guards stationed at the entrance to a deeper section of the shop noticed John as soon as he stepped inside.

As he approached the door, they respectfully stood and opened it for him, clearly inford in advance about his arrival.

John entered, and beyond the door was a room quite unlike the storefront—a cozy space resembling a living room.

Nagini was seated in a wheelchair, dressed in an erald green dress. The wheelchair moved on its own without needing to be pushed.

"John, you're here."

Nagini's face lit up with happiness as she saw him.

Noticing he looked thinner, she expressed concern. "You shouldn't overwork yourself."

"It's nothing, just a minor issue," John replied as he approached Nagini, his gaze lingering on her.

To John's sight, the chaotic particles that once plagued her body were now gone.

"You've recovered well," he said with a faint smile. Walking naturally to her side, he continued, "How's the business running? Are you adjusting well?"

Sending Nagini to develop within the Arican wizarding community had been a spur-of-the-mont decision.

At the ti, when John planned to open branches in various countries, the Arican branch had been chosen as the test site.

John had promised her that she could always call on him for help if she encountered trouble.

But Nagini had never reached out even once, instead relying on herself to establish a solid foothold in the local community.

"It's all thanks to your reputation," Nagini said, her smile warm and voice gentle. "The wizards here resonate with your ideals. They admire strength, and using your na, I was quickly able to gather a group of followers."

"There have been a few troublemakers, but fortunately, the ring you gave worked wonders."

She lightly stroked the erald-green ring on her finger. Once, soone had pointed a wand at her head, triggering the ring's protective magic and turning the aggressor into a fool.

Because of that incident, she earned the local nickna "Lady Serpent"—seemingly passive, but lethally dangerous when provoked.

As they passed a wine rack, John casually picked up a bottle of red wine, only for Nagini to snatch it from his hand.

With a motherly tone, she chided, "John, you're not an adult yet. You can't drink."

"..."

"...You're just like my mom," John muttered, exasperated.

Co to think of it, strictly speaking, Nagini could be considered from his grandmother's generation.

He sighed, admitting defeat.

After letting her take the wine, John retrieved a box from his small satchel.

"Speaking of which, I haven't given you a gift to celebrate the opening of your shop."

As a proper boss, he couldn't appear stingy. Handing the long box to Nagini, John smiled and added, "Go ahead, open it."

"Really!? What is it?!" Nagini, intrigued, opened the box. Inside, a beautifully crafted wand rested on a velvet cushion.

The wand was black, asuring eleven and a quarter inches, with intricate patterns etched along its surface and excellent flexibility.

At the wand's tail, a spiral pattern encased a sapphire.

It was a wand so beautiful that Nagini couldn't help but be srized.

John explained, "Purpleheart wood with a Thestral tail hair core. This is a wand ant for one who has been reborn. The tail end is embedded with Philosopher's Stone fragnts, which can amplify magical power and aid in healing the body."

The Philosopher's Stone fragnt was one of John's new creations, an experintal super-magical crystal resembling the legendary artifact.

It could enhance spell potency, absorb magical attacks, and convert the energy into magical feedback for the wielder.

The Philosopher's Stone fragnt also served as an enormous reservoir of magical power. While it lacked the ability to produce the Elixir of Life or transmute materials into gold, it was effectively a weaker version of the legendary Philosopher's Stone.

Nagini gently touched the wand, noticing an inscription on the handle.

"To celebrate Nagini's rebirth."

Her heart trembled with emotion. Who could ever truly understand the tornt she endured during those years trapped as a serpent?

Now reborn like a phoenix, Nagini couldn't hold back her tears.

Holding the wand, she smiled through her tears and said with deep gratitude, "John, thank you."

A simple phrase, yet one she had uttered many tis before, and still, it never felt enough.

"Ehm.. I also brought so other things.."

John rubbed his nose, looking slightly embarrassed.

John took out various "Series of" accessories from his bag and handed them to Nagini.

Nagini, who had never owned many ornants before, suddenly looked like a jewelry model adorned with items, each with its unique function.

She couldn't help but chuckle and sigh as John placed a stack of books on the table as well.

"These books are ant to help you quickly improve your spellcasting skills. You should take a look," John said.

Now that she had reverted to human form and the blood curse within her body was removed, Nagini could begin learning magic again.

John naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to encourage her to study hard.

Given her current condition and with her soul gradually healing, Nagini could regain the ability to walk after so ti.

The damage to her soul had been severe—nearly devoured completely. Even after saving her, much of her soul remained fragnted.

John was even considering whether to capture a few Dentors to raise and later use them to create soul-restoration potions.

Relying solely on unicorn horn redies would take far too long.

...

Managing the Silverhand's Speciality store alone was proving to be challenging. John planned to enlist Kim Ledislay's help in running the shop.

But before that, he had other matters to attend to.

For instance, dealing with the Ministry of Magic's Auror inspections.

The store's profits were too substantial, and it was only natural that so people would get jealous.

Secretly sabotaging was one thing, but the truly ruthless would go so far as to try eliminating Nagini outright.

John was determined to nip such threats in the bud. At this mont, he sat in the Blind Pig bar, wearing a silver mask, while a trembling goblin across from him stamred out over a dozen nas.

"Respected Johnny Silverhand, I have no intention of opposing you," the goblin pleaded.

This was an underground bar in New York, a hub for all sorts of shady characters and a hotbed for intelligence exchange.

The bar's owner, a goblin, was also the biggest rogue around.

But at this mont, the once-brash goblin was trembling before John.

Just monts earlier, Johnny Silverhand had walked into the bar and effortlessly knocked out three wizards who dared to make a move.

Then, with a flick of his wand, he had pulled the goblin's soul out of his body, only to shove it back in.

Well, he may or may not have tortured his soul a little bit.

The good part was that the goblin, now devoid of his usual arrogance, only wished to avoid reliving such a horrifying experience.

Works like a charm, hehe~

________

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