Chapter 321: The Curious Element of Hypnotical Pathology

A French warlock has suddenly appeared out of thin air, in a busy street of Manila, and inside a business district called Bonifacio Global City. He was being summoned by the ASEAN United Secretariat of Magic to testify on a certain "secretive" topic, of which his renowned expertise was urgently needed. It was a subject matter very much avoided by many experts in Occlumency for fear of being used by the agents of evil and then repeat the fatal mistake that happened in the European continent where witches and wizards were fatally killed, ruthlessly performed and in distinct diabolical means. In this time of recorded history, the disinformation circulating around has been recognizably rampant again, and all the social forces affecting the peaceful causes of Ethical Magic was noted to be significantly present again at the current moment, as it was reflected in the written records of historical accounts circulating within the international community of the magical folks in the same practice of exceptional wizardry.

Except today, there are no magical illusions or deliberate equivocation involved in the changing landscape of renewed process of socialization, as things have already turned around and familiar tables have flipped with utmost certainty. Some of the competent few, who are not willing to be named, have already mentioned that this period of history is another renaissance waiting to happen by the default operation of the destiny of the Fates. It was regarded as a great time of jubilee, if that makes more sensible meaning to the inquisitive mind. Everybody had been waiting for so long to the arrival of this pivotal moment, whether for the good or for the bad it was originally intended, notwithstanding.

He was obligated to come here at the request of the Speaker of Magic, whom he firsr met in his glorious time at the Academic Committee doing his graduate work in pathological analysis involving magical auras as utilized in the proliferation of the Dark Arts, and he was more of compelled to oblige rather than by personal pleasure in honoring this invitation (no matter how cordial it may sound between a friendship), as the cases of severe hypnosis has been a growing concern of the magical community elsewhere in the world. But this particular case (the subhect of his arrival) is the first in Southeast Asia, and, in the end, he cannot afford to fail a rather familiar friend on account of pride and school honor.

He walked towards the direction of a beautiful skyscraper, which building name he did not bother to know, as he was greeted by the sudden gush of the cold northeast monsoon wind. Amihan, as it was casually called by the Filipinos. The place still felt familiar, however, despite his last visit to the country was already five years ago. It was all too recognizable to gain a realization on how a place can change suddenly in a significant amount of time; indeed, the world waits for nobody, and neither for any wizard, too. Not even the muggles will contradict such a truthful admission of a statement of fact.

Everything is illuminated by Christmas decors and dancing lights that are all too familuar to the tradition of the yuletide season in the Philippines. Unfortunately, he was not a tourist this time around in order to fully appreciate the view; his role is mightily preoccupied by magic, and he was now looking for a particular lantern as he was carefully instructed by the letter of instruction. But this lantern is not just any other decoration to be found in the surrounding perimeter, as he was curiously searching for that unique yellow star (dilaw na parol, as it is locally called) in order to be granted entry into the well-appointed Session Hall of the ASEAN Union Summit of Magic.

In the same instant that he recognized the said lantern, the incantation immediately worked its magic, as he was transported right inside the place of his destination almost instantly. There was always a subtle discomfort in this process of travel, but it was manageable. As it was a well-known fact in the worldwide magical cooperation, the skillful wizards of ASEAN are the best makers of portkeys that is unrivaled anywhere in the world.

"It is definitely you. I knew you would come," the Speaker of Magic said as soon as the guest appeared in sight. "Gracious, as always."

"Not without your sincere invitation, of course," the mysterious guest replied, slightly bowing his head, in order to greet a familiar brethren from the Academic Committee. "This place has a special calling in my heart."

"The beach, perhaps?" the Speaker of Magic replied with a wide grin. "Thank you for agreeing to help our country in this most difficult time, my brother."

"Always a pleasure to practice my English conversational skills," he taunted back in a rather very obvious French accent. They shook hands and embraced one another. "Now, about this strange Element of Hypnosis you were talking about."

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