Chương 70: Another Test
Anderson glared at Art and Justin before giving a curt nod to Newt. They sat down at the table and unrolled a few parchments.
"The Hidebehinds have been a plague for us for many years and we have never been able to identify the source of their explosive population growth." Anderson cleared his throat and looked at Newt, "Headmaster Fontaine convinced MACUSA that Mr. Scamander's expertise would help us solve this once and for all."
Newt spoke up, "Hidebehinds were created by wizards cruelty. They have known nothing but hate wizards. They have the ability to turn invisible and shift their shapes. They have silver fur and are as tall as a man, they look like a skinny bear."
He took out his wand and conjured an imagine of a Hidebehind. "I studied one once and found that they have an instinctual hate for humans, which is why they attack Muggles and wizards. We can use that as our advantage."
"You mean bait?" the pale man asked.
"Yes." Newt looked at Art who smiled in return.
"I take it I am the bait? Works for me." Art laughed, nodding his head to the plan.
"That is ridiculous. He is a student." Anderson said sternly.
"Hidebehinds won't attack us in a group and will more likely attack one of us individually." Newt explained.
"So send one of us, we are more experienced and trained." Anderson said.
"You are but Artland is better suited." Newt said slowly.
The Aurors looked at him strangely.
"I can tell where they are coming. We need one alive, right Mr. Scamander?" Artland asked.
"Yes. To find their hideout." Newt said.
"We have tried many times to find this hideout but never did. How would a Hidebehind tell us?" Anderson asked in his deep voice.
Newt and Artland looked at each other silently. Art was about to speak when Newt interrupted him.
"I am able to speak to beasts." Newt said, giving a small shake of his head towards Art.
Art scowled but didn't say anything.
The rest of the room was silent as they looked at Newt in surprise.
"You speak to beasts?" the pale man asked skeptical.
"In a way, yes. I will find where they are." Newt said forcefully.
"That doesn't answer the question as to why he is better suited to be the bait."
"I told you, I can them even when they are invisible. They can't sneak up on me." Art explained.
"You are a student, I can't allow you to do that." Anderson said firmly.
"Let's see what he is capable of first." another Auror said, his bright green eyes shined with curiosity.
"Jaxon that isn't necessary." Anderson said with a frown.
The auror smiled and looked at Art with a strange smile, "I have heard many incredible things about you Mr. Cason. My daughter and wife spoke highly of you."
"Your wife and daughter?" Art asked confused.
"Gladys and Shelby Picaquery. I am Jaxon Hertz, she kept her maiden name." he said with a proud smile.
"Shelby's dad? Your wife is the famous investigator?" Art asked surprised.
He gave a wry smile and nodded, "Yes. She knew everything about me before our first date."
Art let out a laugh, "I could imagine. Your daughter is a gifted student and very forward."
"She gets that from her mom, I apologize."
"Can we get back to the problem at hand?" Anderson said annoyed.
"Simply test the kid Anderson, that is all I am saying." Jaxon said.
Justin spoke up for the first time, "Though Art is young sir, he is very talented and is learning from Professor Chip personally."
Justin's words seemed to have an affect on the aurors as they looked stunned at first before carefully looking at Art.
"Professor Chip is teaching him?" the fat pale man asked incredulously.
Art looked at them confused, "Yes? Is that a big deal?" he directed his last question at Justin.
Justin gave a bitter smile, "Though he doesn't seem like much, Artemis Chip is arguably the strongest wizard in North America. His special magic is very strong and kept in our tribe, only he is allowed to teach outsiders."
Art was shocked, he knew that the magic he was learning was powerful but he didn't know how exclusive it was.
"Why me? I haven't done anything to merit him teaching me?" Art asked confused.
He suddenly remembered the story Professor Chip told him, 'Is it because of the story of my ancestor? Did he really help them?'
"Well… let's test the kid. We will know from there." Anderson said, his eyes were still trying to see through Art and find his secrets.
"You will be pleasantly surprised." Newt said with a smile.
Boomer gave a smirk while Joel and the girls scowled but didn't say anything.
All of them shuffled outside to test Art who just shook his head and followed.
"Don't embarrass them too bad, okay?" Newt teased, whispering in his ear.
Art gave him a look before standing away from everyone.
Anderson nodded towards the pale fat man who stood out and took out his wand.
Art did the same, knowing that this man was a full fledged Auror.
He didn't hesitate and cast a stunning spell, which the auror deflected and returned his own.
The exchange of spells went on for a bit until Anderson let a low grunt, causing the pale man to nod his head and cast stronger spells and curses.
Art was waiting for this and used his cloning spell and took off in different directions, flanking the auror on both sides.
"Parlour trick." he sneered, quickly casting spells at both of them.
To his surprise Art didn't stop to deflect the spells and created another clone to block the spell.
The pale man was about to react when he felt cold steel pointing at his chest. He saw Art standing in front of him with a black sword pointing at him.
"Weird isn't it?" Art said with a smile.
The pale man looked at him confused.
"He was never with them. He casted a Disillusion Charm on himself." Anderson said deeply, looking at Art with respect.
"Don't feel bad, it worked on a British Auror too." Art laughed, putting away his sword.
Everyone was silent but Justin had a large smile on his face.
"Monster, simply a monster." he muttered.
"Okay!" Newt clapped his hands loudly, "Now that is taken care of, can we get going?"
Anderson nodded and yelled out, "Let's go!"
---
Art was deep in the forest somewhere in Massachusetts, walking around like he was lost. It was an act of course as he had his personal spell activated, showing him his surroundings.
'Nothing so far.' Art thought, reading the map in his head.
The spells of course had flaws as it was unable to see through the trees or the thick bushes so Art still had to wary of a Hidebehind.
His Thunderbird senses kicked in and felt oncoming danger. Though his movements didn't change, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
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Dawson
Dawson Sorry, went to Mexico for a week and then got a new job! No more Night Shift for this guy!
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