Chapter 106: The Peculiar Staff

“No, can’t you two think a little more? This isn’t just…” Chas grew impatient at these words, but before he could finish, Alex raised his hand and interrupted.

The young man, dark-eyed and solemn, fixed his gaze on Chas. “I understand how you feel. I know you long for a return to normal life. But Chas, ever since the day we uncovered our parents’ crimes, normalcy has abandoned us.”

“You think that after their trial, we’ll go back to how things were? We won’t. Everything has changed.”

As he spoke, Alex glanced at Gu Zhongyan, then continued, “Remember what Sean told us? He said that somewhere behind this world, there exists a group that secretly upholds order and protects ordinary people.”

“If all these years we’ve never noticed anything amiss, it means those special individuals are under close surveillance and strict control.”

“We’re no longer just ordinary teenagers. Even if we try to return to a normal life, I doubt we can escape that shadowy surveillance, right?”

This last question was directed at Gu Zhongyan.

Once again struck by the young man’s insight, Gu Zhongyan nodded, his expression composed.

“That’s right. As people with supernatural abilities, to prevent any sudden loss of control that might cause irreparable harm, your every move may be monitored, perhaps even restricted.”

“It’s like gun registration, only much more stringent.”

At these words, everyone except Alex instinctively furrowed their brows.

In a country founded on freedom, surveillance and the loss of privacy are among the gravest violations.

Alex nodded in understanding and turned to his five companions.

“So you see, whether or not we join Sean’s team, normal life is already beyond our reach.”

“If we’re going to be watched and have our privacy invaded anyway, why not take the initiative and join? Not only can we escape that control, we can also gain resources to strengthen ourselves.”

“And as Molly said, we might even do something to atone for our parents.”

“Of course, our freedom will still be limited, but all things considered, it’s better than not joining.”

“So, I choose to join, and I hope you’ll seriously consider what I’ve said.”

With that, Alex fell silent, simply standing behind Gu Zhongyan to show his stance.

The other five were lost in thought. Molly, who had been so eager to join Gu Zhongyan’s team, now hesitated.

Seeing this, Gu Zhongyan didn’t press the issue, chatting idly with Alex and inquiring about his needs.

At last, after more than half an hour, the five agreed to join, forming the Young Defenders in Los Angeles, charged with safeguarding the region.

Gu Zhongyan’s face lit with pleased anticipation. He nodded. “Very good. I know your decision is partly forced by circumstances, but I believe you won’t regret it.”

“Nico, come with me.”

With a glance at Nico, he turned and walked out. Nico hesitated, then followed.

As soon as they stepped through the manor’s gate, Gu Zhongyan raised his wand and waved it gently. The space around them shimmered, as if draped in a layer of glass, forming an isolated realm.

With his magic restored to its peak, Gu Zhongyan found it easy to emulate mirror space.

Nico, who had always used her wand for magic, had never witnessed magic of this caliber. She was astonished, reaching out to poke the nearby mirrored surface, discovering that the thin layer was harder than diamond.

“Nico, may I see your Yuan One Wand?” Gu Zhongyan asked once she’d finished exploring.

Nico paused, but didn’t refuse, removing the Yuan One Wand from her back and handing it over.

Gu Zhongyan accepted it eagerly—he had been looking forward to this for a long time.

He immediately infused it with magic, expanding his mental sea to examine the powerful artifact.

But as his magic flowed through the Yuan One Wand, Gu Zhongyan froze.

“How is this possible?” he blurted out.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?” Nico asked anxiously.

Gu Zhongyan quickly composed himself, masking his surprise with a smile. “Nothing, nothing. I just remembered something. Here, your wand. Let’s talk about your understanding of magic.”

Nico gave him a puzzled look, unsure what was wrong with the wizard, but she shared her thoughts nonetheless.

Though a young witch, Nico had never studied magic systematically. Most of her understanding came from Wiccan rituals.

Though somewhat related, they were far from true magic.

After listening, Gu Zhongyan nodded, then handed her two books copied from Kamar-Taj’s library, instructing her to study them, and released the mirror space so she could leave.

Once Nico had gone, Gu Zhongyan’s brow furrowed deeply.

All because of the Yuan One Wand.

The Yuan One Wand was famous in the Marvel universe, a powerful artifact brimming with magic. Gu Zhongyan had hoped to study it to deepen his understanding of Marvel’s magical system.

But when he took the wand, he discovered it was nothing like the magical artifacts he remembered—just a device made of high-tech materials, with strong electromagnetic properties.

He hadn’t sensed a trace of magic in it.

If he didn’t know for certain Nico wouldn’t deceive him, he’d suspect she’d handed him a fake.

Gu Zhongyan sensed something was amiss, so he quickly concealed his emotions and shifted the conversation to magic.

He had intended to teach Nico magic anyway, so it wasn’t too abrupt, and he managed to muddle through.

After seeing Nico off, Gu Zhongyan thought for a moment, then went down to the manor’s basement dungeon.

There, amid the gloom, a group of well-dressed parents were chained, unable to move.

Upon seeing Gu Zhongyan, they grew agitated, threatening and pleading, or asking anxiously after their children.

Gu Zhongyan ignored them, directing his gaze at the only Asian woman among them.