Unlike the open, free and dynamic atmosphere of American common people, the magical circle in America is more closed and isolated than other magical civilization in the world. The Wizardry Secrecy Law was also strictly implemented here.
Due to some famous historical events, such as:
The Salem witch trials in the 17th century, the Hakkai-sired Broomtail assaults on Muggles in the 18th century, the Witches of the Thirteenth Tree leaking magical secrets to their Muggle lover in the late 18th century, the Great Capercaillie Uprising in the 19th century and this decade's debacle caused by Grindelwald and Newt Scamander along with his adorable little creatures.
For a relatively long period of time, the American Magical Congress even prohibited wizards of Muggle descent from revealing the existence of the magical world to their close relatives, and this law was not repealed until the mid-20th century.
It is precisely because of these widely impactful, serious events that the American Magical Congress has enacted laws. Any wizard, whether a permanent resident or a tourist, who appears in this country must carry a wand license and use it to track all magical activities and identify the perpetrators through wand identification.
This rule does not exist in any other magical civilization outside of the United States.
But the notorious Wand License Office, which is disliked by foreign tourists and even local residents, does not receive much attention within the American Magical Congress.
Although it shares the Woolworth Building with Muggles, the space allocated to wizards is much larger than that of Muggles, with over a hundred floors of luxurious space. Surprisingly, the Wand Permit Office is situated in a warehouse storing forbidden items. Each time someone comes here to do business, they have to stoop through the high and low metal stairs, careful not to touch the shelves filled with items. What might be interesting items lurking in those labeled "Prohibited to Touch" boxes that will give you quite a scare?
Moreover, this department has few employees. A department head is a director of another department, and two employees ensure someone can be on duty at night.
Chago called out cheerfully, using both hands to wipe his face vigorously, making a honking sound.
"I'm sorry, I'm a bit sleepy. Oh, you remind me that these troubles are far away from me. To be honest, if I think like that, coming here was a good choice!"
Amelia's eyes flickered with hesitation as she couldn't decide whether to wake up her colleague. After all, no one likes working in a cold, boring department. So generally, only those who made mistakes would be sent here, either to work or to leave, whichever way you put it.
"You're still on duty. What's this box about? The prohibited items that were seized from those clumsy tourists? But you sent it to the wrong place, didn't you? This is the Wand Office!"
It's obvious that Amelia is eager to get off work. Chago didn't waste any more time. He hurried back to his position and issued the item transfer document.
"It's not in order, Chago."
"You're talking about Amosetta Brenn! The Security Department is going to confiscate his wand. Oh, has Greyvis gone mad? He thinks that because his family has influence in Congress, he can do as he pleases. They're going to confiscate Amosetta Brenn's wand, oh my God, Chairman Korhog... oh, he's not here."
Chago shivered and became more alert. He noticed the fallen box and the disorganized documents on the ground. Frustrated, he pulled out his wand and waved it without checking what was going on. Instead, his gaze fell on Amelia, who was carrying a wooden box.
Amelia said solemnly, cutting off Chago's impending barrage of useless words before he could speak.
"Sorry, Chago, I'm in a hurry, so, if you don't mind, the proof..."
"Can I ask Mr. Brenn for a signature, my girlfriend is really into his Fire Magic!"
The man with tousled, sandy-blond hair said in a state of disarray, his expression wild. He seemed to be asleep and confused about his whereabouts.
"The wand is in the box."
"Amosetta Brenn's visit to Congress. Do you understand, Amelia? This is no small matter. Why are there no reports in the newspaper at all? Are there no serious matters to cover in the Spectre Newspaper, besides tracking boring elections and those dangerous missing magical creatures?"
Amelia looked down at the box in her arms, her tone becoming slightly more intense.
"Security Department doesn't allow Mr. Amosetta Brenn to bring his wand after entering the country, they won't issue him a wand permit, so I brought his wand here. Chago, I need you to keep Brenn's wand safe and then write me a receipt. I need to give the receipt to Security Department."
"Oh, poor Amosetta Brenn, what did he do to anger the Security Department's scoundrels?"
"Oh, I'm sorry--"
Splash!
"Oh, I think--"
"Amosetta Brenn's wand, if it appeared on the black market, would definitely be more valuable than those possibly smuggled out by magical creatures. I need to be careful. If anything goes wrong, I might have to take Diagon's job instead--"
The mood would be terrible, as would the temper. Amelia thought that if she were to be thrown into this department, it would probably be the same. However, she couldn't just stand there like an idiot for the whole night. She'd have to go to Security Department later.
Pinching her lips, Amelia pulled out her wand and lightly pointed it at the shelves. The heavy shelves began to sway slightly, then—
Bang!
With a heavy thud and swirling smoke, the guy who had his legs propped up on the desk and was snoring loudly opened his eyes. He jumped up from his chair.
Chago scowled, took the box from Amelia that was handed to him, and casually dropped it on the desk (which caused a flicker of disapproval in Amelia's eyes). Then, he opened the drawer to write the receipt, but just as he picked up the piece of vellum, his movements suddenly froze. He looked at Amelia with a mix of confusion and helplessness.
"Amosetta Brenn?" Chago squinted his eyes, "which Amosetta Brenn are you talking about?"
This was quite amusing. Amelia tilted the corner of her mouth and said to the puffing Chago,
Chago bowed his head, and his gaze toward the box was filled with awe. But then, his look turned to confusion as he looked back at Amelia.
"What's wrong?"
Diagon was responsible for guarding the gate of Congress.
"What is it?" Chago asked eagerly.
"Chago?" Amelia's brown eyes flashed with a hint of apology, speaking softly.
"These aren't your concern anymore, isn't that right, Chago?"
The long night, with nothing to do, left Chago feeling disappointed, and he muttered in dissatisfaction. He picked up the wooden box and tried to fit it on a shelf behind him, but halfway through, he suddenly changed his mind. Instead, he took the box out of Amelia's sight and walked into the narrow aisle separated by the disorganized shelves, only to reappear after a while.
"You forgot to write the time--"
"Amelia, you came to inform me of something, right? Tell me, what else is missing? Are the Phoenixes or Cimera gone again? Don't tell those five-legged monsters are missing, my heart can't take it!"
As Amelia began to speak, Chago jumped up, vigorously scratching his disheveled hair, his eyes wide as twice their usual size.
Staring at this scene, Amelia pointed out Chago's mistake before he could hand her the receipt.
Chago gasped in surprise, and then he finally realized where he was. The bloodshot eyes quickly faded.
"Yeah, no worries!"
Looking around the cramped space for a moment, Amelia placed a box on top of a shelf above her head. It seemed to be filled with piles of documents.
"Nothing is wrong?"
Amelia finally got a chance to speak. She glanced at the receipt that Chago had pulled out, hoping he would catch the hint, but Chago was only looking at her.
"It's because Mr. Brenn came to visit not as the Vice President of the International Federation of Wizards or any other title, but as a private individual to take care of some personal matters."
Amelia held the box containing the two wands of Amosetta Brenn and stood in the dimly lit and chaotic Wand Permit Office. Her gaze fell on the person who was sound asleep on the desk, although it wasn't late, but this month's unlucky soul had already fallen asleep early.
The pair of grey eyes with trace of bloodshot glanced around in drowsiness, but it was clear he was a bit lost.
"Have those damned dangerous creatures been stolen again?"
After adding the time at the bottom of the document, Chago handed it to Amelia. After examining it carefully, Amelia thanked him and prepared to leave.
"Oh--" Amelia sped up, she had a lot to do tonight, "Yeah, well. International Federation of Wizards"
Looking at Amelia who vanished from sight in a blink, Chago shouted towards the exiting corridor.
(Chapter ends)
