Christian heard a cacophony of sounds from the distance, all speaking different languages. Luckily, he recognized Greek and Latin, albeit the pronunciations and dialects took a few seconds to adapt.
"So, it took me to my destination, but what's with the abruptness and lack of control?" Christian muttered while thinking about the man he saw. 'It might really be him,' he sighed. He checked his bag and saw that nothing was missing.
Meanwhile, Odin's Eye had returned to its charging state. Christian placed the item away before increasing his height and putting on a hood to hide his face. He thought his attire would make him stand out, but as soon as he walked out of the alley, he saw many people in hooded robes or dressed like wizards in cloaks and hats, walking past many public stalls.
'Why do these people look like the wizards from a typical fantasy setting in Jim's memories?' Christian thought. Although the wizards in his timeline like to dress in cloaks and hats, they didn't use hoods that make them "mysterious."
The second thing he noticed was how clean the streets were, which he did not expect. However, the smell around was horrendous, as it was a mixture of sweat, body odors, and numerous smelling potions or materials. The upside is there was no poop and trash mixed in.
Christian focused on the surroundings. Due to a mixture of the lozenges and his skills, he soon understood what the people were saying:
"New papyrus with a formula for Youthful Potion. One sip and you will remain youthful until you die."
"A grimoire from the legendary witch, Circe. She used to turn sailors into pigs once they washed ashore on her island. Learn her deepest secrets about Transfiguration."
"The legendary true dragon heart. After consuming it, a mortal (Muggle) will become a wizard."
Many vendors were selling all kinds of strange things, ranging from rare magical artifacts from powerful and mythical witches and wizards to magical plants and potion formulas. Christian even heard someone selling the secret to immortality.
It did not take him long to realize these things were nonsense, but he saw many interested people checking out these vendors. After a quick look, he realized the primary targets of these vendors were gullible muggles. He walked around, ignoring anyone who tried to sell him anything; he only wanted to gather some information.
Christian was quiet; he listened, observed, and learned. He soon knew that he was in the Commerce District and needed to reach the Noble District — where all the wizards stayed — by passing through the Common District — the resident area of the Muggles.
He did not immediately head to the Noble District as he realized he would need money and did not have the currency of this era. He could use his research with Professor McGonagall to summon a few blocks of gold, but those would dissipate with time, and he did not know if there were methods to distinguish the truth. Christian's solution was to sell potions, but he needed a place to sell them.
He observed his surroundings to gather information. He noticed this district was different from the Commerce District. It had a more vibrant and musical ambiance. Street artists played all kinds of music, and muggles and wizards alike would stop and listen, sometimes even paying the performers for their work.
As Christian was about to find a vendor to sell a Wiggenweld Potion, the intuition from the Felix Felicis Potion activated, and he felt like following a short wizard with a rough beard. His action led him to the Common District, where the first thing he noticed was how fresh the environment was; he swore he could smell a sweet scent in the air.
'Is it because this place does not have the pollution of modern times?' thought Christian as he looked around. He noticed a security detail composed of wizards, who held wands, and muggles, who had swords, patrolling the streets.
Christian soon discovered the bearded wizard's destination — a bar with a large sign with a few words written in bold letters: Wizards Only. It was written in Greek, Latin, and a few other languages that Christians guessed were Ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, Punic, and the language of Anatolia, the predecessor to modern-day Turkey. He secretly shook his head at the thought that a bar excluded muggles in the Common District designated for them.
"I haven't seen you here before," said a tall wizard standing guard at the door. Christian did not utter a word and silently cast a magic shot in the distance.
"You can enter."
Christian first noticed how large the bar's interior was compared to its size on the outside; the Extension Charm was most likely used in this place. 'Was that charm invented so far back?' He found a table in the corner and looked around. He immediately realized there were people of different complexions and how stupid he was to come to this place with some of his modern thinking.
In a world of magic where navigation abilities like Apparitions exist, interpersonal connection and exchange between continents or different civilizations is way easier. As such, it's not a huge thing for someone from Africa or Asia to appear in the Mediterranean. Not to mention, the concept of whiteness was later invented around the 16th and 17th centuries. So, Christian removed his hood and breathed properly.
This bar was more diverse in terms of language, and he listened intently for news.
"Are you ready for the test?"
"I'm confident I can pass the written exam, but the others? I don't think I have any hope."
"I feel the same. (Sigh). I miss the old days when becoming a member was way easier."
'Test?' thought Christian before focusing on another conversation.
"I heard rumors that the Curator will attend this test."
"These rumors spread like wildfire every time the test day arrives; don't take them seriously."
"But what if they're true?"
"So what if it's true? How is meeting the Curator going to affect us?"
"What if he wants to take another student?"
"It's been over two hundred years since the Curator last took a student. Don't get your hopes up; even if he did, it's not our turn."
"True. By the way, did you hear that Jess got one of Olivander's wands?"
"What? He was so lucky? I tried the lottery every year and never won once."
"Me too. That bastard should have a higher chance of passing the test."
After listening to a few conversations, Christian understood the gist of things: the library will organize a test for wizards to gain access to its content every five years.
'In the magical world, knowledge is power, so I understand why they would restrict access to it even though I don't agree with it,' thought Christian.
'However, Mr. Crow's notes mentioned the library, so I should probably take the test. But can I even pass?"'
After ten minutes of not buying anything, Christian left because the barmaid gave him dirty looks. He found a wizard and secretly influenced him to lead him to an Apothecary to sell his potions. He learned from the bar that living in the Noble District was expensive, which is why there were many wizards in the Common District; this also explains the only wizard bar.
The Apothecary rewarded him handsomely for his potion. Apparently, healing potions are very valuable, especially to Muggles, because wizards refuse to sell to them, and when they do, it's the worst grade, almost useless. With money in his pocket, Christian headed to the Noble District, which he learned is further divided into Lower and Upper Districts. Any wizard can live in the Lower District as long as they have money, but only a few individuals have the right to enter the Upper District.
Christian walked around, noticing the still vibrant music atmosphere, but the architecture was different. The houses in the Common District were mainly black, while the ones in this district were white with a tinge of gold. While observing his surroundings, Christian felt a hand dexterously take his bag, making him speechless. He silently cast the summoning spell, the bag flew back into his hand, and he continued walking as if nothing had happened.
He began visiting store after store, hoping to find more information about the library's test. However, everyone kept quiet, treating the information as the most valuable thing in the world.
'This place is a hierarchical system with wizards at the top and muggles at the bottom, and knowledge is strictly controlled,' thought Christian as he walked out of a bookstore. The man had asked exorbitant prices for one book, and Christian knew he had done it intentionally. He saw a potion store in the distance and thought he should check it out.
"χαῖρε καὶ καλῶς ὑπόδεξο (Hello and welcome)," a young and jovial young man, probably the owner of the store or someone who worked here.
"Χαῖρε (pronounce: chaire. Definition: hello)," Christian saluted back. His pronunciation was impeccable, as the time spent here was enough to pick up their accents.
"τί ζητεῖς; (ti zēteis? — what are you looking for?)"
"Τοὐμὸν πρῶτον ἐστιν, οὖν πρῶτον θεάομαι. (Toumon prōton estin, oun prōton theasomai — It's my first time, so I'll look around first)," replied Christian.
"No problem."
The store was relatively small, with two cases on each side. He checked the left case and saw potions behind glass doors with small descriptions written before them. Christian only saw three different potions: an Anti-Paralysis Potion, a Common Poison Cure Potion, and a Flame Protection Potion. Christian could brew these potions, so he checked the right side.
'Language Potion?' Every vial on the right side contained a language potion, but the descriptions explained which language it allowed to learn.
"Excuse me, uh, what do I call you?"
"It's Neos."
"Excellent name. Can you explain this potion?" asked Christian.
"As the name suggests, it will allow you to instantly master the languages written," explained Neos.
"Is it temporary?"
"Not at all."
"So, you're saying I'll be instantly fluent in the language? I'll be able to write and speak it."
"It's not that exaggerated. The process usually takes three to seven days, and you'll only speak the language fluently — not how to write it. Plus, you can only consume two potions a month, or you'll have a terrible headache."
"That's still an excellent result," commented Christian, who remembered that Barty Crouch Sr. was said to know over 200 languages; he reckoned his family must have a similar recipe.
'After speaking the language fluently, it will be simple for me to learn its alphabet and grammar,' thought Christian.
"What about magical language like Parseltongue?"
"No, that kind of unique language will not work."
"What about the goblin's official language: Gobbledegook or Mermish?" continued Christian.
"Gobbledegook is fine, although I don't know why you would want to learn such a language," replied Neos. "However, Mermish falls under the same category as Parseltongue."
"I see," nodded Christian. Now that he had an answer to all his questions, he could really look around to decide what to buy. The store offered languages that interested him, such as Sanskrit, Old Chinese, and Ancient Egyptian.
"Why is the Ancient Egyptian Potion so much more expensive?" he asked.
"The potion only works with spoken languages, and the Egyptian Language has changed tremendously over time, and this version is on the verge of becoming ancient or dead. The price is due to its rarity."
'In other words, these potions might not work after I return to the modern day,' thought Christian. 'Plus, the core material for this potion should be the Language Lozenges.' An idea suddenly popped into his mind.
"Are you interested in selling the potion formula?"
"No, no, no," replied Neos, acting as if Christian had said the most blasphemous thing in the world. 'I forgot about the control of knowledge in this place.'
"Calm down. I'm not asking you to exchange it for money, but with another formula."
"You want to exchange formulas?"
"Yes."
"And you're willing?"
"Otherwise, why would I ask?"
"What formula?"
"How about a healing potion?"
"No," said a deep voice that came from the back of the store.