Because both sides were largely in agreement, the overall pace of the negotiations was quite fast, apart from a few regulations involving internal government administration. Some clauses were even passed almost without discussion.
There were simply too many regulations involved, which was why the meeting still took an entire day.
During that time, apart from chatting with the other deputies, Tver basically served as the representative of wizarding power.
For example, he conjured a dining table out of thin air, then took pile after pile of cakes, biscuits, and chocolates from a tiny wallet, along with the most important item, Pumpkin juice, which came from Joanne's friendly but unwilling sponsorship. He shared them with all the ambassadors present, and even the security teams received a portion.
It was a little strange, even funny, but these magical methods were already enough to make the ambassadors, most of whom came from humanities backgrounds, stare without blinking.
After all, using the Undetectable Extension Charm on personal belongings was illegal, and the Aurors of the Joint Operations Office would never knowingly break the law.
So this was the first time they had ever seen something that violated scientific principles while clearly making life more convenient.
The Secretary-General, however, looked at the cake in his hand with complicated feelings.
Just by looking at the satisfied expressions of the ambassadors around him, who had clearly been won over, he knew these desserts were indeed delicious.
But when he thought about the future, if magic was truly exposed, then no matter which country's history books recorded it, this meeting would definitely be an extremely important turning point.
And yet, at this almost sacred occasion and moment in history, they were happily having afternoon tea together.
Just thinking about it was enough for him to know that future students, when they learned about this part, would surely feel as conflicted as he did.
"What's wrong?" Tver asked curiously, holding a cake in one hand and a cup in the other as he looked at the silent Secretary-General and the small cake in his hand.
"This strange chocolate cake is supposedly made with your food additives plus a little herb, which gives the chocolate a fresh lemon scent. It's especially good."
Seeing Tver's serious expression, the Secretary-General felt that if he did not respond, this afternoon tea might continue until tomorrow.
"Yes, I was just wondering about that."
He took a small bite of the chocolate layer on the surface of the cake. The taste was exactly as Tver had said, unusual and delicious.
Even someone like him, who did not particularly enjoy sweets, could not help showing a satisfied smile.
"Wonderful. The combination of magic and technology makes me feel as though I'm not merely tasting a piece of cake, but tasting the beautiful future of this world."
Tver looked oddly at the cake in his hand. Why had he not felt anything like that?
As expected of the United Nations Secretary-General. His level of awareness really was higher than ordinary people's.
"You're right. Before this, magic and technology, wizards and ordinary people, had always been separated." Tver pointed at Babajide, who was chatting with several ambassadors.
Even though Babajide had done plenty of preparation, his contact with them that day still revealed certain political ways of thinking that differed from Muggles.
For example, Babajide found it hard to understand the suspicion and defensiveness between different political systems, while the ambassadors could not understand why the Ministries of Magic of various countries were willing to accept the jurisdiction of the International Confederation of Wizards in certain areas.
At its root, this was the objective consequence of two worlds being isolated from one another for so long. There was no right or wrong in it.
"But merging the two is not as simple as it looks on the surface," Tver said with concern.
"Whether it is mutual misunderstanding, conflicting ideas, or differences in ability, all of these will bring problems in every aspect."
The Secretary-General nodded.
He understood Tver's concerns, and he also knew that the Wizards' Confederation had always advocated peace, which was the exact opposite of those governments that always seemed to harbor designs on wizards.
"You're right. Handling such detailed issues would be especially tedious and troublesome for you wizards. It would be best to have a bridge for communication."
"As expected of Mr. Secretary-General," Tver said admiringly. "I've been thinking about establishing just such an institution for a long time."
"The Wizards' Confederation is a purely wizarding organization. Handling wizarding affairs alone is already enough to keep it busy."
"And the Joint Operations Office is essentially an action department. Having it handle daily affairs would be a waste of its abilities."
"So I was thinking of handing this part of the work to the United Nations. Does Mr. Secretary-General see any problems with this idea?"
At the end, he asked with an innocent expression, like a young man in his twenties seeking advice from an elder about a problem that had troubled him for a long time.
"Hiss…"
The Secretary-General was startled by the idea.
The United Nations itself was a channel for communication. Even if the opinions of small countries were coldly ignored when they opposed great powers, this mechanism of communication had always been recognized by countries around the world.
Moreover, the wizards' attitude had been displayed perfectly through Tver.
With a young man like this present, the hardline attitude of the Wizards' Confederation would probably not change for at least another twenty or thirty years.
If communication and cooperation between wizards and Muggles were handed over to the United Nations, then with wizards backing it, at least when it came to matters involving wizards and magic, the United Nations would have the confidence to slam the table in front of the great powers.
This was the kind of authority the Secretary-General had dreamed of, even now when he was about to leave office.
"Your idea is very interesting, but I'm about to step down. Perhaps my successor would be very willing to discuss this aspect with you…"
"No," Tver said firmly. "I only want to ask the opinion of a senior figure like you."
The Secretary-General was even more surprised, but this time, he was surprised by Tver's attitude.
"What do you mean?" He faintly sensed something, but still found it hard to believe.
Seeing that the Secretary-General had already understood his meaning, Tver stopped beating around the bush.
"What I mean is, if you were asked to manage a department jointly led by the Confederation and the United Nations, with the goal of establishing friendly relations between both sides, would you be willing?"
The Secretary-General had to admit, he was tempted. However, having spent so long in political work, he knew that some things could not be accomplished simply because one wanted to do them.
"But if a new department is to be established within the United Nations, it would require all countries to…"
"The Wizards' Confederation will fully support your work," Tver said, putting down the decisive bargaining chip.
The Secretary-General's face immediately flushed with excitement.
"I accept!"
Only then did Tver reveal a satisfied smile.
This department established within the United Nations would indeed divide away some of the Joint Operations Office's authority, but that was not unacceptable.
Although he wanted the Office to have greater authority, he wanted even less to see the Office become bloated.
This new department, in fact, would be to the Office what the civil branch was to the military branch. Together, they would intervene comprehensively in communication and cooperation between wizards and Muggles.
For a new department focused mainly on political and cultural work, there was no institution in this world more suitable than the United Nations, and no leader more suitable than the Secretary-General to manage it.
More importantly, with this department managed by the Secretary-General, it would also be convenient for Tver to sneak in a little private agenda for overturning the Secrecy Act.