As soon as the words fell, Dumbledore really did leave the ward pitifully. It was hard to imagine this was the sa old man who was always accustod to controlling everything. Such a display was unexpected.
From his retreating figure, Ciel sensed deep desolation. He sighed inwardly. This old man liked arranging people as chess pieces and controlling the overall situation; that was certainly true.
But in the original story, when Neville hadn't yet shown his late-blooming potential, it was still Dumbledore who didn't ignore what he'd done. Those ten points Neville earned beca Gryffindor's decisive victory for the House Cup in first year.
This was perhaps also a key event in building Neville's confidence and helping him realise his potential in the original story. Even at the final mont when arranging his own death, Dumbledore still held deep compassion for Draco Malfoy.
He even made special arrangents for Snape to end his life at the crucial mont, so such a burden wouldn't fall on a child of Malfoy's age.
To say Dumbledore had no feelings for Hogwarts or the young wizards, treating them only as chess pieces, would be pure conspiracy theory. This incident had nearly caused massive casualties among students; much of the responsibility lay with Dumbledore's overconfidence in controlling the situation.
Thinking he could use the two-faced man as a whetstone to train the saviour. This should have dealt Dumbledore a severe blow.
Professor Sprout also looked stunned. She'd never seen Dumbledore with such an expression. After hesitating a mont, her anger and furious expression gradually faded.
Professor Sprout sighed, telling Ciel to rest well in the ward while she pushed open the door and went outside. Dumbledore's figure leaned weakly against the wall, light and shadow mottled across his aged features.
Professor Sprout could clearly see crystalline tears glimring in those usually wise blue eyes. She opened her mouth, saying with so remorse: "Sorry, Albus. What I said just now might have been too harsh."
Dumbledore smiled bitterly and shook his head: "No, this is what I deserve. The pain of losing loved ones – I think we've all experienced plenty of that. This ti, because of my foolishness, countless parents nearly lost their children."
"I was absolutely wrong. Such cris are more notorious than any Death Eater's, enough to rot away in Azkaban."
As he spoke, Dumbledore slowly crouched down against the wall, pain flickering in his eyes. In his mind, he couldn't help recalling that sentence carved on Nurngard prison, words he and his dearest friend and lover had once fervently believed:
"For the greater good..."
He'd thought he'd changed, having learnt such a painful lesson. But now it seed this phrase was still deeply etched in his bones. Old habits die hard.
From when Harry was about to enter school, he'd already arranged training for the saviour. In his vision, first year was just the beginning. Each subsequent year, he'd cleverly arrange obstacles and conspiracies for the saviour.
He'd ensure Harry beca sufficiently trained to beco Voldemort's destined opponent from the prophecy. But in the first year, when he thought he'd arranged everything, this Forbidden Forest trial gave him a harsh wake-up call.
Without Ciel, when he arrived, he might have seen dismbered limbs everywhere, death all around. Whenever Dumbledore had this thought, he'd involuntarily recall the pain that pierced his body and soul when his sister Ariana died.
After so many years, when that pain seed to gradually fade, he'd nearly experienced sothing ten tis worse. This completely dispelled Dumbledore's so-called training and tempering plans.
It also made him feel that perhaps not only was the Minister of Magic position unsuitable for him, but even Hogwarts Headmaster, any position involving controlling others and touching power, was equally unsuitable.
"Whether Dark Lord or Light Lord, neither should exist in the magical world. The latter might be even worse than the forr. The magical world doesn't need any lords."
Various thoughts churned violently in Dumbledore's mind until monts later, he supported himself and slowly stood up. Occluncy eliminated those restless distractions. His blue pupils regained their sharpness.
The magical world's future belonged to these children. But first, he had to complete his final mission.
So Dumbledore spoke to Professor Sprout: "Pomona, that person won't talk. He insists on seeing Ciel before revealing anything. His body can't withstand Legilincy or Veritaserum's tornt, but what he knows is too important."
"It directly relates to completely destroying Voldemort. Could you let talk with Ciel?"
Professor Sprout's face reddened again: "He just woke up! I don't even know if he's been having nightmares. And now you want him to see the person who orchestrated all this?"
Dumbledore showed remorse but continued: "Pomona, now we all know Voldemort wasn't completely destroyed. When he escaped, several of my spells hit him. Even souls and ghosts should have perished. But he didn't. He can still return."
"You heard his voice when he fled. He hates Ciel. If not for Ciel disrupting a key step in his plan, he might have truly succeeded. If Voldemort ever truly returns, given his vindictive nature, that would be real danger for Ciel."
"I'm getting older, Pomona. I don't want to leave this nace for the children to solve."
Professor Sprout's eyes widened. In the mottled light and shadow, the wrinkles on Dumbledore's face seed indeed much deeper than when she first t him.
However angry she was at Dumbledore's actions, sensing the aning in his words, deep sadness couldn't help spreading in her heart. Then Dumbledore said softly: "Don't worry, I absolutely won't let Ciel suffer any harm in this process."
"And the talent enhancent potion is so crucial for Ciel. Before I die, I'll do everything possible to help you collect those materials."
This made Professor Sprout take a deep breath. After hesitating, she nodded slightly. Dumbledore sighed in relief, carefully pushing open the ward door again.
While Professor Sprout and Dumbledore had been arguing intensely, the recently awakened Ciel finally had leisure to examine his system panel. His eyes showed anticipation. After all, Deter's Ritual Magic had caused such dramatic changes in him. He wondered what the situation was now.
When his gaze fell on the system panel, surprise couldn't help appearing in his eyes. The lustre flickering on Deter's Ritual Magic text was indeed still clear diamond radiance.
Even with Dumbledore's thread of faith power, it wasn't enough to push ritual magic to Epic or Legendary levels. This didn't surprise him.
But what amazed him was that within the diamond radiance on the ritual magic text, there were faint glimrs similar to the mythical-level light on his Patronus Charm!
Moreover, when his gaze fell upon it, a line of text appeared on the system panel:
[Your Deter's Ritual Magic has been influenced by Mythical-level power, causing unknown mutations.]
He showed thoughtful expression. Mythical-level power influence – could this be that erald light from the temple in the illusion?
Both triggering "oracles" and causing such changes to Deter's Ritual Magic, could the temple truly contain Deter, goddess of fertility?
But wasn't the Olympian era long shattered? Yet Deter remained in the world, seemingly imprisoned? What about other Olympian deities? Were they in similar situations? Was Delia Island's temple also similar?
Countless questions arose. Soon after, he shook his head. Thinking about these was useless. Better to see what real benefits Deter's Ritual Magic could bring.
The next mont, lines of text t his eyes. Originally under the Deter's Ritual Magic text was [Deter's Blessing], an ability to bless seeds and improve their quality.
Though the current damage to Deter's Chalice limited blessing effects, it was still a stable channel for obtaining high-quality seeds.
Now, besides [Deter's Blessing], several additional abilities had erged. Most prominent was [Deter's Oracle].
This was clearly gained after ritual magic reached Diamond level. But the text was currently ethereal; apparently he had already triggered it once and needed ti or specific conditions to receive oracles again.
He felt sowhat regretful. Diamond-level qualitative change was more dramatic than all previous changes combined. Yet it only derived oracle-receiving ability from ritual magic?
But then he reconsidered. The gap between Diamond and Mythical levels was indescribable, even as heaven and earth apart. That a Diamond-level ability's derived trait could connect with mythical-level beings and even receive power gifts from them was already abnormal enough.
At least Legendary ability sublimation traits probably lacked such effects. This oracle hadn't greatly affected him, mainly because he was too "illiterate" and couldn't understand at all.
Otherwise, he might have gained unimaginable benefits. Thinking this, he silently resolved to catch up on cultural studies, especially ancient, magically empowered languages.
Then he looked at other traits derived from ritual magic advancent besides oracles. This made his gaze first pause, then show wild joy.
[Deter's Craft]
[As Deter's priest, you receive certain enhancents to planting-related abilities.]
[Due to mythical-level power influence, enhancent effects greatly improved.]
[Your planting-type abilities improve by one tier.]
He never expected Deter's Ritual Magic advancent to bring such rewards. Simple, crude, but extrely powerful. Planting-related abilities directly improved one tier?!
He imdiately turned to the system panel. Sure enough, he saw his originally Platinum-level Soil Loosening and Pruning Charms; their platinum radiance had beco clear diamond light under enhancent.
Both planting spells directly jumped to Diamond level! This made him take a deep breath.
After all, he had many projects related to ancient plants, but his herbology mastery was too immature compared to these profound subjects. Taking grafting Whomping Willow branches, without Shadowthorn's help, even using all his accumulated knowledge, would have failed.
But now, with two planting spells improved, his herbology foundation would be much more solid. Basic abilities alone could complete higher-difficulty plant cultivation than before.
Moreover, this enhancent's power would beco more apparent later. If his mastery of these spells reached the Legendary level, might they cross to the Mythical level under enhancent?!
Taking a deep breath, he cald his surging emotions. Even without considering the mysterious oracle, just [Deter's Craft] was already trendously profitable.
His eyes showed fervent light. The two-faced man crisis should be completely resolved, aning he'd soon enjoy carefree farming days at Hogwarts.
Rembering how the two-faced man had delayed much planting progress, his hands itched. He wanted to return and farm! His farming addiction was acting up!
But just then, Dumbledore entered. His heart sank. Farming would have to wait again. The old bee had business with him.
For furious Aunt Sprout to let Dumbledore back in, this matter must be quite troubleso. Unfortunately, he hadn't even truly experienced this harvest yet.
Indeed, after brief pleasantries, Dumbledore revealed his purpose: "Ciel, there's sothing I must ask of you. Soone whose ti is running short, but so very important matters he'll only reveal after seeing you."
He was sowhat surprised: "Who?"
Dumbledore spoke a na that surprised him: "Quirinus Quirrell."
Reviews
All reviews (0)