Chapter 232: Trust is a Luxury

Dumbledore was stunned for a long time before finally saying: "Oh, that must be Gemini. He's an idiot, but he doesn't like to admit it. He will reply to every wizard who submits a paper to insult them..."

"Unless, the paper comes from a famous wizard—or, at least recommended by a famous wizard..."

"Heh." Murphy sneered. This really fits the wizarding tradition.

"Don't worry, I will write a recommendation letter for you." Dumbledore said. "Such wisdom should not be buried."

"Thank you, Professor." Murphy said.

The two walked for a while longer and came to a reef by the castle's outer wall.

Murphy was pondering how to ask Dumbledore to borrow the *Philosopher's Stone* when suddenly, Dumbledore stopped.

Murphy saw his gaze fixed on a cliff near the castle, seemingly lost in thought. "Professor? What's wrong?"

"I remember there was a Crying Face Tree here, but it's gone." Dumbledore said.

"Crying Face Tree?"

"It was an apple tree that grew in this cliff crevice. There were a few knots on its trunk that grew strangely, looking like a crying old man. And it is said that it was enchanted, and among the fruits it grew every year, there was always one green one that would be highly poisonous."

"There was a guy who wanted to prevent me from taking exams and put a green apple on my dinner plate. Unfortunately, it was just an ordinary, unripe fruit. I still remember the taste of that apple; it was very sour and astringent. It's strange, when did it disappear?"

Murphy was stunned. "You don't mean to say that was when you were in school, right? How long has it been since you came here?"

Dumbledore was silent for a while, then suddenly sighed.

"Speaking of which, it's very strange. When I was in school, I was full of curiosity about this castle, but there were many places I wasn't allowed to explore. And when I became a professor, I had the power to explore any area, but instead, I didn't have that interest anymore. I might not have been here for decades."

"Even, taking a walk and thinking by this lake was the thing I did most often when I was young, but in the last ten years or so, you might be the only person who has invited me to walk here."

"They probably just think you're too busy." Murphy said.

"Perhaps they just think I'm old, my legs and feet aren't flexible, and they're afraid I'll be tripped by a stone and fall."

The old man even made a self-deprecating joke.

"Murphy, do you know what the best magic in this world is?"

"Best?" Murphy didn't understand. "Patronus?"

"Ah, Patronus, of course, repeatedly chewing on those happy memories is indeed not bad... but for memories, a better way to handle them is actually forgetting."

"As an old man, the most terrible thing is that you can always clearly recall every memory in your life."

"Every regret, every miss, every inability to turn back, always remains there like a sharp thorn, ready to jump out and prick you at any time."

"Even those beautiful things, those happy, happy memories, are still bitter. Because you clearly know that those are things of the past and will not appear again."

"You are already at the end of your life, and every day you live, you move further away from that golden age."

"Time is a burden." The old man said. "When you reach my age, perhaps you will understand these words."

Dumbledore seemed to have many feelings, but Murphy couldn't really understand his words.

He frowned. "So, that's why you don't yearn for immortality?"

"Immortality..." Dumbledore seemed to be lost in thought again and didn't realize his purpose. After a long while, he said: "The strange thing is, I was equally obsessed with this when I was young."

"But later I gradually understood that immortality is suitable for those extremely lucky people—they have only received happiness and gifts in the long passage of time, and have no regrets. Or, it is suitable for extremely cold and strong people—in their lives, others and the world are irrelevant, so they can endure endless loneliness."

"You are referring to Nicolas Flamel and Voldemort." Murphy said.

Dumbledore glanced at him. "Not bad, Nicolas is very lucky. And Tom..."

He paused and ultimately didn't evaluate his former student.

"Actually, I also yearn for immortality." Murphy said suddenly. "In fact, I even want to borrow that *Philosopher's Stone* to study it."

Dumbledore was silent, seemingly somewhat shocked by Murphy's straightforwardness.

"Professor, I actually always feel very strange."

"The *Philosopher's Stone* can make gold and the *Elixir of Life*."

"No one doesn't like gold, no one... well, perhaps except for you, no one doesn't like immortality."

"Your friend Mr. Flamel must also like it, otherwise why would he have made it back then?"

"You said that immortality is suitable for at least two kinds of people, but isn't there anyone who thinks that perhaps they might be as lucky as Flamel? Isn't there anyone who thinks that they might also be able to live for six hundred years like Flamel, wealthy and carefree?"

"However, this *Philosopher's Stone* is placed in the school, and more than a dozen professors know of its existence, but, no one wants to take it to study it?"

"Is everyone so ascetic?"

"To be honest, I always feel that our professors' psychology might have some problems."

"Perhaps I am too greedy, but I have always felt that I am a normal person, and this makes me feel out of place with everyone."

After a long time, Dumbledore said: "The *Philosopher's Stone* is a treasure, but it belongs to Nicolas. We have no right to dispose of it."

"Then what if I want the refining method of the *Philosopher's Stone* and the formula for the *Elixir of Life*?" Murphy continued to ask. "Can you request it from Mr. Flamel on my behalf?"

Another long silence, Dumbledore said with difficulty: "That is extremely dangerous knowledge... whether it is the *Philosopher's Stone* or the *Elixir of Life*, they possess too much power, enough to destroy many things we rely on for existence."

"Few people can resist their temptation; most people will only become twisted because of it..."

Murphy looked at the old man. "So, you don't trust me."

Dumbledore was stunned.

"No, Murphy, I'm just saying we can't take such risks. Imagine, if the power to make gold is abused, the gold coins in wizards' hands will be worthless, and if the *Elixir of Life* is rampant... who wants to be responsible for future generations? Our society will collapse because of this..."

"But, power is too tempting; no one can resist such temptation..."

"But your friend Nicolas Flamel can?" Murphy questioned.

"Nicolas... Nicolas is special. He is a hermit. He only wants a peaceful life. He doesn't have too much ambition. He won't abuse these..."

"So, you don't trust me." Murphy said. "Just like you didn't trust Tom Riddle back then."

Dumbledore looked at him in astonishment. "You know him?"

Murphy looked at him with a strange gaze. "So many people have fought and died for you, but most of them don't even know who they are fighting against. You keep even the enemy's secrets tight-lipped. To be honest, I really don't understand, Professor."

Dumbledore was silent again for a while. "Trust is a luxury, Murphy."

Murphy nodded. "I can accept that."

"You don't even trust yourself. Let alone others?"

"But, do you still remember your view on the basic principles of magic?"

"As long as you believe in it, sincerely, without reservation, it will always give you miracles."

"Isn't it?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 233 =====