Chapter 415: Ancient Magic

The pear juice in the cottage emitted a fragrant aroma, its warm golden glow bathing the head of the man and the cat.

Helena sipped the sweet pear juice, quietly watching and listening. She thought no moment could ever be more soothing than this one.

“We’ll call it ancient magic, for lack of a better term.”

Helena told me you know something of its traces.”

The old book of Ravenclaw rustled pages, and the black cat’s ears twitched involuntarily.

“Yes, Lady Ravenclaw.”

The black cat had certainly seen it.

Lily’s magic protecting Harry was a powerful form of ancient magic; the Veil in the Department of Mysteries was also ancient magic; and finally, the soul artifacts he mastered—including the legendary Deathly Hallows sought by many wizards—belonged to the category of ancient magic.

But… what exactly is ancient magic?

Avada Lightning Chain?

The black cat thought of it without reason.

“In the wild infancy of magic, ancient wizards struggled to survive on the continent of magic.”

My successor, you should know the tales of giants rampaging and dragons slaughtering.”

Back then, magic revealed only a fraction of its mystery, insufficient to sustain wizards on the magical continent.”

As Ravenclaw spoke, she pointed a finger toward the black cat.

Scenes appeared in the cottage, like memories replayed in a Pensieve.

Giants smashed through wizard settlements; dragons swooped low, breathing fire over wizard hiding places.

“Even in the most chaotic and blind times, the strongest powers are born.”

Ravenclaw’s fingers flicked, and the images spun faster, as if sped up.

A wizard climbed a mountain peak, raised his wand, and a thick bolt of lightning—like a divine punishment—struck the roaring dragon;

Another wizard stood at the center of a settlement, flames swirling around him taller than giants.

“What is ancient magic? Does it differ fundamentally from the magic you use today?”

Ravenclaw seemed to ask herself.

“I think not.”

Ravenclaw said.

These words made the black cat pause mid-breath; its tail gently set down the pumpkin juice, its green eyes filled with thought.

“Then, my successor, do you believe it was the ancient wizards who endowed ancient magic with its power, or that ancient magic granted strength to the ancient wizards?”

Ravenclaw asked.

“Magic has never changed; therefore, it was the wizards who endowed ancient magic with its power.

I believe that during magic’s wild infancy, ancient wizards walked a path directly toward magic’s origin.

They explored magic’s essence and built unshakable faith through knowledge and wisdom.

When they discovered rituals that resonated with it, a truly powerful magical force emerged.”

The black cat spoke faster and faster, eyes gleaming.

“Still clever… And for those wizards, the choice was simple: master stronger magic, or die. That was their plight—and the origin of what you call ancient magic.”

Ravenclaw gave a slight nod.

“But why has ancient magic vanished today?”

The black cat was puzzled.

“After Helena’s account, I understand the decline of ancient magic is certain.

The intricate rituals of ancient magic may no longer suit the modern magical world.

Since you now know its origin, you must understand that ancient magic is a wizard’s unwavering faith.

Few wizards devoted extraordinary effort to a single magical field, accumulated sufficient wisdom, and constructed a system unique to their kind.

Such magic was never meant to be widely mastered.”

Ravenclaw opened her palm.

The black cat saw images of wizards exploring different magical fields.

“Ancient magic is dangerous—it chooses the wizard, not the other way around.

To different wizards, it presents varying difficulty. Unpredictability and danger have always been its trademarks—even in earlier centuries.”

Ravenclaw fell silent.

The black cat understood.

Ancient magic is less a specific type of magic than a wizard’s system.

To survive in a perilous magical world, ancient wizards forged different paths—all seeking power and protection, thus achieving great efficacy.

Wizards pursued knowledge to control magic; this faith, in turn, amplified their magical strength.

Thus, at its core, ancient magic is the wizard himself.

It was the wizard who created such magical power.

The magic of love, the magic of death, the magic of time… Even Wizard Sean himself had constructed spells like “Dragon’s Wingbeat” and “Vine-Stone Guardians.”

“Superior wisdom is the greatest treasure. Do you understand, my student?”

Ravenclaw’s voice was light, as if drifting on clouds.

And Wizard Sean now understood: magic was always a matter of stepping on one’s own foot.

Wizards, through inquiry, mastered partial magic; that mastered magic strengthened their belief;

The strengthened belief made magic stronger, prompting wizards to further explore its deeper roots, reinforcing their belief again…

An infinite cycle.

As for why modern wizarding magic is no longer so powerful, the reason is simple:

It is not needed.

Wizards no longer require such formidable magic.

They have homes, they rule the magical world—so they no longer need such complex and dangerous magic.

Magic became simpler, more practical, and more convenient.

“The mist has risen. Do you have any questions?”

Ravenclaw crouched down; the black cat could see her faint blue pupils.

“If you are willing to answer, I would like to know how I can master ancient magic.”

In the end, the black cat asked the question.

Most knowledge of ancient magic has been lost; even after reading countless books at Hogwarts, the black cat had found no complete system.

Or rather, the entire magical world barely understands it.

After all, if ancient magic had not been lost, there would be no job called Cursebreaker.

Cursebreaker is a perilous and solemn profession, immensely challenging.

Gringotts employs Cursebreakers to dismantle curses in ancient tombs or historical ruins and retrieve treasures for the wizarding bank.

These Cursebreakers face extreme danger—they may be killed outright by ancient curses, poisons, or enchantments.

“This is the second point I wish to tell you: the continuation of knowledge is paramount. Where do you believe wisdom should reside?”