Chapter 461

Fawkes the Phoenix was about to undergo rebirth, but no one was in the Headmaster’s office.

Wizard Sean was not a wizard who liked to gawk around; he stood beneath the portraits, holding The History of Magical Positions.

This reference still has room for improvement. For instance, in the Auror section, wizards should know the Ministry reviews applicants’ criminal records.

This requires wizards to maintain a clean reputation—like Harry, who was once accused of using magic outside school; had that accusation not been dropped, Harry would have had little chance of becoming an Auror—at least according to the rules.

Auror training includes many programs, two of which are “Concealment and Disguise” and “Stealth and Tracking.”

In the original text, Tonks once mentioned she easily achieved the highest score in “Concealment and Disguise” (likely due to her innate Metamorphmagus ability), but barely passed the “Stealth and Tracking” test.

The magical world is more than just vague impressions in Wizard Sean’s mind—it has countless details and a well-developed structure.

These were all things Wizard Sean was eager to explore.

Often, he gained additional knowledge from changes in magical positions.

For example, he learned that the last remaining giant settlements had been purged by the Ministry, carried out by highly trained Aurors whose combat power far exceeded that of any giant clan.

And handling rampaging dragons—this task too fell to Aurors, accompanied by dragon tamers…

Isn’t that fascinating?

The individual differences among wizards can be so extreme—Aurors can crush giants and handle dragons, yet most adult wizards tremble at the sight of them.

Throughout magical history, Aurors have always shouldered these seemingly grim duties—and remarkably, they have always fulfilled them well.

The fact that most dragons and giants have now been cleared away by wizards is clear proof.

Does this mean the upper limit of wizarding magic has never declined? For in Ravenclaw’s memory, the ancient wizards she had seen possessed no greater magical power than modern Aurors.

Wizard Sean thus concluded: magic is malleable.

Ancient wizards needed immense magical power to win the right to survive, so ancient magic was naturally powerful;

Modern wizards need more convenient and effective magic, so the standard spell series became simple and easy to learn.

“In theory, a wizard’s magic should be limited by only one thing: the wizard themselves.

If a wizard possesses unwavering belief and the corresponding mental will, magic is already born—spells, wands, gestures are merely practical methods devised for later generations to master this power.

This explains the ultimate origin of wizarding magic—in the magical world, magic may be an objective material force, or a truly idealistic spiritual force—but within the individual wizard, magic’s root is absolutely idealistic.

As for the differences in talent among wizards… keep going, dear, I’m so curious—”

“Headmistress Daisies DeVent, good afternoon.”

The Headmistress was absent, but the objects in her office seemed more lively than ever.

At this moment, Headmistress Daisies DeVent’s portrait watched Wizard Sean with keen interest as the young wizard wrote down his understanding of magic.

“Many wizards have occupied this office, but perhaps you are the most gifted of them all.”

Headmistress Daisies DeVent said kindly.

“I haven’t taken up residence, and I’m not the Headmistress.”

Wizard Sean put away his parchment and pen.

“It’s only a matter of time, dear.”

Headmistress Daisies DeVent smiled warmly.

Wizard Sean fell silent. Daisies DeVent’s words were too blunt—they reminded him of what Headmaster Dumbledore had said:

“But if you wish to replace me, you must first find a place for an old wizard to rest.”

“So, what is the source of talent differences among wizards?”

Headmistress Daisies DeVent asked curiously.

Her question drew the attention of several headmasters, their eyes fixed intently on Wizard Sean.

“Magic alters reality; reality shapes magic.”

Wizard Sean said.

“What do you mean?”

Headmaster Everard asked.

He was an old wizard with a pale face and short black bangs.

“Once a wizard’s magic reaches a certain level, it influences the wizard themselves—and this influence is heritable.

That is why a wizard’s descendants manifest magical traits inherited from their ancestors.

If you’ve studied magical history, you’ll notice descriptions of the founders of specific magical abilities are always vague.

It’s not that the ancient wizards who wrote these texts didn’t want to explain the origin—they simply couldn’t, because the origin was the wizard themselves.”

Wizard Sean unfolded his parchment again.

“A novel explanation—”

The old wizard exclaimed in amazement.

“Does this also explain why there are no Trollblood or Slughornblood lineages?”

Headmistress Daisies DeVent asked with a curious smile.

Wizard Sean closed his notebook, preventing Daisies DeVent from peeking again.

Trollblood and Slughornblood—these had been Wizard Sean’s early doubts.

“Ravenclaw’s stinginess with knowledge…”

Headmistress Daisies DeVent smiled like a sunflower.

Avoiding the headmasters who always tried to sneak peeks at his notes and amused themselves, Wizard Sean saw an ancient, frail bird—it looked like a turkey with half its feathers plucked.

Wizard Sean stared at it; the bird gazed back with a mournful expression, emitting a gasping sound.

Wizard Sean quietly slipped Fawkes some herbs—top-grade ones from Diagon Alley.

Fawkes stopped pretending to be ill to tease him and instead began humming happily.

A hauntingly ethereal song echoed through the Headmaster’s office.

It was the most beautiful sound Wizard Sean had ever heard… he felt the song within him, not around him… it stirred countless thoughts, as if a friend were whispering in his ear…

“Truly magnificent. It seems Fawkes has serenaded our afternoon tea.”

Headmaster Dumbledore entered the room.

“The Phoenix’s song inspires courage, stirs the spirit, and evokes the person or memory that most uplifts you. I’m genuinely curious—what did you hear?”

A soft flutter of wings came from Wizard Sean’s left. Fawkes had left his perch and flown across the office, landing gently on Wizard Sean’s knee.

“The person who most uplifts him…”

Wizard Sean said softly,

“I heard my own voice.”

“Ah…”

Dumbledore fell silent.

At that moment, Fawkes calmly blinked at Wizard Sean.