Chapter 462

A few minutes later.

Wizard Sean carefully retrieved the Resurrection Stone; he saw Headmaster Dumbledore staring directly at him, so Wizard Sean swiftly placed the Stone beside himself.

“Do the elderly always get rejected by the young?”

Dumbledore blinked his eyes.

Wizard Sean and Dumbledore locked gazes for several seconds; finally, Dumbledore reluctantly looked away.

“Mr. Fawkes, could you help?”

Beyond Dumbledore, Wizard Sean spoke to Fawkes.

Fawkes nestled against Wizard Sean’s leg, warming him.

It nodded humanely, then picked up the ring in its beak.

In an instant, flames erupted around its body; it fell to the ground, shriveled into a crumpled mass, and never flew again.

The midday sun had fully risen; Dumbledore’s office was bathed in sunlight.

The glass case holding Godric Gryffindor’s sword glowed with milky light; silver objects sparkled like raindrops.

Behind the silverware, the fledgling Fawkes chirped weakly in its nest of ashes.

It chirped twice; Wizard Sean did not hesitate to feed the phoenix some herbs.

He frowned slightly; Dumbledore knew he was pained.

“You’ve been feeding it too much.”

Dumbledore said helplessly.

“You knew…”

Wizard Sean put the Resurrection Stone Fawkes had spat out into the Wizard’s Book.

“Oh, there are few things in this castle I don’t know…”

Dumbledore smiled.

“Why not take it out and look at it?”

Dumbledore asked.

Wizard Sean did not answer; instead, he silently regarded Dumbledore, and Dumbledore understood the meaning.

It was curious—this child’s gaze at him resembled those Muggle children facing elders who claimed to eat sweets but suffered from special illnesses.

“Mr. Fawkes will be fine, won’t he?”

Wizard Sean asked.

“Of course. Are you leaving now?”

Dumbledore smiled.

“If you approve, Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Wizard Sean said.

“Do you remember the Tale of the Three Brothers?”

Dumbledore lifted his steaming tea.

“Three powerful wizards who crafted three powerful magical artifacts.”

Wizard Sean said.

“I’m glad you didn’t call them the Deathly Hallows.”

Dumbledore said slowly.

“No one can escape death.”

Wizard Sean thought of the Resurrection Stone inside the Wizard’s Book.

It could summon only soul-entities devoid of emotion.

“Such a simple truth, yet few understand it.

Rumors claim that if one legally possesses all three items, they become the ‘Master of Death’—a phrase usually interpreted to mean invincibility or even immortality.

What do you think?”

Dumbledore gazed at Wizard Sean.

“I think the tale’s lesson is clear: Death will ultimately take us all.”

Wizard Sean said calmly.

“Rare indeed—you fear no death.

But if you change your mind, my dear Green, I hope you recall the well-known fact in the magical world: I do hold the Elder Wand.

Yet I also hope you never recall it, for people always change, and the future is never certain.”

Dumbledore sighed,

“Perhaps one in a million might possess all three Hallows. I am suited only for the most insignificant, the most unremarkable one.

I am suited for the Elder Wand—and I must not boast of it, nor use it to kill. I can tame it, use it, because I take it not for gain, but to save others.

This is my final thought: if you remember these words at some crucial crossroads, I will be content.”

With Dumbledore’s final words, the door to the headmaster’s office opened.

…

Hagrid’s Hut.

Wizard Sean took the Resurrection Stone from the Wizard’s Book.

His mind involuntarily recalled Headmaster Dumbledore’s words: the Deathly Hallows, they were undeniably tempting—but…

Wizard Sean opened his panel:

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Potions Talent: Blue】

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Herbology Talent: Blue】

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Magical Creatures Talent: Pale Purple】

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Charms Talent: Pale Purple】

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Transfiguration Talent: Purple】

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Dark Arts Talent: Gold】

【Wizard Wizard Sean, Alchemy Talent: Gold】

The panel had not changed much for a long time, but in second year, Wizard Sean could achieve at least two advancements:

【Impediment Jinx: Master Level (1700/?)】

【Petrificus Totalus: Master Level (1100/?)】

【Sectumsempra: Master Level (2300/?)】

【Confringo: Master Level (100/?)】

【Expulso: Master Level (100/?)】

【Reducto: Master Level (500/?)】

…】

【Advancement: Seven Master-Level Dark Arts spells unlock the Master of Dark Arts title (6/7)】

One more Master-Level Dark Art spell remained; Wizard Sean would then earn the Master of Dark Arts title.

He did not yet know what changes it would bring, but the Master of Transfiguration title had already enhanced his perception across all Transfiguration domains.

That is:

【Master of Transfiguration: Greatly enhances unique perception across all Transfiguration fields】

This change indirectly helped Wizard Sean develop his own Transfiguration magic system: Dragon’s Wing and Vine-Stone Guardians.

Moreover, Alchemy had reached its final stage:

【High-Level Magical Hand Mirror: Skilled Level (700/900)】

【High-Level Wizard’s Book: Expert Level (7000/9000)】

【High-Level Fairy Tale Cookie: Master Level (700/?) (Stored)】

【Advancement: Three Master-Level High-Level Alchemical Artifacts unlock the Master of Alchemy title (1/3)】

Indeed, the Magical Hand Mirror was also classified as a High-Level Alchemical Artifact.

Now, learning the final Dark Art and completing the last stages of the Magical Hand Mirror and Wizard’s Book became Wizard Sean’s final task in second year.

Reviewing his plan once more, Wizard Sean carefully retrieved the Resurrection Stone.

It was a black stone, etched with deep, intricate patterns.

Though Wizard Sean could not break its curse, his Dark Arts talent told him the Resurrection Stone no longer carried any Dark Arts aura.

Thus Wizard Sean gazed long at the Stone, wondering if it could be brought into the Borderlands.

If so, he could fulfill both Newt’s and Headmaster Dumbledore’s requests at once.

In the gentle May night, cold winds were rare; the stars above Ravenclaw Tower were exceptionally clear.

Thin mists occasionally rose; this atmosphere easily evoked ancient wizarding fables:

Such as: “‘Curses bloom at dusk, broken at midnight.’”

Or such distant, intriguing objects as the Deathstick, the Wand of Destiny, the Invisibility Cloak, the Resurrection Stone.

Tonight, Wizard Sean in Ravenclaw Tower held the Resurrection Stone, wearing the Empty Rune, falling into slumber.

Yet his soul once again entered the hazy dream.