Time marched slowly onward, unmoved by human will.
Whether it was Anton, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and the others, immersed in their research into the "Human Goblin Animagus" transformation, or Voldemort, who was in the midst of sweeping changes at the American Magical Congress, they all had to put their work aside.
The time had come for the fourth round of the Top 100 Tournament.
That was right.
Voldemort had once again arrived at the Top 100 Tournament.
People remembered how the young Tom Riddle had been blasted away by Anton's Killing Curse, its terrifying plasma magic surging straight into outer space.
And now, a middle-aged Tom Riddle had appeared once more.
Perhaps this meant little to powerful figures like Dumbledore, but for every ordinary Wizard and every Muggle in the know, the shock was absolutely terrifying.
Yes, people had learned from the newspapers that Dark Lord Voldemort had risen to the top of the American Magical Congress.
But seeing this Dark Lord so plainly in the Magic Mirror, and even at the tournament itself, was an entirely different experience—one that brought an intense, chilling thrill.
Why couldn't he be killed?
Clearly, no one could give them an answer.
Even Anton, who had always enjoyed sharing his knowledge, wouldn't spread a word about Horcrux magic, let alone Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and the others.
After all, for the Old Wizard Fiennes, Horcruxes were a technology that needed to be updated and improved, a way to keep living after death. For Anton, they were just a matter of casually waving his Wand.
But how many people could do what they could?
Most Wizards who tried to enter the world of Horcrux magic would probably start by committing murder.
Immortality was destined to remain a field reserved for the most powerful Wizards.
Ordinary people couldn't manage