After seeing the Wayne family back to Diagon Alley, Devin returned to the manor and went straight into his father's study.
Clement was resting with his eyes closed.
"Sit down first."
He seemed to be considering the terms of the cooperation they had just discussed, yet also seemed to be thinking about the future.
"What did you think of Vincent?"
"Calm, intelligent, brimming with confidence..."
"How did he compare to those two?"
Devin furrowed his brow. "The first was an idealist willing to stop at nothing, while the latter was a pure extremist.
His background will draw plenty of criticism, but as Nicolas Flamel's apprentice, and with his own impeccable abilities..."
Clement opened his eyes. "Being merely outstanding invites jealousy. Being extraordinarily outstanding earns reverence."
"Dad, you mean he—"
"Even with his ties to the Wizards' Purity Party, Dumbledore still thought very highly of him."
If even the publicly acknowledged strongest wizard was like this, how could Grindelwald, who was rumored to possess the gift of foresight, remain indifferent?
"Through a contest with Vincent?"
"No." Clement's gaze sharpened. "Dumbledore's information channels are more accurate than even the Ministry of Magic's. I am more inclined to believe it was an unspoken understanding.
Devin, Muggles have already invented a device that allows long-distance communication. Do you know what that means?"
"I do." Devin's brow creased even more deeply. "It means our living space will only shrink further. We may even return to the dark ages of the Middle Ages—
Grindelwald foresaw the future!" His eyes suddenly widened.
"Dad, was that their unspoken understanding? Was that why they chose Vincent, a Muggle-born?"
"Don't forget that Nicolas Flamel possesses the world's only alchemical Prophecy Orb."
"Then his reason for destroying the Sorcerer's Stone..."
Clement merely smiled without speaking.
The news the Ministry of Magic