"Occlumency was originally used to resist mental interference. You should know that, long ago, many magical creatures possessed the ability to confuse others. Now, it is mainly used to resist Legilimency."
Dumbledore explained it to Cypher.
"Legilimency is not magic you can learn at your current stage. This spell works both ways. If the caster cannot suppress the target's will to resist, they will be subjected to reverse Legilimency."
Cypher hurriedly asked whether there was any other way to resist Legilimency besides Occlumency.
He was still worried that Dark wizards might steal his secrets.
"As far as I know, there is. But it requires extreme emotions. For example, the utmost love, the utmost desire to protect, the utmost happiness..."
"What about extreme hatred, killing intent, or the desire to destroy?"
Cypher frowned and asked without thinking.
Dumbledore rubbed his temples at that.
"Of course they can. But I hope you do not fall into a life filled with such negative emotions."
"Uh... I was just saying. I'm used to considering both sides of things and their opposites."
Cypher understood that Dumbledore was worried he had gone down the wrong path, so he quickly explained.
"Mm! I hope you remember this: no matter how dark your surroundings become, you must hold on to that ray of sunlight in your heart."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Everyone has their own understanding of Occlumency. Other people's methods may not be the ones best suited to you."
"I suggest you first learn the Patronus Charm. Once you have mastered it, you will have an anchor in your heart and will be able to learn Occlumency more effectively. Oh, right!"
Dumbledore took a book from the shelf.
Written on it were the words—Organize Your Mind.
What was this? Cypher was puzzled.
"I think it will help you."
Dumbledore kept him guessing and gave him a playful wink.
"Professor, what do you think separates white magic from the Dark Arts?"
Cypher put the book into his waist pouch and asked solemnly.
Dumbledore was greatly surprised—one could even say shocked.
"You... Wait, Cypher. Can you cast spells without a wand too?"
Dumbledore suddenly stood up. He pulled out his wand and activated every protective spell in the office.
He even woke Fawkes, who had been dozing nearby, with a pat.
Was it really that serious? Cypher felt uneasy.
"Cypher. Make this cup float."
After drawing the curtains, Fawkes spat out a mouthful of golden flame and lit the chandelier overhead.
Dumbledore turned and instructed Cypher.
"Uh..."
Out of habit, Cypher had wanted to recite the incantation for the Levitation Charm, but he closed his mouth.
With a flick of his hand, the glass cup rose steadily and swiftly into the air.
Dumbledore's eyes instantly lit up.
He drew his wand and stepped forward, pointing here and there while muttering words in a language Cypher could not understand.
After a long while, Dumbledore let out a deep breath.
He turned around and looked at Cypher with a complicated expression.
The look made Cypher's legs tremble. After all, Dumbledore had a history with Grindelwald.
Fortunately, Dumbledore did nothing.
He took a battered spellbook without a cover from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf.
Then he handed it to Cypher.
"Cypher, try and see whether you can cast the spells in this."
Cypher was somewhat confused. From Dumbledore's tone, it sounded as though even he could not cast them. What could Cypher possibly do?
But Dumbledore had no reason to harm him.
So Cypher began flipping through it right there.
Dumbledore and the phoenix watched from the side, while the heightened security spells remained in place.
"It's quite a simple Fireball Charm. You only need to use your own magic to connect with the magic of the outside world."
Cypher quickly finished reading the first spell, the Fireball Charm.
Although it was far more complicated than the textbook's Incendio.
The descriptions from his previous life—such as unity between man and nature and refining qi into spirit—allowed Cypher to easily understand the book's vague wording.
For example, one sentence said to make the outside world heed your summons.
Cypher believed the locals would definitely scoff at that.
Wizards centered everything on themselves. All magic was cast through themselves and their wands.
To better focus his mind, Cypher deliberately extended a finger to guide himself.
He aimed it at a wooden board Dumbledore had prepared at some point.
A fireball as tall as a person blossomed from Cypher's fingertip.
Dumbledore hurriedly reinforced the surroundings with the Shield Charm.
When the thick smoke dispersed, the wooden board had already been reduced to ashes.
"Professor, is there something wrong with this spell? Do you need me to explain my thoughts?"
Seeing Dumbledore's strange expression, Cypher carefully probed.
"No need. I understand this magic, but its power is nowhere near yours."
Dumbledore snapped his fingers, and a tiny flame like that of a lighter appeared.
Cypher fell silent.
"The problem... the problem is enormous. Cypher, do you know? What you just cast was House-elf magic!"
The room fell deathly silent.
"Fawkes!"
Dumbledore's soft call broke the silence, and the beautiful bird flew onto his raised arm.
The bird was covered in fiery red feathers and carried a constant aura that soothed and inspired others.
Cypher, who had felt as though he were suffocating, finally recovered.
He gasped for breath.
"Cypher. Besides me, who else knows that you can cast spells without a wand?"
"Iris and Luna. One time was at Gringotts. It was too chaotic then, so no outsiders should have known. The other time was on the Black Lake when I started school. I stopped Iris from falling into the water."
Dumbledore stroked his chin. After a long while, he asked again.
"Your wand... Let me see your wand."
Cypher handed his wand to Dumbledore without hesitation.
After examining it, there was no difference from an ordinary wand.
Seeing Dumbledore frown, Cypher thought for a moment and took out the unfinished product he had extorted from Ollivander as well.
"What is this?"
Dumbledore was somewhat puzzled, and Cypher recounted what had happened at Ollivander's wand shop.
After listening, Dumbledore's eyes gleamed.
He brought the wand to the table and took out some materials.
Fawkes even sacrificed one of his tail feathers.
After a busy round of work, a wand was remade.
"Try it!"
This time, when Cypher held the wand in his hand, it no longer felt as though it were draining him.
It was more like a sensory amplifier.
His perception of the outside world became much sharper.
With a gentle wave, a ribbon of fire emerged from the wand tip. It continuously darted around him, as obedient as an arm or a finger.
There was none of that feeling of the wand draining magic after he cast an incantation.
After all, he had previously suffered because magic drained his power, which was why he had only practiced a few times and communed with heaven and earth a few times.
"Cypher, this is the oldest wandmaking craft. It is an ancient method from before the Elder Wand appeared, even before Hogwarts was founded."
"I want Fawkes to give you a blessing."
Surprisingly, although Fawkes was being asked to help, he quietly perched atop Dumbledore's head and waited for Cypher's answer.
"What do I need to do?"
Cypher asked without hesitation.
"I'm truly glad that you trust me so much!"
Seeing that Cypher showed no reluctance, Dumbledore smiled as though a great burden had been lifted from him.
Before you continue