Ian and Merlin had just emerged from the dark, damp underground tomb, surrounded by dense forests and jagged rocks, the air filled with the scent of earth and grass.
Both of them had assumed this was a deserted area.
Unexpectedly.
A figure suddenly appeared not far from them, and perched on this person's shoulder was a bird exuding a strange aura. The bird's feathers were golden-red, its tail feathers were long, and its eyes revealed a kind of spirituality.
What else could it be but Phoenix?
Ian and Merlin had both seen the real Phoenix and recognized the creature on the man's shoulder almost simultaneously, but only Ian couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"Holy crap! It really is Phoenix!" Ian stared at it for several moments to make sure it was real. He never imagined he would encounter a Phoenix under such circumstances.
You need to know.
In the magical world, Phoenix are already extremely rare Magical Creatures, let alone in this primitive era. In this time, many people may spend their entire lives searching for them and still not be able to verify whether Phoenix truly exist. The probability of encountering a Phoenix on the road is probably second only to the probability of memorizing winning lottery numbers, traveling back in time, and winning the lottery jackpot.
"You are a Dumbledore!"
Ian almost instinctively began to judge the identity of the newcomer. In the history he had studied, the Dumbledore family was the only family that could have Phoenix follow them.
Perhaps others may also have a connection with the Phoenix, but when it comes to following, only the Dumbledore family has ever earned the Phoenix's loyalty. This is a required question for First Year in " The A History of Magic "—who says the West doesn't have human relationships? At least in Hogwarts, human relationships in this regard definitely exist!
"Huh? You know me?"
The man was visibly taken aback by Ian's words, and couldn't help but be somewhat astonished. He was wearing a slightly worn robe, looking rather disheveled, and several magical items that seemed to have not been used in a long time were hanging from his waist.
This person is obviously a Wizard.
but.
The Magic Power is quite primitive.
There's a kind of unexplored sense of oppression... it's almost forming into a feeling of Obscurus.
"I don't know you, but I know the Phoenix on your shoulder. It will only serve the Dumbledore family." Ian's gaze remained fixed on the Phoenix on the man's shoulder.
" Phoenix...?"
The man seemed to suddenly realize something.
"Huh? You don't know?"
Ian also sensed something strange from the other person's emotions; this guy genuinely didn't know that the creature following him was a Phoenix.
But this person happened to know about the existence of the Phoenix.
It's unbelievable no matter how you look at it.
"I always thought it was just a turkey. It's been with me since I was a child. Whenever it gets cold, it would put a fire on its body to keep me warm."
The man scratched his head sheepishly, looking rather shy.
"..."
Ian was speechless.
Even Merlin almost couldn't hold back.
Ian and Merlin exchanged a glance, both with expressions of amusement and exasperation. Merlin inwardly marveled that there could be such blind people in the world who could mistake an incomparably precious Phoenix for a turkey.
To be honest, this guy is incredibly dense! He actually mistook Phoenix for a turkey and used it as an oven? If other Wizard knew about this, they'd be furious.
"Goodness, if Phoenix fans find out, they'll kick this guy out of the Dumbledore family, just like J.K. Rowling was expelled from the author ranks."
Ian silently complained to himself.
It must be said that this ancestor of the Dumbledore family was truly unique.
To be honest, neither Ian nor Merlin had ever seen anyone treat Phoenix like a turkey before, and the Phoenix didn't seem bothered by it at all... It was truly a rare, good-tempered Phoenix, Merlin thought to himself, as he looked the young man riding the Phoenix up and down.
" The Phoenix Clan, interesting."
A strange light flashed in Merlin's eyes. He carefully examined the Phoenix on the man's shoulder, then looked at the man himself, and finally turned to give Ian a meaningful look.
He seemed to be pondering something.
"My name is Leonard Dumbledore." Perhaps wanting to change the subject and cover up the embarrassing mistake he made due to his ignorance, the young man took the initiative to introduce himself to the two of them.
Sure enough, he's from the Dumbledore family.
Perhaps they were even Albus's ancestors?
Ian looked around at the surroundings. The tomb he had chosen was originally the site of Godric's Hollow, so it was normal to encounter members of the Dumbledore family, who had lived there for generations.
"Your family must have outstanding bloodlines." Merlin nodded and then suddenly spoke. Compared to Ian's understanding of Dumbledore, this was the first time he had encountered someone who could control Phoenix.
Moreover, he overheard the young Wizard beside him saying that it seemed all the descendants of Dumbledore's family could ride Phoenix, a peculiar situation that immediately caught Merlin's attention.
As a Wizard living in the early Middle Ages, access to information was naturally not as convenient as in later times. Even Merlin had only seen a few very mysterious Phoenix.
In his understanding, Phoenix are extremely proud and spiritual creatures that generally do not easily follow mortals. Now, however, this Phoenix is so close to Leonard, which makes Merlin wonder if it is related to the bloodline of the Dumbledore family, and he is extremely interested in such mysteries of bloodlines.
"Um, how should I put it?"
Leonard suddenly gave a bitter smile, the kind of bitter smile anyone but Ian would give, his expression tinged with sadness. "Actually, I don't know much about my own family either."
"All I know is that my parents were Wizard, but they're both dead. I've been searching for power to avenge them!" Leonard said, clenching his fists.
His Magic Power was also becoming restless.
The process of forming Obscurus environment is accelerating.
"What happened to your parents?" Ian stepped forward to help the other person calm their Magic Power and asked softly, having to stand on tiptoe to touch their shoulder.
There was no way around it; he was over 1.9 meters tall, which would be quite rare even in later generations.
"I have no idea."
Leonard's tone was filled with dejection. "All I know is that they were killed by a group of dark Wizard, which may be related to a curse that has always existed in our family."
As he spoke.
Leonard then turned to look at the Phoenix on his shoulder.
"It's been with me for fifteen years." Leonard's voice carried a stubborn tenderness. "I was only seven when I first saw it. My parents were burned to death in their bedroom by a dark Wizard. I searched through the ruins for three days and found this fire-breathing turkey. Oh, right, according to you, it should be a Phoenix."
He corrected his word choice in time.
"I'm so sorry, Audrey, I didn't realize you were a Phoenix sooner," Leonard said to his Phoenix, his tone full of embarrassment.
"If I had known you were Phoenix sooner, I wouldn't have used you as a heater and a tinderbox." He was reflecting on himself, but his Phoenix clearly didn't care much.
Phoenix simply nuzzled his neck affectionately with its head.
All I can say is...
This Phoenix is clearly much better-tempered than Albus's. Ian was completely dumbfounded; even someone like him couldn't imagine using Phoenix as a lighter!
His extraordinary wisdom is probably only good enough to be used as an oven... However, looking at the Phoenix's docile appearance, the little Wizard has to admit that fools may indeed have good fortune.
Leonard and this Phoenix truly share a deep bond.
Damn it!
Perhaps because Ian had been staring at the Phoenix for a long time, the Phoenix on Leonard's shoulder was suddenly moved, flapped its wings, flew in front of him, and let out a clear cry.
The Phoenix circled Ian several times, even pausing briefly on his head, before flying back to its master's shoulder at Ian 'Ian urging.
It seemed to still be savoring Ian's messy head.
"..."
Ian was utterly speechless.
Merlin glanced at him thoughtfully.
"Oh, I've never seen Audrey so close to anyone other than me." Leonard was clearly surprised by his Phoenix -like behavior.
"Perhaps it's because he can also turn into a bird, so your Phoenix and he share a common language?" Merlin teased, leaving Ian speechless.
"It's simply because I'm naturally very approachable!"
Ian retorted.
"Um?"
Merlin raised an eyebrow, his gaze landing on Ian's hands—well, from an ordinary person's perspective, Ian's hands might not seem like anything special.
But in the eyes of those with a special perspective, Ian's hands were comparable to those of a tattooed man, covered with a frightening array of contracts and blessings.
"Isn't it because of your connection to the Dumbledore family?" Merlin clearly saw the gift from Ariana and guessed that this was the reason why the Phoenix was close to Ian.
"Heh."
Ian glanced at Merlin, ignoring Merlin teasing. And since only Ian could hear Merlin's voice at this moment, Leonard didn't react.
Can Wizard transform into animals?
He was still captivated by Ian's ability to turn into a bird.
This is someone who knows something about Wizard, but perhaps not much. It's a reasonable situation, considering he's a poor soul who lost both parents at a young age.
"Only the most powerful Wizard possess such abilities, and coincidentally, we are all among them," Merlin responded, while the young Wizard beside him raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He certainly believed that Merlin was also an Animagus, but even historical records had never made a single mention of what kind of animal Merlin's Animagus form was.
"Perhaps it's also a Magical Creatures?"
The young Wizard couldn't help but speculate.
certainly.
No matter what form Merlin can transform into, it certainly won't be as powerful as his Raven Form. That form is no longer Magical Creatures; the Raven could perhaps be considered a mythological form.
Such Animagus Transfiguration is destined to be unmatched.
"You guys are really amazing!" Leonard seemed to have no doubt that Merlin was exaggerating, and showed an admiring expression, which made Merlin seem a little happier.
Even the lump on his head is showing signs of swelling reduction—the wound inflicted by the Raven may not be healable with magic, and can only wait for time to pass and heal itself.
"Let's talk about the family curse you mentioned." Merlin was quite interested in the Dumbledore family and was very concerned about what Leonard had just brought up.
"Forehead."
Leonard hesitated for a moment.
Actually, I don't know much about it either.
He spoke helplessly.
"I overheard my father and mother talking, and they mentioned some things about our family. My father said that our family bloodline is exceptionally strong, and every Dumbledore is destined for extraordinary achievements. However, this gift comes at a price, and we must also bear Destiny destined for hardship and sorrow."
"It's a curse."
"This curse endows us with powerful Magic Power from birth, but it also condemns us to loneliness, to the loss of loved ones, and to Destiny filled with sorrow and grief."
"My father called this curse Sorrow of Blood, and it's said that a great prophet told it to my grandfather," Leonard said, recounting his story.
However.
Merlin may have been listening very attentively, but Ian... Ian was actually listening very attentively at first, but after Leonard uttered the term "[ Sorrow of Blood ]", he started to lose his composure.
My eyelids twitched uncontrollably a few times.
"Can't I just experience a normal story unfolding...?" the little Wizard couldn't help but complain inwardly, unsure whether he was complaining about himself or something else.
In contrast to the young Wizard whose thoughts were wandering, Merlin was seriously considering Leonard's words.
" The Sorrow of Blood? I've never heard of that name before. However, most curses are not easily removed, especially those connected to bloodlines, which are even more dangerous."
"It's difficult for outsiders to make accurate judgments and find solutions."
"Of course, if you'd like, I can teach you some magic to help you better control your powers, and perhaps one day you'll be able to solve your own problems."
Merlin surprisingly offered to teach Leonard magic.
This surprised the young Wizard. Ian couldn't help but glance at Merlin several times. He hadn't expected that the Dumbledore family would have such dealings with Merlin. He wondered if this was due to the influence of his own transmigration to this world, or if there was such an unknown story in history.
"Witnessing history!"
Ian had a different perspective on Time Travel.
Faced with Merlin's invitation, an opportunity that countless Wizard dream of, the young Dumbledore hesitated when it came to Leonard.
"Sir Wizard, to be honest, I really want to learn magic, to learn how to control the power within me, but..." He seemed to hesitate, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
"But what?"
Ian raised an eyebrow. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To become the apprentice of this Wizard beside me will be an immense chance in your life."
He was giving a reminder to the young man in front of him.
Furthermore, they subtly characterized Merlin's decision by using the term "apprentice."
This was definitely made with the little Wizard's goodwill.
Well, after all, he had received a lot of help from Albus and Ariana, and there were rumors at the school that he was half Dumbledore. Of course, he would choose to help the family if he could.
"I can sense that you are all extremely powerful Wizard." Leonard looked at Ian gratefully, but his expression still carried a hint of conflict.
"But I am cursed and dare not leave this place." He finally revealed his true feelings, the fear in his heart, the worry that prevented him from stepping out of this valley.
"Um?"
The little Wizard paused for a moment.
What other explanation is there for this?
Merlin was also somewhat confused. In his knowledge, curses could indeed be temporarily suppressed by certain things, but these things that could suppress curses should not have much to do with the living environment.
Leonard, noticing the two Wizard ' confusion, shrugged helplessly. "My family has lived here for generations because our ancestors gave us this instruction."
"Our ancestors said that as long as we live here and guard this place for some being, the curse of the Dumbledore family will eventually be redeemed at the end of a century."
Leonard's gaze passed over Ian and Merlin and looked behind them. He actually knew that behind that ordinary-looking mountain wall lay some unknown secrets.
"This..."
The young Wizard was completely dumbfounded.
"Clap clap clap~"
Merlin was also taken aback for a moment, then clapped his hands. "Good, good, a free Grave Keeper. It seems I'm not the only victim you've fooled."
He gave the young Wizard a strange look, then looked up at Leonard. "Let me guess, did your ancestors ever encounter a guy named Medivh?"
Merlin deliberately emphasized the name " Medivh ".
"No, what does it have to do with me? I would never lie to anyone... It's just occasionally." Ian felt his neck stiffen, and he was so embarrassed and annoyed that his hair was practically sprouting points.
" Medivh...?"
Leonard seemed to be Hard Work to recall.
"I do seem to have that impression."
His childhood memories may not be so clear anymore.
but.
Dumbledore clearly recognized the name Merlin had mentioned. Meanwhile, Leonard was racking his brains to recall what he knew about the remaining aspects of his family.
"You even betrayed the ancestors of your own acquaintances, tsk tsk, this is even worse than possession." Merlin gave Ian a thumbs up, while the little Wizard was speechless and didn't know how to refute him.
Fortunately, Leonard patted Phoenix on the head, as if he had finally remembered something.
"Oh, yes, my father mentioned that name, but it was only in the stories about our ancestors. In reality, our ancestral teachings come from our ancestors, not this person." His words clearly vindicated Ian, and the young Wizard's back seemed to straighten a few notches immediately.
"I knew it! I'm not that kind of person!" Ian's voice was slightly louder than before, and he seemed like a completely different person from his previous hesitant self.
Merlin seemed somewhat disappointed by this.
"Do you know what kind of connection your ancestors had with Medivh?" He seemed unwilling to give up and couldn't help but ask Leonard again.
Ian was utterly speechless.
Leonard scratched the back of his head, speaking somewhat uncertainly, "If I remember correctly, my father mentioned that our ancestor was one of the Seven Angels who served Medivh."
These words surprised Merlin.
"Angel?"
Merlin seized upon the sensitive words.
Can you remember what your ancestor's name was?
Even Ian became somewhat interested, and this time it was his turn to ask Leonard a question. Leonard, of course, answered much more quickly.
"Of course, her name is... Ariana Dumbledore."
Leonard spoke with absolute certainty.
Merlin hasn't reacted yet.
The little Wizard's pupils were already dilating uncontrollably.
"??????"
Ian suspected there was something wrong with his ears.
(End of this chapter)