In this tranquil valley, a gentle breeze rustles the surrounding grass. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows among the trees.
This should have been a wonderful atmosphere, but the young Wizard couldn't find peace in his heart, all because he had heard that incredibly familiar name from Leonard Dumbledore's lips.
Ariana Dumbledore! Although Ariana was the person he had spent the most time with in this world, Ian never imagined he would hear that name in this era!
"You... you said your ancestor was who?" Ian's voice trembled, his tone filled with uncertainty and shock. His eyes were wide open, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets, as if he had heard something unbelievable. He really needed to ask Leonard for confirmation again.
Otherwise, he would really start to doubt that there was something wrong with his ears.
"Are you sure it's Ariana Dumbledore? You're not mistaken?" Before Leonard could even respond, Ian spoke again, enunciating very clearly.
His rather "reactive" reaction left Leonard completely baffled. Merlin, meanwhile, glanced at Ian again, his eyes flickering with a hint of inquiry and contemplation. He noticed Ian's unusual reaction and couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt and speculation.
But Ian was completely oblivious to Merlin's gaze at this moment; his mind was filled with the familiar yet utterly jarring name of Ariana.
"Of course I can't remember wrong."
Leonard Dumbledore stood before him, his expression calm and resolute. The Phoenix on his shoulder gently flapped its wings, its golden-red feathers shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
His gaze was fixed on Ian, his tone unwavering. "How could I possibly have misremembered the family tree? Before the family was destroyed, every ancestor had their own portrait."
"I remember my father introducing me to each of the ancestors, and Ancestor Ariana was a shy one. Her portrait even reminded me to eat less sugar or I'd get cavities." Leonard's expression was full of memories, not only of his past but also of the sadness he felt when he thought of his father.
He had never practiced magic, so he certainly couldn't have learned Occlumency. Therefore, every emotion that arose in his heart was exposed to Ian's perception.
Is that really the case...?
Ian's heart was in turmoil, his throat felt like it was blocked, and he felt an indescribable emotion surging in his chest.
Absurd and bizarre.
It has a magical, unreal feel to it.
He couldn't help but think that he might have been attacked in his own tomb, and that everything he was experiencing now was just a nonsensical fantasy.
Thinking about this...
Ian couldn't help but rub his temples, trying to calm himself down. His gaze involuntarily drifted to Merlin beside him, only to find Merlin looking at him with a meaningful expression. Merlin's eyes were slightly narrowed, his gaze filled with inquiry and contemplation, as if trying to read something from Ian's reaction.
"I don't think it's what I'm thinking... right?" Ian didn't know what information Merlin was trying to glean; one thought and possibility after another kept flashing through his mind.
"Perhaps it's just a coincidence of names." Ian took a deep breath, and without hesitation, he took out his wand, raised his hand, and cast the spell— Patronus Charm.
Since Leonard has seen the portrait of his ancestor, this is probably the best way to verify whether it is a coincidence.
All I saw was...
The surrounding air seemed to tremble slightly at his movement, and the tip of the wand began to shimmer with silver light, which gradually condensed into threads that wove a blurry outline in the air.
Magic began to take shape.
Silver threads, like nimble sprites, weaved and spun in the air, gradually coalescing into a human figure. Moments later, Ariana appeared before everyone from the Misty Illusion. Her figure was as light as moonlight, radiating a soft glow that blended seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment yet stood out brilliantly.
I don't know if it's a coincidence.
After Ariana appeared, the surrounding environment seemed to be affected by some mysterious force. The gentle breeze gradually became stronger, rustling the surrounding trees. The sunlight seemed to dim, and clouds began to gather, casting a shadow over the valley.
It seemed like some kind of cover-up.
The light dimmed considerably, though not to the point of complete darkness. Ian looked up, feeling a strong sense of familiarity. Just two days prior, hundreds of years ago in this world, Reckless Goddess whose name he hadn't even had a chance to ask had done something similar.
However, this situation does not appear to be the work of a human.
Ian seemed lost in thought.
Meanwhile...
"This? This? This???" Merlin's eyes widened slightly, a hint of disbelief in his gaze. His fingers trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out. His gaze shifted back and forth between Ian and Ariana, as if trying to comprehend everything that was happening before his eyes.
" Ian, you summoned me again?" Ariana's voice was soft, as if it came from a distant place. She stood in front of Ian, tilting her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Are you still in ancient times? Is there something you need my help with? Hmm, why does this place seem so familiar?"
Her voice was soft, like a clear mountain spring, echoing in the quiet valley.
As he spoke.
Ariana glanced around at her surroundings.
Meanwhile...
"Your ancestors probably didn't look like this, did they?" Ian had intended to use this to prove to Leonard that their ancestors could not possibly have had such a unique and famous face, but when he turned around, he was surprised to find Leonard staring incredulously at Ariana's curious face.
Leonard's silent reaction spoke volumes; indeed, reality can sometimes be more surreal than anything else.
"Gah~"
The young Wizard felt as if a boulder had crashed into his heart.
The words she was about to say instantly choked in her throat.
"This... this is..." Leonard's voice trembled slightly, his tone filled with uncertainty and shock, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable. His fingers were also trembling slightly, and the Phoenix on his shoulder seemed to sense its master's emotions, letting out a low cry.
"Ah? Phoenix!"
Ariana seemed to only belatedly realize the Phoenix's presence at this moment, and whether she was oblivious or something else, she covered her mouth in surprise.
At this time.
Upon seeing Ariana's gaze upon him, Leonard's Phoenix eyes, already incredibly bright, suddenly lit up, emitting a clear and melodious cry that broke the valley's tranquility. It gently flapped its wings, taking flight from Leonard's shoulder, stirring up the surrounding air currents and causing Leonard's hair and robes to flutter in the wind.
The Phoenix, with its graceful form, began to slowly circle around Ariana. Its feathers were like flowing flames, and with each flap of its wings, it seemed to echo the dazzling starlight emanating from Ariana.
Ariana maintained a gentle smile as she quietly watched the Phoenix swirling around her. Curious, she raised her hand, and the Phoenix landed directly on the back of her hand.
Such extraordinary Phoenix affinity—could this be considered a manifestation of the Dumbledore's pure bloodline? Doesn't this further confirm that outrageous possibility? Ian's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out. He truly felt his imagination was running out of steam when it came to developing his magical world.
Is this Phoenix yours?
Ariana's gaze kept shifting between Phoenix and Leonard.
"Could it be... that you are... an ancestor of the Dumbledore family!?"
She seemed to realize something was wrong.
His eyes widened in astonishment.
And the next moment.
What happened next made her eyes widen even more.
"No! Ariana Dumbledore! You are the ancestor!" Leonard quickly corrected, his voice filled with disbelief. He had actually seen the person in the portrait in reality.
Is this the soul?
Or is there some other situation?
Leonard's mind was in turmoil.
"Ah?"
Ariana seemed completely bewildered, feeling that Leonard had stolen her lines. Ian had said this was the Middle Ages, so shouldn't she be the one shouting about her ancestors?
And how would the other person know my name?
Just as Ariana was still in a slightly dazed state, Leonard suddenly seemed to realize something and slapped the back of his head.
"I understand!"
Leonard looked at Ian with a shocked and stunned expression.
"You... you are also my ancestor! The husband of my ancestor Ariana!" He seemed to have forgotten how to address Ian, but this idea was getting increasingly outrageous.
Of course, from Leonard's perspective, this speculation might indeed be reasonable. After all, stories of immortal husbands carrying their wives' souls with them often appear in the mouths of bards.
He felt he had deduced the truth.
However.
"..."
Upon hearing this, the young Wizard's neck stiffened, and his whole body went numb.
What the hell?!
He couldn't help but complain.
Ariana was also somewhat unable to keep up with Leonard's train of thought. In fact, Ariana hadn't even figured out what the current situation was or why she was being regarded as an ancestor by her ancestors.
" Ian? What's going on?" Ariana looked blankly at the young Wizard beside her, but the young Wizard could only shrug helplessly.
"I'm not entirely sure either... It involves a very complex issue. I need to go back and ask Headmaster Dumbledore; perhaps then I'll be able to clarify the current situation."
"Of course, I'll omit Mr. Dumbledore 'Leonard absurd remarks, otherwise Headmaster Dumbledore would surely kill me," Ian said in a low voice, swallowing hard.
He already had some guesses in his mind, and considering the secret operations that Headmaster Dumbledore was currently carrying out, he felt that Ariana might really be resurrected in the future.
only.
The reason for this paradoxical situation is still somewhat baffling to Ian; there's no way around it, issues involving time are always extremely perplexing.
"I think... this Mr. Dumbledore must have mistaken me for someone else." Ariana, being rather simple-minded, made the most basic judgment, albeit somewhat awkwardly.
She was unlikely to think about the "chicken and egg" problem. After all, as a Girl with the mind of a teenager, Ariana couldn't really accept becoming an ancestor.
And it's with Ian... The more I think about it, the more awkward and strange it feels!
"Yes, yes, he mistook someone else for someone else."
Ian glanced at Leonard, who seemed about to say something, and to prevent Ariana from falling into a state of mental confusion, he immediately canceled his Patronus Charm.
"Please give my regards to the teacher and Pandora."
He also said goodbye to Ariana before Ariana disappeared. A polite Ariana waved back to Leonard and Merlin in return.
Leonard instinctively waved goodbye as well.
Merlin didn't react, not because he was impolite—though Ian thought he did lack manners—but mainly because Merlin hadn't seen it.
His gaze remained fixed on Ian.
After Ariana disappeared.
The sky cleared up again.
Merlin finally couldn't help but speak up.
"That's your Guardian Spirit? A human Guardian Spirit?" Merlin's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of shock and disbelief in his tone, and his hands, hanging down, were trembling slightly.
"Impressive, isn't it? She can even help me kill people." Ian raised an eyebrow, his tone light. The fact that she could shock the ancient Wizard King was quite interesting to him.
"This isn't a matter of whether it's powerful or not..." Merlin's throat bobbed a few times. "As far as I know, there are only two beings capable of pulling people from the Underworld."
He clearly recognized Ariana's identity as a Heroic Spirit.
"Besides me, there are two more? So many?" Ian's focus was strangely focused; he could clearly feel Merlin's shoulders shaking.
"Heh."
Merlin seemed to be suppressing his emotions.
"Yes, there are two more."
His gaze was fixed on Ian.
"Is Death among them?"
The young Wizard made a guess.
Merlin shook his head slightly.
"No, Death would never do such a thing. In history, only two people have done it: one is the Shadow Raven, and the other is the legend that Alchemy firmly believe in— the True Creator."
"Of course, now there's also 'you'... Medivh... Perhaps I should call you Ian, I hope that really is your real name." Merlin seemed to be suffering from paranoia. His constantly shifting gaze was full of interrogation, making Ian feel a chill run down his spine, and he couldn't help but take a few steps back.
"I'll definitely call myself Ian."
Ian chuckled awkwardly.
Leonard looked at him thoughtfully.
but.
Dumbledore's gaze was far less sharp than Merlin's.
"This is unreasonable. If this journey has made me realize anything, I think it's that I may have seen the astonishing truth buried in the dust of history."
Merlin's voice carried a hint of seriousness, "Summoning the dead from the Underworld —this is no ordinary ability; it is authority, a symbol of dominion."
His words made Ian swallow hard.
What are you trying to say?
The young Wizard already had a premonition.
As expected.
"I just want to verify a guess." Merlin suddenly pulled out a black sphere from somewhere and handed it to the little Wizard in front of him.
"Perhaps, the power to control life and death, this authority in this world, has always belonged to only one person." Merlin saw the young Wizard hesitate and not take the black ball from his hand.
He quickly and directly shoved the black ball into Ian's hand.
What is this?
Ian was still curiously weighing the heavy black ball in his hand.
The next moment.
The black sphere began to crack, transforming into a metallic Cyber Eye —no one knew what this meant, but Merlin immediately wore an "I knew it" expression upon seeing it.
Before Ian could even ask...
The next moment.
A fist the size of a sandbag appeared in the little Wizard's line of sight.
"Holy crap! Mei Jinfu!"
The flowers in the woods are in full bloom.
Ian proved the Wizard's omnipotence through his own experience.
It's obvious.
There are more than just Juggernaut in the Wizard World.
And there's the Boxing King.
(End of this chapter)