As an ordinary person who had accidentally crossed over into a fantasy world, this wasn't the first time Klein had received an invitation to attend a magic school.
The first time, however, the invitation had come from Durmstrang.
Located in northern Norway and renowned for Dark Magic and combat spells, the school had been Klein's first bridge to the mysterious world.
If he could have chosen, he would have happily continued studying magic there, wearing the title of "the most talented wizard in Durmstrang's history." Unfortunately, the revelation of his background had brought the fear inspired by the surname "Grindelwald" crashing down over everyone's hearts once again.
With his god-given talent and striking looks, people had pored over the history books and discovered, to their horror, that another "Dark Lord" had grown up right under their noses!
Even though Klein had done nothing but quietly immerse himself in his research, never bothering anyone.
Improvements to the Healing Spell, innovations to the Armor Spell, the connection between the Transfer Spell and other dimensions, and ways to summon a Patronus by abandoning one's emotions...
The more astonishing his achievements, the more uneasy the Magical World became.
People enjoyed the fruits of his research with a clear conscience, yet deep down, they feared the last remnant of the Grindelwald family.
In the end, a secret vote had cost Klein his freedom. He was forcibly locked away in a cell less than five square meters in size.
And so—
Countless ghouls and wraiths broke out of the prison!
Klein Will Grindelwald.
This taciturn genius had displayed a talent for Dark Magic far more terrifying than his already extraordinary gift for ordinary magic!
He had no lofty ideals. It was nothing more than revenge.
Anyone who dared stand in his way would lose their life!
One man challenging the entire Magical World.
The most absurd war in A History of Magic had begun.
In the first month, the German Ministry of Magic was overrun by ghouls and Dementors. The people were outraged, convinced that the shameless Grindelwald remnants had finally revealed their deeply hidden, sordid ambition.
In the second month, the Ministries of Magic in France, Italy, Poland, and other countries fell in succession. The people fell silent, and quite a few fanatical "Grindelwald followers" emerged.
In the third month, most of the European magic world had fallen. The people began to fear. When all their malicious conjectures came true, they realized in horror that they were powerless to resist the most powerful evil wizard in history.
In the fourth month, the whole of continental Europe, save Britain, came under Klein Grindelwald's rule. Amid the cheers of the masses, the "Black Emperor" was crowned.
In the fifth month, just as expected, the British wizarding world fell. His great majesty Klein had sent out only a single squad of guards, yet all of England had submitted to him.
Incidentally, Mr. Harry Potter, the "Chosen One" who had once saved the British wizarding world, had also been counted on to work a miracle in the final battle. Unfortunately, he failed to do so and died bravely in battle.
A year later, the American magical world also pledged its allegiance. Grindelwald I, born to greatness, had accomplished a glorious feat even his ancestor had failed to achieve!
Three years later, the Wizard Alliance besieged Berlin. The Magic Empire came crashing down, and Klein Grindelwald died with a smile on his face atop the Mithril Throne, his soul utterly destroyed.
He was twenty-seven years old.
The people rejoiced, trampling the "Mysterious Eye" flag, symbol of the Empire, beneath their feet. They poured all their passion into celebrating this epic, glorious victory, yet no one knew why the "Black Emperor" had worn that meaningful smile in his final moments.
No one but him.
Many people didn't know what they wanted.
But Klein did.
After seeing Dumbledore off, he returned to his room. The aggressive aura around him had vanished, replaced by an indescribable quality.
Calm. Detached.
Klein Will Grindelwald.
The "Black Emperor," who had once held the world in his grasp, had used a forbidden spell that burned his soul to travel through time, returning to twenty-seven years earlier and beginning his third life!
"Heh."
After a long moment of thought, Klein's lips curved into a faint smile.
Traveling the world, seeking out Bathilda Bagshot, meeting Albus Dumbledore—he had planned all of it.
So far, he had done a decent job.
"This time, I sincerely hope no one bothers me again."
Murmuring to himself, Klein leaned against the headboard without even taking off his boots and opened the thick book he always carried with him.
It was a copy of the Compendium of Curses. Every spell had been marked up and altered to some degree, and at first glance, it looked like a mass of scribbles.
"My Eyes Hold No Secrets."
He silently recited the Unsealing Incantation. Under Klein's gaze, the old Compendium of Curses transformed into something else.
Profound. Esoteric.
The ancient book, black from cover to cover, emanated an ominous aura, like a bottomless abyss. On pages darker than the night, fiery letters burned silently.
"Five Attempts at Cooking Dragon Meat," "Protection and Disguise of the Soul (※)," "Contractual Laws of Yin-Yang Shikigami," "Curses and Counter-Curses," "How to Summon Demons Without Cost," "Maintenance of the Egyptian Scarab's Exoskeleton," "Conjectures on the Combination of Ghouls and Bone Sorcerers."
One topic after another. One mad idea after another.
Though he had once held the world in his grasp, Klein had always insisted that he was a pure scholar.
Power was merely a bonus on the path to uncovering the source of the mysterious.
In fact, that was why he had been glad to see the Wizard Alliance destroy the Empire he had built.
Being emperor was exhausting. He'd long since stopped wanting to play.
But there had been no way out.
So, in that case, he'd just reload and try again~
This time, he would make up for all his past regrets and enjoy life. He would shut up everyone who doubted and judged him. This time, he would ascend to the supreme Mithril Throne by a different path, and make everyone praise his name willingly!
"Dumbledore's Legilimency is even more impressive than I imagined. Good thing I was prepared."
As his fingers gently brushed over the fiery letters, Klein recalled his recent clash with Dumbledore, and his mood lifted without his realizing it.
Was it the mutual appreciation of worthy opponents, or the thrill of two master actors playing off each other?
He let out a quiet laugh.
Whatever the case, Albus Dumbledore, that old fox, was just Klein's type.
In his previous life, Dumbledore had died early because of Voldemort. After being expelled from Durmstrang, Klein had stayed holed up in Berlin doing research, and had never met him. Aside from the story Klein had already known, he had learned most of what he knew about the great wizard from the cards that came with Chocolate Frogs.
That gentle, selfless, wise, and cunning old man would make a fine "shield" for Klein, sparing him many of the troubles he had faced in his previous life.
And Hogwarts—
would be his perfect "haven."
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