I Have to Fight Dumbledore?

[Brain Storage]

1992, Britain.

Deep within an abandoned textile mill in London's East End.

Red spell-light tore through the dust swirling in the gloom.

"Protego!"

Lin Du calmly flicked his wand. A translucent barrier sprang up instantly, deflecting all three Stunning Spells aimed at him. Ripples from the impacts spread across the shield.

Five Aurors from the Ministry of Magic surrounded him in a fan-shaped formation, their wands trained firmly on him.

"Lin Du! Stop resisting! You are suspected of illegally researching Dark Magic!" the lead Auror captain shouted, his voice echoing through the empty factory.

Lin Du frowned slightly, but there was not the slightest hint of panic on his face.

He had come to Britain to travel, intending only to devote himself to studying magical knowledge classified as forbidden and explore the differences and origins of Eastern and Western magical systems.

He had kept a low profile, and his research had been limited to theoretical discussions and harmless observations of magical phenomena. He had never harmed anyone with magic. He could not understand why the authorities had been so "relentless" in their attention toward him.

"Every time, it's the same. No originality at all," he muttered. With a flick of his wrist, his wand struck out as naturally as an extension of his arm.

"Expelliarmus!"

A swift red beam shot forth. The Auror on the far right felt his hand go numb, and his wand flew from his grasp.

Almost at the same time, Lin Du slid sideways, evading another Binding Spell. His wand then swept down toward the ground.

"Transfiguration!"

The rusty bolts and chains scattered across the floor seemed to come alive, twisting instantly into several metal tentacles. They lashed around the ankles of two Aurors attempting to close in, tripping them to the ground.

"Stupefy!" Another Auror seized the opportunity and fired a spell.

Lin Du did not even turn around. He simply swung his wand behind him.

"Impedimenta!"

An invisible wall of obstacles appeared between him and the spell. The Stunning Spell burst against it and vanished without a trace.

But his true attack had already gone out—a precise Petrificus Totalus froze the ambushing Auror in the middle of casting, the look of shock still fixed on his face.

The rhythm of the battle was entirely under Lin Du's control.

His spells were precise and efficient, interwoven with masterful applications of Transfiguration. Everything in the surrounding environment that could be used became a weapon.

In less than two minutes, all five well-trained Aurors had lost their ability to fight—two had been disarmed and bound, two had been petrified, and the last, their captain, had been knocked out directly by a Stunning Spell.

Silence returned to the factory, leaving only the faint sound of dust drifting down.

Lin Du let out a soft breath, his breathing steady.

He walked over and tapped his wand, moving the petrified and unconscious Aurors to the wall and propping them into seated positions. It was hardly comfortable, but it at least kept them from catching a chill on the floor.

"I hope this will buy me a few days of peace," he said helplessly, shaking his head at the unconscious Aurors.

He was not a bloodthirsty man. All he wanted was to pursue the mysteries of magic without being disturbed.

However, just as he turned to gather his scattered research notes, an indescribable chill seized him—

A gentle yet vast pulse of Magic Power silently permeated the entire space, making even the air seem thick and viscous.

Every muscle in Lin Du's body tensed instantly. He spun around sharply, his wand immediately pointed toward the source of that sensation.

At the center of the factory, light and shadow rippled like water and gathered together. A tall figure went from illusory to solid.

Long silver-white hair and beard, piercing blue and wise eyes behind half-moon spectacles, and robes embroidered with mysterious runes.

Albus Dumbledore stood there, his calm gaze sweeping over the row of Aurors "settled" against the wall before falling on Lin Du, who faced him as though confronting a formidable enemy.

After the first warning surge, Lin Du's heart began pounding violently, his blood roaring against his eardrums.

He forcibly suppressed the instinctive tremor, gripping his wand tightly. He did not attack rashly, but slowly spoke, his voice carrying a dryness even he had not noticed.

"Headmaster Dumbledore..."

He recognized this legendary figure.

Years ago, he had spent a year at Hogwarts as an Exchange Student from the East, and had seen this headmaster from afar several times within the castle.

That brief experience had left him with deep respect for the man hailed as the greatest White Wizard of the age.

Dumbledore gave him a gentle smile.

"Good evening, my child," he said calmly. "I must admit, seeing this scene has put me somewhat at ease. The Ministry of Magic reports described you as rather vicious."

Lin Du's heart clenched sharply.

He knew all too well the strength of the old man before him—the pinnacle of power in the magical world, a legend who had ended two generations of Dark Lords.

"Headmaster Dumbledore." Lin Du kept his grip on his wand, but lowered its tip slightly in respect. "I was only defending myself. As you can see, I did not strike heavily against any of these three groups of Aurors."

Dumbledore nodded gently. "That is something I appreciate. But do you know? It is precisely this 'restraint' of yours that makes Minister Fudge even more uneasy."

Lin Du frowned. "I don't understand."

"A wizard who researches Dark Magic yet does not harm others." Dumbledore's gaze deepened. "To the Ministry of Magic, he is more dangerous than a Dark Wizard who indiscriminately kills innocents. Because it means your goal is not simple destruction, but something deeper."

Lin Du fell silent.

"I study Dark Magic to understand the essence of magic," Lin Du tried to explain. "Where I come from, we believe knowledge itself has neither good nor evil..."

"A very familiar theory," Dumbledore interrupted softly. "Gellert said something similar when he was young."

Those words sent a chill through Lin Du.

He knew of Dumbledore and Grindelwald's history. Being compared to that Dark Lord was by no means a good thing.

"I am not like him," Lin Du said firmly. "I seek only knowledge, not power."

Dumbledore slowly took a step forward. His robes did not stir in the still air. "That is precisely what makes me hesitate. I can sense a powerful thirst for knowledge in you, but none of the usual ambition or malice. However..."

The old man's eyes sharpened. "Experience has taught me that the most dangerous roads often begin with the purest intentions. Your deep research into Dark Magic may not have caused harm now, but it could one day open Pandora's box."

Lin Du realized that explaining himself was useless.

In the old man's eyes, he was perhaps a potential threat that needed to be crushed before it could grow.

"Then, Professor, is there truly no possibility of reconciliation between us?" Lin Du made one final effort, trying to find a sliver of hope.

He truly did not want to fight this old headmaster. His chances of winning were so slim that they filled him with despair.

Dumbledore sighed softly.

"I am sorry, my child. Sometimes, to prevent greater tragedies that may arise in the future, we must make decisions that seem quite difficult in the present."

The Elder Wand in his hand rose slightly, and the air around them instantly became as heavy as a mountain.

"Now, please come with me."

Lin Du slowly raised his own wand.

"I refuse, Headmaster."