Crossing Fiendfyre

But Tom's display of Fiendfyre just now instantly dispelled any suspicion they might have had.

Not only is it the appearance of Fiendfyre, but the old leader also witnessed Gellert Grindelwald casting spells in person.

That kind of self-important, godlike aura is something that ordinary people simply cannot imitate.

Who else but their family members could produce such a disciple? Therefore, he became increasingly polite to Tom.

"What should I call you?" Tom asked softly, gesturing with his chin.

"Anton Vogel," the old man replied respectfully.

"Hmm?" Tom's gaze instantly turned sharp, like two knives stabbing into Vogel, as if he could see right through his thoughts.

Vogel instinctively wanted to activate his Occlumency to defend himself, but he forcefully suppressed this instinct.

The boy in front of him had such an adult aura that he couldn't afford to be presumptuous.

Tom saw the reaction he wanted, and his expression softened. He waved his hand apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Vogel, I misunderstood."

Vogel quickly shook his head, his tone humble. "It's not your fault, it was my fault for not being clear. My father and I share the same name."

Tom nodded slightly, inwardly thinking: Even though I've been in the West for so long...

But he still wasn't used to the ridiculous custom of fathers and sons sharing the same name; he almost thought the old man was playing a trick on him.

Anton Vogel could be considered either Gellert Grindelwald's subordinate or his partner.

At the time, Vogel was both the Germany Minister for Magic and the Supreme Mugwump, and he consistently lobbied on Gellert Grindelwald's behalf.

They even nominated him to run for chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards. At that time, Germany was practically Gellert Grindelwald's logistical base.

His ideas spread widely there, and he had countless supporters.

Even after losing the election, Vogel remained steadfastly by Gellert Grindelwald's side.

He could be considered the second or third most important figure in the Acolyte' camp, holding an extremely high position.

"So it was this kid." Gellert Grindelwald, who had been watching the scene closely in the Study Space, suddenly realized and spoke up.

"He should know about that stuff. You try it in a bit. Even if he doesn't, Sanders behind him certainly does."

Tom still had a trump card up his sleeve, a final move to confirm his identity, known only to the old Acolyte from back then.

That's why he tested the Fiendfyre first, without revealing his true intentions directly.

"Mr. Riddle, if I may ask, how did you become your disciple?"

Vogel hesitated for a moment, then asked softly.

"It seems I've passed your initial test." Tom didn't answer directly, but instead stood up, his tone somewhat playful.

"However, you haven't passed my test yet. This place is too small to maneuver properly. Follow me, not one of you can be missing."

After saying that, he Apparition.

Vogel and the others exchanged glances, paused for a second, and then quickly activated their Side-Along Apparition, following the spatial fluctuations left by Tom.

A secluded quarry on the outskirts of Paris.

The moonlight shone on the pebbles, creating a white haze. It was very quiet all around; there wasn't even the sound of insects.

Twenty Acolyte stood in the center of the open space, young and old, with different expressions on their faces.

They all stared intently at Tom, waiting for his explanation.

Tom cleared his throat and slowly began, "Gellert Grindelwald told me that the Acolyte are his like-minded companions and friends in his pursuit of a perfect world."

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear him clearly. "He never treated the Acolyte as subordinates."

Upon hearing this, the Acolyte present instantly teared up, their faces filled with emotion.

An old woman wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her lips trembling, repeatedly calling out, "Lord Gellert Grindelwald."

And there was that slogan etched into their very bones. " For the For the Greater Good." Her voice was soft, but firm.

" For the For the Greater Good." The others followed suit. Once, twice, three times. The voices grew louder and more unified.

Tom sighed inwardly: Gellert Grindelwald's charm is truly outrageous.

Even though he had become a loser and all his life's efforts had come to naught, so many people still devotedly missed him and followed him.

This is probably the Wizarding World's version of "Thinking of Xiang Yu, who refused to cross the Yangtze River," right?

He remained silent for a moment, waiting for the crowd to calm down slightly, then his tone suddenly turned cold, carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"I have no connection with you. Gellert Grindelwald trusts you; that's his confidence in himself. But I only know one thing: people's hearts are fickle."

"If I hadn't told him what happened at the Arizona Reserve, and he hadn't begged me to help you, I wouldn't have come all the way to Paris to gather you all."

Vogel's expression changed instantly, and the old woman was trembling with anger, her eyes filled with fury.

How dare you doubt our loyalty to our master? Even if you are his disciple, you cannot insult us like this!

"Don't look at me like that," Tom retorted, raising an eyebrow, completely unfazed by their anger.

"Do you remember what he did in Paris back then?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tom's demeanor suddenly changed, and a strange, glassy light flashed in his right eye.

He turned gracefully, holding his wand, and slowly drew a circle in front of him.

Blue flames surged from the tip of the staff, rising instantly and forming a huge ring of fire in the blink of an eye.

The flames burned steadily, yet they exuded a chilling aura and an unassailable majesty.

Tom opened his arms wide, his voice possessing a captivating power, as if Gellert Grindelwald were present:

"Acolyte, just as you did sixty-five years ago, pass through the flames and pledge your eternal loyalty to me."

The group of old Acolyte were momentarily dazed, as if they were seeing the spirited Gellert Grindelwald of yesteryear.

The revolutionary who wanted to lead them to overthrow the International Statute of Secrecy and allow wizards to live openly in the sunlight.

They weren't mistaken; although Tom had mastered the Protego Diabolica, he hadn't yet mastered the skill of discerning people's hearts.

That requires Legilimency into the Fiendfyre, which sounds simple but is incredibly difficult to do.

So just now, in that instant, Tom activated his Physical Practice mode, with Gellert Grindelwald personally controlling Fiendfyre to recreate the scene from back then.

The angrier old woman was the first to move; she leaned on her cane and walked step by step toward the ring of fire.

Her cane struck the gravel with a thud, and without hesitation, she stepped directly into the flames.

The blue flames engulfed her, then spat her out. She was completely unharmed.

She walked behind Tom, turned around, and faced the person who was still outside the ring of fire.

Standing with his hands at his sides, his voice firm. "My loyalty to you remains unchanged and unwavering."