Chapter 72 · Blood Contract
After the speech, the enthusiasm for Wizarding World did not subside.
Ian left the stage, exchanged a few words with his aunt Amelia and Professor Flitwick Ke, and then went backstage.
At the end of the corridor, a well-groomed and reserved middle-aged wizard was waiting for a long time.
"Barnabas Kraft?" Ian smiled and stretched out his hand.
"Just call me Barnabas, sir." The man immediately responded respectfully -
He is the editor-in-chief of <Daily Prophet>, and he also knows the young wizard in front of him.
He is the real owner behind that newspaper.
"Did you bring the newspaper?" Ian asked.
"Of course." Barnabas handed over a newly printed special issue.
That's the front page that will be on the entire Britain Wizarding World issue tomorrow morning.
Ian unfolded the newspaper and looked at the title--
[Ian·Alvin·Bones, the man who changed Wizarding World]
The accompanying picture shows the moment when he demonstrated the three major counter-curses on the stage. The light and shadow solidified into a commemorative picture.
He read it quietly and then said calmly:
"Change the photo to a group photo of myself, my aunt Amelia, and Professor Flitwick.
From tomorrow onwards, all reports will be centered around 'Bones family',
Focus on my aunt's contributions and virtues, but don't mention my cousin again."
"Understood." Barnabas leaned over to greet him, not daring to ask any more questions.
He knew very well - that was an order, not a suggestion.
Ian watched him leave and his expression returned to calm.
<Daily Prophet> is nothing but a public opinion tool.
The real goal is to make Bones family the spokesperson of "New Order".
Paving the way for his upcoming global plans.
--
Night falls.
Ian Apparition, appeared in a dilapidated castle.
The stone walls are mottled, and the air is filled with the heavy breath of time.
In a dark room, an old figure was sitting in the shadows, waiting for him.
"Time is not kind to you, Mr. Grindelwald." Ian said calmly.
"Indeed." The old man responded softly, his tone still carrying the dignity of the past.
"Are you here to get the contract?"
"That's right."
The moment the two looked at each other, the air almost froze.
Grindelwald's eyes flashed with a trace of inquiry - he remembered that this young man once made him surrender.
"I have to say, I'm surprised," Ian said calmly, "You didn't do anything to Bones family after I left."
"It's not that I didn't try." Grindelwald showed a faint smile, "
But whenever I get close to them, the power of that contract will warn me.
Even the believers I sent were still blocked.
So, I chose to give up."
Ian nodded slightly and took out a roll of silvery parchment from his arms.
The contract runes emerged in the air. He stretched out his hand to guide them, and the runes' light flowed back to his palm.
In an instant, Grindelwald's life-long memories were extracted like a tide--
All knowledge, research, and magic systems from 1926 to the present have been injected into Ian's body.
He absorbed it quietly and then prepared to leave.
However, Grindelwald suddenly said, "I have to thank you."
Ian stopped and turned around to look.
"Oh? Thank me for what?"
"Because you made me understand that the freedom of wizards I pursue is not impossible,
It's just that I went about it the wrong way."
His tone was calm, but with a strange sense of relief.
Ian stared at him, this Dark Lord who made the world tremble in the past,
Now there is no regret in his eyes, only a kind of... hope.
"Have you foreseen the future again?" Ian asked.
Grindelwald nodded and stood up slowly.
He walked to the corner and gently tapped a stone brick.
As the mechanism started, the ground cracked, revealing a sealed chamber.
Two glass bottles lie quietly inside--
One bottle is full of crimson, and the other bottle only contains a touch of blood.
"This is my gift." Grindelwald said.
"I know you're studying ancestry.
Of these two bottles of blood, one belongs to me and the other belongs to Dumbledore.
In that duel in 1945, I only collected so much,
But I used magic to preserve its freshness."
Ian stared at the two bottles of blood.
After a moment, he raised his hand and the blood bottle floated lightly in front of him.
Disappeared into the space bag again.
"Actually, I have already obtained your blood." Ian said lightly.
"When you were imprisoned by Magical Congress of the United States of America in 1926,
I controlled the warden in charge of you and collected samples in the name of physical examination.
I didn't take your blood during the contract, I just didn't want to force you to resist--
After all, blood is the most dangerous medium of magic."
Grindelwald's expression moved slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"As expected, you are always careful."
Ian did not deny it.
Prudence is his number one criterion for surviving to this day.
He placed the two bottles of blood properly and said calmly:
"Dumbledore family's bloodline has always made me curious.
From Credence to Aberforth, each generation has unique talents.
Now I finally have a complete collection - Credence, Aberforth, and Albus himself."
He paused for a moment, his expression as cold as ice.
"When my world plan is fully launched, I will personally study the secrets of their bloodline."
Ian was silent for a moment and suddenly asked, "Why help me?"
Grindelwald glanced at him.
"Because I want to see the world you want to create."
"You know what this means." Ian said in an indifferent tone.
"That will cost you everything - your soul and your will."
Grindelwald just smiled and did not answer.
There was determination in the smile, but also a hint of excitement.
Ian understands.
This former tyrant is willing to dedicate everything to him when "that day" comes.
But--not now.
Because there is another person standing in front of them.
The man who once made Grindelwald almost fall - Albus Dumbledore.
Only by defeating him,
Grindelwald will truly surrender.
That's not only proof of strength,
It is the continuation of faith--
He wanted to see his failed ideals re-realized in Ian.
Ian understood the silence and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
He whispered, "It seems that we are all waiting for that day."
Then Apparition left.
In the night, the shadow of the castle engulfed the old man again.
Grindelwald looked up at the disappearing space fluctuation,
The expression is complicated.
He murmured softly:
"Young wizard, you will become Destroyer,
He will also become the founder of the new world."
--
Ian appeared in the Silent Valley.
He held the two bottles of blood, his fingertips trembling slightly.
The night wind blew by, and the cold light reflected on the deep red in the bottle.
He showed an almost cold smile.
"The power of blood... is finally complete."