"Headmaster, we really don't have much time left. Passively adapting is no different from waiting to die. I don't want to end up enslaved by Muggles, with my descendants living in the mud like house-elves for generations.
"Nature has an iron law: survival of the fittest!
"In any case, I'll choose to change proactively. Technology may be powerful, but magic is wondrous too, and I choose to develop both. That's the greatest advantage wizards have over Muggles.
"But you know better than I do what state the wizarding world is in: rotten thinking, stagnation, and endless infighting.
"Expecting a wizarding world like that to pursue progress on its own? That's nothing but a pipe dream.
"If I led the wizarding world, I would establish sound rules for advancement. Only then could we truly awaken wizards' potential and drive to learn, unleashing tremendous wartime potential. Only then would we have nothing to fear.
"But all of that requires resources. Change amounts to reform, and it will inevitably threaten the interests of many who benefit from the status quo.
"Headmaster, surely you aren't naive enough to think a few kind words will persuade them to surrender their interests?
"That's when we need a Scourge of God-oh, a Scourge of Merlin-to drive them to change!
"And I am willing to be the one holding that whip!"
Shawn's impassioned speech, exposing the wizarding world's wounds and taking responsibility, deepened the wrinkles on Dumbledore's face.
The way Shawn looked now was so much like Grindelwald when he had explained his ideals to him all those years ago: an idealist concerned for his people and his country, willing to lead the way.
Back then, Dumbledore had been just as fired up. He had even been the first to propose the slogan "For the Greater Good."
Dumbledore