For the Greater Good

July 1991, Austria.

An oddly shaped European-style villa stood on the shores of Lake Mondsee.

The blue-black masonry and the carvings on its walls all spoke of the villa's age.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto the face of a blond, blue-eyed boy, casting a shimmering glow.

Yet the sight of the boy holding a book that gave off blue-black mist in one hand and a wand with peculiar horizontal ridges in the other looked eerie no matter how one viewed it.

As a flash of green light passed, a faint smile rose on the boy's face.

[Congratulations, host, on mastering Dark Magic: Imperius Curse. Achievement earned: Azkaban Candidate]

[Achievement point reward: 100]

"System, show my talent panel!"

The boy's clear voice rang out. A moment later, a virtual data panel appeared before his eyes.

[Charms: 100]

[Potions: 100]

[Dark Magic: 99]

[Transfiguration: 100]

[Alchemy: 100]

[Divination: 100]

[Current points remaining: 112. Achievement points can be exchanged for talent (each exchange for talents above 95 requires 100 points) or lottery draws.]

[Points can be earned by earning achievements, completing system missions, and other means.]

Hearing the notification in his mind, the boy let out a long breath. "Six years... I'm finally about to max out my talents!"

The boy's name was Argus-Argus Grindelwald.

Strictly speaking, he was not from this world. When he first transmigrated, he was only a baby, abandoned outside an orphanage.

He had thought he had simply been reborn. Only when his magic erupted at age five, activating the system, and the Acolytes subsequently brought him before Gellert Grindelwald did he understand.

He had actually come to the world of Harry Potter and become an orphan of the Grindelwald family.

In his previous life, Argus had been very familiar with this magical world, and its many wondrous spells had filled him with longing.

But only after transmigrating did he discover that the real magical world was nowhere near as wonderful as he had imagined.

Especially for someone of Grindelwald's bloodline!

The Ministry of Magic, the Acolytes, the Wizards' Council... far too many eyes were watching him.

Had they not feared Grindelwald going berserk, there was no telling how many times he would have died already.

Unlike the usual transmigrators who came before him, once Argus had confirmed that he was safe, he had not chosen to distinguish himself or improve his strength as quickly as possible.

Instead, he had kept a low profile and bided his time, earning points through various means right up until today.

"System, exchange for Dark Magic talent!"

[Point allocation successful. Host's current Dark Magic: 100]

As soon as the points had been allocated, another notification popped up.

[Host's talents have been maxed out. Achievement earned: Future Dark Magic Master]

[Achievement earned: Perfect Magical Genius]

[Achievement point reward: 200]

"Time to consider stepping out into the world. Before that, I'll do my first-ever lottery draw."

He opened the lottery interface, and countless card packs appeared before Argus.

He picked two at random. Accompanied by... an utterly unremarkable white light, the system's notification sounded.

[Congratulations, host. Reward obtained: Spell-Legilimency (Level 2)]

[Congratulations, host. Reward obtained: Dark Magic-Fiendfyre (Level 3)]

"Legilimency? Fiendfyre?" Argus was momentarily speechless.

"If it's those two, there's a spell I could try..."

Clear footsteps sounded outside the door.

An elegant woman in dark green robes approached slowly.

Vinda Rosier, the never-fading black rose that bloomed in France.

Her lustrous black hair, green eyes, and noble, elegant bearing had captivated countless people.

Her extraordinary strength allowed her to retain her youthful figure and appearance even in her nineties.

"What is it, Aunt Vinda?"

Argus set down his wand and turned to look.

Vinda Rosier looked worried.

"Little Argus, have you forgotten? Today is your eleventh birthday!"

"My birthday?"

Argus froze briefly, then realization dawned on his face.

When Grindelwald had adopted Argus, he had ordered all the Acolytes that on the day Argus turned eleven, he would inherit the entire Acolytes group.

But over the years, because he had adhered to the principle of keeping a low profile and biding his time, Argus had never done anything particularly outstanding. Even among the Acolytes, quite a few people scoffed at him.

Now, the appointed day had arrived.

The Acolytes group clearly did not want him to become Gellert's successor.

Although Argus was Grindelwald's adopted son, the Acolytes had only ever been loyal to Gellert!

In their hearts, only Gellert could lead them to complete the great undertaking they had begun all those years ago!

To put it kindly, they thought Argus was too young to carry the Acolytes' banner.

To put it bluntly, they thought nothing of him!

At this thought, Argus's expression gradually grew grave. "Aunt Vinda, is there something you want to tell me?"

Vinda Rosier took a deep breath. "Abernathy and I have given it some thought. The Acolytes are fragmented now, and bringing them back together won't be easy. Besides, their attitude toward you..."

"So you want me to give up, Aunt Vinda?" Argus interrupted before she could finish.

"I know you mean well, but I refuse!"

Vinda Rosier's expression stiffened, as though she had not expected Argus to refuse so decisively.

"I carry Grindelwald's blood. You and Gellert taught me personally, and what I bear is the undertaking you left unfinished all those years ago!" Argus rose from his chair, his tone firm. "If I choose to back down today, I'll lose not only the Acolytes' expectations, but also my courage for the future."

"From then on, I'll never have another chance to return here!"

Vinda Rosier hesitated. Only after a long while did she slowly speak. "But you should know that today's gathering has drawn far too much attention. The Ministry of Magic won't pass up this chance to wipe us out. Just the ones I know of include..."

"Trust me, Aunt Vinda!"

With a confident smile on his face, Argus looked straight into Vinda Rosier's eyes.

"Even a Thunderbird must one day leave its parents' embrace."

"Besides, disasters coming one after another is simply the norm."

"If I can't even handle something like this, it only proves that this is all I amount to!"

Silence.

The room fell utterly still.

Vinda Rosier gazed deeply at the boy before her. For some reason, the image in her eyes gradually blurred.

A figure she yearned for day and night seemed to be merging with him.

The same blond hair and blue eyes, the same elegance and confidence, the same abundance of talent.

For a fleeting moment, she seemed to be back in that cemetery, watching that blue-flamed dragon circle above Paris.

When she came back to herself and looked at Argus again, a hint of a smile had entered Vinda Rosier's eyes.

"Don't disappoint me, little Grindelwald."

In the distant sky, countless lengths of black silk fluttered.

An elegant smile appeared on Argus's face. He placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly.

"For the Greater Good!"