Chapter 191: Deathly Hallows(I)

    "Death is merely another adventure."

    Whether Dumbledore had truly come to terms with this idea, Cyrus wasn''t sure. However, regardless of the truth, he was willing to respect anyone''s choice.

    "Let the trial begin, Mr. Cyrus," Fitzgerald murmured before her figure vanished from the portrait. Suddenly, a high platform that Cyrus had never noticed before appeared in front of him. The platform was located just behind the headmaster''s chair, accessible by a spiraling staircase.

    On top of it floated a book.

    "How did I not notice it last time?"

    "Because, in addition to ancient magic, I also employed some Muggle techniques," Fitzgerald''s soft voice replied.

    By this point in the trial, the fact that the person being tested had made it this far already demonstrated their talent for ancient magic, so standard concealment spells were no longer necessary.

    "This book looks just like your diary," Dumbledore commented as he stepped closer. "You''ll need to enter it with your memories."

    He looked at Cyrus with a playful expression, as if questioning whether Cyrus dared to do so—or perhaps whether he trusted him.

    "If you''re uncomfortable, I can leave the headmaster''s office and come back later."

    "I don''t mind you staying," Cyrus said with a wry smile. While Dumbledore might have many schemes, his character was still reliable. Besides—T/his chapter is updat/ed by

    "If you''re curious, I can even take you in with me."

    Cyrus picked up the book, and immediately, the memories—or rather, the fairy tale of the trial—seemed to materialize into reality. Dumbledore was astonished to find that his office had suddenly lost all its colors, turning into a black-and-white sketch. Even the vibrant phoenix now appeared as moving lines.

    "How did you do this?"

    It wasn''t just Dumbledore who was shocked; Fitzgerald was also taken aback.

    The trial she had set up had been taken over by Cyrus, who not only brought Dumbledore into the trial but also brought the world she created into reality!

    "What''s so surprising? I spent almost fifty years inside that diary," Cyrus shrugged. However, that was the extent of his abilities—only the headmaster''s office was affected by the magic. It wasn''t possible for Cyrus to pull the entire world into it.

    "Alright, let''s begin!"

    "It''s best not to," Dumbledore replied, shaking his head. "I don''t think we''re quite ready to face Death directly."

    At least not in the story Fitzgerald had prepared.

    "I am curious, though—what did the people of this village do to earn Death''s attention?" Dumbledore wondered aloud, but no one answered.

    For two such skilled wizards, the first trial was no challenge at all. They quickly found the cloak, deceived Death''s watchful eye, and reached the end of the first trial.

    The scene around them dissolved once more, returning to a world full of black dots, as if ink had been splattered across a blank sheet of paper.

    Then, a gray square altar appeared out of thin air before them. On the altar, a slender wand floated, surrounded by dense, sharp, black lines that seemed to radiate light.

    Niamh''s cold voice echoed once more:

    "Take up the wand before you. Do not waste its extraordinary power."

    Cyrus and Dumbledore approached the altar. Dumbledore glanced at the wand in surprise, then looked down at the one in his own hand.

    "You already have one. Would you mind if I take this one?" Although Cyrus posed it as a question, his hand was already reaching for the drawn Elder Wand.

    "Please, go ahead," Dumbledore replied, having no reason to object. After all, this was Cyrus''s trial.

    Cyrus grasped the Elder Wand.

    At that moment, he felt a distinct change in his power. It was as if a spring had suddenly opened within his chest, with scalding hot water gushing forth continuously.

    He glanced at Dumbledore, a sudden impulse rising within him—perhaps now, he might truly be a match for Dumbledore.

    But Cyrus resisted the urge. The power within the trial, no matter how strong, was ultimately an illusion. Moreover, the fact that both of them wielded an Elder Wand meant that neither truly possessed it. There was still a gap between the magical strength within his body and that of Dumbledore.

    After picking up the wand, the scene before them changed once again.

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