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Merlin raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Ian's hand. Well, from an ordinary person's perspective, Ian's hand seemed unremarkable…
But to those with special perception, Ian's hands were like the tattooed arms of a big gang boss, covered in an overwhelming jumble of contracts, blessings, and various magical inscriptions that were downright frightening in number.
"Could it be because you have a connection with the Dumbledore Family?" Merlin clearly noticed the gift from Ariana and guessed that this was why the Phoenix was so close to Ian.
"Heh."
Ian glanced sideways, ignoring Merlin's teasing. Since Merlin's voice at that moment could only be heard by Ian, Leonard didn't react at all.
"Wizards… can they turn into animals?"
Leonard was still immersed in astonishment at Ian's ability to become a bird.
He was someone who knew a little about wizards but perhaps not very much, a reasonable situation, given that he had lost his parents at a young age.
"Only the most powerful wizards have that ability. Coincidentally, we're among them," Merlin responded. The young wizard beside him raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Of course, he believed Merlin was also an Animagus, but what kind of animal Merlin could transform into was not recorded even in the historical texts.
"Maybe… a magical creature?" Ian couldn't help but speculate.
Of course, no matter what form Merlin could take, it would never surpass Ian's raven form. That was no longer a mere magical creature; the raven could almost be considered a mythic form.
Such an Animagus transformation was destined to have no rival.
"You two are incredible!" Leonard seemed to believe Merlin entirely, showing a look of admiration, which made Merlin slightly pleased.
Even the swelling on his head seemed to subside, the bumps caused by the raven's pecking could not be healed with magic and would have to recover naturally over time.
"Let's talk about the house curse you mentioned," Merlin said, clearly interested in Dumbledore Family and very concerned about what Leonard had just brought up.
"Uh…"
Leonard hesitated for a moment.
"I don't really know much either," He said helplessly.
"I once eavesdropped on conversations between my father and mother. They mentioned certain matters about our house. My father said our bloodline is extraordinarily strong; every Dumbledore is destined for remarkable achievements. But this gift comes at a price, we are also fated to a life of hardship and sorrow."
"It's a curse."
"This curse gives us immense magical power from birth but also condemns us to loneliness, loss of loved ones, and a life filled with grief and sorrow."
"My father called it the 'Blood of Sorrow,' supposedly a name given to his grandfather by a great prophet," Leonard recounted his story.
However…
Merlin may have listened attentively, but Ian… Ian had initially been paying serious attention too. Yet the moment Leonard uttered the term Blood of Sorrow, Ian couldn't hold back anymore.
His eyelids started twitching uncontrollably.
"Can I just get a normal story progression for once…" Ian couldn't help but grumble inwardly, not even sure if he was complaining about himself or what.
Compared to the scatterbrained young wizard, Merlin was seriously considering Leonard's words.
"Blood of Sorrow, huh… I've never heard that name before. But most curses are not easily lifted, especially those tied to a bloodline, they are extremely dangerous."
"It's very difficult for outsiders to make an accurate assessment or find a proper way to deal with them."
"Of course, if you're willing, I can teach you some magic, so you can better control your own power. Perhaps one day, you will be able to solve the problems within yourself."
Merlin had actually taken the initiative to offer to teach Leonard magic.
This left Ian rather surprised. Ian couldn't help but glance at Merlin several more times. He hadn't expected the Dumbledore house to have such connections with Merlin, and he wasn't sure if this was due to the influence of his own crossover into this world or if such a story had always existed in history but had remained unknown.
"Witnessing history, huh."
Ian had a completely new perspective on time travel.
And Merlin's proactive invitation was exactly the kind of opportunity countless wizards dreamed of. Yet, for Leonard, this young Dumbledore, hesitation appeared on his face.
"Sir wizard… to be honest, I really want to learn magic, to understand how to control the power within me, but…" He seemed to hesitate, as if unable to fully speak his mind.
"But what?"
Ian raised an eyebrow. "This is a rare opportunity. Becoming an apprentice to the wizard beside me would be one of the greatest chances of your life, oh."
He was subtly framing Merlin's decision as offering an apprenticeship, and doing so with all the goodwill of a young wizard.
After all, he had received much help from Albus and Ariana, and half of the Dumbledore Family's rumors at school were about him. If he could help someone from this house, he certainly would.
"I can feel it… you are both incredibly powerful wizards," Leonard said gratefully to Ian, though his expression still bore traces of inner conflict.
"But I carry a curse. I don't dare leave this place."
He ultimately revealed his true feelings, his fear, the worry that kept him from stepping beyond this valley.
"Hm?"
The young wizard was momentarily taken aback.
"Is there more to this story?"
Merlin also sensed some confusion. In his knowledge, curses could sometimes be temporarily suppressed by certain things, but whatever could suppress a curse shouldn't really have much to do with one's living environment.
Leonard could see the confusion on the two wizards' faces and helplessly shrugged. "My house has lived here for generations, and the reason is because of instructions left by our ancestors."
"Our ancestors said that as long as we reside here, guarding this place for a certain existence, the curse on the Dumbledore house would eventually be redeemed by the end of a century."
Leonard's gaze drifted past Ian and Merlin, looking behind them. He somehow knew that the plain-looking cliff behind them hid secrets unknown to most.
"This…" Ian was completely stunned.
"Pā pā pā~"
Merlin paused for a moment, then clapped his hands.
"Alright, alright, free gravekeeper… looks like I'm not the only one being tricked here."
He gave the young wizard a peculiar glance, then looked back up at Leonard. "Let me guess… did your ancestors ever encounter someone called 'Merlin'?"
Merlin deliberately emphasized the name "Merlin."
"No, what does that have to do with me? I definitely wouldn't trick anyone… well, maybe occasionally." Ian felt his neck stiffen, and the embarrassment made the top of his head practically spike in shame.
"Merlin, huh…"
Leonard tried hard to recall.
"Seems like there's a faint impression of that."
His childhood memories weren't entirely clear.
Yet, this Dumbledore clearly found the name familiar. And just as Leonard racked his brain to remember what he knew of his house,
"You trick the ancestors of acquaintances… tsk tsk. Not possession, but more like supreme possession," Merlin gave Ian a thumbs-up, leaving the young wizard speechless and unsure how to respond.
Fortunately, Leonard patted the Phoenix on its head, as if a memory had suddenly come back to him.
"Oh, right. My father did mention this name, but it was only in the stories about our ancestors. The actual ancestral instructions come from our ancestors, not this person."
His words immediately cleared Ian's name. Ian straightened his back a little more, feeling vindicated.
"See! I'm not that kind of person!" Ian's voice was slightly louder this time, a stark contrast to his earlier hesitant tone.
Merlin, however, looked a little disappointed.
"Do you know what kind of connection your ancestors had with Merlin?" He couldn't let it go and asked Leonard once more.
Ian was speechless.
Leonard scratched the back of his head, unsure, and replied, "If I remember correctly, my father once said our ancestors were one of the seven Angels."
This revelation surprised not only Merlin.
"Angel?"
Merlin immediately focused on the sensitive word.
"Can you remember your ancestor's name?"
Even Ian's interest was piqued. He couldn't help but ask Leonard himself this time. Leonard's response came much faster.
"Of course. Her name was… Ariana Dumbledore."
Leonard spoke with absolute certainty.
Merlin hadn't even reacted yet.
The young wizard's pupils uncontrollably widened.
"?????"
Ian doubted his own ears.
(End of Chapter)