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Musa's situation once again verified a principle Ian had once summarized.
Imagination was a Wizard's strongest weapon, capable of making the impossible possible.
Of course.
That did not mean Musa was vastly superior to Ian or Albus Dumbledore, nor that he possessed greater talent or intelligence. Musa's recklessness was the primary reason behind it.
On the other hand… Research in alchemy was much like material science. While the direction of one's ideas was important, luck was even more crucial. Some discoveries simply could not be reached through talent and brilliance alone.
If that were not the case, then alchemy would not be a discipline that countless people failed to even enter after devoting their entire lives to it. Naturally, Musa's achievement was not merely the result of having a little more luck or a few extra ideas than Ian and Dumbledore.
Ian calmly analyzed the reasons behind it.
First, there was naturally the difference in time invested.
Musa had devoted nearly the entirety of the latter half of his life, decades of it, to an all-or-nothing pursuit of time magic research. He focused on nothing else. Every spark of inspiration, every failure, every ounce of pain became fuel driving his research forward.
Ian and Dumbledore, however, carried far too many responsibilities.
They had to deal with Voldemort's threat, balance the powers within the magical world, teach students, and explore the mysteries of countless branches of magic…
For them, time was a scarce resource. They could never concentrate all of their energy onto a single point the way Musa had.
This was an extremely important reason.
In fact, regarding overall accomplishments in alchemy, even under such circumstances, Ian and Albus Dumbledore still far surpassed Musa by a tremendous margin.
From this alone, it was clear,
Musa was not more talented than them.
The old man was simply the type of Alchemist with severe specialization and an overwhelming obsession.
Beyond that, the second reason, and the more important one, was the difference in their perspectives and concerns.
Ian and Dumbledore stood at a much higher level. They could see a far broader picture.
Naturally, they could also foresee far more clearly the terrifying backlash that might come from tampering with time.
They understood the fragility and danger of time itself.
Like master chess players who could see many moves ahead, they became more cautious precisely because they understood more. They were unwilling to make a move that might cause the entire board to collapse.
Musa, however, driven by the immense pain of losing everything, had long since cast aside concerns for his own safety, and even the stability of the entire timeline.
His research carried the resolve of "succeed or perish."
That mentality of staking everything in a desperate gamble instead gave birth to many dangerous and radical ideas that Ian and Dumbledore, restrained by caution, would never have deeply explored.
And because of that, the one bold enough to try had instead walked ahead of them.
"No matter what, this once again proves my theory. The most important thing for a Wizard may not merely be profound magical power or vast knowledge, but rather unrestricted imagination that refuses to be bound by convention."
A realization surfaced within Ian's heart.
Musa had proven through his own experiences that sometimes, breakthroughs capable of shattering convention came precisely from those cornered into desperation, those daring enough to ignore taboos.
That near-obsessive spirit of exploring the very source of magic was itself a kind of immense power.
At that moment, Ian felt as though his state of mind had subtly risen another level.
It was not an increase in magical power, but rather a broader understanding of "possibility."
The road of magic was endless. One could never become stagnant or self-satisfied. Even after reaching the Legendary realm, countless unknowns still awaited exploration, and there were many ways to explore them.
Just as the saying goes… A true Master forever carries the heart of an Apprentice.
However, just as he was immersed in this realization, an extremely faint yet exceptionally clear magical fluctuation rippled through his powerful senses like a pebble dropped into a still lake.
Ian instantly gathered all his wandering thoughts, his eyes becoming sharp and focused.
Tilting his head slightly, his gaze seemed to pierce through the inn's walls and vast distance alike, accurately locking onto the direction from which the fluctuation originated,
The information broker had approached the area nearby. The mark Ian had previously placed on him had activated.
The magical marker left on that cunning merchant had been triggered.
Which meant the man had successfully obtained what Ian wanted,
a Portkey capable of leading to the African Ministry of Magic without being detected by conventional monitoring methods.
"Quite efficient, aren't they?"
A barely noticeable smile curved at Ian's lips.
He withdrew his deep gaze from the forest nightscape and temporarily pushed aside the shocking theories within Musa's notes regarding "deceiving time."
At the moment, there were more practical matters to deal with.
"Let me see exactly what kind of situation this Ministry of Magic Portkey system has."
Ian adjusted his somewhat casual robes, pushed open the door, and stepped outside.
The inn's corridor was brightly lit, completely different from its previous tranquility. The atmosphere now carried several degrees more tension and solemnity.
Several law enforcement officers wearing standardized uniforms and badges bearing the emblem of the African Ministry of Magic were busily moving about.
They surrounded the corner where the Dark Wizard had previously collapsed.
Some were using detection magic to scan for residual energy traces, while others rapidly recorded the scene with quills and parchment.
"So even the law enforcement officers showed up."
Ian's gaze swept across the area. The Dark Wizard's "corpse" had long since been removed, and the ground had already been cleaned, leaving behind only a few faint marks carrying traces of dark magic corrosion that could not be completely erased.
The innkeeper's son, a shrewd-looking middle-aged wizard, was rubbing his hands together as he spoke helplessly yet somewhat ingratiatingly to the officer leading the investigation.
"Sir, you know Kabu was a wizard who researched dark magic… sigh, he always had all sorts of strange problems. Maybe he suffered some kind of curse backlash somewhere, and it flared up from time to time. This time it looked especially severe, and he just… well… we really didn't expect this either."
The small innkeeper's explanation was clearly an attempt to distance the inn from responsibility, framing the matter as the Dark Wizard's own "health issue" to avoid trouble for the establishment.
Some nearby guests watched from afar, while others quickly walked away as though it had nothing to do with them. Not a single person stepped forward to accuse Ian.
It wasn't that there were no witnesses capable of guessing what had truly happened.
The main issue was that on this land, minding one's own business was a survival skill. Moreover, nobody was willing to offend an unfathomable foreign wizard for the sake of a notorious Dark Wizard who had obviously failed in an ambush.
"Are there any guests we haven't questioned yet?"
Ian's appearance drew the attention of the law enforcement officers.
The leader, a tall wizard with a stern face and sharp eyes, walked over.
The insignia on his uniform identified him as an advanced Auror.
"Sir, please wait."
The Auror's voice was steady and businesslike.
"We are currently investigating a sudden death incident."
"May I ask if you were nearby earlier? Did you see or hear anything unusual?"
His tone was not exactly polite, but neither was it especially rude.
At the appropriate moment, Ian revealed a trace of perfectly measured fear and confusion on his face. He even subconsciously tightened his collar slightly, as though still shaken by the experience.
"Unusual? Oh, you mean the man who suddenly collapsed just now?"
Ian spoke with lingering unease in his voice.
"I… I had just come out of my room and happened to see that man stagger out from the shadows before collapsing to the ground without moving. It startled me badly! I… I didn't know him at all, and I had no idea what happened, so I hurried back into my room and hid there for quite a while. I only dared come out after things outside had quieted down."
His expression was sincere, his tone natural, and his eyes so clear they seemed entirely free of impurities.
He looked completely like an ordinary traveler frightened by an unexpected incident.
He did not deliberately emphasize his own "innocence." Instead, he focused on describing his fear and instinct to avoid danger.
Psychology.
Ian was a master at it.
That reaction fit the mindset of a bystander trying to avoid trouble far more naturally.
"Is that so?"
The advanced Auror carefully examined Ian.
His gaze was like a searchlight, attempting to find even the slightest flaw in Ian's expression.
However, Ian's mental force was extraordinarily powerful. If he did not wish it, no one could perceive anything beneath the façade he intentionally constructed.
This was not merely the composure of a Legendary wizard.
It was also the calm confidence brought about by Ian's mastery of psychology.
The Auror's detection magic swept across Ian and sensed only a peaceful, restrained magical fluctuation, completely different from the violent and sinister curse energy lingering at the scene.
A tiny, ordinary wizard.
He had not even reached the level of an elite wizard. Among the Auror groups of the Western world, he would at most be considered mediocre.
How could someone like that possibly see through the disguise of a Legendary?
After several seconds of silence, the Auror seemingly found nothing suspicious.
He nodded, and his tone softened somewhat.
"I see. Thank you for your cooperation. The settlement has not been peaceful lately. Some Dark Wizards have been particularly active, so please be careful and pay attention to your safety. If you notice any suspicious individuals or situations, report them to us immediately."
The Auror delivered the standard official warning.
It was not because he particularly cared about Ian, but because, as an official officer, certain procedural reminders still had to be given.
"Of course, of course. Thank you for the warning, sir."
Ian nodded repeatedly, looking like someone who had sincerely taken the advice to heart.
Hearing that, the Auror asked no further questions and signaled that Ian could leave.
Maintaining that slightly nervous expression, Ian quickly walked through the corridor and headed toward the inn's entrance, leaving the investigation scene behind him.
Such a minor incident could not stir even the slightest ripple within his heart.
As he stepped out of the inn, the noisy waves of sound and dazzling magical lights once again rushed toward him.
The nighttime marketplace was even livelier than during the day.
Various illumination spells lit the streets as brightly as daylight, while the air remained filled with what felt like an eternal mixture of food, spices, potions, and the scents of all kinds of people.
"Where is he?"
Ian's gaze swept across the crowd, quickly locking onto a target.
In a relatively quiet shadow at the corner of the street, the information broker Babua was rubbing his hands together and pacing anxiously back and forth, occasionally glancing toward the inn's entrance. The moment he spotted Ian emerging, his eyes immediately lit up.
The man hurried over with a smile full of enthusiasm and a trace of reverence.
"Sir! You've finally come out!"
Babua lowered his voice, his tone carrying the excitement of having completed a quest.
"There seemed to be some trouble inside just now. I was worried it might affect you."
He had clearly also seen the Ministry of Magic's Aurors enter the inn.
In response to this probing attempt at gathering information, Ian merely gave a noncommittal "Mm," calmly looking at him.
Babua immediately understood and stopped wasting words.
After cautiously glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, he pulled out two items from inside his robe.
One was an utterly inconspicuous small box carved from some kind of local black wood. It was only palm-sized and engraved with simple geometric patterns.
The other was a rolled-up map made from specially tanned flexible beast hide.
"Sir, everything you asked for is here."
Babua respectfully offered both items with both hands, his tone tinged with pride.
"The box contains the 'key.' The method of use is very simple, inject a thread of magical power into it while silently reciting the anchoring coordinates of the destination in your mind."
"I've already set the coordinates. It leads directly to the secret reception chamber of the African Ministry of Magic."
He seemed worried that Ian, as an old-timer, might not know how to use the Portkeys that had become popular in recent years.
Ian accepted the wooden box but did not open it immediately. Instead, he first unfolded the beast-hide map.
The map was drawn with exceptional precision.
Not only did it clearly mark the layout of the African Ministry of Magic's major structures, the Entrance Great Hall, various departmental offices, the Chamber of Trials, the Department of Mysteries, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and more,
Yes.
Africa had its own Department of Mysteries as well.
If there was one factor Ian felt most uncertain about on this trip, it was probably the mysteriously elusive Department of Mysteries within the magical world.
Of course, he also did not believe there was a Legendary-level existence inside that department.
Ian roughly examined the map provided by Babua.
Different colored symbols and annotations had been densely added across it, carefully marking known defensive magical nodes.
Where Anti-Apparition charms had been placed.
Where invisible magical warning nets existed.
Which corridors were patrolled by magical constructs?
Which areas were protected by spatial confusion barriers?
Even the types of protective spell arrays used on the doors of certain key offices were briefly noted.
Along the edges of the map was a line of small writing listing the Aurors currently on duty within the Ministry over the past few days, including their approximate patrol routes and time schedules.
The level of detail in this information far exceeded Ian's expectations.
This was absolutely not something an ordinary information broker could easily obtain.
Babua had clearly mobilized numerous hidden connections and resources, perhaps even taking considerable risks.
"Exceptionally detailed."
Ian raised his head and looked at Babua, genuine praise visible in his eyes.
"Mr. Babua, your capability and thoroughness have exceeded my expectations. This map is worth a fortune."
Receiving praise directly from a Legendary wizard made Babua's smile become even brighter. His back unconsciously straightened several degrees as he rubbed his hands together and laughed.
"To serve an honored guest such as yourself, naturally I must bring out my highest standards. The reason I, Babua, can survive in this line of work is because of my reputation and… well, doing my utmost to be attentive."
He skillfully slipped in a bit of self-praise.
Ian understood inwardly.
Babua was working so hard, even providing additional information beyond their agreement, for one simple reason,
He wanted to display his value before Ian as much as possible.
A Legendary wizard's favor and the opportunity for continued cooperation
were far more attractive than a one-time payment in Galleons.
Of course, understanding that was one thing.
Ian had never been stingy when it came to rewarding and acknowledging valuable people.
He carefully stored away the map, then took out a heavy money pouch from his magical bag. Inside were not only the agreed amount of Galleons, but also several high-quality small magical gemstones containing pure magical power.
"This is the payment you deserve, along with my thanks for your additional efforts."
Ian handed the pouch to Babua.
The moment Babua received it, the heavy weight and the pure magical power he sensed from within nearly made his heartbeat skip.
The joy on his face was almost impossible to conceal.
However…
After hesitating for a moment, he unexpectedly seemed about to refuse it.
(End of Chapter)