"An archaeological organization?"
Leonard's first reaction on hearing that term was to laugh.
What kind of archaeological organization hunted bloodline wizards? What, were they colleagues of some archaeologist surnamed Cheng? Digging up ruins on the side while saving the world and fighting demons?
But he did not show it, because in theory, Leonard was only a student who knew of Raven without knowing anything concrete about it.
"An archaeological organization? I don't think I have anything to do with an archaeological organization," Leonard said.
"How could you not?" Harris Raymons said with a smile. "You're the Heir to Ancient Magic. You're a living artifact."
Leonard raised an eyebrow. "So what? Are you planning to lock me up and put me on display in the British Museum?"
"Even if we really were going to lock you up and exhibit you, it wouldn't be in the British Museum. There's nothing local there... Just kidding. We're not going to use force on you." Harris Raymons shook his head.
Leonard stared at him without speaking.
"Tsk. When I said I was joking, I wasn't joking about the British Museum. It really doesn't have our things. I meant locking you up was the joke," Harris Raymons added.
"You don't need to explain that. I understand." Leonard curled his lip. "I'm just deciding whether I should believe you."
"You're young, but your mind is pretty guarded." Harris Raymons raised a brow. "Raven really is an archaeological organization."
"Your proof?" Leonard said. "Words alone mean nothing."
"The reason is simple. Over the long course of history, wizards have lost many important inheritances. Excavating history means searching for wizarding power, and ancient magic is one of our major fields of study."
"One of them? You have other fields too?" Leonard asked, sounding very curious.
"Of course. But those aren't important, at least not to you." Harris Raymons smiled. "Ancient magic stands above most inheritances and powers. You don't need to care about the rest."
"Would you consider working with us? Or joining Raven?" Harris Raymons asked. "Your existence is important to us. We would be delighted to welcome someone like you, an Heir to Ancient Magic."
Leonard's gaze flickered as he seemed to think it over.
He was wondering whether the "other fields" Harris Raymons had mentioned had something to do with Raven hunting bloodline wizards.
Harris Raymons did not know Leonard already knew so much. He only assumed Leonard still had reservations, so he continued, "Actually, joining us comes with quite a few benefits."
He was clearly trying temptation next.
"Benefits?" Leonard looked interested. "What kind of benefits?"
He was never going to join Raven, but that did not mean he could not hear them out. The more Raven offered, the more he could learn about them.
"For you, the benefit would be greater knowledge of ancient magic," Harris Raymons said proudly. "We've excavated many ancient magic ruins and obtained a large number of documents and records related to ancient magic. Those things would be of enormous help to you in mastering it."
"Join us, and you'll gain inheritance, gain great power, and gain an extraordinary life," Harris Raymons said seriously.
Documents and records on ancient magic?
Leonard was almost tempted.
Up to now, Leonard had only mastered two ancient spells. One was a terrifying silver lightning strike that, once fully charged, could blow an entire mountain peak flat. The other was a terrifying purple light that could instantly erase most matter.
He did not know the names of either spell, and had never bothered to come up with names for them, but that did not mean he took them lightly.
Quite the opposite. Leonard regarded both spells as ultimate trump cards. In a card game, a normal double joker would not even begin to cover it. This was more like stealing two extra jokers from another deck and slamming down a quadruple joker bomb.
In other words, cheating.
Ancient magic stood at an absurdly high level. No ordinary spell could contend with it.
It was like a monster crawling out of history, something outside the rules, crushing every existing law of magic. It was also like divine power towering above mortals, untouched by mortal will.
But having only two such spells really was a bit of a waste, especially when both were purely offensive. If he had the chance, Leonard absolutely wanted to learn more ancient magic.
But realistically, that had not seemed possible, because the next ancient magic ruin marked on the chamber map beneath Hogwarts had already vanished.
On the live map, one location had been marked. That was where the next ancient magic ruin was.
Or rather, where it used to be.
There should once have been some building, or some other remnant there, something that could guide the heir toward more ancient magic knowledge. But now there was nothing except forest.
Last term, Leonard had even taken time to go there himself. The Nimbus 2000 had been his means of transport.
But unfortunately, even the Nimbus 2000 could not outrun the passage of ages. There had not been the slightest trace of any ruin left there. For a while, Leonard had thought that his path in ancient magic had come to an end.
But now it looked as though there might still be a turning point, and that turning point had come from Raven, the very group Leonard did not trust.
That instantly cooled the temptation he had felt and left him calm and unmoved.
"Tempting as that sounds, I refuse." Leonard shook his head.
"Why?" Harris Raymons frowned.
"I don't trust you. It's that simple. And even without ancient magic, my life is still plenty extraordinary," Leonard said confidently.
Harris Raymons's pitch held no real appeal for Leonard. Clearly, he was not much of a persuader.
"..." Harris Raymons fell silent for a moment and stroked his chin.
"All right. It seems you have some concerns about Raven, but that's fine. I'll show you my sincerity."
As he spoke, he pulled a map from inside his robes and handed it to Leonard.
"This marks the location of an ancient magic ruin. It's near Hogwarts," Harris Raymons said. "As a gesture of good faith, I'm giving you this location. I hope you'll gain something from it."
An ancient magic ruin? Near Hogwarts?
Hearing those two key words, Leonard raised an eyebrow and accepted the map.
But the moment he looked at the terrain drawn on it, his expression turned helpless.
From the map alone, it was obviously the location of the ruin that had already disappeared. There was not even a trace of human activity left there now, only dense forest.
...
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