— — — — — —
Using time in magic wasn't anything new in the wizarding world.
Time-Turners, Mending Charms, Slowing Charms… all of them touched on the power of time in one way or another.
So after a brief moment of surprise, Nicolas and Dumbledore quickly accepted the idea.
"So… this is some kind of method that summons creatures from past timelines into the present…" Dumbledore murmured.
His brows slowly drew together, his gaze turning heavy and thoughtful. The more he thought about it, the more troublesome the situation seemed.\
It meant powerful beings from countless different eras might appear at any moment and strike without warning. One mistake, and everything could collapse beyond recovery.
"It's not as terrifying as you're imagining, Professor."
Tom shook his head, his tone calm and relaxed.
"If they really had that kind of ability, Quahog and the Magical Congress side wouldn't have waited this long. The more little tricks they pull, the less confidence they actually have."
Dumbledore and Nicolas nodded, accepting the logic.
"So… this ability belongs to the Quetzalcoatl," Tom continued. "Or more precisely, it's something left behind from that era."
He glanced at Usaki.
The two shared an almost wordless understanding. With just a look, Usaki knew what he wanted and obediently lowered her head toward him.
Tom raised his hand and gently placed it on her large head.
He closed his eyes slowly.
At the same time, Usaki willingly dropped every trace of defense. A faint whimper slipped from her throat as she leaned into him, trusting him completely.
A strange power began to radiate from the boy.
The light was soft and restrained, a gentle silver glow flowing between Tom's palm and the top of Usaki's head.
In the eyes of Dumbledore and Nicolas, Tom's body gradually blurred, as though they were looking at him through rippling water.
For a moment he seemed to vanish.
Then he appeared again just as clearly.
The strange, moon-reflected-on-water illusion made both of them feel a pressure in their chests. Even the air seemed thick and difficult to breathe.
"The power of time…" Dumbledore said quietly.
He had used a Time-Turner before and recognized the nature of that power immediately. The surprise in his voice was impossible to hide.
He turned to Nicolas.
"Just what exactly have you been teaching him?"
"Where did you get the idea that I taught him any of this?"
Nicolas rolled his eyes irritably, his tone full of helplessness and self-mockery.
If he really had the ability to teach things like this, why wouldn't he simply rely on his own strength instead of hiding behind the scenes all these years?
If someone could crush everything through sheer power, who would choose to spend their life as a cautious alchemist lurking in the shadows?
The only reason he had been more active recently was because he had a talented student backing him.
Anyone foolish enough to covet his wealth and knowledge had better be ready for Tom to come after them—along with their entire family tree.
Looking at the boy's blurred silhouette, Dumbledore sighed softly.
His eyes were filled with complicated emotions.
He had watched Tom grow step by step.
From the day Tom enrolled… no, from the moment the Hogwarts letter was sent out. That unusual name had already caught his attention.
And yet precisely because he had witnessed Tom's entire path, Dumbledore felt that he understood him less and less.
Tom never made mistakes.
He only improved, constantly moving forward.
It was almost as if he had an invisible group of powerful teachers guiding him along the right path.
And every so often, he would suddenly reveal another strange ability or talent.
Usaki was the same.
She had appeared out of nowhere.
A creature capable of instantly destroying Quetzalcoatl's avatar and chasing down the true body of an ancient beast.
Just having a "pet" like that was enough to let Tom walk sideways across the entire wizarding world.
Yet even after observing her for a long time, Dumbledore still couldn't figure out what magical creature Usaki might be related to.
...
Several minutes later, Tom opened his eyes.
The last trace of silver light faded from his pupils. His figure stabilized as the power of time surrounding him completely dissipated.
After a moment of quiet reflection, he immediately lowered his head to look at Usaki.
His expression held a mixture of surprise and helplessness.
"…Really?"
Usaki blinked her big amber eyes, tilted her head, then nodded happily. A soft, pleased rumble came from her throat as if she were bragging.
"What are you grinning about?" Tom smacked her lightly and laughed. "You're only pulling this off because of your species. Haven't you noticed your growth has slowed way down lately?"
"Wuu—!"
Usaki immediately lost her smug attitude.
Her ears drooped as she rubbed her head against Tom's arm in grievance.
Tom himself didn't feel great either.
During that shared state just now, he had experienced the entire battle between Usaki and Quetzalcoatl as if it were his own memory.
And he had realized something uncomfortable.
He might not actually be able to beat his pet.
Seriously…
He had already inflated his ego to the point where he considered himself the strongest wizard of the century. With his wand in hand, he could face down legendary figures head-on.
And yet he might lose to a creature that spent most of its time napping in the sky.
Still, there was some good news.
The divine power displayed by Quetzalcoatl was only slightly stronger than Andros's.
Of course, that's Andros—the same one Ravenclaw said she had never seen anyone with that much raw power and magic before. But at least Quetzalcoatl was no longer a complete mystery.
And knowing its level meant that Tom could defeat it without much trouble using Hakuna Matata.
"Tom, did you discover anything?"
Seeing that he had been silent for a long time, Nicolas finally asked. He had been standing there for a while and rubbed his lower back before speaking.
Tom snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.
"Yes. I learned a few things. Quetzalcoatl realized it wasn't Usaki's match, so it chose to escape this timeline entirely. Judging from the expression on its face when it fled, it probably paid a heavy price to do it."
He then looked toward Dumbledore.
"Professor. I suddenly gained some insight from this. And Quahog still needs to be dealt with soon. I'd like to request a week off."
"A week?" Dumbledore's mouth twitched slightly. "Isn't that a bit long?"
"Teacher…" Tom turned to Nicolas.
Nicolas waved a hand dismissively. "Go do what you need to do. I'll talk with Albus."
Tom smiled and nodded.
After watching Usaki return to the sky, he left the courtyard. He still had to escort Daphne back to school first.
Moments like this were when having an elder came in handy. Once Nicolas spoke up, would Dumbledore dare refuse him?
"Albus, whatever Tom wants to do, just support him," Nicolas said earnestly. "That boy isn't the type to forget kindness. Treat him well, and he'll repay you equally… no, far beyond what you gave him."
"Stop trying to bind him with those conventional rules. What good does that do?"
"Nicolas, you've misunderstood me." Dumbledore sighed with a wry smile. "It's only a week off. Tom has disappeared suddenly before. Have you ever seen me stop him?"
"I only spoke earlier because I wanted to ask him for something."
"What?"
"You know he's a Potions Master. I was hoping he'd make a special potion to help Ariana improve her strength."
Nicolas: "..."
The old alchemist stared at Dumbledore with a strange expression, slowly looking him up and down.
Was this really the same upright, selfless Dumbledore he had known for so many years?
---
Hogwarts—
When Dumbledore returned, the noisy Great Hall instantly fell into dead silence.
The clinking of utensils stopped. Students unconsciously held their breath. The visiting headmasters all set down their knives and forks at the same time, their eyes turning toward the entrance.
The atmosphere grew so tense it was almost suffocating.
The Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards had fallen to his death.
The president of the Magical Congress of the United States had mysteriously vanished.
Either piece of news alone would be enough to force newspapers to print emergency editions.
And that wasn't even counting the epic battle that had nearly exposed the entire wizarding world.
As expected of Dumbledore.
When he stayed quiet, nothing happened. But the moment he made a move, it involved the fate of the entire world.
The headmasters from the various magical schools looked at him with complicated expressions. There was fear, respect, and a trace of barely hidden vigilance.
"Dumbledore!"
Agilbert Fontaine of Ilvermorny suddenly slammed his chair back and stood up. He strode forward with clenched fists, his knuckles pale. His eyes burned with anger as he stared straight at Dumbledore.
His voice was hoarse with rage. "What did you do to Quahog? Where is he now?!"
"If you dared to kill Pierce and Quahog, then go ahead and kill me too!"
"The entire wizarding world will be doomed because of you!"
The tension in the hall grew even heavier. The students barely dared to breathe as they stared at the confrontation.
"Headmaster Fontaine, please calm down," Dumbledore said mildly.
"This is me being calm." Fontaine's expression turned flat and cold, but he didn't step back.
"..."
"Very well," Dumbledore said calmly. "Then let me answer your questions."
"First. I am deeply saddened by Pierce's death. But that was his own choice. I had no authority to interfere. The reasons should be explained in his farewell letter."
"Second. I don't know what has happened to Quahog. I don't know where he is either. I swear it in Merlin's name."
Dumbledore spoke openly and calmly. There wasn't the slightest trace of guilt in his eyes.
After all, he truly didn't know what Tom had done with Quahog, or where he had hidden him.
What was there to lie about?
"Lastly…"
Dumbledore's voice suddenly rang out across the hall, loud and commanding.
"Kill you? The entire wizarding world will be doomed?"
"Agilbert, the wizarding world won't be affected, whether you live or… die."
After saying that, Dumbledore ignored Fontaine, whose face had turned red with anger, and calmly walked back to his seat.
Their voices had been loud enough for the entire hall to hear every word.
Students exchanged uncertain looks.
The good news…
Dumbledore was back. That meant they no longer had to worry about an unrestrained Dark Lord wandering the castle.
The bad news…
Dumbledore had gone out for a single trip and somehow returned looking like the Dark Lord himself—maybe even worse.
.
.
.