"You really do... care a lot about your senior." The old headmaster didn't know how to evaluate Ian's thorough understanding of Voldemort; he only understood why Ian was so keen on Voldemort.
"It's alright, it's alright, after all, I have been aspiring to become the warrior who defeats the Black Demon King since I was young." Ian's voice was filled with passionate emotion.
"..."
Albus Dumbledore felt even harder to assess. He recalled Ian's battle against Voldemort and truly didn't think it looked like any warrior defeating the Black Demon King.
Instead, it seemed more like... the new generation overshadowing the remnants of the old era.
"Can you find it? I only know the diary is in the Malfoy family, but I'm not too sure about the other serpent." Ian was eager, as if still somewhat unsatisfied.
Albus Dumbledore's eyes flickered, "That's only six, what about the seventh? I think since you can see so clearly, you should also have some understanding of the final Soul Artifact."
He looked at the young wizard who had set down his roasted lamb, his gaze deep.
"I think that Soul Artifact, only you know how to handle it... I can't find a way." Ian's answer made Albus Dumbledore nod slightly.
"It seems you prefer some better way, which is very good." There's no doubt, Albus Dumbledore's probing could appear at any time.
The two didn't mention details, but both knew in their hearts what the final Soul Artifact really was and what choices were involved in dealing with it.
"I still don't understand why Voldemort can revive, is it really just a sacrifice to the God of Death that can do it?" Ian recalled the physically powerful and magically potent Voldemort.
He remembered Voldemort saying he first used sacrifice to revive, then used the Magic Stone to restore his former magic power. This situation had already surpassed the young wizard's realm of understanding.
If reviving truly required just killing a servant, then how could the ceremony of servant's flesh and father's bone be so elaborately extracted in the normal timeline?
"Sacrificing to the God of Death can indeed obtain temporary life, but it's not without cost, and the cost is heavy, I think he must have been pushed by your frequent destruction of his Soul Artifacts."
Albus Dumbledore slowly spoke, giving Ian a detailed explanation, "In fact, the magic he performed, I already knew when I was young."
"But the cost of this revival far exceeds what any soul can bear, after all, that's the mercy from the God of Death, a live sacrifice is just a ceremony to start the transaction."
"What really must be paid to the God of Death is the soul of the reviver... This is magic from Egypt, abandoned in history for many, many years."
To be fair, the old headmaster's response was somewhat unexpected to Ian. He didn't expect the magical ceremony Voldemort used had actually been researched by the emotionally attached Albus Dumbledore.
Clearly, it was because of the requirement to pay the price of a soul that Albus Dumbledore hadn't taken action; after all, the fate brought by such revival might be more tragic than being a wandering soul.
"Maybe the noseless one relies on having many remnant souls and thinks he only needs to pay for a piece of soul? Or perhaps he thinks he can truly achieve immortality and never meet the God of Death?"
Ian could only speculate and guess at Voldemort's mindset; this wasn't an easy thing, after all, only one madman can truly understand what another madman is thinking.
"Perhaps he indeed planned like this, but I believe the God of Death won't be easily deceived." Albus Dumbledore seemed to have already seen Voldemort's end, "If the previous him was only lost, then after performing that magic, he must already be considered to have fallen into the abyss."
Ian quite agreed with Albus Dumbledore's view.
"He was beyond saving from the start, and he doesn't care how tragic the final fall might be." Ian stood up, checked the time; it was time to add new ingredients to his brewing magic potion.
"Do you have other matters?"
Albus Dumbledore looked up at the young wizard who stood up.
"The potion is about to go bad."
Ian didn't conceal it.
"Then you should go tend to your own matters, in any case, thank you for your trust and for everything you have done for Hogwarts and me."
Albus Dumbledore nodded warmly.
"It's a small thing."
Ian made an OK gesture and walked toward the door of the headmaster's office. Just as he turned the doorknob, he suddenly remembered there's one more mystery to solve.
"Who reported you to the Ministry of Magic?"
The young wizard turned back and queried curiously.
In the chaos left after Ian's feast, Albus Dumbledore's movements paused slightly, his gaze carried a somewhat unfathomable flavor as he raised his head.
"If I told you I don't know, I suppose you wouldn't believe me." His voice remained gentle, only with a hint of depth.
"Can I pretend to believe?"
Ian blinked mischievously.
Albus Dumbledore shook his head with a laugh.
"Child, this involves the influence of time and power on human hearts; I can only tell you that it was someone who once helped me but now increasingly fears me."