This isn't Versailles.
It's just the plain truth.
The foundations are shaky.
If we were in a mystical world, that's probably how they'd put it. Of course, Wizards don't actually have this kind of "foundation" problem—still, lacking basic knowledge is a problem only time can fix.
"In time travel, life has weight. Dumbledore and that old Alchemy guy would never think beyond you chasing me into the past."
"At best, they'd only set up enough energy to bring back two people. But we... now we're three." Riddle said listlessly, pointing out his conclusion.
"This isn't a 1+1 deal, so with a span of 2000 years, we probably only crossed a third of it, maybe even less." He actually had done plenty of research on time travel. No idea if he always knew about it, or if he picked it up while possessing Malfoy just in case he needed to bail.
"No way it's that ridiculous..." Ian looked miserable, staring at Riddle with regret. "If I'd known, I should've just finished you off back then."
"So it's true, people shouldn't have morals." His words made Riddle's heart skip a beat—this young Black Demon King looked terrified, immediately blurting out more words in panic.
"Even if you killed me, you might not get back smoothly. You're not just an ordinary Wizard anymore, you're a Legendary Creature." Who knows how much truth there was in that statement.
Riddle was absolutely terrified Ian would off him right there.
"Legendary Creature? Squeezing in side gigs? Cursing me behind my back?" Ian just straight-up pulled out a broken Magic Wand and stuck it right up Riddle's nostril.
It was Malfoy's Magic Wand.
He could fix it, but why bother? It wasn't his anyway. Taping it up with a bit of sticky tape for Malfoy was already a show of brotherly love.
"No... I'm just stating the facts, okay?"
Riddle looked utterly aggrieved.
He genuinely felt that Ian wasn't a Wizard at all.
"Why didn't you warn me earlier?" Ian didn't care about Riddle's pitiful expression; with Malfoy's Magic Wand in his hand, he'd already poked Riddle's nose until it bled.
"I honestly hadn't realized it myself at the time."
For once, Riddle was telling the truth.
Since reviving, he'd been drowning in his own existential crisis and depressive thoughts.
And Little Wizard's eyes still looked dangerous as hell.
"Don't panic! Ancient Time Converter! You're bound to find one in this era! It'll definitely let us return to the right time!" Riddle quickly spat out his proposed fix.
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Little Wizard contemplated.
He had to admit, the Black Demon King wasn't wrong.
When it comes to Alchemy.
He was way more badass than the young Black Demon King—if he got his hands on an Ancient Time Converter, he might even be able to contact Professor Nicolas Flamel, who-knows-how-many years down the line.
"This place isn't that dangerous. You could even bring some antiques back. I can help you appraise the valuable ones." Riddle was quick to pitch his worth.
He knew Little Wizard was a money lover.
See?
Little Wizard's eyes lit up instantly.
"Can't argue with that."
Ian had no doubt about Riddle's expertise—this guy used to work in Knockturn Alley, after all. Forget appraising stuff, he could probably forge it in his sleep, too.
"Exactly! I'm actually super useful!" Riddle repeated emphatically, though he also muttered silently to himself—legendary or not, this money-grubbing habit is next level.
Aside from Giant Dragons,
He'd only heard crows liked shiny things.
So this guy's future Animagus form would definitely be some kind of bird.
"Track down a Dark Wizard with a Time Converter, and then you handle the dirty work." Ian, sticking to his moral line, figured there must be plenty of Dark Wizards in this era—shouldn't be hard to find one at all.
He might even bump into a few just by stepping outside.
"Obviously."
Riddle was completely speechless.
Felt like he'd turned into some kind of dirty cleaning glove.
He seriously suspected that as long as anyone here had a Time Converter, the guy in front of him would just call them a Dark Wizard. Honestly, after the stuff that happened recently, he was starting to realize he wasn't really "dark" enough after all.
"Deal, then. We better get back ASAP—who knows if this is the era the Black Death broke out." Ian quickly rummaged about in the pigsty, using Magic to clean himself up a bit.
Watching Riddle drag Malfoy out too, he hurriedly pointed at Riddle and Malfoy, casting a Scouring Charm. Just to be safe, he pulled out some alcohol for an extra physical sterilization.
"What are you eating?"
Riddle noticed Ian shoving something in his mouth.
"Antibiotics."
Ian was firmly straddling both Magic and science.
Though, honestly, he didn't know much about modern medicine.
Good thing Riddle was clueless, too.
"You're way too cautious," Riddle sighed, not sure how to comment on Ian's methods. It was hard to connect the hyper-careful Little Wizard in front of him with the god-or-demon-like figure from before.
They say people have many sides.
But this was just… too big a gap.
"Look before you leap, you know. One of my teachers died from getting blindsided." Ian replied matter-of-factly, just as he was about to launch into a story for Riddle—
"Did we actually pull it off?"
Suddenly—
A light, youthful voice came from nearby.
There was a note of delight in the tone.
Ian whipped his head around to trace the sound; Riddle tensed up too, wincing as he yanked Malfoy's Magic Wand out of his nose, scanning their surroundings with caution.