Hogwarts Raven

This was truly a bombshell as Kraft's eyes widened in shock.

"You... what did you say!?"

He felt as if his ears, perhaps due to old age, were playing tricks on him, conjuring up some utterly absurd auditory hallucinations.

"He said he wants to be a Dark Lord," Aurora recalled her conversation with Ian thoughtfully.

Then she added another detail.

"Oh, and he also wants to go to Nurmengard to learn from my grandfather, saying it would help him graduate." Aurora felt she had summarized the situation quite well— concise and to the point.

After saying this, she returned to reading her notebook.

From start to finish, the Germanic girl's tone remained calm, as if she were discussing some trivial household matter.

However, Kraft's emotions were clearly not as stable as hers.

"?????"

Kraft was completely stunned.

He didn't know much about Hogwarts, but even so, he didn't think graduating from there would be so difficult that one would need to go to Nurmengard to seek Grindelwald's teachings.

'And what did he mean by wanting to be a Dark Lord? Were young wizards these days so daring?'

"Dumbledore's school has produced another ambitious schemer! Hahahaha! The greatest white wizard in the world? How laughable and ironic!"

After the initial shock passed, Kraft began to laugh maniacally.

He didn't doubt the truth of Aurora's words. After all, this was exactly the kind of situation he and many Acolytes had longed to see— Dumbledore had nurtured Voldemort, and now another boy who wanted to become a Dark Lord had emerged from his school.

Could there be anything more delightful for the Acolytes?

No! For them, this was the best proof of Dumbledore's extreme hypocrisy! Otherwise, why would Dumbledore's school keep producing such anomalies?

"Very good, very good. I underestimated that little brat's overconfidence. But this isn't a bad thing for us. You can try to win him over with some small favors."

"I've observed him. His magical talent isn't bad."

Kraft laughed so hard he was gasping for breath. He settled into an old rocking chair to rest while seriously offering his advice.

His cloudy eyes were now filled with excitement... and anticipation. Anything that could tarnish Dumbledore's reputation was something the Acolytes were more than willing to fan the flames of.

"Winning people over? My grandfather taught me that, so I gave him a book."

Aurora paused, then added, "My own book."

The girl emphasized this, probably to avoid Kraft thinking she had given him a book from the store.

However, Kraft didn't actually care about that. What he cared about was that Aurora had already attempted to win someone over.

"Very good! Being able to apply what you've learned is a sign of growth!"

Kraft clapped his hands happily.

"For children your age, winning their loyalty isn't too difficult. I think you've already gained your first follower."

Kraft had great confidence in Aurora, not just because she had inherited that great talent, but also because he knew her striking looks would undoubtedly have a "white moonlight" appeal to most boys her age. This was an advantage that could be utilized.

Kraft looked at the little girl before him with expectation and praise.

However, Aurora shook her head.

"I don't think a single book is enough to make someone loyal to me." Aurora seemed very clear-headed. She closed the notebook in her hands and placed it in a drawer.

"Of course, of course, this can just be the beginning."

Kraft was still smiling.

"While the method of winning people over might work on many other young wizards, Ian Prince is probably different. He's quite distinct from those other kids."

Aurora spoke calmly, her young yet exceptionally delicate face filled with seriousness.

"He's your first friend, so perhaps that makes him special to you?" Kraft narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming wary again.

He had been so focused on the lethal charm Aurora's looks had on young boys that he had almost forgotten that Ian was also exceptionally good-looking.

"I know what you're thinking, but it's not what you imagine."

Aurora shook her head helplessly.

"Indeed, as the first person brave enough to befriend me, I'm somewhat curious and interested in him. But that's not the reason I find Ian Prince special."

Her heterochromatic eyes carried a calmness that seemed beyond her years.

"Oh?" Kraft looked puzzled.

"You've taught me many things, so even with just a brief interaction, I can still make a judgment. He's not the type to have faith..."

"He won't become like you."

Aurora explained concisely.

But Kraft didn't agree.

"That's because you haven't yet established faith in his heart... Miss, don't overestimate the nature of others. Wanting to become a Dark Lord and learning from Lord Grindelwald are just the delusions of an ignorant and arrogant child his age."

"As he grows older, as he realizes his own weaknesses and mediocrity... if he's smart enough, he'll know to align himself with the strong around him."

Kraft spoke profoundly, imparting his wisdom.

However, Aurora still firmly shook her head.

"You're wrong."

She first closed her eyes.

"He won't understand mediocrity, nor will he know to align himself with the strong, because... he might truly become a Dark Lord."

Aurora opened her eyes again, turning to look toward the door, as if she had returned to the moment when the little boy walked in, looking around, and she noticed him.

"I've seen him."

This time, she wasn't speaking to Ian but explaining to Kraft.

"Huh?"

Kraft was somewhat confused.

"Not during the day, but back in Diagon Alley, before I even entered the shop... I had already seen something." Aurora spoke softly.

Kraft immediately reacted.

"You mean, what you saw was...!?"

Kraft's voice became uncertain and suspicious, his eyes fixedly staring at Aurora.

Then Aurora slowly nodded.

"My talent isn't as powerful as my grandfather's, but occasionally, I can catch a glimpse of the future... I saw him, saw fragments of his future."

Aurora spoke solemnly.

"You saw him become a Dark Lord?"

Kraft's voice trembled, as if he had heard something unbelievable— something he didn't want to accept but had no choice but to acknowledge.

"No."

Aurora shook her head.

Kraft looked even more puzzled.

"Being a riddler isn't a good habit. Don't learn from your grandfather, or that damned Dumbledore..."

Kraft sighed helplessly.

Aurora hadn't intended to beat around the bush either. Her thoughts seemed to trace back, whispering softly.

"I saw him standing in front of a tower, raising his wand, casting a spell."

The Germanic girl used her legendary heterochromatic eyes to look at the deeply puzzled Kraft. The old and the young locked eyes, and Aurora's softly spoken words were like stormy waves.

"There was fog blocking my view, but one thing I saw clearly was..."

"Dumbledore kneeling at his feet, weeping."

(End of Chapter)

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