Chapter 263: Fawkes's Visit

Life always has too many moments of inadvertence and too many surprises.

When the Lucius couple learned of their son's residence, they weren't angry about his running away. Instead, they sent a house elf to stay with him permanently.

After confirming that this elf wasn't Dobby, Ino just let it be. Having someone help with three meals a day was a welcome relief.

...

Upstairs, in the study.

On the large desk lay a three-foot-long sharp sword: the Morgul Blade.

As the weapon of the Witch-king of Angmar, this sword was, in some ways, not inferior to the Sword of Gryffindor.

Under the light of the oil lamp, the dense inscriptions on the blade were clearly visible.

These were not typical magical alchemy inscriptions but seemed more like an enchanting epitaph covering the entire blade.

This discovery genuinely intrigued Ino. Such a new alchemical system often hid a lot of interesting knowledge.

However, what frustrated him was facing a treasure trove of knowledge without the key to unlock it. These inscriptions weren't ancient runes but seemed more like the unique script of Middle-earth, the language of power.

Anyone who has done puzzles knows how hard it is to piece together a large puzzle without a reference image.

Ino felt the same way. After two days of fruitless effort, he temporarily set aside the deciphering of Middle-earth's power system and resumed developing the Movie Mirror.

Now, power was almost enough for him.

Ten years of wandering in Middle-earth, passive magical growth, mental experiences, and proficiency in magic application.

Although he hadn't met Voldemort, honestly, Ino didn't think he was much weaker.

This wasn't blind confidence but a natural feeling, much like the kind of depth one gains after experiencing a thousand life events.

Moreover, whether it was Fide or the Boggart, both were his sources of confidence.

Especially the Boggart, which he had recently experimented with in the valley.

After absorbing the cursed black stone fragments from Erech, the Boggart underwent a qualitative change. It could no longer be called a Boggart; Nightmare might be more appropriate.

Unlike the former thin black mist, now, when he summoned the Boggart, a black curtain would envelop the valley like a tide, covering over a hundred acres.

A hundred acres may not seem much, but it's about the size of nearly sixty standard football fields.

And this was just the area covered by the curtain. If diluted into the previous fear mist, the specific coverage area...

Ino hadn't tried it and didn't dare to.

Because now, it was no longer just fear. As mentioned before, after absorbing the black stone, it had changed.

Isildur, the High King of Gondor and Arnor, who wielded the sword Narsil to cut off Sauron's finger, personally cursed the black stone.

After the Boggart absorbed the black stone fragments, many of the ghosts from the mountain of Erech were integrated into the black curtain.

Unlike the spectral entourage in the original story that Aragorn led, the black ghosts in the curtain could actually attack to some extent, provided the enemy was within the curtain.

To test these ghost attacks, Ino specifically experimented in the valley.

Ten-foot-diameter boulders, whether shot with arrows, pierced with spears, or hacked with swords, could leave an inch-deep mark on the hard rock.

Don't underestimate this inch. This was already the effect of a Muggle large-caliber rifle.

After ten years in Middle-earth, Ino now had confidence. In a confined environment, he wouldn't even need to show himself. Just releasing the curtain could slowly wear Voldemort down.

But life doesn't have so many 'ifs'. Powerful wizards often have great mobility.

...

Upstairs, in the study.

After a brief reminiscence, Ino resumed transcribing the inscriptions.

Immersed in his work, time passed unnoticed until...

The flame of the bronze oil lamp suddenly flickered.

In response to this unexpected situation, he immediately looked up, but soon his expression relaxed.

Fawkes was already standing by the desk, tilting his head curiously at the flame in the oil lamp.

Likewise, the flickering flame seemed like a friendly greeting between friends.

"Long time no see, Fawkes!" Ino greeted softly.

Fawkes responded with a human-like nod, and also a letter tied to his leg. As for the sender, it was no surprise. Only the old headmaster would use a phoenix to send a letter in the entire wizarding world.

A few minutes later.

Ino opened a drawer and took out a fresh piece of parchment to reply.

The content of this letter was simple: setting a time to meet someone.

Before the summer break, after he moved the Movie Mirror into the headmaster's office, Dumbledore had verbally mentioned this, introducing the legendary alchemist Nicholas Flamel.

Honestly, he was very interested in Nicholas, not because of the legendary Philosopher's Stone, but because of the nearly seven hundred years of experience Nicholas had.

People often say that those who wander far have many stories. In fact, long-lived elders also have many interesting stories.

From the Middle Ages to the present. Talking with Nicholas would be more enriching than reading any history book because historical books are often beautified and modified.

With these thoughts in mind, Ino quickly finished writing the reply and tied it to Fawkes' leg.

Unlike Fide's coldness, Fawkes's feathers were warm and soft, and he had a kind aura that made Ino want to hug him.

But reason prevailed, and he didn't do something so absurd.

As Fawkes left, the flame on the desk's oil lamp flickered a few more times.

Feeling the intermittent emotions in his mind, Ino smiled happily.

He would soon have his own normal phoenix.

Now, it was late June.

The 442nd Quidditch World Cup, held in England, would take place in August during the summer holidays.

Honestly, if it weren't for Newt and Old Flint already working on it, Ino wouldn't have wanted to participate.

The original intention of this matter was the birth of the phoenix.

And with the emotions of over ten thousand Rohirrim, the flame had already condensed life. Now, even if he did nothing, he could wait for the phoenix to be born, although it might take longer.

Moreover, ten years in Middle-earth had changed his mindset significantly.

Compared to a star-like role, he now yearned for the life of Master Hans—a person and a lute, wandering the countryside, quietly telling stories of distant places.

Experiencing the joys of life in simplicity.

Fame or prestige is for those who crave it but can't attain it. Truly capable people probably don't value these much.

...

"Well, once it's over, I can finally rest well!"

Through the second-floor window, Ino looked out. June in Hogsmeade presented a unique beauty.

It was a kind of peaceful living.