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Upon Ivan's agreement, Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief. The magical world had been in turmoil in recent years, largely due to the war, which significantly impacted magic itself. The hearts of wizards were in upheaval, with some wishing to uphold ancient traditions and keep their existence hidden from ordinary people, while others aimed to help the United Kingdom win the war, obtain national support, and foster prosperity within the magical community.
Dumbledore, the leader of the faction favoring tradition, was initially in a prime position to secure absolute advantage for his lineage, but a recent advocate of pure-blood supremacy had risen to challenge him. This individual, known as the peak of turbulence in the magical world, had garnered the support of countless pure-blood wizards.
After World War II, the magical world had been gradually returning to stability. However, the reappearance of the Dark Lord had thrown the magical world back into chaos. Dumbledore felt disheartened by these events and had, as a result, promised multiple layers of magical access to Ivan.
Ivan observed Dumbledore covertly and detected a hint of concern in his expression. While he didn't know the specific reason, he had his suspicions.
Dumbledore had a complex reputation. Some saw him as a good person, while others perceived him as someone deeply scheming. In the original book series, Dumbledore was portrayed as subtly orchestrating the development of events. At the outset, he could have eliminated Voldemort entirely or at least weakened him by destroying some of the seven soul fragments. Yet, he believed he had everything under control, ultimately leaving Voldemort to be vanquished by Harry Potter. This made Dumbledore seem more like a manipulator.
Dumbledore was a person of unwavering self-determination, affecting not only those around him but also himself. He had a penchant for orchestrating the fates of others, whether they liked it or not. Reflecting on the fate of Harry Potter's parents, Dumbledore's actions were responsible for their tragic death and the subsequent decision to place Harry with his aunt and uncle, causing Harry's difficult childhood. This seemed especially harsh when considering the sacrifices Harry's parents had made for the Order of the Phoenix.
Furthermore, Tom Riddle's transformation into Voldemort could also be attributed to Dumbledore, who brought him into the wizarding world. While the reasons for Riddle's descent into darkness were multifaceted, Dumbledore bore significant responsibility for this transformation. His overbearing desire for control and manipulation might have contributed to the birth of Voldemort.
Fortunately, Tom Riddle, unlike Voldemort, did not develop the same degree of paranoia. When someone attempted to control his destiny, his rebellious nature was fueled, ultimately leading to destruction.
One fortunate aspect was that Dumbledore's intentions were aligned with justice. Otherwise, his actions could have resulted in even more harm than those of Voldemort.
At this moment, Dumbledore seemed to sense Ivan's gaze. He turned to find Ivan looking at him with a peculiar expression.
"Oh! It's nothing. I just wanted to offer a piece of advice. You can take it or leave it, and I hope you won't mind," Dumbledore stated.
Dumbledore was momentarily taken aback but then smiled and said, "No offense taken. Please, go ahead. I've heard that Dr. Ivan is the smartest scientist in the human world, so your advice is bound to be exceptional."
Ivan's expression became grave as he locked eyes with Dumbledore, delivering his message in a soft tone. "Everyone has their ideas, and even the best intentions may not align with others' desires. Sometimes, by doing what you think is right, you might inadvertently tread the path to ruin."
Upon hearing Ivan's words, Dumbledore paused, his thoughts drifting to an orphaned wizard.
"Is the road to ruin paved with good intentions? Have I truly erred?" Dumbledore questioned himself inwardly. However, his gaze soon regained determination. "No, I'm in the right. Everything I do is for the peace of the magical world. Sacrifices are inevitable. No matter what the cost, I mustn't allow anyone to destroy it."
Observing Dumbledore's expression, Ivan sighed inwardly. A person like Dumbledore possessed unwavering determination and couldn't be swayed by a few words. Even if he wavered momentarily, he wouldn't back down. If he was mistaken, he'd persist.
"Thank you, Dr. Ivan, for the advice, but I can handle my affairs," Dumbledore responded.
Naturally, Ivan didn't argue with Dumbledore but instead complimented him with a smile. "Of course, you're Dumbledore, the greatest white wizard in the modern wizarding world."
Silence enveloped the carriage as each dwelled on their respective thoughts. Although Dumbledore's faith remained unshaken, Ivan's words had left a profound impact.
After some time, the train shook and came to a gradual halt. Ivan recognized they had reached the station and asked the Red Devil to retrieve their luggage. They disembarked behind Dumbledore, embarking on a journey through the magical world.
The day darkened gradually as Ivan and Dumbledore arrived at their destination—the illustrious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ivan had previously seen the school on television, but its grandeur in person far exceeded his expectations. It loomed like a colossal beast in the night, delivering a profound spiritual impact.
Upon entering the castle, they encountered an array of peculiar sights: portraits that moved, talking clay sculptures, and gatekeepers who required password responses, such as the Honey Duke and the Honey-Eating Bird.
As it was growing late, most of the school's students had retired to their rooms. They encountered a few young wizards on their way, who greeted Dumbledore with reverence. The peculiar attire of Ivan and the Red Devil, however, piqued the students' curiosity, as they weren't wearing traditional wizard robes but rather formal suits and ties.
While their curiosity was evident, Dumbledore didn't disclose any information, and they refrained from inquiring further. The trio moved without hindrance, traversing corridors until they reached the quarters Dumbledore had arranged for Ivan.
Taking a closer look, Ivan found the room to be quite comfortable. Two beds had been prepared with modern bedding. Dumbledore informed Ivan about the school's layout, revealing that his residence was the closest to the library. Additionally, he had been granted a private room within the library for uninterrupted reading.
Ivan couldn't help but wryly smile. It seemed that Dumbledore had intended to limit contact between Ivan and the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, despite the appearance of generosity.
Ivan's decision to learn magic under Dumbledore, the greatest white wizard, seemed promising. With Dumbledore as his teacher, he wouldn't be susceptible to any of Ivan's tricks. Dumbledore assured Ivan that he could read any books in the library, though the only interaction he'd have would be with the young wizards who typically frequented the library for research purposes. The librarian would oversee these interactions, ensuring they remained limited.
Although Ivan harbored some inner discontent, he had no intention of refusing this arrangement. He was content with the opportunity to learn magic at an accelerated pace, despite the psychological discomfort he felt. His goal was achievable through this approach, and that was what mattered most.
Early the next morning, Ivan headed directly to Dumbledore's headmaster's office for his first formal magic class. However, conflict arose between Ivan and Dumbledore during the class. Dumbledore initially adhered to conventional teaching methods, starting with the basics and progressively delving deeper into magic theory. The problem was that Ivan already possessed a deep understanding of these rudimentary magical principles. He had read many books on magic from Rushputin, acquiring a substantial foundation in magical theory. Consequently, the two began to clash, prompting more in-depth discussions.
As Dumbledore observed Ivan's knowledge and abilities, he realized that Ivan had been true to his word. He had extensive knowledge and surpassed Dumbledore in certain areas. At Ivan's request, Dumbledore altered his teaching approach, opting to demonstrate magic directly. Ivan gained a firsthand sense of magical energy and, with his extraordinary brainpower and the Red Queen's remarkable computational skills, quickly analyzed this mysterious energy. The next step was to find a way to convert the energy within his body into magical energy.
Ivan was able to analyze magical energy in just a few hours, but it took him three days to fully control the transformation of his energy into magical energy.
What followed terrified Dumbledore: Ivan's ability to learn magic at an extraordinary pace. Regardless of the type of magic demonstrated and its underlying principles, Ivan could immediately perform it. After just an hour, he would be highly proficient, even surpassing Dumbledore.
The greatest white wizard, Dumbledore, found himself completely outmatched. In a mere ten days, Ivan had mastered most of the magic Dumbledore had to offer. He secretly marveled at Ivan's exceptional intelligence, which far surpassed that of his smartest student, Tom Riddle. Dumbledore even began to avoid Ivan, as he wasn't sure what to teach him anymore.
Ultimately, Dumbledore decided to have Ivan read books in the library, encouraging him to ask questions if he encountered any difficulties with his magic studies.
Ivan obediently spent his days in the library, voraciously reading books on various topics, including magical potions, spellcasting techniques, the history of the magical world, and even magical creatures. The library contained hundreds of thousands of books, and while it would take a normal person several years to peruse them all, Ivan was far from ordinary. With incredible speed, he could flip through a book and commit its contents to memory within minutes. He also realized that many of the books contained overlapping information, which expedited his reading.
Ivan silently delved into the vast sea of magical knowledge within the library, and Dumbledore was relieved, thinking he wouldn't be bothered by Ivan for a long time. Little did he know that it wouldn't be long before he faced new challenges.