All the glory bowed before Cyrus!
The old headmaster of Ilvermorny was stunned, and the other professors and young wizards stood there in a daze, as if trapped in an unending dream.
The four statues within the school only ever moved when new students were sorted into houses, and even then, it was merely a cold howl or a glow from the jewel on the statue's forehead.
But now, the statues had left the castle, lowering their proud heads before the black-haired wizard with golden tips at the end of his hair!
Even the castle itself was bowing to Cyrus.
This was something that had never happened in Ilvermorny's three-hundred-year history.
"He has the blood of the founders, the Serpentwood wand in his hand, the guardians of all four houses bow at his feet, and he can even transform into a thunderbird…"
Amid the endless silence, a student spoke absentmindedly, voicing what everyone present was feeling.
"I can't think of any reason why he shouldn't take over as headmaster."
Perhaps the only argument against it was that Cyrus had no established reputation among the students and faculty.
He was merely a wizard who had suddenly appeared. Even if he had a legitimate claim to inherit Ilvermorny, it was something difficult for the professors and students who had lived there for many years to accept.
But Boot relented.
As a descendant of one of Isolt's two adopted children, he knew the castle's true heir now stood before him. His sense of justice wouldn't allow him to act out of greed. Beyond that, he also feared that angering Cyrus might put the students and professors in danger.
He understood better than anyone the terrifying power of a strong wizard.
On the other side of the world, Lord Voldemort had nearly plunged all of Britain into chaos.
And that was with Dumbledore standing in opposition.
"I believe you have the ability to serve as headmaster, sir. The school has recognized you, and I trust that the professors and students will soon realize your extraordinary power," Butte said.
"Headmaster!" Fontaine called out in alarm.
It wasn't because he was upset about missing the chance to become the next headmaster. He was worried about the school and the children.
From what the news in Britain suggested, Cyrus was a dangerous figure!
Boot raised a hand, signaling Fontana to stop speaking.
"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Boot," Cyrus said softly.
However, Butte paused, and suddenly his frail, elderly body stiffened, like an old Wampus cat showing a final burst of defiance, every hair standing on end.
"But I need you to agree to certain conditions. Otherwise, I would rather die than hand over the school!"
He stared fiercely at Cyrus, as if ready to leap and tear out his throat at any moment. Cyrus remained unbothered.
Why should an ant's threats be worth considering?
"I need you to promise that once you become headmaster, the school will continue as it always has. Every young witch and wizard must receive the same education as before."
"Of course," Cyrus nodded.
"Second, you must promise not to harm any of the students!"
"Naturally," Cyrus agreed with another nod.
He first reassured Boot, then added, "I believe you've misunderstood me, Mr. Boot. I have not come to destroy Ilvermorny. I have come to lead it, to lead all of Ilvermorny's students toward glory and greatness!"
Slytherins have always cared about glory.
But in reality, glory is universal.
Honor and status are glory, brave conquests and adventures are glory, wisdom and knowledge are glory, and loyalty and integrity are glory as well!
"If you're worried, I can make an unbreakable vow with you," Cyrus offered.
But Boot shook his head.
"I believe you, sir," he smiled, as if suddenly unburdened, becoming much more relaxed. "Just remember, this isn't about power; it's about responsibility!"
"Well then, I'll take my leave," Boot said decisively, even planning to leave Ilvermorny immediately.
But Cyrus stopped him.
"Why rush into retirement, Mr. Boot?" Cyrus asked softly. "To be honest, my experience in education is limited to one-on-one tutoring, heh~. Why not stay and help me? I could reserve the position of vice principal for you."
It had to be said, Cyrus lacked the right kind of people for teaching. Whether it was Bellatrix or others, none of them were suitable to be educators. Their knowledge leaned more towards dark magic, and their approach to handling things was often more extreme.
Keeping the current professors at Ilvermorny could also help ease the students' emotions.
More importantly, the professors at Ilvermorny came from three different countries, had extensive connections, and were prominent figures in the North American wizarding community.
Cyrus intended to recruit them as his subordinates.
Boot hadn't expected to remain at his post, but this outcome suited him well.
Staying at the school gave him peace of mind after all.
The other heads of houses had some concerns, but no one voiced them. They all understood that things had reached a point where opposition wouldn't change anything. With Boot voluntarily stepping down and the school recognizing Cyrus' legitimacy, even if all the board members opposed it, the outcome was already sealed.
Unless the board had the resolve to build a new school from scratch.
Fortunately, it seemed Cyrus had no intention of making drastic changes to Ilvermorny.
In fact, during the first few days of his tenure as headmaster, the school had hardly changed at all—except for one thing.
Agilbert Fontaine still found it puzzling when he thought about it.
It happened on the third morning after Cyrus became headmaster. He gathered all the students together, with thousands standing in the castle's circular hall. Under the gaze of the four house guardian statues, Cyrus stood in the center of the hall, holding the snakewood wand, positioned beneath the octagonal Gordian Knot, as if standing at the center of the world.
In the past few days, aside from familiarizing himself with his duties as headmaster, Cyrus often wandered around Ilvermorny, drawing the curious and reverent gazes of the students.
Aside from the girls' bathroom and dormitory, the young wizards might catch glimpses of Cyrus' golden silhouette anywhere within the school.
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12 Advance Chapters—Patreon.com/HornyFBI