"Yes, she graduated just as I was entering Hogwarts. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet her in person, but the upperclassmen all knew her and often spoke of her stories," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Back then, many professors also liked to use her as an example during their lectures. She was something of a legend and a role model in the school."
Wade wasn't particularly surprised by what Dumbledore said. What she had accomplished truly was worthy of being called legendary. Given how close their school years had been, and the fact that even the faculty hadn't changed much by Dumbledore's time, it made perfect sense he'd hear stories about her.
"So, you think it's a good thing that I have this Ancient Magic ability?" Wade asked tentatively.
"Of course. Isn't it a good thing?" Dumbledore gave him a puzzled look. "It means you might have the same potential to achieve what she once did. If, during my years as a professor, a student like her were to appear again at Hogwarts, I would consider it a great honor."
Wade carefully chose his words. "But… Ancient Magic… isn't power that strong likely to come with side effects?"
"Side effects? In truth, the two of you aren't the only ones in history capable of using Ancient Magic. If there were truly side effects, people would have noticed them long ago. Why do you ask?" Dumbledore looked at Wade, clearly confused by the lingering concern on his face.
Wade looked down at his hands, recalling the overwhelming sense of euphoria that had come with using Ancient Magic. For a moment, he was tempted to take a risk—maybe he could reveal a bit more to Dumbledore.
If it worked, he would earn Dumbledore's full trust, and more importantly, gain direct guidance as a prodigy of someone deeply knowledgeable.
That would save him countless hours of trial and error.
Of course, if it failed, Dumbledore's perception of him could be completely altered… for the worse.
After weighing the risks, Wade ultimately decided to take the chance. The potential benefits were too valuable to pass up.
"When I used Ancient Magic… it felt incredibly good. So good, I found myself wanting more—wanting to grow stronger, no matter the cost…" Wade looked up, meeting Dumbledore's eyes. "It was as if… the power itself was tempting me, amplifying my desire to become stronger beyond control."
"Professor, I know I do crave power. But I truly don't want to become someone who'll stop at nothing to get it. I don't want to become a slave to power. Because if that ever happens, I might end up hurting people who don't deserve it."
"If this feeling comes not from the power itself, but from something within me… then please, Professor, teach me. Teach me how to control this desire when I use Ancient Magic."
Dumbledore gazed at Wade, a strange and thoughtful light flickering in his eyes. "Wade… hearing you say that brings me immense comfort."
"Huh?" Wade wore a mask of confusion, but inwardly, he breathed a deep sigh of relief. He'd taken a gamble—and it had paid off.
"When people suddenly gain great power, they often lose control," Dumbledore said. "Many stray from the right path because of it. Even those who don't may still find themselves subconsciously chasing greater and greater power. I myself was no exception, back in the day…"
His eyes were filled with admiration. "But I've never seen anyone like you, Wade. Instead of focusing on how to amplify your strength, the first thing you did was reflect on yourself—acknowledge your own desires."
This time, Dumbledore was truly moved.
In fact, when he first realized that Wade possessed the potential to wield Ancient Magic, he had been thinking of how to caution him about the dangers of chasing too much power.
He hadn't expected that Wade would not only be aware of the danger himself, but also openly seek his guidance.
How could Dumbledore not be proud of such a student?
To be honest, the boy was so thoughtful and sensible that it was almost heartbreaking.
Of course, this was also thanks to the good impression Wade had already made on him. If it had been Tom saying such things… well, Dumbledore might not have been so easily convinced.
To Dumbledore, Tom was someone who required extreme caution. No matter what he said, Dumbledore would never trust him easily.
In truth, if Wade hadn't taken the initiative to bring up these concerns, Dumbledore might have begun to view him with the same level of suspicion. After all, a child at that age, with access to Ancient Magic, was like a toddler walking through a busy market with a sharp blade…
"What should I do?" Wade asked. "If I never use this power again… would that stop those desires from being triggered?"
Hearing Wade's question, Dumbledore looked even more reassured.
"That's not quite how it works, Wade. In truth, every wizard hopes their magic will become more effective and powerful. At school, that simply means every student wishes to learn more at Hogwarts. In other words, the desire to become stronger is something ingrained in all of us—it's unavoidable. So having the drive to pursue power isn't a sin."
Dumbledore smiled warmly. "In a sense, the pursuit of strength and the pursuit of progress are one and the same. Desire, in fact, is often a key force that drives people to grow. If we say the desire for progress is a crime, then we're doing a disservice to all the effort we put into learning and self-improvement."
"You asked me how to control that desire… but the truth is, I don't think you need to. Because by asking the question at all, you've already proven that you have control over it."
"If you truly hadn't, then you wouldn't be sitting here tonight, saying these things to me."
"So go ahead and use this power, as long as you stay true to yourself. You have nothing to fear. Power has always been a double-edged sword. What matters is who holds it…"
"And I'm truly glad that, right now, the one holding this sword is you, Wade. You're the only one who could make me feel at ease."
Wade stared at Dumbledore in surprise—this time, not faked. He was genuinely startled.
Because Dumbledore's reaction was far more emotional than Wade had anticipated.
Without a doubt, his risky gamble had touched a soft spot in Dumbledore's heart.
Ugh… why do I feel like I just deceived an elderly grandpa like those Microsoft scammers?
Everything he'd said earlier was the truth. If it hadn't been, it wouldn't have been such a gamble in the first place.
Tch… and he'd been so sincere when he said those things—he'd barely even used Occlumency! So why was his conscience faintly aching now?
"So that means Ancient Magic won't harm me like Dark Magic does? I can use it freely, as long as I don't cross any lines?" Wade asked again to confirm.
"For you, yes," Dumbledore replied with a nod.
To be fair, Dumbledore was being very precise in his wording. It was because he trusted Wade that he'd added that particular phrase—"For you."
The unspoken meaning being: "I trust you to wield the sword. But if it were anyone else—I wouldn't."
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