The scent of pear juice wafted through the cottage, and a warm yellow halo of light fell upon the heads of the person and the cat.
Helena took a sip of the sweet, clear pear juice, watching and listening quietly. She thought there would never be a moment more comfortable than this.
"Ancient Magic—let us call it that for now. Helena tells me you have seen traces of it."
The pages of Ravenclaw's old book flipped with a rustle, and the black cat's ears twitched involuntarily.
"Yes, Lady Ravenclaw."
The black cat had certainly seen it.
The magic Lily used to protect Harry was a powerful form of Ancient Magic; the Veil in the Department of Mysteries was likely Ancient Magic as well; finally, the spiritual Hallows he possessed, along with the legendary Deathly Hallows sought by many wizards, should all fall under the category of Ancient Magic.
But... what exactly is Ancient Magic?
Avada Kedavra Chain Lightning?
The thought popped into the black cat's head for no reason.
"In the savage era of magic, ancient wizards struggled to survive on the magical continent.
My heir, you should know the stories of giants running rampant, and the rumors of dragons slaughtering freely.
At that time, magic only revealed a mysterious corner of itself, insufficient to support wizards in their survival on this continent."
As Ravenclaw spoke, she pointed a finger in the black cat's direction.
Scenes appeared in the cottage, as if a Pensieve were replaying memories.
There were giants wreaking havoc in wizard settlements, and dragons swooping viciously over hiding places, breathing fire at low altitudes.
"In times of greatest chaos and blindness, the most powerful forces are also gestating."
Ravenclaw moved her fingers, and the scenes shifted as if someone had pressed the fast-forward button.
A wizard climbed to the peak of a mountain, raised his wand high, and a thick bolt of lightning, like divine punishment, struck a roaring dragon;
A wizard stood in the center of a settlement, surrounded by flames more magnificent than any giant.
"What is Ancient Magic? Is there a fundamental difference between it and the magic you use today?"
Ravenclaw seemed to be asking herself.
"I do not think so," she answered.
Her words made the black cat's breath hitch. He gently set down the pumpkin juice with his tail, a thoughtful look in his emerald eyes.
"Then, my heir, do you believe that ancient wizards endowed Ancient Magic with power, or did Ancient Magic bring power to ancient wizards?" Ravenclaw asked.
"Magic has never changed, so it must be the wizards who endowed Ancient Magic with power.
I think that when magic was in its savage stage, ancient wizards walked a path that pointed directly to the origin of magic.
They were exploring the essence of magic and used knowledge and wisdom to build an indestructible belief for themselves.
When they found the matching magical rituals, a truly powerful magical force came into being."
The black cat spoke faster and faster, his eyes shining.
"Clever enough... For wizards of that time, it was either master more powerful magic or die. This was their predicament, and also the origin of what you call Ancient Magic."
Ravenclaw nodded gently.
"But why has Ancient Magic disappeared today?" The black cat was puzzled.
"After hearing Helena's account, I understand that the decline of Ancient Magic was inevitable.
Complex Ancient Magic may not be suitable for the current wizarding world.
Since you know the source of Ancient Magic, you should understand that Ancient Magic is a wizard's firm belief.
Very few wizards put an exceptional amount of effort into a single field of magic, accumulating enough wisdom to build a system unique to their kind.
Therefore, such magic is destined not to be widely mastered."
Ravenclaw opened her palm.
The black cat could see figures of wizards exploring different fields of magic in the images.
"Ancient Magic is dangerous. It chooses the suitable wizard, not the other way around.
In the hands of different wizards, it presents different difficulties. Unpredictability and danger have always been its synonyms, even in earlier centuries."
Ravenclaw finished speaking.
The black cat understood.
Rather than saying Ancient Magic is a specific type of magic, it is better to say it is a system of wizardry.
In order to survive in the dangerous magical world, ancient wizards forged different paths. Every one of these paths pursued power and protection, thus producing great effects.
Wizards pursued the knowledge to control magic, and this belief, in turn, enhanced their magical power.
So, tracing Ancient Magic to its source, it is still the wizard themselves.
It is the wizard who created such magical power.
Magic of love, magic of death, magic of time... even Sean himself had constructed magic like "Dragon's Wingbeat" and "Vine Stone Guardian."
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure. Do you understand now? My student?"
Ravenclaw's voice was light, as if drifting from the clouds.
And Sean knew, magic was essentially like lifting oneself up by one's bootstraps:
A wizard masters a part of magic through exploration, and the mastered magic strengthens the wizard's conviction;
The wizard's strengthened conviction makes the magic more powerful, leading the wizard to explore the source of even greater magic, which further strengthens the wizard's conviction...
An infinite loop.
As for why modern wizarding magic is no longer so powerful, the reason is simple.
It's not needed.
Wizards no longer need such powerful magic.
They have homes and occupy a dominant position in the magical world, so they no longer need such complex and dangerous magic.
Magic has become simpler, more practical, and more convenient.
"The mist is rising. Do you have any questions?"
Ravenclaw crouched down, and the black cat could see her pale blue pupils.
"If you are willing to answer, I want to know how I can master Ancient Magic."
Finally, the black cat asked this question.
Most knowledge of Ancient Magic has been lost. Even after reading countless books at Hogwarts, the black cat couldn't find a complete system.
Or rather, the entire wizarding world doesn't know much about it.
After all, if Ancient Magic hadn't been lost, there wouldn't be a job for Curse-Breakers.
Curse-Breaker is a dangerous and serious profession, full of challenges.
Gringotts hires Curse-Breakers to break curses in ancient tombs or other historical sites and bring treasures back to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
These Curse-Breakers face significant danger in their work; they could very well be killed instantly by ancient hexes, jinxes, or curses.
"This is the second point I wanted to tell you: the continuation of knowledge is the first priority. Where do you think wisdom should exist?"