The hallway.
The torchlight flickers slightly.
Outside the window, a steady drizzle patters against the glass, producing a gentle and rhythmic sound, contrasting sharply with the tranquility inside the corridor.
Ian turned his head at the sound.
He saw a boy about sixteen or seventeen years old.
The boy was wearing a well-fitted Hogwarts uniform, his robe neat and crisp. His handsome face had a hint of youthfulness, and amidst his confident and composed demeanor, there was an exceptionally rare air of determination and vigor.
Even though this person lacked the furrows of age, the thick beard, or the unkempt hair, Ian could still recognize him from his distinct and unique facial features.
"Albus Dumbledore." He had personally witnessed the young days of the old headmaster and Grindelwald through the old headmaster's memories, which is why he could identify the person in front of him with such certainty.
A few years shy of adulthood.
The change in appearance wasn't all that significant—of course, if there was any notable difference, it was the unique aura Ian felt from this young version of the old headmaster.
Not just the calm demeanor of a genius.
But also a feeling of disdainful confidence.
A courteous and gentle smile held an unstoppable, irresistible pressure, a kind of spirit that perhaps no longer existed in the centenarian headmaster.
At this moment.
The little wizard clearly understood why his headmaster was so admired and even attracted the attention of a generation's Dark Wizard, Grindelwald.
"Too bad my homeland is not Chengdu, so I'm not captivated." Ian's gaze fell on Albus Dumbledore's hand, where his now still tender hand held a wand.
Pitch black.
Very different from the Elder Wand.
It had the kind of profound meaning commonly associated with a "Dark Wizard's" wand.
"I knew it."
The little wizard felt he had seen proof that "the White Demon King exists." Having deeply studied the art of wand making, he was quite knowledgeable about wand lore.
"You look like you want to challenge me? Sneaking into Hogwarts without knowing what you're up to, little rascal." The spirited Albus Dumbledore continued to watch Ian.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, showing a somewhat surprised expression; those deep blue eyes were filled with interest. Perhaps the yet-to-be-aged headmaster hadn't met anyone who wanted to challenge him for a long time.
"Is my Occlumency really that good that you can see my thoughts?" Ian was somewhat surprised, as the idea had indeed crossed his mind just now.
The old headmaster couldn't be beaten.
What about the young version?
He didn't expect such a thought to be detected just as it arose.
"I have a dislike for Legilimency, or rather, I quite hate it, so I only figured out your thoughts by observing your eyes."
The young Albus Dumbledore spoke softly, seemingly not curious why Ian, wearing a Ravenclaw robe, had snuck in. He casually raised his wand and scratched his chin, appearing very relaxed.
"Green eyes, quite rare... But an even rarer situation is that I can observe them so clearly... Even the professors rarely make eye contact with me for such a long time." The young Albus Dumbledore had soft, slightly messy reddish-brown hair, possessing the distinctive rebellious spirit and energy of youth.
Now his not messy hair hung gently over his forehead, slightly obscuring his clear, interest-filled eyes.
"I thought I would only hear such arrogant words from another old man, but perhaps I understand now whom he was imitating." Ian gripped his wand tightly, appearing somewhat eager.
"So, can I?"
He seemed to be issuing an invitation, as if initiating a challenge. With the little wizard's increasingly bright eyes, the young Albus Dumbledore slightly squinted.
"A duel always needs some stakes, doesn't it?" He maintained his relaxed and joyful demeanor, his gaze falling on Ian's Elder Wand.
"If I win, you'll tell me why you snuck into Hogwarts, and perhaps I can receive the Special Contribution Award for the school again for thwarting some evil organization exploiting the Child Witch." The young Albus Dumbledore spoke softly, his tone gentle, yet his immense confidence was undeniable.
"What if I win?"
The little wizard even suspected the young Albus Dumbledore hadn't considered this possibility.
"Oh?"
This was it.
Hearing Ian's question.
The young Albus Dumbledore just chuckled slightly, "Then you can name whatever you want, even if you want me to run a lap around Hogwarts in the buff."
His somewhat teasing tone suggested he had genuinely never pondered this possibility.
"I'll take that as you'll agree to do anything I ask, doesn't that sound right?" Ian's eyes flickered slightly.
"You can absolutely understand it that way!" The young Albus Dumbledore replied without a second thought, apparently far less cautious than he would be nearly a century later.
"Great!"
Ian was thrilled.