"So, now I've won, haven't I?"
Ian walked up to the young version of Albus Dumbledore, who was kneeling, and pressed his magic wand against the young Albus Dumbledore's forehead.
"Heh, I admit your underhanded tricks... did surprise me, but as I just told you, I won the moment I set this ritual up."
The young Albus Dumbledore shook his head.
His voice, slightly guilty, looked at Ian.
In his eyes.
Drowsiness was thick.
But it couldn't overshadow that resolute emotion.
"Huh?"
Ian looked around at the magic runes destroyed by the young Albus Dumbledore himself, frowning slightly, unable to fully understand what the young Albus Dumbledore was saying.
"I didn't just set up one ritual, kid." The young Albus Dumbledore explained of his own accord, abruptly reaching for his wand and channeling magic power into it.
The next moment.
The broken magic runes began to twist and morph, and as the little wizard strained to discern them, the deep black runes gathered together and gradually disappeared into the ground.
"This is..."
Ian was somewhat uncertain and uneasy.
He obviously noticed something was amiss.
But.
It was too late.
"Hiss~"
Dozens of black hands, like demonic claws reaching from hell, suddenly emerged from the gravel on the ground, swiftly and forcefully grabbing Ian's ankles.
Ian's magic power was "frozen" as if restricted. He tried to struggle, but those hands clutched him like iron clamps, rendering him immobile.
"Dark Arts!"
The little wizard exclaimed.
"This is the darkest of Dark Arts!" He truly hadn't expected that a young Albus Dumbledore, about fifth or sixth year, would have already started dabbling in Dark Arts of a sacrificial level.
Indeed.
Sacrificial Magic.
An incredibly evil Dark Art. To think a Hogwarts student could wield such magic, while even Tom, without a nose at this age, might not have encountered it.
"I'm sorry to have put you through all this... but I think it's worth it, at least for me." The young Albus Dumbledore chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"I just know my brother Tom, if he knew about this, he'd cry to death in the bathroom." Ian's heart was slightly panicked, but his face didn't show it.
"Tom? Someone close to my future self?" The young Albus Dumbledore struggled to stand up, seemingly still resisting the effects of the Life and Death Potion.
"Forget about Tom, I concede, alright?" Ian still had a trump card, but he didn't want to use it frivolously in such a duel.
"I accept your concession, but… allow me to apologize once more." The young Albus Dumbledore, resisting the effects of the potion, pulled open Ian's robe.
"Hiss~"
Ian felt a chill on his chest, and now he truly was somewhat panicked.
Old Deng wouldn't actually have been a bishop when he was young, would he!
"What are you going to do to me?"
The little wizard's eyes widened in terror.
"I want to win twice."
The young Albus Dumbledore seemed to steal Ian's line, but fortunately, he didn't perform any strange acts on Ian, instead beginning to draw magic runes on Ian with his wand.
Due to the effects of the Life and Death Potion.
This handsome young man's hands were shaking, his posture wobbling, but he persevered with sheer willpower, continuing to draw magic runes on Ian's body.
"I think you didn't come to this time for no reason." The young Albus Dumbledore seemed to be analyzing Ian, showcasing his nearly devilish intelligence.
However.
What he revealed was far beyond Ian's expectations in terms of wisdom.
"Such a rare opportunity, maybe my future self intends to convey some message through you, but to my current self, this is an opportunity I must seize."
"To you, to my future self... I deeply apologize." Though speaking words of remorse, the young Albus Dumbledore's hands didn't stop moving.
"What do you mean?"
Ian had a bad premonition.
He was ready to retaliate at any moment.
"You told me you're not an Obscurial who successfully changed fate, which disappoints me but doesn't despair me... because to me, you can absolutely be what I hope to see."
"Just a little change… and with the knowledge, ability, and a helping hand from that Dumbledore, who far surpasses me." The young Albus Dumbledore's hands didn't stop moving.
He looked up and locked eyes with Ian.
"I believe for me… for my future self, you hold extraordinary significance, so I must take this gamble." Albus Dumbledore's words were firm and serious.
The little wizard felt his scalp tingling.
"Is this still the Albus Dumbledore I know!?"
Ian's emotions were truly tumultuous.
He understood.
This Albus Dumbledore clearly intended to turn him into an Obscurial, then use him and the future Albus Dumbledore to find a solution to the Obscurial problem!
This is absolutely outrageous!
Not only sacrificing Ian but also plotting against his future self… what kind of madness must it take to conceive such an insanely diabolical plan right upon meeting Ian!