"So you... figured out its mechanism?"
Ian was also filled with curiosity about the Bronze Gate, though he had once tried to decipher it without success, so he was very amazed that Dumbledore managed to succeed.
Of course.
He didn't know what Dumbledore had gone through before succeeding.
The old headmaster had put himself into the situation.
He studied the Bronze Gate through countless "cycles."
"You could say that."
Dumbledore nodded, "I spent a lot of time observing, calculating, deducing, and I eventually discovered it was actually a system based on magic mathematics and causal logic."
"Once you understand its operating principle, you can find its operational records and thus pinpoint your position." The old headmaster explained how he was able to accurately arrive at this era.
Ian was absorbed in listening.
"You truly live up to your reputation."
He offered a heartfelt compliment.
"I'm just more patient than most people."
Dumbledore said humbly.
"By the way," Ian suddenly remembered something. He tentatively asked Dumbledore if the paper by Lady Ravenclaw was true, "About the 'Twelve Giant Dragons and the Dragon Slayer,' is it true?"
Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
"Yes, it truly is." His tone was calm, as if discussing the most mundane thing, "Killing twelve Ancient Giant Dragons can earn a certain... world recognition."
Evidently.
Ian's guess was correct.
Dumbledore and Grindelwald found the Path of Legends through Lady Ravenclaw's paper. Furthermore, precisely because they knew they could enhance their Rank by slaying twelve Giant Dragons later, they decisively chose this most "fragile" method of proving their path; they had already planned the road ahead.
"Hmm, okay then."
Ian did not press further.
There are some things where it's enough to just touch the surface.
"If you can chat, then chat a bit more."
Claire was listening with great interest from the side, her Phoenix had already slipped in from outside and crawled into the pot; this guy really wasn't bluffing.
The Giant Phoenix could freely change its size.
It actually curled itself into that large gold-red pot, even using its wings to pull the lid over, covering itself tightly.
Yes, this big Phoenix seemed to be enjoying itself.
"... It's quite proactive." Ian remarked dryly.
"Of course," Claire proudly patted the lid of the pot, "my Phoenix is much more well-behaved than some other people's Phoenixes." Saying this, she glanced meaningfully at Fox.
Fox immediately shrank its neck, dodging behind Dumbledore, fearing it would also be caught for stew.
Claire hummed a tune, placed the pot on the fireplace, and with a wave of her hand, the flame instantly turned into a ghostly blue magic fire, precisely controlled at the level of a "gentle simmer."
"You certainly are extraordinary to find this era."
Claire looked at Dumbledore.
"Not too shabby, and because I knew where Ian had gone, I was able to pick you up, wasn't I?" Dumbledore's eyes twitched slightly as he looked at the Phoenix in the pot.
Yet he remained elegant.
"Correction,"
Claire raised a finger, "I revealed myself voluntarily."
Her voice sounded a bit guilty.
Dumbledore just smiled ambiguously without arguing.
His eyes remained on the pot where the Phoenix seemed to very much adapt to this cooking method, even adjusting its position to make itself more comfortable.
Ian and Dumbledore exchanged glances.
"Is this really... okay?" Ian couldn't help but ask.
"Of course it's okay,"
Claire didn't even lift her head, "Phoenixes are inherently capable of infinite rebirth; stewing just temporarily returns it to its primal energy, and drinking its own stew actually enhances its cycle of rebirth."
"This will only make the Phoenix stronger."
It was uncertain if this was legitimate knowledge.
In any case, Ian and Dumbledore were both dumbfounded by what they heard.