In the memory, the room remained just as exquisite and magnificent, only veiled in a layer of grey.
Two wizards, dressed in more ancient attire, continuously cast spells, refining the structure of the room. Delicate spires rose in spiraling patterns, as if shaped by divine hands.
Of the two, one was fat and short, the other tall and thin. The shorter, heavier one was an ancestor of Rookwood, while the other was named Percival Rackham.
Elijah had never heard of the Rackham surname, yet Percival's name matched Dumbledore's middle name.
Not only that, the name also belonged to one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.
Within the memory, Rookwood voiced concern about Percival setting up such complex and numerous trials, yet neither of them slowed their work. They continued casting one hidden spell after another.
"Are you worried that no one will be able to pass?" Percival asked softly, sealing his memories into a bottle. "There's no need. This was always meant for those like us, who can perceive Ancient Magic."
Elijah listened while observing their spellwork. To him, every spell was traceable.
What he could not yet understand was the true advantage of Ancient Magic. For the same level of Transfiguration, ordinary magic seemed capable of achieving similar results.
Just as he was thinking this, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
"The key lies in greater power and longer preservation."
Elijah turned sharply. The two wizards from the memory were now speaking to him as if they possessed awareness.
"And it must also be more mysterious."
They were no longer mere fragments of memory. Instead, they resembled the state Elijah himself had once experienced within the diary. This immediately put him on guard.
There was no telling what kind of world this was. These so-called guardians might very well have been villains in their time.
"Do not worry. We are only a fragment of thought," Percival said, seeming to sense Elijah's caution. "Much like a portrait."
"I've never heard of memories in a Pensieve possessing independent thought like a portrait," Elijah replied. He had no intention of lowering his guard over a single explanation.
At this point, he even regretted using the Pensieve. If he had relied on his own abilities to observe the memories, he would have had more control over the situation.
He had been careless.
Fortunately, neither Percival nor Rookwood acted out of line. Instead, they continued explaining.
"Ancient Magic holds immense power," Percival said. "It allows us to accomplish things that ordinary wizards cannot."
If anything, that statement was an understatement.
To those with a talent for Ancient Magic, ordinary wizards were no different from Muggles. They could not even perceive Ancient Magic, much less counter it.
The gap between them was enormous.
It was like Muggles building an intricate sandcastle on a beach, while a wizard could achieve the same result with a flick of a wand.
In other words, anything ordinary magic could do, Ancient Magic could also do. And anything ordinary magic could not accomplish, Ancient Magic could still achieve.
"Do not tell me you went to all this trouble, leaving so many trials, just to preserve a memory," Elijah said.
According to what he knew of the Legacy plot, Vault 12 contained little beyond trials. The memories left behind merely confirmed the existence of Ancient Magic.
"Of course not," Rookwood replied, shaking his head. "Ancient Magic is extremely dangerous. It must be carefully guarded. We must determine not only whether you possess the ability, but whether your heart is worthy of becoming a guardian."
As they spoke of this, a trace of complicated emotion appeared in both their eyes, as though they had once made a grave mistake related to this very matter.
Elijah was not particularly concerned. His character might not be flawless, but at the very least, he was not the type to commit atrocities without restraint.
"Such caution is necessary," Percival continued. "More than a century ago, a Goblin attempted to seize the power of Ancient Magic. He even reached this vault, but in the end, he left empty-handed."
"Ragnok, right? Where did he go?"
"We do not know. Perhaps he fell beneath the blade of the guardian statue. Our awareness exists only within the Pensieve, so we cannot observe events beyond it," Percival answered.
"The only certainty is that if Ancient Magic falls into the hands of Goblins or those with ill intent, the wizarding world will face a great crisis."
Elijah did not disagree.
Still, if that was all there was, then this journey to Vault 12 had been disappointing.
He had gained almost nothing. He already knew of Ancient Magic's existence. There was no need for further confirmation.
As if reading his thoughts, Percival and Rookwood exchanged a faint smile.
"You must be wondering why we went to such lengths, yet did not store Ancient Magic within this vault," Percival said. "In truth, Ancient Magic flows within the magic inside your body."
"It flows within me?"
"Of course. Young wizards do not gain magic by attending Hogwarts. They possess magic first, which grants them the right to attend. Ancient Magic is no different. It is precisely because you have this talent that you stand here now."
"Then how do I use it?"
"You must learn to feel the difference," Percival said, his voice almost reverent. "Sense the two distinct forms of magic. Once you do, you will find the distinction unmistakable. Even the simplest spell can be enhanced by it.
"Think about the Revelio you cast. Why was it able to break through Ancient Magic's barriers? Because when you cast it, you unconsciously used two kinds of magic. Now, you must learn to distinguish them and transform the ordinary into Ancient Magic."
Elijah closed his eyes and tried to sense it, but the attempt yielded little.
"It is not so simple," Percival admitted. "However, the trials we left behind may guide you. The proper use of Ancient Magic will only be revealed once you complete them."
"Trials?"
"The four of us, guardians of Ancient Magic, created four trials in total. But before that, you may need to find a book. It is located in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts."
"The Room of Requirement holds such a book?" Elijah only had a vague understanding of the Legacy storyline, and this place was unfamiliar to him.
"It is within Hogwarts. Although it is not so difficult to find the room, finding that book is not possible for just anyone. You will find it."
The memory ended.