Hogwarts: What are the four great masters doing?

"I'm sorry, but that's the truth."

Speaking of this, Dumbledore also sighed.

"In fact, he called himself 'Voldemort'... He put a spell on the name to make people fear him," he said regretfully.

"Pathetic behavior, isn't it?"

He used his finger as a pen and magic as ink to write a few lines in the air.

I AM LORD VOLDEMORT

Then he waved his hand gently, and the line of words rearranged itself.

Tom Marvolo Riddle

Then Ryan understood why Dumbledore made such an evaluation.

A man who discarded his original name and adopted a wistful, arrogant nickname in the hope that people would fear him.

Ryan could almost see a tragic soul that was violent, ignorant, inferior and arrogant.

but...

"...VOL-DE-MORT?"

Ryan naturally understood the meaning of the other party's title.

He felt that the word seemed familiar.

But this was obviously not the time for him to reminisce too much, so he just frowned.

"It said 'Quirrel is Tom Riddle'."

He looked at Dumbledore: "But as far as I know, Voldemort should be dead - the whole wizarding world knows that he died at the hands of Harry..."

At this point, he actually had some anticipation: "Could it be that he is not dead?"

He was saying, how could a Dark Lord feared by the wizarding world die at the hands of a baby?

"No, he is dead."

But Dumbledore said seriously: "He died under his own spell, but he did not die completely - his soul was preserved and remained in the world sadly as a wandering spirit."

His words were tinged with sadness.

"I don't know what kind of painful experience poor Quirinus has gone through - but I think I have to make the worst guess... Tom must have possessed him."

His words made Ryan's expression instantly serious.

"Dead, but the soul remains in the world? Not as a ghost, but as a wandering spirit?"

Ryan knew that the two concepts were completely different.

Ghosts are created by wizards due to their own obsession. They have almost no spellcasting ability left and are essentially on the "other side of the curtain."

As long as they let go of their obsessions and are willing to keep going, they can reach the other side.

But wandering souls are different.

Those are evil souls that survive in a tragic way, often dark wizards who have retained their souls and part of their magic in the mortal world in some special way.

This gives them the ability to cast spells, and the stronger their magic power was in life, the stronger the remaining magic power would be after they became wandering souls.

Of course, this spellcasting ability is limited - once their magic power is exhausted, they will become the most miserable beings in the world.

Without magic, without being completely dead, there is no way to go to the other side of the veil.

I can only wander in this world forever without any support and without anyone knowing.

Records of the birth of wandering spirits are extremely rare, but Ryan does know several ways to turn wizards into wandering spirits...

"!!!"

Thinking of this, Ryan's expression changed suddenly.

He suddenly remembered where he had heard the term 'leap over death'!

so...

"Mr. Principal, do you know how he managed to preserve his soul?"

Ryan asked Dumbledore quietly.

"I have some guesses, but I can't be sure..."

Dumbledore said softly.

That's right.

Dumbledore had some guesses as to how Voldemort had survived.

But until now, he couldn't be completely sure.

But the next moment, he saw Ryan grinning.

"Then I'm afraid I can help you confirm it."

The words fell.

Ryan stretched out his hand, and then Dumbledore saw a beautiful and luxurious crown appear in his hand!

Along with the crown, there were also low, snake-like murmurs.

"Follow me, accept me... I will take you—over death!"

The voice made Dumbledore's expression become serious.

"Make sure of that for me, Dumbledore."

Ryan's voice was a little cold.

"The Dark wizard who tainted this noble diadem...was it Tom Riddle?"

Chapter 84 Tom Riddle, the Second in the Dark! (4.3K words, third update)

"Horcrux...Ravenclaw's Diadem?"

With Dumbledore's knowledge, he naturally recognized the famous crown that Ryan took out in an instant.

At the same time, he also recognized the crown's new identity.

An evil creation of dark magic... a Horcrux!

"..."

Dumbledore's sky-blue eyes looked at the crown, as if he could see the evil soul through the crown.

"No need for extra confirmation, Ryan... this is Tom's work."

Dumbledore looked a little sad.

Perhaps it was for Tom Riddle's irredeemable soul, or perhaps it was for the meaning represented by this Horcrux - the birth of every Horcrux meant the tragic death of an innocent person.

"great."

Ryan said calmly without changing his expression.

“This is the most meaningful news I have heard today.”

Long after finding the Ravenclaw's diadem and discovering that it had been made into a Horcrux by a dark wizard.

He secretly decided that he would definitely send the dark wizard who insulted his teacher's work to the other side of the veil.

And now, he finally confirmed the other party's identity.

"Tell me about him, Mr. Principal."

"Tell me the story of Tom Riddle."

And Dumbledore obviously had no reason to refuse.

Without hesitation, he told Ryan a story.

A young wizard from an orphanage with a complicated background, a genius whose talent was recognized even by Dumbledore, and a born bad guy - Tom Riddle's story felt quite familiar to Ryan.

He had to admit.

Tom Riddle was somewhat similar to him.

The difference is that Ryan received careful care from the director and caregivers at the Silver Linden Tree Welfare Home, and met his four teachers a thousand years ago.

He knows what love is, what emotion is, and what courage is.

And Tom Riddle, there may never have been a soft part in his heart.

So in the end...

"He became Voldemort, Ryan."

Dumbledore said regretfully: "I have made many mistakes in my life, Ryan...but this is enough to rank among the top three mistakes I have made."

"I thought that with the right guidance, he could have walked on the right path—but unfortunately, my guidance at that time was probably too rough..."

His words made Ryan murmur a little.

This headmaster seemed to have quite a story – cultivating a Dark Lord who terrified the entire British wizarding community was only one of his top three mistakes.

What about the top two? Did he almost destroy the world?

But it was obvious that Dumbledore had no interest in discussing this issue further.

He just shook his head. "Tom once claimed to have conquered death more than anyone else, and the crown in your hand is clearly the reason."

Dumbledore said softly, "But I am curious, where did you find it?"

Ryan did not hide anything and told Dumbledore about the Room of Requirement.

"Oh, that room..."

Dumbledore seemed to recall something, which surprised Ryan: "You knew of its existence?"

"Of course it was a wonderful experience... but I obviously underestimated it."

Dumbledore said with a smile.

Then, he looked at the crown in Ryan's hand with some confusion: "But Ryan, I'm surprised you kept it until now - I believe you can destroy it."