Hogwarts doesn't need a savior

"What are these for...?" she asked in confusion.

"You mentioned alchemy to me before, and Percy also asked me about it during the summer vacation. Doris is not interested in these things, and I have to go away for the afternoon, so I will let you take a look first. Put aside the work in your hands and do it when you are free."

Lin En smiled and unscrewed the bottle cap, and the unique sulfur smell of dragon's blood hit him in the face.

"Let's start from the beginning. The essence of alchemy is a kind of material science. The so-called alchemical tools are not entirely the products of alchemy. Instead, they are various transformations and creations based on the raw materials produced by alchemy."

The explanation from simple to complex was accompanied by the magical light that lasted for a long time in the room.

As the saying goes, every profession has its specialties, and all-rounders are always rare. Playing to one's strengths and avoiding one's weaknesses is the best choice on the path of a wizard.

-----------------

After lunch, Lynn assigned some self-study tasks to two diligent and studious assistants, then returned to his room and had a good nap. Then he packed up his things slowly and walked towards Dumbledore's office, where he met the headmaster who had also just woken up.

The Eastern Time in the United States is five hours behind that in the United Kingdom. When they arrived at Ilvermorny via the Ministry of Magic's transnational Floo network, it was a little after nine in the morning, the most comfortable and polite time.

This magic school located on the top of Mount Greylock is usually shrouded in a thick fog barrier constructed by magic. It is recognized by the wizarding world as the most open magic school.

No matter whether they are wizards of Muggle origin or half-bloods of magical creatures such as giants and veela, no matter which country or continent these students come from, as long as they have magical qualifications and can pass the selection of the magic statue, they will all be accepted.

The students and teachers here even include a considerable number of Pukchi - the same clan as William, the founder's close friend. They are not only the school's security personnel, but also an important and inseparable part of this extremely inclusive school. Although they are only a minority among the Pukchi, they also have many complaints about their current lives.

In just over three centuries, this magical school, which began as a small stone house, has rapidly become an important international institution of wizarding education, and is considered by many to be the greatest wizarding school ever.

Its school building has also been transformed into a majestic granite castle, as tough and solid as its founder James Stewart, and with the meticulousness and talent of Aesop Thayer.

The snakewood produced by Slytherin's wand grows outside the school, symbolizing the duality of this legendary wizard whose merits and demerits in his long life are difficult to judge, and also symbolizing that his true descendants have crossed the sea and spread out in the distant North American continent.

The place where Lynn and Dumbledore arrived was just outside the castle, and they could just see the tree.

"It is said that the leaves of the snake tree have strong medicinal effects. Have you tried it?" Dumbledore asked with a smile as he looked at the headmaster and professors coming from afar.

"It is indeed useful. I have collected a few pieces. They will not decay or become ineffective. They are a very magical potion material." Lynn nodded and said meaningfully, "Just like that old bald guy in Slytherin, he is still strong even after age."

"Oh?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and was about to say something when he saw the enthusiastic headmaster of Ilvermorny striding over. "Gilbert, we haven't seen each other for two years, right?"

"It's been more than two years. It's almost four years! I didn't go to the last meeting of the Education Department." The old man walked briskly, "My health is not good. I'm thinking about retirement."

This kind of behavior is really not convincing.

Lynn vaguely remembered that this descendant of the first American Auror [Twelve Heroes] Serdad seemed to have worked until 2016 without finding a suitable successor. By then, he would have been almost 150 years old.

Just like a Muggle football coach who keeps shouting about retirement - Lynn complained in his heart, but his face was full of enthusiasm.

Most of the people present had some kind of friendship with him, and even the horned water snake in the mountain lake was given to Ilvermorny by him - after an interesting adventure.

After some pleasantries, the hospitable host took them on a tour of the entire school, from the snake tree outside the entrance, to the lobby with four statues, to the original site of the granite castle - the well-preserved Ilvermorny Cottage.

Although Ilvermorny has a short history, the conservation work has been very thorough. Statues of the two founders, especially the Muggle headmaster James, can be seen everywhere.

He is also the only Muggle wand maker, and many of his works are still in the school waiting for young wizards to choose.

"Come to think of it, Lin En also experienced our branch at that time. If you had accepted the invitation of the Horned Serpent, we would have one more honorary alumnus." Walking on the clumsy rock stairs, Principal Fontana said regretfully.

"How can anyone in their twenties really go to the Sorting House?" Lin En half-jokingly said, "But if I really have to choose, Pukki College might be better. I also like medical magic. Of course, horned water snakes are also good - how are they doing here?"

"They live a more comfortable life than me, the principal. Rachel takes care of them personally, as do the students in the academy. The thunderbirds and cat-leopards in the back hills must envy them." The old principal pointed at the professor who had been very low-key from the beginning and said, "Shall we go and see them after the teaching and research is over?"

"I can't wait any longer, so I'll let Rachel go with me. As you know, I'm not good at teaching seminars."

"You...Okay! Since Headmaster Dumbledore has no objection, you are allowed to skip class. Rachel, entertain our old friends. The banquet will start at noon. Don't talk too much."

"Okay, Principal." The young professor nodded slightly, with a smile between his eyebrows, "I will entertain him well." He came to the corner of the corridor and looked at the students who were playing, "Go this way, Cross and Mia miss you very much."

-----------------

The autumn breeze in the mountains is always cool, and it is most comfortable when it blows your hair slightly.

Walking side by side on the gentle mountain path, with a wide lake not far away, Lynn stretched lazily.

"Long time no see, Regulus, my brother."

Chapter 260 Five Schools Championship

"I haven't heard this name for several years, and it's a bit hard to get used to it at first."

Rachel, or to be more precise, Regulus Black, whose pseudonym is Rachel, said with a hint of emotion.

Ever since he faked his death and escaped with the help of Lin En, he has not returned to his hometown for many years, but has taken root in this strange land.

The badge, mottled by time, gleamed slightly in the sun, revealing a unique number [6].

"How are you doing recently?" he asked softly, "Are Euphemia and the others all right?"

"Everything is fine. Everyone cares about you and asked me to say hello." Lin En said, "You have worked hard over the years. It will be over soon."

"Have you found a way to kill him?" Regulus frowned slightly. "Wouldn't it take a few more years according to the plan?"

"We can show our hand once I defeat Grindelwald," Lynn said confidently. "Although I may not be able to completely destroy him by then, it will be enough to deal with him."

"Green...! Well, you always scare us silently like this."

Regulus felt the magic power rising steadily, and was surprised at first, then he laughed, "I may not go back, this place can't do without me. But I do want to use my real name, the name you gave is too difficult to pronounce."

"That's all the accumulation of literature. I've long told you to cultivate your sentiments."

"I don't think so." Regulus walked to the lake, picked up a stone and threw it into the water, "Cross! Mia! Come out, Lynn is here to see you!"

Ripples appeared on the calm lake surface. In just a moment, the waves were surging and the refreshing water vapor was like a light rain that was just enough to cause a rainbow.

First came a giant snake that was twenty meters long, followed by its mate, which was slightly smaller but equally impressive.

They shuttled across the lake like a speeding train, and then suddenly stopped at the shore. They lowered their huge heads to the left and right, and stopped beside Lin En intimately, making a slight hissing sound.

"I didn't expect you still remembered me? After not seeing you for a few years, you have really changed completely - you were much smaller than you are now, and I could even hug Mia, but now I can only barely hug your heads." Lynn joked, raising his hand to stroke their scales.

The female horned water snake named Mia seemed a little shy and rubbed against Lynn, almost knocking him to the ground.

“…You’re quite strong.” After staggering to his feet, Lynn sighed, “Regulus took good care of you, didn’t he?”

"sizzle"

Cross nodded vigorously and flicked his tail gently. A dozen baby long-horned water snakes emerged from the bottom of the lake and swarmed to the shore.

After not seeing them for a few years, they already have a big family.

"In a few years, more cubs will have to be sent to the reserve. We really can't accommodate so many beautiful big guys here, although the students will probably be reluctant to let them go."

Regulus walked up to the cubs proudly, letting them climb on him and act coquettishly, teasing one or two of them from time to time, appearing to enjoy it, and walked forward with all the "pendants" on his body.

Unlike the inherent aggressiveness and arrogance of the Black family, he prefers a peaceful life. The few years he spent with Lynn and the others further deepened this character and led him to a path different from the existing trajectory.

"You can also bring a few to England when the time comes? Hagrid will definitely want to have some new faces in the Black Lake." Lynn suggested, "How about during the Triwizard Tournament?"

"If Cross and Mia have no objection," Regulus said, "you came here to discuss this matter, right? Principal Fontana will probably give you face. Although he doesn't like this kind of dangerous competition, it should be fine with you here. Since Ilvermorny has been invited, we can't call it the Triwizard Tournament, right?"

"I think so too, so my suggestion is to change it to the [Five Schools Championship]."

"Five schools? Which other schools are there?"

"Castrobushe." Lynn nodded and rubbed Mia's big head vigorously. "Don't you want to know about your brother?"

"...He chose his own path." After a long silence, Regulus' tone was a little heavy. "If possible, I hope you can help him. He is not a bad person after all."

"Since you asked, I naturally have no reason to refuse. Don't worry, your brother will be fine." Lin En let go of his hand and turned to look at the hillside behind him. "It seems that they are really popular."

The blue and rose-red robes were very eye-catching in the sunlight. They were students of Ilvermorny, most of them were young wizards from the Horned Serpent Academy.

During the weekend, they excitedly ran out of the castle to look for the symbol of their college.

-----------------

When the two headmasters finished the meeting which was called a seminar but was actually a negotiation, Lynn and Regulus, who had spent a leisurely morning by the lake with the little wizard and the horned water snake family, also returned in time, and the grand banquet was held in the castle hall as scheduled.

Although it was a rest day, both day students and professors on vacation returned to school on this day.

In the corner of the auditorium, Lynn even saw the extremely old but still energetic old man Pukchi - although he did not admit that he was William who saved Ilvermorny from the brink of destruction three hundred years ago, almost everyone who knew that history knew it.

Principal Egilbert Fontane delivered a passionate speech, expressing his welcome to the colleagues in the education field from Europe in front of all the teachers and students of the school, and led everyone in warm applause to declare the opening of the banquet.

Since the application process for the International Confederation of Wizards to host the event still takes some time, he did not announce the news that Ilvermorny would join this grand event to be held next year, but from the way he glanced at Lin from time to time, it seemed like a sure thing.

This was exactly the reality - as the banquet began, the old principal, holding a glass of wine, walked up to Lynn and clinked glasses with him.

"Rachel, did you have a good chat? It's a rare moment of solitude." The old man said meaningfully, "I know what Dumbledore meant by bringing you here. I decided to accept his invitation and let my European colleagues see the results of our education."

"It's our honor, Gilbert." Lynn drank the wine in the glass and said with a smile, "It's a pity. My students will win all the competitions. I firmly believe in this."

"I'll wait and see, but don't underestimate our young people. They are just as good, even without your magical rune magic." Obviously, this sentence has a clear direction and intention.

Lin En immediately understood what he meant and returned the favor by saying, "If you like, I can teach them this skill next year - if they are willing to join my class. Or I can introduce you to a suitable professor of ancient magic in the future?"

"It's a deal." The old man nodded with satisfaction. "Rachel, please take good care of Lynn for me. I still have to talk to Albus about the [Five Schools Championship] and subsequent cooperation. There are still many things to discuss." He left with a breeze.

"Don't you look like you've aged at all?" Regulus said. "You can eat more than I do in one meal, and you can have a lot of fun playing Quidditch with the kids from Thunderbird. You always feel like a young man."

"I really don't look old. My appetite is still as big as it was back then."

Lynn cut a steak and made a pun.

Chapter 261 Salazar Slytherin's Locket

When discussing activities that affect the interests of the school, even the principal can become petty - like a vendor in a market.

For the two centenarians, finalizing every detail was a long tug-of-war, and neither of them was willing to give in. After all, this was related to the honor of the school and could not be decided in just a few words.

While everyone above was busy, Lin En had some free time.

As soon as the banquet was over, he started his plan to visit friends accompanied by Regulus - using a cocktail party after the banquet.

Although he had traveled to the United States several times in the past six months and was not far from Ilvermorny, he never had the opportunity to visit, which was a pity.

With this opportunity, he can finally take some time to communicate and exchange feelings.

The drinking table is often the place where people become familiar with each other the fastest. After a few drinks, the atmosphere suddenly becomes warm.

Not only did he meet old friends, he also got to know several new professors who had only come to work at Ilvermorny in recent years, and heard a lot of unknown news from them.

For example, the Magical Congress, and the whereabouts of those [Apostles] who made them so anxious.

The locals always have much more information than those who are far away in a foreign country.

This is also one of the purposes of his trip.

-----------------

Nine o'clock in the evening, in the castle guest room.

After a busy day - nearly two days considering the time difference - Lynn and Regulus sat in the room, each holding a cup of tea.

The protective magic that Lin En personally arranged protected the entire room perfectly. Not to mention that walls have ears, even an ant could not run in from any corner.

"You are still so cautious." Regulus smiled gently.

"It's always better to be careful wherever that crooked-nosed old man hangs out." Lin En said solemnly, and added a magic to prevent eavesdropping on the door. He then breathed a sigh of relief, "Especially for something as crucial as this."

"You were against using Fiendfyre to destroy it then. Is there a better way now?" Regulus asked. He didn't know about the Ravenclaw crown yet, or even the curse of Helper - for safety reasons, their contact was reduced to a minimum.

Apart from Principal Fontana, no one else in Ilvermorny knew his true identity for many years.

Even within the Stargazers, less than a dozen people knew that he was not dead, and the only two people who knew his whereabouts were Lynn and Euphemia, who had personally arranged the matter.

This is top secret and is also a protection for heroes who have made outstanding contributions.

After ensuring safety, Lin En did not intend to hide anything from him. He directly took out the silver-white metal box from the magic bracelet, placed it neatly in front of him, and muttered something while holding the magic wand.

After a spell longer than Helbo's Wrath was recited, bright magic power began to flow through the box, making waves of metal clashing sounds, dismantling dozens of locks made by alchemy and removing all the sealing magic outside.

At the moment when the last spell was lifted, dark magic power escaped from the box, triggering Regulus' not-so-good memories.

"The dark magic on it seems to be more evil than before."

"Just because there's more than just one thing in there, although it does become more sinister."

"?"

Regulus blinked in surprise, but Lynn opened the lid without hesitation.

For a moment, the thick darkness seemed to escape, but was blocked by an invisible barrier.