Chapter 259: Handover, True Name Ceremony, and Lost Again
On the return journey, to ensure no accidents occurred on the road, Aiden used Apparition all the way back to the Scottish Highlands with the three.
Outside Hogwarts' suspension bridge, Aiden felt like he was coming home with obvious relief.
"Aiden!" came four voices in unison.
The four founders came up and surrounded Aiden with obvious excitement.
"Stop, one at a time!" Aiden said, decisively having them line up.
"What magic exactly did you use at Goblin Hill?" Salazar asked, being the most anxious and also asking on behalf of the other three.
"Magic I created myself, composed of two parts. One involves the transformation of material essence; the other is just an ordinary Growing Charm," Aiden explained patiently.
"The Growing Charm that makes crops grow bigger?!?" Lady Helga exclaimed with obvious shock.
"Essence..." Lady Rowena pondered thoughtfully.
Due to the generational gap in magic they used, ancient wizards actually found it very difficult to achieve such fine control... unless they were four geniuses.
Understanding this, Godric immediately cast a Transfiguration spell on the chair before him.
Under his spell, the chair transformed into flames.
"Matter to energy, then back to matter!" Lady Rowena said, also catching on.
She waved her wand at the flames, and they turned back into a chair.
Helga and Salazar on the side also understood the principle of this magic.
Suddenly, the four research fanatics realised they had directly asked for someone else's magic and learnt it on the spot.
"Aiden, sorry, we can guarantee with an oath that this magic won't be leaked," Lady Rowena said with obvious guilt.
"It doesn't matter. Learning this magic requires extremely high prerequisites anyway. I'd rather hope more people could master it," Aiden said, clasping his hands together.
"Alright, news of your return has spread. The Council's people should already be on their way," Godric said, coming over and pulling Aiden along.
Aiden was led by Godric to his office, and indeed, Council representatives were already waiting in his office.
"Mr. Aiden, long time no greeting. I am the Council's messenger, Alphalake Burke."
Alphalake Burke had completely forgotten their previous encounter and stood up to greet him familiarly.
"Hello," Aiden said, maintaining a businesslike manner, while Godric covered his mouth to suppress laughter.
"Since you've retrieved the treasure, please come with us to headquarters. The True Name ceremony is also ready to be completed," Alphalake Burke said, extending the invitation.
"Very well, I'll go find the people I need to bring," Aiden said with a nod.
"Please go ahead!" Alphalake said, bowing slightly.
Aiden pulled out his staff, white light shining from its tip as a dragon-shaped Patronus flew out.
"I didn't expect your Patronus to be so unique. It reminds me of the Dumbledore family," Alphalake said, coming up to make conversation.
"They indeed have unique research into magical creature bloodlines," Aiden said, casually responding to Alphalake.
Soon, Salazar walked in with Iris, Sean, and Elvis.
"Mr. Aiden, isn't this too many people? If I remember correctly, you should only have three slots," Alphalake said with a frown, especially when he saw someone who made him feel disgusted... Elvis Prewett.
"That's correct. I'm only going to do stability work for the ceremony, and the three having their true names inscribed are my three disciples," Aiden explained.
"What!" came three voices in shock.
"No, teacher, we can't so shamelessly take your slots," Elvis said, jumping out to protest.
Iris and Sean beside him also nodded in agreement.
"It's not taking them. My true name cannot be inscribed anywhere," Aiden said, showing a mysterious smile.
Looking at the dragon horns on Aiden's head, the trio immediately thought of Lord Visionary and fell silent.
"Your decision is fine. After all, they're your slots."
Alphalake's tone carried a hint of sourness, while he also curled his lip disdainfully.
In the sky, several carriages pulled by Thestrals descended gracefully.
The group boarded the carriages and were taken to the Wizards' Council.
At the Council, many wizards were already waiting in the venue, apparently all wizards who had come to participate in the ceremony.
A white-haired old wizard stepped forward and read out various matters to the crowd with official authority.
Aiden took the opportunity to quietly ask Salazar, "Why aren't the other three participating in this ceremony?"
"Because they don't care about inheritance. They're freer than I am. Aiden, you must be that kind of person too," Salazar said with some emotion.
But Aiden, who knew his own situation, awkwardly lowered his head.
The old wizard on stage finished reading, and other ceremony participants walked into the alchemical matrix.
"Sir, thank you," the three said, bowing to Aiden with obvious gratitude.
Aiden stepped forward and handed Avalon's control core to the old wizard. He nodded and placed the trio inside.
Aiden retreated to the edge of the alchemical matrix when a middle-aged man in white-gold robes suddenly appeared behind him.
"Quite magnificent, isn't it?" the man said to Aiden.
"You are?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, let me introduce myself. We're wizards of the Mental faction, and I'm the president of the Mental Alchemy Association. Just call me President," the president said, extending his hand.
An extremely familiar scoundrel aura hit him in the face, and for a moment several faces actually flashed before Aiden's eyes.
"Is shamelessness a prerequisite for exploring the mind?" Aiden murmured with obvious suspicion.
"If you put it that way, there's actually some truth to it," the president said, analysing seriously instead.
"So what exactly are you trying to achieve with all this elaborate True Name ceremony?" Aiden asked, now realising things weren't simple.
"Sigh, actually the Deep Realm has begun stirring again. We need more power to help us suppress it. These wizard families have enormous influence in the real world. By borrowing their power, we can better stabilise the Deep Realm. Actually this ceremony was agreed upon by everyone. Right now it's not just Britain holding this ceremony," the president said, calmly revealing shocking secrets.
"Though borrowing their power brings them closer to the Deep Realm Kings, they can also reap benefits, can't they?" the president said, winking at Aiden.
"Heh, like being more easily swept up by prophecies?" Aiden said with obvious sneering.
"But also easier inheritance and easier access to power and wealth. Everything has two sides... good comes with bad," the president said calmly.
Suddenly, the surrounding ground began turning to gold. Aiden immediately aimed his staff at the first spot that turned golden.
The goblin king jumped out from within, saying, "Haha, you garbage wizards never expected this!"
Then he received Aiden's warm welcome... a thick purple lightning bolt swallowed the goblin king.
But gold flowed under Alphalake, and spikes shot toward him, severing the hand holding Avalon's core.
The goblin king was burnt to charcoal, but the next moment, his shadow emerged from the gold again.
Stuffing the control core into his mouth and swallowing it, the goblin king quickly fled with obvious triumph.