July 1991, Austria.
A uniquely designed European-style villa sits on the shore of Lake Mondsee.
The dark blue bricks and carvings on the walls all speak of the villa's antiquity.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the face of a blond, blue-eyed boy, creating shimmering patterns.
The scene of the boy holding a book emitting a bluish-black mist in one hand and a magic wand with strange horizontal ridges in the other exuded an eerie atmosphere.
A green light flashed, and a smile appeared on the boy's face.
[Congratulations, host, on mastering the dark magic: Imperius Curse, and obtaining the achievement: Candidate for Azkaban]
[Achievement Points Reward: 100]
"System, view the talent panel!"
The boy's clear voice rang out, and the next second, a virtual data panel appeared in front of him.
[Charms: 100]
[Potion Mastery: 100]
Dark Arts: 99
Transfiguration: 100
Alchemy: 100
Divination: 100
[Current remaining points: 112. Achievement points can be used to redeem talents (each redemption of talents with 95 or more points requires 100 points) or for the lottery.]
Points can be earned by achieving milestones and completing system tasks.
Hearing the notification in his mind, the boy breathed a sigh of relief: "Six years... I'm finally going to max out my talent points!"
The boy's name was Argus, Argus Grindelwald.
Strictly speaking, he was not from this world. When he transmigrated, he was just an infant who was abandoned outside an orphanage.
He thought he had been reborn until he was five years old when his magic surged, activating the system, and he was then brought before Gellert Grindelwald by the acolytes. Only then did he realize the truth.
He found himself in the world of Harry Potter and became the last surviving member of the Grindelwald family.
In his previous life, Argus was quite familiar with this magical world, and the various wondrous spells filled him with longing.
But when he traveled through time, he discovered that the real magical world was far from the wonderful thing he had imagined.
Especially as a descendant of Grindelwald!
The Ministry of Magic, the acolytes, International Confederation of Wizards... too many eyes are on him.
If it weren't for the fear of Grindelwald's rampage, he probably would have died countless times already.
Unlike his predecessors who had traveled through time, Argus did not choose to show off his abilities or improve his strength as soon as possible after confirming his safety.
Instead, he kept a low profile and accumulated points through various means until today.
"System, exchange for Dark Magic talent!"
[Skill point allocation successful. Host's current Dark Magic level: 100]
He had just finished adding points when another notification popped up.
[Host's talent has been maxed out. Achievement obtained: Future Master of Dark Magic]
[Achievement Acquired: Perfect Magical Genius]
[Achievement Points Reward: 200]
"It's time to consider coming out of seclusion. Before that, I'll do my first lottery draw."
Upon opening the lottery interface, countless card packs appeared before Argus.
He randomly selected two, and accompanied by a dull white glow, a system notification sounded.
[Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Spell - Legilimency (Level 2)]
[Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Dark Magic - Fiendfyre (Level 3)]
"Legilimency? Fiendfyre?" Argus was speechless.
"With one of these two, there's a spell we could try..."
...
Outside the door, crisp footsteps sounded.
An elegant woman dressed in a dark green robe walked slowly towards him.
Vinda Rosier, a black rose that blooms in France and never fades.
Her jet-black hair, emerald eyes, and noble and elegant demeanor captivated countless people.
Her extraordinary abilities allow her to retain the appearance and demeanor of her youth, even at the age of over ninety.
"What's wrong, Vinda?"
Argus put down his wand and turned to look.
Vinda Rosier looked worried.
"Little Argus, have you forgotten? Today is your eleventh birthday!"
"Birthday?"
Argus paused for a moment, then looked enlightened.
When Grindelwald adopted Argus, he commanded the acolytes that Argus would inherit the entire group of acolytes on the day he turned eleven.
However, due to his principle of keeping a low profile and lying low over the years, Argus has not shown any outstanding performance, and even within the acolytes, many people look down on him.
The day has finally come.
The acolytes clearly did not want him to be Gellert's successor.
Although Argus was Grindelwald's adopted son, the Acolytes' loyalty was always to Gellert!
In their hearts, only Gellert could lead them to accomplish the great cause they had striven for back then!
To put it nicely, they felt that Argus was too young to carry the banner of the acolytes.
To put it bluntly, they just don't like him!
Thinking of this, Argus's expression gradually became serious: "Vinda, is there something you want to say to me?"
Vinda Rosier took a deep breath: "Abernathy and I have considered this. The acolytes are currently fragmented, and reintegrating them won't be easy, especially considering their attitude towards you..."
"So you want me to give up, right, Vinda?" Before Vinda could finish speaking, Argus interrupted her.
"I know you mean well, but I refuse!"
Vinda Rosier's expression froze, as if she hadn't expected Argus to refuse so decisively.
"I am of Grindelwald's blood, personally taught by you and Gellert, and I carry on the unfinished work you left behind!" Argus stood up from his chair, his tone firm: "If I choose to back down today, I will lose not only the expectations of the acolytes, but also my future courage."
"From this day forward, I will never have the chance to return here again!"
Vinda Rosier hesitated for a long while before slowly speaking: "But you should know that today's gathering is far too high-profile. The Ministry of Magic will not let this opportunity to wipe us out slip by. From what I know, there are..."
"Trust me, Vinda!"
Argus wore a confident smile and looked directly at Vinda Rosier.
Even the Thunderbird will one day leave its parents' embrace.
"Moreover, disasters are the norm, and they happen one after another."
"If I can't even handle this little thing, it just proves that I'm nothing special!"
Silence.
The room fell silent.
Vinda Rosier stared intently at the boy before her, and for some reason, the image in her eyes gradually blurred.
A figure she had longed for seemed to be merging with him.
The same blond hair and blue eyes, the same elegance and confidence, the same overflowing talent.
In a daze, she seemed to return to that cemetery and see the blue flame dragon circling over Paris.
When Vinda Rosier came to her senses and looked at Argus again, her eyes already held a hint of a smile.
"Don't let me down, little Grindelwald."
In the distance, countless black ribbons were fluttering in the sky.
A graceful smile appeared on Argus's face. He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
"For the greater good!"