https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-966-The-Method-to-Crack-the-Resurrection-Stone/13454953/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-968-I-Already-Have-Everything-I-Want-It-s-Right-Here-/13454955/
Chapter 967: I Already Have the Best Friend!
Chapter 967: I Already Have the Best Friend!
How is this possible?
Ivan stared in disbelief at the two figures before him, his entire body numb.
They were clearly separated by two different worlds; how could they suddenly appear here?
This is fake, this is fake... Ivan kept reminding himself, his Occlumency slowly taking effect. But the scene before him did not fade away; everything seemed disturbingly real.
"Xiao Yun..." The middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes spoke first, the familiar voice and name making Ivan feel a deep sense of nostalgia.
"Are you doing well? Since you left, your father and I have missed you so much..." The apparition of his mother from his previous life slowly approached, extending a hand and speaking to him with a gentle tone, her eyes filled with loving affection.
Ivan couldn't help but take a step back, avoiding the hand reaching for his cheek, his gaze involuntarily shifting to Orlando and the others standing behind them.
They seemed to have known his identity all along, but they didn't seem to mind, merely smiling at the long-awaited reunion.
Perhaps sensing Ivan's silence, his mother pursed her lips and asked, somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong, Xiao Yun? Are you not happy to see us?"
"No, it's just... I'm too happy", Ivan said, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find words, his mind a blank.
The moment he saw them, he understood how to break the magic of the Resurrection Stone, but a deep unease gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.
This was precisely what he feared the most, what he was least willing to face...
If his identity as a time traveler was exposed, how would his family and friends react?
Would they accept him as his parents and the apparitions did, or would they be furious, believing he had deceived them?
Would Asia accept him, or would they become enemies...
Ivan didn't know, and he didn't want to face that situation. That was why he had been diligently practicing Occlumency, hoping to bury his past memories deep within his mind, never to be unearthed.
Now, the scar on his soul had been torn open by the Resurrection Stone, forcing him to confront his deepest fears, while simultaneously showing him the most beautiful vision.
The only way to break the illusion was to face the harsh reality...
Ivan's hand trembled as he clutched the Resurrection Stone, knowing he would likely never be able to overcome this illusion, just like Dumbledore.
Never...
...
Deep into the night, at Nottwood Manor, Ivan, exhausted after spending over four hours alone on the cliff, walked in through the door, the scenes from earlier replaying in his mind.
To truly use the Resurrection Stone, he had finally revealed the false nature of the apparitions, only to be met with endless malice.
Apart from his parents from his previous life, Dumbledore, Nicolas Flamel, and Orlando, everyone he knew was brought to life by the Resurrection Stone.
Hermione's harsh words and Asia's look of despair, anger, and disbelief were deeply etched into his heart, forcing Ivan to shut off the Resurrection Stone and end the experience prematurely.
"Things didn't go well, did they, Ivan?" As Ivan stepped through the door, a ethereal voice drifted over.
Ivan turned to see Luna, who, contrary to his expectations, was not asleep but sitting in a chair by the fireplace, holding Xenophilius's notebook, seemingly waiting for him.
A warm feeling surged in Ivan’s heart as he explained softly, "Your guess was right. Death, or rather the creator, did indeed leave a similar kind of Magic on the Resurrection Stone. Cracking it won’t be easy."
"You’ll figure it out, you always do", Luna added with confidence.
Ivan gave a wry smile. Young witches still had so much faith in him, but this time, it might be beyond his capabilities. The Resurrection Stone had the power to manifest the deepest fears and desires of one’s heart. Even if a person knew it was an illusion, they couldn’t resist it.
Ivan even regretted a bit about his decision to snatch the Resurrection Stone from Nicolas Flamel’s Tomb and fight Grindelwald for it. If he hadn’t, Grindelwald would be the one facing this problem now.
Who knows, maybe the stubborn Dark Lord would have been so moved by the illusion of Dumbledore that he would have taken his own life?
That would have been a happy ending for everyone...
Ivan couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the thought, but then he remembered the Luna conjured by the Resurrection Stone, who kept questioning him. A shadow passed over his face.
"What’s wrong?" The young witches, ever perceptive, noticed Ivan’s emotional shift and asked curiously.
Ivan hesitated for a long moment before carefully asking, "Would you mind if I kept some bad things from you, Luna?"
The young witches looked at Ivan blankly, seemingly not quite grasping what he meant.
"Like, for example, if I took away your other friends..." Ivan tried to illustrate. "Imagine if I was a very jealous person and only wanted you as my friend... so I drove away everyone else who tried to get close to you!"
The young witches thought about it for a moment and then shook her head.
"That doesn’t matter..." Luna said softly.
"It doesn’t?" Ivan was somewhat surprised.
"It’s fine now... I already have my best friend!" Luna looked at Ivan and spoke with genuine sincerity.
Ivan’s tense expression gradually relaxed at the young witches’ gentle words. He suddenly realized that things might not be as bad as he had imagined.
However, Ivan still didn’t intend to reveal anything. After a brief laugh, he urged Luna to get some rest, reminding her that staying up late wasn’t good for her.
The next morning, everything returned to normal. Xenophilius enthusiastically called out to Ivan and Luna to try his signature Colorful Ball Fish Soup. Under the effect of the Memory Charm, Xenophilius had completely forgotten about Ivan showing him the Resurrection Stone, only remembering that they had a pleasant conversation.
Ivan gave Luna an apologetic look, then finished his meal quickly before heading back to the cliff to continue trying to break the Magic on the Resurrection Stone.
After two days of constant attempts, Ivan had learned to stay calm in the face of the illusions’ harsh words, but he still couldn’t activate the true power of the Resurrection Stone.
Holding the Diamond Crystal in his hand, Ivan sighed. He realized he hadn’t managed to untie this Heart Knot.
On the afternoon of the third day, after dinner, Ivan was about to Apparate as usual when Luna stopped him. The young witches, unusually, made a request.
"Can you come with me to a place, Ivan?"
(End of Chapter)
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