"Is this... is this?"
Maka smashed Hermione's bezoar—no, to be more precise, he actually smashed open the "bezoar shell" surrounding it.
But what was displayed in front of everyone at this moment was a gem that fell in the middle of a table of black and yellow pieces.
Right now, under the illumination of many candlelights in the auditorium, the translucent gemstone was shining with a dark red color that made people feel quite heavy.
"It's the Philosopher's Stone!"
Hermione finally called out the name of the gem involuntarily.
Back then, when they were all first-year students, Harry, Ron and Hermione broke into the gate that protected the Philosopher's Stone for various reasons.
On the way, Ron was unconscious and Harry was injured. Only Hermione stopped Harry who was trying to step forward at the last moment and took the initiative to walk into the last room.
Although after a battle of wits and courage with Professor Quirrell who was possessed by Voldemort, Hermione was still unable to prevent Voldemort from obtaining the Sorcerer's Stone, and even almost sank to the bottom of the cold water and suffocated to death.
But there is no doubt that the only one among everyone present who has seen the Philosopher's Stone with her own eyes, apart from Maka who finally worked with Dumbledore to save the situation, is Hermione.
However, when Hermione said the name of this red gem, which surprised everyone, Maka picked it up and examined it carefully:
"Hermione, for once you made a mistake...this is not the Sorcerer's Stone."
"No?" Hermione immediately wondered, "I saw it very clearly in the last level in the first grade. This is indeed what I saw at that time. Although there was a real one and a fake one at that time, but They all look exactly the same.”
"Well, but," Maka raised her head and said, "Do you remember what Professor Dumbledore mentioned to us? After discussing with Nico Flamel, he and Nico Flamel destroyed the Sorcerer's Stone - so this A stone can no longer be called a 'magic stone'."
As he spoke, he put the dark red gemstone in front of his eyes and looked at it. The translucent red interior was full of extremely fine cracks and turbidity.
This masterpiece of alchemy, which is said to be able to connect matter and spirit, has long lost its unique and wonderful astonishing effects.
"So," Ron tilted his head and said hesitantly, "Why did Dumbledore give the broken Sorcerer's Stone to Hermione?"
"I've been thinking about this issue since just now," Maka said, playing with the stone. "However, I'm afraid I won't be able to figure it out for a while... I only know that even if the magic stone is broken, it must be broken." It’s of high value.”
After saying that, he put down the damaged magic stone and reached out to take the small glass bottle that Ron had just handed over halfway but placed in the middle of the table for some reason.
Like Hermione's bezoar, this small glass bottle was also strung with a thin silver chain. And judging from the results of Maka's original inspection, the small amount of dust in the glass bottle was undoubtedly the embers left after Phoenix Fox was reborn from the ashes.
But this time, Maka didn't find anything abnormal from it - it was just a handful of ashes.
"Here," he handed the glass bottle back to Ron and said immediately, "Although I still can't understand Dumbledore's intention, there is no harm in carrying it... remember to hang it around your neck!"
"Maka," Neville, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly asked curiously after hearing Maka's words, "When you saw Professor Dumbledore in the Room of Requirement, didn't you ask him directly?"
Neville felt that with Maka's thoughtful thinking, he should have thought of asking Dumbledore himself as soon as he saw him.
Hermione, who also understood this, further recalled what Maka had said - he said that the time that "Dumbledore" could exist at that time was actually very short.
However, neither of them knew that the situation in the Room of Requirement was actually much more complicated than they imagined.
In fact, Maka lied.
…
"...The Sorting Hat was originally Godric Gryffindor's wizard hat, and later, it was endowed with wisdom for reasons we don't know. We all know that it can distinguish people's thoughts, And the reason why it can do that is because it can also touch people's hearts."
In the Room of Requirement, Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat on Harry's head while explaining to Maka, who was standing on the other side of Harry.
After briefly mentioning the Sorting Hat's ability, he then continued:
"So, when we put the Sorting Hat on Harry's head, it can help us continue to call Harry so that he can get rid of the confusion that comes from the sword as much as possible."
Judging from what Dumbledore said, he actually didn't know much about the rules and runes.
Once upon a time, Dumbledore, like Maka, was also exposed to Rowena's test. However, he didn't seem to continue half-actively and half-forced like Maka, but chose to give up very early.
After that, Dumbledore's magical journey gradually took a completely different path.
After Maka heard him mention the so-called "confusion originating from the sword", she knew that what he was talking about was an influence of the soul rules.
Just like the Bewitched Monument, the Devouring Mirror, and the cursed substance in the blood of the Blois family, when there is no restraint, it will cause quite terrible disasters.
The Sword of Gryffindor that Harry was holding in his hand was essentially the same.
But at least, the 'confusion' of the Sword of Gryffindor is much easier to control than the influence of the other three sources of disaster.
It's a pity that this is just Maka's judgment alone - although he seems to have never had anyone to discuss these matters with.
"What I just said is the first step to help Harry."
Dumbledore said, gently taking away the hand on Harry's head, and then continued:
"As for the second step, although it's a pity, I really can't help much... Maka, take out your wand! Maybe you are the only one who can keep Harry going through this step." The final road.”
"oh?"
Maka did not hesitate. As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, he waved and took out his staff.
But after that, he said:
"Professor Dumbledore, you mean... Harry needs to rely on fighting to get rid of confusion and find his true heart?"
The power of Gryffindor's sword comes from part of the rules of the soul. Judging from Maka's research so far, similar to the "arrogance" he has understood so far, what Harry wants to master may be "anger".
Controllable anger can increase momentum and stimulate potential, but out-of-control anger can drive people into madness and even tear apart everything in front of them.
Thinking about it this way, it may be natural to fight Harry who is out of control and wait for him to find his true self.
But after Maka expressed her thoughts, Dumbledore silently shook his head.
"Yes, that's one of the reasons, but it's not the main reason," he said. "I have to tell you, this room could actually be damaged."
In other words, Maka's mission is not to help Harry at all, but to prevent him from breaking through the obstacles in the Room of Requirement and rushing outside to cause harm to Hogwarts.
Speaking of which, if we only look at Harry's many past performances, even when he is out of control, he can only be regarded as an enhanced version of Muggle with an extremely sharp blade and extra strength and speed. That’s all.
As long as they are not defenseless, even if an ordinary wizard is attacked, they may not be able to escape from it.
But this time today, even Maka knew that if Harry lost control, he would inevitably burst out with much more powerful power than before.
But if you want to damage this Room of Requirement... Let's not mention the strength of this room's defensive magic. Its characteristics alone can support its continuous self-repair.
Maka, who had experimented with the cooling rule runes many times here, knows this very well.
Maka did not argue with Dumbledore, but held the staff in her hand tighter. Because he understands that Dumbledore cannot be aimless.
Perhaps seeing the change in Maka's demeanor, Dumbledore on the opposite side also nodded slightly.
"Maka," he said with a kind smile as usual, "I don't know what kind of tests and problems the four founders have left for us younger generations, but I know that it will definitely be an extremely difficult road. .”
"Back then, I was unable to continue from the beginning, and once upon a time, I was inspired by you and selfishly left the school that has been with me all my life."
"So, as of now, I can only serve as a 'senior' and provide you with some insignificant help on the path you choose to take -"
Having said this, Dumbledore patted Harry's shoulder, who was still immersed in Gryffindor's sword, and then said to Maka solemnly:
"Lead Harry and the others to you! It's too difficult to do it alone!"
Dumbledore's words were probably not just spoken as "a senior", but also as a "passer" who had also been on the journey of magic, to give Maka a heartfelt warning.
To be honest, Dumbledore was not a very frank person, and he always kept many things in his own heart.
And now, walking alone on the edge of death in that void, will he regret his choice
Judging from what Dumbledore said now, it's really hard to draw a conclusion.
But can Maka accept Dumbledore's warning