NABC Chapter 62 Tell me, Dumbledore, who is better than you?
Chapter 62 Tell me, Dumbledore, who is better than you?
Ares was unwilling to be the public relations ambassador for the Ministry of Magic, but Cornelius Fudge eventually managed to get him a Merlin Medal... even though Ares wasn't interested in it.
Dumbledore still held a small celebration for Ares in a small room in front of the Great Hall.
After all, this is the Order of Merlin, First Class!
Having it is equivalent to having a noble status like that of a pure-blood descendant, and it is the key to entering the upper class of the entire European wizarding world!
Every time the Order of Merlin, First Class, is awarded, it attracts numerous media outlets across Europe to report on it, and the recipient receives admiring glances wherever he goes.
For example, right now—
Ares was fiddling with the medal in his hand...
This was a gold medal, the front bearing the image of Merlin as people imagined him, while the back simply described the reason Ares received the award... He was surprised that the prestigious Order of Merlin, First Class, wasn't made of pure 24K gold, and didn't notice the people around him—even Professor McGonagall...
After Ares officially received the medal, the way he looked at him was filled with a hint of respect.
"Tsk—is that all, Minister? And Professor Dumbledore, can we go back for dinner now?"
"You say it's over, and it's over, Ares—"
Dumbledore said with a smile,
"You are the protagonist."
"I've never seen an award ceremony this cold..."
Today, the Minister of Magic, dressed in a fitted purple striped coat, had lost his affable smile. His critical gaze swept over the small room.
"To deal with...of course, dear Ares, as Dumbledore said, you are the protagonist, since you don't want to be in the limelight..."
"So, would you like to stay for lunch, Connelly? Seriously, the desserts at lunchtime today were really good; it would be a shame to miss them."
"Oh, thank you for your kindness, Dumbledore... Well, I'm not hungry yet, and I'm afraid I don't have the time... Of course, you can go and have some dessert first—"
Cornelius Fudge put away his lingering satisfaction.
His shrewd little eyes glanced at Dumbledore, then he turned to Ares with a friendly expression, affectionately patting Ares on the shoulder.
"Before I leave, I'd like to have a few more words with our young hero wizard."
Ah, haha, it's just to build rapport. After all, I don't think anyone would deny that this outstanding young man standing before us is a rising star with limitless potential... You wouldn't refuse, would you, dear Ares?"
Ares noticed the hint of helplessness in Dumbledore's deep blue eyes and smiled inwardly.
It's not hard to guess what the minister is thinking... He's probably still figuring out how to present himself as the hero who saved hundreds of students on camera, and casually mention the Ministry of Magic's efficient crisis response.
"Of course, no problem, Your Excellency—"
Ares smiled softly, as if reciting a poem.
"Ah, Professor Dumbledore, since the minister wishes to speak with us... perhaps we could postpone our thoughts of your desserts until later?"
"nature."
Dumbledore first gestured to the other faculty and staff that they could go have lunch, and then calmly looked at Ares.
Years have passed, and this young man has changed a lot... but some signs are still visible, and he hasn't changed much from back then.
For example, it can be seen from his leadership of the student demonstrations a month ago that when Ares decides to do something, he often acts in an extreme and reckless manner.
For example, right now—
Ares must have figured out what Fudge wanted to talk to him about... Any young wizard he knew probably wouldn't refuse the Minister of Magic's repeated requests, after all, under the authority of power, a household name wizarding star could be created in a very short time.
But Ares just not willing... preferring to drag himself into it to shut Connelly up... just like his behavior of hiding his true grades back in school.
Cornelius Fudge wasn't very good at hiding his feelings; he agreed rather reluctantly.
"Alright, Ares, since you insist... then—let's go together, Dumbledore—shall we talk somewhere else? The students eating outside are making a racket!"
"What do you think of my office, Connelly?"
"Oh, that's not necessary... we were just chatting—let's go outside, Dumbledore."
Fudge said.
So, the three of them walked through the auditorium and came to the outside of the castle under the students' awe and curiosity.
Smoke rose from Hagrid's cabin, which was situated on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The three of them did not go that way, but instead crossed the area and came to the lakeside.
The willows in October, their crisp green leaves exuding a sense of powerlessness, also foreshadow the approaching cold winter.
The fresh air and the shimmering lake under the azure sky seemed to ease the Minister of Magic's gloomy mood. Instead of clumsily stating his purpose, he looked at Ares with a kind and approachable smile.
"So, Hogwarts now has two wizards who have received the Order of Merlin, First Class. Hmm, that will certainly help enhance the international influence of this magic school!"
Ares responded to the compliment with a humble smile. He looked at Fudge, and out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Dumbledore, who was walking on the other side of Fudge. His old and calm face made a thought suddenly flash through his mind.
"I got here entirely by luck, Minister, unlike Professor Dumbledore—"
Ares said with a smile
"What was the description of Chocolate Frog again—defeated the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945; discovered twelve uses for dragon blood; and made remarkable achievements in alchemy with his partner Nicolas Flamel... Oh, seriously, Professor Dumbledore, looking at the entire world, in the contemporary wizarding world, is there any wizard whose magical skills surpass yours?"
"Ah, that's true—"
To avoid causing Dumbledore any trouble later, Fudge smiled and added a compliment.
"Dumbledore's academic achievements are beyond question."
"I wouldn't dare boast that I know all the magical knowledge—"
Albus Dumbledore smiled calmly at their compliments.
"Take Hogwarts for example. I could never get along with magical creatures like Hagrid; Professor Snape's expertise in potions is beyond my reach; Professor McGonagall's unique insights into Transfiguration in recent years have broadened my horizons... not to mention Madam Pomfrey's healing expertise and Madam Hooch's skill in riding flying broomsticks—"
Magical knowledge is a boundless ocean, and I would never dare claim to possess it all by myself.
Dumbledore's reply was exactly what Fudge had expected.
The Minister of Magic smiled and shook his head.
"You're just being modest, Dumbledore."
"A very standard answer, Professor Dumbledore—"
Ares chuckled softly.
"But you haven't answered my question yet..."
Have it?
Of all the people you know, is there a wizard whose magical skills surpass yours?