Chapter 25: Dumbledore's Restraint

Crowds often have a certain trait:
After a long period of awkwardness, a small cough can trigger a lively discussion.
The house-elf quickly tidied up the table while the wizard continued to scold him for his sluggishness, and the on-the-go interview was able to continue.
Everyone's expression remained unchanged, as if nothing had just happened.
“This is really embarrassing,”
A loud voice rang out in the hall, and Roman looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a bundle of bright colors.
Looking closely, he realized it was an old man dressed in a loose and sleeveless robe, but the colors were very eye-catching.
He walked up to the podium and confidently took Agimbaud's nameplate from the hands of the house-elf, moving it aside without hesitation. Then, carefully placing Dumbledore's nameplate in the center, he did so openly and boldly.
"But young people, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. In front of Dumbledore, we must maintain enough humility."
He patted the wizard's shoulder and the other person nodded in excitement, speaking a string of words in a language that Roman couldn't understand.
But there was one word everyone could hear clearly - Ajinkya.
Ajinkya was clearly a master at controlling the atmosphere, attracting everyone's attention with just a few words and even telling jokes.
"He went to the professor and cried with his mouth wide open."
"I had no choice but to tell the professor, 'I just waved my hand, I never intended to dislocate his jaw."'
Amid a burst of hearty laughter, his two proud disciples and the gold medal winner had arrived in front of him.
"Very good, very good."
In Abinav's eyes, Roman detected a sense of familiarity and recognition.
The former acquaintance comes from Slaughorn, who takes pleasure in treating younger generations as collectibles.
The latter acquaintance comes from politicians who deal with each other year-round, in which human evil is the source of pleasure.
"There are many branches of alchemy, but the official definition now is -"
"Alchemy is a branch of magic and an ancient science. It studies the composition, structure and magical properties of the four basic elements, as well as the transmutation of matter."
Akimbade pulled two young men to his side, standing on his left and right, and then fluently answered the reporter's questions.
"Maybe I should work harder on alchemy."
Looking at the excitement on the stage, Bill said with a hint of regret.
At Hogwarts, only sixth and seventh year students who meet the requirements can choose to study Alchemy.
But at that time, Bill was about to graduate and loved adventure, how could he bear to stay still and study Alchemy.
"You're right, but I don't think the Weasley family needs so many inventors."
Roman thought about how much the twins could improve after the new library was in operation, and planned to observe a moment of silence for the students of Hogwarts in advance.
"So you mean the Duru brothers will also participate in this competition?"
Underneath, Rita's affected voice rang out. It was proven that her output was a habit, regardless of the occasion.
"We welcome all eligible people to apply."
"Ajinkabe is well versed in the art of speaking, and can deflect attention from important matters."
"It seems like they have everything under control and are rewarding themselves."
Bill sighed and patted Roman on the shoulder.
"That's true, it's our own home game, there's no logic for outsiders to get prizes."
Roman shrugged and responded casually.
He didn't think his alchemy would lose to the cheerful Duru brothers on stage.
It was just magic – his wand twitched slightly in his sleeve, but unfortunately remained still in the end.
He still had to rely on the magic fire provided by Dumbledore.
"So I've been coming less and less,"
Arthas Caocao Said as Dumbledore walked up to them, without attracting any attention from the people around.
No one turned their head, and no one even heard him speak.
"You should be up there," Bill whispered, expressing his thoughts.
But Dumbledore paid no attention, picking up the crystal cup that the house-elf had just brought to the long table.
A little elf, confused and perplexed, remained at the table, unsure why one of the drinks they had just set down had suddenly disappeared.
"It seems the issue with the wayward ball has been resolved?"
Roman did not believe that even a household pet like a little elf could stump Dumbledore with a wayward ball.
"It depends on what the problem is. Patching it up should still make it usable."
"Dumbledore happily supported Roman's shoulder."
"Sure enough, it's your group of people that have caused the injury rate to be so high in this competition."
Roman doesn't think that mending problems requires seeking Dumbledore's help.
"Mr. Akhmed, it is said that all the contestants have arrived. Would you be convenient to reveal the content of the competition here?"
"I don't think that's a problem. After all, competition topics cannot be prepared in advance," indicated Abdulkadir, motioning for the wizard next to him to make the announcement.
He took out a piece of paper and read it aloud:
……
"In any case, we cannot allow the power of wizards to be stolen by ignorant Muggles."
"But forcibly seizing it is not a just action."
"We need a substitute that can pass Muggle detectors."
Roman felt his body stiffen and looked up at Dumbledore.
At the same moment, the headmaster lowered his gaze, and both knew what the other was thinking.
Muggles are not ignorant, they must have detected something, even something that Muggle technology cannot explain.
而这个护身符，又无法通过官方渠道获取，或者说，官方渠道拒绝了他们，甚至设置了保护措施。
按常理，这种事更应该偷偷摸摸，而不是大张旗鼓地嚷嚷出来。
This is provocation or testing?
Bill also felt something was wrong.
However, his perspective of observation, or his background, determined that he could not fully realize the seriousness of the matter.
"The competition contestants need to replicate the artifact based on the residual magic inside the restored pyramid; whoever can deceive the Muggle device, will win the protective charm."
Dumbledore stiffened for a moment as he held Roman's hand.
He turned his head and stared at Ajinbade on the podium with a scrutinizing gaze.
The other looked around in response, but ultimately failed to spot Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, the life of a semi-recluse is difficult."
Ron sighed, knowing that Dumbledore wanted to do something but was restraining himself by force.
Killing an Akinbade is no problem for Dumbledore, is it?
Go ask Grindelwald.
Eliminating Grindelwald was just the beginning of the problem for Dumbledore.
Dumbledore's life experiences were so complex that his personality became simplified.
Every trust the headmaster placed was conditional, even his own confidence.
If it were not for the restraint of his position as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Dumbledore would not believe that he could stay clear-headed in the face of desire.
Keeping his wounded soul bound by noble ideals at all times is the Dumbledore version of drawing a circle on the ground to trap himself, and it is also the Azkaban he built for himself.
After a long time.
After J.K. Bhabha left and the crowd dispersed, Dumbledore spoke softly:
"Roman, could you tell me when the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy came into effect?"