The seven Death Eaters were placed around the outermost edge of the magic circle, each standing upon a smaller sigil. These smaller circles were connected to the massive formation at the center, forming an intricate and unified network.
The number seven was no coincidence. The number itself carried ancient power and symbolism—it had always held a sacred place in the oldest magical rituals.
Without their wands, none of the Death Eaters had any chance of escaping.
Wes Elwin stepped into the center of the array, preparing to begin this crucial ritual.
Jandy followed him into the middle, holding a Philosopher's Stone larger than himself. He knelt solemnly, his face grave and reverent.
"When you're ready, begin," Wes ordered calmly.
Jandy immediately began to chant in a deep, resonant voice:
"O mysterious sovereign who traverses endless worlds, seeker of secrets, omniscient and almighty King of Arcane Wisdom…"
"Your humble servant prays to you."
Jandy's voice echoed across the island. Kneeling in the circle, he raised the Philosopher's Stone high with both hands, devotion radiating from him. He had completely immersed himself in the ritual. As his prayer continued, fierce winds began to whip across the island, yet within the boundaries of the circle, the air remained eerily still—isolated by an invisible barrier.
Dark clouds gathered above, spreading rapidly until the entire island was shrouded in a suffocating gloom.
The runes of the magic array began to glow crimson. The light grew brighter, more blinding by the second. As Jandy's final syllable fell, the Philosopher's Stone began to dissolve.
At first, it melted into a dark red fluid that pulsed and flowed slowly. Wes watched intently, not daring to blink, determined not to miss a single detail.
Then, the liquid split into two halves—one a radiant, vivid red, overflowing with vitality; the other, a sickly black, roiling with unseen motion.
The black essence was composed of countless vengeful spirits, each brimming with hatred and pain.
Their twisted faces turned toward Wes, glaring at him with feral malice. They knew—this was the man who dared covet the Stone's power.
A chill ran down Wes's spine. He didn't hesitate—he immediately activated his prepared contingency.
The seven smaller circles beneath the Death Eaters blazed with intense light. The attention of the wraiths was drawn toward them, and their pent-up fury finally erupted.
They divided into seven shadowy forms and lunged toward the Death Eaters, phasing through their bodies, devouring their flesh and feasting on their souls.
The Death Eaters writhed on the ground, screaming in agony. Their fingers clawed bloody grooves into the soil; flesh tore from bone, exposing the white beneath.
Their torment was not only physical—the pain of their souls being shredded was far worse.
Minutes later, countless black hands sprouted from within the circle, writhing and clutching at the Death Eaters' bodies. Wherever they touched, the skin cracked and turned to ash, disintegrating piece by piece into the air.
Soon, the sky began to clear. The heavy clouds dispersed, and sunlight poured down, spilling over Wes Elwin's form.
He closed his eyes, letting the warmth sink into him—feeling the surge of vibrant energy coursing through his veins.
This power made him feel stronger than ever before—and, more than that, it vastly extended his lifespan. Some of the energy settled deep within his cells, waiting to be absorbed over time.
"This feeling… it's incredible."
Wes clenched his fists. Though he had never trained his body like a warrior, he could feel the sharp improvement in his strength, agility, and reflexes.
He swung his arm experimentally, testing the surge of power.
"I'll need to get used to this."
In the days that followed, Wes's physical strength increased with each passing day. His energy was overflowing—so much that he spent his time on the island bombarding everything around him with spells, venting his excess power. The island's flora and fauna suffered greatly for it.
Once Wes fully adapted to this surge of power, his system panel changed:
Host: Wes Elwin
Worlds: Marvel; Harry Potter; Delicious in Dungeon; #@Alchemy%￥; Pirates of the Caribbean; The Mummy; Fairy Tail
Occupation: Wizard / Potion Master / Alchemist
Level: 5
Wizard level increased by one.
Although this advancement didn't bring the same qualitative leap in magic as reaching Level 4 had, the main improvement this time lay in his physical body.
No matter which path one followed—magic, cultivation, or martial arts—a strong body was always essential.
Specializing in only one aspect never led far.
"Body, mind, and soul are equally important! Maybe I should learn some swordsmanship and combat techniques?"
A mental image appeared in his mind: in the midst of a fierce battle, his enemy barely dodged his magical barrage and tried to close the distance, only for him to grab a greatsword in confusion, not knowing what to do with it. The image made him chuckle.
"That actually sounds fun," Wes said with a grin, feeling a spark of anticipation.
"The next world is Fairy Tail… In that world, mages combine magic with physical combat. Maybe I can learn something from them."
Having made up his mind, Wes decided to study their methods and improve his close-combat abilities.
"It's time to leave Hogwarts. I've copied every book in the library over the past few years—enough to study for quite some time. The Harry Potter world is too peaceful now. Staying here won't help me grow any further."
Once he made up his mind, Wes immediately took action.
"You're resigning?" Dumbledore asked, setting aside the book he'd been reading. He had just been researching how to deal with Harry's situation, but Wes's sudden announcement caught him off guard.
Although he had anticipated this moment, Dumbledore still wanted to keep his capable assistant.
Wes shook his head, politely refusing. "The Ministry of Magic has assigned Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher—and they've given her the authority to evaluate professors. If I stay, I'll definitely clash with her."
Dumbledore nodded slightly; he had heard of Umbridge's reputation.
She hadn't come to Hogwarts just to teach—she'd been sent by Fudge to make trouble for him, ideally to the point of forcing him to step down.
Of course, that was just Wes's excuse. In truth, his mind was already made up.
Seeing that Wes was resolute, Dumbledore could only agree.
"Dumbledore," Wes said with a confident smile, "the next time we meet, I'll have far surpassed you."
Dumbledore paused, then smiled warmly. He stood, extended his hand, and said, "I understand, Wes. You've already found your own path, and I believe you'll go farther than I ever could. Remember—Hogwarts will always welcome you back."
The two exchanged a knowing smile. Then, turning on his heel, Wes Elwin left Dumbledore's office behind.
°°°
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