Nero locked eyes with Dumbledore, searching for even a flicker of amusement.
But there was none.
The weight of what hung between them pressed down like a curse, suffocating in its intensity.
"…You are serious," Nero finally muttered.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, his blue eyes twinkling with something unreadable.
"Finally, I could get back to you."
He leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard.
"Over the years, I've balanced between being respected and feared. Very few challenge me openly, and fewer still do so persistently."
Then, with an amused tilt of his head, he added, "Only you have kept me on my toes so consistently, testing my patience and my creativity since the day we met."
Dumbledore's chuckle deepened. "You truly have a talent for making my life considerably more complicated, Nero."
Sheepishly, Nero scratched the back of his head. "Er… sorry?"
"Oh, don't be. It's rather refreshing."
The tension eased, if only slightly.
Then, narrowing his eyes, Nero leaned forward.
"So… this story about me leaving Hogwarts," he said carefully, "that was a joke, right?"
Dumbledore's smile remained.
But his next words killed any hope Nero had.
"Not exactly."
"…You're kicking me out?"
"Not quite."
Dumbledore sighed. "Nero…"
"I swear, if you tell me I have to go live with the Dursleys…"
Dumbledore coughed. "Merlin forbid."
Nero exhaled. "Okay. So what's going on?"
Dumbledore folded his hands together.
"Nero, when you turned eleven, you must have received letters from other wizarding schools in the UK, correct?"
Nero frowned, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Uh… yeah. On top of Hogwarts, I got invitations from Fae Haven, Avalon, Stonehenge, and Pendragon."
"As popular as I expected. Do you recall if any of them mentioned an exchange program?"
That made Nero pause.
"…Yeah, I think so. Some of them offered a chance to study at another school later on."
Dumbledore nodded. "Good. Because that is precisely what I am suggesting."
Nero's eyebrows shot up. "You want me to transfer to another school?"
"Yes."
"For your own good, Nero," Dumbledore added, his voice genuinely serious.
Nero stared at him for a moment before scoffing. "So, what, you want me to pick between Avalon and Stonehenge or something?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"None of the four you just mentioned."
Nero's frown deepened. "Then which school?"
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately. Instead, he adjusted his glasses and leaned forward.
"Let me explain why first, Nero. Everything will become clear."
The headmaster's tone shifted. It was no longer light or teasing, it was grave.
"Thanks to what you shared with me, I spent a long time analyzing what happened during your fight with Jonathan," Dumbledore began. "I also visited your house, examined the traces of magic left behind."
Nero listened intently.
"My conclusion," Dumbledore continued, "is the same as his. You have awakened the Principle of Void."
Silence.
"…I guess there's always a silver lining to a disaster," Nero muttered dryly.
Dumbledore did not smile.
"Not necessarily, I'm afraid."
Nero's expression darkened as he pondered the headmaster's words.
"You told me before that Principles were dangerous," he said carefully.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. And now, you're beginning to see why."
He exhaled, looking years older.
"Nero, I have seen countless wizards attempt to wield Principles before. And I have seen them fail. Miserably."
The firelight flickered between them.
"I've seen those who pursued the Soul Principle end up shattering their own souls," he said quietly.
"I've watched those who chased Death Principle meet it sooner than expected."
"And those who dabbled in Dream Principle… drifted into slumber they never escaped."
Each word dropped like stone.
Dumbledore's voice softened, but it held an undeniable warning.
"Principles are power, Nero. But they are also poison."
"…Why didn't you stop me before? With Space." Nero asked quietly.
Dumbledore sighed.
"There are a few exceptions, some very rare cases." he admitted. "Your grandmother's sacrifice for example."
Nero's breath caught.
"The reason I allowed you to experiment with the Space Principle without much interference was because of Melina's magic. Through her sacrifice, your body has been… altered. It has been tied to that Principle. In a way, you have been blessed by it."
"…Which means it can't hurt me."
"Exactly. At least not by your own hand"
Dumbledore's eyes darkened.
"But the Void Principle is different."
Nero felt his stomach drop.
"You did not awaken it naturally, nor were you blessed by it. You forced it out."
The words hit hard.
"Your use of Void was so strong, so brutal, so tied to your survival instinct that you dragged it out with raw force rather than true understanding."
Nero clenched his fists.
Dumbledore continued, voice grave.
"And because of that, I can feel it leaking from you, very subtly.."
Nero's breath hitched.
"As time passes, that leak will only grow worse."
Dumbledore leaned forward, eyes piercing.
"If left unchecked, this Principle will consume you. It will break loose. And it will not be a small matter."
Nero swallowed.
"…Has anyone ever mastered it?"
Dumbledore hesitated.
"To my knowledge… only one person."
Nero shivered.
"And even he had to use a very specific method to avoid being destroyed by it."
Silence filled the room.
Dumbledore's expression softened.
"The good news," he said gently, "is that for you to have awakened it in a moment of crisis… means that you have a natural affinity for it."
Nero didn't respond.
"You must find a way to control it," Dumbledore continued.
"And it will be a race against time."
Nero exhaled, his mind racing.
"So… you want me to go to another school," he said slowly.
Dumbledore nodded.
"One that can help you control the Void Principle."
Nero tapped his fingers against the table.
"…Which school?"
Dumbledore smiled.
"The only place where someone has ever mastered Void."
He held Nero's gaze.
"Have you ever been to Japan?"
"…When do I leave?"
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2nd chapter of the day! (2/2)
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