Hogwarts: Lacus doesn't want to be a witch who destroys nations.

Chapter 113 Going into the Water

"Professor, I can't quite explain it either. They're very primitive, like part of the rules of the world itself —"

As she spoke, she frantically called out to the system in her mind, "System! System! Hurry! How many runes do I need to collect? How are they divided? Give me some concrete information to get through this!"

The host needs to collect a total of five Keystone Runes, corresponding to the five rune schools: Precision, Domination, Sorcery, Resolve, and Inspiration.

Each keystone rune requires three smaller runes of the same type to activate its full potential.

[Currently collected/perceived: Keystone Rune - Resolve: Overgrowth (absorbed); Minor Rune - Domination: Taste of Blood (inside Eve, not absorbed); Keystone Rune - Domination: Conqueror (from Grindelwald)]

[Warning: Many runes are inactive or unknown. Their specific coordinates require the host to actively explore or meet specific conditions to trigger them.]

Information flooded her mind, and Lux ​​quickly processed it.

She raised her eyes to meet Dumbledore's probing gaze and continued her explanation, half-truthfully: "There are roughly five categories of these runes, like five different colored foundation stones. Each category seems to have some fragments with different functions attached to it, more than a dozen in total. They are scattered all over the world. Some are very active, such as the one at the bottom of the lake and the one Grindelwald got, while others seem to be dormant and can't be felt at all."

She paused, then added a crucial piece of information: "Moreover, it seems that only those 'chosen by them,' or wizards with exceptionally powerful magic, such as you or Grindelwald, can vaguely sense their presence and fluctuations. Muggles and most wizards are completely unaware of them."

Dumbledore listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

He didn't completely believe Lux's words, but her description vaguely resonated with some of his vague perceptions and ancient legends.

"Five cornerstones, dozens of fragments—scattered in all directions—" he murmured to himself, his eyes growing increasingly profound.

"If this is true, then what Grindelwald has obtained is probably only the tip of the iceberg. Finding and controlling these runes will likely be a long and arduous journey."

He was silent for a moment, as if weighing something, before finally raising his head and making a decision: "Alright, Lux, the rune in the Great Lake is indeed a hidden danger and an opportunity right before our eyes, but I can't let you take the risk alone. However, completely sealing off the Great Lake would alert the enemy and cause unnecessary panic. I want to talk to these merfolk first."

"Can we communicate with them?" Lux recalled the disastrous attempt to communicate underwater last time.

"Mermaids are physiologically different from us, and they cannot speak the same language as us correctly. However, I have learned mermaid language and can use shapeshifting to transform my throat into a mermaid structure so that I can communicate with them."

"I see." Lux nodded, indicating that she had learned a little something.

Dumbledore put down his teacup, a sharp glint flashing in his azure eyes.

"Yes, communication. They are not uncivilized beasts, but a race with ancient wisdom and a well-structured society. Let's try diplomatic means first."

Lux imagined Dumbledore, dressed in an elegant robe, politely shaking hands with the Mermaid Queen in the icy lake. It felt a little comical, but also strangely "Dumbledore."

"Then how are we going to get down? Are we going to use gill grass again? That stuff really doesn't taste very good." Lux wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Dumbledore smiled slightly, stood up, and drew his wand from his robes.

"Sometimes, the most direct approach is the most effective. Transfiguration can temporarily alter the structure of parts of our bodies to adapt to the environment, which is more flexible than relying on potions or the Bubble Head Charm."

Lux instantly perked up: "You mean—turn us into mermaids?!"

"To be more precise, it's a temporary grant of a mermaid-like respiratory system," Dumbledore gently corrected, the tip of his wand already glowing with a soft, milky-white light.

"You might feel a little uncomfortable, but please relax and don't resist my magic."

He first pointed his wand at his own neck.

As the light shifted, Lux could clearly see that beneath the skin on both sides of Professor Dumbledore's neck, gill-like structures bulged slightly and opened and closed briefly before disappearing again, as if it were just an illusion.

"Your turn, Miss Lux."

Lux quickly stood up straight, and Dumbledore's wand gently tapped on either side of her neck.

A strange, cool sensation spread instantly, somewhat like being smeared with a strong menthol ointment, but without any stinging. She subconsciously touched her neck; the skin was still smooth, but a subtle feeling told her that it was different from a few minutes ago.

"Alright, now let's go visit our neighbors." Dumbledore opened the office window, and the cool air rushed in. The two quickly arrived at the Great Lake.

Stepping into the icy lake, Dumbledore didn't stop, walking straight into the depths. When the water reached his chest, he nodded to Lux, then took a deep breath and sank down.

Lux followed his example and dived into the water.

The icy lake water instantly enveloped her, but this time, there was no feeling of suffocation. She instinctively tried to breathe through her nose, but the water flowed in smoothly and was efficiently filtered by the invisible gills on both sides of her neck, extracting the oxygen she needed.

Although breathing feels heavier and more humid than in the air, it is indeed possible to breathe freely.

"Amazing," Lux couldn't help but mutter in the water, a string of bubbles rising to her face.

Dumbledore's Transfiguration was simply exquisite.

Dumbledore led the way, the tip of his wand emitting a steady white light that illuminated a small patch of water ahead. The deeper they went, the dimmer the light became, and the greater the water pressure, but Dumbledore's Transfiguration had clearly taken this into account, and Lux ​​did not feel too much discomfort.

Huge, strangely shaped aquatic plants began to appear all around, like a forest. Occasionally, small fish with a faint glow would curiously approach and then quickly swim away.

Dumbledore seemed very familiar with the route. He rounded a massive rock formation, and a spectacular sight suddenly appeared before him: a rugged complex of structures built from enormous white coral and polished rocks sat on the lakebed, with an exceptionally tall altar in the center, seemingly carved from a single block of moonstone. On the altar, the runes flowing with starlight—the Unsealed Tome—lay there quietly, radiating an alluring energy.

Just like when Lux came last time, the altar was heavily guarded.

Dozens of the strongest mermaid warriors, armed with bone tridents, patrolled vigilantly. At the highest point of the altar, the mermaid queen sat regally, her long, dark green hair flowing like seaweed, her silver-blue fishtail gleaming in the light of runes.

Dumbledore gestured for Lux to stop behind a rock a little further away, then he swam forward alone.

He did not conceal his presence and was quickly discovered by the patrolling mermaids.

"Hiss—!" Several guards immediately assumed an attack stance, their sharp hissing echoing underwater.

Dumbledore stopped and gracefully performed a wizard's salute, though it looked a little strange in the water.

Then he spoke.

What he uttered was not English, but a series of complex and melodious syllables with bubbly trills—the language of mermaids! His throat and chest vibrated slightly under the influence of magic, perfectly mimicking the way mermaids spoke.

The merman guards were visibly stunned, their hostility replaced by surprise. They whispered amongst themselves, making rapid chirping noises. The Queen on the altar was also startled; she raised her hand to stop the guards, her gaze sharpening as she looked at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore continued speaking in his fluent Merman language, his demeanor composed and exuding a natural respect and authority. Lux, though unable to understand a word, sensed that he was expressing goodwill, identifying himself, and requesting to speak with the Queen.

The Queen listened quietly, her vigilance easing slightly, but she remained alert. She responded with a few words, her voice carrying a cold, authoritative quality as it traveled through the water.

Dumbledore spoke again, this time seemingly explaining his purpose, occasionally glancing at the runebook in the center of the altar.

The conversation lasted several minutes. Initially, the atmosphere seemed relatively peaceful; the Mermaid Queen showed a certain respect for Dumbledore, clearly aware of his position and power at Hogwarts. However, when Dumbledore explicitly mentioned the book and seemed to express a desire to take it away or at least study it, the Queen's attitude changed drastically!

She abruptly sat up, all the gentleness on her face vanishing, replaced by a furious indignation and icy hostility! She let out a sharp, piercing howl, slamming her coral scepter down on the altar!

"Agh—!!"