Chapter 221: Chapter 221: I want glory to bow down to me!
"Finite Incantatem!"
Boot quickly cast a spell, dispelling the golden apparition.
After the illusion vanished, Fontaine and the other wizards finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"He left that shadow on purpose," Agilbert Fontaine said in a grave tone.
Even so, the mere gaze from the illusion had such terrifying power, like a mountain pressing down on their shoulders, making it hard to breathe. It was unimaginable what it would be like if Cyrus were to appear before them in person.
Fontana even feared that if Cyrus were to stand before him, he might be unable to resist kneeling in reverence before that king-like figure.
But then, Boot's words turned Fontana's fear into reality.
The old wizard's mouth was slightly agape, his lips trembling, and the hand gripping his wand shook uncontrollably. Sweat trickled down the deep lines of his furrowed brow as he seemed consumed by boundless terror.
In a raspy voice, he muttered, "It's too late... he's here..."
At that moment, it felt as though even the air had frozen.
The heads of the houses were momentarily blank, unable to comprehend who Boot meant by "he." Or perhaps, they had already guessed but simply couldn't bring themselves to admit it.
"We need to get the students back inside the castle!"
Boot didn't answer their questions. His face was pale, his entire body trembling as he quickly headed back toward the castle.
In the next moment, heavy storm clouds gathered from the distant horizon, like an army surrounding Ilvermorny from all sides.
Boom!
Before Boot could make it back to the castle, thunder and lightning crashed down!
Massive golden wings spread across the entire mountain peak, and from within the storm clouds, a gigantic Thunderbird descended. Its golden wings shimmered like mist, transforming into delicate streams of light that fell like a rain of blossoms.
In full view of Boot—and the thousands of Ilvermorny students watching—the Thunderbird shifted into the form of a tall and handsome man.
Boot froze mid-step, his breath nearly stopping.
"Cyrus?!"
No one dared make a move, not even Boot, the headmaster of Ilvermorny, who had inherited Isolt's legacy—his ancestors being her two adopted sons.
"I'm pleased you recognize me, 'sir'."
Cyrus arrogantly lifted his chin, his fiery golden eyes gleaming, and no one dared meet his gaze.
Oddly, no one found his attitude inappropriate; it felt as though he was naturally meant to speak this way, as if they were destined to bow their heads, unable to meet the eyes of a god.
"This saves me the trouble of introductions," Cyrus continued. As he spoke, he flipped his palm upward, and a small, dark green snake slithered from his sleeve, slowly transforming into a wand.
"I assume you don't mind me taking what rightfully belongs to me?" Cyrus glanced at them with a playful smirk. It sounded like a question, but it was more of a threat.
In truth, after taking the snakewood wand, Cyrus hadn't left at all.
He had been waiting for this moment—to make a grand entrance and give them a show of force!
The snakewood wand had only been part of Cyrus's plan; Ilvermorny itself was something he desired just as much.
Of course, he could have done as he had before with the auror—simply become the headmaster of Ilvermorny. But now, there was no need for disguise. The world deserved to see his true face!
The dark-skinned witch gasped audibly upon hearing his words. Cyrus saw her broad nostrils flare as if she wanted to say something, but she remained silent, overwhelmed by the power emanating from him.
The tension in the air was heavier than the dark thunderclouds above, thick like blood, suffocating everyone present.
Thousands of young wizards hid inside the castle, feeling an overwhelming pressure in their chests, as if they were sinking into a swamp, on the verge of being swallowed whole.
Even breathing felt like a luxury they could barely afford.
No one dared to speak; they only stared from afar at Cyrus's back.
As for the wizards standing in front of him, they felt the full brunt of his nearly tangible magical power.
"Sir—"
As the headmaster, Boot finally spoke.
He trembled as he took a small step forward, like a servant paying homage to his sovereign.
"Since the snakewood wand is a relic of Mr. Slytherin, and you are simply reclaiming what is rightfully yours, there is, of course, no issue."
Cyrus curled his lips into a faint smile.
He wasn't surprised at all that Boot would say this.
What else could someone facing an unstoppable force of nature like Cyrus say?
If Cyrus had come today to harm the students, Butte would have sacrificed himself to stop him. But for an ancient tree? Boot didn't see the wisdom in clashing with him over that.
Boot himself was a top-tier wizard, or he wouldn't have become the headmaster. Yet, in front of Cyrus, he felt as though he was standing before a vast, uncontrollable ocean.
Perhaps only Dumbledore could rival him? Boot couldn't help thinking.
Now, he only hoped that after taking the wand, Cyrus would leave.
But his hopes were dashed.
As Cyrus toyed with the wand in his hand, he seemed to remember something and spoke, "Isolt Sayre, the founder of Ilvermorny, was also a descendant of Slytherin. Given that, it wouldn't be unreasonable for me, as someone with the same Slytherin bloodline, to take over as headmaster of Ilvermorny, would it?"
The statement struck like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of everyone present!
No one had expected Cyrus's true aim to be the Ilvermorny School itself!
At that moment, not just the professors but even the students in the castle felt a surge of humiliation. They all wished they could grab their wands and rush out to confront Cyrus.
"This is absolutely impossible!" the chocolate-skinned witch roared, her eyes wide with fury, teeth clenched in defiance!
Fontaine also drew his wand, seemingly ready to duel Cyrus at any moment.
But Boot remained calm.
He looked at Cyrus's unnaturally young face, shook his head, and said in a deep voice, "To become the headmaster of Ilvermorny, it's not just about receiving a nomination. More importantly, you must be recognized by the castle itself!"
"Is that so?" Cyrus raised an eyebrow slightly, and in the next moment, to the disbelief of everyone present, he raised the wand in his hand high!
The next second—RooOOOooaaar!!
A resounding beastly roar echoed from the castle's circular hall. A wildcat statue, more majestic than a lion, was the first to leap out from within the castle!
Following it, a thunderbird took flight, wings flapping, accompanied by the sound of arrows!
Finally, a horned serpent stood tall, the jewel on its forehead shining brighter than the stars in the sky!
It slithered up to Cyrus, bowing its noble head before him!
At that moment, all the castle's glory bowed in submission to Cyrus!
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12 Advance Chapters—Patreon.com/HornyFBI
Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Headmaster Cyrus
All the glory bowed before Cyrus!
The old headmaster of Ilvermorny was stunned, and the other professors and young wizards stood there in a daze, as if trapped in an unending dream.
The four statues within the school only ever moved when new students were sorted into houses, and even then, it was merely a cold howl or a glow from the jewel on the statue's forehead.
But now, the statues had left the castle, lowering their proud heads before the black-haired wizard with golden tips at the end of his hair!
Even the castle itself was bowing to Cyrus.
This was something that had never happened in Ilvermorny's three-hundred-year history.
"He has the blood of the founders, the Serpentwood wand in his hand, the guardians of all four houses bow at his feet, and he can even transform into a thunderbird…"
Amid the endless silence, a student spoke absentmindedly, voicing what everyone present was feeling.
"I can't think of any reason why he shouldn't take over as headmaster."
Perhaps the only argument against it was that Cyrus had no established reputation among the students and faculty.
He was merely a wizard who had suddenly appeared. Even if he had a legitimate claim to inherit Ilvermorny, it was something difficult for the professors and students who had lived there for many years to accept.
But Boot relented.
As a descendant of one of Isolt's two adopted children, he knew the castle's true heir now stood before him. His sense of justice wouldn't allow him to act out of greed. Beyond that, he also feared that angering Cyrus might put the students and professors in danger.
He understood better than anyone the terrifying power of a strong wizard.
On the other side of the world, Lord Voldemort had nearly plunged all of Britain into chaos.
And that was with Dumbledore standing in opposition.
"I believe you have the ability to serve as headmaster, sir. The school has recognized you, and I trust that the professors and students will soon realize your extraordinary power," Butte said.
"Headmaster!" Fontaine called out in alarm.
It wasn't because he was upset about missing the chance to become the next headmaster. He was worried about the school and the children.
From what the news in Britain suggested, Cyrus was a dangerous figure!
Boot raised a hand, signaling Fontana to stop speaking.
"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Boot," Cyrus said softly.
However, Butte paused, and suddenly his frail, elderly body stiffened, like an old Wampus cat showing a final burst of defiance, every hair standing on end.
"But I need you to agree to certain conditions. Otherwise, I would rather die than hand over the school!"
He stared fiercely at Cyrus, as if ready to leap and tear out his throat at any moment. Cyrus remained unbothered.
Why should an ant's threats be worth considering?
"I need you to promise that once you become headmaster, the school will continue as it always has. Every young witch and wizard must receive the same education as before."
"Of course," Cyrus nodded.
"Second, you must promise not to harm any of the students!"
"Naturally," Cyrus agreed with another nod.
He first reassured Boot, then added, "I believe you've misunderstood me, Mr. Boot. I have not come to destroy Ilvermorny. I have come to lead it, to lead all of Ilvermorny's students toward glory and greatness!"
Slytherins have always cared about glory.
But in reality, glory is universal.
Honor and status are glory, brave conquests and adventures are glory, wisdom and knowledge are glory, and loyalty and integrity are glory as well!
"If you're worried, I can make an unbreakable vow with you," Cyrus offered.
But Boot shook his head.
"I believe you, sir," he smiled, as if suddenly unburdened, becoming much more relaxed. "Just remember, this isn't about power; it's about responsibility!"
"Well then, I'll take my leave," Boot said decisively, even planning to leave Ilvermorny immediately.
But Cyrus stopped him.
"Why rush into retirement, Mr. Boot?" Cyrus asked softly. "To be honest, my experience in education is limited to one-on-one tutoring, heh~. Why not stay and help me? I could reserve the position of vice principal for you."
It had to be said, Cyrus lacked the right kind of people for teaching. Whether it was Bellatrix or others, none of them were suitable to be educators. Their knowledge leaned more towards dark magic, and their approach to handling things was often more extreme.
Keeping the current professors at Ilvermorny could also help ease the students' emotions.
More importantly, the professors at Ilvermorny came from three different countries, had extensive connections, and were prominent figures in the North American wizarding community.
Cyrus intended to recruit them as his subordinates.
Boot hadn't expected to remain at his post, but this outcome suited him well.
Staying at the school gave him peace of mind after all.
The other heads of houses had some concerns, but no one voiced them. They all understood that things had reached a point where opposition wouldn't change anything. With Boot voluntarily stepping down and the school recognizing Cyrus' legitimacy, even if all the board members opposed it, the outcome was already sealed.
Unless the board had the resolve to build a new school from scratch.
Fortunately, it seemed Cyrus had no intention of making drastic changes to Ilvermorny.
In fact, during the first few days of his tenure as headmaster, the school had hardly changed at all—except for one thing.
Agilbert Fontaine still found it puzzling when he thought about it.
It happened on the third morning after Cyrus became headmaster. He gathered all the students together, with thousands standing in the castle's circular hall. Under the gaze of the four house guardian statues, Cyrus stood in the center of the hall, holding the snakewood wand, positioned beneath the octagonal Gordian Knot, as if standing at the center of the world.
In the past few days, aside from familiarizing himself with his duties as headmaster, Cyrus often wandered around Ilvermorny, drawing the curious and reverent gazes of the students.
Aside from the girls' bathroom and dormitory, the young wizards might catch glimpses of Cyrus' golden silhouette anywhere within the school.
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12 Advance Chapters—Patreon.com/HornyFBI
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