"Professor Dumbledore?!"

The smile instantly vanished from Tom Riddle's face, replaced by astonishment as he gazed at the white-haired wizard.

Undoubtedly, the burning wardrobe in the orphanage during his childhood remained a source of fear for Tom Riddle. Of course, it also made him realize that only absolute power could inspire absolute fear, and fear was a tool to control people.

From this perspective, it's hard to say whether Dumbledore's educational approach might have contributed to Voldemort's pursuit of power.

At least, most people familiar with Voldemort knew that Tom Riddle had learned from a young age that the wisest course of action when facing a force stronger than his own was to display absolute obedience and submission—even though, when Dumbledore asked him if these people were his servants, Tom Riddle insisted on using the term "friends."

But in fact, the later Voldemort essentially used this logic of fear to rule the Death Eaters.

"How are you here? All of this—"

"Tom Riddle, I've been waiting for you for a long time," Dumbledore said. "I've always hoped for an opportunity to see you, to have a good talk… although perhaps it's already too late, but in a sense, isn't it rather wonderful?"

"Uh, this—"

Tom Riddle glanced at the open diary beside him, his eyes flickering.

"I don't understand what you mean. What you see before you is just a memory from fifty years ago, and I can't stay outside for too long."

"That's not a problem."

Dumbledore said softly, his face still bearing a calm and amiable smile.

Before Tom Riddle could speak, a gaunt, white-haired old wizard strode out from behind Dumbledore and waved a crimson gem he took from his pocket.

In the next moment, a tsunami-like surge of powerful magic washed over the diary, effortlessly "replacing" Draco Malfoy's supply path.

In contrast, Riddle's originally blurry outline rapidly became clearer and more stable.

Tom Riddle subconsciously clenched his fist. He could feel an unprecedented power flowing into his body from the diary, the long-lost sensation of flesh and blood gradually returning.

At the same time, fear grew in his heart.

The young Riddle stared blankly ahead, showing no intention of resisting, his eyes filled with bewilderment and confusion.

Although he had always believed himself to be the great wizard most likely to conquer death, the frail wizard with white hair standing before him exuded a strange aura, a mixture of death and life. Although he looked to be only a hundred years old, Tom had seen this wizard's portrait in an ancient document.

Strictly speaking, this wizard before him was actually the first person in the magical world to conquer death.

"This is… the Philosopher's Stone? The immortal Nicolas Flamel?!" Tom asked uncertainly.

"Perhaps more accurately described as an elder, but not immortal…"

Nicolas Flamel shook his head with a touch of emotion, correcting him calmly.

"Moreover, I haven't truly conquered death, and the Philosopher's Stone isn't a real answer. Everything in the dark follows the principle of exchange. The price that humans can bear and pay is only enough to pay half the reward. You're the same in this regard."

He picked up the diary on the table and examined it carefully.

Nicolas Flamel's research into Horcruxes, this extremely evil and insane branch of dark magic, wasn't too deep.

Due to the lack of experimental materials and cases, most of his understanding of the nature of Horcruxes came from theoretical speculation. If the time were right, Flamel would even want to take this diary back to his alchemy workshop for research right away.

However, in this situation, they had more important matters to resolve.

"You must listen to my explanation, Professor Dumbledore."

Tom Riddle voluntarily lowered his wand, acting submissive and calm.

"I may not be able to answer much about what happened in the future. What you see before you is just an ordinary fifth-year student. I don't know what kind of people and events 'I' encountered after this, leading me down a dark path. But at least in my current memories, I don't know what I've done wrong…"

Dumbledore didn't speak, but simply looked at Tom with a meaningful gaze.

Fifty years ago, he had also thought this way—just a first mistake. If Tom Riddle were given enough attention and warning, perhaps he could be brought back from the brink, returning to the right path.

But alas…

A look of regret and disappointment flashed in Dumbledore's deep blue eyes. Was it already too late?

In the suffocating atmosphere, Tom Riddle swallowed hard, his hands clenched tightly together, his gaze meeting Dumbledore's complex gaze without fear, waiting nervously for Dumbledore's answer.

But the answer came not from Dumbledore, but from another unfamiliar voice.

"SCP-017-01: Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, re-containment date, 1992.08.31…"

Along with the voice in his ear, Tom Riddle looked up and saw a middle-aged wizard with slightly protruding eyes and an attire that seemed out of place among the other wizards speaking.

"Hello, you can call me 'Hermit'."

Xenophilius Lovegood said with a smile, curiously examining Tom Riddle.

"As for the diary you're currently possessing, according to the containment sequence, the number should be SCP-017-03: Tom Riddle's Diary. By the way, the initial containment date for 03 was also the last day of August this year."

Seeing the "young Dark Lord's" pupils dilate dramatically, Xenophilius smiled in a very peculiar way.

"Most of the people here are already very familiar with the principles and knowledge behind the creation of Horcruxes, so I suggest that Mr. Tom Riddle not harbor too many illusions—your concealment is meaningless. The reason we're waiting for you here isn't so much to ask you any questions, but more to explore and experiment with unknown magical knowledge…"

Explore, experiment… unknown… magical knowledge?

Tom Riddle's gaze subconsciously swept over Nicolas Flamel, and the unease in his heart grew stronger.

From the current situation, this was perhaps the worst possible answer—this wasn't some particularly difficult guessing game. Just as rare potions always attract potion masters, what attracts alchemists is…

"Wait, listen to me…"

Tom Riddle said anxiously, turning his gaze to Dumbledore.

"I know where the Chamber of Secrets is in Hogwarts Castle! Salazar Slytherin left a lot of magical treasures inside, as well as extremely dangerous creatures. Just give me some time, and I can help you…"

"Unfortunately, we already know the location of the Chamber of Secrets."

Gellert Grindelwald grinned, his eyes gleaming, and let out a chuckle.

"As for the big snake you mentioned inside, that is indeed a problem, so we've set up quite a strict magical protection around it. I think Mr. Scamander should be able to help us find a proper solution. If you have any better suggestions, I think it would be best to say them all at once… although I think it might be outdated."

Tom Riddle looked at Grindelwald in shock, opening his mouth.

Another wizard he had never seen before, but judging from the old man's cold eyes, he was definitely not a harmless, ordinary wizard—as if sensing each other between beasts, he could clearly feel the old wizard's terror.

And most importantly, it seemed that only this old man had refreshments and drinks in front of him in the entire room.

Tom Riddle couldn't imagine what kind of person in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the current magical world, could have such transcendent privileges and status—this aura of a superior from the heart, was definitely not something ordinary wizards could achieve. The moment this old wizard spoke, almost everyone in the room subconsciously focused their attention on him.

"Oh, little Tom, I see confusion in your eyes… unfortunately, it's not class time now."

If it weren't for the little girl next to him secretly kicking his bench all the time, according to Grindelwald's idea, he had originally planned to let Dumbledore play for a while longer.

However, since his granddaughter was a little impatient, then let's talk about Albus later…

The smile on Grindelwald's face grew even more obvious, and he gave Lockhart a look.

Gilderoy Lockhart shuddered violently, strode forward, and took out a thick stack of parchment from his pocket, placing it in front of Tom Riddle.

"In short, we have prepared a position tailored for special wizards like you who have gone astray—the first E-class personnel of the SCP Foundation.

Of course, you can also reject this very good request. I believe Mr. Nicolas Flamel will be very happy to see that."

Lockhart tapped his fingers on the papers filled with various profound magical runes, his voice carrying a trace of extremely subtle pleasure, and said cheerfully.

"As for the specific details, after you sign the magical contract, we can communicate and explain them slowly…"

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Gu Ya~ Another big chapter~ Big chapter~