"Uh, how should I say this."

Leonard suddenly let out a bitter laugh, a kind of laughter that, except for Ian, anyone would have. His expression carried a hint of sadness, "Actually, I don't know much about my own family."

"I only know that both of my parents were wizards, but they have already passed away. I have been searching for power, hoping to avenge them!" Leonard said, involuntarily clenching his fists.

His magic power was also becoming agitated.

The process of forming into a Mormon was accelerating.

"What happened to your parents' death?" Ian stepped forward to help calm the other's magic power and asked softly, needing to stand on tiptoe to reach the other's shoulder.

No choice, this was a guy over six feet tall, quite rare even in later generations.

"I don't know."

Leonard's tone was full of despair, "I only know they were killed by a group of Dark Wizards, which might be related to a kind of curse that has always existed in our family."

He spoke.

Leonard then turned his head to look at the Phoenix on his shoulder.

"It's been with me for fifteen years." Leonard's voice carried a certain stubborn tenderness, "I was only seven years old when I first saw it, my parents were burnt to death by Dark Wizards in the bedroom. I scavenged through the ruins for three days before I discovered this fire-breathing turkey, oh, right, according to your sayings, it should be a Phoenix."

He promptly corrected his word choice.

"I'm really sorry, Audrey, I didn't recognize you as a Phoenix earlier." Leonard spoke to his Phoenix, his tone filled with an apologetic feeling.

"If I knew you were a Phoenix earlier, I wouldn't have used you as a heater or a fire starter." He reflected on himself, though it was clear his Phoenix didn't mind.

The Phoenix merely affectionately rubbed its head against his neck.

I could only say.

This Phoenix seemed to have a much better temperament than Albus'. Ian was left dumbfounded, even he could not imagine using a Phoenix as a lighter!

His legendary wisdom probably could only stop at using it as a barbecue stove... However, seeing the Phoenix's gentle nature, the little wizard had to admit that fools might indeed have their blessings.

Leonard and this Phoenix truly had a deep connection.

"Damn!"

Perhaps because Ian had been staring at the Phoenix for a long time, the Phoenix on Leonard's shoulder suddenly became intrigued, fluttered its wings, and flew in front of him, letting out a crisp cry.

The Phoenix flew around Ian several times, even pausing briefly on Ian's head, before returning to its master's shoulder at Ian's urging.

It seemed to still savor Ian's messy crown.

"..."

Ian was utterly speechless.

Merlin thoughtfully glanced at him.

"Oh, I've never seen Audrey be so close to anyone other than myself." Leonard was visibly surprised by his Phoenix's behavior.

"Perhaps it's because he can also transform into a bird, so your Phoenix and he share a common language?" Merlin teased with a smile, leaving Ian quite speechless.

"It's just because I have a natural affinity!"

Ian retorted.

"Hmm?"

Merlin raised a brow, his gaze landing on Ian's hand—how to put it, in the eyes of ordinary people, there might be nothing on Ian's hand.

But in the eyes of those with special perception, Ian's hand was akin to that of a tattooed man, covered with an overwhelming array of contracts and blessings that were frighteningly numerous.

"Isn't it because you have a connection to the Dumbledore family?" Merlin clearly saw the gift from Ariana and guessed that this was why the Phoenix was close to Ian.

"Ha."

Ian glanced upward, ignoring Merlin's teasing. Since Merlin's voice was only heard by Ian at the time, Leonard had no reaction to it.

"Can wizards transform into animals?"

He was still immersed in the amazement that Ian could turn into a bird.

This is someone who knows something about wizards, but perhaps not too much. Quite a reasonable situation, considering he's a poor soul whose parents died young.

"Only the most skilled wizards have such abilities. Incidentally, we are among them." Merlin responded, leaving the little wizard next to him raising an eyebrow in surprise.

He certainly believed that Merlin was also an Animagus, but even the history books had not recorded in the slightest what kind of animal Merlin's Animagus form was.

"Perhaps it's also a magic creature?"

The little wizard couldn't help but speculate.

Of course.

No matter what shape Merlin could transform into, it certainly would not be as impressive as his Raven form. That was no longer a magical creature, the Raven could perhaps be considered a mythological form.

Such an Animagus transformation destined to have few rivals.

"You guys are really impressive!" Leonard didn't seem to doubt Merlin's boasting a bit and showed an expression of admiration, which seemed to make Merlin a little happy.

Even the bump on his head seemed to have a tendency to heal—the wound pecked by the Raven might not be healed by magic, only time passing by could allow it to heal on its own.

"Let's talk about the curse you mentioned in your family." Merlin was quite interested in the Dumbledore family and very much concerned about what Leonard had mentioned earlier.

"Uh."

Leonard hesitated for a moment.

"Actually, I don't know much either."

He spoke helplessly.

"I once overheard my parents talking. They mentioned some things about our family, my father said that our family's bloodline is exceptionally powerful, and every Dumbledore is destined to have extraordinary achievements, however, this blessing comes at a cost, we must also endure a destiny fated with misfortune and sorrow."