Chapter 309: The Secret Hidden by the Council
Elrond asked,
"We're all aware of these facts—but what exactly are you trying to say?"
Phineas replied,
"Do you really believe the Council of Elders only cares about preserving their dignity and the balance of the wizarding world?"
Richie shook his head.
"No, they must be hiding something."
Phineas nodded.
"Exactly. You're all familiar with the Nott family. When I was in my second year at Hogwarts, I clashed with Sakaski of the Richie family because of this very issue."
Kuzan scoffed.
"A man who was killed by an ant he controlled can't be called a member of our family."
"The Notts claimed divine blood—but the real reason for that whole fiasco was their obsession with deification."
Kuzan, for once, agreed and nodded.
"Yes, Sakaski had ambitions to become a god and ended up falling into a trap. So, Phineas—are you suggesting the Council's desire for us to fight each other is tied to that same pursuit of godhood?"
Phineas nodded solemnly.
"They're deeply connected."
Corvus frowned.
"Wait, isn't becoming a god just a legend?"
Elrond sighed and looked at Corvus.
"No, it's real. Becoming a god is possible. Too many Lestranges died in Grindelwald's time, so it's no surprise your family's records are lacking. But believe me, gods are real."
Kuzan studied Phineas. Despite being rivals, Kuzan couldn't help but admire the fourteen-year-old. While Kuzan and the others inherited leadership with full support from their families, Phineas had inherited a shattered legacy and rebuilt the House of Black from nothing.
"Have you learned the truth about godhood?" Kuzan asked hesitantly.
Phineas looked at the three of them and spoke solemnly.
"Some of the elders in your families may know, but most never speak of it. Even those on the Council often don't know the whole truth. Only those of considerable age begin to grasp it."
Corvus, the youngest besides Phineas, still had a volatile temper. Though he'd been groomed as the Lestrange patriarch since birth, his father had died when he was an infant.
"Then say it already," Corvus snapped.
Phineas waved his wand, refilling everyone's teacups. A moment later, the study was blanketed in a powerful privacy charm.
Kuzan's expression shifted to caution, but Phineas raised a hand.
"What I'm about to reveal may shatter your understanding of the Council. So I suggest you calm yourselves—and ensure no one else hears."
Elrond, Kuzan, and Corvus exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Naturally."
Phineas began,
"Becoming a god has never truly been a secret within the Council of Elders. We all know that when a wizard reaches maturity, they can advance to the rank of a great wizard—mastering the essence of the soul and beginning the journey toward legend. Upon achieving legendary status, a wizard may receive a revelation from an unknown force, granting insight into the path to godhood. From there, they begin their ascent toward becoming a god."
All three nodded. This was what the Council's records claimed.
Phineas continued. "Most of this is true, but becoming a legend still doesn't mean you can become a god.At best, you might vaguely sense that this path that could lead to divinity. But how does one truly become a god? That is something the legendary wizard must discover for themselves. "
"What I want to discuss today isn't these known truths. No—what truly matters is this: even godhood has its limits."
Their expressions changed.
Phineas nodded, confirming their ignorance.
"There are quotas. The path to godhood is restricted. Each millennium is considered an 'era,' and each era has a limited number of godhood slots. In some eras, a dozen may ascend. In others, only one."
At that moment, the expressions of the three men darkened. Though they had remained composed until now, a heavy realization had begun to settle. As patriarchs of consular families, they were naturally exceptional wizards. Elrond, the eldest among them, had already reached legendary status and was seeking his own path to godhood. Kuzan, a bit younger, stood on the threshold of legend—he was expected to break through within five years. Covus was in a similar position. And then there was Phineas.
In other words, all four possessed the qualifications to ascend to godhood, and their chances were considerable. But when Phineas revealed that only a few would be granted that chance—perhaps just a single spot—they finally grasped the true intent behind the Council of Elders' long-standing plans.
"Before becoming a god, there is an intermediary stage—a demigod. Demigods begin converting their humanity into divinity. However, this form decays. Their lifespan shortens to three or four centuries. The longer they wait, the weaker they become upon ascension. Thus, every era becomes a deadly competition."
Kuzan narrowed his eyes.
"How do you know all this? Even Council members don't know this immediately. You're not even an adult."
Phineas exhaled deeply.
"You know the four founders of Hogwarts, right?"
They nodded.
"Three of them—Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherin—are still alive."
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
"It's true. While some Elders have lived a thousand years using the Elixir of Life, these three did not. They achieved the demigod realm."
"Wait!" Corvus interrupted.
"You said demigods decay over time!"
"Exactly. That's what makes them legendary. Upon realizing the era's slots were taken by Council Elders, the three founders extended their lives through extraordinary means while inching toward godhood. I won't say how, but I will say this: the Elders have never stopped trying to rob them of that chance. It's likely that Slytherin and Hufflepuff's paths have already been blocked."
Kuzan guessed,
"Because they wouldn't join the Council? And now their bloodlines are extinct?"
Phineas nodded.
"Exactly. The Elders want to hoard the godhood slots, using every trick possible to eliminate threats."
The three fell into heavy silence.
The best way to delay others from reaching legend or demigod status… was to keep them constantly at war.
Phineas continued,
"The quota for an era is unknown—until the first god ascends. Only then can the demigods sense the total number and how many remain."
Kuzan nodded grimly.
"That's why the Council sows discord—to delay our growth and prevent us from discovering the truth."
"So why tell us?" Corvus asked.
Phineas smiled.
"Because I have ambition—and so do you. I won't settle for being a demigod. We all want the same thing. That puts us on a collision course with the Council's core."
Kuzan scoffed.
"Or we could wait. Become legends. Join the Council. Climb the ranks for a few centuries, then earn our slot."
Phineas smiled coldly.
"You're not that naive, Kuzan. Even if you make it into the core, the existing members have waited for eras. They won't hand over their place. They survive through potions and cling to power with desperation. You think they'll let you skip the line?"
Elrond glared at Kuzan, then nodded to Phineas.
"Go on."
Phineas continued,
"The new era hasn't begun yet. According to Hufflepuff, it will arrive within two to five years. When it does, the Council will immediately push one of their own to godhood, securing the quota. We must become legends before that happens."
Corvus sneered.
"Easy for you to say. Kuzan's almost there—but you? You're not even of age. By the time you become a legend, it'll be too late."
Phineas said nothing. He drew his wand and let his magical power surge.
Elrond's eyes widened.
"You're already a great wizard?"
Phineas nodded.
"And I'm nearly at the threshold of legend."
Kuzan looked impressed.
"No wonder you're pushing this. In a year, you'll ascend—and you need a stable magical world to do it."
Phineas agreed.
"Yes, this benefits me. But it helps you too."
Corvus sighed.
"I need to consult the elders of my family. This is too big for me to decide."
Elrond nodded as well.
Phineas shook his head.
"Who says maintaining the magical balance requires peace? If we cease all fighting, the Council will grow suspicious."
Kuzan's eyes lit up.
"Then we define the battles—local conflicts, predetermined outcomes, limited scope."
Phineas smiled.
"Exactly. Let others handle the petty skirmishes. Just like I do."