Vid withdrew his gaze from the battlefield and asked, "Besides the Patronus Charm, I've never seen such a spell that can autonomously distinguish between friend and foe... It's both protection and the deadly Flame of the Devil."
"But is the distinction made at the instant you cast the spell determined by your thoughts at that moment? Is this decision based on a comprehensive consideration, or is it a subconscious thought?"
Grindelwald laughed, "If it followed our subconscious, which we don't even understand, then after the spell, there might be hardly anyone left around me."
He coldly watched some clumsy wizards swinging their arms wildly, shouting spells to release magic, and said blandly:
"You've learned Occlumency, but you've only learned to block your mind, not how to create the illusion of false memories."
"As long as you clear your mind of distractions and leave a clear thought in your mind, that's the direction in which your flame will burn."
Vid was taken aback, then realized something, twitching at the corner of his eyes, he held back his retort.
——How do you know that I've learned Occlumency?
——So you, old man, tried to perform Legilimency on me when I wasn't paying attention?
While thankful that he had learned Occlumency early and cleared his mind every night before sleeping, he also clearly recognized the difference between Grindelwald and Dumbledore once again.
This Dark Wizard had reached such a level of strength, yet seemed completely unaware of the immorality of bullying children.
After a pause, Vid skipped the questioning and asked, "Fire Shield Protection and Fiendfyre are both highly difficult Dark Magic, right? This might even be harder."
"After casting, even without sustaining the spell with magic power, the flame devours those around to strengthen itself... So once it gets out of control, it will undoubtedly cause great casualties."
"How can one completely control or restrain it?"
Grindelwald gave him an amused look and said, "To control it is one thing... and you want to learn how to restrain my flame?"
Vid's gaze drifted slightly, feeling a bit awkward, but he persisted in asking brazenly, "…Can I learn it? If not, never mind."
"Since teaching is involved, of course, you should teach the whole set." Grindelwald said, "The secret to control lies in courage and determination—you cannot fear your flames, nor allow yourself to waver."
"Even when you see those you once trusted turn to ash in the fire, you must continue believing—neither you nor your spell is wrong. Since the decision has been made, those consumed by flames are enemies, nothing more."
Vid looked at Grindelwald's cold profile and couldn't help but think that he must have experienced something similar himself.
Watching someone familiar walk confidently into your flames, screaming, pleading, dying, only then understanding they were never really your ally.
In the distance, Delaine shattered a few bottles, releasing green smoke with an ominous aura that erupted like rapidly expanding clouds, engulfing an entire vehicle.
The people inside rushed out with wails, their skin quickly rotting, covered in blisters. They clawed at their faces desperately, soon losing consciousness.
Delaine, who looked like an elite warrior, was actually a Master of Potions.
Several vehicles rose into the air under the control of Levioso, then crashed heavily, suddenly shattering to reveal stunned soldiers inside.
Those who leaped from the vehicles finally realized that steel skin and iron bones could not protect them but instead became accomplices to their slaughterers, causing them to rush out of the vehicles.
"Bang! Bang! Bang..."
In the scattered gunfire, several members of the Witch Pure Party suddenly fell.
The soldiers who fired the shots themselves looked incredulous—why hadn't the missiles and machine guns worked earlier, yet the weaker bullets killed the enemy?
Then they immediately understood: not every wizard was as strong as a monster! The spells that deflected bullets were not as effective when the wizards spread out!
More muzzles spurted flames.
But the wails and sacrifices obviously did not disturb Grindelwald's interest in teaching. He coldly watched his people die, as well as those who survived rapidly grow under tremendous pressure.
He was the leader of the Witch Pure Party but not their nanny, uninterested in using his aging body as a wall to protect them like infants.
He didn't ponder what Vid was thinking, and continued:
"When you doubt or resent magic, it will also betray you—this is true of any magic, but the backlash from Fire Shield Protection is more brutal."
"As for how to restrain it... actually there's only one way..."
The surrounding was very noisy, and Grindelwald lowered his voice at that moment, prompting Vid to instinctively lean closer to hear more clearly.
...
On the hillside, if the baby's body hadn't been so weak, Voldemort suspected he might have jumped up several times in surprise.
Fortunately, each time he was about to do this, his soft bones forced him to abandon the thought, maintaining a very calm and composed posture.
But little Barty Crouch was different, drenched in sweat, his face growing paler, his hand gripping his Magic Wand trembling slightly.
Watching the battlefield below, he involuntarily placed himself in the attacked party, each time finding it hard to see a way to survive such a meat grinder of a place.
The initial rain of bullets alone could tear a person to pieces... Aren't paper airplanes just trivial toys bought by the Ministry of Magic? How could they be so effective... How hasn't it ended yet, how many paper airplanes do they have?
What is that Gold Powder... The Muggles acted so confidently, but it was futile…
If someone was shooting at him from behind while he protected his master, blocking one bullet could follow another—how many times could he handle that?
The reason the wizards of the Witch Pure Party haven't suffered mass casualties is because they have companions around them, who can watch each other's blind spots, their spells amplifying one another.
However, in the past, Barty Crouch Jr. had no friends on any side due to his personal stance and his father's identity.
He never thought it mattered because the Voldemort he admired had proven that if one was strong enough, they didn't need friends, everyone would bow down regardless.
However, it seems now that, without immense power, having a comrade is indeed vital, especially when facing Muggles with potent and cunning weaponry...
"Barty," Voldemort suddenly said.
"Master?"
"Look at that person standing next to Grindelwald," the infant Voldemort said, pointing with his Magic Wand.
Barty Crouch Jr. quickly found the person he referenced—Grindelwald, without a hood, stood out in the crowd of dark-clad wizards with his white hair.
The person, not very tall, stood very close to Grindelwald, their stances indicating a very intimate relationship.
And he hadn't acted the entire time, which obviously couldn't be due to a higher status than Grindelwald, but rather because his Magic Ability wasn't as strong, hence being protected.
"Looks like he's someone Grindelwald values as a successor," Barty Crouch Jr. speculated, "Not very tall... perhaps he's quite young too."
"Yes, remember that," Voldemort said, "If we ever need to deal with the Witch Pure Party, this might be a breakthrough point."
"Understood."
Barty Crouch Jr. acknowledged, looking at the cloaked figure.
Though he couldn't clearly see his face, perhaps if they encountered the Witch Pure Party again, recognizing a highly regarded young wizard of similar height would help confirm his identity.
If Grindelwald wants his descendant to be the heir, surely he wouldn't keep him hidden forever...
...
On the battlefield, Vid, who hadn't even cast a single spell, suddenly clenched his fist tightly, his expression instantly tense, feeling his scalp about to explode.
After discussing the main questions, Grindelwald suddenly pressed his shoulder and asked, "Vid, are you planning to escape today?"