The radiant magical brilliance seemed like a giant net, which, after appearing, gradually submerged into the space, making Ian feel that some hidden unusual change was beginning to happen within the space.
Like an egg.
Being stripped of its outer shell.
Although it appeared that nothing had changed around, each fluctuation of magic felt like a hammer striking an invisible barrier, causing ripples to spread in waves.
It was as if even the very fabric of time and space were trembling. The two elderly and one young, their robes rustling with a fierce sound, Ian felt himself and the two elders were caught in a terrifying vortex.
Everything visible within sight began to blur, everything around was spinning, changing, colors and shapes intertwined forming bizarre images.
Countless scattered scenarios played out within, perhaps other possibilities condemned by fate to oblivion. Ian strained to open his eyes but could not clearly see the scenes within those images.
The sounds resembling the overlapping of fate, chaotic and cluttered, converged together comparable to the whispers of an Elder God, such sensations Ian had only slightly experienced in Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's memory.
"Three people, isn't it enough?"
Every surge of magical power emanating from Albus Dumbledore was an attempt to break the chaotic scenery, yet the overlapping and interwoven images showed no sign of collapsing.
It continued to twist incessantly.
The speed even accelerated.
"It shouldn't be like this..." A hint of seriousness crossed Grindelwald's face, as the magical link between him, Albus Dumbledore, and Ian allowed him to clearly feel the repeated failures of magic attempts led by Albus Dumbledore.
"I'm feeling dizzy, what happens if it doesn't succeed?"
Ian was probably the weakest among the three, feeling he was reaching his limit, with magical fatigue overtaking him much faster than the two elders.
"We'll all be stuck in this gap forever, huh." Grindelwald's voice carried no sign of tension, even a slight lightness, leaving the little wizard unsure if he was teasing.
"Now is not the time for jokes, Gellert." Albus Dumbledore was clearly giving his all, his terrifying control over magic power attempting to guide Ian and Grindelwald to concentrate their magic for a breakthrough. Unfortunately, it still could not stop the chaotic surroundings.
Instead, the surrounding things distorted even more severely. Like mistakenly stepping into the world inside a Picasso painting, the night sky and earth linked together as if they're being melded.
"Obviously, we underestimated Salazar Slytherin's magic, tut-tut." Grindelwald still had the mood to shrug in the chaotic scenery. His magic wand was emanating magic power continuously, no less than Albus Dumbledore's, but Ian always felt this guy seemed not to be exerting full effort.
Perhaps intending for him and his old friend to stay here long enough?
"Damn!"
Ian never quite believed the rumors about the "bromance" between the two from school, but the current situation forced him to worry he might be stuck here with the two old men forever.
"Can't we return first?"
Ian looked at the more reliable Albus Dumbledore.
However.
The old headmaster's silence increased his genuine nervousness. In the pinnacle of chaotic environment, the crisis sense in Ian's heart grew stronger.
He felt he and the two elders were being swept into the twisted things.
Those distortions.
Were the abyss of fate.
As if to devour everything.
Perhaps Grindelwald might indeed not be joking.
"Don't worry, I promised I would send you back." Albus Dumbledore seemed to have sensed Ian's emotions, his eyes flashing continuously, as if making some determination.
However.
Just as the old headmaster seemed about to take other measures—suddenly, Ian's magic wand trembled unexpectedly, the magical power linked between him, Albus Dumbledore, and Grindelwald hovered unstably. Seeing this, Grindelwald's expression changed drastically, and he issued a sharply shouted voice.
"Damn it! I'm not teasing! Don't attempt other magic!" His voice carried some uncertainty, a hand suddenly grabbing the little wizard beside him.
"This will make you disappear from history completely!"
Grindelwald loudly conveyed the seriousness of the issue to Ian.
However.
"I didn't intend to attempt any other magic..." Ian noticed his magic wand's tip began emitting silver threads, and as his words fell, countless others had already emerged.
They wove, gathered between Ian, Albus Dumbledore, and Grindelwald, eventually condensing into a charming silhouette, the girl first looked curiously around the twisted surroundings.
Right after.
In Ian's stupefaction, Dumbledore's astonishment, Grindelwald's surprise, Ariana turned her gaze towards her brother, more accurately towards the Sorting Hat tightly held by Albus Dumbledore.
Her gaze seemed to see something else.
"Ian, did Pandro say you need my help?"
The girl floated forward.
Then.
Under the rapid breathing and complex eyes of Albus Dumbledore, she drew a longsword from within the Sorting Hat, numerous golden patterns began surfacing on the sword.