The magical aftershocks in the training room had not yet dissipated; the protective runes on the stone walls still flickered with a faint red light, and the ground was uneven, with rubble scattered everywhere.
Regulus and Orion sat side-by-side on the floor, their backs against the cold black stone wall, the air still thick with the scorching and damp scent left by colliding spells.
Regulus adjusted his breathing to recover his magic. After a moment, he spoke up: "Sirius not coming home might not necessarily be a bad thing."
Orion's movements paused, and his eyes darkened. He didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.
"He's living quite comfortably at Hogwarts. James Potter and the others treat him sincerely, and the atmosphere of Gryffindor suits him."
Regulus's tone was calm, as if he were stating facts about someone unrelated to him.
"His personality is too intense; he would never accept the Black family's rules or the intricacies of the pure-blood circles."
He turned to look at Orion: "His current choice, though rebellious, is actually the path that suits him best. Only by leaving Grimmauld Place and staying away from the disputes of the pure-blood circles can he live freely."
Orion remained silent, many fragments of memory suddenly flashing through his mind.
When Regulus was younger, whenever Sirius was being scolded by Walburga or complaining about the family's constraints, he would always seemingly unintentionally mention choices, paths, and leaving.
Those details he had once ignored now connected, giving his heart a jolt.
Could it be that this younger son had been subtly guiding Sirius toward this path long ago?
"In the future, he will stand on Dumbledore's side." Regulus's tone was certain, as if he had already seen the future: "This is the best arrangement."
Orion looked up, doubt in his eyes, but even more scrutiny: "Why are you so sure?"
"The situation is clear." Regulus's finger traced lightly on the floor, sketching out a simple outline of the powers at play.
"The rise of Lord Voldemort is essentially the impact of pure-blood supremacy on the existing order. What Dumbledore represents is the force that maintains a pluralistic balance.
Sirius loathes the hypocrisy and cruelty of the pure-blood circles; naturally, he will side with Dumbledore."
Regulus's tone rose slightly: "Moreover, he is only suited to live in the sunlight.
Dumbledore's side has an honorable stance, friends to fight alongside, and a sense of justice he identifies with—these are all things he wants.
Letting him do what he believes in is better than trapping him in the family to become a rebellious person full of resentment."
Orion watched his son's clear thinking and listened to his logical analysis, waves of emotion stirring in his heart.
"The balance of the wizarding world was broken long ago," Regulus continued, his fingertips never stopping.
"Pure-blood families hold the resources and heritage, yet they are stuck in their ways, only thinking about maintaining tradition—which is actually just being unwilling to let go of their interests.
Half-blood and Muggle-born wizards are rising, yet they lack a sufficient voice. But that's only for now; they will grow stronger and stronger until they can no longer be suppressed.
The Ministry of Magic appears to be in control, but in reality, it is weak and powerless. Lord Voldemort's appearance has simply brought these contradictions completely to the surface."
"The future situation won't be a simple black-and-white opposition, but more of a tug-of-war over interests.
With Sirius standing on Dumbledore's side, he can leave a back door for the Black family, while we maneuver on this side to protect the family's foundation.
Two paths, complementing each other. No matter which side eventually gains the upper hand, the Black family can survive."
Orion was silent for a long time; only the steady breathing of the two people remained in the training room.
He had to admit that in terms of predicting the future situation, he was inferior to this son who was only eleven years old.
Regulus not only possessed great power but also a clear head and long-term vision. This, more than mere magical strength, could ensure the long-term inheritance of the Black family.
Orion thought for a long time before slowly nodding, his tone carrying a hint of relief: "From now on, I won't interfere with his choices."
He looked at Regulus, his gaze becoming solemn, as if making a hand-over: "Regarding his affairs, I'll leave them to you to handle from now on."
Regulus did not respond, just quietly looking at his father.
Orion took a deep breath, as if having made a difficult decision, his voice low: "Regulus, if it truly comes down to it in the end… you will be the priority."
Regulus understood those words.
His father was saying that between the survival of the family and Sirius's safety, he had ultimately chosen the former, choosing this younger son who was more capable of shouldering the Black family's future.
Regulus's heart stirred. He didn't say anything pretty, but simply reached out and firmly patted Orion's shoulder, the strength in his palm steady and resolute.
Orion looked at his son's calm profile, and the tight corners of his mouth slowly curved into a smile. Much of the heaviness in his eyes dissipated, replaced by gratification and trust.
The conversation naturally turned to the upcoming Malfoy family Christmas gala. Orion said, "At the Malfoy gathering, families from all walks of life will be present."
Then he took the initiative to ask: "I want to hear your thoughts."
"If Lord Voldemort wants loyalty, we give him loyalty. If he wants resources, we provide resources."
Regulus had already prepared his thoughts: "But we cannot be like the Lestrange family, throwing ourselves in completely and tying the family's fate entirely to him."
He refined the ideas he had previously discussed with Narcissa: "We must show loyalty on the surface while maintaining independence in secret.
He needs the power and prestige of the Black family, so we use that as a bargaining chip to retain our own decision-making space and room for development within his sphere of influence.
We won't take the initiative to cause trouble, nor will we blindly obey. At critical moments, we must have our own judgment and not be completely assimilated by him."
Orion nodded slightly as he listened, his finger lightly tapping his knee: "What you're thinking is largely consistent with the family's plans."
His tone carried a sense of shrewdness: "Lord Voldemort is indeed powerful and charismatic, ranking high in the history of the wizarding world, but he hasn't reached the point where every family should bet their entire future on him."
He turned to Regulus, deciding to reveal more of the inside story: "Some families are truly fanatical and follow him wholeheartedly, but more families are just watching.
There are even a few families who deliberately push those brainless fools to the front, letting them show unreserved loyalty, while they themselves are actually observing.
To see what the final outcome will be for those who completely depend on Lord Voldemort."
Regulus's heart stirred, and he understood instantly.
He had always thought that by relying on his foresight as a transmigrator, he saw the situation clearly, as if he had a God's-eye view.
But he had forgotten that Orion was the patriarch who had led the Black family for years and had experienced countless political gambits. When it came to these intricacies, Orion was far more experienced than him.
The Black family could endure for a thousand years not by brute force, but by this kind of step-by-step caution and shrewdness.
He had indeed been a bit arrogant before, underestimating the survival wisdom of these ancient families.
But on second thought, even if Orion saw through it, the Black family still met a miserable end in the established fate.
Walburga's fanaticism, Sirius's break with the family, Bella's madness, and Lord Voldemort's paranoia and cruelty—none of these could be resolved by shrewdness alone.
Ultimately, one still needed sufficiently powerful strength to control one's own destiny in the storm.
Orion didn't notice his son's thoughts and continued: "Your idea of placing the Black family in the position of a partner is bold and very risky.
Lord Voldemort has an extremely strong desire for control. Once detected, it's equivalent to a provocation, and the consequences are dangerous."
He changed the subject: "But it's not completely impossible, as long as we show enough value to make him feel that the Black family is indispensable.
At the same time, by maintaining a low enough profile, not stealing the spotlight, and not touching his bottom line, we can quietly develop our own power right under his nose."
He looked at Regulus: "When we get to the gathering, just stay by my side and let me handle everything.
The outward posture must be sufficient; say what needs to be said and don't ask what shouldn't be asked. Your strength is already enough for them to take you seriously; there's no need to show it off deliberately."
Regulus nodded, then brought up something he had been thinking about: "Father, I want to see the inheritance in the family's Chamber of Secrets."
Orion's face immediately darkened, and he refused without hesitation: "No."
"Why?" Regulus pressed.
"The family inheritance is not just ordinary magic books," Orion said sternly.
"Our ancestors sealed the powerful magic, magical insights, and combat experience they mastered throughout their lives into Memory Crystals.
Those memories contain not only the complete cultivation process of magic but also the magic power and spiritual will of the ancestors."
He emphasized: "That magic power is extremely vast, and the spiritual will is exceptionally strong. Rashly touching them can, at best, lead to being suppressed by the ancestor's will, affecting your own magical path.
At worst, it can cause a mental breakdown, invite backlash, and turn you completely into a vessel for the inheritance, losing yourself."
×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×
Read Extra Chapter Visit My Patreon
I have only 1 tier
19$ Tier – Access to 30 advance chapters
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil