Because they all belonged to the same level of existence, Gandalf, Radagast, the two Blue Wizards, and Saruman were all subject to heavy restrictions.
Their souls were bound within mortal bodies, sealing away their true power. Under these constraints, their strength was not even comparable to that of a high-ranking Elf.
Even Glorfindel, who possessed power of the same order, was still restricted. Although his limitations were far lighter than those placed upon Gandalf and the other Istari, he was likewise unable to fully unleash his true strength.
Only the newly ascended Sylas was different.
He bore no restrictions whatsoever.
It could be said without exaggeration that he was now the strongest being in Middle-earth.
If Sauron were still alive, Sylas alone would have been more than enough to deal with him.
"We've waited outside for many days now," Sylas said calmly.
"There's no longer any need for us to handle matters here. We can leave the rest to Aragorn and his men. We should return to Hogwarts Castle."
As he spoke, Sylas wrapped an arm around Arwen's waist and smiled faintly.
"Gandalf," he added, "would you like to come with us?"
Gandalf looked down at the allied forces below and at the scattered remnants of lingering dark magic. For the first time in countless years, his expression showed unmistakable relief, as though a crushing burden had finally been lifted.
He smiled and nodded.
"There truly is nothing left for us to do here," Gandalf said with a chuckle.
"And I must hurry back as well. If I don't, those students of mine will never learn how to ride a broom properly."
"Then let's go," Sylas replied.
The light surrounding him intensified, enveloping Arwen, Gandalf, and the thunderbird beneath their feet. In the next instant, they vanished.
When they reappeared, they were already standing within the grounds of Hogwarts Castle.
This teleportation was nothing like Apparition, a Portkey, or phoenix travel. There was no sensation of movement, only a brief flash of light, and they were somewhere else entirely.
Only Gandalf vaguely sensed a fleeting distortion of space.
Arwen and Thorondor felt nothing at all. To them, it was as if their eyes had closed for a moment and then opened again, only to find themselves back at Hogwarts.
Arwen was deeply shaken.
In that instant, she gained a far clearer understanding of her husband's current power.
Their return was immediately noticed throughout the castle.
"The Headmaster is back!"
"Lord Sylas is back!"
Excitement and joy erupted across Hogwarts.
Sylas was the heart of the school. His prolonged absence had left the professors anxious and subdued. Arwen and Gandalf had searched tirelessly for him, and even the Ministry of Magic had mobilized its full resources.
The only reason panic had not overtaken them was because Smaug confirmed that his magical contract with Sylas still existed, proof that Sylas was alive.
That single fact had kept both Hogwarts and the Ministry from falling into chaos.
"Did you see that?" a student whispered excitedly.
"The Headmaster is glowing!"
"He feels… different than before."
"I couldn't even bring myself to meet his eyes."
"And he looks younger, no, more handsome! He hasn't changed, but somehow he's more beautiful than an Elf!"
The students murmured among themselves in awe.
The professors, however, felt something far more profound.
They were all veterans of magic, each with decades of experience, figures who stood near the pinnacle of Middle-earth's magical hierarchy, second only to Sylas and Gandalf.
Before, Sylas's power had felt like a river compared to an ocean.
Now, It felt like standing before a boundless sea.
From him, they sensed an unfathomable, abyss-like presence. This was no longer merely a difference in strength, but a difference in existence itself, as though Sylas stood on an entirely higher plane.
The realization left them utterly shaken.
"My lord… you're back," Vice-Headmaster Edward said, his voice trembling.
"That's truly wonderful."
Edward's voice carried excitement, and a faint choke of emotion.
Now, Edward was not only Sylas's most loyal attendant.
He was respected throughout Hogwarts as Vice-Headmaster, a master of Transfiguration, and a legendary educator. Although Sylas had once offered him the formal position of butler, Edward had declined, choosing instead to focus on teaching and administration.
And yet, between the honor of Vice-Headmaster and the role of Sylas's butler, Edward would choose the latter without hesitation.
He cared deeply for Sylas, Arwen, and their children. Toward the twins in particular, Edward treated them as his own children, willing to risk his life to protect them.
Outside of his own family, there were few people he cherished more.
Elseth and Elroth's closest and most trusted confidant was their butler, Edward.
Sylas's expression softened. He reached out and patted him on the shoulder.
"You've worked hard these past few days, Edward."
Sylas knew very well that Edward had been shouldering an enormous burden, managing Hogwarts' daily affairs while simultaneously coordinating with the Ministry of Magic, maintaining order, and ensuring that nothing went wrong within the castle.
Hearing Sylas's words, Edward straightened slightly and shook his head.
"It wasn't hard work, my lord," he said calmly. "It was simply my duty."
Sylas nodded and said nothing more, already resolved to reward him generously later. A loyal servant like Edward would never be treated unfairly.
After dismissing the professors to their respective duties, Sylas, Arwen, Gandalf, and Edward proceeded to the private resting chamber atop Amon Sûl.
They had barely taken a step inside when green flames suddenly ignited within the fireplace.
One by one, figures emerged from the Floo fire.
Elseth.
Elroth.
Galadriel.
And Elrond.
"Daddy!"
Elseth and Elroth cried out in unison, running straight toward Sylas and wrapping their arms tightly around his waist.
"We missed you so much!"
Seeing his children, Sylas felt his heart melt completely.
He knelt down, embraced them, and gently kissed each of their foreheads.
"Daddy missed you too."
After Sylas vanished at Mount Doom and failed to return, Arwen had entrusted their children to their maternal grandmother, Galadriel, while handing over Hogwarts' affairs to Edward. She then mounted her thunderbird,, and searched tirelessly across the wizarding world for Sylas's whereabouts.
Though Arwen and Galadriel never told the children what had truly happened, Elseth and Elroth were far too intelligent not to sense something was wrong.
Not wanting to burden their mother, they obediently remained in Lórien, waiting quietly for her to bring their father home.
Now that both their parents had finally returned, the kids clung tightly to Sylas's neck, as though afraid he might vanish again the very next moment.
Sylas felt their anxiety clearly, and with it, a deep sense of guilt.
He gently stroked their backs, his voice warm and steady as he comforted them.
"I'm here now. I won't disappear again."
Everyone else present smiled quietly, choosing not to disturb the intimate moment.
After finally calming them, Sylas set them down and turned to Galadriel and Elrond.
"Thank you for taking care of my children during these past few days, my lady," Sylas said sincerely to Galadriel.
Galadriel shook her head gently, her hand resting lightly atop the girls' heads, her eyes filled with affection.
"They were very well-behaved in Lórien," she said softly. "But they were always worried about you. You must comfort them properly, and make sure no shadows remain in their hearts."
Sylas looked at his two clever daughters and nodded gravely.
"I understand."
With the matter of the children settled, the conversation naturally shifted back to Sylas himself.
Noticing the changes in him, both Galadriel and Elrond were stunned, then genuinely overjoyed.
Sylas had crossed into an entirely new realm of existence in such a short span of time, something neither of them had expected.
Elrond, unable to hide his curiosity, finally asked,
"Sylas… what exactly happened to you inside Mount Doom?"
"You vanished without leaving the slightest trace for seven full days," he continued, eyes sharp with concern and wonder, "and then suddenly… there was an awakening of power on such a scale. What occurred down there?"
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