After laughing for a moment, both Tver and Rowena felt completely at ease. Even if all their secrets had been known to others. Tver knew Rowena was different from Helga. Though she could currently borrow the castle's magic, her true existence was a will awakened only through Tver's magic. Once he withdrew it, Rowena would return to the Diadem. In truth, she no longer wished to maintain even this conscious form.
"I'm sorry, Tver. Before helping you break the first Curse, I want to speak with my daughter first."
"I understand. Shall I fetch Grey Lady?"
Tver abruptly turned toward the doorway. At that moment, the previously closed door opened of its own accord, revealing a ghost shimmering with silver light standing outside. His assistance was no longer needed.
"Mother… I—I felt your magic… but…"
Grey Lady—no, she should be called by her true name, Helena Ravenclaw—stood hesitantly in the doorway, her hands clasped before her chest, gazing expectantly at her mother's seemingly tangible form. She could scarcely believe the scene before her.
Rowena's expression softened, her eyes brimming with infinite tenderness as she reached out her hands to her daughter.
"Welcome home, Helena."
Helena could hold back no longer. Like a young swallow returning to its nest, she flew swiftly into her mother's embrace, kneeling on the floor. At the same time, her ghostly form gradually solidified, allowing her to fully return to her mother's arms.
"Yes… I'm finally home," she said, her voice breaking with tears.
"Thank you, Tver," Rowena murmured, patting Helena's shoulder soothingly.
Tver bowed slightly. "It was my duty."
Helena lifted her head from her mother's embrace, puzzled. She recognized this highly esteemed professor and knew of his profound mastery of magic, but she hadn't imagined he could grant a soul physical form. But that wasn't her concern now. She had so much to say to her mother.
"Mother, have you been here all these years?" she asked, her voice tinged with playful reproach.
Rowena shook her head with a hint of resignation.
"I've been within the Diadem. When you stole it back then, I longed for the day we could speak. I never imagined you'd never wear it."
Mentioning the theft of the crown, Helena felt a pang of guilt and stole a glance at her mother's expression.
"Ever since I took the crown, I was already troubled. How could I possibly wear it?" She clutched her mother's arm and gave it a playful shake.
"It's all right," Rowena gently patted her hand. "No matter how long it takes, your mother will always wait for you."
At this, Helena's tears spilled uncontrollably. She buried her face in her mother's embrace, quickly soaking Rowena's arm.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have stolen your Diadem, shouldn't have stayed away from you… and certainly shouldn't have made you wait this long."
Rowena tenderly wiped the tears from her face and whispered softly, "Silly child, you are my daughter. What's wrong with wanting to take the Diadem?"
"But," Helena choked, lifting her head, "they say the Diadem enhances one's wisdom."
"It is never the crown that possesses wisdom," Rowena said, casting a subtle glance at Tver. These words were meant for Helena, but also for him. "Wisdom has always been mine, always."
"As long as it is I who wears the Diadem, it shall bear the name of wisdom!"
Helena was stunned by her mother's words. After a long moment, she murmured, "Then… do you forgive me?"
Rowena smiled broadly. "I never blamed you."
Helena immediately returned an equally radiant smile, her face glowing with relief.
Tver knew this was the harbinger of a ghost's impending departure from the mortal world. Ghosts lingered in the world because of unresolved obsessions, mere imprints of memory wandering places they once inhabited. They could not learn or experience new things. Only when they encountered someone or something that helped them release their attachments could they finally step into the realm of the dead like true departed souls.
Helena knew this well, and she looked at her mother with unease. Ever since seeing her mother, she had instinctively grown dependent on her, becoming somewhat more fragile.
"Mother, is the world over there… frightening?"
Rowena gave her an encouraging, gentle smile.
"Don't worry. I'll be there to help you."
Helena finally relaxed.
"Mhm," she nodded firmly. "I can't wait to see you over there, Mother."
"Don't rush. It's not too late once I've expressed my gratitude to Tver."
Rowena turned toward Tver, who stood quietly nearby.
"I'll leave all the insights of my will within this room. The badge's magic will also be activated. How much you comprehend will depend entirely on you."
"As for the Curse on you, once the badge's magic is fully awakened, it will fade on its own."
Tver looked at the badge in her hand, puzzled. The fact that the Curse couldn't be solved in one go genuinely surprised him.
"So that means I still have to find and master the other two elements of the four?"
Rowena gave a noncommittal nod.
"It depends on what you mean by 'removal.' If you only wish to suppress it, once you grasp my will, you'll be able to force the Curse down for centuries without difficulty."
"But if you want to eliminate it completely, to cut off the interference in your fate line, you'll need to master all four elements."
"And the four elements will greatly enhance your power. I'm truly looking forward to seeing you become the first person to grasp them all."
Tver's lips twitched in mild grievance. He had hoped Rowena would simply wipe the Curse away in one clean motion. As for the four elements—sure, they were powerful, but they were incredibly brain-draining. He'd rather improve step by step. With his comprehension ability, his strength would grow sooner or later anyway.
Rowena looked at him with amused helplessness and shook her head.
"I'll leave the rest to you. Whether entrusting the wizarding world to you is a blessing or a disaster, I honestly can't tell. But this is the last help I can give you."
Rowena's voice grew faint—so faint it was almost a whisper.
Helena didn't understand anything they were saying, nor did she want to. Her face shone with a sacred glow as she felt something deep inside, nestling closer to her mother.
Just as Tver watched in astonishment, the two Ravenclaw Madams dissolved into brilliant light and vanished without a trace.