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Ever since Roger gained his freedom, Dumbledore had been keeping an eye on him.
In Dumbledore's view, Roger was excellent in every way—except for his pursuit. That, Dumbledore found troubling.
Immortality.
If Roger merely sought longevity, Dumbledore wouldn't have been too concerned. After all, he had an old friend who had achieved just that.
But immortality was an entirely different matter.
It was a path nearly impossible to tread. As one of the most knowledgeable wizards of his era, Dumbledore could say that with confidence.
Roger was fine as he was now, but what would happen when he truly embarked on the path of immortality, only to realize the despair that lay ahead?
Dumbledore wasn't willing to take that gamble.
That was why, when he entrusted the Philosopher's Stone to Roger, it wasn't just an act of trust—it was a test, and in a way, a strike against Roger.
Not a strike against his life, but against his ideals.
Dumbledore understood seers well, so he wouldn't play cryptic word games like he had in the past. Instead, he laid everything out clearly.
"Roger, this won't be for nothing. When this is over, I'll introduce you to someone. I've heard from McGonagall about your goals—he might be able to help you." Dumbledore spoke calmly.
Entrusting Roger with the Philosopher's Stone was both an act of faith and a test. Over his long life, Dumbledore had seen too many people and too many events.
He knew how treacherous the path of immortality was. When Roger faced an opportunity for eternal life right within his grasp, would he be able to suppress his desires?
This was the first test.
Can you resist the temptation?
The letter Dumbledore had given Roger not only contained instructions for the professors but also granted Roger the authority to act at his discretion. The letter itself was also a magical artifact, allowing Roger to access most of Hogwarts' resources—even some permissions within the Headmaster's office.
It was practically half the authority of a temporary headmaster.
Roger had always been focused on magic, treating his classmates kindly—not just Gryffindors, but even Slytherin students. If he saw them in trouble, he would step in to help.
He never saw Slytherins as enemies, even though they were often at odds with Gryffindors.
He was dedicated to his own path yet treated others with fairness and kindness. But… would he remain the same if he held real power?
Would he abuse his privileges? Would his mindset change because of his new status?
Dumbledore had seen too many politicians who were completely different people before and after gaining power. He had also seen those who claimed to act "for the greater good" but ended up lost in the world's temptations.
Now, there were no armies pushing Roger to the brink of life and death daily. If he made a few missteps, as long as they weren't too severe, there wouldn't be any dire consequences.
This was the second test.
Can you wield power without corruption?
"I'll recommend that you study under him for a while. If you're interested, and if he's willing, I might even recommend you as his apprentice. Based on what I know of him, he might even teach you how to create a Philosopher's Stone… You know who I'm talking about, don't you?" Dumbledore gazed at Roger with gentle eyes.
The road Roger had chosen was one filled with countless obstacles.
Dumbledore, having observed Roger for some time, had also noticed what Voldemort had once seen—Roger's talent was rare, perhaps appearing only once in a century. And the greater one's abilities, the greater their impact.
If Roger strayed from the right path in his pursuit of immortality, it wouldn't just be himself who suffered. A vast number of wizards and Muggles might be dragged into the abyss with him.
Dumbledore couldn't stand by and let that possibility take root, so he chose to act.
Dumbledore's three tests were also three deadly strikes.
The Philosopher's Stone and power—if Roger misused them, Dumbledore wouldn't even need to intervene harshly. A fall into temptation and corruption would shatter Roger's unwavering will on its own.
Willpower was the source of magic. Without an indomitable will, Roger's magical talent and future potential would be severely stunted.
If Roger never grew too powerful, Dumbledore, being capable of handling the aftermath, would have no reason to act against him beyond guiding him back to the right path.
After all, Dumbledore had never intended to throw Roger into Azkaban just for making mistakes.
Everyone makes mistakes in their youth. As long as they don't cross fundamental moral lines, Dumbledore was always willing to be forgiving.
But the third strike was far deadlier than the first two.
Dumbledore hadn't deceived Roger. If Roger was willing, Dumbledore truly intended to recommend him to his old friend—an alchemist who had lived for over six hundred years and had long grown weary of life.
If Roger gave in to the temptation of an easy path—if he abandoned his obsession with unreachable immortality and settled for the easily attainable Philosopher's Stone and Elixir of Life—that, too, would be a satisfactory outcome in Dumbledore's eyes.
Unlike the consumable stone currently in Roger's possession, mastering the creation of the Philosopher's Stone meant that as long as Roger didn't wish to die, no one knew how long he could live. Perhaps even thousands of years.
A near-impossible chance at true immortality versus a guaranteed path to longevity.
Which would you choose?
Aside from dulling his will and eliminating a certain future possibility, the choice brought nothing but benefits.
This was an inescapable trap.
This was the third and final test.
The final strike.
Three times I ask—can you resist?
"I understand. Master Alchemist Nicolas Flamel… I do need knowledge of alchemy. Thank you, Headmaster." Roger responded.
Guarding the Philosopher's Stone for a while and learning from Nicolas Flamel—Roger knew these weren't equal exchanges.
Roger didn't like owing favors, but when faced with something he truly needed, he never let pride hold him back. Debts could be repaid later, even doubled. But some opportunities, once missed, were gone forever.
"However, as for formally becoming his apprentice or the Philosopher's Stone… I'll pass. I have my own path to walk," Roger said firmly.
It wasn't that he had anything against Nicolas Flamel or the Philosopher's Stone.
But immortality was a long and arduous road, and longevity was merely the first step.
If, at the very beginning of this path, he already needed shortcuts—choosing a road he wasn't familiar with, one he wasn't suited for—then even Roger himself would know that his pursuit of immortality was doomed.
Could such weak resolve ever hope to achieve true immortality?
"Hmm." Dumbledore nodded but remained noncommittal.
With his vast experience, Dumbledore knew that words meant little.
Actions were what truly mattered.
He wanted to see what Roger would actually do.
Would he succumb to the temptation of the Philosopher's Stone?
Would he be corrupted by power?
Would he abandon his ideals for reality?
…Had all of his moves been countered by Roger?
If Roger truly overcame these trials of greed, desire, and ignorance—
Then Dumbledore would never again interfere with Roger's path.
For such a terrifyingly determined mind, perhaps he was the one who should attempt the path that countless brilliant wizards throughout history had failed to walk.
That hopeless road.
---
Unaware of the subtle and deadly tests Dumbledore had placed before him, Roger, after parting ways with the headmaster, made his way toward Professor McGonagall's office.
She had told him she would be available this afternoon.
Roger was curious—if magic in this world was the echo of the mind, if spells and potions were just branches of ritual magic, then what exactly was alchemy?
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.