Core Switching Method included switching the inner portion of a Wand log with the Wand Core before carving the log into a proper Wand.
The Core Aging Method was much more complicated.
In this, the Wandmaker needed to split the log into two halves and carve a cylindrical hollow chamber to place the Wand Core. Then, the two halves of the original wooden log were combined with Sealing magic. As such magic would lose its efficacy over time, a Sealing Potion was used instead, the process itself lasting anywhere between half a month and several months.
The complexity made this method impractical for large-scale production.
Even after years, Darcie had only mastered the Core Switching Method and hadn't succeeded in the Core Aging Method.
It wasn't just the months-long time consumption that limited her practice.
It was also related to the Wand Core's Awakening.
Every Wand Core was a piece of a magical being, which was connected to Nature, the core of the Harry Potter Bubble — the source of all Magic.
To perfectly simulate that connection with a Wand, these Wand Cores needed to be awakened first.
In the Core Switching Method, after switching the wood's insides with a Wand Core, this awakening was the least — as clear from the only hours-long spells and formations needed to create a Wand… if one had ample mastery of the method.
The Core Aging Method took it a step further, focusing more on Awakening.
That's why the quenching of a Wand log, with the Wand Core in it, in a Sealing Potion took weeks to months, depending on the combination of wood and core, the age of the wood, the age of the core's parent magical being, etc.
Not only was it extremely complex, but it also required insane focus and perfect mastery over all steps involved.
Even the likes of Ollivander, to whom this Wandlore belonged, wouldn't attempt crafting a Wand through the Core Aging Method unless they had ample time on their hands.
But these weren't the only two methods Ollivander had shared with Darcie.
The most interesting, the most time-consuming, and potentially the best method to craft a perfectly awakened Wand, which could simulate a near-original connection with Nature, was Core Resurrection.
In this, the Wandmaker needed to graft a Wand Core into the branch of a tree of compatible wood before leaving it alone for… years.
Decades were preferable.
Centuries were best.
Over the years, Kai had realized that the only way he could access Mana from the Multiverse directly, using Magic Core as per his plans, was the Core Resurrection Method.
It was more so now, with Kai's Magecraft, Gradation Blood, revolving about Resurrection.
If he somehow succeeded in creating a Magic Core, then the only way to make the best use of it was to use this method on himself.
For that, Kai needed to master the Core Resurrection Method.
For that, Darcie needed to master the Core Resurrection Method, first.
With only two years, or even less time on his hands, and her not even close to mastering the Core Aging Method, things weren't looking good for him.
That was one of the reasons Kai had relinquished his hold over Darcie, letting Darcie-Echo take over instead.
Kai had chosen to confine himself to a deep meditative state, putting the entire Ad Infinitum's processing power into figuring out the Core Resurrection Method.
That… was not working, though.
If he had another hundred or two hundred years, then perhaps it wouldn't have mattered.
However, in sheer complexity, the Core Resurrection Method was no less than creating his own Magecraft. In a way, it was just another Magecraft, but comprising the laws of the Harry Potter Bubble.
As Magecraft was related to The Root in terms of the Fate Bubble, Ollivander's Wandlore, or better to say, Crafting of Wands, was related to Nature in the same way.
But it was only the Core Resurrection Method that truly met Kai's standards.
So what he needed at this moment was either a time chamber, just like Outside of the World, or… to experience the Resurrection of a Wand.
And so, when Dumbledore called Darcie and Harry to him, Kai had instantly realized that the pieces he had placed on the board had finally begun to show their colors.
Because till now, not only Lord Black Phoenix, but even the members of the Order of Immortal Lotus, perhaps, thought that bringing Ilvermorny to Britain was… their idea.
"Ilvermorny refused to participate in the Tournament?" Harry repeated, puzzled. "But, Professor, you said…"
Dumbledore smiled, burying the Despair he carried deep within him so that the children would not perceive it. "I know what I said, Harry. It only shows how much I trust you two."
Harry looked puzzled.
"Is it because of me?" Darcie asked.
And suddenly, Harry knew what was going on.
It wasn't like Hogwarts hadn't suffered under Lord Yellow Warlock's hands, as many students had been left at the doors of death at the end of the Battle of Legends.
However, Ilvermorny had truly lost them, with dozens dying when the Dark Alliance took over MACUSA.
Ilvermorny had miraculously resisted the siege for weeks before they were forced to come here with Madam Villanelle's help.
One could even say that they hated Lord Yellow Warlock more than anyone else… the same man who had been hiding in Darcie's Magical Suitcase.
Dumbledore nodded. "They have demanded Darcie's expulsion."
"But that wasn't her fault at all!" Harry countered.
Darcie raised a brow.
Dumbledore's smile broadened. "See, this is exactly what I want them to know," he said. "Ilvermorny students are much more radical, finding the privileges of Pure Blood families, which a section of our magical community is so fond of, outdated. Before the start of next semester, I want you two to go to Ilvermorny and convince them to join the Tournament…"
Harry felt his shoulders weighing a ton instantly. "Sir, I…"
"Isn't such a crucial task better left to teachers, Professor?" Darcie asked, Harry nodding next to her.
Dumbledore got up from his chair and looked out from the window.
"There's nothing more convincing than the innocence of youth," he said, smiling. "Now, off you two. I am sure you two will try your best. Worst comes to worst… I will admit that I lied."
Darcie's brows furrowed.
Harry's entire face crumpled.
Because neither of them wanted someone to say that Dumbledore was a… liar.
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