Chapter 285: You Really Are a Prophet

"The resurrection potion is complex. Perhaps I got the proportions of some ingredients wrong while making it for you, leading to this mutation..." Murphy fabricated the story without even blinking.

"Okay." Lucas nodded, not too bothered by this detail.

Being resurrected, having a living body to truly feel the world, she was already very happy. Whether male or female, she didn't particularly care.

She wasn't planning on falling in love anyway.

The female body was a bit weak now, but that was mostly due to just having been resurrected. With some exercise, it shouldn't be a problem.

More importantly, as a wizard, her strength wouldn't diminish just because she became a female.

"Professor, is this laboratory yours?" Lucas asked.

They were currently touring the magical plants laboratory. The cobra lilies in the massive glass greenhouse were hissing at her.

"Yes," Murphy said, "It's an experiment of mine. An attempt to explore the future paths of wizards and Muggles."

Lucas's deep blue eyes fixed on Murphy, "Professor, I want to tell you something. It might sound bizarre, but I hope you'll listen until the end."

Then, Lucas recounted her story of being Tom Riddle, becoming a diary, being picked up in 2077, hearing about the dire state of wizards in that era, being sent back to the present, becoming Lucas, being used as a tool for resurrection by the diary, and ultimately, accidentally becoming a girl.

Hearing his own fabricated story from someone else almost made Murphy break his composure, but he managed to keep it together.

"Speaking of which, I haven't asked you, why did you resurrect me?" Lucas inquired. "Did you already know the condition of my body?"

"From treating your wounds, I had my suspicions," Murphy said. "After you used the key to come to me, I used Legilimency on Quirrell to understand your situation. At that time, I happened to have the Elixir of Life, so I resurrected you. After all, I couldn't just watch my own student die, could I?"

"Thank you, Professor," Lucas said. "Then, Professor, do you believe the stories I've told you?"

"They are indeed bizarre, but not impossible," Murphy said. "After all, this is a magical world. Anything can happen."

"I'm still a bit skeptical," Lucas admitted, "but I'm more worried it could become reality. That future is too cruel for wizards. Professor, do you think wizards truly cannot overcome Muggles?"

"It's difficult," Murphy said. "We can covertly control the leaders of Muggles, manipulate a country, but all these are under the premise that we do not expose ourselves. Once we must engage in full-scale war with Muggles, I see almost no possibility of victory for wizards."

"On one hand, our magic is miraculous, but not so effective in warfare. On the other hand, Muggles are just too good at waging war. In this regard, they might have hundreds of times more experience than us... Trying to erase a huge gap in experience and power with one or two magical tricks is very difficult."

"But, what you're doing now seems to be exposing magic to Muggles," Lucas expressed her confusion. "Doesn't this just squander the little advantage we already have?"

"We never really had any advantage. The only way for us to survive is to avoid war," Murphy explained.

"In fact, even before you told me these things, I had already thought a lot about the future of wizards and Muggles."

"The path of confrontation is impassable."

"The path of hiding is also impassable."

"The only feasible path is coexistence."

"We must learn to coexist with Muggles," Murphy said.

"This planet is large enough for both wizards and Muggles to survive, yet small enough to not accommodate two hostile groups."

"And communication is the only way to avoid hostility."

"We must understand Muggles and let Muggles understand us," Murphy continued. "And this laboratory is one such attempt."

"I've said the same thing to Professor Dumbledore, unfortunately, he seems unable to understand. What about you, Lucas? Can you understand what your teacher is saying?"

Lucas nodded, "I can. You truly are a prophet. I'm now more convinced than ever!"

"Lucas sent me back to the present surely so I could meet you. Only you can prevent that future from happening."

Uh... well, okay.

"So, what can I do, Professor?" Lucas asked.

Murphy thought for a moment.

He kept Lucas around because he valued her talent. There would surely be a use for her in the future, but for now, there was no need for her to take action.

"Learn. First, you should learn everything about Muggles, their knowledge, their thoughts, their science. There are many books here, and many of the brightest scientists. You should be able to learn a lot."

...

After leaving the Magical Research Institute, Murphy went to see the commander of the Watchers—Winston Robinson.

This former classmate, who had once made a chip for him, was now one of the most powerful figures in the Ministry of Magic, and the disciplinary force Murphy used to reform the Ministry was directly led by Winston.

"Most of the important positions in the Ministry have been vetted. There aren't many true Death Eaters, but some have families with Death Eater backgrounds, and others have been involved in unsavory deeds. We've got something on some of them, ready to take action at any time."

"How many of Dumbledore's people did you find?" Murphy asked.

"Not many, besides Arthur Weasley and a few staunch supporters of Dumbledore you mentioned, most aren't directly loyal to him. In fact, Dumbledore doesn't have much to attract them with."

"Justice and dedication only appeal to the most upright minority, and such people often don't climb to high positions."

Murphy smiled, "Then our Ministry is truly rotten to the core."

"Yes, rotten to the core," Winston laughed. "The leaders are all opportunists. But it's precisely such people who are easier to control."

"Assign those of Dumbledore's people to less important departments. As for Arthur..." Murphy pondered for a moment, "Well, he's already in a minor department. Just make sure they don't get access to any sensitive information."

"Develop a comprehensive system of authority to exclude them from important affairs. Also, use this system to keep the opportunists caged."

"We don't need perfect people, just need them to be effective tools."

"Of course, everyone must sign a new employment agreement."

The kind with a Fidelius Charm embedded.

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