Equip One Generation, Design One Generation, Pre-Research One Generation

No solution.

That was the answer Voldemort reached after a brief period of thought regarding this battle.

From the fight just now, Voldemort could see that Roger's fate observation was not as simple as observing destiny a short time ahead. He could see "very far."

There had been a trap in Roger's contract from the very beginning. That "one arm," added as a wager in the Philosopher's Stone game, would, after Roger altered his internal bodily structure through Transfiguration, allow Roger's danger sense to trigger at full power even if Quirrell's attack carried no killing intent!

Against a true prophet capable of freely observing fate, any surprise attack was ineffective. Every scheme, trick, and ambush would merely make a laughingstock of its user.

The more one toyed with schemes, the more likely one was to stumble into unforeseen circumstances.

Once one's observation of fate reached a certain level, the power of a prophet became almost as terrifying as freely turning back time! To Roger, even a 3% chance of victory, after making countless correct choices, was equivalent to infinitely approaching 100%, let alone 30%.

And the slightest stray mistake Quirrell made in battle would lead to an inevitable defeat.

The only way to break this deadlock and achieve victory was to make Quirrell grow strong enough to defeat Roger with 100% certainty, using absolute violence like a nuclear explosion to erase every possibility.

And that was why, after enrolling at Hogwarts, Roger had devoted all his research efforts to extending his lifespan and improving his talent, without giving the direction of combat magic research any consideration at all.

After truly coming into contact with the power of magic and understanding more of the mysteries of the mind, Roger's prophetic ability far surpassed what it had been during his time in the Middle East.

Having mastered magic such as Transfiguration, Roger at this point was nearly invincible in fights to the death—unless a powerful wizard on Dumbledore or Voldemort's level, or a force of the same tier, wanted to kill him! An enemy who had a chance of defeating him was an enemy he was certain to defeat.

An enemy he had no chance of defeating would remain hopeless even if he researched combat magic... The gap in their raw strength was a chasm, not something a few spells or techniques could make up for. If the other side used a single Finite Incantatem or crushed him with their mind, struggling would be useless.

Unless Roger had the targeted, destiny-level advantage that Harry possessed.

Otherwise, he had to honestly strengthen his foundations before he could catch up.

"Interesting. Heh, truly interesting." Voldemort let out a bone-chilling laugh from behind the turban.

He could indeed make Quirrell stronger by guiding him in magical knowledge, but what level was Quirrell at? Compete with this little prophet in growth rate?

Don't be ridiculous.

The possibility of breaking the deadlock through violence had never existed from the start.

Everything returned to the "answer" of the little game Roger had proposed.

"Can you really break fate?!"

.

.

.

Voldemort had not expected it.

So many years after graduating from Hogwarts, he had actually returned here once again.

The Hogwarts library.

As a wizard who had reached the pinnacle of the magical path in the present age, Voldemort naturally possessed his own understanding of magical systems.

He had delved deeply into Dark Magic and the field of souls.

It was not that he could not use other fields, but they were not on the same level as his Dark Magic.

Faced with an unfamiliar enemy from the domain of fate, the best method he could think of was to search these piles of old books for some trace of a way to break the deadlock.

Not far behind Voldemort, Roger watched his absorbed figure without giving it much thought.

If Voldemort truly found some method to break the deadlock, Roger's danger sense would react immediately. When the time came, he would simply respond accordingly.

While Voldemort was growing stronger and stronger, Roger had not been standing still either.

After more than two months at Hogwarts, Roger's magical path was finally about to enter a new realm!

Come to think of it, he had to thank Professor McGonagall for leading him onto the path of alchemy, and Hermione for exposing the blind spot that had obscured his vision.

Although the operating principles inside alchemical items were supported by magical power and had absolutely nothing to do with neuroscience or physics—a complete technological black box—

Roger's idea of creating a powerful alchemical organ, studying how it worked, then replicating it in his own body, using Transfiguration-based bodily modification and alchemy to boost each other and soar in place, had failed.

But while alchemy made Roger's talent stronger, it also pointed him toward a clear path.

After a period of research, Roger's alchemical Second Brain had already taken shape. The technology to assist calculations and accelerate thought was still nowhere in sight, but after studying the alchemical principles of items like the Pensieve, he had quickly developed its memory-storage function.

Now that he possessed the ability to remember everything he saw, he no longer needed to spend time taking notes.

Roger's learning efficiency had now improved greatly compared to before.

And as Roger's attainments in Human Alchemy steadily increased, an idea arose in his mind. Perhaps he could try creating an alchemical organ similar to the magical eye of Mad-Eye Moody.

Of course, Roger was not trying to see through anyone. What he truly wanted was an alchemical organ that could allow the scale of his observation to break past the cellular limit.

If this concept succeeded, Roger's Transfiguration modifications would completely enter the 2.0 era, surpassing the current changes to flesh and blood cells and entering the level of material reorganization.

Perhaps he could achieve the path to "longevity" faster than expected.

If that truly happened, then he should begin preparing for the path of "agelessness" as well...

Roger's Path, like scientific research in Muggle society, was to equip one generation, design one generation, and pre-research one generation.

Step by step, he would continuously iterate his techniques, beginning with flesh and blood, then matter and energy, comprehending the truth of magical power, until he transcended magic itself and reached the other shore... provided he did not die along the way.

Very soon, Roger too, like Voldemort, became completely immersed in the world of knowledge.

For a time, the only sound in the entire library was the two of them turning pages.

Until a voice broke the silence.

"Roger, Roger..." A tiny voice sounded by Roger's ear.

Roger turned his head and saw that it was Hermione.

"What is it?"

"The Quidditch match is about to start. Aren't you going to watch?" Hermione, who had passed by the library to return some books, asked softly, a trace of confusion in her voice.

That was also why the library, which usually had quite a few people in it, contained only Roger and Voldemort, who was reading through Quirrell's body.

Quidditch was a popular sport throughout the wizarding world, and Hogwarts's Quidditch matches were among the school's major events. Normally, everyone in the school would head over to cheer for the team they supported, or simply watch the match.

...Even those who did not like Quidditch that much would usually go join in the excitement.

"Sorry. I'm not interested in making a special trip for a short match that's guaranteed to be won," Roger replied.

If Roger had guessed correctly, today's match would not only be a guaranteed victory—it would be a crushing one.

"But..." Hermione raised her brows.

"You could be called one of Harry's most important friends at Hogwarts. Yet you won't be there for his glorious moment... Harry will be disappointed, won't he?"