Legilimency

Isobel's gaze fell on the wrist that had been grabbed, then she looked up at Albert, frowning as she asked, "Is there anything else?"

"I'm sorry." Albert awkwardly released Isobel's hand and said honestly, "I want to learn Legilimency."

"I remember our agreement was: I would teach you Occlumency." Isobel didn't rush to leave after Albert let go.

"In fact, I've already taught you, and you've already learned Occlumency, haven't you?" Isobel stared at Albert and asked rhetorically, "Or do you think the tuition is too expensive?"

"Okay, I admit it, I was greedy. But this is a rare opportunity, and I don't want to give up the chance to learn Legilimency. I can give you another Galleon, or..." Albert originally wanted to say that he owed him a favor. However, in Europe, it's not common to owe favors, so he didn't bring it up.

"Or what?" Isobel asked curiously. After Albert mastered Occlumency, she could no longer read Albert thoughts.

To be honest, Isobel was utterly astonished that Albert was able to master Occlumency in such a short time.

"Perhaps this is what they call genius!" As Isobel sighed, an absurd thought suddenly popped into his mind.

"Hmm?" Isobel's expression immediately became very strange. Could this guy have already learned Occlumency beforehand?

While it's not impossible, what would be the other party's intention in doing so?

Isobel couldn't help but think in a certain direction, and his expression toward Albert became even stranger.

Although Albert was in the same grade as her sister Katrina, it was not hard for her to see that the latter's thinking and ideas were already mature.

Other ideas are not impossible.

"You want me to teach you Legilimency?" Isobel asked.

"Well, I've already mastered Occlumency, so learning Legilimency shouldn't be too difficult." Albert's expression suddenly stiffened. He couldn't help it; Isobel's gaze just now was... strange.

"January 13th is my birthday." Isobel agreed.

"January 13th? I see." Albert took out his notebook from his pocket, wrote down Isobel's birthday, and prepared a birthday gift for him later as payment for Legilimency.

But... it's actually a birthday present.

As Albert put away his notebook, a possibility suddenly occurred to him: could it be...? His expression also became very strange, and he quietly raised his head, just in time to meet Isobel's gaze.

The atmosphere became very awkward the next second.

Not only Albert, but also Isobel, both of them had visibly unnatural expressions on their faces.

Hmm, as expected, it was a misunderstanding...?

Now, should he... well, to be honest, Albert didn't really have any other particular thoughts, even though Isobel did fit his aesthetic preferences.

"Ahem!" Isobel coughed lightly, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

"You're right about one thing: Occlumency and Legilimency are actually interconnected." Isobel began to change the subject. "Now that you've learned Occlumency, it will indeed be easier for you to learn Legilimency."

"Hmm," Albert replied casually, gesturing for the other person to continue. He was now relieved; the situation had been incredibly awkward.

Isobel began to recall the books she had read related to Legilimency, briefly summarizing their contents, and began to explain the key points of Legilimency and some of her own experiences to Albert.

In fact, Legilimency is a highly advanced form of magic, and many wizards never come into contact with Legilimency in their entire lives.

Of course, this is related to the Ministry of Magic deliberately hiding it. Some spells are specially monopolized, and you might not even know they exist unless you specifically look for them.

Albert actually knew the reason: if everyone learned Legilimency, the entire Wizarding World would probably be in chaos.

It's like if everyone carried a gun, you could easily get shot.

After spending a long time explaining the key points, the incantation, and the hand gestures for casting the spell, Isobel looked into Albert's eyes and said, "You only have one chance. Whether you succeed or not, our deal is over."

"Okay!" Albert raised his wand with delight and announced, "Here we go, three, two, one, Legilimency!"

Albert used Legilimency on Isobel, and his mind was suddenly filled with a strange memory, a memory belonging to Isobel.

That's Isobel with her sister Katrina when they were little...

Within seconds, Albert could feel Isobel's resistance. The scene before him was receding, and as his consciousness was completely pushed out of his grasp, Albert saw Isobel being led by a woman's hand. They were by a cemetery. Albert also saw Morg McDougal and Ronald Smith. But why did Ronald Smith's expression seem so strange?

Albert suddenly opened his eyes and found that Isobel in front of him was breathing a little rapidly.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Isobel took a deep breath before opening his eyes and said to Albert, "Alright, our agreement is over."

"Yes, that's all!" Albert nodded, standing up and extending his hand to Isobel. "Thank you for today. I've learned a lot. Perhaps you could consider becoming a professor."

"I don't think all students are like you," Isobel said with a self-deprecating smile, extending his hand to shake Albert's.

"Even if you praise me like that, I won't tell you how to delay the decline." Albert pulled Isobel up from the cushion, smiled and winked at him, jokingly.

Isobel's face twitched slightly, and he looked away, avoiding direct eye contact with Albert.

"This guy is really annoying!" Isobel muttered, knowing that he was going to use her to try Legilimency.

A moment later, Albert muttered to himself, "It failed. I guess I still need to make eye contact with the other person."

Albert's defeat made Isobel feel better.

Both are exceptionally talented wizards, and even though Isobel believes she is inferior to Albert in some aspects, she doesn't want the gap between them to widen too much.

After the two left Classroom 17 after the other, Albert thanked Isobel again.

"You've paid the tuition." Isobel had no idea how important mastering Legilimency and Occlumency was to Albert.

As the two parted ways at the fork in the corridor on the sixth floor, Albert suddenly asked, "Oh right, I almost forgot to ask, is that thing any good?"