After easily subduing the sixth-years, the seventh-years seemed to have caught wind of it and became exceptionally well-behaved.
Li Wei had no intention of delving too deeply into teaching these students—they only had one year left, and starting with the fundamentals would waste far too much time. It might even disrupt the magical understanding they had built over seven years.
His solution was likewise to provide them only with past exam papers, drowning them in drills and striving to ensure that everyone earned an O on next year's exams.
He had no sympathy for the students in the three upper years and had informed them of the monthly exams early on.
Though the students did not understand, Professor Quirrell's terrible example was right before them.
For the time being, they could barely accept Li Wei's methods.
After all, they had yet to be baptized by the grueling homework twice a week and the monthly tests. Their brains had received the information, but they had not yet understood what exactly awaited them over the coming year.
After the first week, Li Wei's reputation was fairly good.
The lower-year students were delighted. At last, they could learn something useful in Defense Against the Dark Arts—during both lessons, Li Wei began with written tests, then used Transfiguration to make them confront dark creatures directly and try handling them with the spells they already knew.
Once the tests were over, he taught them spells targeted to their weaknesses.
Although the upper-year students had some complaints about the huge amount of homework Li Wei assigned, it was still within the limits of what they could endure.
That evening during dinner, Professor McGonagall sought Li Wei out to ask about the situation. She also discreetly sounded out the students for their opinions of him. Once she confirmed that most of what they said was praise, she finally relaxed.
It seemed that Li Wei was capable of handling the position. She would not need to worry about Defense Against the Dark Arts education this year.
Friday, after dinner.
Li Wei returned to his office with his two assistants and cast a privacy spell toward the door.
From then until Sunday afternoon, none of the three would leave the office.
It was time to restart the project that had been interrupted by Dumbledore's appearance last time.
Qiao Weili waved his wand, and sheets of parchment stuck themselves to the wall panels as he began chairing the meeting.
"Professor, based on our research this past week, combined with the relevant experimental data sent by the scholars at the association, we can tentatively draw a hypothesis.
"The Emotion Catalysis Hypothesis.
"We hypothesize that magic was relatively inert under normal conditions. Intense emotions could greatly reduce the 'activation energy' of magical reactions, making magic easier to mobilize and allowing it to release power far beyond its usual limits.
"This extends from your original proposition—that the power of the Unforgivable Curses depended on the strength of our evil intentions.
"According to the results of the association's experiments, we discovered that different spells required different catalyzing emotions.
"Taking the Three Unforgivable Curses as an example, while different emotions could all produce some effect on the three spells, there were also obvious and enormous differences between them.
"The Killing Curse, Avada Kedavra—requires powerful killing intent, a cold and unquestionable desire to take a life. Calm malice was more capable of unleashing its power than anger.
"Imperio—requires an extreme desire for domination, an arrogance that completely regarded others as toys. The caster had to believe that he stood above others and had the right to strip them of their free will.
"Crucio—requires a pure sadistic desire to take pleasure in another's pain. The slightest pity or hesitation during the process would greatly reduce the curse's effects. The more one enjoyed the process, the more effective the spell became."
Li Wei's brow furrowed more deeply as he listened—this conclusion differed greatly from what he had originally expected.
Li Wei had always dismissed the claim that Dark Arts could affect a person's soul—nearly every powerful wizard had studied the Dark Arts, and Dumbledore himself was a master of them. Yet none of them had become twisted monsters.
The Killing Curse was still manageable, but the negative effects of Imperio and Crucio alarmed him. If an upright wizard constantly relied on those two curses in wartime and, as Li Wei had anticipated, enhanced their power by using spells that amplified negative emotions—
Then even the most upright person would become something inhuman under the long-term influence of those emotions.
The thrill of completely controlling another person, even if experienced only occasionally, could easily warp one's personality.
Li Wei quietly listened to Qiao Weili's report before speaking.
"What do the two of you think about this result?"
Following their usual speaking order, Qiao Weili stepped forward first and said,
"Based on the research results, our previous understanding of the Dark Arts was mistaken.
"The Three Unforgivable Curses truly are exceptionally evil spells. Even the Killing Curse, which has the least impact, is not something I believe we should continue researching."
As Qiao Weili stepped back, Jiamer immediately stepped forward and said,
"I disagree.
"Powerful wizards should be able to control their emotions perfectly.
"The lingering malice and the warping of one's personality are precisely the best way to practice Legilimency.
"As long as we control the frequency of practice and use calming potions to soothe the mind, I believe this is the method of improvement you have been seeking all along, Professor. We should not miss this opportunity. Of course, the final decision still depends on what you think, Teacher."
Li Wei quietly listened to both of them and nodded—their statements were indeed entirely in keeping with their respective styles.
But then he shook his head.
"This training method certainly has tremendous potential, but in my eyes, it is no different from snatching chestnuts from the fire.
"Once or twice might have no effect, but if it became habitual, then one day we would surely pay a painful price."
As he spoke, a thought suddenly flashed through Li Wei's mind—trying this kind of training now was too dangerous. There was absolutely no need for it.
But if a day truly came when he desperately needed to increase his strength, would it not be too late to try this method then?
Li Wei suddenly felt as though the bone at the back of his neck had been fiercely jolted by electricity, leaving it painfully numb.
If even he could unconsciously have such thoughts, then what about everyone else?
Even if most of the twenty-four students thought the same way he did, this was not something that could be decided by majority rule. What if, through one careless mistake, a future Dark Lord emerged among them?
After all, those students were all exceptionally intelligent. Not to mention that many had studied under him for more than ten years. Whether in knowledge or practical ability, they far surpassed Hogwarts graduates by an unknown margin.
At that thought, Li Wei immediately made up his mind and summoned the house-elf Barton through their soul contract.
The next moment, with a crack like a firework exploding, Barton Apparated in wearing a black butler's uniform.
"Master, Barton awaits your orders."
"Barton, please make a trip to the association and bring me the Portkey for Association Number Two."
The house-elf nodded and swiftly vanished.
"Teacher, are you going to—"
"Other than house-elves, no one can Apparate within Hogwarts. We'll take the Portkey to the association shortly. I'm going to shut this research down completely."
Realizing how serious Li Wei was, both assistants looked somewhat flustered—the last time they had seen him like this was when Dumbledore had come knocking.
"Rest assured, Teacher, the situation should not be that serious. I drew the previous conclusion from their experimental data. The others may not have thought as deeply about it."
"No. Since we already understand how dangerous the Three Unforgivable Curses are, I will not take any chances in this matter."
As they spoke, Barton reappeared, holding a black bowler hat in his hand.
"Barton, please watch the house."
Li Wei stepped into the Portkey first, and his figure swiftly vanished.
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