Unbreakable Vow

Knowledge Society, Site No. 2.

Li Wei and his two assistants appeared once again.

"Professor, what are you doing here?!"

The students present visibly brightened at the sight of Li Wei.

Li Wei patted one of them on the shoulder and smiled.

"Gather everyone. I have something important to say."

Rand Scott had been testing his discovery. The moment he heard that the professor had returned, he immediately stopped his experiment and ran outside, filled with joy.

"Professor! I've made an astonishing discovery!"

He waved his arms, intending to move to the front of the crowd.

But as he drew closer and saw Li Wei's expression clearly, the excitement coursing through him abruptly cooled.

Why was the professor's expression so stern? Had something major happened again?

Could it be that their organization was still destined to disband?

Li Wei looked around at the students, his gaze passing over their faces one by one—every face bore a simple, cheerful smile. They looked a little like scientists from the eighties.

These were people willing to devote themselves to magic, yet with no intention of using it for evil. Was it fair to simply seal everything away without explaining why?

"I came this time to reach an agreement with all of you."

"Qiao Weili, please recount our latest research conclusions for them."

"...Yes, Professor."

Qiao Weili stepped out from behind Li Wei and began explaining once more.

As he continued, the quiet crowd gradually grew noisy, with hushed discussions breaking out from time to time.

Once Qiao Weili finished his explanation, Li Wei did not give everyone much time to exchange opinions before speaking again.

"When I established the Knowledge Society, I set down an ironclad rule: magic must never be used to maliciously maim or kill."

"To me, magic has never been a weapon for wrongdoing. It is merely the foundation for uncovering the mysteries within ourselves. It is precisely because we all share the same ideals that we have made it this far together. I trust none of you have forgotten that?"

Seeing everyone nod, Li Wei nodded as well and continued.

"I came this time because this research has allowed me to foresee a terrible danger."

"I hope to make an Unbreakable Vow with every one of you, so that this danger can be eliminated entirely."

No one objected.

At least, not openly.

"Then let us begin. Please form a line and stand before me."

Li Wei took out his wand and, before everyone's eyes, set up a barrier that temporarily sealed off the entire location.

Qiao Weili and Jiamer stepped forward as the first demonstration, their right hands clasped tightly together.

Li Wei approached and placed the tip of his wand against their joined hands.

Qiao Weili spoke.

"Jiamer, do you swear that at any time, in any place, and under any circumstances, you will never again take the initiative to research the Three Unforgivable Curses?"

"I do."

A thin, dazzling tongue of flame burst from the wand, like a red-hot metal wire winding around their clasped hands.

"Do you swear that you will never willingly disclose the results of today's research?"

"I do."

A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and entwined with the first, forming a thin chain glowing red.

"Do you swear that, unless you are in undeniable and immediate mortal danger, you will never use the Three Unforgivable Curses on any living creature?"

"I do."

A third tongue of flame erupted from the wand, intertwining with the first two and winding tightly around their clasped hands like a rope—or like a fire-spitting serpent.

"Good. The next person, step forward and take Qiao Weili's hand."

Scott stood in the line. While everyone watched the vow being made, he quietly shifted a few places backward.

How could this be? For years, the professor had been searching for ways to increase the power of spells. We finally found a practical method, yet now he wants to seal it away!

So what if it is Dark Arts? So what if it might affect our personalities?

Such a practical method for tempering the mind is right in front of us, yet the professor is giving it up over a few insignificant risks?

Scott was unwilling to accept it!

He could practically foresee the outcome if they continued along their previous line of thought—use an Emotion Amplifier and self-created spells to strengthen negative emotions, repeatedly use the Unforgivable Curses to sense and catalyze those emotions, then use Legilimency to actively isolate negative thoughts.

With that cycle, the effectiveness of each emotional outburst would surely surpass the last. Then, by using Legilimency to resist its effects, one's mastery of Legilimency could continue to improve as well. It was a complete win-win!

Furthermore, as negative emotions continuously intensified, the power of the Three Unforgivable Curses would rise wildly as well.

Combined with the battle formation the professor had developed himself... with the strength of all twenty-four of them gathered together and led by the professor and his two assistants, who in the wizarding world could stop them?

Not even Dumbledore, surely!

"Scott, Scott! Scott!"

"Ah!"

Scott suddenly snapped back to his senses and discovered that everyone was staring at him—at some point, everyone before him had already made their vows, and he had reached the front of the line.

"I... I..."

Scott reluctantly held out his hand, only for Qiao Weili's right hand to seize it tightly!

"Scott, do you swear—"

"I do."

As three red lights reflected across his flushed face, Scott weakly released his hand and retreated behind the crowd.

After making the vow with everyone else, it was finally Li Wei's turn. With Jiamer as witness, Li Wei and Qiao Weili likewise made a vow never to learn or use the Three Unforgivable Curses.

The others had not held much resentment to begin with. Seeing that Li Wei was not applying a double standard but had set an example by sealing himself as well, the last trace of dissatisfaction in their hearts vanished.

"I'm sorry. Our direction this time was wrong, and that is entirely my responsibility."

Li Wei solemnly apologized to everyone before continuing.

"The prerequisite for exploring the mysteries of the Dark Arts is ensuring our own safety."

"That safety does not merely refer to physical safety. We must also preserve the integrity of our souls."

"Until I find a viable and harmless direction, I will temporarily prohibit you from researching the Dark Arts."

"If anyone feels this conflicts with your own views or with our ideals, you may ask to leave afterward."

"Professor, don't worry. We've all seen the dangers of the Dark Arts. How could we ignore your warning and throw ourselves into it? Wouldn't that make us Dark wizards?"

"Exactly. I haven't even figured out Potions yet. It's not as if the Dark Arts are the only subject we can study."

Everyone spoke up to reassure Li Wei and tell him not to dwell on it.

Seeing that it was already late, Li Wei answered several questions the students had encountered in their studies before leaving once again with his two assistants.

Only after they had left did the others offer scattered opinions on the matter—although some felt that Li Wei was making a mountain out of a molehill, overall, they still fully supported his decision.

Scott stood among the crowd, listening to their unconcerned remarks. Without saying a word, he left.

Bang!

After the door shut.

In the dim room, a savage and terrifying face emerged.