Unbreakable Vow

Knowledge Society, Outpost No. 2.

Li Wei and two assistants reappeared.

"Professor, why are you here!"

The students present visibly brightened upon seeing Li Wei.

Li Wei patted one of them on the shoulder and smiled, "Gather everyone. I have something important to say."

Rand Scott, who had been experimenting with his own findings, stopped his exploration upon hearing of the Professor's return and ran outside with great joy.

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

He waved his arms, trying to get to the front of the crowd.

But as he got closer and saw Li Wei's expression clearly, his excited nerves went cold.

The Professor's expression. Why was it so serious? Had something major happened again?

Could it be that their organization was still inevitably going to disband?

Li Wei scanned the students around him, his gaze passing over each of their faces—every one of them wore a simple smile, looking somewhat like scientists from the 1980s.

These were people willing to dedicate themselves to magic but not to using it for evil. He was blocking everything without explaining the reasons; was that fair to them?

"I'm here to reach a consensus with all of you."

"Qiao Weili, please repeat the recent research conclusions to them."

". Yes, Professor."

Qiao Weili stepped out from behind Li Wei and began his explanation again.

As the process continued, the quiet crowd gradually became noisy, with hushed discussions erupting from time to time.

After Qiao Weili finished his explanation, Li Wei didn't give the crowd much time to interact before speaking again:

"When I founded the Knowledge Society, I established a 'strict rule against using magic to maliciously maim or kill.'

Magic has never been a weapon for evil in my eyes, only a cornerstone for exploring its own mysteries. It is precisely because we all share the same ideals that we have been able to come this far together. I don't think any of you have forgotten, right?"

Seeing the nods from the crowd, Li Wei also nodded and continued, "I've come this time because I've foreseen a terrible danger from this research.

I hope to make an Unbreakable Vow with all of you to completely eliminate this danger."

No one objected.

At least, not openly.

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

Li Wei took out his wand and cast a barrier in front of everyone, temporarily sealing off the entire area.

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

Li Wei walked up and touched the tip of his wand to 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 proactively research the Three Unforgivable Curses?"

"I do."

A thin, bright tongue of flame shot out from the wand, like a hot, red metal wire, wrapping around their clasped hands.

"Do you swear that you will absolutely not, with subjective intent, leak today's research results?"

"I do."

A second tongue of flame shot out from the wand, intertwining with the first, forming a thin, red-glowing chain.

"Do you swear that unless you are in undisputed, imminent danger to your life, you will never use the Three Unforgivable Curses on any living being?"

"I do."

A third tongue of flame erupted from the wand, weaving together with the previous two, tightly coiling around their joined hands like a rope, or a fire-breathing snake.

"Very good. The next person, come forward and hold Qiao Weili's hand."

Scott stood in line and, while everyone was watching the contract process, subtly shifted his position backward.

How could this be? For years, the Professor has been trying to find ways to increase the power of spells. Finally, we've found a viable method, and now the Professor wants to seal it away!

So what if it's Dark Arts? So what if it could harm one's character?

Such a practical method for tempering the mind is right in front of us, and the Professor is giving it up because of some trivial risks?

Scott was unwilling!

He could almost foresee what results could be achieved by continuing along the previous line of thought—using emotion amplifiers and self-created spells to strengthen negative emotions, continuously using the Unforgivable Curses to perceive and catalyze these emotions, and then using Legilimency to actively isolate negative thoughts.

In such a cycle, the effectiveness of each emotional outburst would definitely be stronger than the last, and by using Legilimency to counter the effects, the mastery of Legilimency would also continue to improve. It was a complete win-win!

Moreover, as negative emotions continuously strengthened, the power of the Three Unforgivable Curses would also increase wildly.

Combined with the battle formations the Professor had personally developed, with the combined strength of twenty-four people, led by the Professor and two teaching assistants, who in the magical world could stop them?

Even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to!

"Scott, Scott, Scott!"

"Ah!"

Scott suddenly snapped back to attention, finding everyone staring at him. Sometime while he was lost in thought, the people in front had already formed their alliance, and he had ended up at the very front of the group.

"I, I..."

Scott reluctantly extended his hand, only to have it gripped tightly by Qiao Weili's right hand!

"Scott, do you swear..."

"I do."

As three red lights illuminated his face a deep crimson, Scott weakly released his hand and retreated to the back of the crowd.

After forming contracts with everyone else, it was finally Li Wei's turn. Under Jiamer's witness, Li Wei and Qiao Weili also formed a contract to never learn or use the Three Unforgivable Curses.

The group already had few reservations, and seeing that Li Wei wasn't playing favorites but was setting an example by restricting himself as well, their last trace of dissatisfaction vanished.

"I am very sorry, our direction this time was flawed. This is entirely my responsibility."

Li Wei apologized solemnly to everyone, continuing:

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

This safety refers not only to physical safety but also to the integrity of our souls.

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

If anyone feels that such actions go against their own thoughts or our ideals, they may inform me of their departure later."

"Professor, don't worry. We've already seen the dangers of Dark Arts, so how could we ignore your warnings and dive in? That would truly make us dark wizards!"

"Yeah, besides, I haven't even figured out Potions yet. We don't only have Dark Arts as a subject to pursue."

The crowd spoke out one after another to reassure Li Wei, telling him not to overthink it.

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Wei answered a few questions students had encountered during their studies on the spot before leaving again with his two assistants.

Only after they left did the others begin to voice their scattered opinions on the matter. Although some felt Li Wei was making a mountain out of a molehill, they largely supported Li Wei's decision.

Scott stood among the crowd, listening to their nonchalant remarks, and left without a word.

"Bang!"

As the door closed.

In the dim room, a ferocious and terrifying face appeared.