The Scholar's Obsession and the Prince's Unease

Professor Peverell's letter turned to ash in the fireplace, but the flame it ignited in Tom Riddle's heart had not entirely died out. On the surface, he had returned to his usual calm and calculating demeanor, even displaying an almost deliberate "normal" attitude towards Ares, as if their confrontation had never happened. However, Ares could clearly sense that the scrutiny behind Tom's dark eyes had become more frequent and more profound.

Tom began to observe Ares with a new, almost research-like gaze. He would "accidentally" inquire about Ares's intuitive feelings regarding certain specific magics, especially those related to contracts, bloodlines, or powerful protective spells. When Ares cast magic, Tom would focus more intently on the subtle nuances of his magic power fluctuations. Once, when Ares unconsciously touched the lines beneath his eyes in his sleep, Tom, lying awake on the opposite bed, watched him silently in the darkness for a long time.

This was a silent, constant pressure. Tom was, in his own way, trying to peel away the layers of mystery surrounding Ares, attempting to bring this "unexpected" resource and potential risk entirely within the scope of his understanding and control.

Ares was well aware of this, but he could not stop it. He could only more cautiously conceal the peculiarities related to his Blood Pact and the System, attributing all anomalies to the "Symbiotic Magic of Light and Dark" excuse. Their relationship had entered a delicate phase—still intimate, still sharing most secrets (like the Spyglass and the basement), but an invisible barrier had been erected in the core areas.

Meanwhile, Professor Peverell's "academic enthusiasm" had not waned due to the lack of a reply. A few days later, another owl delivered her new letter. This time, she no longer sent any sensitive images or mentioned names directly, but instead adopted a more circuitous approach, more befitting a scholar.

In the letter, under the guise of discussing the theory of "Symbiotic Contracts" in ancient alchemy, she elaborated on certain extremely old magics involving soul or bloodline binding. These magics, she explained, often left unique marks on the bound individuals or their descendants, which could manifest as "flowing metal" or "burning patterns." She cited several obscure ancient texts that even Tom had never heard of, and "casually" mentioned that some of the early researchers of these theories were said to have had ties to Godric's Hollow. She even noted that Professor Albus Dumbledore was rumored to have dabbled in such research in his youth (she cautiously labeled this as unverified academic gossip).

The content of this letter, while seemingly an academic discussion, was in fact like a series of meticulously crafted keys, each word attempting to unlock the secrets Ares held within. It explained the source of Professor Peverell's information—not that she was personally acquainted with Dumbledore or Grindelwald (highly unlikely given her age and field), but rather through her study of ancient, obscure texts and manuscripts, combined with fragmented information circulating in academia, leading to astonishing deductions.

Tom read the letter expressionlessly before handing it to Ares.

"She's probing," Tom's voice betrayed no emotion, but the unconscious tapping of his fingertips on the chair back revealed his inner turmoil. "Using this... seemingly harmless method. She's more persistent and smarter than we thought."

Ares looked at the rigorous yet suggestive academic language on the parchment, feeling a chill in his heart. Professor Peverell was like a patient archaeologist, gradually brushing away the dust covering the truth. Her sources were scattered and indirect, but precisely because of their academic and indirect nature, they were harder to obstruct with forceful means.

"What does she want?" Ares asked.

"Knowledge. The satisfaction of solving a puzzle. Perhaps, also, to gain greater prestige in the field of alchemy through this," Tom analyzed calmly. "But she doesn't understand that sometimes, knowing the answer to a puzzle can itself be dangerous."

He burned the letter again, but this time, his movements were slower, as if contemplating how to deal with this encroaching trouble.

"We can't always be on the defensive," Tom stood up and paced the room. "We need to divert her attention, or... make her retreat."

However, before Tom could devise a concrete plan, another potential threat began to emerge. In Charms class, Professor Flitwick assigned a Silencing Charm exercise that required intense concentration. Ares completed it almost instantly and perfectly. The harmonious magic power field emanating from him even helped calm the nerves of several distracted Ravenclaw students nearby, indirectly contributing to their success.

Professor Flitwick, delighted, awarded Ravenclaw extra points and uncharacterically described Ares as having "a rare talent for soothing and guiding companions." After class, several older Ravenclaw students voluntarily gathered around, sincerely asking Ares for tips, their eyes filled with pure admiration for his knowledge and ability.

Tom stood not far away, watching Ares, who was surrounded by Ravenclaw students (including several attractive girls with outstanding presence), calmly and patiently answering questions, as if naturally enveloped in a halo of reassurance and trust. Tom's lips thinned into a cold, straight line.

That familiar sense of displeasure, the feeling of his own possession being coveted and admired by others, surged within him again. Unlike the admiration from younger students before, these Ravenclaw students' appreciation was more mature, more... independent. The way they looked at Ares was as if he were an independent source of light, not an appendage to Tom Riddle.

When Ares finally broke free from the crowd and walked towards Tom, Tom said nothing. He simply turned and left the classroom first, his steps quicker than usual. Ares followed silently, sensing the low-pressure aura emanating from the figure ahead.

Professor Peverell, like a persistent hunter in the shadows, pressed closer with knowledge and deduction; while Ares's own irrepressible charm, like an uncontrollable light, continuously attracted external attention, challenging Tom's sensitive nerves and his increasingly possessive desire.

The shadow of secrets and the attraction under the light wove an increasingly tight net, entangling the two of them. The unease in Tom's heart grew. He needed a more secure method to bind Ares, along with all his secrets and charm, to himself completely and indisputably. And this thought was quietly leading him toward an ancient and dangerous magical domain.