To Tom Riddle, the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts library had long since ceased to be an insurmountable barrier. Slughorn's special authorization slip, combined with his increasingly refined Confundus Charm and stealth skills, allowed him to drift like a ghost through shelves filled with dangerous knowledge. Since Professor Peverell's letters and Ares's uncontrollable attraction had begun constantly testing his nerves, Tom had spent more and more time wandering here. He was no longer searching for ordinary Dark magic curses, but for something deeper, more fundamental—something about the soul, about eternity, about... how to ensure that a certain bond would never fade.
His gaze finally settled on a thick, ancient-looking book bound in some kind of dull leather, with no title on its spine. It had been carelessly shoved into a dusty corner, as though deliberately forgotten by whoever had come before. When he brushed away the dust with his fingers, several words that seemed to be formed from shadows emerged on the cover: <Supreme Alchemy: The Division and Vessel of the Soul>.
Tom's heart gave a violent leap. He carefully pulled out the book, hid himself in the most secluded corner, and began reading by the faint glow at the tip of his wand. In obscure Ancient Runes and unsettling illustrations, the book described a forbidden form of magic that split the soul and sealed it within a specific object—the creation of a "Horcrux." It claimed that as long as the Horcrux remained undestroyed, its creator could evade death and attain a form of immortality.
Immortality! To Tom, who yearned to surpass everything and control everything, it was the ultimate temptation, impossible to resist. Yet what drew his attention even more was a vague marginal note: "...Fragments of the soul may also serve as the deepest anchors, transcending bloodline and time, binding another being, sharing eternal solitude, or... absolute loyalty..."
Those words were like the devil's whisper, instantly striking the deepest desire in Tom's heart. A thought grew like poisonous ivy: if he created a Horcrux, could he bind Ares completely to his side in a way that could never be severed? Make his secrets, his power, all of his attraction, serve him alone? Sharing eternity... how perfectly it suited their ideal of Symbiosis of Light and Dark!
The thought made his fingertips tingle with excitement, but the remnants of his reason told him it was exceedingly dangerous and would require meticulous preparation. He needed deeper research, a suitable vessel, and the perfect moment. He hid the book at the very bottom of his Extension Charm bag, deciding that it would be his most guarded secret—for now, even from Ares.
Meanwhile, Slughorn's club welcomed a new face. At a gathering themed around "Rising Powers in the Wizarding World," Slughorn enthusiastically introduced an exchange student from Durmstrang—a girl named Katarin Vol. She had long, glossy black hair, striking features, and carried herself with the mysterious coolness characteristic of Eastern European witches. She was an exceptionally gifted duelist, especially skilled in the Silencing Charm and highly aggressive magic.
Tom immediately became interested in her. Not because of her looks, but because of the strength she displayed and her potential usefulness. At Slughorn's urging, Tom and she engaged in a friendly—at least on the surface—magical spar. Tom held a slight advantage through his precise control and profound understanding of spell theory, but Katarin's wild yet efficient fighting style also left a deep impression on him.
"Excellent, Mr. Riddell," Katarin said in accented English, her black eyes gleaming with the light of having met a worthy opponent. "Hogwarts's standard of teaching truly lives up to its reputation."
"Your fighting style is impressive, Miss Vol," Tom replied smoothly, already assessing the possibility of drawing her into his circle. A powerful ally from Durmstrang might prove useful in handling certain "troubles" in the future—for instance... teaching overly persistent scholars to "remain silent."
Ares noticed Katarin as well. He could sense in her a pure desire for power similar to Tom's, though hers was more outwardly displayed and lacked some of Tom's deep calculation. Whenever Katarin's gaze occasionally swept over him, it carried simple curiosity. She seemed quite interested in him, the "special presence beside Riddell," but did not reveal excessive emotion as others did. That straightforward, almost evaluative gaze made Ares feel more at ease instead.
After the gathering, Tom spoke quietly with Abraxas.
"The Vol family has some influence at Durmstrang and in the Eastern European wizarding world," Abraxas provided. "And their family does not seem opposed to certain... unconventional Dark magic traditions."
Tom nodded, and Katarin's value rose another level in his estimation.
However, when they returned to the Slytherin Common Room, a letter delivered by a school owl and sealed with the Hogwarts crest was waiting for Ares. The letter was from Professor Dumbledore. In it, the Transfiguration professor gently stated that he had noticed Ares's "unique talent" in Ancient Runes and certain obscure branches of Magical Theory. He also mentioned that Hogwarts Castle possessed several unique manuscripts on ancient contract magic that had never even been catalogued by the library. If Ares was interested, he could visit his office one afternoon over the weekend, and Professor Dumbledore could offer some "possibly helpful" guidance.
The letter had arrived far too conveniently! Just as Professor Peverell was pressing closer step by step, Tom had begun encountering knowledge of Horcruxes, and Katarin had appeared as someone who might divert attention. Was Dumbledore simply cherishing talent, or had he already noticed something? Had Professor Peverell spoken with him, or had he, through his own intelligence, already seen through part of the truth?
Tom held the letter, his face dark. Dumbledore's office was not a place one could easily bluff one's way through.
"You can't go," Tom said decisively, his tone nearly an order.
Ares looked at Dumbledore's flowing cursive on the parchment, his heart filled with conflicting feelings. On one hand, he longed to access knowledge that might unravel the mystery of his origins; on the other, he knew full well how perceptive Dumbledore was. Going there would be no different from stepping into a dragon's den.
"I know the risks," Ares finally said softly. "But refusing may make him even more suspicious."
The whisper of the Horcrux echoed in Tom's mind, Katarin's appearance brought new possibilities, and Dumbledore's invitation hung like a sword over his head. Tom felt that the situation he had once held firmly in his grasp was becoming ever more complicated and dangerous. He had to act faster, gain enough power faster, to meet these successive challenges and keep his most important "asset"—Ares—firmly in his hands. On the second-year chessboard, new pieces had already been placed, and the contest between the players had entered a far more perilous stage.
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