The Alchemist's Gaze and the Horcrux's Choice

The news of Isidore Lefevre's visit swept through the small circle of informed individuals at Hogwarts like a whirlwind. For Tom Riddle, it was undoubtedly a golden door to the mysteries of immortality, one he absolutely could not miss. However, Lefevre's "special interest" in Ares felt like a poisoned thorn, pricking at his sensitive nerves.

At the small gathering meticulously arranged by Slughorn, Lefevre became the absolute focus. He was a middle-aged wizard, dressed simply, yet his eyes were exceptionally clear and sharp, as if they could see through all appearances. He exchanged pleasantries with Slughorn and conversed with a few select outstanding students (including Abraxas and Katarin), but those all-seeing eyes would, from time to time, seemingly unintentionally, sweep over Ares, who sat quietly beside Tom.

When Slughorn steered the conversation towards "the possible connection between extraordinary magical talent and ancient bloodlines," Lefevre finally turned his gaze formally towards Ares.

"Mr. Phoenix," his voice was calm, without the slightest hint of pressure, yet impossible to ignore, "Professor Slughorn has mentioned your unique magical traits on multiple occasions. Forgive my presumption, but the markings beneath your left eye... they are very peculiar. They remind me of descriptions in ancient alchemical texts regarding the 'externalization of inherent power.' This is not an ordinary magical trace, but more like... a congenital contractual brand, or rather, the manifestation of some extremely high-level magical rule on an individual."

The entire room fell silent. Everyone looked at Ares. Tom's hands, resting on his knees, clenched silently, his fingernails almost digging into his palms. Katarin, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow slightly, a look of interest appearing on her face.

Ares felt the Blood Pact Mark beneath his skin grow slightly warm. He forced himself to remain calm, meeting Lefevre's probing gaze, and repeated the story about "Symbiotic Magic of Light and Dark" and its unknown origin.

Lefevre listened quietly, without refuting, merely nodding gently. "Magical traits are indeed varied. However..." he shifted his tone, his voice still gentle, yet with an undeniable penetrating power, "to my knowledge, this level of 'rule manifestation' is rarely without a source. Behind it, there are usually grand narratives involving destiny, soul, and even... time and emotion. Perhaps, only when you are ready to face the story behind it can you truly understand and control this power."

He did not press further, but every word struck Ares's heart like a hammer, and also struck Tom's nerves. Lefevre was practically hinting that Ares's secret was of great significance, far beyond their current understanding.

After the meeting, Tom's mood became extremely gloomy. Lefevre's words confirmed his deepest fear—Ares's secret was priceless, and there were many coveting it. At the same time, Lefevre's complete silence on the matter of Horcruxes made Tom's desire for immortality even more anxious.

"What does he know, or rather, what has he guessed," Tom said hoarsely back in the dormitory, his eyes bloodshot. "But he won't say more! These people who stand on high always like to speak in riddles!"

[Alert! Alert! (;′??Д??`) Target individual's emotions approaching dangerous threshold! Horcrux research tendency sharply increasing!]

[Emergency Intervention Mission Issued!]

[Mission Name: A Glimmer in the Darkness]

[Mission Requirements: Within the next 24 hours, successfully divert the target individual's attention from Horcrux research, guiding them to focus on at least one non-destructive magical field related to 'creation' or 'protection'.]

[Mission Reward: 'Twin Bond' Soothing Essential Oil x1 (System Special Edition, can slightly calm agitated magic power and deepen trust links).]

The System's alert startled Ares. He knew Tom was on the edge of a cliff.

"Tom," Ares took a deep breath and walked up to Tom, not avoiding his frantic gaze. "Perhaps what Lefevre said is right. My power, our 'anchor,' might indeed be connected to something grander. But the way to pursue it doesn't have to be that darkest path." He took out the copy of the manuscript on the Ancient Guardian Contract that Dumbledore had given him. "Look here, these ancient Guardian Arrays, their power stems from 'connection' and 'oath,' also involving the soul level, but the direction is 'protection' rather than 'tearing.' If we can master it, we might be able to better protect our secret, or even... find another form of eternity."

Tom suddenly looked up, staring intently at the manuscript in Ares's hand, then at the faint but firm light in Ares's eyes, which tried to guide him. His heart was in a fierce battle. The temptation of Horcruxes was direct and powerful, but Ares's words, along with the ancient knowledge about "protection" and "connection," seemed to point to another possibility, one that might satisfy both his desire for immortality and his need to completely bind Ares.

"...Another form of eternity?" Tom's voice held a trace of imperceptible wavering.

"At least, it's worth exploring first," Ares pushed the manuscript forward. "Before embarking on a path of no return, shouldn't we figure out all the options?"

Tom remained silent for a long time, so long that Ares almost thought the mission would fail. Finally, he reached out and took the manuscript, his movement somewhat stiff.

"I'll read it," he said coldly. "But that doesn't mean I'll give up on other... avenues."

[Mission Complete! (???) Attention successfully diverted! Reward has been issued to the System Space!]

[Hint: The target individual is at a critical crossroads. The host's guidance is crucial! The temptation of darkness remains strong!]

Ares breathed a slight sigh of relief, but this victory was meager and brief. Tom had only temporarily shifted his gaze from the Horcruxes of unknown outcome, turning it instead towards another path that was equally profound, but perhaps more in line with Ares's hopes. However, his core desire for power and control had not changed.

Meanwhile, Katarin intercepted Ares in the corridor. She seemed very interested in the outcome of Lefevre's meeting.

"It seems the 'light' you and Riddle possess is more eye-catching than I imagined," she said meaningfully. "Someone like Lefevre wouldn't pay so much attention to a young wizard for no reason. Riddle wanted to use this opportunity, didn't he? But he seemed very nervous... afraid you'd be snatched away?" A look of understanding, and... a trace of unfathomable interest flashed in her dark eyes.

Ares did not answer, merely looking at her calmly.

Katarin smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not planning to pick a side yet. I just think that if the 'shadow' itself is powerful enough, perhaps there's no need to always depend on a 'light'." With that, she turned and left, leaving Ares alone to ponder the dangerous temptation of "independence" in her words.

The alchemist's gaze saw through the surface, the choice of Horcruxes hung in the balance, and the wolf from Durmstrang was calmly assessing the prey's weaknesses nearby. Ares stood at the center of the storm, clutching the System-rewarded bottle of essential oil, which exuded a faint aura of tranquility. He knew his efforts to guide Tom away from darkness were like walking on a tightrope; any slight gust of wind could bring about an irreversible fall.