News of Isidore Lefevre's visit swept through the small circle of informed people at Hogwarts like a whirlwind. To Tom Riddle, it was undoubtedly a golden gate leading to the secrets of immortality—one he could not afford to miss. Yet Lefevre's "special interest" in Ares was like a poisoned thorn lodged in his sensitive nerves.
At the small gathering carefully arranged by Professor Slughorn, Lefevre became the absolute center of attention. He was a middle-aged wizard, plainly dressed, yet his eyes were exceptionally clear and sharp, as though they could see through every surface appearance. He exchanged pleasantries with Slughorn and spoke with several specially selected outstanding students, including Abraxas and Katarin, but those all-seeing eyes would occasionally sweep, seemingly by chance, over Ares, who sat quietly beside Tom.
When Slughorn steered the topic toward "the possible connection between extraordinary magical talent and ancient bloodlines," Lefevre finally turned his gaze directly upon Ares.
"Mr. Phoenix," his voice was calm and carried no hint of pressure, yet it was impossible to ignore, "Professor Slughorn has mentioned your unique magical traits many times. Forgive my boldness, but the marking beneath your left eye... is very unusual. It reminds me of records in ancient alchemical texts concerning the 'external manifestation of essential power.' This is not an ordinary magical mark. It is more like an... inborn contractual brand, or rather, the embodiment of some exceedingly high-level magical law within an individual."
The entire room fell silent in an instant. Everyone looked at Ares. Tom's hand, resting on his knee, quietly clenched, his nails nearly digging into his palm. Katarin raised her brows slightly, looking intrigued.
Ares felt the Blood Pact Mark beneath his skin grow faintly hot. He forced himself to remain composed as he met Lefevre's probing gaze and repeated the explanation about "Symbiotic Magic of Light and Dark" and his unknown origins.
Lefevre listened quietly without refuting him, merely nodding softly. "Magical traits do indeed vary in countless ways. However..." His tone shifted, still gentle but carrying an undeniable penetrating force. "As far as I know, manifestations of 'laws' at this level are rarely without a source. Behind them usually lies a grand narrative involving fate, the soul, and even... time and emotion. Perhaps only when you are prepared to face the story behind it will you truly understand and master this power."
He did not press further, but every word struck Ares's heart like a hammer—and Tom's nerves as well. Lefevre was practically making it clear that Ares's secret was of immense importance, far beyond their current understanding.
After the gathering ended, Tom's mood darkened to its lowest point. Lefevre's words had confirmed his deepest fear—Ares's secret was priceless, and many would covet it. At the same time, Lefevre had not mentioned Horcruxes at all, making Tom's yearning for immortality even more agonizing.
"He knows something, or rather, he guessed something." Back in the dormitory, Tom spoke hoarsely, his eyes bloodshot. "But he refuses to say more! People standing above everyone else always enjoy speaking in riddles!"
[Alert! Alert! (;′??Д??`) The target's emotions are approaching the danger threshold! Inclination toward Horcrux research is rapidly increasing!] [Emergency intervention mission issued!] [Mission Name: A Glimmer in the Darkness] [Mission Requirement: Within the next 24 hours, successfully divert the target's attention from Horcrux research and guide him toward at least one non-destructive magical field related to 'creation' or 'protection.'] [Mission Reward: 'Twin Bond' Soothing Essential Oil x1 (specially made by the system; can faintly calm turbulent magic and deepen the trust connection).]
The system's warning startled Ares. He knew Tom was already standing at the edge of a cliff.
"Tom." Ares took a deep breath and walked over to him, not avoiding his frenzied gaze. "Perhaps Lefevre is right. My power, our 'anchor point,' may truly be connected to something greater. But the way to pursue it does not have to be the darkest path." He took out the copy of the manuscript Dumbledore had given him, concerning the Ancient Guardian Contract. "Look here. These ancient Guardian Arrays draw their power from 'connection' and 'oaths.' They also touch upon the realm of the soul, but their direction is 'protection,' not 'tearing apart.' If we can master them, perhaps we can better protect our secret, and perhaps even... find another form of eternity."
Tom abruptly raised his head, staring fixedly at the manuscript in Ares's hands before looking into Ares's eyes, at that faint but steadfast light trying to guide him. A fierce battle raged within him. The temptation of Horcruxes was immediate and powerful, yet Ares's words—and that ancient knowledge of "protection" and "connection"—seemed to point toward another possibility. One that might satisfy both his desire for immortality and his need to bind Ares to him completely.
"...Another form of eternity?" Tom's voice held a trace of almost imperceptible wavering.
"At the very least, it is worth exploring first." Ares extended the manuscript toward him. "Before taking a path from which there is no return, we should understand every option, shouldn't we?"
Tom remained silent for a long time—so long that Ares nearly thought the mission would fail. In the end, he reached out and took the manuscript, his movements somewhat stiff.
"I'll read it," he said coldly. "But that does not mean I have given up on other... methods."
[Mission complete! (??? ) Attention successfully diverted! Reward has been issued to the system space!] [Notice: The target is at a critical crossroads of choice. The host's guidance is crucial! The temptation of darkness remains powerful!]
Ares let out a slight breath of relief, but the victory was insignificant and brief. Tom had merely shifted his gaze away from Horcruxes with their unknown outcome and toward another path, one equally profound yet perhaps more aligned with Ares's hopes. However, his core craving for power and control had not changed.
Meanwhile, Katarin stopped Ares in the corridor. She appeared very interested in the outcome of Lefevre's gathering.
"It seems the 'light' around you and Riddell is even more eye-catching than I imagined," she said meaningfully. "Someone like Lefevre would not take such an interest in a young wizard for no reason. Riddell wants to use this opportunity, doesn't he? But he seems very nervous... afraid you'll be taken away?" A flash of understanding—and... an inscrutable hint of interest—passed through her dark eyes.
Ares did not answer, merely looked at her calmly.
Katarin smiled. "Don't worry. I have no plans to choose a side yet. I simply think that if the 'shadow' itself is strong enough, perhaps it does not need to remain attached to a 'light' forever." With that, she turned and left, leaving Ares alone to ponder the dangerous temptation of "independence" in her words.
The alchemist's gaze had seen through the surface, the Horcrux dilemma remained unresolved, and the wild wolf from Durmstrang was calmly assessing her prey's weaknesses from the sidelines. Standing at the center of the storm, Ares tightly gripped the bottle of system reward essential oil in his hand, its faintly soothing scent drifting forth. He knew that his efforts to guide Tom away from darkness were like walking a tightrope—any faint breeze could bring an irredeemable fall.
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