Ravenclaw's Token?!

"Voldemort?!"

Dim wall lamps flickered in the deep, shadowy room.

They cast mottled, flickering shadows.

Adding a touch of mystery to an already eerie environment.

The eyes of the plaster statue glinted with an unnatural light in the darkness.

Like two glowing gemstones.

Particularly jarring in the quiet of the night.

Devero stared at the plaster statue, extremely tense.

He blurted out in shock.

"Voldemort? Ha, it has been a long time since anyone called me that. I thought I was about to drown in this endless sea of knowledge."

The plaster statue smiled at Devero.

The smile appeared somewhat twisted under the dim, yellow light.

As if it were a mark left by the passage of time.

But because this plaster statue lacked arms.

The scene was, well... er... comical?

A half-human-sized plaster statue lay on the floor.

Trying its best to tilt its head toward a position where Devero could see it.

If it weren't for the fact that it was midnight.

Devero might have even found the scene a little funny.

But at this moment, his entire body was taut!

His wand pointed straight at the talking plaster statue.

Ready to cast a hex at any moment.

He was one hundred percent certain.

That what was controlling the plaster statue right now was Voldemort's Horcrux!

He had just seen it on his panel.

It possessed the Three Unforgivable Curses, which were second to none!

Even if Voldemort didn't use the Killing Curse.

If Devero took a hit from one of the others.

He would be in for a world of pain!

So, he stared fixedly at the plaster statue.

Ready to defend against an attack at any second.

"Hahaha, don't be so nervous. Look, I'm just a little statue."

As it spoke, the plaster statue with glowing green eyes—or rather, Voldemort's Horcrux—rolled with a rumble toward a pile of junk.

It propped itself up against it.

This way, it finally didn't have to strain its neck to talk to Devero.

"Ha, I just wanted to ask you a few questions. After all, I've been here for far too long."

This young Voldemort even twisted its neck.

Just like someone who had slept for a very long time.

And had finally woken up.

Devero tried his best to keep his composure.

Adjusting his breathing.

He did his best to use the Zen Meditation Method to calm his nerves.

"Oh? The Pure Tranquility Doctrine? I thought that had been lost long ago."

Voldemort watched Devero with keen interest.

Devero broke out in a cold sweat instantly.

Voldemort was referring to the Zen Meditation Method he was currently using!

The other party's store of knowledge was truly terrifying.

"What exactly do you want!"

Devero decided he could not let the other party take the lead.

He had to figure out the other party's intentions first.

In the original story, there was never a case of a Horcrux coming to life.

He could only play it by ear for now.

"Well, actually, I just wanted to understand what happened outside. The future me... er... how is Voldemort doing?"

This young version of Voldemort seemed incredibly friendly at the moment.

Losing both hands, he didn't look like he was capable of casting magic either.

But considering the fact that he eventually failed.

The news that he was killed by Harry's counter-curse might drive him into a frenzy.

Devero decided it was better to be a bit more tactful.

"You failed, and the Death Eaters were all captured."

Er.

That still seemed a bit direct.

But Voldemort listened with extreme calmness.

There wasn't a ripple of emotion.

"Is that so? Little one, if that's the case, I might have to see for myself!"

As he spoke.

A brilliant green light flared within the eyes of the Plaster Statue!

"Let me see exactly what happened!"

Seeing that things were taking a turn for the worse, Devero immediately waved his wand!

"Reducto!"

A laser-like beam shot toward the Plaster Statue.

Bang!

After a loud explosion.

The Plaster Statue shattered on cue.

Amidst the flying dust.

Fragments scattered all over the floor.

But all he had destroyed was the Plaster Statue!

He saw Ravenclaw's Diadem slowly rise.

It trembled slightly in mid-air.

Just like a living creature.

"I actually cannot see your thoughts. Is someone protecting you? Interesting boy. Never mind, I don't have much power left, but I can make it so that only you can enter this place. Come and play when you have time, and tell me about things on the outside."

As it spoke.

The diadem floated lightly toward the head of another statue.

In an instant.

The statue's eyes also erupted with an eerie green light.

It winked at the dumbfounded Devero.

Instantly.

Devero felt a wave of intense dizziness.

The surrounding scene spun rapidly.

When he regained his footing.

He found himself standing outside the Slytherin common room.

In his hand, he held a note and a pale blue silk scarf.

Devero unfolded the note.

The handwriting on it was elegant and neat.

"Hey, little one, if you have time, you can bring the scarf and come see me again. Tell this old man some stories about the outside world."

Devero quickly ignited the note with his wand.

Flames devoured the paper.

Leaving behind a wisp of blue smoke.

Devero tossed the remains behind him.

He had no desire to see the Dark Lord again!

But a host of doubts clung to him like a shadow.

Wasn't Voldemort's entry "Born Heartless"?

Yet, their recent exchange made him feel as though the other party was more like a lonely soul yearning to be heard.

Was there a problem with the entry's description?

Devero couldn't help but wonder.

Was all of this a meticulously crafted snare?

An attempt to lure him into a trap?

And why, when they first met, was he nothing more than an ordinary Horcrux capable of bewitchment?

After he used the Zen Meditation Method to perceive it indirectly, it had transformed into something capable of communication, feeling almost like the ghosts at school!

Could his own magic have inadvertently activated some form of consciousness within it?

And why, when he heard of his own failure, did he show no anger or any other reaction?

What did "seeing is not necessarily believing" mean?

Devero's mind was on the verge of being overwhelmed by this complex web of information!

He was utterly baffled!

Devero made up his mind.

He would tell Dumbledore this information immediately!

He would let the professors solve this problem.

With that thought, Devero picked up the pale blue silk scarf.

He intended to burn it as well.

But to his surprise, the moment he picked it up:

[Ding!]

[Item obtained!]

Devero froze.

This thing was actually an item recognized by the system?

Previously, only system rewards and his wand had been classified as items!

How could this seemingly plain silk scarf be an item?

Devero put down his wand.

He glanced left and right.

He made sure Filch was not nearby.

It was already nearly two in the morning.

He did not want to be given detention.

He then spoke the password to the stone wall.

Once the secret passage appeared, Devero returned to the Slytherin common room.

The common room was empty at this hour.

Only the crackling of burning logs in the fireplace and the sound of lake waves lapping against the shore outside the window reached his ears.

It brought a sense of relief to Devero.

Yet, the chill in the room made him shiver.

He sat down in an armchair closest to the fireplace.

Only then did Devero begin to examine his newest item.

[Item: Ravenclaw's Token]

[Ravenclaw's Token: This is a token exclusive to Ravenclaw, granted only to a special individual. Its purpose is unknown. Once the token is bestowed, an unbreakable vow is established between the two parties; the recipient cannot betray the giver, in any sense of the word.]