Evil Spirit Battle Chess
Kneeling below the platform were Corban Yaxley, Claude Fawley, Squall Slughorn.
The pressure emanating from the high platform was simply too overwhelming. The three of them felt an invisible pressure pressing down on them, their muscles and bones completely crushed, rendering them unable to move.
Skylar was very satisfied with the effect. The three of them were actually quite powerful in magic, and Yaxley was no less than any elite Auror. However, under the pressure of him, the True Dragon Throne, and the four group leaders, they were powerless to resist.
Prior to this meeting, Skylar had received intelligence from Susan that the campaign against the House of Avery had been a resounding success. The direct descendants of the House of Avery had been completely wiped out, and their family businesses had changed hands without anyone noticing, being divided up among Corban, Claude, Squall. Corban, being a wealthy Pure-blood patriarch, was a given, but the other two saw their net worth skyrocket, tasting the sweetness of success for the first time under Skylar's command.
They heard that the main branch of their family had begun to treat them differently, and several elders were using various means to win them over, which not only significantly improved their status in the family, but also allowed them to come into contact with the core circle of the family.
That's exactly the effect Skylar wanted.
Skylar gently waved his hand, and a mysterious, invisible force swept down from the high platform, enveloping the three of them and instantly giving them an unprecedented sense of comfort.
"I've heard everything. You did a great job this time," Skylar said in a deep voice.
Corban bowed respectfully and said, "We dare not disappoint our master's trust and expectations. We have reaped a great harvest this time. The House of Avery may not seem like much, but they are truly skilled at accumulating wealth. They have many properties in Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. As instructed by our master, we have already divided the spoils among the three of us."
"Yes, I have no problem with that. As long as you can ensure that all three parties are satisfied, that's fine."
"We are all very satisfied with Yaxley's assignment and are extremely grateful for the master's reward!" Claude and Squall hurriedly said. The two already knew that Yaxley had actually become Skylar's core advisor, so they dared not utter a single complaint. They were only afraid that they had not expressed their feelings and proven their loyalty quickly enough.
Skylar nodded, not at all surprised by their submissive attitude. After the extreme intimidation, he added benefits, and with Yaxley's skillful manipulation, the two had gradually integrated into the role of Yaxley's subordinates.
"You, with Corban, stand up and speak!"
"Thank you, Master." Corban slowly stood up, ignoring the two still kneeling, and continued, "We thoroughly searched Avery's ancestral home and the estates of other major family members. We found a total of fifty-two ordinary magic books, and three books involving Dark Arts and forbidden magic, namely..."
"The Gringotts vault of the House of Avery has also fallen into our control. In addition to money, there are also many alchemical items. After sorting them out, they can be mainly classified into daily necessities, leisure items, medical items, auxiliary items, and weapons... In total, there are two large boxes. I have already made a list of the items. Please take a look, Master." After saying this, he presented a roll of parchment with both hands.
Without any visible movement from Skylar, the parchment suddenly appeared in Skylar hand. Everyone, including Daphne and the other girls, was startled. Skylar's spatial magic had reached such a high level without anyone noticing—the speed of Skylar progress was truly terrifying. Even Daphne Sha'erfu, who were with him almost every day, couldn't understand how his magical cultivation had progressed so rapidly.
Skylar, with his Divine Insight of Amaterasu, surely understood their thoughts.
He sighed inwardly. No one else understood his predicament. He didn't want to improve so quickly either. In the end, the most fundamental motivation that drove him to improve was the pressure from others!
An incredibly powerful enemy, a mysterious force lurking in the shadows, the cunning Dumbledore, a girlfriend who needs to be rescued or have her curse broken, family and companions who need to be protected... These are the real reasons why he dares not relax for even a moment, and can only forge ahead, for there is no turning back.
Of course, the experience and insights he gained through almost continuous practical training were also the main reason why his understanding of magic and control of emotions became increasingly profound.
In this peaceful era, few wizards have experienced combat comparable to Skylar's. Even the most experienced and battle-hardened Auror could not have faced lost Dark Arts artifacts, ferocious ancient plants, man-eating beasts ten times their size, or the simultaneous attack of three archmages...
Perhaps, in the world today, only Dumbledore can surpass Skylar in terms of practical experience.
"Well, let's leave these treasures and books here for now. I'll have Latifa and the House Elf come and tidy them up later. As for those three Dark Arts books, I'll just take them with me. I've acquired quite a few good books lately, and it's time for me to spend some time studying them." As soon as he finished speaking, three thick, brick-like Dark Arts books suddenly appeared in his hands, then vanished as if by magic. No one could see how he did it.
(Acquired a large number of magic books!)
(Obtained a large quantity of alchemical items!)
(Obtained three Dark Arts books!)
By now, Skylar had long since passed the stage of indiscriminately devouring books. Those ordinary magic books were learning resources prepared for members of the Sleeping Dragon Society, and Skylar would no longer spend much time on them, even though he possessed a Time-Turner.
Only these three books of Dark Arts, along with the six books of Dark Arts that Yaxley and Selwyn had previously presented from their respective families, were truly things that could pique his interest and inspire him to study them.
Don't forget, he also has the Yaxley family's inherited magic, the Lestrange House of Selwyn's inherited magic that he needs to study and master. These are all the secret techniques and ultimate Killer cards that Pure-blood families have accumulated and honed over many years, and they can definitely help him.
"Are there no Dark Arts items among those treasures? And does the House of Avery not have any family-secret magic?" Skylar asked calmly, his voice revealing no emotion whatsoever.
"Master, the House of Avery doesn't actually possess many Dark Arts items. And when we launched our sudden attack, some of the quicker ones used some on us, like that throwing knife that automatically aims for the heart... During the battle, many Dark Arts were used as disposable items..."
"The good news is that, in my opinion, most of its Dark Arts items aren't rare or priceless treasures; most are of inferior quality to those in Borgin and Burkes," Corban said. "Later, Avery's youngest son even attempted to use the flesh and blood of other family members to activate their family's treasures, but thanks to his master's good fortune, he didn't have the chance and was killed by Claude just moments before he could act."
"Well done, Claude. I'll remember this achievement," Skylar said.
"I dare not take credit. It is all thanks to Master's proper arrangements and Yaxley's skillful leadership and effective management that Claude has had this opportunity to serve Master," Claude said loudly.
"Okay, you two stand up too!"
Claude and Squall exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with joy. They quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
Corban spoke again, "The last treasure of the House of Avery has finally fallen into our hands, and now it is just right to present it to our master." After saying that, he carefully took something out of his pocket, which turned out to be a set of wizard chess.
Before Skylar could speak, Corban spoke first, explaining solemnly, "Master, this is no ordinary wizard chess set. This chess set was quite famous in the wizarding world centuries ago. It had a renowned name that resonated throughout the land—"
"Evil Spirit Battle Chess"