Voldemort waved his wand and added several more clauses to the contract.
The gist was that Ian could not reveal to anyone—especially Dumbledore—that he was still alive or disclose his whereabouts.
These clauses would remain in effect until Voldemort personally announced his return to the Wizarding World.
If Ian violated the contract, he would lose all his magical abilities.
However, these additional clauses were merely smoke and mirrors.
The true purpose was to create a loophole for himself.
The loophole hinged on one fact: in the strictest sense, he was not an existence that was "alive."
Therefore, the contract did not apply to him personally.
The one who would truly bear the cost of the contract was the body he had been using as a Parasite—Quirrell.
In other words, once the contract was signed, the knowledge and memories Ian gained would not come from Tom Riddle, but from Quirrell himself.
After finishing the revisions, Voldemort did not sign immediately. Instead, he pretended to be unconcerned and sent the contract back to Ian.
He did not want to seem too eager and arouse suspicion.
Ian took the revised contract and read it carefully.
In only a few seconds, he saw through the loophole Voldemort had hidden.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. His expression remained calm, and he said nothing, merely sneering inwardly.
This contract was the pinnacle of his research into magic and alchemy.
It incorporated an immensely complex array of magical systems and runic structures:
It contained the structures of the Unbreakable Vow and the Blood Contract, making it impossible to violate;
It also incorporated Soul Magic, Memory Magic, Legilimency, and Occlumency, along with the insights he had gained through years of studying the Pensieve.
More importantly, Ian had learned new knowledge during his five-year voyage.
Among the ancient books he had stolen from a secret underground chamber in the Vatican was a demonology book called the Lesser Key of Solomon.
That book taught him how to summon Demons, how to bind them with contracts, and how to counter them when signing a contract.
The patterns in every corner of the contract were not decorative. They were ancient demonic script.
They allowed him to conceal countless additional clauses and backlash mechanisms on the page.
Thus, the loophole Voldemort thought he had carefully designed was child's play in Ian's eyes.
He could not even be bothered to point it out. He simply let it remain—because he had already buried his own "trap" deeper within the contract.
Time passed little by little.
The two probed each other in silence.
Ian sat quietly, while Voldemort pretended to be calm and unhurried.
At last, Quirrell extended a trembling hand, gripped his wand, and pretended to examine the contract carefully for a long while before signing his name.
A moment later, he handed the contract back.
Ian took it and signed his own name at the bottom without hesitation.
White light flashed. The contract took effect.
However, Voldemort realized almost instantly that something was wrong.
Countless strands of white light surged from his body, like fragments of his soul, being pulled away by a powerful, invisible force.
Those strands carried all his magical knowledge, understanding, and experience—
Every thought during spellcasting, every detail of every incantation, every sensation of magic flowing through him.
They left his soul one after another and flew toward Ian.
Furious and alarmed, Voldemort immediately tried to stop them.
He employed Legilimency and soul-defense techniques, doing everything he could to block the loss of his memories, especially those related to his Horcruxes.
But the power of this contract far exceeded his imagination.
A tremendous will awakened within the contract and suppressed his resistance.
Excruciating pain came from the depths of his soul, as if he were being skinned alive.
He knew clearly that if he continued resisting, he would die completely—not even his Horcruxes would be able to save him.
Several minutes later, countless white strands of light floated around Ian.
They were the manifestations of Voldemort's memories, experiences, and magical insights.
Ian took out an alchemical device that looked remarkably similar to Dumbledore's Deluminator.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the strands of light were drawn into it one by one and securely sealed away.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Voldemort, meanwhile, was practically grinding his teeth to pieces.
He wanted to kill Ian immediately, but he knew that he could barely control Quirrell's body completely at this moment.
All he could do was forcefully suppress his rage deep within.
"Ian Bones, don't forget. You're bound by the contract as well." Voldemort's low warning was hoarse and filled with hatred.
"That's true." Ian answered with a soft laugh.
He waved his wand and sent over another piece of parchment.
"Your payment for fulfilling the contract is here."
Before Voldemort could respond, Ian cast Apparition and vanished into the forest.
Voldemort took the parchment, his gaze dark and gloomy.
He unfolded it and swept his eyes over the few words written on it. His expression suddenly twisted into something ferocious.
The words read—
"Mirror of Erised."
"You damned bastard—!!!"
His roar exploded through the dark forest. Dead leaves flew into the air, and flocks of birds were startled into flight.
Ian was already thousands of miles away by then.
He put away the alchemical device, the faint smile still lingering on his face.
"You thought you could outmaneuver me, Tom."
"Unfortunately—you've been on my chessboard from the very beginning."
Before you continue