Trade (Part 2)

Voldemort waved his wand and added several more clauses to the contract.

The main point was that Lin An was not to reveal to anyone—especially Dumbledore—that Voldemort was still alive or where he was hiding.

These clauses would remain in effect until Voldemort personally announced his return to the Wizarding World.

If Lin An violated the contract, he would lose all magical ability.

However, these additional clauses were merely smoke and mirrors.

Voldemort's true purpose was to create a loophole for himself.

The core of that loophole was that, strictly speaking, he was not an entity that was "alive."

Therefore, this contract did not apply to him personally.

The one who would truly bear the price of the contract would be the body he was parasitizing—Quirrell.

In other words, once the contract was signed, the knowledge and memories Lin An received would not come from Tom Riddle, but from everything Quirrell himself possessed.

After finishing the revisions, Voldemort did not sign immediately. Instead, he pretended nothing was amiss and sent the contract back to Lin An.

He did not want to appear too eager and arouse suspicion.

Lin An accepted the revised contract and read it carefully.

Within mere seconds, he spotted the loophole Voldemort had concealed.

The corner of his lips 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 system of magic and rune structures:

It contained the structures of the Unbreakable Vow and the Blood Contract, making it impossible to violate;

It also embedded the principles of Soul Magic, Memory Magic, Legilimency, and Occlumency, along with the understanding he had gained from years of studying the Pensieve.

More importantly, Lin An had acquired new knowledge during his five-year voyage.

Among the ancient books he had stolen from the Vatican's secret vaults was a demonology text called the Lesser Key of Solomon.

That book taught him how to summon Demons, how to bind them with contracts, and how to turn the tables when entering into a contract.

Every pattern in every corner of that contract was not decorative, but ancient demon script.

It allowed him to conceal countless additional clauses and backlash mechanisms within the parchment.

Thus, the loophole Voldemort believed he had carefully devised was child's play in Lin An's eyes.

He could not even be bothered to point it out, simply allowing it to 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.

Lin An sat quietly while Voldemort feigned composure.

At last, Quirrell tremblingly extended his hand, gripped his wand, pretended to review the contract carefully for a long while, and then signed his name.

A moment later, he handed the contract back.

Lin An accepted it and, without hesitation, signed his own name at the bottom.

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 a soul being drawn away by a powerful, invisible force.

Those strands carried all his magical knowledge, understanding, and experience—

Every thought he had while casting a spell, every detail of every incantation, every sensation of magical power flowing.

They left his soul one after another and flew toward Lin An.

Voldemort was both shocked and enraged, immediately trying to stop them.

He used Legilimency and soul-defense magic, doing everything he could to seal off the loss of his memories, especially the parts related to Horcruxes.

But the power of this contract far exceeded his expectations.

A vast will awakened from within the contract and suppressed his resistance.

An agonizing pain came from the depths of his soul, as though he were being skinned alive.

He clearly felt that if he continued resisting, he would die completely, and even Horcruxes would no longer be able to save him.

A few minutes later, countless white rays floated around Lin An.

They were the tangible forms of Voldemort's memories, experience, and magical insights.

Lin An took out an alchemical device that looked rather similar to Dumbledore's Deluminator.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the rays were drawn into it one by one and securely sealed away.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Voldemort, meanwhile, nearly crushed his teeth.

He wanted to strike at once and kill Lin An, but he knew full well that he could barely even control Quirrell's body completely at this moment.

He could only bury that fury deep within his heart.

"Lin An Bones, don't forget that you are bound by the contract as well," Voldemort warned in a low, hoarse voice full of hatred.

"Indeed I am," Lin An replied with a soft laugh.

He waved his wand and sent another sheet of parchment over.

"The payment for fulfilling the contract is here."

Before Voldemort could respond, Lin An had already Apparated away, vanishing into the woods.

Voldemort took the parchment, his gaze dark.

He unfolded it, his eyes sweeping over the few words written upon it, and his expression abruptly twisted into a grimace.

The words read—

"Mirror of Erised."

"Damn bastard—!!!"

The roar exploded through the dark forest. Dead leaves scattered, and flocks of birds took flight in alarm.

Lin An was already thousands of miles away.

He put away the alchemical device, that faint smile still on his face.

"You thought you could scheme against me, Tom."

"Unfortunately—you were on my board from the very beginning."