Night shrouded the slum neighborhood of New York, and thick fog filled the air like a tide under the street lights.
Ian stood at the door of an old apartment, quietly staring at the ajar door.
He knocked three times and heard footsteps coming from behind the door.
When the door opened, what came into view was a nervous-looking young man, the son of Dumbledore - Credence·Barebone.
His thin face was covered with bruises and his fingers were still trembling slightly.
"Who--who's there?" he said hoarsely.
"Don't be afraid." Ian said softly, his tone as calm as the wind in the night.
He walked into the room and closed the door. Dust was flying and the room was dark, with only an oil lamp flickering in the corner.
"Did you know?" Ian looked at this narrow room, his tone seemed to be talking to himself, "Hate sometimes comes from Envy."
Credence was stunned. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"
Ian did not answer, but slowly spoke, "Source that your mother hates magic, not her faith, but Envy.
I once met a woman who looked exactly like her. Her name was Penny Dursley, and her sister was a gifted witch.
Fate played a cruel joke - my sister had no magic, so she vented all her resentment on her children."
Credence's face turned pale, and he instinctively retreated.
Ian said calmly, "You don't need to try to shout. I have cast Silencing Charm, and our conversation will not be heard by anyone."
The room fell into an eerie silence, with only the sound of the two breathing.
After a while, the young man asked coldly, "What do you want to do here?"
Ian's eyes softened. "I'm here to make a deal with you."
"Trade?" Credence subconsciously clenched his fists, "I don't have anything to exchange for."
"Oh? Do you really think so?" Ian smiled slightly, "The power in your body is a miracle that any wizard dreams of.
I can teach you to control it and teach you how to use True Magic. In exchange--you only need to sign a contract."
Hearing the word "contract", Credence frowned.
He was silent for a long time, then shook his head and said, "I already have a teacher. I will not sign any magic contract without knowing the content."
Ian looked at him with a smile on his face, "The teacher you are talking about is 'Percival·Graves', right?"
Credence's pupils shrank.
"I know what he said to you." Ian slowly approached, "Unfortunately, he is not what you imagined.
He hates Muggles and Squib. If he hadn't discovered the strange power in you, he would have abandoned you long ago.
When he confirms that you are 'that thing' he is looking for, he may even change his tone - and pretend to be kind."
Credence bit his lip tightly and made an almost inaudible sound in his throat, "Why are you so sure?"
"Because I have seen too many people like him." Ian replied calmly, "They regard controlling others as breathing.
And I--never lie."
He paused and added softly, "Our contract will state the terms: I must teach you enough magic within a limited time, otherwise the contract will automatically be invalidated.
You don't need to worry about traps."
Credence was silent for a long time, his eyes flickering.
Ian saw through his hesitation and just smiled, "Don't agree in a hurry, I'll give you time to think about it.
But before that, I have to make sure you don't leak what happened tonight."
He said and pulled out his wand.
"Don't move." Credence backed away instinctively and said angrily, "What do you want to do to me?"
"Don't worry." Ian's tone was still calm, "It's just a small protective measure."
He raised his hand and waved, and silver light shot out from the tip of the wand and penetrated into the boy's eyebrows.
That's a Memory Lock--If Credence tries to mention this to others, the memory will be sealed immediately.
Ian put away the wand and said softly, "Don't resist. Even if you burst out with that power, you can't hurt me."
The young man was stunned.
He truly felt that the magic power in the opponent's body was as vast as Abyss - that sense of oppression was even more terrifying than Graves.
Ian turned around to leave and said calmly, "I will come to you again. By then, you will understand what you really want."
--
The moonlight shines on the broken glass in the street.
Ian Walking in the silent night, my thoughts are calm and clear.
He knew that Graves's disguise would be exposed at any time, and that was the opportunity he was waiting for.
When Credence is betrayed and Wrath loses control, his "Dark Parasite" will fully awaken.
At that moment, Ian can use this to study this mysterious existence--
The ultimate form of soul repression.
He murmured in a low voice, "Dark Parasite, it is not a curse, but the other side of human nature."
The sound dissipated in the night wind.
He didn't look back.
In this city full of noise and fear, a young man is transforming silently.
And a new chapter also quietly unfolds in the darkness.