In the last few days of summer vacation, besides repairing the Time-Turner with Robert, Morris was also secretly researching the Ageless Stone.
Although only half of the Ageless Stone remains, its basic functions have not been impaired.
After several weeks of trial and error, Morris has basically determined its general function: it allows users to enter an independent space where time is suspended, and this space can be changed at will according to the user's wishes.
This ability would undoubtedly be extremely tempting for wizards whose lifespans are nearing their end. However, Morris doesn't need it for the time being, since the same amount of time passes outside as you stay inside. What truly stops is only the flow of time within yourself.
Morris is only a teenager now, and what he has in abundance is time—of course, he doesn't rule out the possibility that it might come in handy in the future.
In addition, Morris tried using the Resurrection Stone several more times, but the result was the same as before: no images appeared.
Time quickly came to the last day of August.
Ship in a Bottle, a ceremonial room.
"The world of the living has not forgotten you, and the peaceful rest of death is not your final chapter."
This incantation is a necessary part of the Undead Creature Transformation Ritual, but Morris also frequently uses it in the advancement rituals for undead creatures, as it's become a habit of his.
This incantation contains immense power and can effectively stabilize the state of undead creatures.
What is taking place now is an Undead Creature Advancement Ritual.
The main character of the ceremony was the skeleton worker who carried a fragment of Voldemort's soul, also known as Skeleton Number One.
As the incantation was recited, Morris continuously added Gap Energy Crystal to it.
What he has in abundance right now is energy crystals.
The crystal immediately turned into black mist upon entering the magic circle.
But this time, the black fog reacted very differently than before.
They launched an unprecedented uprising, surging and colliding within the ritual chamber, beyond the control of even the magic circle.
The entire ritual chamber was filled with raging black mist, forcing Morris to summon his bone armor to protect himself.
Fortunately, the ritual room had been specially reinforced; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to withstand the impact of that force.
The soul fire in Skeleton Number One's eyes flickered a few times. The black mist seemed to be drawn to it by some force, rushing towards it frantically, which it greedily absorbed.
It works!
Morris nodded to himself upon seeing this.
When the Guantou attempted to advance to the fifth tier, the black mist only stayed in its body for a moment before being expelled, ultimately causing the advancement to fail.
This time things seem to be going very smoothly.
If it succeeds, then the core condition for advancing to the fifth rank is clear: the soul.
The riots intensified, finally reaching a critical point.
Skeleton Number One suddenly covered his face, and flesh and blood began to grow on his face, gradually revealing facial features, eventually transforming into the face of a young man.
Morris squinted at the face.
Tom?
The man before him looked exactly like a young Voldemort.
No, that's not quite right; there are still some subtle differences.
Tom's features were sharper, while this face was softer.
It's likely that Voldemort's soul fragments influenced Skeleton Number One's appearance.
Soon, Skeleton Number One's head was fully formed. However, just when Morris thought the other body parts would grow in, the process suddenly stopped.
Immediately afterwards, the surging black mist also dissipated completely.
"?"
Morris stared at the thing in front of him, which had only grown a head and was still just a skeleton below the neck, and remained silent for a moment.
Is this... a failure or a success?
"How do you feel?" Morris asked.
Skeleton Number One raised its head, touched its face, then slid its head down to its extremely bony neck, pausing for a moment.
"My head feels a little heavy," he said.
Skeleton Number One had no throat at all, and Morris had absolutely no idea where his voice was coming from.
But one thing is for sure—this guy doesn't seem to be very bright.
"Never mind how heavy your head is," Morris cut to the chase, "Tell me, do you have any connection with Tom Riddle, or rather, Voldemort?"
Skeleton Number One shook its head, its tone resolute, "You created me, Master. I belong to you."
"Very good." Morris nodded in satisfaction.
His undead creatures could never lie to him.
From this perspective, Voldemort's soul did not cause Skeleton Number One to develop any extra thoughts.
This is a good thing.
But then again, was this advancement ceremony a success or a failure?
Or perhaps, it was only half successful?
Otherwise, how could it possibly only grow one head?
He asked, "Now that you've completed your advancement, what special abilities have you gained?"
Skeleton Number One immediately swung his arm, and in the next moment, magic surged out of his body like a vast tide.
This magic even caused the wooden crate in the corner to vibrate.
Unfortunately, this was merely a simple release of magic power; it did not translate into any actual effect through magic.
Morris immediately used his Magic Power Link to sense the amount of magical energy stored within the other person's body.
What the hell.
He was shocked.
The total magical power of Skeleton Number One far exceeded Morris's estimate, even several times higher than his own.
That's terrifying.
Putting everything else aside, even just considering it as a power bank, it can be very useful.
"Anything else?" Morris asked again.
Upon hearing this, Skeleton Number One closed its eyes, and then its entire body began to emit multicolored light, like a large iridescent lamp.
Morris gave him a very subtle look. "Is this how you use magic?"
Skeleton Number One opened its eyes, and the light on its body went out.
He obediently replied, "This is the only one I know how to make."
Morris was somewhat speechless.
That's such a waste of all that magic power.
"Perhaps you should try learning real magic." He sighed and said, "I'll find someone, uh, find a cat to help you."
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With a casual wave of his hand, the Guantou's silhouette appeared out of thin air on the floor.
The little guy raised his head blankly and looked around.
"Meow?"
what happened?
"I have a task for you," Morris said, pointing to Skeleton Number One, "Teach him to use magic."
The Guantou creature tilted its head, scrutinizing the strange skeleton in front of it with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Meow?"
What kind of magic?
"You decide," Morris waved his hand. "Just what you've learned. It's best if you can teach it, but it's okay if you can't."
"Meow."
Guantou nodded and waved its claws at Skeleton Number One.
The skeletal body of Skeleton Number One was immediately covered by a black robe.
"Oh, that looks much better," Morris said.
As long as the body is covered, no abnormality can be detected at all.
The Guantou nimbly jumped onto Skeleton Number One's shoulder, while Morris went straight back to the living room.
He's going to Diagon Alley later to buy some daily necessities for the new semester.