Lies and Contracts

Chapter 24 Lies and Contracts

Professor Baker concealed the reason why he created Horcruxes.

Avada Kedavra's magical senses allow him to directly "see" the most fundamental changes in other people's mental energy, thereby directly perceiving their true emotions and thoughts. It's like having a built-in, simplified form of Legilimency, which is completely seamless and ignores the brain-closing technique. So whether the other person is benevolent or malicious, sincere or hypocritical, joyful or angry, whether they have lied or concealed something... nothing can hide from him.

Although most of what Professor Baker said was true, there was one exception at the very beginning, when he explained why he made the crystal ball, his mental energy fluctuations showed a subtle "concealment".

He certainly couldn't say that if he admitted to committing the killing in pursuit of immortality, who would be willing to help him? And the fact that he preferred to ask two first-year students for help rather than other professors was probably because he didn't want the Horcrux's characteristics to be exposed.

Moreover, in his subsequent descriptions, he deliberately avoided the word "soul," instead emphasizing "consciousness" and its implications.

But one thing puzzled Avada: when Professor Baker swore that he had not done anything wrong and answered Baron's question about whether the crystal ball was a dark magic item, he actually told the truth!

In other words, Professor Baker is indeed highly skilled in dark magic, this black crystal ball is indeed a Horcrux, and the reason for creating the Horcrux is indeed shameful—but Professor Baker didn't do anything evil when creating the Horcrux?!

This completely contradicts Avada's understanding.

But he could barely accept it. After all, he knew that he had only been exposed to magic for a few months and his understanding of the magical world was just a drop in the ocean. He only had a broad perspective because he had read the original works, but it was still very general. Maybe there were ways he didn't know about, such as how to create Horcruxes without the soul being corrupted by dark magic?

But if Professor Baker truly didn't commit evil, and instead split his soul after killing a notorious dark wizard...

"You're planning to ask us for help?"

Baron frowned and asked, "We're just first-year students, how could we possibly solve this kind of problem?"

"Don't worry, even for a first-year wizard, as long as he's not too stupid, helping me won't be difficult or dangerous. Besides, I've been teaching you for half a year, so I can probably tell that your level is far beyond that of your peers... And if you're really willing to help me, then I will not only provide generous rewards afterward, including but not limited to money, some of my unique skills, as well as secret intelligence and potion recipes... At the same time, I will also do my best to guide you, teach you the specific methods, and control the risks for you."

"but,"

He suddenly gave a bitter laugh and said bluntly, "It seems you never intended to trust me from the beginning, especially you, Mr. Ken?"

Avada's pupils contracted.

"As an adventurer who specializes in dealing with dark wizards, I do have the ability to read subtle expressions and judge people's psychology," Professor Baker said helplessly. "Besides, a scheming wizard who is proficient in dark magic, bringing a cutting-edge dark magic artifact into the school, and deceiving everyone with a hypocritical facade... such a person is inherently suspicious, isn't he?"

"But don't worry, since I dared to make this request, I naturally have ways to gain your trust."

"Mr. Shafik, I remember you should be a direct descendant of the 'Shafik Family,' one of the Twenty-Eight Sacred Clans?"

Baron gave him a wary look: "So what if I am?"

Professor Baker's voice held a hint of amusement: "So, as an ancient pure-blood family, you must have a 'spiritual imprint contract,' right?"

Baron didn't speak, but his expression gradually changed from wary to thoughtful.

"A mental imprint contract? What's that?" Avada had never heard of that term before and turned to Baron to ask.

"It's a magical contract that doesn't require a wand to sign; you have to leave your mark with your mental power to sign it," Baron said thoughtfully. "It's a more advanced magical contract used specifically between powerful wizards. Because their control over their own magic is so refined, it's very easy for them to tamper with the wand signing process..."

"Moreover, it suits my current situation perfectly."

Professor Baker added casually, "I don't have a physical body right now, so I can't sign a contract with a wand. I can only use a mental imprint contract. If I'm willing to use a magical contract to guarantee what I said before and to restrain my behavior, are you willing to give me a certain amount of trust?"

Avada and Baron exchanged a glance, both lost in thought.

"Of course, there might be an easier way for me..." Professor Baker said slowly, "For example, I currently control the spatial magic in this room. I could easily threaten to trap you here and force you to swear an unbreakable oath to help me—but I won't do that. I prefer to cooperate based on mutual trust rather than one-sided coercion, especially since you are my students."

As soon as he finished speaking, Avada immediately sensed that the previously chaotic space had returned to normal. Professor Baker's voice rang in his ears again: "Alright, the spatial magic has been dispelled. You are now free to leave."

"I will not impose any restrictions on you, but I have one request: if you agree to sign a contract with me, please do not tell anyone else about my affairs."

"Is it just a request?" Baron asked. "What if we don't accept?"

"I have shown all my sincerity. If even this cannot earn me even the slightest bit of trust, then I deserve it," Professor Baker sighed.

"I'll be waiting for your reply after the Christmas holidays."

As soon as he finished speaking, Professor Baker's voice fell silent in the room. The black crystal ball rolled quietly to the ground, inconspicuous among the countless artifacts in the Room of Requirement. No one would have imagined that such an ordinary crystal ball would contain the soul of a powerful wizard.

Avada and Baron exchanged a glance, their eyes fixed on the black crystal ball, as they slowly backed away towards the door of the Room of Requirement. Finally, just as they were about to touch the door, Baron flung it open first, and the two of them simultaneously darted out at top speed, slamming the door shut behind them!

As they watched helplessly as the smooth door panel gradually disappeared, leaving only the empty wall, Avada and Baron collapsed to the ground simultaneously, their faces turning deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads, and them panting heavily.

The confrontation with Professor Baker was too tense and exhausting, especially since they didn't know Professor Baker's intentions. It was like walking a tightrope on a cliff, fearing that they might lose their lives if they didn't make a mistake.

It took them quite a while to gradually recover.

Fortunately, not many people stayed on campus during the Christmas holiday, and not many people usually came to the eighth floor. Professor Flitwick was probably still sleeping in, so no one noticed their strange behavior.

"Do you intend to trust him?"

After a long pause, Avada spoke first, asking Baron a question.

He was willing to give Professor Baker a certain amount of trust—by observing the changes in mental energy, he could directly "see" that Professor Baker's goodwill and sincerity came from the heart. And indeed, as he said, he could have easily trapped the two of them and forced them to make an unbreakable oath, but he did not do so.

Although he was still somewhat worried about the Horcruxes, he figured that with a contract as a constraint, it wouldn't be a problem.

But since the mental imprint contract was in the hands of the Shafik family, and Baron was unwilling to provide it, there was nothing he could do. He dared not directly help a guy who had absolutely no constraints!

Wow, it's only been three days since I signed the contract and it's already got over 500 favorites! Thank you all for your love and support!

(End of this chapter)