The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's office was silent.
"Professor, are you trying to teach me this magic?"
When this thought appeared in Quirrell's mind, he was momentarily stunned.
This, this is, is Lucien?
He's using that variant spell of Imperio?
Why does Lucien know this Dark Arts spell? How did he learn it?
How could he possibly have learned it!
Countless questions exploded in Quirrell's mind. What had just happened was completely outside his plans and expectations!
Quirrell truly couldn't understand. He had spent over ten days, enduring the pain of Dark Arts erosion, and only with great difficulty had he mastered this spell.
How did Lucien learn it?
Did he learn it just by hearing him recite it once?
What a joke!
Quirrell's gaze was unfocused; he simply couldn't comprehend what had just transpired.
"Professor, or rather, this magic isn't for teaching purposes, then..."
"What is this spell for?"
These words made Quirrell jolt, instantly snapping back to reality. He also noticed the tip of Lucien's wand subtly peeking out from under his right sleeve.
Vaguely recalling the experience of their last magic duel, and that eerie, maniacal laughter, Quirrell's head throbbed. He forced out a difficult smile:
"It is, it is for teaching."
Lucien stood up, his eyes still devoid of humor, staring intently at Quirrell:
"Oh, then why not just teach it directly? Aren't you giving a lecture, Professor?"
"And this magic feels, well, a bit unusual."
Quirrell immediately broke out in a cold sweat; he didn't know how to answer.
He was also afraid that if he was exposed and his master's plan was ruined, his fate...
Helplessness and fear made Quirrell lose control. He opened his mouth several times but couldn't speak.
Just as Quirrell saw Lucien put his left hand behind his back and slightly raise his right hand, his eyes suddenly changed.
A faint smile appeared on "Quirrell's" face.
"This is a magic I created myself, and its effect is quite good."
"It requires a very high level of innate talent for beginners, at the very least, one must be able to perceive the fluctuations when using this magic."
"But unfortunately, I've never encountered a student who could learn this magic."
His tone paused slightly. "Quirrell's" gaze towards Lucien showed a hint of surprise and gratification.
"I never expected, Lucien, that you would actually possess such talent! You truly surprise me!"
Seeing this change in Quirrell's demeanor, Lucien, who had witnessed it once before, immediately reacted.
Oh, Tom's possessed him again.
He wondered if such frequent possessions and speaking would accelerate his weakening?
Perceive the fluctuations of magic?
The implication was that he was just testing if he had the talent, to see if he could learn this magic?
Tsk tsk, the "surprise" and "gratification" in his eyes were quite convincingly feigned.
If he were a truly talented young Wizard, he would probably believe this explanation.
He would truly believe he was a lucky child favored by his teacher, a genius who had passed his teacher's test.
But sorry, he had seen the plot and knew what was growing on the back of Quirrell's head.
Heh, he'd just play along for now, and then tell Dumbledore about it when he went for afternoon tea.
He wondered how Dumbledore would handle it. Would he insist on waiting until Harry defeated Lord Voldemort?
"Is that so, Professor? Then what exactly is the effect of this magic?"
Hearing this question, "Quirrell" felt that Lucien had taken the bait and was interested in magic.
"This is a magic that enhances one's concentration, allowing one to eliminate extraneous thoughts and focus on thinking."
"The technique is..."
Lucien initially thought Tom was spouting nonsense, but he didn't plan to expose him.
A Dark Arts spell, most likely used to influence and control the mind and body, and he could even spin it into a magic for improving concentration?
But as the explanation deepened, Lucien's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
How did this sound, as if it really might work?
No, he wasn't a good person, so how could he genuinely be testing a student's talent?
Lucien looked at "Quirrell" confidently lecturing and had a guess.
Could it be an application of a counter-curse? This Dark Arts spell should have been developed by Tom.
Normally used to control the mind and body, but reversed, could it really help people improve their attention?
As "Quirrell" finished his explanation, Lucien finally confirmed what he had said, and his eyes narrowed.
It was actually true. This Dark Arts spell really had a counter-curse, and the syllables recited were identical, only with the order adjusted in a few subtle, almost unnoticeable details.
"Quirrell" smiled as he looked at Lucien,
"Well, isn't this magic very interesting?"
Lucien looked at "Quirrell" with a solemn expression, unable to help but marvel at his talent.
In terms of creativity in magic, especially Dark Arts, Tom was truly extraordinary. By the system's standards, his Dark Arts talent would probably be at least SS-rank.
This look of his, as if victory was assured, was he certain that he would be attracted to this magic? That he would want to learn from him?
"It is indeed very wondrous, Professor. Your... mastery of magic is truly admirable."
Hearing Lucien's words, "Quirrell" slightly raised his chin, the expression on his face completely unlike what Quirrell would normally display.
That pride, that confidence, that domineering air of considering himself unmatched in the world.
"Lucien, your talent, hmm, is excellent, the best I've ever seen."
"So, are you interested in learning from me, learning that magic from before, learning true, powerful, wondrous magic?"
As he spoke these words, "Quirrell's" voice suddenly became magnetic, as if compelling one to nod and follow.
But Lucien was unaffected; he merely quickly began to ponder.
Sure enough, he suggested that he learn from him.
Heh heh, learn this magic, learn this Dark Arts spell?
After learning this, would he have to learn more Dark Arts spells?
Hmm, no, at least not openly.
Tom might be crazy, but he wasn't that stupid.
He probably intended to do it little by little, interspersing some Dark Arts knowledge within normal magic.
Then, little by little, he would lead him into the abyss of Dark Arts.
Tsk, a sugar-coated bullet.
He could eat the sugar, but as for the bullet...
"Professor, I am delighted to receive your recognition. It would be my honor to learn more from you!"
As he spoke, Lucien even put on an expression of joyful excitement mixed with a little shyness, acting just like a child who had gained the Professor's appreciation and approval.
Heh, isn't it just acting? Who can't do that?
His drama teacher wasn't hired for nothing!
Hearing Lucien's words and seeing his performance, "Quirrell" nodded,
"Very good. Then let's continue with the lecture."
"..."
-------------------------------
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