The magic restriction taught by the senior sister was very powerful, which amazed Robert.
According to his senior, this was knowledge from the restricted section of Hogwarts, something not even the Sommerno family's library possessed.
"Okay, it's time for you to wake up. It's already dawn," the senior student finally said.
Robert nodded, but just as he was about to wake up, he noticed something unusual.
"Senior, why do I feel that the black energy coming from you is thicker than before?"
"No, I'm always like this..." The senior student's voice was calm.
"No... I have a good memory. I still remember what you looked like when I first met you. You're different now. So… how much time do you have left?"
The senior sighed. "You figured it out... There's not much difference from before."
"You haven't answered my question yet," Robert said calmly.
"I've told you before—about two years. This cloak won't last much longer. The residue will slowly seep out over time, which is why you sense more black fog..."
Robert was silent for a while before saying, "I hope you're not lying to me about this. I don't want to watch you die..."
"Why would I lie to you? Don't worry. I don't want to die if I can still live," the senior student replied.
"Okay..." Robert paused, then suddenly asked, "You just said more residue has leaked out, right?"
"Yes. Do you want to use it for research?"
"Not just research... I have other plans for this residue..."
…
Robert opened his eyes. The dormitory was still dark.
Because the Slytherin dormitory was located beneath the lake, even at dawn, the lighting inside remained dim.
He didn't wake his sleeping roommates. In fact, he hadn't done so for some time.
Retrieving his toiletries from the cupboard, he prepared to leave.
"Wait..."
Robert turned and saw Tom sitting beside his bed, fully dressed.
"Tom, what's wrong?"
"I think we need to talk," Tom said in a deep voice.
"Okay... Let's meet in the Great Hall later. We can talk over breakfast," Robert said before walking out.
Tom frowned slightly and reached toward Robert's bedside table. Nagini slowly slithered up.
Something was off with Robert lately. It wasn't surprising that he had distanced himself from Tom, but...
In the past, Robert always took Nagini with him wherever he went. But now, he hadn't taken Nagini along for quite some time.
Tom had been taking care of Nagini himself.
Was Robert planning something in secret? Was that why he couldn't have Nagini with him?
…
The Great Hall
At the Slytherin House table, Robert was already eating breakfast when Tom arrived.
Seeing him, Robert turned to Annie. "Annie, I need to talk to Tom alone."
Though Annie was curious, she nodded, picked up her breakfast, and moved farther away.
Tom placed Nagini on the table, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"Tom, if you think I've been distant lately because of what happened with Abu, you're overthinking it," Robert said before Tom could speak.
Tom was slightly stunned.
"I'm busy with something important, and I have to handle it alone. For now, you'll take care of Nagini," Robert continued.
He reached out and gently tapped Nagini's head with his index finger. Ancient magic reinforced the transfiguration spell on Nagini.
"Are you planning something?" Tom asked.
"Yes, but I can't share the details with you yet," Robert replied calmly.
Tom knew that once Robert decided not to say something, no amount of pressing would get him to talk.
"What do you need us to do?" Tom asked, trying to piece together Robert's plan through his instructions.
But Robert simply said, "Just focus on your own tasks. Improve your strength as soon as possible, and manage the club well. When the time comes, I'll find you."
With that, Robert took his book and left, giving Tom no chance to ask further questions.
"Improve my strength as soon as possible..." Tom murmured, lost in thought.
He didn't notice Annie returning to sit beside him.
"Tom, how did your talk with Wade go?" she asked curiously.
"Hmm?" Tom snapped out of his reverie.
"I mean, did he forgive you? Why do I feel like he's still unwilling to forgive you?" Annie asked.
"Forgive me? I don't know what you're talking about," Tom said, frowning.
"Huh? I thought Wade hadn't spoken to you in a while because he hadn't forgiven you yet," Annie said, confused.
"Has he been talking to you much lately?" Tom asked impatiently.
Annie hesitated. Now that she thought about it, Tom was right!
Robert hadn't just distanced himself from Tom—he had distanced himself from everyone.
"What... what's going on?" Annie murmured.
Tom glanced at her before shaking his head. "He didn't tell me either. Just said he's been busy."
Tom knew Annie was sent by Grindelwald.
So, he didn't plan to say anything more.
But Annie, after failing to get an answer from Tom, started overthinking things.
Being busy wasn't unusual. But keeping it a complete secret?
This was something she needed to report to Nurmengard.
That night, Grindelwald received Annie's report.
"Isolating himself and working alone?" Grindelwald mused.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn't care.
But since it was Robert, he had to be cautious.
Prophecy linked both Robert and Tom to the success or failure of his ambitions.
Grindelwald still wasn't sure if their influence would be beneficial or detrimental.
So he had to be wary—what if Robert's plans interfered with his own?
"Two of our men went missing in the Forbidden Forest," Vita added. "Do you think there's a connection?"
Grindelwald thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"I've seen those boys. They're powerful for their age, even capable of surprising adult wizards. But they wouldn't be able to make two men disappear without a trace."
His team had been searching in a dispersed manner, yet staying within two minutes of each other.
Even if Robert and Tom attacked, they wouldn't have had enough time to eliminate all evidence before others arrived.
"Dumbledore?" Vita speculated.
"No. If it were Dumbledore, it wouldn't be just two missing men. He would have taken down the entire search team. And our sources in the Ministry haven't reported any captured men."
"What should we do next?" Vita asked.
"There's definitely something hidden in the Forbidden Forest. The fact that our team keeps running into trouble means we're close to its secrets. The goblins weren't lying...
"Send reinforcements. But this time, keep the search party together. Also, have Annie deliver the notebook to them. Her main task now is to monitor those two boys—especially Robert. We must figure out what he's doing."
"The notebook has already been delivered, and the team is searching the locations in it," Vita said.
"I see. That may explain why they ran into trouble... Next time, report these details sooner."
"Yes…"
…
Wizard Tower
In the first-floor laboratory, the equipment Robert ordered had arrived.
The lab finally looked like a real research facility.
Robert sat at his desk, writing on parchment.
In two large transparent containers, two captured Wu Cui Party members floated, barely alive.
They had undergone multiple high-intensity experiments.
Now, they could only survive through a nutrient solution.
Robert recorded his findings:
"...Negative emotions in the 'residues' stimulate magic. The stronger the emotion, the greater the spell's power."
For example, happiness strengthens the Patronus Charm, while hatred amplifies the Killing Curse.
The ancient magic that extracted negative emotions acted like a rope binding them together.
Robert put down his pen. He finally understood how to use "residues" to enhance a wizard's strength.
(End of Chapter)
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