"Emotions… Will… These two complement each other and determine the strength of a spell. However, the strength of a wizard's own magic power is also crucial, as it serves as the foundation for all enhancements…"
However, Robert wasn't currently studying how to enhance a wizard's own magical power.
His immediate priority was to complete his research on the "residue" before his senior sister lost control and self-destructed.
Only by doing so could he rescue her.
From a long-term perspective, saving her would significantly benefit his future development and his ambition of becoming the "Dark Lord."
Robert took out his wand and flicked it gently over his two experimental subjects. He extracted two powerful residues once again.
Because these residues had previously been embedded in the subjects' bodies, they still retained traces of the subjects' emotional power.
As a result, when these residues were extracted again, their volume was even greater than when they were initially implanted.
Robert pondered for a moment before drawing out all the ancient magical power from the two residues.
The moment the ancient magic was removed, the two residues turned into black smoke, gradually dissipating into the air.
It was as if a plastic bag filled with black smoke had been opened—once the "plastic bag" of ancient magic was removed, the black smoke inside had nowhere to remain and simply dispersed into nothingness.
After countless experiments, Robert had already unraveled most of the principles of residue.
Beyond the previously mentioned enhancement of spell strength through negative emotions, he had also uncovered the reason why these residues affected their hosts so deeply.
Just like Dark Magic, which often required the use of extreme negative emotions, excessive exposure to residues could drastically alter a person's temperament.
Residues, at their core, were concentrated negative emotions.
When placed inside a living body, they would inevitably exert a subtle yet relentless influence over the host.
Absorbing too many residues led the host to lose interest in everything else.
The only remaining obsession became collecting more residues and experiencing the addictive rush of rapidly increasing power.
Despite absorbing so many negative residues, Robert's senior sister still managed to maintain some clarity of mind.
This was all thanks to a cloak given to her by her best friend, which acted as an additional "plastic bag."
It absorbed and contained most of the negative energy-filled residues, preventing them from completely overwhelming her.
However, the influence was not completely neutralized.
His senior sister's current indifference to life was undoubtedly a result of prolonged exposure to residues.
If Robert rashly absorbed the residues from her body, he would likely fall into the same inescapable addiction—becoming the next victim.
But then came the critical question:
How could he absorb all the residues without succumbing to their influence?
"Residues… Cloak… Plastic bag… Rope… There must be a way to control this power, to harness it only when needed."
Robert sat in his chair, closing his eyes in deep thought.
Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
He lifted his wand, and in the next second, a ball of silver-gray ancient magic coalesced at its tip.
This was pure ancient magic—not contaminated by residues.
Robert focused all his energy and cast Transfiguration on the ancient magic.
Ordinarily, Robert could manipulate the shape of ancient magic at will.
But this time, he pushed the boundaries of his abilities, applying his knowledge of Transfiguration at an unprecedented level.
As a result, the transformation of the ancient magic became swift and intricate.
In no time, the ancient magic had been transformed into a thin, silver-gray film.
Then, while maintaining its form, Robert extracted fresh residues from his experimental subjects.
He carefully wrapped the residues inside the ancient magic film, folding it over like a dumpling…
"This should isolate the negative emotional influence…"
But before he could even finish speaking—
"Pop!"
It was as if a balloon had burst.
The ancient magic film had been pierced through.
Within moments, the contained residues leaked out and contaminated the entire structure.
In the blink of an eye, Robert's carefully crafted "dumpling" had turned into yet another residue-infested entity.
"It's not that simple… Just sealing this small amount of residue already drained so much of my energy… And my senior sister still has an enormous amount left in her body…" Robert sighed.
"Maybe I should ask her about the principle behind that cloak… If wrapping doesn't work, perhaps absorption—like a sponge soaking up water—might be the answer."
Rubbing his aching head, Robert checked his pocket watch.
It was dinnertime.
Since he had no classes that afternoon, he had spent the past five hours locked in his lab.
After tidying up, Robert Apparated out of the wizard tower, reappearing at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Then, he quietly returned to Hogwarts Castle.
At the Slytherin table, Tom noticed Robert, who had suddenly appeared beside him.
Yet, he showed no reaction.
His hands remained steady as he calmly peeled an egg for Nagini.
By now, Tom had become used to Robert's mysterious ways.
After the incident with Abraxas, Tom had learned to trust him.
"Robert must have his reasons for doing this," Tom thought.
That night, Robert seemed a little distracted at dinner.
Tom observed as Robert picked up a meat pie and used Transfiguration to turn it into a pancake.
At first, Tom was puzzled.
Then, Robert spread mashed potatoes onto the pancake and wrapped it into the shape of a dumpling.
Tom's eyebrows rose involuntarily.
"Practicing Transfiguration while eating? Is this his unique training method? But I've never seen him do this before…"
Just as Tom was about to imitate him, Anne approached.
Seeing this, Tom frowned.
Ever since Robert had started acting secretive, Anne had been frequently watching him.
Her conversations always seemed casual, yet her words were probing.
It was obvious.
Grindelwald had sent her to gather information on Robert.
And whatever Robert was up to—it was crucial for their future.
Which meant Grindelwald must not find out.
Realizing this, Tom immediately interrupted Anne before she could speak, diverting the conversation.
Anne, growing impatient, cut to the chase.
"Robert, what have you been so busy with lately? We hardly see you anymore."
Tom wanted to respond, but Robert placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Understanding the cue, Tom remained silent.
"I've been looking for something," Robert answered vaguely.
Anne's excitement flared.
"Looking for what? We can help! We're all friends, right?"
Robert hesitated, then finally spoke in a whisper.
"Originally, I didn't plan to tell you yet… But since you and Tom are my closest friends, I'll share it with you. But promise me—you won't tell anyone else."
Anne leaned in eagerly.
Robert continued, his voice lowering.
"I found some manuscripts in the Restricted Section… They say that hidden in the Forbidden Forest and even within Hogwarts itself, there is a magical power that can make wizards stronger!"
Tom blinked.
Instantly, he understood—Robert was feeding information to Grindelwald through Anne.
But… wasn't Robert planning to find that power secretly?
So why inform Nurmengard now?
Despite his confusion, Tom played along, pretending to be curious.
Anne, barely able to contain her excitement, asked hurriedly—
"Can I see those manuscripts?"
Robert smirked slightly.
He opened his pocket, revealing a stack of yellowed pages.
"After dinner," he said smoothly.
Anne's anticipation burned.
Little did she know…
This was exactly what Robert had planned all along.
(End of Chapter)
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427