Level up!
Sin points are earned to be spent!
The sin points haven't vanished, they've just taken on a different form to stay with him – like the strength of his soul.
[Soul Strength: 42.8]
A number is the reason for being king.
A thousand sin points for a soul shard, one soul shard for one point.
Cohen finally realised he'd been a bit too normal these past three years – the Hogwarts students seemed to be having it a bit too easy, not experiencing much in the way of hardship. They desperately needed some... guidance from Cohen.
Still, over forty points in soul strength was probably enough for Cohen to go wild with – it's not like there were that many wizards in the British wizarding world above forty points. That level is practically veteran Hogwarts professor territory.
And besides... would someone at a veteran Hogwarts professor's level go and join the Silver Key as a follower?
It'd be like a university professor believing the M78 nebula is full of Ultramen.
Before leaving the box, Cohen even tried turning into a Chimera.
Unfortunately, even though Cohen sprouted three heads, the body only had one consciousness, so Cohen couldn't exactly chat with himself.
However, things like the lion head's fire breath, hypnotism, and the water serpent tail's invisibility could be imitated.
As for prophecy... when Cohen looked at the gem on the tail with the middle head, he didn't see any prophetic scenes. He wasn't sure if his ability was on cooldown or if that particular ability hadn't been successfully imitated.
The goat head didn't feel like much; Cohen didn't feel any smarter, and the essays he couldn't figure out still couldn't be figured out.
"Knowledge requires accumulation," the goat head consoled Cohen. "You just lack accumulation..."
"What happened to the 'countless knowledge' a Homunculus is supposed to be born with?" Cohen said, disappointed. "The knowledge is nowhere to be found, now it's just 'countless'..."
[You expect all the knowledge in the world to just flow into your brain like that?] said the horned water serpent. [Then you shouldn't be called a Homunculus, you should be called Canned Knowledge... Bring some new rabbits next time you come. Sisso's little snake bit all the rabbits to death.]
"?"
Cohen transformed back into his human form, raising an eyebrow.
"You knew? Sisso and I were trying to keep it a secret... but you don't seem very angry..."
[Just a few rabbits.] the horned water serpent said. [I rather like that little snake, it's a shame it seems a bit afraid of me...]
"It might just be afraid of lions," Cohen shook his head. "Bloodline suppression, I suppose..."
Voldemort and the quest rewards were all sorted, so next, Cohen had to deal with the kidnapping of Frandor and Von Braun...
Following the incredibly obvious connection line between Frandor's body and soul, Cohen could easily track this line to find the location of Frandor's soul.
Leaving such an obvious clue was meant to lure Cohen there so he would kill them – it's hard to say if the Silver Key people are loyal or not loyal.
On Monday morning, Cohen didn't go to class. Instead, he went to Dumbledore's office door.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in."
Dumbledore looked at Cohen, who was supposed to be sitting in class but instead ran to his office, a little confused.
"If I'm not mistaken, isn't it class time?"
"I need to take a leave of absence, I'm not sure for how many days exactly," Cohen said.
"The reason?" Dumbledore asked with concern. "If you're not feeling well, I can grant you medical leave for any amount of time. If you need help, you can ask Nicolas or Madam Pomfrey."
"It's not sick leave. Von Braun is missing. I sent my owl with a cat that can't die to check on the situation," Cohen briefly explained the basic situation. "But the cat's soul has been captured."
"Is it that organisation called the 'Silver Key'?" Dumbledore frowned slightly. "You can leave this matter to the Ministry of Magic. From what I know, most people in this organisation are wanted dark wizards."
"I have a few reasons why I have to go," Cohen said. "Firstly, can the Ministry people see the connection between soul and body?"
"Unless the Department of Mysteries has made significant breakthroughs in their research, no," Dumbledore said cautiously. "But magic leaves traces, Cohen. You needn't be so pessimistic about the Ministry's tracking methods..."
"There's another very important thing. I want to save Von Braun and my cat," Cohen said calmly. "To make sure they're alive – and to avoid any unnecessary casualties. Nicolas said that's part of human nature too."
"Perhaps I could accompany you?" Dumbledore asked for Cohen's opinion.
"If you went, they'd probably just run away..." Cohen said helplessly. "Headmaster, do you perhaps have a slight misunderstanding of your image in the eyes of dark wizards..."
"Oh," Dumbledore stroked his beard and chuckled. "Then what do you think of me?"
"A lonely old man who likes to snatch sweets from children," Cohen said dryly. "I hope Edward doesn't end up like you when he's old..."
"Everyone gets old," Dumbledore sighed. "Different ages have different sights and different moods... Regarding your request for leave, please forgive me, even if I approve this leave, I still have to write to your parents."
"They'll agree, right..." Cohen said uncertainly. "Probably..."
Dumbledore's letter was sent quickly, and Edward and their reply also arrived quickly, and it wasn't sent to Dumbledore, but to Cohen.
After lunch, Cohen was already packing the things he needed to take with him: toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, a change of clothes – just then, the colourful owl burst into the Gryffindor tower.
"You look like you're going on holiday – what's going on!" The Earl was about to complain when he was startled by his adopted daughter, the colourful owl, crashing through the window and flying in.
"Hoo! Hoo!" The colourful owl, Caroline, dropped the letter from her claws onto Cohen, then eagerly pounced towards Earl.
"Stop it! Halt! You little—" The Earl struggled. "Your dad and I are old pals – and I hatched you!"
"Looks like she has a bit of a father complex," Cohen said casually. "Isn't this what you wanted, a wife who sticks to you – although actually between you and her..."
"It's awful!" The Earl struggled to shut Caroline outside the window. "I watched her grow up! Why couldn't I have bought an owl I didn't know?!"
"There are owls you don't know all over the school, and you haven't gone and 'borrowed' one, have you?" Cohen glanced at the Earl. "Cherish her. She might be the last owl in the world who likes you..."