Just as Ciel donned the ruby pendant, a slight pain like mosquito bites immediately came. But moments later, the pain began slowly increasing, seeming to erode into his flesh and blood.
He remained expressionless, while descriptions of this ruby pendant surfaced in his mind: "Its holders often feel increasingly intense itching and pain after some time. Their bodies develop festering sores, and flesh begins rotting. Even their teeth fall out one by one. Finally, holders die in decay amid extreme terror."
But he felt no panic about this. This curse seemed very vicious but wasn't particularly strong. It would need considerable time to kill even a Muggle, much less him with his formidable vitality.
Corrode his flesh? Make him die in decay? This little curse should just give up. The curse's damage might not even match his own recovery rate. Besides some pain, it couldn't really affect him.
Even this pain, plus any fear effects the curse might carry, would be suppressed by his Occlumency. Therefore, regarding the ruby pendant curse's effects, he showed no terror or fear, but curious interest in observing exactly how curse magic worked on him.
Before magical perception advanced, though he possessed some curse magic through the Platinum level Curse Studies, he could only sense its very special nature, like seeing flowers through fog. Now with greatly improved magical perception and actually witnessing this curse's operation, the mist was lifting.
In his vision, curse magic particles from the ruby pendant entwined toward his body. These rather ethereal magic particles didn't directly attack him, but seemed alive, using their ethereal nature that other magic particles could barely interfere with to silently mix into his own magic.
Following his own magic particles, they began surging through his bloodstream. During this process, curse magic attempted to slowly transform surrounding normal magic.
His eyes showed realisation: "This feeling, curses, are like special 'viruses'? No wonder most curses don't explode with particularly strong power immediately. They need time to spread in the cursed person's own magic, an incubation period. When curse magic grows to a certain extent, this spreading becomes unstoppable, the curse's outbreak period. In the curse's final stage, the cursed person's magic is almost entirely transformed to curse magic. When the cursed person dies, newly transformed curse magic also returns to cursed jewellery, adding to its power."
He felt quite amazed. Wizards who developed Curse Studies were truly extraordinarily talented. With such secretive methods, no wonder so many powerful wizards suffered from curses. Even Dumbledore suffered serious injury from the Resurrection Stone ring's curse in the original story.
But fortunately, he had unique advantages against curses. Though curse magic was ethereal and secretive, based on his previous experience with variant humanoid bioluminescent mushrooms, natural will was quite effective against curses.
During natural will infusion, ethereal curse magic would be impacted and thus reveal traces. Once losing its concealment characteristics, curse magic wasn't hard to deal with. Because of this, no matter how troublesome a curse or a lightning strike, unless it was particularly absurd, it would basically eliminate it.
Of course, the prerequisite was surviving being genuinely struck by lightning. This was quite difficult for others but much easier for him.
As thoughts flashed through his mind, he let curse magic lurk and spread in his body.
[Curse Studies (Platinum, stabilising)]
On the system panel, Curse Studies' platinum lustre began slowly stabilising during this process. Then his attention shifted from his body to the ruby pendant.
After those curse magics left the pendant and lurked in his body, the remaining curse magic on the ruby pendant visibly decreased by more than half, leaving only a few sparse types. Analysing these would undoubtedly be much simpler than before.
He carefully analysed these remaining curse magics' effects on the ruby pendant: "This curse makes the ruby pendant's colour more pure while adding some bewitching properties. Also, this curse magic makes the ruby pendant's material harder, unbreakable. Hmm? The last one actually makes the ruby pendant impossible to discard, always appearing near the cursed person? Interesting..."
His eyes flickered. If he could clarify these curse magics' mechanisms for changing objects, perhaps he could use curses to selectively induce plant seeds!
For instance, using curses that made jewellery harder and more indestructible, could they selectively induce tougher traits in certain plants? But cursing objects differed from cursing plants; he couldn't just copy methods. This process would require much modification and research.
He shook his head: "After all, using curses to induce magical herbs to produce new variants is probably unique, an entirely new topic without documentary references. Implementation would probably take considerable time."
But he was prepared for long term research. Keeping the ruby necklace close to his body, letting its curse magic invade his flesh while simultaneously deepening his understanding of its curses.
On the system panel, Curse Studies' platinum lustre gradually stabilised bit by bit, its luminous intensity slowly increasing. He showed satisfaction.
Just as his gaze was about to leave the system panel, his expression suddenly stirred. He discovered that while Curse Studies flickered, his previously learnt Serpensortia also seemed to react.
An extremely thin, blurred line barely noticeable without careful observation extended from Curse Studies to Serpensortia. His eyes showed uncertain surprise, thinking of a speculation: "Could it be Serpensortia reacts with Curse Studies?!"
The next moment, he experimentally waved his wand, thrusting it forward while chanting: "Serpensortia!"
Instantly, a massive dark shadow formed from smoke. Compared to previous Serpensortia casts, due to improved magical perception, the black snake's head count also increased from five to seven heads. Even the scales' lustre and fierce light in snake pupils were more realistic and frightening.
But besides this, he didn't sense very obvious changes. This made him frown. The system panel wouldn't lie. Since it showed a line between Curse Studies and Serpensortia, these two must have some hidden connection.
He immediately fell into thought: "Serpensortia was most likely gifted to the Malfoy family by Voldemort. In the original Ministry battle, when Voldemort duelled Dumbledore, he summoned countless venomous snakes with a wave. This was also a Serpensortia application. But, I always felt this spell, from my current experience, wasn't quite at the level for Voldemort and Dumbledore's battle. Why did Voldemort use it? In the original, Dumbledore was also quite cautious, dealing with all venomous snakes without letting any approach. Logically, this shouldn't be so. Just based on Serpensortia's summoned snake strength, let alone Dumbledore, an ordinary Auror could handle them with Blasting Curses. How could it make even Dumbledore serious?"
His thoughts gradually pointed to one possibility: "Unless Voldemort's Serpensortia differed from what I currently know. His summoned venomous snakes had some extremely troublesome characteristics. Therefore, even Dumbledore had to handle them carefully."
When this speculation surfaced, his gaze fell on the line between Curse Studies and Serpensortia. Voldemort was also a Curse Studies master. Years ago, the Dark Arts curse he left on the Resurrection Stone ring nearly killed Dumbledore. Even Snape, such a Potions master, couldn't eliminate that curse.
This showed how fierce that Dark Arts curse was. His curse on the Defence Against the Dark Arts position had kept manifesting for years; even Hogwarts' protective magic couldn't handle it. From this perspective, Serpensortia as a spell Voldemort frequently used having connections to Curse Studies was quite normal.
But how to verify this? Soon after, his attention fell on the curse magic he had obtained through Curse Studies abilities. "Maybe I should use curse magic to cast Serpensortia?"
Then he tried again: "Serpensortia!"
This time, magic flowing from his wand tip emanated sinister, strange coldness, precisely his employed curse magic. The next moment, Serpensortia's summoned black snake indeed showed significant changes.
He could sense the black snake's surface wrapped in curse magic. Due to curse magic's characteristics, other magics' effects on it would be greatly reduced. This gave the current black snake the ability to ignore many protective spells. Simultaneously, its fangs were wrapped in particularly dense curse magic. Once bitten, the threat wouldn't just be venom, but accompanying curses!
At this moment, his eyes flashed with light, completely verifying his earlier speculation. No wonder Voldemort used Serpensortia even when fighting Dumbledore. If his guess was correct, Voldemort's summoned countless venomous snakes were not only modified by Dark Arts Transfiguration but also carried extremely vicious curses.
Therefore, possessing terrifying characteristics and ignoring many magical protections. Once contacted, even without being bitten, just brushed against, one might suffer powerful curses. Ordinary wizards, even battle-hardened Aurors lacking curse-handling methods, might die in despair from small venomous snakes summoned by Serpensortia!
He took a deep breath, increasingly aware of Voldemort's terror. Every seemingly ordinary small spell he had cast in the original might actually contain the Dark Arts field's most profound achievements!
But soon after, his amazement gradually calmed. Voldemort was indeed a very remarkable wizard, but he still had several years to develop. Before the final battle came, he might not be able to match Voldemort.
Before then, Voldemort had created such useful spells; why couldn't he use them? When Antonin Dolohov escaped prison, his Serpensortia, inspired by Dolohov's master, might give Antonin an unexpected surprise!
Between flashing thoughts, he had already decided: "Combining Serpensortia and Curse Studies, this direction has great potential. I can continue researching."
But next, a problem faced him: his possessed curse magic wasn't powerful. To bring more significant enhancement to Serpensortia, the curse magic used needed further improvement.
But curse magic's birth was accompanied by negative emotional impacts much stronger than ordinary Dark Arts. Even with his deep Occlumency mastery, he didn't want to risk this.
Voldemort's Occlumency was also very strong, probably only slightly weaker than Snape's. But hadn't he still become increasingly insane under various Dark Arts influences? This showed Occlumency's mental protection wasn't omnipotent. Excessive Dark Arts use, even with Occlumency, might still distort one's spirit.
But if he didn't create curse magic through negative emotions, how could he enhance Serpensortia's power? He fell into contemplation.
Moments later, he saw scattered curse magic particles. Looking down, he saw curse magic from the ruby pendant still diligently trying to erode him. Initially, he paid no attention, but soon a thought surfaced in his mind.
Cursed jewellery curses wearers; isn't that curse magic mixing into wearers' own magic like marrow in bones, inseparable? This was naturally a nightmare for wearers, making it hard to expel curse magic from their bodies.
But conversely, people cursed by cursed jewellery had more curse magic in their bodies. Due to curse magic's lurking characteristics mixing with normal magic, when casting spells, might this curse magic also be invoked?!
Then he experimented. He casually cast several spells while focusing on his internal curse magic from the ruby pendant during casting. Indeed, he discovered that when casting spells, some curse magic from the ruby pendant did flow out through his wand tip.
Since curse magic barely interacted with ordinary magic, this didn't affect the spells' effects themselves. This completely formed his thoughts:
"In other words, I can completely rely on cursed jewellery to accumulate extremely powerful curse magic in my body. When casting other spells normally, though curse magic flows out with normal magic, it won't affect these spells' effects. But when casting Serpensortia, this curse magic from cursed jewellery can function, making Serpensortia even more powerful."
Of course, this approach had risks. Large amounts of curse magic accumulating in the body would probably kill normal people. Even his Legendary Life, after one sublimation, far more resilient than ordinary people countless times over, wouldn't die but would certainly suffer pain infinitely more intense than the current ruby pendant's slight itching.
He weighed pros and cons, then showed determination. He wouldn't die, just endure more suffering. But Serpensortia's power increase was real. Maybe it could become another trump card.
Enduring some pain for real improvement – in his previous life, how many people would dream of this! With Quirrell's return approaching, though he was prepared, extra preparation was never wrong.
Since so, there was nothing to hesitate about. Soon after, he opened the box containing cursed jewellery. He picked up a purple gemstone flickering with eerie purple light.
Immediately, cold curse magic flowed into his body. Unlike the ruby pendant's itching sensation, this purple gemstone's entwined curse magic seemed more inclined toward creating hallucinations. Its several previous owners had all killed everyone around them in madness before ending their own lives.
But before his Occlumency, these slight hallucinations couldn't shake him. His movements, after a brief pause, continued steadily. One after another, cursed jewellery pieces were worn by him.
Increasingly dense curse magic mixed with his magic. Compared to before, the curse magic he invoked with each wand wave had begun exceeding his own possessed portion.
Just then, he began noticing a phenomenon: on the system panel, Serpensortia's original platinum lustre surface seemed covered by another new layer of lustre.
[Serpensortia (Platinum, curse enhancement active)]
Though quite ethereal, these two layers' overlay indeed made Serpensortia emit more brilliant light. He was surprised. After binding the system for so many years, he had never encountered such a phenomenon.
But soon after, a speculation surfaced in his mind: "Could it be because the cursed jewellery's curse magic began having obvious enhancement effects on Serpensortia? Like Underwater Enhancement, providing temporary buffs? So Serpensortia's mastery in system evaluation began climbing while curse magic persisted?"
Verifying this speculation was simple: just continue contacting cursed jewellery, constantly stacking curse magic, and see if Serpensortia's lustre could continue climbing.
At this time, he could clearly feel pain throughout his body. This was no longer ignorable like the previous ruby pendant. But for him, who had experienced countless sufferings, such slight pain was routine, far from reaching his Occlumency's limits.
As for curse damage, it was still far inferior to his sublimated Legendary Life's recovery ability. "In other words, I can continue!"
He reached out again, taking an especially alluring gemstone. The curse magic covering this surpassed previous cursed jewellery by an obvious level, probably having cursed over twenty people to death.
Exceptionally dense curse magic seeped into his body. Pain intensified, but his gaze remained fixed on the lustre layer covering Serpensortia.
The next moment, that lustre layer surged! Overall, Serpensortia's lustre climbed again. He took a deep breath, his eyes seemingly burning with flames: "I'm still far from my limit. Continue!"
One after another, cursed jewellery pieces were donned by him. Pain skyrocketed linearly, but in return, Serpensortia's lustre, under enhancement, climbed at jaw dropping speed. Platinum lustre had reached its peak, with some diamond light beginning to flicker within!
At this time, only one cursed piece of jewellery remained in the box: the azure Heart of the Ocean. The curse magic covering it almost equalled all previous cursed jewellery combined.
His gaze remained steady and calm: "These cursed jewels are indeed terrible for ordinary people, but for me, their harm is greatly reduced. Current curse magic, to kill me or truly significantly affect me, would need at least a decade of calculations. Even adding the Heart of the Ocean, it's still within my tolerance range."
After evaluating his tolerance, he unhesitatingly wore the Heart of the Ocean. This moment, unprecedented cold and oppression seeped from the Heart of the Ocean. As if he were buried in the deep sea, never seeing daylight, only bone piercing cold.
Before his eyes, pale, bloated, vengeful spirits seemed to appear, extending swollen, rotting hands as if to drag him down. The Heart of the Ocean's curse simultaneously targeted body and spirit!
But this, before him, was like hitting an unbreakable dam. Soon after, the cold sensation was dispersed by surging hot blood flow. Those vengeful spirit phantoms were also destroyed by unshakeable Occlumency.
His gaze fell on the system panel. In a blink, he saw Serpensortia's lustre begin climbing like a rocket. That point of diamond light spread rapidly until covering all text.
[Serpensortia (Diamond Level)]
Serpensortia, Diamond Level!