The study space, once the sole domain of Andros and his bombastic approach to magic, had transformed. A new energy permeated the misty void, a quiet, ancient power that emanated from Cadmus Peverell. The legendary ancestor of Voldemort stood with an easy, predatory grace, his piercing green eyes examining me with an unnerving intensity.
"So," Cadmus began, his gravelly voice cutting through the silence. "You wish to learn the language of beasts. A noble, if somewhat... antiquated ambition. Most these days are content with simply blasting creatures into submission. Tell me, boy, why do you seek this knowledge?"
This was a test. Andros was a being of pure, righteous power; he responded to strength and honor. Cadmus, I sensed, was a creature of intellect and intent. He needed to understand my motivations before he would impart his secrets.
"There is a door," I answered, my voice steady, "that will not open for me. It requires a language I do not speak. I intend to learn it."
I offered no more. I did not mention the Chamber, the Basilisk, or the name Riddle. I gave him the problem, not the context.
A slow, knowing smile spread across Cadmus's face. "A door that requires a serpent's tongue, I presume? I know the type. Very well. Your goal is clear, your ambition refreshingly direct. I will teach you."
Andros, who had been watching the exchange with a warrior's stoicism, finally spoke. "This 'beast language'… it is not a dark art, is it, Peverell?"
Cadmus chuckled, a dry, rustling sound. "All magic is dark to those who fear what they do not understand, Andros. Is the lion's roar dark? Is the eagle's cry evil? Language is a tool. Its morality is defined by the one who wields it. Our young Tom here," he said, turning his piercing gaze back to me, "strikes me as a very… practical wielder."
With the introductions made, my new, dual-tutelage began. It was a study in contrasts. My mornings were spent with Andros in the Room of Requirement, practicing combat magic. He would push me to my physical and magical limits, forcing me to dodge, shield, and counter-attack with increasing speed and power. He was forging me into a weapon.
My nights, however, were spent in the quiet, misty confines of the study space with Cadmus. He did not teach me spells. He taught me concepts.
"To speak to a beast," Cadmus explained, his voice a low murmur, "you must first understand its soul.[Beast Language]is not about mimicking sounds. It is about resonating with a creature's primal intent. Fear, hunger, dominance, territory. These are the true words of the wild."
He taught me meditative techniques to quiet my own human thoughts and listen for the "intent" of the magical creatures I had studied in my bestiary. He made me study the subtle, magical phonemes of ancient runes, explaining how they formed the building blocks of all magical communication. This was the foundation for the[Ancient Runic Translation]portion of the skill synthesis.
Acquiring[Serpentine Affinity]was the most unusual part of the training. Cadmus had me spend hours observing the behavior of conjured snakes. "Do not see them as monsters," he instructed. "See them as they see themselves. They are not evil. They are perfect, efficient predators. They are survivors. Respect their nature, and they will cease to see you as a threat."
Slowly, painstakingly, I began to change my perspective. I learned to appreciate the elegant, deadly simplicity of the serpent. And as I did, I could feel a subtle shift in the way the conjured snakes reacted to me. Their defensive hissing softened, their coiled postures relaxed.
Finally, came the[Voice of Command]. "This is the simplest and most difficult part," Cadmus said. "It is pure will. You do not ask a beast to obey. You do not trick it. You inform it, with the absolute conviction of a superior being, that your will is now its reality."
Under his guidance, I learned to channel my magic not into a spell, but into my own voice, giving it a resonant, compelling quality that even magical creatures could understand.
Weeks turned into a month. The Christmas holidays approached, and the castle began to empty. It was during this quiet period, while practicing with Cadmus, that the System finally chimed with the notifications I had been working towards.
[Through dedicated study and practice with the Master Linguist Cadmus Peverell, you have acquired the skill: [Beast Language (Basic)]] [Through deep understanding and altered perception, you have acquired the passive trait: [Serpentine Affinity]] [By channeling your magical will, you have acquired the skill: [Voice of Command (Magical)]]
I had all the components.
"System," I commanded, my heart pounding with anticipation. "Initiate Skill Synthesis for [Parseltongue (Synthetic)]."
//Acknowledged. Component Skills Detected: [Beast Language (Basic)], [Serpentine Affinity], [Voice of Command (Magical)], [Ancient Runic Translation (Tome-Based)].// //Requirements met. Consuming component skills and 1,000 Study Points. Proceed?//
"Proceed."
A wave of emerald-green energy washed over my consciousness in the study space. It felt as if my mind was being rewired, new pathways being carved, my very understanding of language being fundamentally altered. Ancient, sibilant words and concepts flooded my thoughts.
When the energy subsided, a final notification appeared.
//Synthesis Complete. You have acquired the S-Rank Skill: [Parseltongue (Synthetic)]// Description: You can now understand and speak the language of serpents. As a synthetic skill, it is not tied to a bloodline and cannot be detected as such by bloodline-specific wards. You may also be able to understand other reptilian or draconic languages with practice.
I opened my mouth, and a sound I had never made before, a soft, elegant hiss, escaped my lips.
Cadmus Peverell smiled. "Well done, boy. You have your key."
Now, it was time to open the door.