The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office was dead silent.
"Professor, are you trying to teach me this spell?"
The question echoed in Quirrell's mind, and for a moment, he froze.
This… this is… Lucien?
Is he using a variation of the Imperius Curse?
Why would Lucien know this dark magic? How could he have learned it?
How could he possibly have learned it?!
A whirlwind of questions exploded in Quirrell's head. What had just happened was completely outside his plans and expectations!
Quirrell couldn't wrap his mind around it. It had taken him over ten days, enduring the corrosive pain of dark magic, to barely master this spell.
How had Lucien learned it?
Did he pick it up just by hearing it once?
What kind of joke is this?!
Quirrell's gaze wavered, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.
"Professor, or is this spell not meant for teaching? Then…"
"What exactly is this spell for?"
The words snapped Quirrell back to reality, his heart jolting. He noticed the faint tip of Lucien's wand peeking out from under his right sleeve.
Memories of their last magical duel flooded back—the eerie, manic laughter. A sharp pain throbbed in Quirrell's head, and he forced a strained smile.
"It's… it's for teaching."
Lucien stood up, his eyes devoid of warmth, staring straight at Quirrell.
"Oh? Then why not teach it directly, Professor? Aren't you giving a lesson?"
"And this spell… it feels a bit unusual, doesn't it?"
Cold sweat trickled down Quirrell's back. He was at a loss for words.
He was terrified. If this exposed him and ruined his master's plan, the consequences…
Panic and fear overwhelmed Quirrell, leaving him speechless despite several attempts to respond.
Just as he saw Lucien shift his left hand behind his back and slightly raise his right, Quirrell's expression changed.
A faint smile curled on "Quirrell's" face.
"This is a spell I created myself. It's quite effective."
"It requires a high level of innate talent—at the very least, the ability to sense the magical fluctuations when casting it."
"Unfortunately, I've never met a student capable of learning it."
"Quirrell" paused, his gaze on Lucien tinged with a hint of surprise and satisfaction.
"But I never expected you, Lucien, to have such talent. Truly surprising!"
Lucien, who had seen this act before, caught on immediately.
Oh, look who's back—Tom's taken over again.
He wondered if these frequent possessions would speed up Quirrell's decline.
Sensing magical fluctuations?
So, the implication was that this was just a test to see if Lucien had the talent to learn the spell?
Tch, that "surprise" and "satisfaction" in his eyes is a pretty convincing act.
A gifted young wizard might actually buy this story.
They'd probably believe they were the lucky one, the genius who passed the professor's test.
But sorry, Lucien had seen the script. He knew exactly what was lurking on the back of Quirrell's head.
Fine, I'll play along for now. I'll bring this up with old Dumbledore over afternoon tea later.
Wonder how Dumbledore will handle this. Will he wait until Harry defeats Voldemort?
"So that's it, Professor? What exactly does this spell do?"
Hearing the question, "Quirrell" assumed Lucien had taken the bait, showing interest in the spell.
"It's a spell to enhance focus, clearing out unnecessary thoughts to help you think more clearly."
"The technique is…"
At first, Lucien thought Tom was making it up, but he didn't call him out.
A dark spell, likely designed to manipulate minds and control bodies, spun into a charm for improving focus?
But as the explanation went on, Lucien's brow furrowed slightly.
Wait, this actually sounds… plausible?
No, Tom wasn't some saint testing students' talents.
Watching "Quirrell" speak with such confidence, Lucien started to piece it together.
Could this be a counter-curse application? Did Tom create this dark spell?
Used normally, it controls the mind and body, but reversed, it actually enhances focus?
As "Quirrell" finished explaining, Lucien was certain. His eyes narrowed.
It was true. This dark spell had a counter-curse, with the incantation nearly identical, just tweaked in subtle ways—barely noticeable.
"Quirrell" smiled at Lucien.
"So, what do you think? Isn't this spell fascinating?"
Lucien looked at "Quirrell" gravely, silently marveling at his genius.
In terms of magical creativity, especially in dark magic, Tom was extraordinary. By the system's standards, his dark magic talent was probably SS-tier.
That smug, self-assured look—was he so certain Lucien would be drawn in? That he'd want to learn it?
"It's incredible, Professor. Your mastery of magic is… truly impressive."
At Lucien's words, "Quirrell" lifted his chin slightly, his expression radiating a pride and confidence that was distinctly not Quirrell's.
That arrogance, that certainty of being unmatched.
"Lucien, your talent is… exceptional. The best I've ever seen."
"So, are you interested in learning from me? Learning this spell, learning true, powerful, extraordinary magic?"
As he spoke, "Quirrell's" voice took on a magnetic quality, almost compelling agreement.
But Lucien wasn't swayed. He thought quickly.
As expected, he's suggesting I study under him.
Learn this spell? This dark magic?
And after that, learn even more dark magic, right?
Well, maybe not openly.
Tom might be mad, but he wasn't that foolish.
He'd probably slip dark magic knowledge in gradually, disguised as regular spells.
Bit by bit, luring Lucien into the abyss of dark magic.
Tch, a sugar-coated trap.
The sugar was tempting, but the trap…
"Professor, I'm honored by your recognition. It would be my privilege to learn more from you!"
Lucien put on a show of joy, excitement, and a touch of shy admiration, playing the part of a student thrilled by his professor's approval.
Acting? Please, I can do that too.
His drama tutor wasn't hired for nothing!
Hearing Lucien's words and seeing his performance, "Quirrell" nodded.
"Good. Let's continue the lesson, then."
"…"