Rhys opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.
I can't remember how I got to my room last night, I can only remember pieces.
He raised his hand and rubbed his face. He frowned and looked at his hand.
It was shaking. He balled it into a fist and released it.
No use. It was still shaking.
He threw off the blanket and tried to stand up, but just as fast as he got up he sat down again.
His entire body was hurting… and shaking.
Taking a crucio head on was no joke. He thought back on the man and what Wilhelm said as he left.
Was I supposed to assist in his experiments? Just then.
"Rhys! Breakfast."
Hearing this Rhys frowned. Shit!
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then gritted his teeth.
Alright. Let's stand up.
He gathered force and stood up.
Ahh~
He reached out his hand on the bedside table for support.
A few deep breaths later and he could now stand on his own.
You'll get used to it. Yeah, this was easier to get used to than that terrible porridge.
He took a few steps and walked towards the door, but just as he exited.
Sigh.
He took out his wand and waved it at himself.
"Scourgifty."
He nodded. Much better.
The more he walked the less apparent the pain became.
Arriving in the kitchen.
"Sit down." Wilhelm said as he placed two bowls and spoons on the table.
Rhys sat down.
"How are you feeling?" Wilhelm asked as he scooped up some porridge.
Rhys glanced up.
"It hurts."
Wilhelm looked at him quietly for a second then laughed.
"Yeah, it will pass."
Rhys cursed. It woudn't have to if you didn't torture me with the cruciatus spell.
He angrily took a bite of the porridge. And this damn slop.
"Are you ready to assist my experiments later?"
Rhys chewed and nodded. Now that I think about it… what are we even researching?
"What are you researching?" Rhys asked.
Wilhelm looked at him.
"I am researching how to resist the erosion of dark magic."
Rhys raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Wilhelm took the last bite of his porridge and laid down his spoon.
"You know that dark magic requires negative emotions, and that being in a constant state of negative emotions needed for the spells has an erosive effect on your soul?"
Rhys nodded.
"Yeah, I read about it."
Wilhelm nodded.
"Not just the negative emotions, but the spells as well, and what you use the spells for, it all affects you."
"Have you heard of Voldemort?"
Rhys looked at his spoon. Of course, but not in this life.
He shook his head.
"No."
Wilhelm glanced at Rhys's shaking hand.
"He was an English dark wizard, known as the Dark Lord, he was the leader of an organization named The Death Eaters."
"He was an avid user of dark magic, he was very strong, maybe on par with Dumbledore… but his fatal flaw was the erosion of his soul and thus his sanity."
Wilhelm shook his head in disappointment.
"If I could solve the erosion of dark magic on the soul… then I could become stronger than any one else."
Rhys felt his heart beat fast, and his breathing quicken.
What lofty ambition. But arrogant… just because you can use dark magic without limits or backlash wouldn't alone make you a contender for the strongest.
"Would being able to freely use dark magic… truly make you the strongest?" Rhys asked.
Wilhelm looked at him.
"It's not that simple, the human soul is incredibly complex… its potential is veritably limitless. If you could truly negate the erosion of dark magic, then that would only be the starting line not the end goal."
Rhys narrowed his eyes. Maybe.
"But you don't need to worry about that, as long as you listen to me and do as you're told, there might be a place for you when I'm the strongest."
Rhys scoffed inwardly, but on the outside he smiled.
"Thank you, sir."
Wilhelm leaned back in his chair.
"Finish your food, I'm close to a breakthrough in my research and need your help."
Rhys heard this and ate faster. He was now slightly curious about his experiment… at least the end result.
He shoved down the porridge.
A few minutes later.
"Alrigh, let's go."
Rhys followed Wilhelm to the basement.
They walked to the cell and retrieved the man from last night, Wilhelm contained him with a spell and then floated him along as they went to the laboratory.
Standing in the laboratory Rhys helped Wilhelm put the tools in order.
"Alright grab that potion, don't drop it, it takes a month to make."
Rhys nodded and carefully brought the vial over to the table.
Wilhelm walked around and busied himself with various tools and magical materials.
After a few minutes he seemed ready to begin.
"Rhys, stand over there." Wilhelm said and pointed towards the head of the table.
Rhys walked over and took out his wand, he knew his job.
He looked down and met the eyes of the man, they were overflowing with fear and pitiful pleas.
Sigh. We're in the same boat, buddy.
Wilhelm grabbed the potion and walked over to the man's head. He waved his wand and forced his mouth open.
"Bottoms up."
The viscous liquid poured into the man's mouth. After all the liquid had entered his mouth, Wilhelm waved his wand and forced the man to swallow.
Wilhelm took a few steps back, he placed the empty vial on the table.
"What now?" Rhys asked.
"Now we wait." Wilhelm said as he stared intently at the man's face.
The minutes passed and Rhys was beginning to think it had failed, but just then.
"Aaa~"
The man screamed and his eyes rolled back and the sclera turned black.
"NOW! Use Crucio!" Wilhelm shouted.
Rhys focused then waved his wand.
"Crucio!"
The red light flashed and the man's scream got louder.
Wilhelm stepped forward with a syringe, inside the syringe was a clear glowing liquid.
He touched the man's neck with his free hand and felt for his spine.
Then he aimed the syringe and inserted it in the man's neck.
He quickly emptied its content into the man's neck… and quiet.
The man's screams stopped and even the Cruciatus didn't make him react.
It was now quiet.
...
Enjoy.
CHAPTER END.