After Lucien bid farewell and left the office, Quirrell's face instantly turned pale. He broke into a cold sweat and collapsed onto the floor.
"Master, why teach Lucien the Dark Arts? Won't this risk exposing your plan?"
At Quirrell's question, Lord Voldemort didn't show the slightest anger. Instead, he replied in a low, sinister tone:
"Heh… he's indeed very talented. To have sensed it and even learned this magic in such a short time—far stronger than you, you useless fool."
"But didn't you notice? He cast that curse without the slightest strain, as if it caused him no resistance at all."
"And when I offered to teach him the true essence of the spell, did you see how readily he agreed? What do you think that means?"
Quirrell bowed his head and replied cautiously,
"Forgive my ignorance, Master… I truly don't understand."
Lord Voldemort let out a cold snort.
"He possesses not only talent—but ambition."
"As long as it's deeper knowledge, more powerful magic, that boy Lucien desires it."
"Since he wants to learn, then let him learn!"
After a brief pause, Lord Voldemort continued, "Blend the Dark Arts into your Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. The more he learns, the better. Heh, do you think Dumbledore would ever allow a student to dabble in the Dark Arts?"
"Since there's no need to control Lucien with a curse, find another way to silence him. Ahahaha~ Once he becomes fascinated by the power of the Dark Arts, do you really think he'll still run to the Headmaster or the professors?"
Lord Voldemort's thoughts drifted back to his own youth—his years at Hogwarts—when he had been constantly watched and targeted by Dumbledore.
He had clearly been the most outstanding, surrounded by admiring 'friends,' the most talented and charismatic—a truly exceptional wizard. Yet Dumbledore had always sought to restrain him, to keep him under watch.
As long as Lucien followed a similar path, he too would inevitably drift further and further away from Dumbledore.
What Voldemort didn't tell Quirrell, however, was that he saw something of his younger self in Lucien.
Of course, the boy could never truly compare to him.
Tom Riddle was the heir of the great Slytherin, the blood of the Gaunts. Lucien's background was far too humble—just a wizard from a Muggle family.
But...
Lucien possessed extraordinary talent, an insatiable hunger for power, ambition, and the cunning to hide his true nature.
Heh… clearly an eagle, yet willing to mingle with sparrows, pretending to be one of them.
These qualities stirred something in Lord Voldemort—the thought of grooming Lucien into one of his own followers.
Voldemort was confident that once Lucien delved deeper into the Dark Arts and experienced their true allure, he would come to understand—and bow before—his power and greatness.
...
In the Headmaster's office.
Lucien picked up the teacup before him and took a small sip of the red tea, moistening his slightly dry lips and tongue.
"Headmaster, what do you make of the magic Professor Quirrell taught me? Is it normal?"
After listening to Lucien's account of his recent tutoring session with Professor Quirrell, Dumbledore added another sugar cube to his teacup.
Lucien's mouth twitched as he glanced at the now slightly syrupy red tea in the old Headmaster's cup—one more cube and it would be candy.
Dumbledore sipped his tea, then fell silent for a long moment.
Though the Headmaster said nothing, the portraits of former Headmasters on the walls could not be kept quiet.
Suddenly a chorus of voices erupted all at once:
"Albus, the safety of Hogwarts—"
"Don't let that child be put in danger—"
"I told you, that's clearly Dark magic—"
"What are you hesitating for? Deal with that fuc—"
However, the portraits had only just begun to speak when Dumbledore waved his hand, and the curtains swiftly closed, covering them and silencing their voices.
"Alas…"
Dumbledore sighed softly, his gaze toward Lucien filled with complex emotions.
Originally, according to his plan, Quirrell was supposed to maintain a superficial peace while secretly revealing the hidden conspiracy.
But Lucien's sudden involvement seemed to have completely disrupted the rhythm—Dumbledore's, Quirrell's, and perhaps that person's as well.
It was likely that neither Quirrell nor Lord Voldemort had ever expected Lucien to immediately run to Dumbledore to "report" what had happened.
But what could Dumbledore do? Of course, he could step in at any time and directly put an end to Lord Voldemort's current plan.
However, Dumbledore could not truly destroy Lord Voldemort. According to the prophecy, only Harry Potter—the Boy Who Lived—could ultimately…
So Dumbledore needed to nurture Harry, let him experience trials, let him grow strong enough to face Lord Voldemort himself.
Yet something about Lucien's account left Dumbledore with a sense of unease.
"Lucien, you are very gifted—in many ways, quite exceptional... You're also a clever child. As for this matter with Professor Quirrell…"
Hearing Dumbledore's unusually hesitant tone, Lucien immediately understood.
It seemed the old Dumbledore wouldn't take direct action against Quirrell; he would undoubtedly continue with his savior training plan.
Tsk tsk, the prophecies of this world.
To truly kill Lord Voldemort, one had to first destroy his Horcruxes.
There were, in fact, several ways to destroy them—Basilisk venom, the Sword of Gryffindor imbued with that venom, Fiendfyre…
First, find the Horcruxes. Then destroy them. And finally, defeat Lord Voldemort.
But all of this, it seemed, could only be achieved by Harry Potter—the child of prophecy.
Prophecy… destiny…
Lucien recalled Firenze's words about him—that he would change the fates of many.
Because of his own uniqueness, could he truly bring about changes beyond prophecy?
"Headmaster, what do you want me to do?"
Lucien asked plainly.
Because, judging by Dumbledore's way of doing things, whether one was willing or not, they would still have to follow his plan.
Even if someone tried to deviate from his design, Dumbledore would find a way to turn that deviation into part of it.
The best example was Newt—he had run errands for Dumbledore in his youth, yet still believed he was acting on his own will, following his own convictions.
Hearing Lucien's straightforward question, Dumbledore sighed softly once more.
"You truly are perceptive. I hope… You'll continue studying under Professor Quirrell."
"Whatever knowledge or magic Quirinus teaches you afterward, I'd like you to discuss it with me—just as you did today."
Lucien felt indifferent toward Dumbledore's request.
After all, he had already planned to extract as much magic and knowledge as possible from Quirrell—or rather, from Tom.
Besides, Dumbledore's words clearly implied tacit approval for him to continue learning the Dark Arts.
Hmm… he probably thought Lucien was taking a great risk.
It wasn't the right time to ask yet, but once Harry and the others began uncovering information about the Philosopher's Stone, he could use that opportunity to question Dumbledore and find a way to obtain it early.
After all, he needed the Philosopher's Stone to refine a potion and repay the Qilin loan.
It would certainly be better to start experimenting early. If he waited until Harry obtained the Philosopher's Stone, it would be too late and far more troublesome.
Using the Philosopher's Stone to brew a potion would likely be no simple task—it would be best to practice and experiment beforehand.
And with the goodwill he had earned today, when the time came to ask Dumbledore about the Philosopher's Stone, the chances of him agreeing would be much higher.
Lucien smiled at Dumbledore.
"Alright, Headmaster. I'm happy to continue learning more knowledge and magic."
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11 Advance Chaps- P@treon/DarkDevil1