Chapter 24 — Lies and Contracts
Professor Baker had concealed the true reason he created a Horcrux.
Through Avada's Magical Perception, he could directly see the most fundamental fluctuations within another person's mental power. By doing so, he could perceive their true emotions and thoughts—essentially a built-in, simplified form of Legilimency, one that left no trace and bypassed even Occlumency. Goodwill or malice, sincerity or deception, joy or anger, lies or omissions… nothing could escape him.
Although most of what Professor Baker had said was true, there was one exception. In the very beginning, when he explained why he had crafted the crystal orb, his mental fluctuations carried a faint but unmistakable note of concealment.
Of course Professor Baker couldn't say outright that he had committed a killing in pursuit of immortality. Who would help him then? And the very reason he asked two first-years instead of another professor was likely because he did not want the nature of the Horcrux to be exposed.
Furthermore, throughout his entire explanation, he deliberately avoided using the word "soul," repeatedly emphasizing "consciousness" instead.
But there was one thing Avada found particularly baffling.
When Professor Baker swore that he had not committed an evil act, and when he answered Baron's question—"Is the crystal orb a Dark artifact?"—he had actually spoken the truth.
In other words, Professor Baker did indeed possess profound mastery of Dark magic, the black crystal orb was indeed a Horcrux, and the reason for crafting it was indeed unspeakable—but he had not committed an evil deed in the process of creating it?!
This completely contradicted everything Avada knew.
But he could just barely accept the possibility. After all, he knew that he himself had only been exposed to magic for a few months. His understanding of the magical world was merely a drop in the ocean. It was only because he had read the original books that his expectations were high—but still far from thorough.Perhaps there truly existed some method he didn't know—one that allowed someone to craft a Horcrux without corrupting the soul with Dark magic.
And if Professor Baker really hadn't done anything evil, and had split his soul only after killing a heinous Dark wizard…
"Are you planning to ask us for help?"
Baron frowned. "We're only first-years. How are we supposed to solve a problem like this?"
"Don't worry. Even for a first-year, as long as he isn't particularly stupid, helping me isn't difficult and won't be dangerous. Besides, I've taught you for half a year. I can see that your abilities far exceed those of your peers… And if you're willing to help, I will offer generous compensation afterward—wealth, some of my personal techniques, confidential information, potion formulas… And I will personally guide you, teaching you what to do and how to minimize the risks."
"But—"
He suddenly let out a bitter laugh. "It seems neither of you intended to trust me from the very beginning… especially you, Mr. Kent."
Avada's pupils contracted.
"As an adventurer who frequently deals with Dark wizards, I am capable of reading micro-expressions," Professor Baker sighed helplessly. "Besides, a scheming wizard proficient in Dark magic, carrying a highly advanced Dark artifact into a school, deceiving everyone with a false façade… Such a person is certainly suspicious, isn't he?"
"But don't worry. Since I dare to make this request, I naturally have a way to earn your trust."
"Mr. Shafiq, if I remember correctly, you are a direct descendant of the Shafiq family—one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight?"
Baron shot him a guarded look. "And if I am?"
A hint of amusement entered Professor Baker's voice. "Then, as an ancient pure-blood family, you must possess 'mental-brand contracts,' correct?"
Baron did not answer, but the alertness on his face gradually shifted into contemplation.
"Mental-brand contract? What is that?" Avada asked, having never heard the term before.
"It's a magical contract that does not require a wand signature. Instead, one must imprint their mental power onto it," Baron murmured. "It's used among powerful wizards—an advanced form of magical contract. Their mastery over their own magic is so refined that forging a wand signature is extremely easy…"
"And it suits my current situation perfectly," Professor Baker added lightly. "I don't have a body right now. Even if I wanted to sign a contract with a wand, I couldn't. A mental-brand contract is my only option. If I'm willing to bind myself with such a contract, guaranteeing everything I've said and restricting my actions—would that earn me some measure of trust?"
Avada and Baron exchanged a glance and fell silent in thought.
"Of course, there might be an easier way for me…" Professor Baker continued lazily. "For example, I currently control the space magic within this room. I could very well trap you both here and threaten you—forcing you to swear an Unbreakable Vow to help me. But I won't. I prefer cooperation built on mutual trust rather than coercion—especially since you are my students."
As soon as he finished speaking, Avada sensed the chaotic, tangled space around them suddenly return to normal. Professor Baker's voice echoed again:
"All right—the spatial magic has been lifted. You are free to leave."
"I won't restrain you. I only have one request: if you agree to form the contract with me, do not reveal my situation to anyone else."
"Only a request?" Baron asked. "And what if we refuse?"
"I've already shown all the sincerity I can. If even this cannot earn me the slightest bit of trust… then I suppose I deserve nothing." Professor Baker sighed.
"When the Christmas holiday ends, I will await your answer."
The moment he finished speaking, his voice vanished completely from the room.The black crystal orb rolled quietly across the floor, utterly inconspicuous among the countless items stored in the Room of Requirement. No one would imagine that within such an ordinary orb resided the soul of a powerful wizard.
Avada and Baron exchanged a long look, then slowly backed away, eyes fixed on the orb as they inched toward the exit. Finally, when they were nearly pressed against the door, Baron grabbed the handle, yanked it open, and the two of them bolted out as fast as they could—slamming the door shut behind them with a resounding bang!
As the smooth wooden door dissolved before their eyes, leaving only a blank stone wall, Avada and Baron simultaneously collapsed onto the floor. Their faces were drained of color, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads as they gasped frantically for breath.
Their confrontation with Professor Baker had been unbearably tense—mentally exhausting to the extreme. Before they understood Baker's intentions, every moment felt like walking a tightrope over a cliff, terrified that a single misstep would cost them their lives.
It took quite a long while before they finally recovered.
Fortunately, there weren't many students staying over Christmas break. Few people ever came to the eighth floor, and Professor Flitwick was likely still asleep—so no one noticed their shaken state.
"Do you intend to trust him?" Avada finally asked.
He himself was willing to extend a measure of trust. Through observing Baker's mental fluctuations, he could see that Baker's goodwill and sincerity were genuine. And as Baker had said, he could easily have trapped them and forced them into an Unbreakable Vow—but he hadn't.
Although the Horcrux issue still concerned him, a contract would prevent things from getting out of hand.
But the mental-brand contract belonged to the Shafiq family. If Baron refused to provide it, there was nothing Avada could do. He certainly didn't dare help someone who was entirely unbound by any restrictions!
(End of Chapter)