Level 15 [ part 6 ]. Another thing to worry about.

"More common name for that is "mind reading"."

It was in that moment that he knew, he…

'Was there a possibility to read minds in films? Crap, I don't remember! Although even if there wasn't, how could I myself think that in magical world there is no magic to read minds. I should have thought of this.'

I started getting anxious, because possibility of somebody gleaming into my mind is scary and dangerous. However, soon I reined in my emotions and calmed down. I still have saves.

"Can I decline?"

"Well, is there something you wish to hide, for you to ask such a question."

"No. But I still would like to decline. I do value my privacy." I answered calmly.

"You see…"

I stopped listening seeing how this is not progressing the way I need. The moment he continued persuading me, I knew that they will use mind-reading on me, with or without my consent. So, I decided to return to a save I made yesterday in the morning. Because, only after yesterday did ministry start their move on me.

However, these ministry's dogs came again, but this time much later. They came in the evening 5 days later and this time different people came. Seems like my last robbery was not the thing that pushed them to search harder.

Moreover, one of the new visitors had different vibe around him. More vicious and scary type rather than office worker type. Soon, I understood why I felt like this. He introduced himself as an auror.

I don't understand. All I did is just robbing a few shops. I haven't even hurt anyone in the process. Why the heck hunter on dark creatures came after me? This time I decided to get the answers on why they were so anxious to catch me.

Talk went mostly the same way, as with those Carter and Harper dudes. Except this time, they were checking the day of the previous robbery, which was 12 days ago. After getting through similar talk, we reached the question about legilimency.

Finally, we reached the point, where I can ask my questions.

"Have you heard about legilimency?"

"You mean "mind-reading"? I did, yes. And I decline."

These guys got surprised, either because I knew of legilimency or I declined, or both.

Office workers started sweet-talking me into agreeing, while the auror frowned.

"Well, you don't need to worry! We will not gleam into things private to you. We will check only the day of the robbery and you will see memories together with the legilimens. Moreover, we will only check that exact time period in which robbery was made."

I pretended to be in a deep thought, but in reality, I was trying to formulate my request, so that I can get the most amount of information. In the end nothing really good came into my mind, but I decided to go with it.

After a minute I asked:

"I agree as I don't have much of a choice, I presume." I looked at auror after saying that.

"You don't." He stated it flatly.

"Then can you answer my question, at the very least. I am truly curious to know."

"Well…" One of the office workers paused and looked at his companion and then they together looked at auror.

Soon auror said:

"Ask."

"Robberies were happening for a whole month, but you only started your investigation recently, from what I assume. Moreover, from what I read in Hogwarts, aurors are responsible for dark wizards and stuff, aren't they?"

Auror stayed quiet for a minute or so, then he told me.

"Negligence and underestimation."

『 Speech 23 ➔ 24 』

"Hm?" I got surprised by both the answer and the fact that it raised my speech.

"There were people responsible for underage wizards and crimes committed by them, however they let the case go haywire. Ministry found out about this case only 5 days ago. Now that the problem has grown to such proportions, it will be hard to just obliviate problem away. There are too many ties between the robberies and area affected was very substantial. Plus, period for which case remained unsolved. All in all, it was a very serious negligence. People, should have reacted more proactively."

"Then what about underestimation?"

"Initially I wasn't responsible for this case, but as soon as I heard about the details of investigation, I asked to become part of it. A kid of 11 or 12 years old with such a talent and power, but the first thing he does after finishing his first year is a robbery. I'd say that this type of wizards should be caught while they still young and weeded out. We can't underestimate a budding dark wizard just because of his age."

"Isn't that biased? Why labeling him as a dark wizard? And for what, robberies?"

"Better I will be called biased, than another "Whose-Name-Can't-Be-Said" appears."

"Now that is exaggeration! How does robbery lead to becoming a mass murdering madman?"

"Everyone's started somewhere."

This was insane. How did this guy even come to this conclusion?

"I disagree with your point." I tried to argue, but was quickly shut down by auror's authoritative voice

"And I honestly don't give a crap! Now either cooperate or we will force you. We will be reading your memory of that day, one way or another."

This dude is a madman himself. Fuck what should I do.

"I will cooperate, just calm down!"

I was trying to win myself some time. There was no escaping this situation, even if I return to previous save, as they will come after me one way or another. The only way to avoid it, is to return to save before I started robbing shops, but then where the heck would I get all the money I need.

"Okay. We are ready. Now our legilimens will start working with you. Just cooperate. He will look into your memory and check the day of the last robbery. Don't forget to cooperate. Resisting will only bring you pain."

"Okay."

Legilimens was sitting opposite of me and was staring right into my eyes. Soon, I started seeing memories going right before my very eyes as if I was relieving them once more, but faster. And when we reached the needed day, I felt pace slowing.

'How does he know which day is the one he needs?'

"Heh, isn't it obvious" I heard a voice outside of my memories "Calendar on the wall. Moreover, you remember what day it was and I am reading you memories."

Voice outside cackled. Apparently, it was legilimens who was talking to me from outside. Wow, mind reading is real. Damn. But that's not important. His words gave me an idea. I got enough information and I have a sketch of a plan.

There was nothing more to gain here, so I decided to return and figure out the whole plan.

'Return to 'Before robbing'.'

I once more returned to that moment. Day of my "failed" robbery, but now with the plan. Plan is to relieve all the days when I robbed the shops but this time without robbing them. This way I will have memories of the same dates, moreover these memories will be more recent, so they will be seen first. Hopefully.

Unfortunately, I didn't have saves for all the days when I was robbing, because I was overwriting saves on every new day of robbery, so I have saves only from a recent "failed" robbery, when I was nearly caught. Therefore, I will need to live the whole period.

After living up until today, I will return for the third time to this moment and continue living as if it is normal. This way I will have memories when I did not rob shops, while having all the money because I returned to original time where I robbed them.

Although, bad side here is that I have to relieve the whole freaking month and a week or so. Counting these 6 days until ministry's "detectives" will visit me, then its month and a half. Damn…

'Moreover, I lose all skills I worked so hard to get, damn it.'

[But you don't.]

'Yeah, yeah and… Wait, what!?'

*Progress*

『 Alchemy 27 | Sneak 25 | Speech 23 ➔ 24 』

『 Studying 29 | Wand Making 26 』

『 Herbology 24 | Magic Channeling 27 』

『 Magic Chanting 23 | Magic Gesturing 23 』

『 Magic Theory 32 | Astronomy 22 』

『 Riding Expertise 21 | Crafting 21 』

『 Playing Games 17 | Enchanting 17 』

『 Cooking 23 | Training 22 』