The system only collects!

Blake had no intention of harming Harry. His focus was already on getting rid of Lockhart. However, Harry's actions only expedited the process.

With the Chamber of Secrets issue resolved and the basilisk dealt with ahead of time, Lockhart had lost his chance to attempt his oblivion spell on Ron. In the original timeline, that spell would have backfired due to Ron's broken wand, but now things had taken a different turn.

Blake understood that a powerful Memory Charm could cause permanent damage. Lockhart's fate in the original story was proof of this. Given his manipulative nature, Lockhart had likely erased more than just selective memories from his victims. If he had been willing to drive Harry and Ron insane just to protect his reputation, what else had he done in the past?

Killing Lockhart would have been easy. But Hogwarts was not a place where Blake could afford to take a life. Besides, true punishment wasn't death—it was living with the consequences.

Since Lockhart valued his reputation above all else, that's where Blake would strike first.

With Lockhart humiliated and fleeing the scene, the dueling club session ended abruptly. Students dispersed in groups, buzzing with excitement over what had just happened. A professor beaten by a student, then running away without a word—this was bound to be talked about for a long time.

As Blake left the club, more than ten bronze treasure chests appeared in his system space. Cassandra and the others wanted to question him, sensing something unusual, but he vanished before they could reach him.

Meanwhile, Lockhart hurried back to his office, frantically stuffing his belongings into his suitcase. His own portraits cowered in their frames, sensing his panic. He had one thought in mind: Run!

He knew the weight of his past crimes. If Blake had evidence, staying at Hogwarts would be disastrous. His best option? Leave immediately, without looking back.

But then an idea struck him.

If that boy had real evidence, why hadn't he gone straight to Dumbledore? Instead, Blake had confronted him. That means negotiation is still possible!

Perhaps Blake wanted something from him. If so, then this wasn't over. He could find a way to turn things to his advantage. Excited by this thought, Lockhart stopped packing and began writing a letter.

"Did you really beat up Lockhart?"

"Yes."

"I expected some kind of explanation. After all, you attacked a professor."

Dumbledore looked down at the books on his desk, his expression unreadable.

"I don't consider it an attack," Blake replied calmly. "He instructed me to use my full strength before the duel started. He didn't surrender or drop his wand, so I assumed the duel was still ongoing."

Dumbledore finally looked up, and Blake noticed a slight smirk at the corner of his mouth.

"Well then, why are you here? I haven't received any complaints from Professor Lockhart."

"I want permission to take a leave of absence. I need to go on a long journey."

Dumbledore removed his glasses, studying Blake for a moment before replacing them. "Very well. Just don't go to Nurmengard. Send me a message when you return."

"Thank you, Professor." Blake turned to leave.

"Wait," Dumbledore said suddenly. "I imagine you've wondered why I allowed Lockhart to teach here."

"I did at first," Blake admitted, turning back. "But I think I've figured it out."

"Oh? What's your theory?"

"There are two reasons," Blake explained. "First, at Hogwarts, his deception would eventually be exposed. Second, by making him our professor, you taught us exactly what kind of person we shouldn't become."

Dumbledore sighed softly. "You're more perceptive than I expected, Blake. I thought you would come here to complain about his incompetence. Instead, you've understood my reasoning completely."

"Alright, go ahead with your journey. Take Nagini with you—she will be of use. And be sure to greet Representative Carlos of Armenia on my behalf."

As Blake left, he was deep in thought. It turned out that his suspicions were correct—Dumbledore had known about Lockhart's crimes all along. Moreover, Dumbledore had anticipated that Blake would seek out the victims.

But Dumbledore didn't know the other reason for Blake's journey.

Armenia – A Forgotten Village

The village was in ruins, with collapsed walls and abandoned homes. In one dilapidated house, an elderly man huddled in the cold, barely clinging to life. He was frail, weak, and starving.

Suddenly, the freezing air was replaced with warmth and light. The old man looked up weakly.

Two figures in black cloaks stood before him. One held a strange pot of sunflowers. The flowers were radiant, unlike anything he had ever seen.

The old man murmured something in Armenian.

"He's asking if we are messengers of Death," Nagini translated.

Blake shook his head. "Tell him we are not Death's messengers. We are humans—the ones who have come to bring him back to life."

Nagini relayed the message. The old man's eyes widened as he observed them. He noticed the boy held a wand, and then—darkness.

When he awoke, the house was no longer in ruins. The walls stood firm, the air was warm, and everything was clean.

"Lockhart's Memory Charm erased everything," Blake said. "He forgot his name. He forgot that he was once a wizard. He's been living as a helpless old man all these years."

Nagini glanced at him. "He's the real protagonist of Wandering with Werewolves, isn't he?"

Blake nodded.

"Can we restore his memory? Should we take him to St. Mungo's?" Nagini asked.

"No need."

"Why?"

"Because his memory has already been restored."

Memory Charms damage the brain, but remnants of erased memories remain deep within the soul. That's why some victims eventually recover, like Hermione's parents in the original story. However, Lockhart's spells were brutal—ordinary methods wouldn't work.

Luckily, Blake had access to necromancy. Retrieving lost memories was easy for him.

The old man opened his eyes again, staring at the ceiling before breaking into silent tears.

"You saved me," he whispered in broken English. "I was cursed by that despicable man. I nearly died of cold and starvation."

Blake smiled. "It seems like your memory has returned."

The old wizard shut his eyes, recalling the horrors he had endured. His body had weakened after years of suffering as a Muggle.

"I'm too old… My time is nearly up," he murmured.

Blake shook his head. "No, Mr. Carlos. As long as I'm here, you won't die."

He handed over a potion. "This is my own creation. Drink it if you trust me."

Carlos hesitated but eventually drank the potion. Within moments, warmth returned to his body. His magic—long forgotten—began to resurface.

Blake saw the light return to the old wizard's eyes.

[Ding! A follower that can be recruited has been detected. Would the host like to recruit?]

Blake smirked as the golden aura around Carlos intensified.

This was the real reason for his journey.

Lockhart's books were full of stolen tales—but many were real.

And those wizards? They weren't weak. They were just waiting to be found.

Blake had come to collect them.

The system only collects!

=============

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