Horcrux Research Journal

Due to preparing for the N.E.W.T.s, the same routine repeated in Tewell's seventh-grade classroom.

However, there were relatively fewer seventh-grade students, and those who could attend the advanced class had good grades, so it was much easier in comparison.

But fourth and sixth grades were much more interesting.

As usual, Tewell brought the Light Orb game to them, but it was the advanced version.

The speed of the Light Orb's movement was not only increased but also required students to use magic to attack the Light Orb.

Of course, unlike his previous demonstrations, students only needed to proficiently master Stunning, Impediment, and Disarming Charms. Otherwise, with the students' knowledge base, few could play this game well.

In addition to the regular classroom content, Tewell also brought some of his small creatures to the classroom, teaching students how to deal with relatively harmless creatures like Grindylows, Kappas, and Redcaps.

Compared to the dull classes taught by Professor Quirrell before, students instantly realized—

The difference between professors might be even greater than the difference between them and pigs!

...

After finishing the weekly Dumbledore's Ideological Education class, Tewell spent some extra time taking out the treasures from the Room of Requirement.

After doing all this, he leisurely walked towards his office.

To be honest, he regretted agreeing to Dumbledore, taking over the classes for all seven years.

Now, he had to spend at least seven hours a day teaching students, excluding breaks, leaving him with little time to research the Philosopher's Stone and Horcruxes.

Next school year, the headmaster must find another Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to share his workload; otherwise, even Voldemort would be too tired to conquer the world!

Grumbling loudly in his mind, Tewell entered his brightly lit office, filled with the rustling sounds of quick writing.

These sounds came from two rough mannequin hands holding quills without facial features, sitting in the corner of the room, continuously grading papers.

However, they mostly graded multiple-choice and judgment questions, and Tewell still had to personally handle the essay questions.

Because distinguishing the content of texts was much more difficult than he imagined; after all, the mannequins lacked real intelligence and could only recognize the meaning of complete sentences.

If the words were changed, they couldn't discern them.

Unless he controlled them himself, fully concentrating on controlling the mannequins, but what's the difference between that and grading the papers himself?!

Throwing the crown on the desktop, Tewell glanced at the papers graded by the mannequins for a while, confirming their accuracy before focusing on dealing with the Horcruxes.

He decided to follow the teacher's advice and adopt a survival-of-the-fittest approach, only keeping the Horcruxes he could control.

Now, there were three magical items in front of him: the crown, the ring, and the Philosopher's Stone.

The Philosopher's Stone faintly emitted a trace of vitality, bringing a bit of vigor to the several evil souls in the office.

The crown looked old-fashioned; if it weren't for sensing that it was absorbing vitality, one would think it was just an ordinary crown.

But the ring was different; it seemed to sense the aura of the Philosopher's Stone and couldn't help but speak out.

"Tewell, my good friend, I knew you wouldn't forget about me!" the ring said in a cheesy tone. "Actually, there's no need to rush. You've been so busy lately, it wouldn't hurt to deal with me when you have some free time."

"You're right!" Tewell suddenly realized, picking up the ring and throwing it into the drawer. "I'll deal with you when I have some free time~"

"Tewell, you %@#—"

Closing the drawer, the world returned to calmness. Tewell then picked up the crown and carefully examined it.

The most conspicuous feature was the green gemstone engraved in the center, held by an eagle, resembling an insightful eye.

The bright gold on the crown seemed to have oxidized, becoming dull.

But what remained unchanged was the famous Ravenclaw motto engraved on the base—"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."

The decay marks on the crown were not left by time but were eroded by the lingering dark magic from Voldemort's creation of the Horcrux.

Legend had it that Rowena Ravenclaw cast a spell on it that could increase the wearer's wisdom.

Whether it was due to being a Horcrux or not, Tewell didn't feel even a bit of what could be considered positive magic in it.

Or perhaps, do I need to wear it to feel it?

Tewell gently placed the crown on his head.

Filled with anticipation...

The smile vanished...

His face became dull...

"I believed in you, damn it!"

Ten minutes later, he took off the crown, threw it on the table, and hopped around twice.

Mixing too much with a Horcrux made him feel like his intelligence was dropping, it was terrifying!

But with just one toss, the soul of Voldemort inside the crown was provoked.

"Child, put me back on your head, and this time I will let you experience the feeling of increased wisdom!"

Tewell solemnly placed the crown in front of him and then took out his wand.

"I've heard that before, seven years ago, remember to come up with something more original next time."

"Heard it before?"

Tewell didn't answer, but instead pressed his wand against the green gemstone on the crown.

"Wait, what are you doing? Ah—"

As magical energy surged from the tip of the wand, a small strand of Voldemort's soul was pulled out, like a black thread, floating in the air.

The already fragmented soul was once again stripped, the crown continuously emitting piercing screams, still carrying traces of dark magic, trying to influence Tewell's mind.

And indeed, he was affected.

"Let your little buddy teach you the rules of being a Professor of Fawley."

Tossing the crown into a drawer, Tewell focused on dealing with this fragment of soul.

As if he had experienced it countless times, he skillfully took out a small dish, infused it with magic, created a hollow environment, and then placed the soul fragment inside.

Immediately, Voldemort's face appeared in the dish.

More mature and sinister than the ring, devoid of the scholarly air of the ring, it already had a faintly crazed appearance caused by the fragmentation of the soul.

"Kid, I didn't expect you to dare to study souls!"

Voldemort's voice was somewhat distorted, the soul fragment was too few, and it couldn't have independent thinking ability like a complete Horcrux.

It was somewhat similar to a portrait in a frame, only able to repeat memorized words.

So, Tewell had heard such words countless times already.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Dark Lord, I have no interest in delving deeper into dark magic, nor do I have any interest in splitting my soul to achieve immortality."

Tewell replied nonchalantly, although Voldemort hadn't asked yet.

Then, when he fell into a memory confusion of not knowing what to do, he inserted his finger and mixed it with the soul.

"Mr. Tom Riddle," a flickering blue-purple flame danced on his fingertip, "may I ask if you are willing to pledge your loyalty to me?"

The soul of Voldemort instantly churned, although the flame kept transmitting a scorching, tingling sensation to him, he still gathered all his strength and roared.

"Fool—"

"Snap. "

Tewell flattened him.

Shaking his hand with some disdain, he had expected this. Voldemort was too proud to yield so easily.

But that was okay, he had plenty of time to experiment slowly.