The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 93 I refuse!

The first alchemy class ended with Dumbledore's last words, and most students didn't let the burning candles return to normal until the end of get out of class, but they did adjust their mindset.

"Moriarty, shall we go to the Room of Requirement?" Tonks stood up from his chair and stretched his legs. "I have to try a few more times—I'm almost there, but there are too many people in the classroom, and I'm trying to maintain a steady mental state. I think I need a quiet environment."

"I'm sorry I can't go with you," Moriarty stood up and looked at the podium, where Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel were talking in hushed tones. "I have to go and talk to them."

Tonks looked slightly disappointed, then asked curiously, "What plan are you brewing now? Even Professor Dumbledore is waiting for you?"

"It's a big project," Moriarty winked at her. "If things go well, you can get involved too. Okay, I have to go now."

As Moriarty walked toward the podium, he took a plan from a bag that had been enchanted with the Unseen Stretching Charm.

"Joint Ministry-School Project: Research and Application of Wand Sets." Dumbledore read the title on the cover, a knowing glint in his eyes: "The Ministry has approved this proposal; the officials all want to leave a good impression on the future Minister of Magic."

Moriarty smiled slightly: "It wasn't just Fudge's efforts that made this happen; I remember Wisengamour also passed the proposal, and you were the first to sign it."

"Just like you said at the pureblood party, this is a good thing for the country and its people. I have no reason to stop it."

Dumbledore took the plan and handed it to Nicolas Flamel.

"Moriarty, Arthur told me that the pure-blood families and the ruling families have reached an agreement with you, so this research will not be hindered in any way. Now, it depends on whether you can impress our two professors."

Dumbledore's blue eyes were full of laughter; he was delighted to see Moriarty and Nicolas Flamel haggling over the famous scene.

"Yes, that's right. The two professors are like a wellspring of knowledge, nourishing the barren desert of alchemy," Moriarty said earnestly.

He waited until Nicolas Flamel and Perenel finished reading the plan, and then sincerely expressed his opinion.

"Researching the wand set requires your help. In addition to the gifts promised in the plan, I am personally willing to offer the Slytherin family's spatial magic circle in exchange for your full commitment to the research and development process, and to ensure its success."

"You embody the qualities of Slytherin perfectly!" Nicolas Flamel and Perenel exchanged a knowing smile and teased, "Space magic circles are indeed tempting, but Dumbledore used the same conditions to lure us to Hogwarts. You know Moriarty, you can't use the same condition twice."

Dumbledore shrugged, his eyes full of innocence as he looked at Moriarty. "People say the older you get, the smarter you become, right?"

Moriarty didn't want to look at him, turning his gaze to Nicolas Flamel. Nicolas Flamel slowly spoke, "Moriarty, you say we are the source of knowledge, but do you know that even the source can dry up? When that happens, the desert of alchemy will become a true dead land."

"Are you two planning to abandon the elixir of immortality?" Moriarty guessed.

The two elderly people nodded gently, and Nicolas Flamel said with a smile, "In fact, if it weren't for your appearance, we would already be on our next great journey."

Moriarty knew that the "Great Journey" referred to "death." Although Nicolas Flamel's attitude toward death was admirable, even if he didn't appear, Dumbledore wouldn't let Nicolas Flamel die for the sake of the "savior"—he would at least hold on until 1991.

"Just as Nico said," Perenel looked at Moriarty, "once we choose death, no one can inherit our wisdom, and alchemy will fall into silence. But your appearance has given us hope."

“So,” Nicolas Flamel became serious, “Moriarty, the condition for our involvement in the research is simple: you must start as an alchemy apprentice—it doesn’t matter who you study under, you can even start your own, but you must guarantee that you will become an alchemy master in your lifetime and achieve a pivotal position in alchemy.”

"Ding-dong~ We have detected that the host is discussing cooperation with Nicolas Flamel. Since this cooperation is related to the future of the world, we are issuing four tasks for the host to choose from. Please select one."

Task 1: Agree to Nicolas Flamel's request and become his apprentice. Reward: 10,000 points.

Task Two: Agree to Nicolas Flamel's request but do not become his apprentice; instead, learn alchemy on your own. Task Requirements: Become a master alchemist within ten years. Task Rewards: Level up 40 times, 5 points.

Task 3: Refuse Nicolas Flamel's request. The system will unlock the alchemy storyline for the host. Task Reward: Level up 5 times, 30,000 points.

Task Four: Use the Imperius Curse on Nicolas Flamel and Perenel, ordering them to do things for the host. Reward: Level up 60 times, 10 points. Task Failure: No system penalty, Dumbledore will kill the host.

"System, may I think about this carefully before making a choice?" Moriarty asked.

"Okay." The system stated succinctly: "Given that this is the first time the host has faced a multi-choice task, the host may have thirty minutes to think."

Moriarty pondered to himself that since Mission Four had been rejected outright, he figured if he could use the Imperius Curse in front of Dumbledore, he might be able to attempt to complete the ultimate mission.

Task 1 was also rejected; 10,000 points was a pitiful amount, and Moriarty didn't want another mentor.

Tasks two and three are worth considering.

Moriarty was undecided for the time being and decided to talk to Nicolas Flamel again.

"You two mean you want me to promote and develop alchemy, right?" Moriarty smiled.

"We never hoped that alchemy would become as widespread as Transfiguration," the two old men suddenly sighed wearily. "We only hope that alchemy will remain as it is! You know, alchemy is almost lost. If there's one thing in this world that we're worried about, it's her—the ideal we've pursued our whole lives, the great cause we've been striving to explore for six hundred years!"

Moriarty understood their thoughts: "Gentlemen, I respect your erudition and admire your efforts. The fact that I am standing here to sincerely state my needs is enough to express how much I value you both."

And I confess, I am extremely interested in alchemy! I want to integrate alchemy into my life and change the world.

Just as you told me, talent isn't for taking shortcuts, but for exploration and innovation. I'm different from you; I have so many great ideas! I desperately need your help—”

"but--"

Moriarty paused, his tone changing slightly.

"Why should I specifically seek out you?"

Perenel hurriedly said, "Moriarty, exchanging our present for a little bit of your future favor in alchemy, isn't that a very worthwhile agreement? A deal? A transaction? An exchange of conditions? Whatever you say, it's all beneficial to you."

"You see, this is the problem." Moriarty shook his head slightly: "You want me to become an alchemy master, and yes, I also want to become an alchemy master, but that doesn't mean I like the arrangements you've made for me!"

The same task becomes two different things depending on whether you do it voluntarily or are told to do it by someone else. This leads to two different feelings and two different outcomes.

Moriarty glanced indifferently at Dumbledore and the two old men. "The long passage of time has made you accustomed to arranging other people's lives, futures, and even deaths. Admittedly, your arrangements are as beneficial as you claim, but I refuse."

Nicolas Flamel and Perenel looked disappointed and puzzled, while Dumbledore had an expression that said, "I knew it all along" and "Just as I thought."

At the same time, Moriarty said to the system, "I choose mission three!"

"Host, are you sure you want to choose Mission Three?"

"Sure!"

Although the rewards for Mission 3 were pitifully small compared to Mission 2, Moriarty found it hard to accept the path Nicolas Flamel had chosen for him—not even a short stretch of it!

Moriarty's life is not open to anyone's interference!

"A choice has been detected from the host. The alchemy storyline is now activated for the host. Rewards have been issued."

Moriarty didn't have time to check the changes in wizarding rank because Nicolas Flamel walked up to him.

Nicolas Flamel raised the project proposal in his hand. "Moriarty, I want to know how you plan to complete the wand set without our help? You've made agreements with the Ministry of Magic and the major families; all you need is the alchemical solution! If the wand set malfunctions, you'll be ruined!"

"That's none of your concern," Moriarty said with a rare, radiant smile. "My life is far more exciting than you imagine! Alchemy is no challenge for me!"

Dumbledore and the two old men stared at Moriarty's confident smile, speechless for a moment.

I'm begging for votes, favorites, and tips this weekend! Please don't refuse! (bows to everyone~)

(End of this chapter)