Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 31 The Price

Quirinus Quilleau was once the pride of Ravenclaw, renowned for his talent and solid theoretical foundation, both as a student and as a professor of Muggle Studies.

Perhaps not wanting to be confined to theoretical research, Quirrell applied for a professorship in Defense Against the Dark Arts last summer. After receiving approval, he took a long leave of absence to travel and gain more practical experience.

That summer, Quirrell traveled to many places and encountered many dangers. In the Dark Forest, Quirrell met several vampires and witches and nearly lost his life.

After escaping, Quirrell set his sights on the whole of Europe, eventually meeting the person who would change his life in Albania.

Voldemort, the fallen Dark Lord who possesses a snake.

Having experienced the Second Wizarding War in England, Quirrell possessed an innate fear of the Dark Lord, even though he could easily kill Voldemort upon their first meeting. Perhaps it was precisely because of this that Quirrell developed the illusion that he could control Voldemort, and for this, he paid a heavy price.

He became a temporary Horcrux, even though Quirrell didn't know what a "Horcrux" really was.

With a body sustaining two souls, Quirrell could clearly feel his life force draining away, which terrified him. But even more terrifying was the Dark Lord possessing him. To survive, Quirrell had no choice but to search for the only known magical artifact capable of saving both of them.

The magic stone...

Quirrell failed at Gringotts; after discovering Harry, he failed again due to Snape's interference. Although they found out the location of the Philosopher's Stone, they struggled to find a way to get past Hagrid's Cerberus, remaining stuck at the first hurdle.

During that time, Quirrell was living a life worse than death. Voldemort showed no mercy to his servant, subjecting him to vicious curses and painful punishments. It was a miracle that Quirrell didn't go insane despite enduring both physical and mental torment from the Dark Lord.

Later, Quirrell, or rather the Dark Lord, discovered an interesting young wizard from his own school. He was excellent at spells and had a solid theoretical foundation, making him arguably the most outstanding young wizard in decades since Voldemort.

Even after getting to know him, Voldemort gave him a better evaluation than he had at the same age.

At least, even the Dark Lord, who made the whole of Britain tremble, never managed to cast spells silently and without a staff in his first year. This cannot be explained by mere "talent".

When Ike approached Quirrell to ask to learn magic, both Quirrell and Voldemort were delighted.

Perhaps Quirrell felt a little regretful, regretting that such a brilliant Ravenclaw was going to follow his old path.

But what happened later caused Quirrell to develop a feeling called "jealousy".

Why is he so talented?

Why did the Dark Lord systematically teach him magic?

Why did the Dark Lord agree to personally teach him after his rebirth?

And why would the Dark Lord sacrifice his own life force to silently and without force cast the Soul-Stealing Curse, just to subtly influence his thoughts?

Quirrell couldn't understand it, no matter what he did, until he saw Ike fight with his own eyes.

His spellcasting ability is comparable to that of an adult wizard, with almost the same casting frequency, and perfect silent, wandless spells. Although his accuracy isn't great, he's only a first-year student! He has plenty of time to grow.

Until they grow to the level of the Dark Lord, or even Dumbledore.

Yes, Quirrell believed Ike would reach that level, just as Voldemort deeply believed he would return.

As Quirrell swallowed mouthfuls of unicorn blood, he could feel his parched life being nourished, and his heart began to beat strongly again.

It felt like I was back to being as healthy as before I met the Dark Lord.

At the same time, Quirrell felt an unprecedented pain and disorientation, as if his soul was being crushed and thinned, floating as if it might leave his body at any moment.

Standing up, Quirrell felt top-heavy and lightheaded, as if he could float away at any moment.

Unfortunately, it was all a curse, a curse against harming unicorns and sucking their blood.

From that moment on, Quirrell was no longer human; he was an unknown being that was neither human, nor beast, nor ghost, nor remnant soul.

The body is merely the shell of the soul.

"Heh heh heh~" Voldemort was very excited. The unicorn blood had fully nourished his remnant soul. This was the best he had felt since Halloween Eve eleven years ago.

"Well done, my servant." The Dark Lord never hesitated to praise his servants who granted his wishes. "You will be rewarded when we obtain the Philosopher's Stone."

"Thank you, Master," Quirrell replied respectfully, not daring to have even the slightest thought of disrespecting Voldemort.

"So, Ike, my dearest student, what do you want?"

Voldemort treated Ike completely differently, his tone devoid of the cold-bloodedness he showed towards Quirrell, much like Professor Flitwick's attitude towards the Hawks, revealing only his concern for his students.

"I would like to ask that you allow me to take some unicorn blood for research, great Dark Lord! My teacher!" Ike nodded slightly and replied respectfully.

"You may take some unicorn hair, even its horn, but you must never take its blood, child," Voldemort refused. "Unicorn blood has magical powers; when given willingly, it is the purest thing in the world, capable of breaking almost any curse or restriction!"

"Even a dying person can be reborn, as healthy as when they were eighteen, simply by drinking the blood willingly offered by a unicorn!"

Voldemort continued solemnly, "However, if it is forcibly removed like this one, it will carry a powerful curse. Although you can still be reborn, you will bear an evil curse, and will no longer be human, but will only be able to eke out a living."

"Furthermore, we cannot stop drinking unicorn blood; if we stop, we will die..."

"He died a horrible death, a very horrible death..."

"I understand." Ike nodded, putting away his wand. "Then I'll collect some hair."

"Excellent choice, child," Voldemort praised. "They have many uses and are very important magical materials."

Ike took some tail hairs and mane and carefully put them away.

"Yes, many potions and alchemical items require these things, and this is enough for me for a long time." Ike nodded slightly. "Thank you for letting me use them."

"No need to thank me, child. When I return, you will receive much better and more. A mere unicorn hair is insignificant."

"I will teach you magic, let you understand its true meaning, and even keep you away from death!" Voldemort was clearly getting carried away. "As long as you offer your loyalty, child."

"Of course, great Dark Lord! My teacher!" Ike rested his wand on his left shoulder, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "I will become your proudest student!"

"I'm so excited, Ike, I'm so excited..."

"I'm really looking forward to it too..." Ike thought to himself, head down. The panel of the Waste Notepad System flashed before his eyes, and a bright smile appeared on his face.

Name: Ike Strayder!

No Tom Marvolo Riddell!

(End of this chapter)