The Headmaster's Office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Dumbledore looked at Kael, wanting to speak several times but held back.
Originally, he thought Kael planned to use the Basilisk to destroy the pendant box, so he didn't say anything and tacitly agreed to leave the item with Kael.
But he wrote a letter to inquire with Newt, and during the holidays Kael hadn't visited the Basilisk even once... Moreover, from what Kael just said, the item seems to be still intact now.
Dumbledore tapped his fingers on the table and finally spoke, "You've really given me a difficult problem."
"So, can you promise me that you won't be influenced by it?"
"I can, Professor." Kael said confidently, "In fact, the Slytherin's Locket is an extremely special existence; as long as it's not opened, you could even wear it around your neck with no issue."
Even though he had known this for a while, hearing the name Slytherin's Locket still caused Dumbledore's mouth to twitch slightly.
The diary was also a Soul Artifact back then, but Kael gave it away without hesitation, shoving it to Lucius Malfoy as if throwing away trash.
Now, with the Locket, he won't even let Dumbledore take a glance.
The reason for this, Dumbledore knew very well.
But speaking of which, the Slytherin's Locket, a treasure as renowned as Gryffindor's Sword, piqued his curiosity.
However, the Locket was Kael's first, and even Sirius hadn't said anything, so Dumbledore was embarrassed to ask for it.
"I can promise you that," Dumbledore said softly. "But you must promise me to destroy it as soon as possible.
And I must remind you, don't do anything foolish. Even the rarest treasures lose their original brilliance when corrupted by Dark Magic; it's not worth risking your life for."
"I promise." Kael smiled.
Before resolving Voldemort's Soul Fragments, he definitely didn't intend to use the Locket—not even a question, it remained locked away just like the Diadem.
But at this moment, Kael seemed to have thought of something. He glanced at Dumbledore and continued:
"Professor, I think we could set up a Contract Magic."
"What?" Dumbledore was puzzled by this suggestion.
"It's a kind of binding magic," Kael explained. "For example, if I have any thoughts of using a Soul Artifact, I would be directly stopped... I believe you're familiar with this type of magic."
"Ah, I do know a few such charms..." Dumbledore said, "But it's not necessary, Kael. I trust you completely, just as I trust myself."
"No, I just think it's a bit safer." Kael insisted, "It's like adding an extra layer of protection; if I'm somehow tempted by the Soul Artifact, it might save my life."
Tempted by a Soul Artifact?
Dumbledore thought about it and felt Kael made a bit of sense. Soul Artifacts were too mysterious, and even he didn't understand them fully, so having an extra precaution was good.
"If you insist... then prepare your wand."
Kael took out his wand and, as Dumbledore requested, extended his arm straight.
Dumbledore stood in front of Kael, doing the same action, aligning the tips of their wands together.
"Wait a moment, Professor," Kael suddenly said.
"Is there a problem? If you don't want to continue, there's still time." Dumbledore assumed Kael regretted it and broke the link between their wands.
"No, Professor," Kael said, "I just feel that since it's a Contract Magic, both parties adhering to it is only fair, right?"
Dumbledore was taken aback, surprised that this was Kael's point, but he quickly understood.
"Hmm, I totally agree with your viewpoint."
"Then you..."
"No problem, the two-way contract spell applies to me as well."
Although Kael's actions today were somewhat odd, Dumbledore didn't mind too much.
After all, he himself wouldn't want to use any Soul Artifacts, so he agreed very readily...
It wouldn't affect anything, almost like playing along with a child.
"Ready, don't resist."
When their wands touched again, Dumbledore softly muttered a lengthy incantation, seemingly formulating the spell's content.
It took quite a while, maybe two minutes, before he finished. When he was done, a golden thread emerged from the point where their wands connected.
The thread drifted and split in two, spreading along the wands to their wrists, connecting like an elegant bracelet.
In the next moment, Kael felt his wrist suddenly burn intensely, but it faded in an instant.
When he looked again, a ring of golden magic patterns formed into a talisman had appeared there.
The magic pattern was small, and before Kael could discern its meaning, it vanished as if it had never appeared.
Kael moved his wrist slightly, feeling no discomfort.
"It's done." Dumbledore smiled, "Don't worry, it won't have any impact on you, and you can always come to me to lift this constraint."
"I can't break it myself?" Kael asked, "Using Finite Incantatem?"
"No," Dumbledore explained, "Contract Magic is different from the charms we typically use; both the activation and removal require the involved parties to be present."
Kael nodded and looked at his wrist again.
"Perhaps you'll find me a bit wordy," Dumbledore tucked away his wand, "But I still urge you to destroy it quickly.
"I have some achievements in Alchemy myself, maybe I can help repair it post-destruction... However, don't use the Fiendfyre Curse."
"I'll try to do it soon."
Kael didn't specify a time because it depended on when Nicolas Flamel's letter arrived...assuming he hadn't run off with the Diadem.
At that moment, Kael suddenly smelled a fragrance of roasted meat; sometime during their discussion, a sumptuous lunch appeared on the table behind Dumbledore.
"Oh, today they included my favorite honey-glazed steak..." Dumbledore said joyfully, "Would you like the kitchen's little elf to prepare a portion for you, or would you rather have lunch with your friends?"
"No need, Professor, I'll head to the Auditorium." Kael quickly turned and ran out the door.
Dumbledore sat beside the table, once again thinking of Slytherin's Locket...
Knowing it was left by Salazar Slytherin, he felt a strong itch—a natural reaction for an Alchemy enthusiast.
No, he needed to think of a way to deceive...borrow it for a few days of study. But what excuse to use, Kael wasn't easily fooled...
Dumbledore stared at the honey-glazed steak before him in a trance.
Maybe...exchange it for some of Fawkes' feathers?
A Phoenix, resting on its perch, suddenly awoke, shook its feathers, and suspiciously sized up its surroundings.
...