Chapter 13
After easily subduing the sixth-year students, the seventh-years—whether they had gotten wind of it or not—became extremely well-behaved.
Lucian had no intention of giving this group intensive training. They had only one year left, and focusing on details would waste too much time; it might even shatter the magical understanding some of them had built over seven years.
His approach was simple: he would provide them only with past exam papers and drown them in a sea of practice questions, aiming for every one of them to score an O on next year's exams.
As for the few older students in the three higher years, he had no sympathy to spare. He had notified them early about the monthly tests. Though the students didn't understand why, they had the poor example of Professor Quirrell fresh in their minds.
For now, they could still reluctantly accept Lucian's methods.
After all, their minds had not yet been tempered by two heavy assignments per week and monthly tests. Their brains had registered the information, but they hadn't yet grasped what they would face over the coming year.
By the end of the first week, Lucian's reputation was still quite positive.
The lower-year students were delighted; at last, they were learning something useful in Defense Against the Dark Arts. In both class periods, Lucian used testing and questioning, then employed transfiguration to let them confront dark creatures directly, trying to handle them with the spells they already knew.
Only after the tests did he give targeted instruction in the spells.
The higher-year students grumbled a little about the large amount of homework Lucian assigned, but for now it remained within tolerable limits.
At dinner that evening, Professor McGonagall sought out Lucian to check on things. She also discreetly asked several students for their opinions of him. Once she confirmed that most of the comments were glowing praise, she finally relaxed.
It seemed Lucian was well-suited to the position. This year, she wouldn't need to worry about Defense Against the Dark Arts education.
Friday evening, after dinner.
Lucian and his two assistants returned to the office and cast a Do-Not-Disturb charm toward the door. From this moment until Sunday afternoon, the three of them would not step outside again.
The project that had been interrupted last time by Dumbledore's arrival was finally time to resume.
Jeffery waved his wand, and sheets of parchment flew up and stuck themselves to the wall panels as he began presiding over the meeting.
"Professor, based on our research this week and the experimental data sent over by the scholars from the Association, we can tentatively propose a hypothesis.
Namely, the [Emotional Catalysis Hypothesis].
We hypothesise that under normal conditions, magical power is relatively inert. Intense emotions can greatly lower the 'activation energy' required for magical reactions, making it far easier to mobilise and release power far beyond the ordinary.
Building on the idea you first proposed—that the power of the Unforgivable Curses depends on the intensity of our malicious intent—we have extended it.
From the Association's experiments, we discovered that different spells require different catalytic emotions.
Take the three Unforgivable Curses as examples: while various emotions can produce some effect on all three, there are clear and significant differences.
The Killing Curse—requires a powerful intent to kill, a cold, unquestioning desire to strip away life. Calm malice produces far greater power than mere anger.
The Imperius Curse—requires an extreme desire for domination, an arrogance that views others as mere playthings. The caster must firmly believe they stand above others and have the right to deprive them of free will.
The Cruciatus Curse—requires a pure sadistic pleasure in another's pain. Even the slightest pity or hesitation during casting will drastically weaken the curse, while the more the caster enjoys the process, the stronger the spell becomes."
Lucian's brow furrowed tighter as he listened—these research findings deviated considerably from his original expectations.
He had always dismissed the claim that dark magic corrupts the soul. Nearly every powerful wizard had studied dark magic; Dumbledore himself was a master of it, yet none of them had become twisted monsters.
The Killing Curse was still acceptable, but the negative effects of Imperio and Crucio were genuinely alarming. If an upright wizard repeatedly relied on these two curses in war and, as he had theorised, amplified the curses' power by intensifying the negative emotions…
Even the most righteous person, under prolonged emotional influence, would likely become inhuman.
The pleasure of completely dominating another person—even experiencing it only occasionally—could easily warp one's personality.
Lucian listened quietly to Jeffery's report, then asked "What do the two of you think of these results?"
Following their usual speaking order, Jeffery stepped forward first. "From the research findings, our previous understanding of dark magic was mistaken; The three Unforgivable Curses are indeed profoundly evil spells. Even the least harmful of them—the Killing Curse—I do not believe we should continue studying."
As Jeffery stepped back, Camille stepped forward. "I disagree. A truly powerful wizard should achieve perfect control over their own emotions. This residual malice and personality distortion is precisely the best way to practice Occlumency. As long as we control the frequency of practice and pair it with Calming Draughts to soothe the mind, I believe this is the breakthrough method you have been seeking, Professor. We should not pass it up. Of course, the final decision rests with you."
Lucian listened calmly to both of them and nodded—their views were entirely in line with their respective personalities.
But then he shook his head.
"This training method does have considerable potential, but in my view it is no different from grasping chestnuts from a fire.
Once or twice might be harmless, but if it becomes habit, one day the price will be catastrophic."
As he spoke, a sudden thought flashed through Lucian's mind: attempting this training method now was far too dangerous—there was no need for it.
But if one day he truly needed a rapid boost in power, it wouldn't be too late to try it then.
A sharp, tingling jolt shot through the nape of his neck, painful and numbing.
If even he could unconsciously entertain such a thought, what about others?
Even if most of his twenty-four students thought like him, this was not something that could be decided by majority rule. Could it be that, through some careless mistake, a future Dark Lord might emerge from among them?
After all, those students were already exceptionally clever, and many had studied under him for over ten years. In both knowledge and practical ability, they far surpassed ordinary Hogwarts graduates by an unknown margin.
With that thought, Lucian made his decision at once. Through the soul bond, he summoned the house-elf Barton.
The next instant, with a sharp crack like a firecracker, Barton apparated in, dressed in a black butler's uniform.
"Master, Barton awaits your orders."
"Barton, make a trip to the Association and bring me the Portkey for Association Branch No. 2."
The house-elf nodded and vanished instantly.
"Professor, are you—"
"Apparition is impossible inside Hogwarts except for house-elves. In a moment we'll take the Portkey to the Association. I intend to shut down this research completely."
Seeing how serious Lucian was, both assistants looked flustered—the last time they had seen him like this was when Dumbledore had come knocking.
"Professor, please don't worry; the situation probably isn't that serious. The earlier conclusions were drawn by me from their experimental data. Others may not think as deeply about it."
"No. Now that we understand how dangerous the three Unforgivable Curses truly are, I will not leave any room for chance."
As they spoke, Barton reappeared, holding a black bowler hat.
"Barton, please look after the place." Lucian stepped forward into the Portkey first, and his figure vanished swiftly.