"You're not completely foolish. It seems the Silver Spears are very determined to establish a transit point in Britain. They actually laid the groundwork years ago and specifically recruited someone for this purpose." Alan looked at the witch with a newfound sense of respect for her organization's reach. To be able to plan so many years in advance was a grand gesture.
"Then it's over! My sister… she's still with my teacher right now." Aseria's face turned pale as she realized the implications of her situation.
"According to your story, your sister should be over eleven by now. Doesn't she need to attend a magic school?" Alan looked at her curiously. Young wizards attending school wasn't just about education; it was necessary to stabilize their internal magic. Without the environment of a school, a young wizard's body could easily suffer, which is why almost no wizarding family chose to educate their children entirely at home.
"No, she is indeed at a magic school now," Aseria said anxiously. "But my teacher is also there with her."
"A year after I joined the Silver Spears, Anais was old enough to begin school. At that time, my teacher was assigned by headquarters to try and establish a secret branch in Northern Europe. The environment there was hostile; there was almost no room for the Silver Spears to survive. The headquarters merely wanted her to establish a foothold. They even prepared to take me along, but because the American branch was progressing so rapidly, the schedule for the British transit point was moved up. That's why I was arranged to return to Britain."
"My teacher's cover identity in Northern Europe is as a professor at Durmstrang Institute!"
"My sister was originally going to attend Beauxbatons or return to Britain for Hogwarts; as long as she had a supply of the potion every few months, the disease wouldn't relapse. But my teacher suggested I let Anais attend Durmstrang. She said she could personally look after her, and I didn't think much of it and just agreed. Now my sister is living under the same roof as that vicious woman. Oh my goodness, this is horrible."
Aseria's voice trembled with agitation, and tears streamed down her face. She hated herself for being so foolish, for being so easily deceived.
"She teaches at Durmstrang?" Alan was slightly taken aback. What a coincidence; he also had someone at Durmstrang. According to their recent contact, Karkaroff was doing quite well. His brother had already become a school board member. At this rate, that man might even become headmaster in a few years.
"Don't worry yet. Your teacher won't do anything to your sister without knowing you've betrayed the Silver Spears. She might even take extra care of her to maintain your trust, so you don't need to be overly concerned," Alan said, offering a calm analysis.
Aseria realized she had lost her composure in her panic. Hearing Alan's logic, she found it reasonable, and her emotions gradually calmed.
"First, tell me, what subject does your teacher teach at Durmstrang?"
"My teacher is very proficient in Potions," Aseria said. She couldn't be more specific due to her contract, speaking only indirectly.
"Understood." Alan planned to contact Karkaroff later to confirm the identity of this Silver Spear who had infiltrated the institute. He looked at Aseria again. "I can solve your sister's problem. You've seen the magic book; I have a way to lift the Dragon Pox Curse. At the same time, I can help you get rid of your teacher, but as for the conditions…"
"I'm willing to listen to you!" Aseria blurted out without hesitation. "As long as you can save my sister, I'm willing to do anything!"
She looked at Alan in desperation. She knew that her only hope now was the young man standing before her. She had thought that by serving the Silver Spears, she was protecting her sister's health, only to realize it was all a trap. She had been unknowingly grateful to the people who had harmed her family.
Seeing her resolve, Alan nodded calmly. "Good. From now on, you are my subordinate. However, I warn you: you must give me one hundred percent loyalty, otherwise I will not be polite with you."
He took out a bracelet similar to the one he had given Shalltear and slipped it onto Aseria's wrist. Then he produced a metal pill. "Open your mouth and swallow it."
Aseria swallowed the pill without hesitation. As she felt the metal object take root in her stomach, she knew there was no turning back. Even if Alan was a devil, she would follow him.
Alan lightly waved his hand, loosening her restraints, and handed her a pendant. "This equipment can protect against mental intrusion and automatically generate a Shield Charm. As a reward for your loyalty, you can send it to your sister. This should put your mind at ease. The tactical boots you sent recently flew toward Northern Europe, so I presume they were also for her."
Aseria felt a warmth in her heart as she took the pendant, followed by a chill. Had Alan been watching her ever since she bought those boots? Could he even track their location? She nodded her thanks and looked at Alan. "What do you need me to do?"
"Just continue doing what you should be doing: be a qualified spy," Alan smiled slightly. "The bracelet on your hand can transmit information to me, similar to your mask. As soon as Thunderbird or the Silver Spears contacts you, transmit the intelligence immediately."
"Yes, sir." Aseria nodded. "But now that Thunderbird has disappeared, even I can't find him. The mask's communication range has limits. I tried sending messages, but there was no response. I estimate he has already left British territory."
"You don't need to estimate; he's not in Britain anymore. Just do as I tell you; you don't need to worry about anything else." Alan smiled, then grabbed her arm and Apparated them out of the laboratory.