Just as Harry's body turned ice-cold from overwhelming fear—so terrified he nearly fainted on the spot—
The horrifying face on the back of Quirrell's head, along with Quirrell himself, both froze when they saw the calm figure stepping out from behind Harry.
Quirrell's cold expression instantly stiffened.
And the crimson eyes on Voldemort's parasitic face widened in unprecedented shock and disbelief.
How could this be?
The plan they had carefully crafted—rehearsed countless times in their minds—had been completely shattered in an instant.
They never expected that the one who arrived here would not only be Harry Potter…
But also that boy.
That unfathomable first-year student who, in the Forbidden Forest, had seemed to see through every secret with a single glance.
What about the three-headed dog?
The Devil's Snare?
The flying keys, the wizard chess, and Snape's cursed logic puzzle?
Those layers of defenses, designed by Hogwarts' most brilliant professors—traps capable of delaying even a squad of experienced Aurors—
And yet…
They had caused not even the slightest harm to these two.
Voldemort's scarlet eyes locked firmly onto the calm boy who looked as if he had merely come to visit a neighbor.
A hoarse voice—not belonging to Quirrell—echoed slowly through the silent chamber.
A voice filled with ancient and evil magic.
"An interesting child…"
Voldemort had already developed great interest in Lucian.
From the gaze in the Forbidden Forest that seemed capable of seeing through everything…
To now—this boy who had led Harry through Hogwarts' layered defenses without a scratch.
At that moment, Voldemort realized something.
This boy's value was millions of times greater than Harry Potter standing beside him.
Harry Potter was merely a lucky child protected by the lingering magic of his parents' sacrifice.
But the boy before him—
He himself was a walking treasure beyond measure.
Voldemort immediately changed his plan.
He ignored Harry entirely.
For the first time, he spoke to Lucian in a tone almost equal—one filled with admiration.
"You… are strong."
"Far more impressive than I imagined."
His hoarse voice carried a strange, seductive power.
"Hogwarts is too small for you."
"What Dumbledore can teach you are nothing more than outdated, laughable scraps."
"Join me, child."
Voldemort's voice dripped with temptation.
"I can teach you the true ancient magic they hide from the world."
"I can grant you power so great that the entire world will tremble beneath your feet."
He paused.
Then he offered what he believed no living being could refuse.
"I can even share with you… the knowledge of immortality."
"Together we will step beyond that ridiculous boundary called death."
"Together…"
"We will become the gods of the new world."
Yet in the face of this ultimate temptation—power and eternal life, enough to drive any ambitious wizard mad—
Lucian Thornwick did not react.
He simply looked at Voldemort calmly.
His gaze did not waver.
In fact… there was even a trace of pity in it.
Like someone watching a pathetic salesman trying to push a useless product.
Seeing Lucian unmoved, Voldemort's hoarse voice suddenly turned cold.
Murderous intent filled the room.
"Child—do not reject a gift you cannot comprehend!"
His tone shifted to open threat.
The terrifying pressure of the Dark Lord—the force that once made the entire wizarding world tremble—descended like a storm.
"I am Voldemort!"
"The greatest Dark Lord this era has ever known!"
"Anyone who defies me—whether it is Dumbledore or the foolish Aurors of the Ministry—will meet only one fate—"
"—complete annihilation."
A cruel smile twisted across his horrifying face.
He was confident.
No wizard could resist his combination of temptation and intimidation.
Either they surrendered out of greed for power.
Or they knelt in fear of death.
There was no third option.
But when faced with Voldemort's self-righteous "choice"—
For the first time, a clear emotion appeared in Lucian's otherwise calm eyes.
Not fear.
Not anger.
No hesitation.
It was simple impatience.
With the Eyes of Truth, Lucian could clearly see that along with Voldemort's voice came waves of dark, negative energy—psychic attacks attempting to invade and disturb his mind.
Unfortunately for Voldemort…
The power was about as effective as a summer breeze against Lucian's vast mental ocean.
It couldn't move him even slightly.
Still…
It was annoying.
Lucian spoke calmly.
"Annoying."
The two words cut through the chamber like a divine verdict, instantly interrupting Voldemort's endless boasting.
Lucian continued, his voice filled with cold disdain.
"A fragment of a soul that cannot even maintain a complete form…"
"Reduced to parasitically clinging to another body just to survive…"
"Where exactly do you find the confidence to speak to me about power and immortality?"
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