"When did you start suspecting me?"
Marcus raised his wand, holding it horizontally across his chest. His sharp eyes scanned the surrounding stone knight statues, which were slowly closing in.
"When?" Devereux replied calmly. "To be honest, it started the day you said you wanted to be Professor Quirrell's assistant."
Devereux looked at Marcus without any expression. Just moments ago, he had expanded his perception through Zen meditation to confirm Marcus's presence—and something else with him. It should have been Voldemort. Unfortunately, the entity fled before Devereux could observe carefully.
"Voldemort didn't possess him," Devereux thought with a flicker of relief.
It seemed Marcus was only under the Imperius Curse. There was still hope.
If the curse could be lifted, Marcus could return to the good Slytherin prefect he once was.
"Heh, how good you are at pretending," Marcus sneered mockingly.
A trace of vigilance flashed in his eyes, now cold and sharp like blades.
"You make it sound so mysterious, but you only started suspecting me back in the school infirmary, right? When I first used dark magic."
Clearly, he didn't believe Devereux's earlier statement.
Devereux chuckled and nodded.
"Indeed. It's hard not to suspect a student who can cast Fiendfyre."
As Devereux spoke, Marcus stopped glancing around and locked his gaze directly on him.
"Devereux, you're smart. You should know that following the right master determines how far you can go. My master will grant you limitless power—"
"Enough, enough, enough! You're thoroughly brainwashed!"
Devereux interrupted mid-sentence, making a face as if he had smelled rotten cheese.
Looking at Marcus's fanatic expression, Devereux sighed.
"Forget it. Since you're under the Imperius Curse, talking is pointless. I'll just beat you up until you come to your senses!"
With a sharp wave of his wand, the seven surrounding stone knight statues simultaneously raised their weapons and charged forward, pressing toward Marcus like a tidal wave.
"Heh, alright then," Marcus said coolly. "Let me show you the power my master has given me!"
He wasn't flustered at all.
Instead, a contemptuous sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.
He slapped his left chest; his face twisted into a ferocious expression.
Then he waved his wand clockwise.
"Fiendfyre Serpent!"
A burst of green fire shot from the tip of Marcus's wand—Fiendfyre!
Devereux's pupils shrank sharply.
Wait, something was wrong!
In mid-air, the flames split into three winding, rolling fire serpents.
Roaring and entangling the three knights charging at the front!
The splashing sparks scorched the remaining four knights as well.
"Ah!"
Even though they were made of stone, the knights couldn't withstand it.
This was Fiendfyre—it could burn through even stone!
The knights entangled by the fire serpents let out piercing screams, thick black smoke rising around them.
In the blink of an eye, half of the stone knights Devereux had summoned were reduced to ashes, and the other four were seriously damaged.
This was no ordinary Fiendfyre!
[Ding!]
[New spell added to the library!]
[Spell Library: Fiendfyre Serpent Curse · Curse (Entry Level)]
As expected, Devereux thought.
This innovative dark magic must have been Voldemort's creation.
In the raging fire, the three knights completely burned to ashes.
Thick smoke billowed.
Devereux didn't hesitate.
His eyes narrowed sharply, and he charged straight into the inferno.
Facing Marcus's arrogant gaze, Devereux advanced steadily.
"What, coming to die?" Marcus sneered.
Devereux grinned.
"Haha, no. I value my life too much. Your so-called reward is tempting, but... I'm a magical genius!"
Without warning, he waved his wand, this time rotating it counterclockwise.
Instantly, the roaring sea of Fiendfyre seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, rushing toward Devereux's wand in a frenzy.
In just a moment, the vast sea of fire shrank into a few sparks—completely extinguished!
That's right!
The moment Devereux learned the Fiendfyre Serpent Curse, he also comprehended its counter-curse!
So, no matter how Marcus tried to attack him with it, it was futile!
Marcus's sneer froze.
A look of horror flashed across his face.
"What! How do you know the counter-curse to this spell?!"
Devereux smirked, his wand arm not stopping.
"Heh, I'm too lazy to explain. You're not worthy of knowing!"
Without pausing, Devereux spun his wand clockwise.
"Fiendfyre Serpent!"
A green flame once again burst from the tip of his wand, transforming into a giant fire serpent that charged at Marcus!
The serpent coiled swiftly around him, roaring and thrashing.
Of course, Devereux had held back—he didn't let the fire serpent fully wrap around Marcus. Otherwise, Marcus would have been burned to death immediately.
However, something unexpected happened.
As soon as the flames touched Marcus's body, there was a low humming sound.
A layer of dark green scales appeared across Marcus's body, protecting him.
The scales flickered with a faint glow.
The Fiendfyre couldn't penetrate them at all!
"Hahaha!" Marcus laughed wildly. "You really are excellent, Devereux! If you had chosen to follow the master, the title of Third Dark Lord could have been yours! Such a pity!"
His eyes flashed with madness.
Suddenly, throwing all caution aside, Marcus raised his wand sharply and pointed it directly at Devereux.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light shot out.
In Devereux's stunned gaze, powerful magic swept toward him like a raging tsunami.
It happened in an instant!
At that moment, Devereux's wand was still channeling the fire serpent—he couldn't dodge!
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The sound of galloping hooves echoed!
In a heartbeat, a heavily damaged stone knight leapt from its pony and threw itself in front of Devereux!
Devereux could only watch helplessly as the knight was struck by the green light.
The knight instantly disintegrated and exploded into dust!
[Ding!]
[New spell added to the library!]
[Spell Library: Killing Curse · Curse (Entry Level)]
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