Chapter 203: Legilimency
Chapter 203: Legilimency
Isobel's gaze fell on her captured wrist, and she looked up at Albert, furrowing her brows in inquiry. "Something else?"
"Sorry." Albert embarrassedly released Isobel's hand and admitted, "I want to learn Legilimency."
"I recall our agreement was that I teach you Occlumency." Isobel made no haste to leave even after Albert let go of her.
"In fact, you've already taught me, and I've mastered Occlumency, haven't I?" Isobel fixed Albert with a stare. "Or do you think the tuition is too expensive?"
"Well, I admit, I'm being greedy." Albert conceded. "But this opportunity is rare, and I don't want to pass up the chance to learn Legilimency. I can offer you more galleons, or..." Albert had intended to say he could owe her a favor, but as such a concept wasn't common in Europe, he decided against it.
"Or what?" Isobel asked, intrigued. Now that Albert had mastered Occlumency, she could no longer read his thoughts.
To be honest, Albert's mastery of Occlumency in such a short time left Isobel astounded.
"Perhaps this is what they call a prodigy!" As the thought occurred to Isobel, a ridiculous idea suddenly popped into her head.
"Hmm?" Isobel's expression turned peculiar. Did this guy already know Occlumency beforehand?
While not impossible, what would be the purpose of doing so?
Isobel's train of thought took a certain direction, and her look toward Albert grew even more peculiar.
Although Albert was in the same year as her sister, Katrina, she could tell that his thinking was mature beyond his years.
Some other ideas, not impossible.
"You want me to teach you Legilimency?" Isobel asked.
"Well, I've already mastered Occlumency, and I think learning Legilimency shouldn't be too difficult." Albert's expression stiffened slightly as the way Isobel had been scrutinizing him earlier was... peculiar.
"January 13th. My birthday." Isobel agreed.
"January 13th? Got it." Albert took out his notebook from his pocket, jotted down Isobel's birthday, and made a mental note to prepare a birthday gift for her as payment for teaching him Legilimency.
However... it would be a birthday gift, of all things.
As Albert put away his notebook, a sudden realization crossed his mind. Could it be...? His expression turned odd as he secretly glanced up, meeting Isobel's gaze.
The next second, the atmosphere became awkward.
Not only Albert, but Isobel as well, their expressions clearly betraying their discomfort.
Hmm, as expected, a misunderstanding...?
At this moment, should he... Well, to be honest, Albert didn't have any other special intentions, even though Isobel did fit his aesthetic preferences.
"Ahem!" Isobel cleared her throat, taking the initiative to break the awkward silence.
"You're right about one thing, though. Occlumency and Legilimency are indeed interconnected. Since you've already mastered Occlumency, learning Legilimency will indeed become easier."
"Mhm." Albert acknowledged, gesturing for her to continue, relieved as the tension dissipated.
Isobel began to recall the books she had read regarding Legilimency, summarizing their content and imparting to Albert the key knowledge and some of her own experiences with the art.
"Legilimency is considered an advanced form of magic," she explained. "Many witches and wizards go their entire lives without ever encountering it."
"That's understandable," Albert replied. "The Ministry of Magic intentionally keeps it hidden, and some spells are deliberately monopolized. If one doesn't actively seek them out, they might never even know of their existence."
Albert, of course, was aware of the reasons behind this. If everyone learned Legilimency, chaos would likely ensue in the wizarding world.
"It's like giving everyone a gun," he mused. "You'd risk getting shot at any moment."
After a lengthy explanation of the key concepts, the incantation, and the wand movements, Isobel looked deeply into Albert's eyes and said, "You will only get one chance. Whether you succeed or not, our deal ends here."
"Alright!" Albert eagerly raised his wand and voiced his readiness. "Here I go. Three, two, one, Legilimens!"
Albert directed the Legilimency spell at Isobel, and his mind was suddenly inundated with a stranger's memory—a memory that belonged to Isobel.
It was a memory of a young Isobel and her sister, Katrina...
Within seconds, Albert could sense Isobel's resistance, and the vision before him began to fade. Just before his consciousness was completely pushed out, he saw Isobel being led by a woman through a graveyard. Mog McDougal and Ronald Smith were there as well, but there was something odd about Ronald's expression...
Albert's eyes snapped open, and he noticed that Isobel's breathing had become slightly erratic.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Isobel took a deep breath before opening her eyes and saying to Albert, "Okay, our deal is over."
"Yeah, it's over!" Albert nodded, standing up and offering his hand to Isobel. "Thank you for today. I've learned a lot. Maybe you should consider becoming a professor."
"I don't think all students are like you," Isobel said as she shook hands with Albert, teasing herself.
"Even if you flatter me like that, I won't tell you how to delay aging," Albert said, pulling Isobel up from the cushion and winking at her with a smile.
Isobel's face twitched slightly as she averted her gaze from Albert.
"This guy is so annoying!" Isobel muttered to herself. She knew that he was about to try Legilimency on her.
A moment later, Albert whispered, "Failed. As I thought, I need to maintain eye contact with the target."
Albert's failure made Isobel feel a little better.
Even though they were both gifted wizards, Isobel didn't want Albert to surpass her too much, even if she admitted that he was more talented in some aspects.
After the two left Classroom 17 one after the other, Albert once again expressed his gratitude to Isobel.
"You've earned your tuition," Isobel said. She didn't know how important it was for Albert to master Legilimency and Occlumency.
As they parted ways at the junction on the sixth floor, Albert suddenly asked, "By the way, I almost forgot to ask. Was it useful?"
(End of Chapter)
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