Chapter 250: Duel in the Chamber of Secrets
Chapter 250: Duel in the Chamber of Secrets
"Tom Riddle!" Ivan gritted his teeth and said.
"Long time no see, Hals!" Tom, dressed in a Slytherin robe, strolled down the long corridor, elegant as a nobleman.
"You were indeed hiding in the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor all along. Are you that afraid of me? You had to find some help before daring to come and see me", Ivan said with a mocking tone.
"Yes, I did go to great lengths to lure you away!" Tom Riddle showed no sign of anger.
Just as Ivan knew him well, Tom had a deep understanding of Ivan. He knew that not a word from the young Wizard was true, and his strength was likely far greater than he usually showed.
That was why he had spent so much effort to find the Horcrux he had sensed, to ensure everything went smoothly.
Thinking of this, Tom Riddle smiled.
"Speaking of which, I should thank you for bringing me to the Room of Requirement. That's how I was able to sense this thing! Of course, I would have found it even without your help. After all, this was part of my plan from the beginning."
A smile curled on Tom's lips. After learning about Horcruxes from the Restricted Section, he decided to collect powerful and significant items to create several Horcruxes in the future.
He planned to place them in the safest places in the world to ensure he could overcome death.
And the Room of Requirement was one of the safest places in the Wizarding World!
The Ravenclaw's Diadem was supposed to be the first item he would use to create a Horcrux!
Unfortunately, after he went to great lengths to win the favor of Helena Ravenclaw, he found out from her that the diadem was not in Hogwarts. So, he settled for an ordinary Diary.
Ivan looked very grim. He knew that the Ravenclaw's Diadem was a Horcrux that Voldemort created around the age of 28, far more powerful than the Diary.
That was why he had not dared to think about it for the past two years, fearing he would be tempted.
Ivan had hoped that once his skills in Occlumency and Alchemy were higher, he could find a way to separate Voldemort's soul from the diadem and preserve this legendary item. But Tom Riddle had beaten him to it.
"Do you recognize it?" Tom suddenly pointed to the diadem on his head, surprised.
He noticed that Ivan seemed to recognize the Ravenclaw's Diadem and even knew it was the second Horcrux. Otherwise, Ivan wouldn't have mentioned finding another "helper."
This made Tom Riddle feel a bit uneasy. He had already overestimated the young Wizard, but each time they met, Ivan surprised him in some way.
Ivan did not directly answer Tom Riddle's question but mocked him instead. "Perhaps you've heard from Lockhart that I met another you last semester. Now there are two of you here. I wonder which one is the real Dark Lord."
"There is only one true Dark Lord." Tom Riddle pointed to himself, not minding Ivan's attempt to avoid the topic. He believed that Ivan might have learned something from Helena Ravenclaw.
"Is that so? I'm sure they feel the same way!" Ivan said noncommittally, secretly relieved.
His greatest fear was that Tom Riddle would help the Horcrux in the diadem to revive, forcing him to face two Voldemorts!
It seems that these two Horcruxes are not working in perfect harmony either. Although it’s unclear how much assistance Tom will gain by wearing the diadem, at the very least, he can still put up a fight!
Ivan slowly approached, narrowing the distance between them, planning to use the same trick again.
Tom Riddle realized at this moment that Ivan had been trying to draw information out of him. His expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure.
"You’re smarter than I thought, Hals!" He clapped his hands, looking at Ivan with admiration.
"Smart? You mean being played by you like a fool?" Ivan walked forward, speaking with a self-deprecating tone, while gripping his Wand tightly, ready to respond to any sudden attack.
"Don’t say that. I spent a lot of effort to outsmart you." Tom Riddle gazed at Ivan with a look of admiration. After a pause, he continued.
"You’re much stronger than that foolish Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He wore his thoughts on his face, and with a little guidance, he did exactly as I said."
"Those boring, naive little girls were even more foolish. They believed whatever I told them."
"That’s why I’ve always believed that these Muggle-born children don’t deserve to learn magic. Hogwarts needs a cleansing, leaving only talented and capable young Wizards like you and me."
Tom Riddle spoke confidently. This was why, apart from controlling Lockhart, he had mostly possessed a pure-blood Slytherin girl.
"Don’t forget, you’re a half-blood too, Tom! Your body also carries Muggle blood! Why don’t you consider purifying yourself first?" Ivan retorted mercilessly.
Tom Riddle’s face darkened, and his gaze grew even more menacing.
"Perhaps it was once true, but not for long! I have already studied the methods left by Salazar Slytherin to purify the dirty blood in my body. I’m sure you’ve experienced it, haven’t you?" Tom Riddle said with a twisted expression.
Ivan frowned, understanding that Tom was referring to Bloodline Fusion. Each fusion was like a blood transfusion.
However, this clearly wasn’t enough to achieve the “purification” he sought. Even multiple fusions couldn’t completely remove the so-called “dirty blood” from Tom.
Ivan looked at the obsessed Tom with pity, thinking that his future disfigured appearance was likely due to this obsession.
Having paid the price of disfigurement, he would need his Muggle father’s bone to resurrect in the original timeline. This so-called blood purification was a complete joke!
As they continued their conversation, they drew closer, each trying to influence the other’s emotions with their words.
Until they stood face to face, less than ten meters apart.
The narrow corridor seemed to resemble a Duelling Arena, with the Serpent Statues lining the sides like silent spectators, watching the two as they prepared to clash.
Ivan silently calculated the optimal distance to strike, but Tom Riddle didn’t let him get any closer. A dark light flickered at the tip of his Wand, and a surge of black mist formed into a pained human face, screaming as it charged toward Ivan.
(End of Chapter)
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