After sending Colin on his way, Ron, full of questions, turned to Aiden.
Aiden just glanced at him. "Alright, my uncle is involved in the development of that crystal stone. The profits will be split equally between the Weasley and Lestrange families."
"Why split it with the Lestranges?" Ron asked, confused. "And you're not taking a share?"
"I exchanged my share for their family's promise of future support, as well as to cover the operating costs," Aiden said, rolling his eyes. "Or would you prefer the Weasley family handle all the business logistics?" He didn't wait for an answer, turning and leaving a still-puzzled Ron behind.
For the next month, Arsesi practically lived in the Hogwarts Library, stubbornly working her way through the impossible reading list Aiden had given her. One afternoon, she found him in the corridor and slapped a thick stack of parchment reviews onto his chest.
Aiden just gave her a sly smile. "I didn't expect you to actually finish them all."
"Aiden Prewett," she grumbled, giving him a light punch on the arm.
"To be fair," Aiden said, holding up his hands in surrender, "I based that plan on Ron's standards. He likes to slack off, so I usually give him a massive list for an entire term and just let him dawdle through it at his own pace." He spread his hands. "Alright, now that you've finished, you've accumulated a solid theoretical foundation for various charms. The next step is practical combat."
He took out an invitation and handed it to her.
"What is this?" she asked.
"An invitation to the Dueling Association," Aiden said mysteriously. "The activities are held every Thursday. Remember to go to bed early that day." Before she could ask any more questions, he led her to the Room of Requirement. "Now, show me your progress."
The two of them took out their wands and faced each other. Arsesi made the first move. "Petrificus Totalus!"
"Protego," Aiden said calmly, deflecting the spell. "Not bad. The power output and precision have both improved."
"There's more where that came from," she retorted, then threw out another charm. "Stupefy!"
A jet of red light flew toward him. As Aiden raised his wand to block it, Arsesi flicked her own wand, and the spell curved sharply in mid-air, bypassing his intended shield. Unfortunately for her, Aiden could read her every thought.
As Arsesi's face broke into a triumphant grin, a small, hexagonal crystal barrier materialized on Aiden's body, neatly absorbing the stun spell.
"Ah, what a pity," she said, a little disappointed. "Even that didn't hit you."
"That was very good," Aiden said, walking over to her. "You've made great progress."
"Hmph," she pouted. "A pity I couldn't give you a proper smackdown. Now, where's the gift you promised?" She held out her hand expectantly.
Aiden tapped his wand twice, turning it into two chairs, and gestured for her to sit. "Not so fast. Let me ask you a question first. Arsesi, if I wanted to change this era, would you be willing to help me?" His heterochromatic eyes deepened, a light flickering within them that made it difficult to look away.
"Hoh," she replied, her own gaze unwavering. "Then let me also ask you: are you asking Arsesi, or are you asking Arsesi Greengrass?"
Aiden already knew the answer. The corners of his mouth turned up in a genuine, handsome smile. "Of course, I am asking the kind and brilliant Miss Arsesi."
"Hmph. Then do you even need to ask? Are you planning to become the next Dark Lord, or a new White Lord? You're my savior; I will support you in any way I can. Come on, tell me your grand plan. Let's see how a weak little woman like me can help." She sat down gracefully, ready to listen.
"Arsesi," he began, "ever since I was a child, my only goal has been to exhaust the mysteries of magic and explore the peaks of the mind. For me now, that is almost an inevitability. As long as I keep going, I will get there."
Hearing his casual arrogance, Arsesi rolled her eyes. Aiden ignored her and continued. "However, as I came into contact with more people and things, I began to reflect on the fact that the wizarding world seems to be drifting further and further away from ordinary people. We are all human beings, Arsesi. It's just that we wizards have special talents. But why should people with talent have to hide?"
"So, you plan to follow Grindelwald's example and rule over the Muggles?" she raised an eyebrow.
"No," Aiden said, his expression serious. "What I need is the coexistence of wizards and ordinary people."
"Ho. That is truly a remarkable ideal," she said. "So tell me your 'path to coexistence'."
"I don't have one yet."
"So you're just trying to trick me with an empty promise?" she challenged, her voice rising.
"That's why I need to explore," he countered. "I need to make many attempts, to seek a resonance that everyone can accept, from all different groups and perspectives. Using that as a foundation, I will provide a window for dialogue and communication between the two sides, then slowly expand that window, and finally achieve true integration. So, come and help me, Arsesi." He held out his hand to her.
"Why me?" she asked, lowering her head. "I mean... you obviously have more candidates. There's no need to choose a rich girl with no advantages."
"Because you think so, too," Aiden said, his eyes seeming to radiate light. "I knew it from the first moment I saw you. Because you also agree that wizards can coexist with ordinary people, instead of being two hostile races. You are the first peer I have met who thinks about the state of our world, Arsesi. Come and help me. For the greater good." He held out his hand again.
"Aiden Prewett, are you a Dark Wizard?" she asked, looking up. "You actually used Legilimency on me the first time we met." She raised her foot and kicked him playfully in the calf. There was a loud bang. "Ouch!" she cried, squatting down and clutching her own leg.
"So, will you join?" Aiden smiled.
"Hmph," Arsesi grumbled, but she stretched out her hand.
Their hands clasped tightly together. In that moment, an organization hidden beneath the torrent of the times was established, and an unknown Hypnotist was happy to see his role-playing progress increase.
"So, what's the plan?" Arsesi asked, already thinking about logistics the moment she joined. "Organization, outline, manpower, funding, territory?"
"You truly are a Slytherin," Aiden said with a thumbs-up. "But that's not the first step. This is." He pulled a small glass bottle from his pocket. "Here. Drink it."
"What is this?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously. "Are you trying to trick me into drinking something weird?"
Aiden just looked at her with a sincere, trusting expression.
"Ah, having a boss like you is really going to be tiring," she sighed. She took the bottle and downed its contents in one go.
CRACK. The glass bottle slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.
Arsesi fell from her chair, a wave of agony enveloping her. Having never experienced such pain, she could only curl up on the ground, her body trembling. "Aiden Prewett," she gasped, her thoughts so blurred she could barely form a coherent sentence. "What... is... this?"
Finally, the transformation ended. Arsesi slowly climbed to her feet.
"The ability is already in your mind, isn't it?" Aiden's voice seemed to reach her, his meaning instantly clear.
"This is... truly amazing," she breathed. She tried to analyze his actions and micro-expressions, but found nothing.
"What you just took was a potion," Aiden explained, helping her back into her chair. "From this day forward, you are a Beyonder of the Visionary Pathway. Sequence Nine: Spectator."
He continued, "You will have an outstanding spirit and keen powers of observation. You will be able to observe the 'actors' of society like a bystander. From their expressions, their gestures, their verbal tics, and their smallest actions, you can glimpse their true thoughts. You can then subtly influence and secretly guide them, allowing things to develop in the direction you desire."
"No wonder you could read my mind so easily," she murmured. "I thought you were just a master of Legilimency. And Lada... the Sequence she mentioned... it refers to this, doesn't it?"
"Of course. I am a Beyonder as well. By the way, remember your acting rules: you are a Spectator. Remain an observer, and do not empathize with the people in the play."
"That suits me well," she said, a flicker of her usual confidence returning. "After all, Slytherin is full of intrigue. And such childish struggles... are they truly worthy of a student of Slytherin?" She put on an indifferent expression, but Aiden knew she was already using her new ability.
"Alright, I'll go back first," Aiden said. "Be careful. With your new ability, you might just thrive in Slytherin." He stood up and walked toward the door.
"There's one last thing, my dear BOSS," a voice came from behind him. "What are we going to name our organization?"
"The Twilight Hermit Society."
***********
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