As William's voice fell, the room plunged into dead silence, as if time itself were weighing the pros and cons.
Finally, Professor McGonagall's eyelids began to uncontrollably twitch, and the next moment, her eyes...
Those emerald green eyes were covered with a faint, yet lifeless golden hue. The woman's appearance did not change at all, but her entire aura underwent a transformative upheaval. The once meticulous, disciplined, and ever-passionate professor had vanished—
William wrinkled his nose, a flash of barely concealed disgust crossing his face. Yes, he smelled that scent again—the same as that "Athena". It was like something marinated for a thousand years, brought from a rotten coffin, nauseating and putrid.
"Ha..."
Then, an unfamiliar, mocking female voice squeezed out from "McGonagall's" throat. The golden eyes became lively, fearlessly staring at William, and she slowly began to speak in an elongated tone, "No threat at all, heir... sir, so what can you do to me? Even if you know..."
"Know what? That you're just a lonely ghost relying on others for shelter?"
William rudely interrupted her, his tone contemptuous. He lifted his hand and brushed non-existent dust off his sleeve, put away his Magic Wand, and sat back down.
"McGonagall"—or rather, Hecate—the pale golden pupils slightly contracted, clearly irked by William's unceremonious words—
"Sharp-tongued, mortal, but unfortunately, you exposed your own weakness—you care about the owner of this body, so there's nothing you can do to me, although you might be able to forcibly separate my existence, but the consequence would be that this poor deputy headmistress' soul would be like torn parchment, utterly shattered."
"Do it, William!"
Professor McGonagall's consciousness was not dormant. Realizing the situation, she almost shouted without hesitation.
"Don't rush, Professor."
William crossed his arms, his tone calm, "Let's take it step by step—you..." At this, William paused. "Mortal, I allow you to respectfully call me..." Hecate's tone rose slightly, filled with triumph, "Moon Goddess—"
"Alright, another one of Zeus' umpteen illegitimate children..."
William nodded knowingly. Actually, he wasn't sure if this being was indeed one of Zeus' progeny—but if mentioned in Greek mythology, there's an 80% chance they're related to Zeus somehow. It's a matter of probability.
"...I have nothing to do with that man!"
The woman seemed to be touched on a nerve, almost roaring as she spoke. William could see she seemed to want to slam the table to amplify her presence, but at this moment, Snape's specially brewed Magic Potion was still coursing through McGonagall's blood, paralyzing her entire body except for her mouth.
"Oh, that's curious."
William nodded again, his attitude indifferent, "But it doesn't matter, now we can have an open conversation, like you surely think that last night's burglary was flawless, so why were you discovered, and why can't you contact that Wisdom Goddess until now—"
"Don't lump me with... wait, what do you mean?"
The woman who wanted to continue the debate about Zeus halted, her voice carrying an inescapable bewilderment as she stared wide-eyed at the calmly faced William—"You left something on Ares' arm?"
"Ah, looks like Miss Athena replied to you—yes, they're right next door."
William grinned, flashing two rows of dazzling white teeth, "Relax, they're being quite cooperative... now..." Then, with a slight lean forward, the inexplicable momentum made Hecate's body instinctively recline, but the next moment was brought back by a silent Cat Lady.
"So, I've shown my sincerity, ma'am—now it's your turn."
And so, Hecate's gaze locked firmly on William's face, seemingly evaluating the truth in his words and analyzing her current situation. After a long silence, that touch of "Gods" arrogance in her eyes finally gave way to caution. She realized that the facade of profundity she just put on had no effect on the man before her, and some matters needed gradual plotting.
"...What do you want to know?"
Hecate's voice was dry, tinged with reluctance, seemingly intending to compromise, "No need to think actually—Hera, right, your target can only be that woman. I can help you, but it will require compensation—"
"Not just that, … I want to know many things, but for now, you need to move out. Professor McGonagall is important to us, I'll find you a new 'home'. Don't worry, that guy has experience with having other souls living in his mind. I'm sure the two of you will get along remarkably well."
William stared at her for a few seconds, as if gauging the authenticity of her attitude. Then, he suddenly smiled, but that sunny smile inexplicably filled the woman with dread.
"—No way!"
Hecate flatly denied, her tone leaving no room for refusal, "My soul isn't something any random being can contain. Ordinary mortals would be swallowed by the Netherworld's darkness upon my touch—this body is one I sought for a long time and is the suitable one. It's not as simple as you think."
"...Is that true?"
This question wasn't from William, but from McGonagall herself. Professor Meow seemed a bit dazed by the other party's words, she frowned, and looked at William with a gaze seeking verification.
"That Netherworld darkness—just a peculiar ghost sneaking out from the Illusory Realm, master a little power, and you make yourself sound so profound? You truly deserve the title of 'Gods', persuading people like an old sow in a bra..."
William merely shook his head without commenting, "I had a hunch, that Athena wasn't telling the truth, seems like I'll have to use some means—"
Then, William leaned slightly forward, his gaze like a cold scalpel, dissecting all of the other party's disguises, "Besides, I think you've mistaken something, I'm not negotiating with you—"
His wrist moved slightly, the tip of the Magic Wand, already nestled in his palm, lit with a soft yet irresistibly powerful white glow.
"This is merely a notification."
Exhaustion, like a surging tide, engulfed the two spirits within this body without warning. Whether willing or not, both spirits were forcibly dragged away from the anchor of reality at this moment, sinking into a deeper level of consciousness—