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Darren took a pale step back, his voice trembling.
"I'm sorry, Professor. It's my fault… you can punish however you want. I—I'm really sorry…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
"Since you know you were wrong," Lockhart said with a sudden bright smile, "co here. Let's duel—fair and just. I'll let you experience a professor's true strength!"
Darren wanted to ask:
What about your dignity?
Are you not even afraid of dying today?
Then Lockhart leaned close and muttered in a flattering rush:
"Darren, you hurt earlier—won't you help out? Just pretend that I injure you badly. Fall down, cough a little blood, writhe in pain. Do it well, and I'll choose you for my werewolf demonstration next ti!"
…
Lockhart was insane.
His little holy father had worked so hard to avoid being dragged into Lockhart's ridiculous "demonstrations," and now Lockhart wanted him to volunteer as a werewolf victim?
[Ding, sensing opportunity for Holy Father system performance.
Temporary Task Released:
—Agree to Lockhart's request.
—Appear frightened and pale, as if pressured.
—After Lockhart attacks, knock him back with Expelliarmus.
—Imdiately apologize with guilt. ]
[Ding, reward: One-Day Pass to Grindelwald's Mindscape.
Will the host accept?]
A one-day pass into Grindelwald's mind?
The place where he and Nicole t?
He knew entering another powerful wizard's mind was extrely dangerous. The stronger the mind, the higher the risk of death.
But if the system gave it, it shouldn't kill him.
[Accept.]
Of course he accepted.
How could a little holy father refuse such a request from a professor?
He snorted internally, then imdiately let his face go paler and weaker.
"O-okay… I'll do it…"
Lockhart burst into delighted laughter.
Of course. As long as you talked to Darren Potter, things usually went your way.
Darren never refused anyone.
He should have been doing this from the very beginning—then everyone would believe he was powerful, respected, admired.
Especially now that so people outside Hogwarts were starting to question him after recent events. They claid he couldn't even save a child. They said he exaggerated his abilities in his books. So jealous n even wrote mocking letters.
Lockhart had been furious.
So he created the Dueling Club.
Not because he wanted Snape's help—Snape was terrifying, and Lockhart didn't dare provoke him.
But for so reason Snape insisted on "assisting" and had beaten him twice already.
Fortunately, Darren Potter existed.
Darren Potter's strength was unquestioned—many wizards believed that if Darren used standard spells, he could chase down Death Eaters better than many Aurors.
And Darren had a good, gentle temperant.
If he helped Lockhart look powerful, no one would know otherwise.
He was the perfect tool.
Especially since he had "hit back" just now—oh, excellent framing!
"Darren," Lockhart whispered smugly, "you must fight back. Make it look real! Then, at the end, show my overwhelming strength. Collapse. Cough so blood. Don't worry—I won't kill you!"
Good lord.
His confidence was delusional.
Still, Darren nodded like a frightened child.
Lockhart walked back onto the platform, chest puffed out.
"Well! Now begins the duel between and Darren Potter. As you all know, Darren is exceptionally skilled. He even participated in a small battle the other day—although, sadly, nine students died—"
Darren's eyes reddened instantly.
His whole expression trembled.
He clearly hated being reminded of that.
Even if he could face it, he never wanted to hear it said aloud.
Seeing Darren's eyes redden, most of the students and professors glared furiously at Lockhart.
"Teach—Professor… c-could you please not… talk about that…? Let's just begin…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
Darren lowered his head and quietly wiped his eyes.
The effect was explosive.
The entire hall bristled with anger.
They had all avoided ntioning that tragedy in front of him. They didn't want him to suffer more guilt. But Lockhart had dragged it out publicly, even after seeing Darren's face change.
It was infuriating.
"Can you get on with it?!"
"Yeah! Stop talking!"
"I'm bored. I should've stayed in bed!"
"Waste of ti!"
Students shouted openly.
Lockhart's expression stiffened for a mont, but he forced a thick-skinned smile.
Just when Darren thought he would ramble even longer—forcing him to pretend to be sad even more—Lockhart suddenly raised his wand:
"Expelliarmus!"
Darren's heart jumped.
This idiot.
A sneak attack like that—if Dumbledore had been present, Lockhart's life would have ended instantly.
"Protego—sorry! Sorry, Professor! I didn't react!"
Darren pretended to be flustered as he raised his wand.
His spell shot out before he "regretted" it.
Lockhart was nearly killed on the spot.
"I'm sorry, Professor! How—how do I help you?! Right, the infirmary! I'll take you—let's go!"
[Ding, congratulations to the host: Reward Granted — One-Day Tour of Grindelwald's Mindscape.]
A full day inside Grindelwald's mind, without danger.
Good. The system wouldn't lie.
But Darren had no idea what he was supposed to do there.
Walk in and say:
"Hello sir, I'm a Hogwarts student here to… uh… sightsee your mind. Very curious. I'll leave after I'm done looking."
Yes.
That sounded… perfectly ridiculous.
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