Chapter 300: Entreaty
Felix's heart felt heavy. Though he had only t Nicholas Flal once, they had exchanged ssages through magical photographs several tis. To Felix, Nicholas was more akin to a teacher.
"Wait a mont, Headmaster Dumbledore, I'll fetch sothing."
France, Paris.
Felix revisited an old place, guided by Dumbledore, to a quiet street where, separated by two roads, stood the Bsresles Hotel
the place where the Muggle conference was held during sumr vacation.
Here, he had witnessed a group of spirited young people. Their youthful faces were still vivid in his mory: the student leader Uriah, the captured yet unyielding Matt, the friendship- and family-oriented Byers, the innocent and lively Bethany...
Dumbledore handed Felix a piece of paper with "7 Montmorency Street" written on it. As Felix thought of this address, a white cottage suddenly materialized between two patches of grass.
"Fidelity Charm." This thought flickered through Felix's mind.
He glanced at the magnificent fiery clouds on the horizon and followed Dumbledore into the house. Inside was a dieval-style sitting room adorned with various odd-shaped glass containers, candlesticks, a brass globe, and several sofas covered with white sheets. The edges of the fireplace in the corner were blackened from smoke.
On the other side of a rotating staircase in the corner was an exquisite bookshelf filled with books. Opposite the bookshelf, on a table, sat a large crystal ball emitting light through a layer of thick dust.
Guided by Dumbledore, Felix ascended to a bedroom on the second floor. A small wooden sign hung on the coffee-colored door, bearing the nas "Nicholas and Perenelle."
Pushing the door open, an elderly man lay quietly on the bed. His chest didn't rise or fall, his face alarmingly pale. Only when Felix approached did he hear faint snoring.
"Nicholas," Dumbledore whispered, "Felix has co."
After a long while, the old man opened his eyes. A filmy layer covered his eyes, and his trembling voice asked, "Felix?"
"It's , Nicholas. Long ti no see," Felix said casually. He discreetly held the Sneakoscope hidden in his pocket. This belated Christmas gift might not be given now.
"Felix... I've been looking forward... to the day we truly et," Nicholas struggled to open his eyes wider, but all he saw was a blur. "However, things got delayed..."
"You had the Philosopher's Stone. How could it...?"
"Destroyed, my boy. I've lived almost seven centuries. Death... is not a bad thing."
Nicholas quivered as he extended a hand from under the blanket. "Felix... oh!" He let out a painful cry.
Felix heard a crisp crack sound. He remained silent for a mont. Even though it wasn't the right ti, he found himself wanting to laugh. He recalled the image of their first eting, with Nicholas gingerly moving away. He subtly twitched his fingers, causing the blanket to shift slightly downward.
"Thank you..."
Nicholas opened his palm, revealing a golden key.
"I know my ti is short, but that's not important... Perenelle and I have no children. Before I pass, I need to find soone to inherit my knowledge."
"Why ?" Felix asked. He specialized in magical linguistics, not alchemy. Nicholas Flal must have been well aware of that.
"I hope for a better world. You are the most suitable candidate, eting all my requirents. This is a carefully considered decision."
Felix's heart quickened. Nicholas Flal's centuries of research
what an imnse knowledge that was! Their paths were remarkably compatible, a natural connection existed.
"Have you thought this through?" Suppressing his emotions, Felix confird once more, subconsciously ignoring the old man's earlier words.
"Except for a little concern... I've attached a condition to it." Nicholas Flal turned his cheek toward the window, the faint sound of passing cars barely audible.
Felix's expression grew cautious. He knew it wouldn't be so simple. Yet, he didn't want to miss this rare opportunity. Whatever difficult condition Nicholas Flal proposed, he would strive to fulfill it. Moreover, he didn't believe Nicholas would ask him to do sothing he couldn't accomplish.
So he gently inquired, "What do you need
to do, Nicholas?"
The old man struggled to catch his breath, his chest heaving like a worn-out bellows. Dumbledore whispered, "Nicholas, you" but the old man shook his head. "Don't stop , Albus."
"Felix, do you remberdo you rember what I said when we first t? Old folks like to carve a niche for themselves in the world, seek a sense of security."
His eyes suddenly widened, his face devoid of color, appearing sowhat ghostly.
A sinking feeling gripped Felix's heart. He knew what Nicholas was about to say! And indeed, after a few breaths, the old man spoke, laboring, "Over this ti, I've been studying you. The more I learned, the more worried I beca about you taking the wrong path. Therefore... ah, cough cough! As long as... as long as you enter into a contract, everything I have... will be yours."
"An Unbreakable Vow?" Felix shaded his face in the shadow, his voice devoid of warmth.
The Unbreakable Vow was a powerful magical oath between wizards. Its potency was imnse, and the consequence of breaking it was death. Felix had entered magical contracts before, but compared to the Unbreakable Vow, the degree of constraint was worlds apart.
With the forr, he could find ways to escape or redirect the magical effects. But the latter, he had no way to escape it.
He couldn't bear to be caged like that!
Nicholas gasped, not saying anything. He fully confird Felix's guess and struggled to raise the key in his hand, but it seed he lacked the strength.
"After careful consideration, you ca up with this solution. You really outdid yourself," Felix remarked sarcastically.
"I, cough!... I know. If I had ti... I would've observed you for decades. But, Felix... I'm dying."
"That's your issue," Felix's pale blue eyes stared intently at Nicholas Flal, and he continually tried to lift the golden key in his hand. "Here's so advice for you. While you still have ti, find another person willing to make the deal."
Nicholas seed to gain so spirit. His words flowed more smoothly: "If... if you agree, you'll inherit all my possessions. Not just what you see here... I have twelve safe houses around the world, seven libraries. They hold almost seven centuries of my accumulation: alchemy, ancient magical languages, spellbooks, ancient magic... And I'm a governor at Bauxbatons. If you agree, everything will be yours..."
"Believe , the conditions aren't harsh." His eyes glead with hope.
Felix retorted coldly, "I'm not foolish. Aside from refusal, I have nothing to say."
Felix looked to Dumbledore, his gaze full of inquiry. "So, are you here as a witness?"
"No, Felix." Dumbledore sighed sadly. "I'm not sure of Nicholas's intentions." He turned to the old man and said gravely, "Nicholas, we both know this isn't a good solution."
Nicholas didn't argue. "I... I know. If I had ti... I would've observed him for decades. But, Felix... I'm dying."
"This is your business," Felix sat on the only chair, his right leg crossed, his black wand deftly twirling in his hand. He spoke nonchalantly, "What do you want to do? In your current state, you can't do much."
Nicholas smiled. "That's actually my advantage. I'm dying; this is my advantage." He emphasized the point.
Felix looked at him in surprise.
The old man continued gently, "Your answer has never changed. You detest external constraints. Therefore, I have a backup plan." He extended his hand, and a series of magical symbols ford in his palm, coalescing into a golden eye.
"Do you know ancient magic?"
"Living for a long ti has its benefits. You can draw parallels. In fact, I've never practiced..."
Felix asked cautiously, "What do you want from ?"
"From you? No, no. I just thought of paying a visit to your ho..."
"Don't even think about it!" Don't even think about entering my mind.
"I'm dying, Felix." The old man extended his hand, looking at him with a pleading gaze. "No one will hear your secrets from ."
Silence enveloped them. In the stillness, Felix seed to see the old man's life slipping away bit by bit. Each breath ca with a hiss akin to a serpent's, and he suddenly softened. Angrily, he said, "I'll watch you die. You won't die in peace!"
Nicholas Flal burst into hearty laughter. For him, at this mont, death was a blessing. His tone carried a contented resignation, "You won't be disappointed."
Felix stood up and walked briskly to the side of the bed, scrutinizing the frail and pallid hand. Just as it was about to descend, he grabbed it firmly.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a mber of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.Your na will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".The power to vote on which novel I translate next.You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
You get to suggest a Novel for
to translate.You get access to Digital art.Your na featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
You get to recomnd a Novel and I will imdiately start translating it.Your na featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
Reviews
All reviews (0)