Cherreads

Chapter 112 -  I’m Waiting for Cooldown—What Are You Waiting For?

[You have read The Seth Book. You have understood the nature of the soul. You have gained the feat Soul Manipulation and obtained Necromancy Specialization.]

[The soul is the essence of mental power. Your understanding of psionics deepens. Your Psion level +2.]

[Necromancy Specialization: You are proficient in necromantic magic. As you advance as a wizard, you will gradually comprehend the core spells of the Necromancy school.]

Lewis lay back in the reclining chair, quietly feeling the surge of power he had just gained.

A strange look crossed his face.

Isn't this basically a Warlock from World of Warcraft…?

Soul Manipulation granted him a series of spells:

Soul Tear (1st Circle, Necromancy): Directly damages the soul, weakening the target.

Drain Soul (2nd Circle, Necromancy): Absorbs weakened souls—living or dead—creating Soul Shards, which are required for certain spells.

Create Soulstone (2nd Circle, Necromancy): Imprints a soul mark onto a magically compatible object, turning it into a soul container.

Soul Link (3rd Circle, Necromancy): Links the caster's soul to a contracted creature, allowing damage to be shared.

Soul Fire (5th Circle, Necromancy): Ignites a flame that burns only the soul, dealing devastating damage. If the target dies, it produces a Soul Shard.

Soul Ritual (7th Circle, Necromancy): Consumes Soul Shards to create a Soul Well, rapidly restoring health and magic to nearby beings.

Soulstone: A vessel capable of containing newly deceased or ownerless souls.

Soul Shard: Fragments of soul energy used for advanced magic, rituals, or bargaining with infernal entities.

This system—

Almost perfectly mirrored a warlock's soul-based toolkit.

With this—

Lewis could directly interfere with souls.

That made him a natural counter to Horcruxes.

Their greatest strength lay in the fact that ordinary people couldn't affect them.

But Lewis?

He could bypass their magical defenses entirely—

And attack the soul within.

Beyond that, these abilities had other uses.

After killing an enemy, he could trap their soul—denying resurrection entirely.

Or—

If an ally died beyond saving, he could preserve their soul temporarily… awaiting future revival.

In DnD terms, soul-binding spells like Trap the Soul or Soul Bind were 8th or 9th Circle magic—only accessible to archmages.

But here?

Even a beginner warlock could casually trap souls.

And now—

So could he.

Naturally—

He needed a test subject.

Closing the book, Lewis dispelled the Magnificent Mansion and returned to Hogwarts.

He went straight to the eighth floor.

Stopping before the tapestry of the troll, he paced back and forth—

Then opened the Room of Requirement.

The "hidden things" chamber.

Inside—

It was the same as ever.

A mountain of forgotten objects:

Bottles, broken textbooks, strange robes, odd contraptions…

A graveyard of secrets.

This place—

Had earned him his first fortune.

Now—

It would give him something far more valuable.

Lewis wandered through the endless clutter, searching.

Soon—

He found it.

A weathered statue of an old wizard, pockmarked and worn.

On its head sat a filthy wig—

And a faded, ancient crown.

At a glance, it looked like a mannequin head from a barber shop.

But Lewis knew exactly what it was.

He walked forward, silently sealing his thoughts with psionic power.

Just as he reached it—

A hoarse voice echoed.

"You are… a Hogwarts student?"

Familiar.

Lewis remembered it—

From Quirrell's screams.

Ah… Voldemort.

Long time no see.

Or perhaps—

Nice to meet you.

Internally amused, Lewis put on a clueless expression.

"Who are you?"

"Child, do you know the Sorting Hat?"

"Of course," Lewis replied innocently. "I'm a Hogwarts student."

"Good," the voice said. "Then this is easy to explain."

"I am the consciousness within Ravenclaw's diadem. Much like the Sorting Hat."

"Really?"

Lewis widened his eyes in fake amazement.

"That's incredible! I've heard wearing Ravenclaw's diadem grants wisdom equal to Rowena Ravenclaw herself—but it's been lost for a thousand years!"

"It was never lost," the voice replied.

"I have been waiting here… for a worthy successor."

"So if I found you… that means I'm chosen, right?"

Lewis suppressed his excitement perfectly.

"Finding it is only the first step," the crown said patiently. "You must pass my test."

"What test?"

"Wear the diadem. Open your mind—just like with the Sorting Hat. Then I will determine if you are worthy."

The voice softened.

Tempting.

Hypnotic.

"If you succeed… I will grant you all of Ravenclaw's wisdom."

"That's amazing!"

Lewis stepped forward eagerly, grabbing the crown and raising it toward his head.

"Yes… that's it…"

The whisper continued.

But just as the diadem touched his hair—

Lewis stopped.

"…What are you waiting for?" the voice urged. "Don't you want Ravenclaw's wisdom?"

Lewis smiled coldly.

"I'm waiting for my cooldown."

He paused.

"…What are you waiting for?"

Before the crown could react—

Pale, translucent flames ignited in his hands.

The fire looked gentle.

Almost harmless.

No heat.

But the moment it touched the diadem—

It erupted.

A shriek tore through the air.

"AAAAAAHHHH—WHAT IS THIS FIRE—AAAAHHH—!"

Lewis's smile widened.

"Yep. Same sound."

Exactly like Quirrell screaming when he touched Harry.

Satisfied, Lewis spoke calmly:

"Honestly, preparing a 5th Circle spell takes time. If you hadn't rushed me… Soul Fire might not have hit you."

He tilted his head slightly.

"You had your chance. You just couldn't take it."

The Horcrux—

Had no way to respond.

Consumed by soul-burning flames—

It was erased completely.

A fragment remained.

Soul Shard +1.

Lewis glanced at it and clicked his tongue.

"Only one shard?"

He sighed.

"You're really not living up to your title as the Dark Lord."

Pocketing the shard casually, he turned his attention back to the diadem.

Now—

Free of corruption.

"Now this…"

He picked it up again, eyes gleaming.

"…this is the real treasure."

"Let's see what you can do."

If you want to read 60 chapters ahead of the public release, head over to: Patreon.com/RedString 

More Chapters