Chapter 273: Son of Light

So that's how it is.

Tom only now realizes that Voldemort never intended to keep any promise from the start; even if he truly handed Harry over to Voldemort, the outcome he would receive would not change at all.

He would still be devoured by Tom Riddle, becoming the vessel for the other's resurrection.

Countless memories surged into Tom's mind.

Along with them rushed the emotions and sensations embedded in those memories.

Those gray emotions rose like a terrifying tide—cruel, selfish, indifferent—and he felt as if he were a merciless predator, seeing people merely as tools, servants, or enemies.

At the orphanage, he could mercilessly kill other orphans' pets, which made him feel he stood above others and could snatch away whatever mattered to them at any time.

When he started school, he shrewdly learned another method: he began wearing a gentle mask, pretending to be a friend, and discovered that this made people lower their guard and become easier to manipulate.

But whether in conversation or play, he never felt any joy; only Magic and the power it represented could fill the void in his heart.

Tom felt suffocated, clutching tightly the brief, one‑year memory that was his alone; amid the gray tide, that fleeting memory was like a shining pearl, emitting a faint glow.

But now the gray tide spread over everything, Li De Er's memories covering that sliver of light, and his despicable life was drowning him.

He watched Tom Riddle wear a false smile and win everyone's favor.

He saw him ask Slug about a Horcrux, and finally, he saw him open the secret chamber, releasing a basilisk that killed the mandrake.

Those memories made him feel unbearably ashamed.

So that is Tom Riddle.

So, this is me.

And I am destined to become a person like Voldemort.

This must be my fate; after all, that one year was merely a false life.

But at that moment, a voice rang in his mind.

【Is this what you want, Tom?】

He was startled, and in the next instant the memories entered another stage; he seemed to become a diary, communicating with an unknown person…

That person said some utterly bizarre things about the future, about war, about a Savior and the like…

He said, "Tom, become the Savior."

He, filled with curiosity, doubt and the joy of imminent resurrection, possessed that person's body.

Then, he saw…

Rocket plumes pierced the sky like Si Shen's nuclear bombs, a world of ruins, with Wizards scrambling for survival like ants and rats…

He saw swarms of machines covering the sky, battle tanks strewn across the hills, and fire raining down from the heavens.

He saw people's final struggles, death, wailing, despair, and flowers blooming on the scorched earth.

He saw that boy struggling, crawling, having lost everything yet clutching the last hope, opening his soul to him.

He heard the boy's name.

Lukas.

Son of Light.

Yet the next moment, he felt a personality awakening within his body.

"What is this, nonsense?"

The indifferent soul glanced at those memories and said, "Fortunately, I left that place."

He sensed the other's delight and relief, and immediately countless dark things erupted.

"Magic Stone, I will use the Magic Stone to resurrect, then slowly accumulate power. I must learn the lesson and cannot declare war on Muggles immediately… Hmm, it would be best to obtain those Muggles' nuclear bombs; in this era they aren't that strong yet, and if they start a Nuclear War, it would greatly weaken them and make control much easier…"

"Or we could infiltrate slowly, first dominate Wizards, then dominate Muggles…"

"Is this your plan?" he suddenly asked.

The personality looked at him and said, "What are you?"

In the realm of souls, Tom Riddle was like a black mountain, while he was as frail as a single seed.

Soon, Li De Er understood, "I lost my memory, attended a year of school? And stole the Magic Stone? This scheme is quite good, but how did I forget? Never mind, you're already useless."

Li De Er opened his huge mouth and swallowed Tom in one gulp.

【Is this what you want, Tom?】

【Do you want to hand your world over to someone like this?】

【You have already experienced love】

【You have already seen the light】

【You have already tasted despair, therefore you understand the greatness of hope】

【Now, will you still close your eyes?】

Professor McGonagall's words seemed to echo in his ears again, "The certainty after making a choice is the essence of being human."

Now, it seems the moment of choice has arrived.

It is to close his eyes, let fate defeat him, and walk the path to become a dark lord.

Or to struggle once more, to embrace another destiny?

A boy's sad yet devout face appeared before his eyes.

Lukas.

So, this is your name.

You… believe in me…

You need me…

In an instant, he seemed to feel a heavy weight pressing on his shoulder.

But instead of making him feel burdened and weary, it suddenly invigorated him.

He again recalled that prophecy.

He had previously heard it from Professor Te Li Lao Ni, and now heard it again in Lukas's memory.

He is a child born in death, his darkness stems from past years, the "Prophet" will grant him endless wisdom, and leave a key to him in the secret chamber… He will solve that puzzle, see the future… He will be resurrected after death, walking toward the Savior's destiny.

"Savior… So this is my destiny."

The tiny pearl suddenly burst with sun‑like light, that light pierced the endless dim memories, then tore, dissolved, and devoured them.

A brand‑new personality breaks its cocoon and is reborn.

……

Hogwarts, Murphy let out a sigh.

The seed was planted a year ago, and now he finally sees it blossom and bear fruit.

From now on, it's up to you, Tom.

Let this long game begin its conclusion.

……

In the cemetery, Quirrell stared at the struggling boy, massive Magic Power seemed to burst free, soaring skyward, stirring a vortex that flapped his clothing with a rustling sound.

Is this the master's Magic Power from his youth?

So massive and astonishing…

He even worries that if Tom also resurrects, the master might no longer need him.

After a while, the fluctuations of Magic Power finally ceased, Tom, as if exhausted, knelt on the ground, and the notebook fell onto his chest.

Now the Black Magic on that notebook has almost vanished, everything in the notebook seems to have transferred into that boy's body.

"Tom." Voldemort's voice called.

The boy slowly stood up, he tilted his head back, did not open his eyes, but his pupils moved rapidly.

Suddenly, he lowered his head, opened his eyes, then bowed toward Voldemort, "Lord Voldemort. I have awakened."

Voldemort was startled; he had thought he would still need to spend some effort to subdue this younger version of himself, but did not expect him to be so sensible, which made him happy, "Rise, Tom. You are also me, and you will become my most relied‑upon partner."

"You have brought me the Magic Stone and Harry Potter; I will resurrect together with you."

"Thank you, great Voldemort," Tom said, "My contribution is negligible; everything is thanks to your past foresight."

"However, although you have obtained the Magic Stone, how do you brew the Immortality Potion and the Reviving Potion? Have you already acquired the formulas?"

"In fact, I also got the Immortality Potion formula from Snape, but I am not familiar with the Reviving Potion…"

Chapter 2 Afternoon Edition

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(End of Chapter)