Chapter 50: The Debate on Dark Magic

In the dim office.

The conversation continued.

As expected, Allen Finis was stumped by Professor Quirrell's question; he hurriedly argued, "Hogwarts forbids Dark Magic, doesn't it? Moreover, using certain Dark Magic spells is explicitly prohibited by the Ministry of Magic."

Professor Quirrell's expression grew even more playful; he spoke softly, "Young people see problems so simply, so black and white! At your age, you must learn to view a problem dialectically."

Allen Finis wanted to refute, feeling indignant, but nothing came out.

Professor Quirrell looked at Allen Finis's indignant expression with amusement and said gently, "Every wizard in the Wizarding World has once studied Dark Magic and mastered some of it. Even Dumbledore possesses much Dark Magic you cannot imagine. Hogwarts only forbids teaching Dark Magic in class; it does not prohibit private research into Dark Magic, does it?"

Allen Finis was stunned by this news; he admitted he was indeed ignorant in this regard. In his imagination, Dark Magic was like gambling, drugs, and prostitution in his past life—things one could not even touch.

"The Restricted Section of the Hogwarts library holds the largest collection of Dark Magic books in the entire British Wizarding World. Senior students or those with a professor's signature can borrow them. So, do you think Dark Magic is explicitly forbidden at Hogwarts?" Professor Quirrell felt he had already breached the defenses in Allen Finis's heart and wanted to press harder.

"Therefore, the power of magic itself has no right or wrong; only the users are divided into evil and good!" Allen Finis came to his senses and summarized.

This answer was unexpected for Professor Quirrell; he couldn't help but think more highly of Allen Finis in his heart and slowly applauded Allen Finis's statement: "Insightful! So, those who use and study Dark Magic are not bad people, correct?"

Allen Finis fell silent; he did not want to respond to Professor Quirrell, only saying silently in his heart, "Not necessarily!"

Allen Finis did not know why the topic had strayed so far, but it was also a topic that interested him greatly.

"Then why is magic still divided into Dark Magic and other magic?" Allen Finis had been curious about this question for a long time.

"Well asked!" Professor Quirrell praised. "Magic power originally had no black or white, but later it was artificially divided into black and white."

"You often study Ancient Runes; you surely know the history of wizards dominating the world. Actually, during the era of wizardly hegemony, magic had no distinction between black and white. On the contrary, the so-called Dark Magic of today was very popular in that era. Wizards spent vast amounts of time researching and using them. Do you know why?" Professor Quirrell asked Allen Finis in return.

"Why? Is it because Dark Magic has greater power?" Allen Finis guessed.

"Correct! Dark Magic possesses power far surpassing other magics. In that war-torn era, mercy toward an enemy was cruelty toward oneself. Therefore, that time emphasized how to quickly render enemies combat-incapable, so Dark Magic was the best choice!" Professor Quirrell's tone grew increasingly resonant.

Allen Finis was also stirred to boiling blood by this passage.

"Then why did wizards later begin to divide magic?" Allen Finis's thirst for knowledge was thoroughly aroused.

"It is because of the hypocrisy of modern wizards! They have forgotten the glory of their ancestors; they have stayed in peaceful times for too long; they have begun to fear the very powers that allowed their ancestors to dominate the world!" Professor Quirrell said with hatred.

"They have not experienced war for a long time; they have long forgotten the cruelty of war; they have become so weak! They have even legislated to ban spells that once opened countless living spaces for humanity!" Professor Quirrell's eyes began to turn red; he waved his arms, delivering a rousing speech.

Allen Finis frowned tightly; he did not expect there to be such a story within this.

"Those hypocrites forbid Dark Magic on one hand,

yet they themselves master much Dark Magic; they privately research Dark Magic as well, because researching magic cannot bypass the Dark Magic they speak of!" Professor Quirrell satisfiedly admired Allen Finis's expression; he felt his words had already altered some of Allen Finis's perceptions.

This information indeed revolutionized Allen Finis's understanding; he fell into deep thought; he felt Professor Quirrell had said nothing wrong.

This made him suddenly feel that Dark Magic was not so unacceptable; he suddenly became interested in Dark Magic. After all, power itself has no right or wrong; the distinction between good and evil ultimately belongs to those who wield power. However, he now needed more information.

After a long while, he finally spoke: "When I first came here to ask you, the powerful spells you mentioned were Dark Magic, correct? I recall you intended to teach me knowledge in this area at that time."

Professor Quirrell looked deeply into Allen Finis's eyes, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Teaching Dark Magic is not allowed at Hogwarts! Besides, you refused back then!"

Allen Finis was choked by this remark; he did not expect Professor Quirrell to still hold such a grudge over previous matters, so he began to change the subject: "You said those spells were much more powerful than the spells we are learning now?"

Allen Finis's little schemes could not hide from the cunning Professor Quirrell; he looked at Allen Finis playfully and spoke slowly: "Yes, those spells were invented, improved, and promoted by wizards during the magical racial wars. They were spells truly used in war and tested through countless battles. The spells you are learning now are like playing house!"

Professor Quirrell denied beforehand that he intended to teach Dark Magic to Allen Finis, yet his words implied that what he had prepared to teach was indeed Dark Magic.

"Oh~ no, not like, it IS playing house! Among Hogwarts' annual graduates, very few students choose to become Aurors. They come to Hogwarts to learn only to use magic for a better life, then find a respectable office job. Isn't this playing house?" Professor Quirrell's tone became increasingly mocking.

Professor Quirrell's words made Allen Finis's heart flutter. Although he had already mastered the Petrification Spell and the Leg-Locker Curse, just as Professor Quirrell said, compared to those spells truly used in war, these two spells were indeed playing house. Furthermore, improving his combat ability was an urgent matter for him now.

Since the essence of Dark Magic was like this, then studying it should be fine; it would surely increase his chances of surviving when intervening in the plot. One must not stop eating for fear of choking! Allen Finis made up his mind.

He looked at Professor Quirrell with an inquiring gaze, his eyes still carrying some pleading.

Professor Quirrell indeed understood what Allen Finis wanted to express; this little fox had finally taken the bait! This made Professor Quirrell feel very comfortable; even the anger from a few days ago dissipated a bit. He felt he had already taken the first step toward controlling Allen Finis.

"I have already said it; Hogwarts forbids teaching Dark Magic! If discovered, we two would likely be expelled from Hogwarts. After all, although Dumbledore is very old, he is not at all confused. If you accidentally expose yourself, you will ruin both of us." Professor Quirrell spoke words of refusal to Allen Finis, yet his eyes always carried encouragement.

Allen Finis knew this old fox did not trust him, and he surely had a way, so he asked very tactfully: "I really want to learn those powerful spells. Professor, please teach me! I definitely will not expose it."

Professor Quirrell was very pleased in his heart, but his face remained expressionless.

"Since you are so eager to learn, I will make an exception. However, your promise is worthless. If you want to learn Dark Magic, you must establish an Unbreakable Vow with me!" Professor Quirrell finally revealed his purpose.

"An Unbreakable Vow? What is that thing?"