Anton demonstrates great perseverance in his work, diligently practicing the 'Soul-shifting Curse' every day, even when the light rain in the forest persists.
The sensation of almost grasping it, yet being unable to fully comprehend it, leads him to question whether he can effectively master it on his own.
"You are clearly going astray," Fiennes suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Anton smiled faintly. "Didn't you bother Pedro today?"
Fiennes chuckled. "I was so annoyed that I couldn't bear it anymore. I activated the time-turner, intending to go back a few days ago to prevent myself from concluding the 'Unbreakable Oath' with you and drive you out of the house."
Anton was taken aback. "Is that even possible?"
Fiennes waved his hand, shaking his head. "Impossible."
"He cannot change anything. No one can alter anything with a time-turner."
"Besides, he is also bound by the 'Unbreakable Oath'. If he prevents himself from making a contract with you, Lupin will not fall into his hands, and he will lose the opportunity to fulfill the agreement."
"Hahaha, my foolish teacher." Fiennes chuckled mischievously.
After playfully mocking his own foolish teacher on a daily basis, Fiennes transitioned into a teaching mode.
"Practicing against a tree won't teach you black magic. Although you may appear to be doing it decently now, it's only surface-level learning," Fiennes remarked.
Anton nodded in agreement. "I feel the same way. I always sense that something is missing."
Gliding closer, Fiennes continued, "If I couldn't provide you with a comprehensive answer before, all I can say is that black magic is intended for causing harm, not for amusement. To be effective, you must take a life."
"Now, I have gained a new understanding of life and magic." Anton reflected, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
"Listen closely, you little rascal. Wherever life has been extinguished, there will always be traces left behind." Fiennes emphasized, his eyes filled with a haunting wisdom.
"When you take someone's life, their tragic fate becomes deeply imprinted in your memory and soul. This becomes the fundamental wellspring of power for black magic." He continued, his voice growing more solemn.
"This memory, this experience, silently transforms your heart and will, and influences the magic you release through your intent." Fiennes explained, his words carrying a weight of caution.
"For instance, when you torture someone with the Cruciatus Curse, the longer you inflict pain, the more you comprehend the anguish and contortions of their body. This is the secret behind the Cruciatus Curse." He concluded, his expression a mix of remorse and understanding.
"These notions may be profound, and I'm uncertain if you can fully grasp them." Fiennes added, his gaze searching for any signs of comprehension in Anton's eyes.
"Understood," Anton murmured. "In other words, effective spellcasting can enhance one's proficiency."
"???" Fiennes looked puzzled.
"It's nothing, just a peculiar saying that may not be entirely appropriate, but I understand, sir. Please continue," Anton reassured him.
"Very well," Fiennes responded, a tinge of sadness in his voice. "I failed to comprehend it before, no matter how simply you explained it. As a ghost, I am unable to fully grasp such concepts."
Anton chuckled softly. "No worries, it's not necessary. Even if you were alive, these words might still be beyond understanding."
Anton then invited Fiennes to his oak hut, urging him to find parchment and record what he had just said, while also encouraging him to listen attentively.
"By following this line of thinking, you will discover something truly remarkable," Fiennes declared, determined to maintain his dignity as a teacher.
"Your life, your memories, your experiences—they all become essential factors that influence magic." Fiennes emphasized, his voice filled with wisdom.
"You can only progress further on the path of magic if you gain enough experiences," Fiennes explained, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"And in doing so, you must remember that your will must be unwavering from beginning to end. When your experiences become the fuel for your determination, you will be able to effortlessly control various forms of magic that rely on emotions," He continued.
"Now, after discussing these theories, let's move on to something practical," Fiennes suggested.
"If you've read my diary, you should be aware of the two spells I excel at," He added.
Anton's eyes lit up. "The Cruciatus and the Shield Charm, the Shield Charm!" He exclaimed.
"Hehehe," Fiennes chuckled. "It seems you have caught on, specifically the Shield Charm."
"You may be deceived by its seemingly ordinary name, assuming it to be a simple spell," Fiennes proudly waved his hand. "No, in fact, there may be a few who are familiar with it, but true mastery is rare. That's what sets us apart from the Ministry of Magic."
Anton was surprised. "The Ministry of Magic?"
Fiennes nodded with a smile, his head momentarily falling off before he quickly caught it and reattached it.
"Understanding does not mean mastering," Fiennes waved his arms. "When you are attacked, when you face tension in your heart, many spells that can be released smoothly will not be released. Only then will you be able to release them. Know how shallow your knowledge of this spell is."
"The Shield Charm is a promising spell. Can you imagine what it would be like to become a master of the Shield Charm?"
Anton swallowed nervously.
Fiennes continued to describe the wonderful scene. "Except for life-threatening spells released by extremely powerful dark wizards, all other attacks will be ineffective against you. As long as you stand there, no one can shake it."
"As it happens, although I can't be called a master in terms of the Shield Charm, I can still be considered a master." Fiennes said with a hint of pride.
"First of all, let me tell you the secret of how this spell delves into its depths before I explain the basics of casting the spell." He continued, his voice filled with anticipation.
"That's the wizard's will!" Fiennes declared.
Anton's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Wizards are like gods!"
"Hahaha, you little genius is really smart," Fiennes chuckled. "Yes, that's right. It's the same principle. Command your magic power, command this spell, command it to resist all damage."
Fiennes was obviously prepared for this moment.
From correcting pronunciation and gestures at the beginning, to learning how to quickly chant the incantation in the later stages to shorten the casting speed, Fiennes provided detailed instructions.
Then, Fiennes began to describe in detail the process of casting the Shield Charm. He had cast it 384 times in the more than 60 years since he learned it, commenting and explaining each scene and reaction.
This course was destined to be long, and Anton spent his days diligently absorbing the experience of the old man, staying in the hut.
The notes recorded on the desk had piled up like a hill. a testament to their extensive knowledge.
Until one day...
Anna knocked on Anton's door.
"Mr. Pedro invites you to come over. Tonight is the night of the full moon." She informed him.
Anton hadn't responded yet, and Fiennes chuckled, taking the lead. "Great, I finally have the opportunity to appreciate my foolish teacher and do something foolishly in such a foolish way."
With that, he sank straight into the ground, disappearing from sight.
Anton was left astonished, unsure of how the old wizard had returned to the wooden house on the island through the stone gate.
Anna looked curiously at the towering pile of parchment paper, filled with handwriting. Obviously, these were some kind of materials. "Have you written so much during this time?" she asked.
Due to her childhood experiences, Anna had limited contact with her peers.
When Anton first arrived, she was filled with happiness, believing that she had finally found a friend. (She was only nine years old at the time.)
However, to her disappointment, this little boy showed no intention of becoming her friend.
Upon his arrival, he was carried in by a middle-aged man and sat in a chair with his eyes closed, remaining silent.
As time passed, he spent most of his days locked inside the house, with the exception of a few initial days spent in the woods practicing magic spells.
Although she was very curious, but according to noble etiquette, a lady couldn't casually knock on the door of a single man, as it was deemed inappropriate.
The little boy didn't immediately respond to her question.
Instead, he gazed at the documents with a peculiar expression and let out a deep breath, as if he had just released a burden.
He then smiled brightly at her, his smile filled with a sense of relief. "Yes, these are the magic spells my teacher has taught me." He explained.