'Gilderoy Lockhart? Never heard of him,' Harry thought. From the way this man strutted around, Harry expected him to be some sort of famous figure.
"I'm James Evans," Harry lied. It was partially out of habit, but also because there was something about Gilderoy Lockhart that felt off, which made him distinctly uncomfortable.
"James, is it? It's great to meet you. It's truly an honor to meet someone with a Rank 4 Magic Spirit. Oh, how long we've waited… HAHA!"
That last laugh seemed a bit out of place, just a bit too forced. If they weren't already before, Harry's senses were on full alert.
"Now, let me repeat my earlier offer. Would you do me the honor of becoming my disciple?"
Before Harry could agree or disagree, Lockhart shot out of his seat and began to pace the room, all the while talking to himself and stroking his portraits.
"Since you don't recognize me, I suppose you haven't heard of my numerous accomplishments. Well then, if you'd just give me a few minutes to, how should I say it, advertise myself, HAHA, I'm sure I can convince you to accept my offer."
"My tale starts during my youth, when I was just a bit older than you are now, in fact. At that time, I was already well-known across the lands for my great cultivation talent. HAHA! I was just a young lad, but with a heart bursting with righteous. I longed for adventure, and set out to do some good in the world, as a cultivator as noble as myself should. My first claim to fame occurred in a remote village called Bandon, which was being threatened by a banshee…"
Harry mentally groaned as Lockhart dove into an obviously well-rehearsed speech. Actually, it was less of a speech, and more like endless self-flattery. If anything, Harry had to admire Lockhart for just how much he could talk about himself.
"This was a terrifying monster, horrifying in appearance! It had killed 10, no 20, no, it was more like 40, of the residents of Bandon! But for a cultivator as brave and daring as I, it was no problem at all for me to face the beast!"
'What's a banshee?' Harry wondered. From the way Lockhart failed to give it a proper description… he was beginning to get suspicious.
"After I reached Bandon, I quickly tracked the banshee down to it's lair. Oh, it was a terrifying monster, 10 meters tall, no, 20 meters tall! The moment it saw me, it began to attack! In less than a second, it covered a distance of 10 meters, no 20 meters, no 50 meters! But I was faster, and..."
As Lockhart began spouting off the same flowery phrases over and over, Harry just tuned him out, and tried to look at anywhere but Lockhart. But that proved to be difficult.
"…and that's how I used my strength, daring, and wits to defeat the banshee terrifying the village!"
"Next… let's see, how about this one? Funny story, actually. It happened while I was on holiday. Though for someone as famous as me, it's difficult to get any time away, HAHA! Anyways, I was taking a rest from my heroic adventures, but in my travels, I stumbled upon a clan of hags. Hags, if you don't know, are savage creatures that eat children. They have a taste for human flesh – the younger, the better, HAHA!"
"The clan I stumbled upon was the largest ever recorded in our empire, with at least 100 members. No, there were 200 members. No, it was actually 300!" Lockhart exclaimed, spreading his arms wide above his head.
"I've got no clue how such a large clan went unnoticed for so long, but it was good luck for the entire Scarlet Phoenix Empire that I was there! I entered my battle pose" – here, Lockhart got into an odd stance, balanced on one foot, with both arms and other leg sticking out at strange angles – "and valiantly fought the entire clan."
Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Who the hell fought like that? By now, he was convinced this man was a fraud. How he had reached his level of cultivation, and even became a city head, Harry had no clue.
"Oh, this battle lasted for 3 days and 3 nights, no, it was 5 days and 5 nights, no, it was 10 days and 10 nights, HAHA! It was a long and arduous fight, but at the end, the whole clan of hags lay dead at my feet, and alone I stood, victorious. My body dripped with blood, and was riddled with dozens of wounds, no, hundreds of wounds, but it was my brave spirit that kept me standing! HAHAHA! If it weren't for my humble nature and desire to be out of the spotlight, I'm sure that battle would have been recorded in empire's history books!"
'Humble nature?' Harry almost dropped his mouth open. Finally, he had met somebody who's face was thicker than his own.
'Please tell me it's over -'
"Next, my encounter with a werewolf!" Lockhart dramatically leapt over to another painting, and Harry stifled a groan. On and on Lockhart droned on, telling a tale of him defeating a werewolf, then a vampire, finally some kind of creature called a yeti in the far northern reaches of the empire. By that point, Harry's eyes had long glazed over.
"James? James?"
He was brought back to attention by Lockhart repeatedly calling his name.
"Well, what do you think?" he beamed at Harry.
"Er, very impressive," Harry said half-heartedly.
"Why yes, I agree, HAHA! Then, how about it? Are you willing to become my disciple?"
'No freaking way!' Harry wanted to yell. But, he didn't want to offend this man, at least, not if he could help it, and opted for a more diplomatic approach.
"I'm sure it would be an honor to be your disciple. But, it's just too sudden, that's all. Can I have some time to think it over?"
Harry didn't miss the crestfallen expression on Lockhart's face – but more than that – did he see a flash of irritation?
"I understand," Gilderoy Lockhart sighed, with a disappointed expression on his face. "Then allow me to show you a token of my sincerity. I can tell from your dress that you're quite, er, how should I say it… you've fallen on hard times, to put it nicely, HAHA! Let me present you a gift, a kind of master-to-disciple offering. Perhaps this will change your mind, HAHA!"
From his pocket, he took out a small vial, and upended it to drop a pill into his palm. This pill was spherical in shape, and perfectly clear, almost like a small glass marble. Through it, Harry could see straight through the other side.
The moment Harry laid his eyes on the pill, he stiffened in surprise. A hundred thoughts raced through his head. Without meaning to, he involuntarily backed up.
"What's wrong? Do you recognize this pill?" Gilderoy Lockhart asked, an odd tone in his voice. Harry couldn't quite place it – was it apprehension?
"No, I don't!" Harry said quickly. "I was just surprised to see a pill, that's all."
"I see, I see. Well, if you agree to become my disciple, you would have pills like these regularly. This pill is a precious pill for cultivation use – it can definitely help your cultivation rise a level, HAHA! Best of all, it has no impurities within. Well, what do you think?"
Harry's eyes flickered between the pill and Lockhart's smiling face. He couldn't find the words to say – they were all stuck in throat – and he felt like he'd choke.
"James? Is something wrong?"
"It's just, er, I think I ate something bad back in the restaurant. My stomach is hurting now, and if I took the pill, I might just throw it up. I need to use the toilet."
Lockhart frowned intently at Harry, seeming to suspect he was lying. Harry held a tense breath – but then Lockhart relaxed, and the foolish smile was back on face.
"Of course, not a problem. Show him the way," Lockhart nodded at the formation master, who got up and led Harry out of the room. He led Harry through a few corridors, finally arriving at the bathroom.
And once Harry was alone in the bathroom, he collapsed against the wall.
'Oh, how the hell did this happen to me? What am I supposed to do?' he moaned.
The moment he saw that pill, a wealth of information about it appeared in his brain.
This pill was made from White Sopophorous Bean, Asphodel Root, Worm Wood Grass, Royal Staff Lily and the brain of an Earth Grade sloth. This is an extremely powerful sleeping pill, one that can send the user into a deathlike slumber. Refine the essence of Worm Wood Grass and Royal Staff Lily…
Very detailed instructions on how to create the pill also appeared in his mind, but Harry didn't have the time to dwell on that. All he knew was if he had swallowed the pill, he would be unconscious right now.
'How did that information appear in my mind? It was almost like that thing I can do with Magic Plants – no, no, that's not important right now! What's important is – why the hell does Lockhart want to put me to sleep?'
Suddenly, he thought about the way Lockhart was always fiddling with his hair, or flashing him a large smile. Could it be – a shudder ran through his body – Lockhart had those kind of preferences, and wanted him unconscious so he wouldn't resist?
Then while he was unconscious… Lockhart would proceed to perform some unspeakable acts on him… while he was being stared at by 100, no, 200 painted versions of the man...
Without even realizing it, his hands had moved behind his back, and were firmly covering his buttocks.
'Come on Harry, don't be ridiculous. Think, think! What does he really want?'
'Could he have taken out the wrong pill? But no, that's not right. The way he looked at me when I failed to conceal my surprise – he was worried that I recognized it. All that stuff about it being precious and useful to cultivation – it's a lie!'
'But, what does he really want?'
Harry forced himself to calm down, and rationally think through the possibilities.
'Obviously, he's interested in my Magic Spirit. He thinks I have a Rank 4 Magic Spirit – he's been waiting for someone like me for a long time. He wants to do something that involves my spirit… and requires me to be unconscious. But what is it?'
He felt that guess was closer to the truth, but for the life of him, he couldn't understand just what sinister intentions Lockhart had.
'But no matter what they are, there's one thing that's clear. I can't stay here any longer!' he exclaimed.
'I have to make a run for it!'
Harry exited the bathroom, his face set into a mask of calm. The formation master was waiting right outside. This time, Harry clearly saw the not-so-friendly look that had always been present in his eyes, the kind of look a man got when he was staring at a juicy meal, or a pot of gold.
"Ready to head back?
"Just one more thing..." Harry said slowly.
"What is it?"
Burning Blood! Rebirthing Muscle!
"This!"
Against this man, Harry didn't dare to hold anything back.
He punched the man as hard as he could, and the formation master's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden attack. He hadn't expected Harry to have seen through his and Lockhart's intentions, so he wasn't prepared at all. The strike caught him unaware, a massive force that greatly exceeded the 2nd level of the Qi Absorption Realm slammed into him, and he was flung far away, crashing into the far end of the hall. Harry must have sent him flying at least 100 meters.
'I'm out of here!' Harry didn't even give the formation master a second glance, and bolted.
Down the hallway and around the corner, luckily, he remembered the path he had taken through the building. Harry's feet pounded against the carpeted floor, sprinting with all his might, not daring to look back. He barrelled through the front door, out into the open air and into freedom -
No, not quite.
Waiting outside the building was a group of men, a group of very familiar men. At the head was the man from the restaurant that Harry had beaten, and by his side was the man's father, the city marshal. Evidently, they were waiting for news on what happened to Harry.
The group of them had been conversing together, no doubt planning on how to deal with Harry, when they heard a loud BANG! and the front door to the city hall burst apart. They never imagined the object of their discussion would appear at this moment, and their eyes widened in recognition.
Harry screeched to an halt the moment he saw them, and let out a curse. How could his luck be so bad?
Seeing Harry's frantic appearance, and the way he burst out the door, it was clear Harry was fleeing from something. It didn't take long for the man and his father to to connect the dots, and their faces broke into wide grins.
"Haha, trying to run? Not so fast!" the city marshal let out an ugly laugh. He held out his hands, and a violent pressure escaped out his body. The world around Harry stiffened, and he felt himself trapped.
"Screw off!" Harry roared, and sent his own Qi out his body, counteracting the man's hold on him.
But, this was the first time he had ever done this, and he couldn't compete against this man, who was at the 6th level of the Qi Absorption Realm. Harry's attacks were all limited in range, so in this situation he was at a disadvantage. Though he could beat this man in a physical fight, he didn't yet know any long-range attacks.
"Trying to resist now? Men, join me in sealing him!"
As one, the dozens of people behind him joined forces. Multiple overlapping forces pressed against his body, locking himself into place.
Harry uselessly roared and struggled, but he couldn't defeat the joint forces. No matter he squirmed, he was just locked down too tightly.
"Hehe, did you piss of the head of the city too? Well, you should obediently stay right here until we understand what's going on. Who knows, maybe the city head will allow me to deal with you, hehehehe!"
Speak of the devil. Just then, out of the building strode Lockhart, with the formation master right behind him. He was clutching his stomach, bent over in pain, and glared at Harry hatefully.
'Serves you right,' Harry snarled.
When Lockhart came out, there was an ugly expression on his face, but once he saw the gathered crowd, it was immediately replaced with his usual fake smile. He gave the city marshal and his men a large grin as he walked over to Harry.
"Thank you, thank you. City Marshal Yoflam, isn't it? Fortunately, you all were here to stop James before he could get too far. Heavens, who would have thought that this boy was so vicious and cruel-hearted? He even dared to attack my trusted formation master!"
Hearing the head of the city himself say that Harry was vicious and cruel-hearted, the city marshal and his son looked like a pot of gold had dropped out the sky.
"City Head Lockhart, I knew it from the moment I first laid eyes on this rascal," the city marshal loudly proclaimed. "Earlier today, he violently attacked my son for no reason! For the sake of the peace of Locked Heart City, please, allow me to execute him!"
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," Lockhart frowned. "I had the best of intentions for James, yet he rudely spurned my offer. Even then, I have an important use for the boy, and I need him unharmed."
"That's a lie!" Harry yelled. "You tried to feed me a sleeping pill!"
In a flash, Lockhart's eyes widened, and he stared at Harry with an expression of surprise. But once again, it was replaced by a jolly smile.
"Sleeping pill? HAHA, now, why would I do that? HAHA! HAHAHA! HAHA!"
His smile became a bit forced, and his laughter rather fake. Then he grabbed Harry and marched him back inside.
Back into the dark building Harry went, this time without any opportunity to flee or struggle. Both Lockhart and the formation master kept a close eye on him, and he had no choice but to obediently reenter the room of Lockhart's portraits.
"Leave us," Lockhart told the formation master once inside.
Once it was just the two of them, Lockhart settled into his chair, and looked towards Harry with an intense expression.
He was no longer smiling, and an eerie feeling pervaded the room.
"Tell me, how did you know?"
"Know what?"
"This pill I have is called the Pill of Living Death, or in its liquid form, the Draught of Living Death. It's very rare, to the point where even some Alchemists would be hard-pressed to recognize it, much less concoct it. My initial observation wasn't mistaken – you seemed to recognize it in an instant. How did you know?"
"Why the hell would I tell you?" Harry shot back defiantly.
"Fine, fine. So, you want to do this the hard way," Lockhard sighed. He shook his head at Harry, like a father disappointed in a misbehaving child.
"You'll be dropping that attitude soon enough. Even if you beg me, it'll be no use. If you want to blame someone, then blame yourself for having a Rank 4 Magic Spirit."
"What are you talking about? And what do you want with me?"
"What do I want?" Lockhart let out a predatory grin.
"Why, I want your Magic Spirit!"
And then from behind Lockhart's back, the freakiest Magic Spirit Harry had ever seen appeared.
It was a gaping mouth, wide and hanging open, like a human mouth but ten times larger – at least. There were no lips, no face or head attached, just giant white teeth on glistening red gums. Thick veins protruded on the gums and slab of a tongue. But perhaps worse of all, this thing was attached to Lockhart's body. Where the throat should have been was a long and fleshy tube, just as monstrous as the rest of the Magic Spirit, which wound from the mouth to Lockhart's back.
Even Harry, as hardened as he was, couldn't stop his face from morphing into one of horror. Among all the things he had ever seen – this was by far the creepiest.
Then when the mouth turned itself on its own accord to face Harry, he let out a nervous gulp. And when it started drooling, Harry was struck by a horrible feeling of revulsion, unlike any he had ever felt. This Magic Spirit – it was sentient.
"Yes, that's more like it," Lockhart grinned at Harry's horrified appearance.
"The Rank 4 Spirit Devouring Magic Spirit. What do you think?"
Harry couldn't find the words to say. He'd never imagined the handsome Lockhart to have this hiding inside him.
"That's right, Spirit Devouring. It is extraordinarily difficult for me to cultivate using external Qi. Refining Qi simply does not work for me – instead, both my spirit and I feed on other Magic Spirits to grow. Naturally, the higher the rank, the better."
Involuntarily, a shudder ran down Harry's body. He never knew such a thing was possible – never even imagined it. A Magic Spirit that fed on another spirit… it was almost like cannibalism.
"I've been waiting for so long, so long to dine on a Rank 4 Magic Spirit. You ought to be honored to be my first high ranked meal."
"W-what the – get away from me!" Harry started backing up, just as Lockhart got up and started walking towards him.
"An interesting quirk about my Magic Spirit – it doesn't just devour Magic Spirits. It can also eat people, too. Once I'm through with you, there won't even be a shred of evidence left. You'll keep me fed for a very long time indeed – and, help me break through the Core Formation Realm. Fantastic, don't you think?" Lockhart grinned.
"Fantastic? More like vile and disgusting."
"Vile? HAHA! Well, onto business. I was going to make you my disciple, to slowly gain your trust. Once you and your spirit trusted me, then it'd be over, HAHA! But since you didn't want to - well, I had to force it to appear. There are ways to do it, but they work best when the bearer is unconscious, unable to resist – doubly so for Rank 4 Magic Spirits! So I'm afraid I'll need you to take this pill."
The Pill of Living Death reappeared in Lockhart's hand, as he got closer and closer. Harry backed up, but the room was only so large. He soon found himself pressed against one of the many portraits.
"Either you take the pill obediently, or I'll force it down your throat."
Part of Harry was tempted to laugh. Somehow, he doubted Lockhart had any ability to subdue his Magic Spirit, the being that looked down upon the universe itself. But still – if that pill entered his mouth, there was no telling what else Lockhart would do to him.
Lockhart was smiling again, but this wasn't his usual goofy smile. This was a sinister one, a smile of pure evil, drenched in greed and anticipation.
"Relax, James. While you're unconscious, I'll just be treating myself to a feast. You won't feel a thing – HAHA!"
"This is you compelling me," Harry warned.
"Compelling you?" Lockhart laughed again. "What can someone at the 2nd level of the Qi Absorption Realm do to me?"
"You're powerful for your cultivation level, but I'm at the 9th level. And even if you could defeat me, my formation master has locked this room down securely. There's nowhere for you to go. Now, stop resisting."
And as Lockhart approached, Harry resigned himself to an unfortunate realization.
'It's settled. I really am condemned. Wherever I go, I'm destined for enemies and bad luck.'
He wouldn't question the words of his Magic Spirit any longer. Before he entered this city, he hadn't believed in fate or destiny. Now, he was the firmest believer. Whatever lingering doubts were left vanished like smoke in the wind.
Yet, Harry refused to resign himself to his fate.
He was at a disadvantage in cultivation, and not even the Five Minor Accomplishments would help him here, not against someone at the 9th level of the Qi Absorption Realm.
There was only one thing he could do.
To be used as a last resort.
"You forced me to do this!" Harry yelled.
"Heavens Asunder!"
With all his might, Harry activated the power laying in the first of his Qi Seas!