Seeing Jonathan's expression turn grim, Phineas instinctively took a few cautious steps back.
He shook his head resolutely. "No. I've thought about it carefully. My answer is no."
Jonathan's voice dropped a degree in warmth. A chill lingered in the air. "Have you really considered the consequences?"
Although the atmosphere had become dangerous, Phineas didn't waver. The benefits of vampirism were many—immortality, enhanced abilities—but the cost was too high. The social ostracization, the need to live in secrecy, the life shrouded in darkness… none of it matched what he wanted. His goals had always been simple: live well, live freely, and enjoy life. And for that, he needed strength—his own strength, not power gifted with strings attached.
Jonathan stared into his eyes, measuring the depth of his resolve. Then he sighed, the pressure in the room easing.
"It seems you truly refuse. Very well, I won't force you." He reached into his robes and retrieved a small, sealed pendant, tossing it lightly to Phineas.
Phineas caught it mid-air and examined it. It resembled a blood pact locket, containing a single suspended drop of blood.
"This is something I crafted myself," Jonathan explained. "If you ever meet someone worthy of my legacy, someone you believe should inherit my bloodline, give this to them. The ritual will require their oath: they must promise not to allow my branch of blood to vanish, never to harm humans intentionally, and to live discreetly. If they agree, they'll inherit my bloodline. Of course," he added with a wry smile, "I still hope you'll be the one to use it."
He handed Phineas a small notebook. "This contains one of my personal magical inventions. Consider it a reward, regardless of your choice."
With that, Jonathan waved his hand, dismissing him.
Phineas watched him warily for another moment, then turned and left the office. He didn't relax until he was well out of sight. Jonathan hadn't made a move to stop him, but the tension lingered. A confrontation had nearly broken out.
Just as he stepped into the hallway, a notification appeared in his mind:
Task Completed: "Choice of Fate"
An ancient and powerful existence extended an invitation to you. You chose your own path, and refused. Reward: Echo—Jonathan E. Reed (Purple); New Quest Unlocked: Ancestral Approval.
New Quest: Ancestral Approval
To maintain the purity of the Black bloodline, you risked much by rejecting an external legacy. Your ancestors are pleased. They expect you to continue elevating the family's magic. Task: Enhance the purity of your bloodline (refer to the family record for the Sublimation Ceremony). Reward: Increases in magic talent, spellcasting skill, and magical reserves.
Phineas blinked, a little stunned. That had been far easier than he'd expected. As for the new quest… he felt lost. He'd heard vague mentions of the bloodline sublimation ritual, but the specifics weren't in any known family record. And yet, the reward was tempting.
Shaking his head, he opened the newly unlocked system interface: the Echo System.
According to the description, echoes could be acquired via tasks, achievements, or treasure chests. Equipping an echo would grant various enhancements, and echoes could be stacked and upgraded. There were four tiers: white, blue, purple, and gold.
Currently equipped:
Echo: Jonathan E. Reed (Purple) Lv. 1
Effect: 30% chance to trigger a blood-siphon effect on each attack. Guarantees blood-siphon every 5 hits. Magic +15 (scales +1 per level), HP +450 (scales +30 per level).
Blood-Siphon: Restores magic energy, heals injuries, and causes internal damage to targets.
Phineas had never expected the "Fate" task to offer something this powerful. While he wasn't inclined toward vampiric power, this echo system was useful—and removable.
With no hesitation, he equipped Jonathan's Echo.
The effect was instant.
His view of Hogwarts transformed. The world was bathed in shifting lights. Moving staircases, enchanted portraits, even the suits of armor shimmered in various hues. Every magical object radiated color—different intensities, different shades. It was as if he were seeing the flow of magic itself.
Was this… the trace of magic?
It had to be. He'd never seen this before. The only change was the echo he had equipped. Could this be a trait Jonathan had possessed? Could all traces of magic now be visible?
To test this, Phineas headed straight for the seventh floor of the castle—outside the Room of Requirement.
There, too, magic shimmered on the wall, but more intensely, almost concentrated.
What about inside?
He entered and summoned the version of the Room used for alchemy—Ravenclaw's hidden laboratory. He'd long suspected a secret lay hidden there, but hadn't known where or what. Now, with his enhanced vision, the answer might lie in plain sight.
Sure enough, the room was overflowing with magical residue—but one corner stood out with an overwhelming glow.
Approaching it, Phineas found only a wooden shelf fixed to the wall. It seemed ordinary. But the aura surrounding it said otherwise.
Wait—fixed to the wall?
Was it a secret door?
He didn't act hastily. Wand in hand, he began testing it with every spell he could think of: unlocking charms, movement incantations, transformation spells. Anything that might trigger a mechanism or unveil a hidden chamber.
He wasn't about to leave any stone—or shelf—unturned.
System Panel
Name: Phineas Walburga Black
House: None
Enrollment: September 1, 1989
HP: 2490 + 450 (Standard: 2000)
Magic: 200 + 15 (Peers: 100)
Luck: ***
Exploration Attribute: 0%