— ...I don't know how the creator of this... — the girl hesitated, obviously searching for a softer word, but then she simply dismissed the matter with a wave of her hand. — ...this, but I am, to say the least, amazed at what you've given me to study. The structure of the artifact is extremely complex, I would say that it was created based on the knowledge of clearly ancient schools, because so long ago did not work ... for many reasons, but I will not be distracted, if you are interested, I will tell you why it is so. — The girl interpreted my look correctly, and I'm beginning to like her shrewdness and insight, she shows it more and more often.
— So, as far as I understood it, the tiara was supposed to be an embedded module that interacted first with the host's aura, and then through the aura, and then with the mind. In a special way, it was supposed to gently rearrange the natural flow of energy in such a way that the exchange between all the spiritual shells of a person would be accelerated, which would significantly reduce the load on the host's brain. But these processes required a great deal of energy, so the tiara gathered some energy from the outside, in addition to the energy that every mage was constantly losing. — I nodded at the short pause and the questioning look, saying that I knew about it, and the girl continued. — I don't understand many processes and I can't reproduce this artifact even in a rough form. I am very sorry. — Afiri bowed deeply.
— Don't worry, that's not why I gave it to you. — I waved the palm of my hand, turned to the girl for a moment, and immediately returned to my studies.
— You are very kind, master. — Another bow, but a faster one. — So, the artifact is extremely complex in its structure, but the most curious thing about it is that the creator of this masterpiece built in the functions to maintain its functionality for an almost infinite period of time, because magical constructs always have an external feed from the world background, and during active use the level of absorption of background magic increases. In addition, the artifact was designed as a separate, independent module. Together, these properties allowed the part of the magician's soul to not only receive a constant supply of magic in sufficient amounts, but also to stabilize the mental component.
In this way, the particle was transformed from an ordinary Horcrux into a kind of Compensator-Stabilizer of Mental Orientation, which, depending on the connection, could smooth out some of the negative side effects of creating a large number of Horcruxes in such a short period of a wizard's life. The medallion and goblet show signs of destabilizing structures, and the tiara compensates with the bond.
— Curious... — curious indeed: did the destabilization begin because of Tom's hasty actions, or because of the destruction of the most powerful anchor — the journal? Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, it is no longer possible to explore this question.
I felt a pang of cautious dissatisfaction with... myself? Hmm? Looking over my shoulder, I saw the same calm face of Aphiri standing a few steps behind me, studying one of the vials in which I planned to grow basilisks. Listening to my senses a little harder....
— Aphiri, don't worry, I'm listening carefully, and I'm really interested in your conclusions about what you've found. Please continue.
The girl opened her eyes wide in surprise, then obviously wanted to bow, but I just blinked, and that was enough for her to understand my warning, for I had already told her many times that I did not like excessive ceremonialism or housekeeping. The girl calmed down, nodded, smiled, and spoke again, while I went back to studying what was supposed to be a basilisk.
— All three artifacts are extremely complex and have functions I don't understand, and you forbade me to test them on living people... — is it just me, or do I hear a reproach in your voice? Finally, the girl begins to feel at home, even as this sometimes manifests itself... in conversations with me. But with the others, as I have learned from tacit and secret observations, Afiri is quite in control and sometimes does not hesitate to show his temper.
— That's right, I forbid it. — I nod in agreement. — One of Riddle's Horcruxes was able to subdue an eleven-year-old girl a few years ago, draining her life and power and almost allowing it to fully incarnate. I don't want to feed the Horcruxes with the lives of scum, but there's a chance that energy could be transferred to Riddle himself, and that's definitely not worth it. — I explained that because I didn't want any misunderstandings, especially with a Dark Wizard who could find the test subjects himself, so it was better to make my point right away.
— It's possible. — The girl nodded. — All Horcruxes are connected by a special bond, and perhaps there is an exchange of energy. — She was clever: she only added this nuance when I mentioned it in this context, because 'there is a connection', but there was no mention of a channel with the possibility of energy exchange. The girl was silent for a while, obviously gathering her thoughts, and continued.
— In all three cases, particles of the soul were connected to the control web, and over the years had managed to merge. I am not an artifactor, sir, I was taught otherwise, so perhaps a master or master could extract the chorkrusa from the artifacts and preserve these masterpieces, but I believe that is no longer possible. Any manipulation of the artifacts will harm both the object and the chorkrusa, and if you try to extract it, the subtle structures will be irrevocably destroyed.
— Sad... — I stretched out and studied the readings of the control circuits on the flask containing the fetus — the former egg.
I can't say that I was too hopeful to have Founder artifacts in my treasury, but I don't deny it. Rumor has it that these things are of a divine level, but I'm rightly wary of activating them, and I don't even pick them up without dragon skin gloves. No, I studied them myself, I spent an hour or so on each item, but I couldn't understand much of it because I don't have time, so I gave them to someone who knows dark magic and has experience with it. And since Afiri says that chorcruxes can't be retrieved, I don't even want to try. Let them stay in their containers, and when I get the Gaunt's ring, I'll destroy all four of them at once. But...
— Then what are we going to do with the piece of Tom's soul that's in the child's forehead, hmm? — I was curious about the girl's reaction, so I looked at her over my shoulder, but Afiri remained calm, and now her confidence and even her pride were slipping away. Hmm...
— As I said before, the soul particle wasn't just placed into the artifacts, it actually merged with them, and now they've turned into something new. So why don't we repeat such a successful experience?
— I have my suspicions, of course, but you'd better explain what you've come up with.
— I propose that we deepen the connection between the boy and the alien soul particle, and then fuse them together so that one day the particle will simply dissolve into the stronger system of the living magician.
— And how do you envision that? Not to mention the mental component of the Horcruxes.....
— I come from a dark family, sir, and I know how to induce possession, so binding two energies won't be a problem, but the mental component of a Horcrux should somehow be neutralized, or better yet, completely destroyed. — The girl lowered her eyes to the ground. — I'm sorry, but mental magic is not my forte, and we need a strong, experienced mentalist who can deliver a powerful blow to the core of the horkrux. I believe that without even the rudiments of reason or primitive reflexes, the connection and further fusion will be quick and easy. — The girl was silent for a while, I was silent too, thinking about this possibility, and then Afiri spoke again in a soft, not very confident voice. — It's not for me to advise you, sir, but Madame Delacour's level is just right for this task, but Fleur's is not....
— I know. — I turned back to the flask and the readings of the control circuits, but my mind was filled with other thoughts, and the study of the experiment had lost its appeal... at least for the moment. — But we will not interfere with outsiders for now. We still have time, so let's take our time and think it over. — A short pause, necessary to concentrate on studying the latest readings and "minimizing" the "interface", and then continue. — But you can start working on this option — most likely, it is the one we will use, because the option "Avada" in the forehead of the hero — looks too radical....
— As you command, Master. — The girl bowed politely and was silent for a moment.