When Ivan did not reply for a long time, Tom Riddle realised that Ivan intended to break their previous agreement and questioned him angrily.
[Why?]
Ivan sighed and silently picked up his quill and wrote in his diary.
[Tom, you've always been a good man! So will you help me one last time? Tell me, where exactly did you put that information? I'll get it myself!]
Ivan asked the question sincerely. They were all friends, and Ivan did not want to use drastic means to get the information he wanted.
Tom Riddle was momentarily furious, but more than that, he was confused. Words quickly appeared on the white paper and filled the page.
[You don't trust me. Why? I taught you all kinds of magic with all my heart…]
"Mindful? But there are at least twenty-nine things you've told me about magic that go wrong!" Yvonne retorted, not bothering to argue with Tom Riddle.
Tom Riddle was stunned. He had not expected Ivan to know all of his little tricks, and was momentarily embarrassed.
Perhaps believing this was why Ivan distrusted him, Tom was quick to explain.
[Hales, you're mistaken! I'm just a sixteen-year-old student. It's normal to miss something. I have no intention of deceiving you.]
"Really? That memory needs to be restored? I saw it very clearly when you devoured the spider's flesh and soul…"
Ivan said sarcastically, mercilessly tearing Tom's disguise apart, and then spoke again.
"You never told me the truth, did you, Tom? And I certainly had no reason to believe you!"
"I also know very well that you have never considered me a friend!"
Ivan's words were soul-stirring, and Tom Riddle was so enraged that the diary on his desk began to vibrate.
[That's enough! Hales! Don't you forget! Who helped you when you had a problem with your research on all kinds of magic? Who helped you when you were in trouble learning alchemy?]
[I spent so much time trying to help you, and you?! Hales? You lied to me the moment we met. You're a Slytherin student! ]
When I asked you about the current state of the wizarding world and who Harry Potter was, you told me you didn't know much! I believed you…
What happened? You were Harry Potter's best friend!"
Piles of characters leapt from the paper, each one revealing the depth of Tom Riddle's anger,
Tom Riddle had never felt so good to anyone since he was born, so conscientious in his efforts to gain their trust.
And what happened? Ivan Hals never trusted him from start to finish…
Tom Riddle was beside himself with rage!
At the same time, Tom recalled the times he had spent with Ivan when he had felt that something was wrong. Now, Tom understood that Ivan had been toying with him all along!
Tom was filled with resentment and doubt. What had he not done well to be so guarded and targeted?
"Don't ever say that, Tom. I'm just a young wizard in my second year. Don't try to slander me… you were the one who used Dementor to spy on my memory first," Ivan said sheepishly, looking at the words on the diary.
Tom Riddle fell completely silent when Ivan uttered the words "Dementor". He did not expect Ivan to know this.
Tom Riddle had a vague feeling that events were moving beyond his control…
When Tom fell silent, Ivan spoke.
"I repeat, tell me, where exactly did you put that information? Or where in the Chamber of Secrets is Slytherin's research room and how does one open it?"
"I don't have the patience! Tom!" Ivan threatened, pointing his wand at the Horcrux.
[You think you can hurt me? With all the magic you've learned?]
The diary's ink was once again revealed, and its words were full of sarcasm. Then, endless black mist spewed out of the diary and swept towards Ivan…
Although he was only a remnant soul, he was not completely defenseless after absorbing the flesh and soul of a spider!
Ivan, however, activated the Ring of Fire on his left hand in the next instant, and a heart-stopping flame began to waft from the tip of his wand.
All the black mist was instantly frightened and retracted into the diary, as if nothing had happened…
"Fierce Fire?!" Tom Riddle's horrified voice came from inside the diary. There were not many things in the wizarding world that could destroy a Horcrux, and Fire was one of them.
"Yes, the Fire!" Ivan nodded. He had gone to great lengths to get the ring from Alicia in order to destroy the Horcrux.
"You will only have one chance to speak!" Ivan said coldly, and leaned the fire hovering at the tip of his wand towards the Horcrux.
'You'll never get what you want without my help!' The diary trembled and words appeared on the open pages.
"The Chamber of Secrets is only so big. Who are you trying to fool? I'll go through it all!" Ivan scowled, unable to decide if Tom Riddle was telling the truth or not, but he still spoke with disdain.
[Then go ahead…]
The diary automatically closed after displaying this entry.
It was like a real diary, not moving at all, not caring about the fire that was coming towards it as it waited for death.
Ivan's hand froze at the last moment, disturbed by Tom Riddle's calm demeanor. Was there a special condition for activating Slytherin's research lab?
Or maybe it wasn't in the Chamber at all and Tom had moved it?
With the mission only one step away from completion, Ivan did not want all his previous efforts to go to waste.
With that in mind, Ivan stopped the effects of the Ring of Fire and searched the drawer for something.
Tom Riddle breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had won the bet.
He knew very well that if he completely lost his value, the young sorcerer in front of him would not hesitate to burn his Horcrux. Not only would he persist, but he would also have a chance of survival.
He was still weak, but at least he could spill some of his strength. When Ivan let his guard down, he might have a chance to fight back.
However, as Tom was planning his next move, Ivan pulled a white cover out of his drawer.
The inscription was familiar to Tom, as it was the same Isolation Charm he had taught Ivan a few months ago…