Seeing Helena's astonishment, Alaric began to patiently explain.
"In fact, if we must find a substitute for the Dark Lord's soul fragment, most souls could serve, but the key is that it must be a living, complete soul."
"It's not that a soul fragment couldn't work, but the method of creating a soul fragment is too difficult.
Simply tearing apart a soul results in its destruction and generally doesn't produce a viable soul fragment.
Even if a fragment were successfully created, it would not compare to Voldemort's fragment."
"The only effective method is the one Voldemort used to create Horcruxes—splitting his soul through murder and dark rituals."
Upon hearing this, Helena spoke up immediately.
"No way!"
Alaric glanced at her and nodded.
"Yes, we cannot do that. Not only are there ethical concerns, but also practical ones.
Firstly, the Killing Curse can only be cast by wizards; ghosts can't cast it, let alone split their own souls.
And if a living person were to perform this act, what would be the result?"
"An individual who isn't inherently wicked cannot create a Horcrux through such methods.
If we were to use an evil person's soul as a substitute, the new Diadem would be no different from the original Horcrux, thus defeating the purpose."
"Since splitting the soul is not an option, our only choice is to infuse the Diadem with a complete soul.
Currently, the only complete souls available are those of ghosts.
However, even among ghosts, there are differences. Any magic used carries the intent of the caster, including alchemical items.
Hence, Ravenclaw's Diadem inherently carries Rowena Ravenclaw's will.
Thus, the soul infused into the Diadem should be one that aligns closely with Lady Ravenclaw's will.
And who could be more similar to Rowena than you?"
After listening to Alaric, Helena appeared puzzled and contemplative.
"Do you really think… I resemble my mother?"
Without hesitation, Alaric responded.
"Of course, no one resembles your mother more than you. You are the perfect heir to Ravenclaw's will."
"Really?" Helena shook her head slowly.
"But you know… I stole her Diadem in my attempt to surpass her. Can someone like me truly inherit her will?"
As she spoke, she lowered her head.
Seeing the ghost girl before him, stripped of her previous arrogance and now plagued by self-doubt, Alaric sighed and spoke to her with a serious tone.
"Look into my eyes, Helena," he said, gazing directly at the ghost.
"Honestly, I can assure you that no one resembles your mother more than you do, and no one is more qualified to inherit her will.
You both share a prideful nature, enjoy the company of the intelligent, and shun the foolish.
Yet, deep down, you both are kind-hearted, even towards the foolish. You share a sense of pride, an appreciation for beauty, and—of course—you are both very beautiful."
"But most importantly, you both value wisdom above all.
Your theft of your mother's Diadem was a manifestation of your desire for wisdom.
Although it was wrong, your pursuit of wisdom is something your mother would still be proud of."
After speaking, Alaric noticed Helena, who had been staring at him, now had silver tears streaming down her face and her cheeks flushed (though in reality, as a ghost, they were gray).
After a moment, Helena finally spoke in a trembling voice.
"Do you… really think so?"
"Yes," Alaric replied firmly.
"Thank you… Thank you for comforting me, and for trusting me," Helena wiped her tears.
"I always thought of you as a scholar who only focused on study and research. I didn't expect you to be so eloquent…"
At this point, Helena laughed softly, and Alaric could only roll his eyes in response.
Helena continued.
"If you truly believe that I can inherit my mother's will and am qualified to do so, then my answer is yes.
I am willing to serve as the substitute for the Dark Lord's soul fragment in my mother's Diadem, so that it may continue to exist intact."
Alaric should have been very pleased with Helena's agreement, as it meant that after destroying Voldemort's soul fragment, the Diadem's magical effects would continue perfectly.
Or rather, become even stronger, which was why Alaric wanted Helena to be the one to infuse her soul into the Diadem.
However, at this moment, Alaric himself hesitated.
"In fact… you don't have to agree," Alaric said slowly.
"Really, we could find another willing ghost to make the contribution. It wouldn't affect the Diadem's magical effects.
If you were to enter the Diadem, your fate would be entirely bound to it—you would have to remain where the Diadem is and wouldn't be able to move around freely as you do now."
"Thank you for considering me," Helena said with a grateful and touching smile.
"But I must do this. I need to become one with the Diadem. It is my duty.
My carelessness has turned the Diadem into something so evil and filthy. I must pay the price for it."
"But you really don't have to…" Alaric tried to persuade her again.
"Stop it, Alaric. I know you're looking out for me, but I've already made up my mind," Helena's tone was resolute, indicating she had made her decision.
"Alright… alright," Alaric reluctantly nodded.
"Oh, don't be so gloomy," Helena's tone became lighter and more cheerful after making her decision. Now, she was even comforting Alaric.
"I initially thought that being the soul substitute would mean being trapped within the Diadem.
The fact that you say I can still be outside the Diadem, even if not far, is a huge surprise for me.
Even if my range of movement is limited to Hogwarts, entering the Diadem might allow me to see the world beyond.
Isn't that much better than my current situation?"
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