As Voldemort was desperately trying to regain his strength, Alaric pretended to be completely oblivious, feigning suspicion that Voldemort was deliberately showing weakness out of caution.
He slowly circled Voldemort, confronting him while attempting to undermine Voldemort's inner confidence with his words.
"Do you know, Tom," Alaric said, walking as he spoke, "that among the Muggles you despise the most, there are scholars who have established a discipline called psychology? It specializes in studying the human inner world.
Although Muggles cannot use magic and cannot influence, tempt, or control others' minds, through their research in psychology, Muggles have uncovered many secrets that even masters of mental magic might not understand."
"Is that so?" Voldemort wiped the cold sweat from his forehead caused by the excruciating pain, sneering, "What secrets could Muggles possibly have..."
"In fact, you underestimate Muggles too much..." Alaric shook his head with pity.
"According to Muggle theories, everything you have done in your life, the reason you became the Dark Lord, was predetermined in your childhood."
"I didn't realize that Muggles had such insights into destiny," Voldemort continued to mock.
However, Alaric ignored his words and continued speaking calmly.
"According to Karen Horney's theory, humans experience both overt anxiety from visible crises and basic anxiety from potential crises.
This anxiety exists in everyone, whether Muggle or wizard.
The consequence of this basic anxiety is the development of personality neuroses, and these symptoms often begin in childhood...
By the way, when you were born, Ms. Horney was just rising to prominence. If she had known you, you would undoubtedly have become a typical case study for her research."
Voldemort responded with only a cold laugh. He had always looked down on Muggles and dismissed their so-called achievements.
If he weren't currently at a disadvantage, he would have interrupted Alaric's nonsense long ago.
However, Alaric remained unfazed and continued.
"Ms. Horney believed that children's basic needs are security and fulfillment, yet you were unable to obtain these from your parents during your childhood.
Your father was indifferent to you, and your mother sought death for her unattainable love—thus your basic anxiety arose.
Moreover, now that you are so powerful, your childhood must have displayed remarkable magical talent...
I remember, we both came from the same orphanage, right? Trust me, we share similar experiences—being immensely powerful yet forced to suppress our abilities..."
Though still dismissive of Alaric's words, Voldemort realized that Alaric understood quite a bit about his past.
It seemed that this opponent had indeed been investigating him in secret, and the depth of the investigation exceeded his expectations. So, regarding the Horcruxes...
Alaric continued speaking.
"According to Ms. Horney's theory, people often have three coping mechanisms for anxiety.
Relying more on others for comfort; adopting a hostile and aggressive attitude toward others to establish a sense of superiority and combat anxiety; or distancing themselves from others to escape the source of anxiety.
For your younger self, the world was full of indifference and hostility.
As a gifted wizard, you chose the second method, as your talent became a source of confidence for your sense of superiority.
Thus, you began to try to control others, seeking power and obedience to attain security."
"Nonsense! Nonsense! All nonsense!"
Voldemort shouted furiously, unable to contain his anger, even the pain in his body was suppressed by this rage.
Rather than inciting Voldemort's anger, Alaric's words left him at a loss.
Although he verbally rejected them, a voice deep within him reminded him that Alaric was right—he truly was that kind of person.
Seeing Voldemort's fury, Alaric understood he had indeed struck a nerve, so he ignored Voldemort's impotent rage and delved even deeper.
"According to this theory, neurotic individuals often create an ideal self to achieve self-satisfaction, which typically deviates from reality.
Upon entering Hogwarts, you realized your talent was not unique; many other wizards possessed magical power.
Though your talent was considerable, it was insufficient to serve as the basis for your inner pride, so you began to pursue your bloodline, hoping to confirm that you were special.
However, you were mistaken; your father was not a powerful wizard, but an ordinary Muggle who abandoned your extraordinary mother.
This is the reason you hate Muggles, isn't it? Because of this, you ignored your true self and began to pursue the path of pure blood."
"No! You're wrong! This is conjecture! I pursue pure blood because it is the future of the wizarding world! Muggles are merely a threat to wizards!"
Voldemort's low growl was laced with anger, but it betrayed a hint of insecurity—because his true self told him that Alaric was right; he had hit the nail on the head.
"Pure blood is the future of the wizarding world, and Muggles are a threat?" Alaric smiled slightly.
"That theory does not originate from you but from Gellert Grindelwald, right? I must say, he was indeed a remarkable wizard.
As a politician and leader, few could surpass him. His ideas had some merit, but unfortunately… his course of action was somewhat too radical.
However, compared to you, he was far superior, wasn't he?"
"Superior?" Voldemort immediately retorted, "That old fool is still locked up in Nurmengard, old and frail, while I am still alive and about to gain powers far beyond his!"
"Is that so? I think you, the second Dark Lord, will die before he does." Alaric shot back.
"When you began to doubt your bloodline, you looked to Grindelwald, seeing in him what you desired, didn't you?
You borrowed his theories, even going further in hopes of establishing a pure-blood world to prove your greatness and exceptional heritage, right?
For that, you even appropriated his title… Everything you've done has been for self-satisfaction!"
"No! You're wrong! Everything I do is for the future of the wizarding world…"
Voldemort's futile growls were powerless to refute Alaric's words.
His past, his life, had been thoroughly exposed by the boy before him.
He wanted to provide examples or refer to his past to prove that the boy was lying, but his heart told him that the boy was absolutely right!
During his time at Hogwarts, he had heard rumors of Grindelwald, learning all about his reign across Europe.
At that time, he believed that was what he desired—the power of Grindelwald, his countless followers, and the fear the wizards had for him—everything captivated him.
And the boy before him, merely through some past materials, had dissected his entire life more thoroughly than he ever could, as if he had seen through his very thoughts.
Yes, this is not some Muggle "psychology" or "mind theory."
In any case, it is impossible that he analyzed it using Muggle theories; it is his Legilimency! He used that powerful Legilimency to strike at his own heart.
But it doesn't matter; my condition has somewhat improved now.
As long as I exert my true power, no matter what flashy magic he possesses, what tricks or Legilimency he has, they will be useless.
With that thought, Voldemort slowly rose to his feet.
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