Chapter 10: Unveiling the Enigma: Amphisbaena's Bracelet

"I have no past, I will become the past, no one has seen me, and no one can see me, but I am the mystery of people's survival and breathing."

"Tomorrow, Sphinx." Amphisbaena responded, "You should check out the brain teasers I've acquired for you. Your riddles are outdated."

"Alright, but those oriental characters are quite challenging. Even if it takes me a lot of time, mastering them will be worthwhile."

Amphisbaena sat across from a magnificent sphinx. This magical creature had an insatiable appetite for puzzles. According to the Gu Sphinx, it had been smuggled from Egypt by a pure-blooded wizard to serve as a family guardian, but the Fantastic Beast Management Department intercepted the smuggling attempt.

During the winter vacation, Amphisbaena developed a strong bond with the sphinx, a creature always eager to solve riddles but with its own distinct vulnerabilities.

Whenever Amphisbaena presented an unsolvable riddle, the sphinx would be compelled to fulfill a request in return.

The Chinese mind teasers became Amphisbaena's secret weapon for triumph. Even creatures born to solve riddles, like the sphinx, were enticed by the challenge of mastering a new language and untangling the intricacies of these brain teasers.

The population of Muggles far exceeded that of wizards.

"Sphinx, I'm heading back to school," Amphisbaena informed the sphinx, who was engrossed in a book.

The sphinx was taken aback. Amphisbaena had brought immeasurable joy and entertainment, surpassing even Peric's capabilities.

"You'll return, won't you?" Sphinx asked with hope in its eyes.

"Of course, I'll come back to see you during the summer vacation," Amphisbaena reassured. The sphinx's company was too valuable to forsake.

Relieved by Amphisbaena's response, the sphinx proudly proclaimed, "When you return, I shall regain all the feathers I have lost!"

The sphinx raised a brain teaser in its paw, setting the stakes for their games.

Every time the sphinx lost, Amphisbaena claimed one of its feathers. Sphinx feathers were highly sought after in alchemy due to their association with mystery, wisdom, and knowledge.

"Go and mingle with others. Don't let me distract you from your reading," the sphinx said, spitting out an orb as a wager.

As the guardian of ancient Egyptian treasures, the sphinx possessed a collection unknown even to the wizard who captured it.

By chance, Amphisbaena caught the orb expelled by the sphinx, surprised by the unexpected find.

On this day, Amphisbaena sought no further gains. Having accumulated enough sphinx feathers during the summer, he possessed ample material to create several potent magical items.

Furthermore, Perik had already voiced complaints about the sphinx's diminishing plumage on multiple occasions.

Curious, Amphisbaena inquired, "What is this?"

"These are wisdom beads. The wearer's wisdom gradually increases," the sphinx explained.

Delighted, Amphisbaena promptly adorned himself with the beads. He recognized the potential advantages offered by the wisdom beads and resolved to take full advantage of them.

While not the most formidable magical item Amphisbaena had encountered, the wisdom beads proved exceedingly useful.

After bidding farewell to the sphinx, Amphisbaena took leave of the other communicative magical creatures, receiving some parting gifts, partly for Perik's sake.

Reluctantly, he cast a final glance at Thunderbird's abode. The most powerful magical creature Amphisbaena had encountered remained as distant as ever. Even Perik, merely a breeder, could not bridge the gap to friendship. Failing to obtain wool from this formidable creature remained one of Amphisbaena's enduring regrets.

Upon returning home, Amphisbaena found a table strewn with white feathers, upon which ancient riddles and various magic potions were inscribed.

Only one step remained—the final step. Carefully selecting the processed sphinx feathers, Amphisbaena skillfully wove them into a bracelet using refined Mithril wire.

With the completion of this last step, he successfully crafted the enchanted item: [Amphisbaena's Enigmatic Bracelet]. According to the standards, it should be classified as a high-quality magical item.

The refining materials included sphinx feathers earned through solving puzzles, 22 ancient alchemy riddles, and pure mithril silk.

In addition to their magical properties, the wool collected from the sphinx held immense value due to the ancient alchemy riddles inscribed upon them.

These metaphoric riddles constituted the world's earliest alchemical enigmas, imbued with secret powers.

Satisfied, Amphisbaena examined the feather bracelet, imprinting his unique magical mark and an accompanying inscription:

"Your secrets are safeguarded."

While the bracelet did not bestow specific attributes, it possessed the ability to interfere with prophetic and detection magic, making it particularly effective against dementia—a type of magic belonging to the same category.

During this period, Amphisbaena diligently immersed himself in the practice of alchemy, Runemancy, and formation knowledge. Recognizing the importance of caution, he was determined not to take unnecessary risks.

With the [Amphisbaena's Enigmatic Bracelet] and his Lv5 Occlumency, he possessed heightened confidence in resisting the allure of the Ravenclaw Diadem—a Horcrux.

"Oh, dark lord, I shall soon come for your wisdom and knowledge."

As soon as he returned to Hogwarts, Amphisbaena eagerly made his way to the Room of Requirements. He had numerous magical inquiries that demanded the guidance of a skilled practitioner.

However, when it came to matters of dark magic, Amphisbaena refrained from seeking guidance from the deceased professors of Hogwarts. He remained steadfast in ensuring that his resolute character would not succumb to the influence of black magic, unlike the ill-fated boy.

Previously, Amphisbaena had employed modern psychology to analyze Voldemort. This Muggle technique, in some ways, rivaled the efficacy of dementia and offered a deeper understanding of oneself.

Firstly, the production of Horcruxes fascinated Amphisbaena. Dividing the soul did not impair wisdom but rather magnified the flaws in one's character, akin to a reduction in sanity.

The divided Horcrux did not evolve alongside the individual; instead, it remained fixed in the state it was divided.

When did Voldemort create the Ravenclaw Diadem Horcrux?

It transpired on the eve of his graduation, coinciding with a significant event that severed his ties with Dumbledore.

Dumbledore's rejection of Voldemort's application to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had enraged him, prompting him to cast an unsolvable curse.

Thus, the greatest vulnerability of Voldemort's Horcrux, the Ravenclaw Diadem, lay not in his desire for world domination but rather in his yearning to be a teacher.

In Eastern terms, this yearning could be described as an "obsession" or a "heart demon."

By embodying the unwavering persona of a half-blood wizard relentlessly pursuing dark magic and power like Voldemort, Amphisbaena believed he could satisfy the Ravenclaw Diadem's fixation as a Horcruxe.

Indeed, this was the true nature of the situation. One must be willing to take risks to reap rewards.