Vale headed straight to Professor Evans' office. He couldn't wait to receive the books and start learning the secrets of the Soul Bonding Method.

To be honest, this method seemed really precious, and he felt that he was taking advantage of the Professor's kindness. Her request was too insignificant compared to the value of the knowledge he would get to learn.

'Wait Is she really being kind?' Vale thought as he was nearing the Professor's office. He suddenly felt that the request she made had a hidden trick.

Perhaps this was some sort of a prank? What if once I arrived with all these things, she would just laugh at me and tell me how foolish I was to believe her?

'This'

He couldn't help but wonder if there was something he missed.

He stopped in front of the office's door and pondered momentarily. However, he couldn't find any issues with the requested items.

'Whatever I might be overthinking things.' Vale thought, hoping Professor Evans would appreciate his effort and reward him with her teachings.

He knocked on the door and waited for her response.

"Come in." A cold voice said from inside.

Vale opened the door and entered the office. He saw Professor Evans sitting behind her desk, reading a book. She looked up and saw him with a huge box in his arms.

"Ah, you're back," she said. "Did you get everything I wanted?"

Vale nodded and placed the box on the floor. He then took out the list and handed it to her. At this time, he was still nervous, unsure whether the Professor would stay true to her words.

This is the Dark Arts Academy after all. It wouldn't be that surprising to find eccentric professors here.

"Yes, Professor Evans," he said. "I got everything on the list."

Professor Evans took the list and scanned it quickly. She noticed checkmarks beside each listed item showing how Vale checked them one by one. She nodded at this and smiled slightly.

"Let me see what you got." She muttered.

She then got up from her desk and walked towards the box. She took out the items individually and sifted through them before she felt satisfied with their quality and quantity.

In the meantime, Vale just watched the Professor silently as she took out the eggs, bacon, bread, honey, milk, coffee beans, tea leaves, bananas, strawberries, cake, candles, thread, scissors, needle, thimble, crossword puzzles, cards, perfume, scarf, and earrings. She arranged them neatly on a table near the window.

After finishing, Professor Evans snapped her fingers and a couple of Tier 1 Variants appeared beside her!

This shocked Vale a lot as he didn't even notice their presence until he saw them!

He wanted to ask how she did that, but the Professor commanded the Variants.

"Take these items to the laboratory. Don't damage them. Handle them with care."

After saying that, she shifted her attention to Vale and spoke kindly.

"You have done me a great favor. I don't want to go out of my office these days... Your arrival was perfect."

She walked back to her desk and sat down.

"Now, let's talk about your reward," she said.

Vale felt a surge of excitement. He hoped that Professor Evans wouldn't just give him books but also teach him about the Soul Bonding Method now.

He walked towards her desk and bowed slightly.

"Thank you, Professor Evans. I am ready to learn from you." Vale immediately said.

Professor Evans chuckled as her eyes glinted.

"Good. I've readied the books you need to study."

Professor Evans said as she reached for a drawer and pulled out a stack of books. She placed them on the desk and showed them to Vale.

They contain the basics of the Soul Bonding Method. They are rare and valuable, so you must treat them with care and respect."

She pointed at each book and explained a little bit about them. Vale listened attentively as he knew that this was important.

To his surprise, some of them contained topics that were written in the book of The Forbidden Practice of the Unlighted!

The Soul's Secrets: A Guide to Understanding Your Soul's Structure and Function

The Soul's Language: A Guide to Communicating with Your Soul's Voice

The Soul's Harmony: A Guide to Creating Balance and Peace Between Your Soul and Your Magic

The Soul's Partner: A Guide to Finding and Bonding with Your Soul's Mate

The Soul's Sacrifice: A Guide to Merging Your Soul with the Essence of the Artifacts and People's Soul

Vale looked at the books with awe and curiosity. He felt that he was about to do something that should be forbidden, so he couldn't help but look at the Professor warily.

"Can I check them now, Professor?" Vale asked.

"Not so fast," she said. "There is one more thing you need to know."

She looked at him seriously.

"These books are not enough to learn the Soul Bonding Method. You can only understand it." She paused for a moment to look at Vale's reaction before she continued.

"In the end, this is similar to other Dark Arts. The Soul Bonding Method is not something that you can learn from books alone. It is something that you have to experience for yourself."

Vale nodded at this since that was the same when he was learning Spells. He had to experience how to record or use spells since books could only do so much.

"How can I experience it, Professor?" Vale asked eagerly.

Professor Evans gently smiled as she leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear.

"It is something that you have to do with me."

Vale was confused by Professor Evans' words. He did not understand what she meant by doing the Soul Bonding Method with her. Well, he must be thinking too deeply, so he asked once more.

"Professor Evans, what do you mean by that?" He asked, baffled.

Professor Evans smiled and touched his cheek gently.

"I mean exactly what I said, Vale." She said softly.

"The Soul Bonding Method is not just a technique. It is a ritual. A ritual that involves two essence or souls merging into one. A ritual that requires a partner."

She moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Vale was unable to move.

"And you, Vale, are my partner." The Professor whispered, and there seemed to be a force that penetrated Vale through his ears

Then, she kissed him passionately on the lips.

'Wu--'

Vale felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. He felt his mind go blank, and his will fade away.

What was even more chilling was that he felt his soul being drawn to hers as if by a magnet.