The Power to Control Life and Death

"Ah, it's been a long time, Albus..." The silver-haired, silver-eyed old man appeared from some unknown corner, staring at the two before him as if about to say something.

"Today's protagonist is him." Dumbledore directly cut off Ollivander's next words. He knew perfectly well what his own wand was like; there was no need to repeat it. Reaching out, he gently pushed Tom's back. "Don't be nervous. Just hold out your dominant hand..."

Tom walked forward steadily. He wanted to say that he was not nervous at all. Smiling, he prepared to greet the old man, but the moment his gaze met those silvery white eyes, his body stiffened. The feeling of being seen through completely made him uncomfortable.

"Good day, Mr. Ollivander..." Lowering his eyes to the measuring tape, Tom perfectly played the part of a shy, introverted child. He hated that scrutinizing gaze, as though he had done nothing wrong yet had already been branded a bad child.

Ollivander continued staring at the young boy before glancing at the person seated on the bench. Without a word, he turned and walked toward a shelf. After hesitating for a moment, he drew out a long purple box and took a white wand from it.

Tom's attention was instantly drawn to the strangely shaped wand. Its shaft was straight, while the end of its handle resembled an eagle's beak, with a curved, sharp hook. Every cell in his body seemed to be screaming that this wand belonged to him.

Only he could wield this wand.

"Yew... grants its bearer the power to control life and death... Phoenix feather, very choosy, very... You must know that phoenixes themselves are difficult creatures to tame, and the source of this wand's core came from Albus's pet, Fawkes..." As Ollivander spoke, he gave Dumbledore a meaningful look, then turned the wand around and handed it to the waiting boy. "Thirteen and a half inches... a very rare combination. You will achieve things that others cannot..."

Tom accepted the wand that had been called a rare combination. As though he had fallen into his own world, he kept running his fingers over its shaft. Without needing anyone's instruction, he gave it a gentle wave, and a burst of light erupted from its tip. The corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably. The feeling was too wonderful—he could not describe it at all.

He turned his wrist and hooked the wand's end with his little finger. Tom was immensely satisfied with his wand. It suited him perfectly, as though it had always been a part of his body.

"It seems you and it have reached an understanding..." Ollivander watched the boy's movements and lightly clapped his palms. "A powerful talent, very powerful... You will certainly become a powerful wizard someday... certainly..."

Tom smiled confidently. After thanking him softly, he put away his wand and stood beside the stern-faced Professor Dumbledore. He did not understand why the professor's gaze toward him had changed again. Lowering his head to hide the disappointment in his eyes, Tom reached out to stroke his wand, and his irritation instantly faded.

That was right. No one would like him, would they? And he did not need anyone to like him... He was grateful to Professor Dumbledore and admired him greatly, but he would not like this professor.

Even if it made him feel a little hurt, it was still better than one day losing a professor he liked.

As long as he had never possessed it, he would not have to experience that heart-wrenching, suffocating pain again.

He believed Mr. Ollivander's words. He possessed extraordinary talent and would certainly become the most powerful wizard. Only then would he be qualified to like something, because by then, no one would be able to easily take away what belonged to him.

Including death, he would definitely gain the power to control life and death. Definitely!