Despicable Ambusher

Tom smiled and slowly stepped forward, his pinky finger hooked to the end of his wand. In Brent's terrified gaze, he elegantly bowed, "I concede. My dear senior..."

Enduring the pain from his body, Brent tremblingly fumbled for his wand. He never imagined that this first-year would use such a spell. Damn it, this was a spell he didn't even know. Where did Riddle learn it from?

"Professor Merrythought likes me a lot. I thought you knew..." Tom, as if seeing through Brent's thoughts, smiled and provided the answer. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had given him a lot of guidance in private, especially after he had subtly expressed how he faced considerable targeting and insults in Slytherin due to his half-blood status.

Those offensive spells weren't that difficult to learn, were they? If he hadn't wanted to go too far, he would have ripped this idiot's bones out.

"Riddle~ Where are you?"

Regretfully putting away his wand, Tom heard the voice and shot a warning glance at the person on the ground. He sneered and turned, walking towards the direction of the sound.

"Stinging Jinx!"

Seeing the figure appear within his line of sight, Tom's intended dodge faltered. He narrowed his eyes, feigning panic, and turned back, crying out in pain as he fell to the ground, clutching his arm.

"Brent, you despicable sneak attacker! I'll definitely tell the Headmaster what you did!" Avery jogged over, supporting Tom, who had been attacked. He spat at his senior with utter contempt, calling him utterly shameful. "Have you no shame? How could the Flint family produce someone like you?"

Feeling like his lungs were about to explode, Brent pointed at the two opposite him and roared, "Greengrass Avery! When did you become this guy's lapdog? He was the one who made the first move!"

Avery rolled his eyes. What was wrong with him liking being a lapdog? Why would he associate with someone with no future instead of someone despicable who resorted to sneak attacks? He wasn't an idiot; any sensible person could see Tom's talent. "I only saw you sneak attacking someone from behind, you loser."

Supporting Tom as they walked towards the Hospital Wing, Avery huffed indignantly a few times. Most of the first-years in their year admired Tom. Even though he was a half-blood, he was stronger than many of them who were pure-bloods. It was possible he was the illegitimate child of some great noble family.

Tom subtly dodged Avery's hand, a faint smile on his lips as he drew his wand and cast Finite Incantatem on himself. His swollen arm returned to normal, and the burning sensation gradually subsided. "How did you know I was called to the Forbidden Forest by a senior?"

Looking at Tom's actions with admiration, Avery frowned in disgust. "I was just about to go find Mr. Augur and saw you two in front of his hut. That idiot has always been hostile towards you, Tom. You should have kept your injuries so the Headmaster could properly punish that fool."

Still smiling gently, Tom waved his hand indifferently. If the matter escalated to the Headmaster, he wasn't sure if the somewhat snobbish Headmaster would offend the Flint family for him. "It's just a small matter... There's no need to bother the Headmaster. Next time, I'll let him know what a Stinging Jinx is..."

Avery shut his mouth tightly and said no more. He had been thoroughly taught a lesson by this seemingly exceptionally well-behaved person when he had gone looking for trouble before. Only a brainless idiot would offend a viper skilled at disguise.