Experiment

"It seemed I really was different..."

For the first time, Tom felt so happy, then sank into disappointment. If he had discovered this magical ability sooner, could he have stopped the Matron's death?

The thought had barely surfaced before it began growing wildly in Tom's heart. He needed to experiment further. Simply making objects move did not amount to much.

Early the next morning, Tom found Billy, who had always been against him, and deliberately paced back and forth in front of him. Before long, Billy could no longer stand the provocation.

"Don't show your face in front of me! You annoying little... Ah!" As if something invisible had suddenly tripped him, Billy went flying and landed face-down on the ground, his face flushing red. Damn it! How could he trip on level ground? And in front of this guy, no less!

"Hahaha~ Billy! You're really something, tripping in an open space?"

"Did you fall for Riddle's looks and want to kiss his shoes? Hahaha~"

The laughter around him made Billy's expression worsen and worsen. He scrambled to his feet, shot the expressionless Tom a vicious glare, then turned and chased the hecklers around the yard. "Damn it, you dare laugh at me! Bastards! Stop right there, I'm going to beat you two idiots to death!"

Frowning, pouting, and shaking his little head, Tom was not very satisfied with his ability. What use was making someone trip? He could do that himself just by stretching out his leg. It seemed he needed to conduct more experiments. His gaze moved back and forth over several children who bullied him.

Tom stared at the freckle-faced boy and curled his lips slightly. This guy had followed Billy around often enough, snatching Tom's bread to eat. Hmph, I really hope this bad guy has terrible luck today.

After silently praying to himself, Tom no longer had the mood to stand in the yard and endure the cold wind. He arrived at the dining hall just in time. If he did not eat something soon, he really would starve to death. His stomach had already begun protesting, as though some invisible hand were wringing it like a rag.

After pouring himself a cup of hot water, Tom sat at the end of the dining table. He picked up the hard, stale bread in front of him, painstakingly tore it into small pieces, and put them in his mouth. Only after taking a small sip of water did he feel that what was in his mouth really was bread rather than some kind of bone.

If I could go somewhere I never had to worry about food, that place would surely be the heaven the Old Headmaster talked about!

Sighing inwardly, Tom did not stop moving his hands. He was only a small orphan, after all. How could something so wonderful possibly happen to him?

The fist-sized piece of bread was quickly eaten clean. Tom drained the water in his cup, jumped down from the stool, and returned to his room. That afternoon, all of them had to go out carrying boxes and ask people to donate to the orphanage.

Tom put on his clothes one layer at a time and looked with satisfaction at his round little body. It was ugly, but at least it kept him warm. At the very least, his body would not ache from the cold. Pulling down his sleeves to cover his small hands, Tom heard Mrs. Cole calling and opened the door to go out.

"Be back before dinner! Don't run around, or if you die outside, no one will care about you! Take your things and follow me."

Mrs. Cole carried the largest box at the front, followed by a string of little tails. Christmas, ah~ Those rich people would generously give a little more money. Maybe she could buy herself a bottle of gin. Tsk, and she would have to give these little brats an extra meal.