Try It and See!

Li Weide bought that Lighter for ten Knuts.

Being able to close the deal at such a low price also indirectly proved that it was not only Tom who could not see the blue glow on it...

If everyone could see that glow, the price definitely would not have been so cheap.

After Tom picked out a few Magic Manuscripts from the secondhand bookshop, the two returned to their agreed meeting place.

Toby had long been waiting there with bags and parcels in hand.

Then, just as before, Toby took them back to the Hog's Head Inn separately.

After entering, Li Weide casually asked Aberforth at the bar about the Lighter.

However, Aberforth could not see the blue glow on the Lighter either.

After hearing Li Weide's description, he suggested that Li Weide take it out for Dumbledore to inspect the next time he came.

Li Weide thought that made sense. Dumbledore was highly accomplished in alchemy, so he was bound to know something.

So, he temporarily put the matter of the Lighter aside.

Dumbledore would be back soon enough anyway, so Li Weide was in no hurry.

The moment Tom returned to his room, he picked up the book he had set down earlier and continued reading.

Wanting to grow stronger at every moment was now Tom's entire pursuit...

Meanwhile, Li Weide left with the five old wands he had just bought tucked away on him.

Having seen quite a few Dark Arts spells in the Wizard Tower last night, Li Weide wanted to pick out some interesting ones and give them a try.

When you were out in the world, you needed a few trump cards for self-defense.

And to practice the Dark Arts, he needed to find somewhere secluded...

Li Weide already had such a place in mind: the first floor of the Wizard Tower.

The first floor of the Wizard Tower had originally been used as a laboratory, but the previous owner had sold off all the equipment, leaving it completely empty.

It was perfect for Li Weide to let loose and properly practice the Dark Arts.

Aberforth saw Li Weide leave again with Toby just after returning, but he did not say anything.

Dumbledore had told him before that, as long as Li Weide did nothing out of line, there was no need to interfere.

That showed just how much Dumbledore trusted Li Weide.

That trust came from the good impression Li Weide had made on Dumbledore before.

Of course, that had also been the purpose of Li Weide's efforts to display his acting skills in front of Dumbledore.

He did not want to end up like the original Tom, who, no matter how well he behaved at school, was still watched closely by Dumbledore and never earned his trust.

That was because he had failed to leave Dumbledore with a good first impression—one that made him seem trustworthy!

Toby took Li Weide directly to the first floor of the Wizard Tower.

It was completely different from how Li Weide had seen it before.

The floor and surrounding shelves had been scrubbed spotless, and all the miscellaneous clutter had been thoroughly cleared away.

It was obvious that Toby had put a great deal of effort into cleaning.

"Young Master Weide, if you need anything else, you may simply tell Toby."

Toby was also very happy to be back in the Wizard Tower. To him, it truly felt like returning home.

"Mm, I might need some targets for practicing the Dark Arts. Preferably sturdy ones," Li Weide said.

"Of course. We already have such things," Toby said, snapping his fingers.

Then five or six black humanoid targets appeared before them.

Li Weide gave the dark-colored humanoid target in front of him a hard pat and found it exceptionally solid.

Thinking of how the Somnolen Family's collection was full of Dark Arts...

It was entirely understandable that the targets used to practice magic here would be especially sturdy.

If they were not, they would not have been able to withstand the Dark Arts bombardment of generations of family members.

But now, all of it belonged to Li Weide.

Li Weide said with satisfaction, "Very good. Put these targets over there."

At once, Toby snapped his fingers. The heavy humanoid targets all floated into the air and landed precisely where indicated.

Having a House-elf to help really did make things much easier for Li Weide.

As Li Weide thought of this, an idea suddenly occurred to him. "Toby, if I wanted to learn Apparition, could you help me?"

Toby nodded. "Of course, but... Young Master Weide, if you wish to learn Apparition, it would be best to wait until you are a little older. You are still quite young. If you force yourself to learn it now, the chance of Splinching will increase greatly..."

Li Weide immediately caught the key point and eagerly asked, "So if I get Splinched, you can help reattach my body?"

"Yes." Toby nodded. "When Master Sophic first began practicing Apparition, Toby assisted him at his side..."

"Excellent! Then I'll leave my safety to you, Toby!" Li Weide said happily, patting Toby on the shoulder.

House-elves would never lie to their masters. Since Toby said he could help him practice Apparition, then he certainly could.

Once he mastered Apparition, he would have another trump card. If he ever encountered a situation he could not handle, he would still have a way out.

Besides, if he truly mastered Apparition, the spell would provide him with enormous help in battle!

Hearing his master place such trust in him, Toby's face flashed with wild joy, only to be swiftly covered by concern.

"Young Master Weide, Toby is deeply moved by your trust! But... but you are still young. Practicing Apparition at your age would be extremely dangerous..."

Toby continued trying to persuade Li Weide. With him there, Li Weide would not be in mortal danger, but if the terror of Splinching could be avoided, why take the risk now?

Li Weide smiled. "With you here, I'm not worried at all."

"Oh... my master! Toby will do everything in his power to help Master learn Apparition!"

Toby shrieked excitedly, even changing his form of address from Young Master Weide to Master.

This showed just how excited this House-elf was by Li Weide's casual expression of trust...

Li Weide had always believed that if he wanted others to help him wholeheartedly, he first had to give them sufficient rewards.

If you wanted a horse to run fast, you had to feed it well.

For strange creatures like House-elves, a single word of trust from their master was the finest feed they could receive!

"Master, do you wish to practice Apparition now? Toby will prepare everything at once!" Toby trembled all over with excitement.

Li Weide had originally wanted to say they could learn it next time. After all, he had not planned to learn Apparition today, so he had made absolutely no preparations.

But now... the mood had already built up to this point. Why not... give it a try?

Try it, then!

Apparition was far safer than the Dark Arts he intended to practice!

And once he learned Apparition, he would no longer need Toby's help to travel back and forth from the Wizard Tower.

"Then let's do it!"