Tom's Proper Use

But that would make it difficult to directly follow in Voldemort and Grindelwald's footsteps.

Li Weide already had an idea. He then opened the system interface in his mind.

The system interface was extremely simple, containing only products and his Merit Points balance.

Product One: Essence of Dittany, 50 ml (Unlocked) — 5 Merit Points

Product Two: Complete Book of Low-Level Spells (Unlocked) — 50 Merit Points

Refresh Countdown: 8 hours 27 minutes 39 seconds

Merit Points: 50

Dark Lord Achievement: Not Achieved

Seeing the second item, Li Weide immediately opened it without hesitation.

Complete Book of Low-Level Spells was a system-exclusive low-level Spellbook. It covered nearly every low-level spell currently in circulation and gave detailed accounts of every casting technique, as well as their historical evolution...

Before he had even finished reading the system description, Li Weide purchased it without hesitation.

Although the book contained only low-level spells, it would still be immensely helpful to a magical novice like Li Weide!

Besides, given how detailed this Spellbook was, there was no way he could buy it in a bookstore!

"Ding! Would you like to purchase Complete Book of Low-Level Spells?"

"Yes!"

"Ding! Please select the language of this book."

He could even choose the language?

Li Weide's heart stirred. "Is there a Simplified Chinese edition?"

He was only asking casually. After all, Simplified Chinese would not emerge until the 1950s, and it was only the 1930s now.

"Ding! The Simplified Chinese edition of Complete Book of Low-Level Spells has been delivered. Please check and receive it!"

Li Weide felt a warmth in his palm, and a black-covered book suddenly appeared in his hand!

Li Weide picked up the book in confusion. He noticed that something was off about its thickness!

If the book truly contained as much as the system description claimed, it should have been far thicker.

Li Weide glanced at the pitch-black cover. Its English title was written in large gilded letters... Oliver Twist.

Huh? Where was the Spellbook he had been promised? Why was this a Dickens novel?

Li Weide frowned slightly.

Then Li Weide discovered that when he focused his gaze fully on the title, the English title Oliver Twist slowly changed into Simplified Chinese before his eyes—Complete Book of Low-Level Spells.

What amazed Li Weide was that when he looked away from the words, the Simplified Chinese title on the cover reverted to the English Oliver Twist.

"Ding! For system-exclusive books, only the host and those authorized by the host can see their true contents."

Li Weide was very satisfied with the Spellbook's built-in disguise function.

Since the book could disguise itself, he no longer had to worry about anyone noticing this excessively detailed Spellbook.

And since the book's true contents were hidden, its thickness could not be used to judge how detailed it was.

Li Weide casually opened the book. Sure enough, the contents of the novel slowly transformed into detailed explanations of spells before his eyes! More importantly, it was all in Simplified Chinese!

Spellbooks often contained many Old English terms. Even though Li Weide's English was decent, they would not have been easy for him to understand.

But because the one in Li Weide's hands was a Simplified Chinese edition produced by the system, the translation was both accurate and elegant. Naturally, that problem was easily solved.

"Knock, knock! Sir, it's time to eat."

Li Weide, immersed in his spell research, raised his head and looked at the darkening sky outside the window.

Without realizing it, it was already dinnertime.

Li Weide opened the door and saw Tom standing there with a somewhat humble expression, his face filled with obedience.

It was as though the arrogant person from earlier in the day had nothing to do with him. Whenever he needed something, his skin could become incredibly thick...

From another perspective, that could be considered one of Tom's special talents.

"Tom, don't call me sir. It sounds strange. If you don't mind, just call me Weide." Li Weide smiled.

Tom nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Then when other people are around, I'll call you Weide. When no one is around, I'll still call you sir."

It had to be said that Tom was a born pretender. He spoke pleasantly, knew how to be considerate, and was quite handsome as well.

Anyone who did not know him would most likely be deceived.

No wonder that after he entered school, aside from Dumbledore, who had seen his true face, every other teacher and student adored him.

"Do as you like."

Li Weide replied noncommittally and headed toward the dining area.

Tom hurried after him.

Along the way, Tom's performance was flawless.

He followed behind Li Weide with utmost respect, completely playing the role of a lackey.

But Li Weide knew that this was a venomous snake! The moment it found an opportunity, it would pounce and clamp down on his throat!

What a vicious child... If that was the case...

As though he had thought of something, Li Weide looked at the obedient Tom beside him, and the corners of his mouth suddenly curved upward.

Smack!

Tom clutched his head and stared at Li Weide in stunned disbelief. A flash of rage flickered in his eyes, but he quickly hid it.

"Weide... sir... why did you hit me?!"

"Ding! Detected that the host has inflicted humiliating damage on a vicious brat. Reward: 10 Merit Points!"

Excellent. He had successfully discovered Tom's proper use. And while he was at it, he had earned the Merit Points needed to buy Essence of Dittany.

Hearing the system notification, Li Weide withdrew his hand in satisfaction.

"I'm sorry. I just saw a fly on your head..."

"Then... where is the fly?" Tom rubbed his head of still-thick hair, looking utterly baffled.

"It flew away," Li Weide said flatly.

"?"

Tom's eyes widened. Even if he had been an idiot, he now understood that Li Weide had hit him on purpose.

"Hurry up. Mrs. Cole doesn't have a habit of waiting for people to eat."

Tom looked at Li Weide's back, both shocked and furious.

Did he guess what I was planning to do? No... that can't be it! How could he possibly know what I'm thinking?

Then why did he suddenly hit me? Could it be... he was testing me?! Testing whether I'm truly obedient?

At that thought, Tom hurriedly recalled whether he had shown any expression he should not have when he was struck.

But Tom had not looked in a mirror just then, so how could he know whether he had controlled his expression properly?

Tom followed after him uneasily.

Now, he was worried that Li Weide would suddenly turn on him and leave him half-dead.

Because if their positions were reversed, that was exactly what he would have done!