Try It, Then!

Li Weide bought the lighter for ten Copper Knuts.

The fact that he had managed to get it for such a low price also proved, indirectly, that Tom was not the only one unable to see the Blue Light on it...

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

After Tom picked out several Magic Manuscripts from the old bookstore, the two returned to their agreed meeting place.

Toby had already been waiting there with armfuls of bags.

Then, just as before, Toby took them back to the Hog's Head 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 listening to Li Weide's description, he suggested that Li Weide bring it out for Dumbledore to see the next time he came by.

Li Weide thought that made sense. Dumbledore was highly accomplished in Alchemy and would likely know something.

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

Dumbledore would be coming again soon 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.

Constantly thinking about becoming stronger was now Tom's sole pursuit...

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

After seeing quite a few Dark Magic 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 tricks up your sleeve to protect yourself.

And to practice Dark Magic, he needed to find somewhere secluded...

Li Weide already had 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 experimental equipment, leaving it empty and bare.

It was just the right place for Li Weide to cut loose and practice Dark Magic properly.

When Aberforth saw Li Weide leave with Toby again so soon after returning, he did not say much.

Dumbledore had previously told him that as long as Li Weide did not do anything out of line, there was no need to interfere.

This showed just how much Dumbledore trusted Li Weide.

That was thanks to 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 Tom in the original story, who was watched closely by Dumbledore and never trusted, no matter how well he behaved at school.

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

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

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

The floor and surrounding shelves had been cleaned until they were spotless, and all the miscellaneous clutter had been thoroughly cleared away.

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

"Young Master Weide, if there is anything else you need, you may tell Toby directly."

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

"Mm, I might need some targets for practicing Dark Magic. 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 firm pat and found it exceptionally solid.

Considering that the Somnolun Family's collection of books was entirely Dark Magic...

It was perfectly understandable that the targets here for practicing magic would be sturdier.

If they were not sturdy enough, they would never have withstood the Dark Magic bombardment of generations of family members.

But now, all of it belonged to Li Weide.

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

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

It had to be said that having a House-elf to help really did make things much easier for Li Weide.

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

Toby nodded. "Of course, but... Young Master Weide, if you wish to learn Apparation, it would be best to wait until you are a little older. You are still quite young. If you force yourself to learn now, the chances 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 Sophiek first began practicing Apparation, Toby was the one assisting 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 Apparation, then he certainly could.

Once he mastered Apparation, he would have another trump card. If he ever encountered a situation he could not handle in the future, he would at least have a way out.

Besides, if he truly became proficient in Apparation, this spell would provide him with enormous help in battle! Hearing his master trust him so completely, a flash of wild joy crossed Toby's face, only to be swiftly replaced by worry.

"Young Master Weide, Toby is deeply moved by your trust! But... but you are still young. Practicing Apparation 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 he could avoid the terror of Splinching, 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 Apparation!"

Toby let out an excited shriek, even changing his form of address from Young Master Weide to Master.

That alone showed just how thrilled this House-elf was by Li Weide's casual words 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 their finest fodder!

"Master, do you wish to practice Apparation right now? Toby will go make preparations 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 Apparation right away, so he had made absolutely no preparations.

But now... the mood had already been built up to this point. Why not... give it a try? Fine, he would try it! Apparation was far safer than the Dark Magic he planned to practice! And once he learned Apparation, he would no longer need Toby's help to travel back and forth to the Wizard Tower.

"Then let's do it!"