Difference in Aptitude

Indeed, Tom only showed politeness to others when he needed to use them.

When asking Dumbledore questions, he respectfully addressed it as "Professor."

After 'using' them, he would refer to it as "Mister."

Dumbledore clearly saw through Tom's little thoughts.

But it could only push up its glasses, gazing at Tom with sharp, stern eyes.

Tom stubbornly met its gaze, his attitude very firm.

He believed he was not wrong!

Dumbledore sighed inwardly, shifting its gaze away.

Cypher noticed this.

He really wanted to tell Dumbledore:

When educating Tom, you can't treat him like a child.

Especially since you've already given him the impression that you're very powerful.

You must always be stronger than him, suppress him, and only then will he listen to you. Eventually, when he can't take it anymore, he will submit to you.

You revealed your indecision and weakness right from the start.

No wonder Tom would become the second-generation Dark Lord in the future.

Dumbledore remained silent for a good while under the gazes of everyone.

"Are there no other students with questions?"

It said softly, and Cypher noticed that Dumbledore's voice was trembling slightly.

Why? Does Tom make you value him so much?

Obviously, Cypher's confusion couldn't be voiced in class.

And the other students showed no signs of having any questions.

The pure-bloods and outstanding young witches and wizards all understood Dumbledore's meaning.

They were all waiting for Dumbledore to announce the start of practical exercises.

As for those cannon fodder-like young witches and wizards, they kept their mouths shut.

Cypher noticed that a few of the Gryffindor young witches and wizards were tempted to raise their hands.

But for some reason, they gave up asking.

They probably didn't understand at all and didn't know how to express themselves.

The gap between the comprehension of young witches and wizards was revealed in this first lesson, like a chasm.

Cypher sighed.

What he didn't know was that these young witches and wizards were all from powerless Muggle families.

They had all been warned by the pure-blood families.

Coming to Hogwarts to study was fine, but they must not do anything that would hinder the school's 'normal' learning.

Otherwise...

Once they graduated, holding their wands and able to cast spells, they would be qualified combatants on the battlefield.

Dumbledore obviously knew this.

It opened its mouth slightly, ultimately calling on someone to ask a question.

At this time, it couldn't afford to fall out with the pure-blood families.

"Since there are no questions, let's move on to the next part: Transfiguration practical exercises."

It needed to distribute a small block of wood to each young witch and wizard.

Standing on the platform, Dumbledore completed the aforementioned task with just a wave of its hand.

Then, it clapped its hands, attracting the attention of the students who were examining the small blocks of wood in their hands.

"Focus, be firm, feel! Transmit!"

With a wave of its wand, the small block of wood turned into a small dagger with carvings.

"Let's conjure a small dagger to end today's lesson."

Free practice time began.

Cypher didn't cast a spell right away.

He knew how terrible his Transfiguration was.

He looked around, and from his current observation, the block of wood was just an ordinary block of wood, with no other spells attached that would affect the magic effect.

In other words, there's no problem with my target. Casting Transfiguration doesn't require a specific target.

Carefully waving his wand, Cypher tried to imagine a small dagger.

He succeeded! Although the dagger had many burrs, there was no doubt that the shape of the wood had changed.

However, Cypher's joy vanished instantly when he saw the daggers that Luna and Iris had conjured, which looked like works of art.

Cypher instantly calmed down, and he began to summarize why he had succeeded this time and how it differed from his previous attempts.

Just then...

Bang!

The explosion startled Cypher, making him shiver.

He quickly turned around.

He saw a young wizard standing there, stunned.

A wooden splinter was stuck in the air in front of him.

"Don't let your mind wander. You must have been thinking about what would happen if the Transfiguration failed."

Dumbledore, who was magically protecting the students, said helplessly.

They gave the unlucky student another small piece of wood.

Why don't I observe the characteristics of other young wizards casting Transfiguration?

Cypher had a flash of inspiration, but as he observed, he began to feel a little overwhelmed.

With the 'happy spells' that the young wizards were casting, anything was possible.

Most of the wooden blocks from Gryffindor would shake violently after being hit by the young wizards' spells.

Many wooden blocks even achieved combustion or explosion under the dazzling spells.

The Hufflepuff young wizards made the wooden blocks particularly lively. The most representative example was a wooden block that grew two matchstick-like legs and ran away.

Fortunately, Professor Dumbledore was quick-witted and strangled the mutated object in mid-air.

Is that Living Transfiguration?

Cypher's pupils widened in shock.

The Ravenclaw and Slytherin young wizards were much more normal. Dumbledore frequently nodded, expressing approval of their performances.

In comparison, Cypher was indeed unremarkable.

No wonder Dumbledore didn't care about him.

Cypher felt a little jealous and frustrated.

The remaining cannon fodder young wizards, even with their faces flushed red, waved their wands and struck the wooden blocks with all their might, but the wooden blocks remained wooden blocks.

If the wooden blocks could express their feelings...

They would probably show a terrified expression, waiting for a spell that would probably never come.

Even though the scene was very chaotic, Dumbledore was still in control.

They were always able to protect all the young wizards at the most critical moments, keeping them away from the harm caused by the spellcasting.

However, as more and more young wizards successfully cast spells, the consequences became more and more chaotic.

Dumbledore couldn't remain calm either.

They loudly emphasized the need to be firm in their beliefs. When that didn't work, they had to get up and busy themself dealing with various disturbances.

Finally, class was over, and Cypher noticed that Dumbledore's face was visibly tired.

During dinner, Cypher was a little absent-minded.

The observant Luna had already noticed.

Until Cypher picked up his empty cup for the third time, pretending to drink water.

She finally couldn't help it.

"Cypher, is something on your mind? If you can, tell us and let us listen."

Cypher was stunned, came back to his senses, and realized that he was indeed holding an empty cup.

He couldn't hide his worries any longer, and he sighed. He never thought he would need comforting one day.

Perhaps his young body had made his thinking younger as well.

"It's not appropriate to talk about it here. Let's go to my dorm."

"What? You're actually jealous that Riddle is getting more attention from Professor Dumbledore than you?"

Luna also had a 'you're kidding me' expression on her face.

I rushed through lunch, and you're telling me this?

Seeing that Cypher didn't seem to be joking.

Luna pondered for a moment before offering Cypher some guidance.

"Cypher, have you ever considered that Dumbledore trusts your judgment, which is why it allows you to grow freely?"

"Its lack of attention and intervention might actually be protecting you from being targeted by Pure-blood families."

Iris chimed in to help.

"Wait, targeted by Pure-blood families?"

Cypher frowned.

Iris quickly covered her mouth, but she relented under Cypher's gaze.

She explained his unique situation to Cypher, and why more young witches and wizards enrolled in Hogwarts in addition to the Sorting Ceremony.

Initially, she wasn't motivated purely by mischief; she was also curious about who had prompted Dumbledore to go to such lengths to secure a place for a top student.

Knowing part of the truth, Cypher fell silent.

He was too weak at the moment. Currently, besides himself, he couldn't change anything.