Skilled in Martial Arts, Magical Creatures

After running into Hermione, the first shop Rhine visited with her was Madam Malkin's Robes.

After all, wearing Muggle clothes in Diagon Alley was rather conspicuous. Especially since, in this life, Rhine not only had refined features, but his figure had also filled out due to the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones talent, making him even more eye-catching.

The Witches they passed along the way, young and old alike, kept looking back at Rhine.

Rhine felt that he should change into something less noticeable as soon as possible. Otherwise, it felt as though the Witches' gazes were about to devour him.

After entering Madam Malkin's Robes, both Rhine and Hermione let out soft sighs of relief.

Then, under that subtle mutual understanding, they both froze for a moment before smiling at each other.

"Cough, cough..."

Madam Malkin coughed softly.

Hermione immediately looked away as though she had been shocked, a faint blush appearing on her face.

Rhine, on the other hand, remained perfectly composed.

"Madam Malkin, I'm here to purchase the School Uniform required for enrollment."

"Also, I need a looser robe with a hood, something that won't draw too much attention."

Madam Malkin was thoroughly familiar with School Uniforms.

Though her meticulous nature meant careful measurements were unavoidable, she could usually tell at a glance what size a young wizard coming in for a uniform would need.

But in Madam Malkin's eyes, Rhine was simply a born clothes hanger.

With that physique, he could fill out any outfit perfectly.

Paired with that handsome face, tsk, tsk... if he showed up at some ball, he would definitely become the person every young Witch competed to invite.

Yet Rhine wanted ordinary clothes that would make him less noticeable, which Madam Malkin found rather regrettable.

Such beauty, hidden away.

Still, her professionalism was beyond question. Before long, she had prepared all the clothes Rhine needed.

When Rhine stepped out of the fitting room in his School Uniform, both Madam Malkin and Hermione's eyes lit up.

Compared to Muggle clothing, robes carried an added air of mystery, making Rhine seem even more enigmatic and attractive.

But Rhine soon changed into his ordinary clothes.

The slightly bulky robe concealed his figure, while the lowered hood hid his face. Now he looked like an entirely ordinary young wizard.

Rhine was quite satisfied. Just as he was about to pay, Madam Malkin blinked.

"I believe beautiful things are the greatest reward people can receive, and I have already received mine."

"Mr. Rhine, I won't charge you for these outfits. If you are willing to model my new designs in the future, I would even be willing to pay you additional compensation."

After his initial astonishment, Rhine felt a wave of emotion.

Good heavens. A handsome face really does work anywhere, whether in the magical world or the Muggle world.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam Malkin."

"As for modeling, I'll consider it if the opportunity arises."

Then Rhine quickly dragged Hermione out of the robe shop.

"You have to keep what happened here a secret for me."

"I don't want my rivals in the literary world to find out I was nearly dragged off to become a model. Their pens would surely write a thousand jokes to mock me."

After stepping outside, Rhine let out a breath and made his request of Hermione.

Hermione nodded repeatedly, feeling as though she and Rhine were sharing a secret.

And that sort of feeling was often a shortcut to bringing people closer together.

Without realizing it, the information on Rhine's system screen refreshed.

Your relationship with Young Deng Chanyu has reached casual acquaintance

You have received a reward: Skilled in Martial Arts

Claim now?

Rhine took a deep breath.

"Hermione, well done! I really have to thank you!"

Hermione looked at the suddenly delighted Rhine with a baffled expression. She thought he was so happy because she had promised to keep his secret.

But wasn't keeping secrets only natural?

Rhine had even thanked her for it. He had none of the airs of a Literary Giant from the legends. He really was such a good person!

At that moment, Rhine suppressed the urge to claim his reward on the spot and quickened his pace toward the rest of his errands.

By the time he had bought all the books, cauldrons, and other necessities, even Rhine, with his Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, felt mentally exhausted.

This was more tiring than shopping for New Year's supplies. No wonder so many young wizards had to bring their whole families!

At that moment, Rhine stopped outside the Magical Menagerie.

Connections were something that needed to be maintained over the long term.

Considering that he would have no means of contacting the magical world if he returned to the Muggle world, buying an Owl was absolutely necessary.

And Rhine glanced at Hermione, who was panting heavily and so tired she could barely catch her breath.

He had troubled Hermione for so long. He had to show some appreciation.

"Hermione, let's take one last look around the Magical Menagerie."

"I want to buy an Owl, and I suggest you buy one too."

"That way, even after you start school, you can use an Owl to keep in touch with your parents and friends in the Muggle world."

"Also, I heard that some famous scholars in the magical world communicate with their readers through letters. They say Dumbledore's letters were once frequent visitors to those masters' desks. You're so outstanding, so you could try exchanging letters with them too."

Hermione's eyes lit up at his words.

But she quickly shook her head.

"I've nearly used up my Galleons allowance. I'm saving what remains for Hogwarts, so I don't have enough left to buy an Owl now."

"Rhine, you choose one. I'll buy one next term."

Rhine only smiled.

He had not gone to launder money, but he had saved quite a bit while purchasing his school supplies.

The most expensive items, the wand and School Uniform, had both cost him nothing, so he still had plenty of allowance left—more than enough to buy Owls.

"It's all right. I'll give you one, as..."

"A token of our friendship?"

"After all, it seems that without even realizing it, we've started calling each other by name. That means we count as friends, right?"

Hermione froze for a moment, only then realizing that from earlier until now, she and Rhine had been addressing each other by name.

Her face immediately flushed bright red as she stammered.

"O-of course..."

"Of course we're friends."

Rhine smiled.

"Then since you, my friend, have accompanied me for so long and helped me so much, don't refuse when I give you an Owl."

Then Rhine pulled Hermione into the shop.

It was a rather cramped shop, with cages densely covering the walls and a dazzling array of magical creatures.

There were poisonous orange snails, turtles with gems embedded in their shells, cats in every color, transforming rabbits...

Naturally, Owls, the most common pets and messengers, were indispensable.

With the Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart, Rhine could understand all things. He was far superior even to Parseltongue, and could understand the words of any magical creature.

Before long, he selected an Owl for Hermione. It had sleek brown feathers, wide round eyes, and an adorably silly appearance.

"This one has a gentle temperament, is easy to raise, and isn't a picky eater."

"Most importantly, it's very pretty. What do you think, Hermione?"

Hermione's face showed unmistakable fondness, and she nodded again and again.

But when she saw the price, Hermione drew in a breath.

So expensive.

It would cost nearly half of a new student's allowance.

No wonder Professor McGonagall had said while taking her past the shop that, although new students were permitted to bring pets as soon as they enrolled, Muggle-born students usually only bought pets in the second half of their first year or in their second year.

Some even used the school Owls throughout their entire time at Hogwarts.

Now it seemed that new students really could not afford them.

Although Rhine had saved a lot of money, if he bought this Owl for her, wouldn't he be unable to afford one for himself?

Hermione said softly, "Rhine, it's too expensive. Let's forget it. Really, if you can sign one of your books for me, that would be the best gift I could receive."

"You should just buy one for yourself."

A strange glint appeared in Rhine's eyes.

This silly girl Hermione, did she think he would give up buying his own Owl?

Since he had said it, he naturally had a way.

Even outside the shop, Rhine had spotted an Owl with dark gray feathers in the display window. A sign hung beneath its cage.

"Free adoption, Owl food included."

"Please be careful. Fierce temperament. Has scratched two consecutive owners!"