Tyrant System Activated

Professor McGonagall brought Charlie back to the orphanage, explained things to Grandma White, and demonstrated some astonishing magic.

Only then did Grandma White set aside her doubts, no longer mistaking Professor McGonagall for a kidnapper in a bathrobe peddling children.

Before they left, Grandma White stuffed a hundred pounds into Charlie's pocket. Charlie didn't take it, and instead left five hundred pounds on her table.

Five hundred pounds wasn't much, but at least it would ease things for the orphanage this month.

Ever since he'd crossed over, Charlie had been living at the orphanage. Grandma White treated him like her own grandson, and his drive to earn money was partly to help her out.

Seeing this, Professor McGonagall's gaze grew even softer.

Gryffindor's great sword, what a good child.

After leaving the orphanage, Professor McGonagall led Charlie into a shabby old pub.

"This is the Leaky Cauldron, the entrance to Diagon Alley."

In the pub's backyard, Professor McGonagall tapped the wall bricks with her wand, and the wall opened into a passage.

Charlie followed her inside, and the sight before him left him stunned.

Cobblestone streets, antique shops, owls soaring through the sky, and passersby in wizard robes.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall said with a smile.

Charlie's eyes went wide.

Just then, a sharp, thin voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

[Detected that Your Majesty has successfully made contact with the wizarding world. Tyrant System activating...]

[Your Majesty: Charlie White]

[Age: 11]

[Magic Talent Rating: (Max Level 10)]

[Transfiguration: 6]

[Charms: 8]

[Potions: 6]

[Defense Against the Dark Arts: 7]

[Herbology: 4]

[Astronomy: 4]

[History of Magic: 5]

[Mastered Spells: 0]

[Tyrant Points: 0]

Charlie nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden system interface.

A Tyrant System? What the hell? The Qing Dynasty fell ages ago—are you okay?

Where am I supposed to play tyrant around here?

But now wasn't the time to study the system; Professor McGonagall was already urging him to keep up.

"We'll head to Gringotts first to exchange some Galleons."

Professor McGonagall pointed at a tall white building at the end of the street.

"That's the wizarding bank."

Entering Gringotts, they were surrounded by short creatures with long noses and pointed ears.

"Those are goblins," Professor McGonagall explained in a low voice.

"Gringotts is run by goblins—they're natural financial experts."

"Tsk, so they really are goblins."

Charlie couldn't help staring a few more times.

They looked just like goblins. He wondered if the wizarding world had any princesses.

The main hall of Gringotts was lavishly decorated.

Marble floors gleamed like mirrors, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.

There were many counters in the hall, each with a goblin seated behind it.

Some were counting money, some were keeping accounts, and others were inspecting gems with magnifying glasses.

But oddly enough, not a single goblin bothered to acknowledge them.

Professor McGonagall led Charlie to one counter.

The goblin behind it didn't even look up, continuing to bury his head in his ledgers.

"Ahem." Professor McGonagall cleared her throat lightly.

The goblin finally lifted its head with reluctance, its expression full of impatience.

"Exchanging Galleons?" the goblin's voice was sharp and grating. "How much money?"

"This child wants to exchange some Galleons," Professor McGonagall said.

"And open an account."

The goblin shot Charlie a glance, disdain dripping from its eyes.

Another Muggle-born little wizard.

People like this usually only exchanged a hundred or two hundred pounds, opening the most basic account.

It couldn't be bothered with such small business.

Even if it was someone Professor McGonagall brought, even if Dumbledore himself stood here today, without money, it wouldn't lift a finger.

"Exchanging Galleons requires a fee," the goblin said coldly.

"Opening an account also requires a fee."

Charlie caught the goblin's attitude and felt a bit annoyed.

"The wizarding currency is divided into Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts," Professor McGonagall explained to Charlie.

"One Galleon equals seventeen Sickles, and one Sickle equals twenty-nine Knuts. At the current exchange rate, one Galleon is roughly five pounds."

Charlie nodded, then pulled a thick envelope from his pocket.

"Thump!"

He slammed the envelope heavily onto the counter.

"Give me 1500 pounds' worth of Galleons."

The bills inside scattered across the counter, all large-denomination pounds.

The goblin set down its abacus, snatched up the pounds with lightning speed, and began counting.

"It really is 1500 pounds," the goblin said, a hint of surprise in its voice.

Goblins at nearby windows cast envious glances.

1500 pounds could exchange for three hundred Galleons.

Such big business was rare; a client who could exchange this many Galleons at once was sure to be a long-term partner.

The goblin's face changed instantly, shifting from cold indifference to warm enthusiasm.

"Honored sir, welcome to Gringotts!" it rubbed its hands together, smiling ingratiatingly.

"I am Ragnok, delighted to serve you!"

"Allow me to introduce the various services Gringotts offers. We not only provide currency exchange but also savings, investments, safe deposit box rentals, and other financial products."

"For distinguished guests like you, we have a special VIP service, with fees three percent lower than standard accounts!"

"Would you like to apply for our diamond membership card? Cardholders enjoy a ten percent discount on all Gringotts transactions!"

Charlie crossed his arms, watching the goblin's fawning shift from its earlier arrogance.

"I still prefer your rebellious look from before."

"Bring it back."

Ragnok's smile froze on its face.

What... what did this mean?

Professor McGonagall was struggling to hold back her laughter beside him.

"Open an account," Charlie said, clearing his throat.

"Exchange it all for Galleons, deposit two hundred, and I'll take the rest with me."

"Of course, of course!" Ragnok nodded hastily. "I'll handle it right away!"

Soon, Charlie received a heavy money pouch containing a hundred Galleons.

The Galleons were heavier than he'd imagined, each one gleaming gold with intricate patterns engraved on them.

"First-year supplies cost about a few dozen Galleons," Professor McGonagall said.

"This money will last you a long time."

Charlie weighed the pouch in his hand, feeling pleased.

"Let's go buy your wand," Professor McGonagall said.

"The wand is a wizard's most important tool."

Charlie nodded and followed Professor McGonagall out of Gringotts.

The two arrived at Ollivanders Wand Shop, where the sign boasted wand-making since 382 BC.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the brass bell above it let out a crisp jingle.

"You will achieve great things, Mr. Potter."

A voice, aged yet tinged with mystery, came from inside the shop.