However, that meant he couldn't simply follow Voldemort or Grindelwald's paths.
Li Wade had already formed a plan. He mentally opened the system interface.
The interface was simple—displaying only items and his Virtue Points balance.
[Item 1: Essence of Dittany (50ml, Unlocked) – 5 VP]
[Item 2: Comprehensive Guide to Basic Spells (Unlocked) – 50 VP]
[Refresh Countdown: 8h 27m 39s]
[Virtue Points: 50]
[Dark Lord Achievement: Not Attained]
Seeing the second item, Li Wade clicked it immediately, without hesitation.
[Comprehensive Guide to Basic Spells is a system-exclusive compendium covering nearly all basic spells currently known in the magical world. It details every casting technique, historical evolution, and application nuance…]
Before even finishing the description, Li Wade purchased it outright.
Though it only contained basic spells, for a novice like him, it was invaluable! Moreover, such depth of detail was impossible to find in any bookstore.
Ding! Purchase Comprehensive Guide to Basic Spells?
"Yes!"
Ding! Please select the book's language.
It offers language options?
Li Wade's interest was piqued. "Is there a Simplified Chinese version?"
He asked half-jokingly—after all, Simplified Chinese wouldn't emerge until the 1950s, and it was only the 1930s now.
Ding! Simplified Chinese edition dispatched. Please check your inventory!
A warmth spread through Li Wade's palm as a black-bound book materialized in his hand.
He frowned, noticing something odd—the thickness felt wrong. If it truly contained everything described, it should be far bulkier.
He glanced at the cover: gilt letters spelled out the title... Oliver Twist.
Huh? Where's the spellbook? Why Dickens?
But as he focused, the English title shimmered and transformed into Simplified Chinese: Comprehensive Guide to Basic Spells. When he looked away, it reverted to Oliver Twist.
Ding! System-exclusive books reveal their true content only to the host or those granted permission.
The built-in disguise pleased Li Wade. No one would suspect this ordinary novel hid forbidden knowledge. And since the content was magically compressed, thickness meant nothing.
He flipped it open. Before his eyes, Dickens' prose dissolved into meticulous spell diagrams and instructions—all in flawless Simplified Chinese!
Spellbooks often used archaic English, challenging even fluent speakers. But the system's translation was elegantly precise, obliterating that barrier.
---
Knock, knock!
"Sir? Dinner's ready."
Li Wade looked up from the book. Outside, dusk had fallen. Hours had slipped away unnoticed.
He opened the door to find Tom Riddle standing there, posture unnervingly deferential. The arrogant boy from earlier had vanished beneath a mask of humility—a skill he wielded as naturally as magic.
"Tom, drop the 'sir.' It sounds strange. Call me Wade," Li Wade said with a smile.
Tom returned a shallow smile. "Then I'll call you Wade in public... and sir in private."
He really is a born manipulator, Li Wade mused. Charming, considerate, handsome—no wonder everyone at Hogwarts adored him. Only Dumbledore saw through the act.
"Suit yourself."
Li Wade headed toward the dining hall, Tom shadowing him like a dutiful attendant. Every step was flawlessly subservient.
But Li Wade knew better: this was a viper coiled to strike the moment his guard dropped.
Such a malicious child… In that case…
An idea sparked. Li Wade glanced at Tom's obedient profile and smiled.
Thwack!
Tom clutched his head, stunned. Fury flashed in his eyes before vanishing behind a veneer of confusion.
"W-Si—Sir! Why did you hit me?!"
Ding! Host inflicted humiliating injury on a wicked child! Reward: 10 Virtue Points!
Perfect. Tom had just funded his Essence of Dittany purchase.
Li Wade lowered his hand, satisfied. "My apologies. I saw a fly on your head."
"...And where is it now?" Tom rubbed his thick hair, bewildered.
"Gone."
"?"
Even Tom couldn't miss the blatant lie.
"Hurry up. Mrs. Cole waits for no one."
Tom stared at Li Wade's retreating back, seething.
Did he guess my plan? No… impossible!
Then why hit me? Is he… testing my obedience?
Panicked, he replayed the moment: Did my mask slip? Did he see my rage?
Without a mirror, he couldn't know. Heart pounding, he followed.
Now he feared Li Wade would turn, snap, and break him.
Because he would.