Perhaps scared by Adrian's questions, after an explanation, the ink changed again.
Are you a student at Hogwarts? I guess you're in Slytherin? Then I should be your senior. If you have any academic problems you don't understand, you can ask me anytime, no matter what kind of problem it is!
No, I'm actually in Gryffindor, Adrian thought silently.
Between the lines, Adrian could feel Tom Riddle's bursting self-confidence.
But thinking about it, Tom could control the top magical creature, the basilisk, in fifth year, split his soul to make his first Horcrux, and complete the first small goal on the road to immortality. Anyone would get cocky.
Adrian thought for a while and began to write down in the diary the questions he'd been pondering for a long time but hadn't figured out.
What is the nature of magic?
After a long time, the ink Adrian left on the notebook hadn't moved at all.
Perhaps because he thought this question was a bit too difficult, Adrian paused, then wrote again.
What is the formula for making Felix Felicis?
Felix Felicis could make the person who drank it extremely lucky within twelve hours. It was the potion Adrian had always wanted to make, but unfortunately, he hadn't found the corresponding formula even in the Restricted Section.
So he looked forward to the diary being able to give him the answer.
However, to Adrian's disappointment, Tom Riddle didn't give him an answer.
You said you know everything? Liar!
In fact, the Horcrux was stunned when faced with these problems from Adrian. It had only been in fifth year when it was made. How could it possibly know the nature of magic?
The formula for making Felix Felicis was something very few Potions masters knew. Even if Tom was knowledgeable and talented, it was impossible to produce a formula for Adrian out of thin air.
After two consecutive questions received no response, Adrian understood that the Dark Lord in his youth wasn't as amazing as he'd imagined.
So the next questions became simpler, all asking about basic magical spell questions.
The Horcrux finally reacted, regrouping the handwriting Adrian had written to form answers one by one.
Perhaps because of losing face on the first two questions, or wanting to gain trust, Tom Riddle's answers were very detailed and even contained some spellcasting techniques he'd developed himself.
After talking for a while, a series of system prompts sounded in Adrian's mind.
[Ding!]
[After a period of learning, your Shield Charm proficiency has greatly improved!]
[After a period of learning, your Disarming Charm proficiency has greatly improved!]
[After a period of study...]
Adrian's heart was overjoyed, and his gaze toward the Horcrux became much softer.
'This is another useful learning tool!'
Before squeezing out its usefulness, Adrian temporarily dismissed the idea of destroying it with Fiendfyre.
Suddenly, Adrian thought of the problem he was facing now and took the quill pen to write in the diary.
Can you make magical items?
Tom Riddle was silent for a while, then replied in the diary.
No...
Adrian was a little disappointed. Just as he was about to close the diary, the ink suddenly began to change.
But I know some ancient rune knowledge!
Seeing the words displayed in the diary, Adrian finally smiled.
He'd guessed that Tom Riddle should have some understanding of ancient runes or magical item-making.
After all, when the Dark Lord just graduated, he hadn't chosen another path but went to work at Borgin and Burkes. It proved he was very interested in ancient runes, most likely he'd encountered the corresponding knowledge in Hogwarts' Restricted Section and wanted to understand it more deeply.
Perhaps this was also related to several other Horcruxes.
Adrian thought of the other Horcruxes made by Voldemort. Many of them directly used powerful magical items as carriers. If you didn't understand some relevant knowledge, it would never be possible to do that.
You're really good, knowing so much... can you teach me?
Adrian wrote in the diary cheerfully and praised Tom. Within a moment, the Horcrux responded.
Yes!
With the magical knowledge given by Tom Riddle, Adrian finally made a major breakthrough in the research process of the Shield Gloves!
One of those ancient runes could be used as the core of the anti-curse runic formula!
After another week of magical practice, Adrian finally produced the finished product after many failed attempts.
[Magical Item: Shield Gloves]
[Magic Power: Medium]
[Effect: Rebound curse]
[Description: This is a qualified magical item. Wear it, and when someone casts a curse on you, the curse will be reflected back.]
[Note: Its effect is limited. Frequent use may damage it, and you can't expect to use it to resist some deep dark magic.]
"Finally finished," Adrian said, looking at the Shield Gloves he'd made over and over again. The more he looked, the more he liked them.
For the shortcomings stated in the system remarks, Adrian didn't think it was a big deal. Anyway, this was the version to be sold, and the material cost was only five silver Sickles.
This kind of effect was already very good!
As for item damage, after a batch was damaged, the Ministry could just buy another batch.
With a quick calculation, Adrian quickly found Irene, who was doing research, and showed off the Shield Gloves he'd made.
"Have you analyzed that rune?" Irene asked in surprise.
Adrian had told her a week ago that he'd seen a few ancient runes at Hogwarts and was going to study them. But Irene hadn't paid much attention because analyzing runes was long work. She just hadn't expected Adrian to achieve results so quickly.
"You know, it's not that difficult," Adrian shrugged and shamelessly ignored the teachings from the Horcrux diary.
Because Adrian had deliberately shown strong talents before, Irene was getting used to him making Shield Gloves. After a short surprise, she quickly accepted this fact and began to test the Shield Gloves' effects.
Although Adrian had read the system's introduction, actually trying it himself would certainly be clearer.
The two soon arrived at the training ground in the basement.
"So... why am I the target?" Adrian stood on the training ground and put the Shield Gloves on his left hand.
"As the developer, isn't it normal to test your own product?" Irene explained. But whether she was serious or simply wanted to vent the frustration of being outpaced these days, who knew.