Chapter 4: Newbie Gift Pack
It was true. In his current state, his magic could manage little more than tripping someone.
Dumbledore watched her for a long time, as if weighing every syllable. He did not seem to think it necessary to use Legilimency on a child, even if she looked almost exactly like Lord Voldemort.
At last, he withdrew his gaze.
"Protecting oneself is understandable," Dumbledore said, his expression softening a fraction.
"But at Hogwarts, we will learn to control this power. Magic is not a tool for venting one's emotions."
As he spoke, his eyes drifted to the wardrobe again.
"Is there something special in that wardrobe? I have the impression you care about it rather a lot."
Tom sneered inwardly. An old fox, just as he had always been. Nothing escaped those blue eyes.
"Nothing," Tom said, and stood. This time he walked to the wardrobe of his own accord. "If you do not believe me."
He yanked the door open.
No flames. No stolen trinkets. No trophies.
Inside were only a few old clothes, neatly folded.
Dumbledore blinked, then smiled.
"It seems you do not have many suitable clothes," he said. "Do not worry. We will arrange the necessary things before you start school."
He had, indeed, overreacted.
Sharing a face and a surname was not proof that this thin, pale girl before him was the former Dark Lord.
[Ding! Mission complete: First Impression.]
[Evaluation received: S.]
[Reward issued to system inventory: Newbie Gift Pack.]
Tom was quietly ecstatic. He had not expected the system to grade him.
As for the gift pack, he could examine it properly once Dumbledore had gone.
For now, he stayed in character.
"But, Professor, I do not have any money," Tom said bluntly. "I cannot afford materials or clothes."
"That is the second reason for my visit." Dumbledore reached into his pocket, produced an envelope, and placed it on the table.
"The school has a financial aid fund for students in special circumstances. These Galleons will be enough for second hand textbooks and robes, and a brand new wand."
He continued smoothly, as if he were discussing the weather.
"However, you will need to go to Gringotts to exchange it first. Do not worry. Someone will accompany you when the time comes."
Financial aid.
Tom looked at the envelope and felt humiliation rise like bile. The heir of Slytherin, reduced to charity.
"Thank you," he said through clenched teeth.
"You are welcome." Dumbledore rose to leave. At the doorway he paused, then turned back, his gaze settling on her with a sudden heaviness.
"Tamara, if you encounter any difficulties while shopping in Diagon Alley, or if you hear any strange voices talking to you, like the sound of a snake…"
Tom's heart lurched.
"…remember to tell me," Dumbledore finished, his tone meaningful. "Hogwarts always extends a helping hand to those who seek it."
Then he closed the door, and the sound of his footsteps faded away down the corridor.
Only after Tom was certain that the magical presence had fully left the orphanage did he collapse onto the bed as if his bones had finally given up.
Cold sweat soaked his back.
"Damn old bee," he muttered at the ceiling, though the voice that came out was soft and far from intimidating.
That hurdle was cleared.
But Dumbledore had not truly trusted him. The seed of suspicion had been planted. It simply had not sprouted yet, held back by the deceptive innocence of this body and the emptiness of that wardrobe.
When his breathing steadied, Tom began to think properly about this so called Virtue System.
"If I want to use spells, I have to increase these points?" Tom asked, staring at the little girl in the mirror.
[That is right, host. While other witches and wizards must work hard to learn spells, you only need to do good deeds to master them quickly.]
[At the same time, there are other attribute points, such as Health Points, Mana Points, Sanity Points, and Charisma Points. But to avoid bothering you, I have simplified these values and will automatically provide rewards when you reach certain standards.]
[Where else could you find such a great system like me?]
Tom inhaled slowly and forced politeness into his thoughts.
"Then as a system, you must know what is going to happen next, yes?"
In the first three years of his previous life, he had been weak, forced to hide, spending much of his time in the forests of Albania. He did not know the details of what had happened at Hogwarts during those years.
But with a system, if he could gather enough information, he could thrive at Hogwarts.
[I do not know. This system can only provide missions and rewards. Specific events still need to be explored by the host.]
Tom went silent for half a second, mentally labelling it useless.
Then, with a sharp edge of impatience, he commanded, "Open the Newbie Gift Pack."
[All right! Opening the Newbie Gift Pack for you.]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: basic mana potion x 1. It allows you to experience the magic level of a normal witch or wizard for ten minutes, but please do not hurt anyone.]
[Designated Skill Book x 1. Allows you to bypass Virtue Point restrictions and forcibly learn a standard first year spell.]
[Passive Skill: Harmless (Beginner). Effect: When you widen your eyes and look at someone, their alertness towards you decreases by 10%.]
Tom stared at the rewards.
Especially the last one.
He fell into a long, dangerous silence.
"Harmless…"
He stepped up to the mirror and widened his eyes.
The girl staring back looked even more innocent, cute, and pitiable.
A pillow flew.
Bang.
The orphanage pillow struck the mirror hard enough to make it shudder.
"This is my weapon for conquering the world?" Tom snarled, voice rising with genuine fury. "A pair of clear and stupid eyes?"
The Dark Lord's roar echoed around the tiny room. He could not accept the pathetic reality in front of him.
And yet, slowly, he steadied.
Tom stared at his reflection. Even as a little girl. Even bound by a virtue system. The thing inside him was still Lord Voldemort.
Everything had a price.
How could rebirth not have one?
So long as he lived, so long as he had another chance to start again, what did such a small price matter?
Besides, the system was not entirely useless. It offered a path, however insulting, and it meant he had a chance to stand at the peak of the wizarding world again.
Tom took a deep breath, then looked down at the money bag in his hand, a cold curl at the corner of his mouth.
He had the money. He had passed Dumbledore's inspection, at least for now.
Next came the world that truly belonged to him.
And this time, he would make sure the so called saviour, Harry Potter, lost everything in the grand game Tom intended to play.
"Just you wait, Potter."
He picked up the pillow, patted dust from it, and smiled.
The expression was equal parts sweet and poisonous.
"Big sister is coming for you soon."