"Hiss hiss hiss~"
Still half-asleep, Tom felt a cool sensation on his cheek.
"Ugh..."
He slowly opened his eyes to find Nagini's head pressed against his face. A normal person might be terrified, but Tom found it rather endearing.
"Oh, good morning to you, Nagini."
Tom spoke in Parseltongue, naturally understanding Nagini's morning greeting.
Pleased that Tom was awake, Nagini happily slithered off him.
Relieved of her weight, Tom sat up, stretched, and casually flicked his left hand to the side.
Bang!
All the windows in the room flew open.
Tom then snapped his fingers with his right hand.
Robes, shirts, boots—everything in the room flew towards him.
He took two steps and swiftly put on his shoes. With another flick of his wrist, his shirt and robes settled perfectly into place.
He proceeded to the washroom, where a toothbrush, towel, and other toiletries awaited his use.
After tidying his appearance, Tom commenced his day.
...
The first class in Slytherin's morning schedule was History, shared with the Hufflepuffs.
Hogwarts' History professor was Professor Binns, a ghost who had supposedly been lingering since the school's inception.
Whether that was true or just a rumor, Tom couldn't say. The fact remained that Professor Binns had taught him History when he was a student.
Because Professor Binns was an ancient ghost, his teaching style was rather rigid. Combined with the fact that young wizards weren't particularly interested in history, most of them were slumped over, asleep, shortly after the lesson began.
However, Tom felt somewhat relieved to see that more Hufflepuffs were dozing than Slytherins.
Turning his head, Tom saw Harry and Malfoy fast asleep, which darkened his expression.
He understood the sentiment, though; wizarding history was, admittedly, quite boring, mostly recounting the tales of wizards discovered by Muggles and burned at the stake.
Just as he was thinking this, Professor Binns suddenly announced, "Let us discuss something different today. Close your textbooks."
Oh? The old ghost is actually going to talk about something outside the assigned reading?
Tom was mildly surprised, but that was all.
"Over a century ago, the goblins launched a massive rebellion, led by a goblin named Lanlock…" Professor Binns began in his characteristically lifeless tone. "…And so, a fifth-year student sacrificed himself, sealing Lanlock away and saving the wizarding world."
"…"
That seems a little off, doesn't it?
Tom's expression turned peculiar. What did he mean by "sacrificing himself to seal Lanlock away"?
What's going on? The butterfly effect?
But he wasn't even born over a hundred years ago, so what did this have to do with him?
Although it was a bit strange that "the game boss didn't die, but the game's protagonist did," Tom paid it little mind.
After all, it wasn't like he was being asked to fight Lanlock.
Otherwise, even if he and Dumbledore went together… they probably wouldn't stand a chance.
"Heh…"
Tom chuckled, amused by his own thoughts, then dismissed the notion and returned to the book he'd borrowed from the Library's Forbidden Section using his professorial privileges.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, you've accessed hidden information. Explore all hidden information to unlock the hidden quest.]
"..."
"Seriously?! System, you really want me to fight that thing?!"
"That's not my problem. You accessed the hidden information yourself. I am merely providing hints and assigning the quest according to the rules."
The System's arrogant voice echoed in his mind, leaving Tom speechless.
What annoyed him most was stumbling into this mess during class.
Well, what is done is done. Tom Riddle is not afraid of Lanlock.
However, I must admit that Lanlock is incredibly powerful and immune to Avada Kedavra.
If I want to deal with him, I will probably have to start with ancient magic.
Otherwise, I could just go over there and have a real man's 1v1 with this thing... I could definitely fight it, but winning is probably out of the question.
He'd already searched the entire Forbidden Section and couldn't find anything related to ancient magic, only ancient romance novels. Who was the ruthless author of those?
"Are you an idiot?"
The System's disgruntled voice caught Tom off guard.
"Why did you not come to me if you could not find a solution?"
The System scolded him with exasperation, "Do not think you can solve everything yourself simply because you possess some power! You idiot host!"
"System...you bastard..."
Tom was stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly.
Unbeknownst to him, however, a certain little wizard in the audience had already woken up. Instead of paying attention to the lesson, this wizard was observing his professor's thoughtful expression and guessing what he was thinking. He noticed Tom's internal struggle… and it seemed he had now come up with a solution?
Wait, he is looking at us!
Oh no!!!
It is worth mentioning that after class, these little wizards who weren't paying attention and were wondering if he was thinking about someone were given ten times the amount of history homework by Tom that very day, using his personal authority.
But that is a story for later.
"So...System, you have ancient magic?"
"Of course, I do!"
The System's tone became somewhat smug. "I am the top dog in our System. Even magic not from the Harry Potter series, I can get it for you."
"Then why did you not give it to me before?"
"You did not ask."
"..."
Although he wanted to complain, Tom did not want to argue with the System too much.
"Hurry up, give me a special mission; let me acquire the Ancient Magic," Tom urged, feigning impatience.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for triggering a special mission!]
[Mission: In this era rife with heretics, the survival environment of traditional mages is constantly being squeezed. Please complete a duel under the spotlight, demonstrating to the world the elegance and power of us mages!]
[Reward: Ancient Magic (type unknown, determined based on the host's performance)]
Under the spotlight...
This mission is interesting.
It seems my identity as the Dark Lord can no longer be concealed (in fact, I am already fairly certain I should have learned my lesson by now).
To demonstrate strength, the opponent had to be worthy; otherwise, what was the point of watching him die in two moves?
Tom immediately thought of Dumbledore, plotting to beat him up again in front of everyone.
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
Inside the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore was studying the Philosopher's Stone on the table, wondering whether to set a trap for Tom, when he abruptly sneezed.
Huh? What is going on?
Dumbledore touched his nose, suspiciously looking around, only relaxing after confirming no one was spying on him.
"Hmm... Tom must be thinking about me."
Dumbledore nodded, thoroughly convinced of his deduction. "As his most respected professor, it is perfectly normal for him to be thinking about me... What a good boy!"
---