"You dare call yourself my descendant, you disrespectful brat?"
Awakening Salazar Slytherin required two conditions: mastery of Ancient Magic and possession of Slytherin blood. Even setting those aside, Salazar Slytherin recognized Tom Riddle as his heir immediately.
This kid is really handsome, looks exactly like I did when I was young…
Wow, to have this kind of power at such a tender age? That talent must come from me! This kid really is my spitting image…
Just as Tom said, he's a narcissistic old man.
Indeed, Salazar Slytherin was quite pleased with Tom Riddle as his descendant and heir. He wasn't particularly bothered by Tom's earlier words, but establishing his position in Tom's heart was still necessary...
"I am merely stating the facts, you bald old geezer."
To Salazar Slytherin's utter shock, Tom Riddle completely disregarded his expectations, adding insult to injury.
This infuriated Slytherin, who was practically spitting fire. Calling him narcissistic was one thing, but the bald comment was a step too far. "You rude, ungrateful brat! I'll…" He launched into a tirade.
However, no matter how much Slytherin berated him, Tom Riddle remained unmoved, simply adding "old bald man" after each outburst, further fueling Slytherin's anger.
After Slytherin exhausted himself, he calmed down. "Heh heh heh… boy, do you desire greater power? Do you want to know the true essence of magic? Do you want…"
He knew his own personality well, so Tom Riddle, as his descendant, absolutely couldn't resist the magical knowledge from one of the Four Founders!
If Tom Riddle declined, Slytherin would simply acknowledge Godric Gryffindor…
Then he saw Tom Riddle turn and leave without a moment's hesitation.
For Tom, what you can teach, my master can also provide; what you cannot, my master can still grant me. What use are you then?
"Wait! Come on, Tom! Wait for me!"
Salazar Slytherin, resembling an abandoned, lonely old man, flew directly in front of Tom Riddle, blocking his path. After all, he had finally escaped, and to be discarded by his own descendant like this? What kind of treatment was that?
"Sigh, I'll teach you whatever you wish to learn, alright?" Salazar Slytherin sighed with resignation.
"Only because you are still somewhat useful."
"What an unlovable descendant."
"Are you coming or not?"
"Of course! But… there is a slight issue. As I am merely a remnant soul, the Chamber of Secrets can sustain me, but I will quickly dissipate upon leaving."
Tom Riddle had already noticed this, sensing something was amiss when he first saw Slytherin's spirit.
Now, hearing Slytherin's explanation, he also recognized the unique nature of the Chamber of Secrets, realizing it nourished souls.
However…
"How did you get yourself into this predicament?"
"Oh, it was just a minor experimental mishap. That is all in the past, let's not dwell on it."
What kind of experiment reduces someone to a mere remnant soul? But… that is a minor issue.
Under Slytherin's watchful gaze, Tom Riddle withdrew the Elder Wand.
"Wait, what is that…"
With his discerning eye, Slytherin immediately recognized the Elder Wand's origin.
But Tom Riddle offered no explanation. Instead, he cast a Summoning Charm to extract a fang from a giant serpent statue.
As the fang hurtled towards him, Tom Riddle employed Transfiguration and alchemy to transform it into a silver ring, resembling a silver serpent biting its own tail. The serpent's belly was hollow, and Tom Riddle then cast a Seamless Extension Charm upon it.
This action made Slytherin grin from ear to ear, stroking his long beard. "As expected of my descendant… So, what is your plan for this soul-nurturing device?"
Hearing this, Tom Riddle wordlessly produced the Philosopher's Stone that Nicolas Flamel had sent him.
The elixir of immortality created from the Philosopher's Stone could not halt physical aging but could extend lifespan, indicating it worked on the soul.
Although, due to limitations, this Philosopher's Stone was not as high quality as the original, it was more than sufficient to nourish the soul of an old man.
Who was Slytherin? The moment he saw the Philosopher's Stone, he instantly understood everything. The thought of seeing the light of day once more made him erupt in laughter. "Hahahaha…"
Tom Riddle tossed the Philosopher's Stone into the Silver Serpent Ring, then impatiently reminded him, "Are you coming or not?"
"Coming! Of course, I'm coming! I'm coming!"
Salazar Slytherin immediately slipped into the ring, and Tom Riddle then slid the ring onto his left middle finger.
So, does this mean I now possess the Ring of the Old Man?
Thinking this, Tom Riddle chuckled.
He had taken all the most valuable items from the Chamber of Secrets; the rest were of no concern.
"My dear grandson, I see your grasp of ancient magic is lacking. I will tutor you with greater care, yes?"
"When did you become my grandfather?"
"Oh, is it not more endearing to call me that? Calling me grandfather is better than calling me ancestor, is it not? Come now, call me grandfather."
"You old geezer."
"…"
...
Four hours after Tom Riddle's departure…
Darren Travers once again carried his diary to the second floor girls' restroom.
Voldemort's remnant soul once again controlled Darren's body, using Parseltongue to unseal the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
After "Darren" entered the Chamber of Secrets, he expertly walked to the Slytherin statue within.
"Speak to me! Slytherin, greatest of the four great masters of Hogwarts!" (Parseltongue).
Seeing the mouth of the Slytherin statue open, "Darren" quickly closed his eyes.
"Basilisk, I command you to exterminate all Muggle descendants within the castle." (Parseltongue).
Half a minute, a minute, three minutes elapsed... still no response.
"Hmm?"
Although somewhat puzzled, Darren hadn't yet realized anything was amiss. After all, in his understanding, no one else could possibly be here, much less steal the basilisk.
"Basilisk, now, immediately, give me a response." (Parseltongue).
Three minutes, five minutes, ten minutes… Darren realized something was wrong.
He quickly opened his eyes and looked up, but the basilisk was nowhere to be seen in the cavern.
Now, Darren panicked, frantically searching the cavern for the basilisk.
"Where is my basilisk! Where is my huge basilisk?!"
After a long, fruitless search, and reluctantly accepting reality, Darren plopped down on the ground, stricken by a sudden urge to cry.
For so many years, he was the one who stole from others; how had he become the one being robbed?
"Waaah…"
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