A familiar chime echoed in Tom's mind, signaling another Academy Cup reward. A crystal-clear, colorless, multifaceted prism materialized within his system space.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. This is quite a find." The system seemed to anticipate Tom's reaction upon discovering the crystal's secrets.
"Something good again, I presume?" Tom drawled, his tone laced with amusement.
"What do you mean 'snatched'? How can you call it 'snatching'? I merely... borrowed it!"
"Planning to return it, are we?" Tom countered dryly.
"Why should I return something acquired through my own merit? Besides, this item is exceedingly rare."
Indeed, even the system couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration. While the crystal appeared ordinary and its abilities seemed unremarkable at first glance, its potential was immeasurable.
[Item: Fusion Stone]
[Quality: None (Special Item)]
[Function: Perfectly merges two selected items]
[Evaluation: Mold any two things into whatever your heart desires!]
Having spent years with the system, Tom knew that effects like this were the most troublesome. "'Any?' 'Perfect?' The degree of manipulation is far too broad, hinting at truly terrifying possibilities."
"Tom, you already know what you're going to do with it, don't you?" the system asked.
"I thought you'd offer some advice."
"No need. Do what you want. I'd rather not be accused of giving 'bad ideas'. I'll just go get more!"
Tom raised an eyebrow. "This is the first time I've seen him actually act stubborn." Even if the system acknowledged something as "rare," how could someone on its blacklist acquire it so easily?
Tom chuckled softly. However, the system was right about one thing: he had indeed conceived a plan the moment he saw its function.
...
The House Cup awards ceremony concluded, officially marking the end of the semester. The professors prepared to return to their own affairs, while students departed aboard the Hogwarts Express, eager for the holidays.
En route to the station, Harry and his companions continued to debate where their professor would take them "on vacation." They had specifically declined holiday plans initially proposed by Sirius and the other parents, which, in turn, led to a surge of regulars at the Leaky Cauldron as the grieving "old fathers" grew closer. Rumor had it that Mr. Granger intended to introduce Sirius and the others to Muggle entertainment this summer.
Aboard the Hogwarts Express, Harry and his friends clung to the windows, teasing that they, infamous Death Eaters, were now at Mr. Granger's beck and call.
"..."
Snape watched the spectacle speechlessly as the Hogwarts Express roared into the distance. Tom, on the other hand, appeared quite amused. Unfortunately, he had no plans to take them "out for fun" this summer.
Unable to decipher Tom's true thoughts, Snape paused, then decided to "remind" him, "Ahem... Lord Voldemort, I find myself with a relatively free summer this year. I shall be returning to brewing potions for Dumbledore. Do not hesitate to summon me should you require my services."
He wasn't sure if Tom had any plans, but what if he did? And what if he concocted another extremely rare potion ingredient – a magical creature, perhaps? It would be a waste not to be involved. Snape knew Tom reasonably well; if he pretended to decline, he truly wouldn't go. Thus, even the prideful Snape felt compelled to express his interest. Still, finding it somewhat awkward, he swiftly turned and retreated back to the castle after speaking.
"Severus has become much more forthcoming," Tom remarked. He considered sharing this observation with Dumbledore, but he had other matters to attend to.
...
The Room of Requirement.
Unlike his previous laboratory, it now resembled a normal lounge. Tom lounged languidly on the sofa by the fireplace, toying with the Resurrection Stone ring in his left hand and clutching the newly acquired polygonal colorless crystal in his right. The World Serpent Ring on his right finger lightly brushed against the crystalline gem.
"What surprises do you hold? Let's find out!"
He brought the Resurrection Stone ring in his left hand close to the Fusion Stone in his right, and the two made contact. Simultaneously, the World Serpent Ring on his right finger also touched the Fusion Stone. The crystal-clear, colorless gemstone suddenly emitted a dazzling white light. Tom felt his left hand go empty; the gemstone vanished, and the World Serpent Ring began to transform.
[Accessory: Serpent Encircling the World]
[Quality: Mythical]
[Gender: None]
[Magic Level: SSS]
[Ability 1: Serpent Power. When worn, grants the wearer a 100% bonus to all attributes and a 300% bonus to spell power! Also provides a 100% bonus to damage dealt to the soul!]
[Ability 2: World Devouring]
Can absorb and store the full power of any defeated creature, temporarily transferring that power to the wearer via the ring.
Can absorb magical attacks and replenish its master's magic power.
Its internal space is virtually limitless and can also be used for storage. Living or non-living things stored within are frozen in time.
[Ability 3: Reality Distortion. The wearer can consume a large amount of magic power to modify displays unfavorable to them. The greater the scope of the modification, the more magic power is consumed.]
[Evaluation: A truly unique existence, an almost unrepeatable miracle born from unknown means. It is both a being surpassing divine artifacts and a being at the pinnacle of life.
It can provide its master with immense power and also fight for its master!
It is an incredible existence born through unknown means, possessing terrifying power comparable to the god of magic!]
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Fifty chapters? NO, a hundred. That's how far ahead p@treon readers are sitting right now. On everything that gap is real and it widens every week. You already know what to do. At [email protected]