The hospital wing.
Tom opened his eyes to a white ceiling.
A strong medicinal scent filled the air…
He tried to sit up, only to find that one leg and one arm would not move.
Just as he was about to lift his head to take a look, a familiar voice came from beside him.
"You're awake? Congratulations, the operation was a success. You've already… no, I mean, we've successfully amputated it for you!"
Tom shot upright at once, only to see that although his left arm and right leg were tightly wrapped in bandages, they were still completely intact.
Heh~ Wade sat on a chair nearby, looking at him with a teasing expression.
"..."
"Was that supposed to be funny?" Tom asked with a blank face.
"I thought you wouldn't be scared," Wade said, setting down the book in his hand. "After all, you dared to take bullets with your arm and leg. I have to say, in this trial, you were the most impressive."
Tom's ruthless determination to pass had shocked even Grindelwald, let alone the other students present.
It could be said that after the news spread, Tom's reputation at Hogwarts had soared to its peak.
Now, everyone at Hogwarts knew just what kind of person the quiet "Prince of Azkaban" really was.
"How long was I out?" Tom struggled to pick up a pocket watch with his right hand and checked the time.
"Not long, just about a day," Wade replied casually.
"Then why aren't my limbs healed yet?" Tom asked, confused.
If it were just fractures, the healers from St Mungo's could have fixed them in an instant.
But now… as Tom looked at his tightly wrapped left arm and right leg, a bad feeling rose in his heart.
"When you took my pain-numbing potion, didn't you read the instructions?" Wade asked.
"No…" Tom admitted, somewhat guilty.
"That's exactly the problem. Why do you think my professor and I haven't released this potion yet? Because it's still incomplete," Wade said helplessly. "Although it can block most pain, once you're injured after taking it, your wounds can't be healed with magic…"
"Why?" Tom asked anxiously.
"Because to block the pain, the potion's effects concentrate entirely around your wounds. As a result, while the pain is suppressed, any healing magic is also blocked," Wade explained, spreading his hands.
"Then what am I supposed to do? When will the effects wear off?" Tom asked nervously.
"They won't. So you'll have to recover the Muggle way, slowly," Wade said with a hint of regret. "At least until my professor and I develop an antidote, you'll have to endure it."
Tom collapsed back onto the bed, his face twisted. "Shit…"
"It's not so bad. At least you'll stay home over the summer instead of running around. You can spend some proper time with your family. Isn't that good?" Wade said with a smile.
"Damn it… your trial design is disgusting," Tom muttered irritably.
"Looks like you're in good spirits. You should be able to take care of yourself. In that case, I'll be going," Wade said, standing up to leave.
Just as he turned around, he saw Grindelwald walking toward him.
He was holding a bouquet of flowers and a thick book.
"Looks like you're recovering quite well," Grindelwald said cheerfully.
Tom glanced at him, then turned his face away.
If Wade's trial was one of the reasons for his injuries, then Grindelwald's push for the so-called practical exam was the root cause.
"It must be said, for the first practical exam, your performance was the best," Grindelwald said with a smile.
However, Tom still refused to look at him.
Wade stood to the side, watching Grindelwald's performance with interest.
Clearly, Grindelwald intended to win Tom over.
But doing so right in front of him… was that really appropriate?
"I know your injuries won't heal quickly, so staying in the hospital wing might be rather dull. Therefore…" Grindelwald tapped the thick book in his hand. "This is a spellbook I wrote in the past. Perhaps it can help pass the time."
Hearing this, Tom could not help turning his head, silently staring at the book in Grindelwald's hand.
Seeing this, Grindelwald smiled and placed the book into Tom's arms.
Tom did not refuse. He propped up his pillow and began flipping through it.
"A very thoughtful gift, Director," Wade said with a smile.
This book was far more useful than all the empty words Grindelwald had spoken earlier.
It had to be said, Grindelwald had grasped Tom's preferences with remarkable precision.
"Those who perform well should always receive special rewards," Grindelwald said with a smile.
Wade did not respond. He simply smiled at Grindelwald, then turned and walked out of the hospital wing.
However, just outside the door, Grindelwald followed after him.
"I plan to hold a practical exam once every month starting next term," Grindelwald said with a smile.
"Once a month?" Wade raised an eyebrow.
"Of course. And each time, I'll include rewards for those who pass. Only then will they understand the benefits that strength can bring," Grindelwald said confidently.
"A good idea, but I can't design new trials for you every month," Wade replied.
"Don't worry, I won't trouble you with designing the trials anymore," Grindelwald said with a smile. "As long as the enemies are replaced with constructs, things become much simpler. There's no need to worry about which magical creatures and dark creatures can or cannot coexist… you were right, Wade. I've always been clear about who my enemies are."
"Oh… I see. If you need new combat constructs, you can come to me. The price is negotiable," Wade replied with a smile.
"Of course. But I think that thing you showed me before… the one called Mist of Loss… could you refine it further? I'm willing to pay a high price for it. With that, designing trials would become much easier, wouldn't it?"
With the Mist of Loss, the content of the trials could even shift according to the challenger's thoughts. They could hold practical exams every day without worrying about repetition.
"That's difficult…" Wade said, looking troubled.
"I mean a very high price, Wade. You know me. When I say that, I won't treat you unfairly."
"But it really is difficult…"
"Then name your terms."
"Director, are you perhaps underestimating the complexity of research?" Wade shook his head.
"But I believe in your ability, Wade." Grindelwald patted his shoulder. "I trust you won't disappoint me."
Watching Grindelwald's departing figure, Wade clicked his tongue. The man was trying to get something for nothing.
A high price? Then name a number.
Besides, refining the Mist of Loss was indeed very difficult for Wade at his current level.
At present, he could only use it as an offensive tool.
…
Tom remained in the hospital wing for seven days before finally being discharged.
After several hours of effort, Wade and Professor Slughorn managed to develop an antidote…
However, due to time constraints, Wade and the others could only produce an antidote that accelerated recovery.
So even after being discharged, Tom still had to use a crutch. One arm remained in a cast, hanging across his chest…
He looked utterly miserable.
Yet when he entered the Great Hall with his crutch to attend the end-of-term feast, all the students erupted into cheers.
Even older students who did not know him came forward to help, escorting him to the Slytherin table…
Amid the crowd surrounding him, Tom heard countless words of praise.
It left him somewhat confused. He had struggled with everything he had, broken an arm and a leg, and barely passed… he truly did not feel there was anything remarkable about it.
So why were these people acting as if they had just seen a Quidditch star?
"You're amazing! You challenged a seventh-year trial and still passed! You know, many seventh-years failed!" Anne said as she helped Tom sit down.
Only then did Tom begin to understand.
In his own view, he had relied on a desperate method, trading injury for success, which felt embarrassing.
But from others' perspective, it was a second-year student bravely taking on a seventh-year trial and succeeding.
As for the injuries… that was a seventh-year trial. For a second-year to be injured while attempting it was perfectly normal.
In short, Tom's expectations of himself had reached a level others could hardly imagine.
While everyone else thought he would fail, he had set his own standard as passing without injury.
"Looks like you've figured it out." Wade handed him a potion. "This is the second version of the antidote my professor and I developed. It should help your injuries heal faster."
Tom silently took the potion, but inside, he was still immersed in a strange sense of joy.
So… I've already become this strong?
And this feeling of being admired… it's not bad at all.
Tom tightened his grip on the potion bottle, the surging emotion in his chest making his mood gradually grow excited.
"How is it? Have you experienced the wonderful feeling that comes with great power?"
Tom turned his head. Wade was watching his expression with interest.
Tom quickly composed himself and put the potion away.
"It's not that wonderful…" Tom muttered.
"If you pressed down the corners of your mouth while saying that, I might find it more convincing."
Tom kept a straight face. "Let's eat… I'm hungry."
_______
Heh heh heh~ The new fic has been a success so far, thanks to all of you! I can't express how much I love you guys.
The new week has started, and the powerstones have reset. I can only hope for your continued support! We can't lose! This is the critical moment to show WN, so it pushes the algo!
My dear friends, my dear family, throw your stones at the new fic and let's win. This is a critical moment.
The Boys: Ultimate Multiversal Lifeform
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