Leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Tom finally checked the newly issued system task.
It was simple enough:
Once Hogwarts officially reformed its exam system, he would receive a medium-tier lottery reward, plus, as long as the system continued to be enforced year after year, he'd earn 500 academic credits annually as a "salary."
Tom felt the system was being unusually generous this time.
Five hundred a year wasn't much, like a mosquito leg, but the medium lottery could produce something valuable. After all, Ariana had been summoned from such a reward.
And completing the task was practically guaranteed. His proposal clearly benefited education, and McGonagall had already agreed.
At Hogwarts, if Professor McGonagall decided something would happen, failure was practically impossible.
All Tom needed to do now was wait a little… then collect his reward like a well-earned paycheck.
With so many gains in just one day, Tom felt particularly pleased with himself.
In such a wonderful mood, he decided to skip his afternoon History of Magic class as a treat.
Back in the common room, only first-years were around; everyone else was still in lessons.
Astoria was curled on a single sofa by the tall window, reading a fashion magazine with full concentration. Only when a familiar warm hand landed on her head did she look up.
"Tom, are things done?" she asked softly.
Her clear, bright eyes sparkled with anticipation. "The First-Class Order… everything's settled, right?"
As someone closest to Tom, she naturally knew what his recent goal was. She sincerely hoped this time he could succeed all at once.
"Fudge agreed to submit the application. Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and even Snape said they'd help contact some old circles. With our side working too, we're basically certain to win."
Astoria nodded happily. "I'll tell Mother later. This time must succeed."
She didn't know exactly how wealthy her family truly was, but one thing she understood: the Greengrass family never worried about money. Problems that could be solved with Galleons were never problems at all.
And even among Merlin Knights, surely a few were always in need of funds…
Tom nodded cooperatively. "Your mum adores you. If you step in, everything will go smoothly."
Astoria knew he was flattering her, but she still felt pleased.
Taking advantage of his mood, she made a small request:
"Tom, I want to go see Daphne and the others."
"Right now?" Tom glanced at the clock. "Maybe wait a bit. In half an hour, your sister and Hermione will be out of class."
"Noooo." Astoria tugged lightly on his sleeve, voice soft as cotton. "Let's sneak over. Don't tell Daphne."
Tom's expression froze.
Recently, he realized Astoria had awakened… a remarkable hobby.
This wasn't the first time she'd asked to do things secretly behind Daphne's back. Midnight snacks. Sneaking to the Forbidden Forest to see unicorns. Even wizard's chess. Nothing dangerous, yet she insisted on doing them secretly.
According to Astoria, Daphne was too loud, too childish, always needing Tom to take care of her, which made Astoria want some quiet of her own.
Yet Tom couldn't help feeling… this wasn't the whole reason.
But when he met Astoria's pitiful big-eyed stare, he agreed anyway. The girl cheered, put away her magazine, and pulled him out of the common room.
The weather was cold but brilliantly sunny. The Black Lake was calm and clear, even the Giant Squid poked its head out for a sunbath.
"Tom!"
They had only made it halfway when someone called out.
Penelope stood among a few Ravenclaw girls, waving at him warmly.
Tom nodded with a courteous smile, and Astoria, seeing she didn't come over, turned away without concern.
But just as she turned, Penelope silently mouthed:
"12 o'clock. Ravenclaw Tower entrance. Don't be late."
Tom blinked. His expression turned strangely complicated.
Astoria was sneaking behind Daphne. Penelope was sneaking behind Astoria.
Truly, there's always someone more skilled. The student becomes the master.
…
In the Forbidden Forest, three unicorns played with Astoria while Tom reclined lazily in a floating chair, enjoying the quiet.
This was one of the rare times Astoria could run around freely.
However, part of Tom's consciousness was focused inside the Magical Space, using the Meditation Room to digest Slytherin's legacy. Many of the flesh-altering dark magic principles were inspiring.
If these magical principles could be applied to slimming potions… wouldn't that be a perfect "ethical use"?
Dividing his attention like this was something he'd long grown used to.
It even greatly improved his combat ability. Combined with silent wandless casting and instant spell release, it allowed him to unleash an overwhelming number of spells in a short burst,
And that was exactly how a second-year student had fought a basilisk.