Tom furrowed his brows.
The Guidebook often updated with new tasks, many of which rewarded spells or knowledge—quite useful ones.
For instance, he had acquired the spells "Shatter" and "Blazing Flames" through the tasks "Form a Team" and "Assist Companions."
He was beginning to discern some patterns in the Guidebook.
It usually issued tasks as reminders or guidance in response to or in anticipation of certain events.
And the outcomes of these responses were generally favorable for him.
Since the Guidebook had issued this task, did it mean someone was indeed planning to beat me up? Tom thought of the gaze he had felt at dinner and had a hunch.
Hmph, just a few self-proclaimed pureblood fools.
He tucked his wand into the inner pocket of his left sleeve, ready to draw it at any moment, then nonchalantly made his way to the underground corridor.
As expected, several young wizards were leaning against the corridor walls, eyeing him with ill intent.
Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and a third-year, Adrian Pucey from Slytherin, the Quidditch Seeker—Tom recognized them.
Excluding Pansy, there were four enemies, with Adrian being the most troublesome.
Is this it?
Tom smirked internally, fearless as he approached them.
"Stop, Mudblood!" Pansy stepped forward, "You don't deserve to walk this path!"
Tom glanced at the girl, "Move aside. I don't want to hit a woman."
Arrogant!
Too arrogant!
Facing five people, yet he was still so brazen!
Draco had to step in, "Lucas, you hang out with Potter and his lot, don't you feel ashamed? Do you know you're tarnishing Slytherin's honor!"
"Slytherin's honor?" Tom sneered, "What's that?"
"You!"
"Kid, you're too arrogant!" Adrian Pucey couldn't stand it anymore and drew his wand, "I should teach you a lesson, help you remember!"
Tom also drew his wand, "Want to fight? Better all come at once."
"Beat him up!"
But Tom was ready, "Swift Binding!"
A rope appeared out of nowhere, binding Adrian, his hands and wand included. If Professor Quirrell saw this, he'd certainly be impressed.
The first-year wizards only then reacted, drawing their wands, frantically thinking of spells to use against Tom.
"Grinning Huzzah!"
"Teeth as Big as Clubs!"
"Leg-Locking Death!"
Tom dodged two but got hit by the leg-locking curse, his legs stuck together, immobilized. However, he wasn't too panicked.
"Disarm!"
Malfoy's wand flew out of his hand.
"Swift Binding!"
The burly Goyle fell to the ground, tied up by ropes.
"Blazing Flames!"
The young wizards were startled. A tuft of Pansy's hair singed, she dropped her wand in fright, desperately patting her hair while screaming for help.
Crabbe tried to attack, Tom, alarmed, instinctively shouted, "Leg-Locking Death!"
Thud, Crabbe fell face-first, bloodied.
"Dragon Emerge!" At this moment, Adrian, unable to aim properly, cast a spell into the air from his wand. A large snake, nearly three meters long, hissing venomously, slithered towards Tom.
"Swift Binding!"
A rope materialized but the snake swiftly dodged. Tom's action seemed to anger it, speeding up its movement.
Hiss... The snake reared up, mouth agape, ready to strike.
Tom held his wand but didn't move.
The snake was too small, his spells too hard to accurately target, and they were too close. If he chanted a spell, the snake might bite immediately, and his legs were still locked.
"Bite him! Bite him!" Adrian yelled.
Tom kept his eyes on the snake when suddenly, an odd feeling overcame him—he felt he could control the snake.
Almost instinctively, he blurted out, "Scram, beast!"
The snake seemed startled, then went limp, retreating.
Tom was surprised, then commanded, "Go, attack Adrian!"
The snake immediately turned and slithered towards Adrian.
"A Parselmouth!? He's a Parselmouth! He's commanding the snake!" Draco shouted in shock.
The snake was already near Adrian, poised to bite. Adrian, terrified, broke down crying and wet his pants.
Tom quickly said, "Stop."
The snake's fangs halted next to Adrian's neck, then it slowly retreated, still eyeing the boy.
"Don't kill me, please, Lucas, don't kill me..." Adrian sobbed, pleading.
"How do I lift the curse?" Tom asked, still locked.
"Use, use Finite Incantatem…" Adrian said.
Tom frowned, he hadn't learned that spell, but decided to try. Aiming his wand at his legs, he said, "Finite Incantatem!"
The stiffness seemed to lessen, encouraging him. After two more tries, he could move his legs again.
Tom sighed in relief and walked forward, the snake accompanying him like a pet.
He grabbed Adrian's hair, pulling his face up, "You wanted to teach me a lesson?"
"No, no, I'm sorry, Lucas, I won't dare again..."
Tom pulled Adrian's wand from the ropes and snapped it, "No, I think people do need lessons to grow, to know what to fear."
"Blazing Flames!" He lit the broken wand with his wand, then blew it out, leaving only glowing embers.
"Though I'd like to leave a mark, to remind you of today's folly and recklessness every time you see it, wounds heal easily here. But fortunately, the memory of pain lasts."
He said, then pressed the glowing end of the wand against the back of Adrian's bound left hand.
"Ah!——"
A wretched scream echoed in the underground corridor.
Draco and the other wizards trembled, ashen-faced.
They had never seen such a spectacle.
Tom's lawlessness and ferocity, born from the true depths, profoundly shocked these privileged kids, instilling an extreme fear in Draco's heart.
When Tom turned to him, he also broke down crying, "Sorry Lucas, I was wrong, I won't dare again, don't hurt me..."
Tom walked over, bent down, the snake lowering its head too, hissing, its orange eyes fixed on Draco.
"Tell me, what is a Parselmouth?"
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