Chapter 4: Newbie Gift Pack
This was the truth. His current magical power was so weak that, at best, it could trip someone.
Dumbledore stared at her for a long moment, as though weighing the truth behind her words. He did not feel it necessary to use Legilimency on a child—even if she looked almost identical to Lord Voldemort.
After a while, Dumbledore withdrew his gaze.
"Protecting yourself is understandable," he said, his expression softening slightly. "But at Hogwarts, you will learn how to control this power. Magic is not a tool for venting emotions."
As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward the wardrobe again.
"Is there something special inside that wardrobe? You seem rather concerned about it."
Tom sneered inwardly. The old fox truly missed nothing.
"Nothing," Tom replied calmly. This time, he took the initiative and walked toward the wardrobe. "If you don't believe me…"
He yanked the wardrobe door open.
There were no flames. No hidden contraband. No dark relics.
Inside lay only a few neatly folded, worn-out clothes.
Dumbledore blinked once before smiling faintly. "It appears you don't have many suitable clothes. But do not worry—we will arrange everything necessary before school begins."
Perhaps he had indeed overreacted.
Having the same appearance and surname did not prove that the girl before him was that former Dark Lord.
A mechanical notification echoed in Tom's mind.
[Ding! Mission Complete: First Impression.]
[Evaluation Received: S.]
[Reward issued to system inventory: Newbie Gift Pack.]
Tom's heart surged with excitement. He had not expected the system to grade his performance. An S-rank evaluation… that meant he had done well—very well.
As for the Newbie Gift Pack, he would examine it after Dumbledore left.
For now, he continued playing his role flawlessly.
"But Professor, I don't have any money," he said bluntly. "I can't afford those materials or clothes."
"That is the second reason for my visit," Dumbledore replied.
He withdrew an envelope from his pocket and placed it gently on the table.
"The school maintains a Financial Aid Fund for students in special circumstances. These Galleons will be sufficient for you to purchase second-hand textbooks and robes, as well as a brand-new wand."
He paused briefly.
"However, you must first exchange it at Gringotts. Do not worry—someone will accompany you when the time comes."
Financial Aid Fund.
Tom's gaze fell upon the envelope. A sharp sting of humiliation rose within him.
The great heir of Slytherin… reduced to charity.
"Thank you," he said through clenched teeth.
"You are welcome."
Dumbledore stood to leave. But when he reached the door, he paused and turned back.
"Tamara," he said gently, "if you encounter any difficulties while shopping in Diagon Alley—or if you hear any unusual voices speaking to you… perhaps something like the hiss of a snake…"
Tom's heart skipped violently.
"…remember to inform me," Dumbledore finished meaningfully. "Hogwarts always extends a helping hand to those who seek it."
Then he closed the door.
The sound of his footsteps faded slowly down the corridor.
Only after carefully confirming that the magical fluctuations outside the orphanage had completely vanished did Tom collapse heavily onto the bed.
His back was drenched in cold sweat.
"Damn old bee…" he muttered toward the ceiling. The curse lacked force, but the resentment behind it was genuine.
This hurdle had finally been cleared.
But he knew better than to celebrate too soon.
Dumbledore did not trust him—not fully.
The seed of suspicion had been planted. It had simply failed to sprout for now, concealed beneath this deceptive body and that empty wardrobe.
After calming his breathing, Tom shifted his focus to the so-called virtue system.
"So if I want to use spells, I need to accumulate these virtue points?" he asked internally, staring at the small girl reflected in the mirror.
[Correct, Host. While other wizards must study and practice diligently to master spells, you only need to perform good deeds to acquire them quickly.]
The system's tone was almost smug.
[Additionally, you possess other attributes: Health Points, Mana Points, Sanity Points, and Charisma Points. To simplify your experience, these values have been streamlined. You will automatically receive rewards upon reaching specific thresholds.]
[Tell me—where else could you find such an outstanding system?]
Tom inhaled slowly, suppressing his irritation.
"Then as a system," he asked politely, "you must know what will happen next, correct?"
In his previous life, during his early years, he had been extremely weak. Much of his time had been spent wandering the forests of Albania. He knew little about what transpired at Hogwarts during those years.
But now, with the assistance of the system, perhaps he could gain an advantage—if it provided sufficient information.
[Negative. This system only provides missions and rewards. Specific future events must be explored independently by the Host.]
Tom fell silent for half a second.
Useless.
"…System," he commanded inwardly, irritation surfacing, "open the Newbie Gift Pack."
[Opening Newbie Gift Pack—]
A brief pause.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained:]
[Basic Mana Potion ×1. Effect: Temporarily raises your magical output to the level of an average wizard for ten minutes. Warning: Please refrain from harming others during this duration.]
[Designated Skill Book ×1. Allows you to bypass virtue point restrictions and forcibly learn one standard first-year spell.]
[Passive Skill: Harmless (Beginner). Effect: When you widen your eyes and gaze at someone, their alertness toward you decreases by 10%.]
Tom Riddle stared blankly at the final reward.
"Harmless…"
He rose slowly and approached the mirror.
Experimentally, he widened his eyes.
The girl in the reflection looked even more innocent—large eyes shimmering, expression soft and pitiful.
Adorable.
Vulnerable.
Completely non-threatening.
"Bang!"
The pillow struck the mirror with a dull thud.
"This is my weapon for conquering the world?" he hissed. "A pair of clear and stupid eyes?!"
The Dark Lord's suppressed roar echoed within the small orphanage room.
He could not accept it.
Yet after a few moments, he exhaled slowly.
Tom stared again at his reflection.
Even if he had been reborn in the body of a little girl…
Even if he was shackled by a so-called virtue system…
His soul remained unchanged.
He was still Lord Voldemort.
Everything in the world demanded a price.
Rebirth could not possibly be free.
If survival required such humiliation, so be it.
Compared to true death, this was nothing.
And the system was not entirely disadvantageous. If he played his cards well, he might rise even higher than before.
A virtue system.
Good deeds.
Trust.
Influence.
Perhaps conquering the world through kindness… could prove even more efficient.
The thought made him chuckle softly.
How ironic.
Taking a deep breath, Tom picked up the envelope of Galleons once more. A cold smile curled upon his lips.
He had passed inspection.
He had funding.
He had a system.
Next came the stage that truly belonged to him: the wizarding world.
And this time, he would not repeat the mistakes of his past life.
The so-called savior—Harry Potter—would lose everything in this carefully constructed game.
Tom's expression shifted, blending sweetness with something far darker.
"Just you wait, Potter," he whispered.
He retrieved the fallen pillow, dusted it off gently, and placed it back on the bed.
"Big sister will be coming for you soon."
The smile that followed was as gentle as spring sunlight.
And as cold as death.