After giving up his reckless arrogance and handing over the experiments to his senior, Wade Reynolds' days suddenly became much more relaxed.
Apart from secretly searching for ancient magic hotspots at night to enhance his power in ancient magic, he spent his time reading and studying.
His senior was right—what he needed to do at this moment was to first make up for his weak foundation in magical knowledge.
Only by doing so would any future experiments or research be meaningful.
Otherwise, with little accumulation, any research or experiments would only scratch the surface.
Tom was surprised by Wade's change.
This guy, who used to vanish as soon as class ended, was now actually going to the library!
Moreover, Nagini, whom he used to ask Tom to take care of, was now kept by his side again.
That is to say, aside from his nightly wanderings, all his secret activities seemed to have stopped.
However, Wade's reading speed remained as fast as ever.
His learning efficiency also remained as enviable as ever...
And besides Wade's unusual behavior—no longer disappearing and actually diving into intense study—
Anne's changes also made Tom secretly alarmed!!
Tom could feel that the sense of pressure Anne exuded was growing heavier by the day.
Her strength increased dramatically every few days!
This rate of growth left Tom stunned.
These so-called "fake potion mists" of Wade's were too powerful!
Tom was already starting to feel tempted.
If one's strength could increase this quickly… a few side effects didn't seem so unacceptable…
However, when he saw how calm and composed Wade remained every day, Tom managed to suppress the restlessness in his heart.
He understood that Wade, just like him, had no less desire to become stronger.
And yet, Wade could so easily hand over those "counterfeit goods" that could quickly enhance one's power to Anne, while not touching them himself at all. That alone was enough to prove those things were definitely not good.
Having stuck with Wade for so long, and suffered losses so many times… ehm.. Tom had come to understand one thing very clearly—just follow Wade's lead.
Do whatever he does, and don't do what he doesn't. That way, nothing will ever go wrong.
Because Wade never did anything he wasn't confident in!
And coincidentally, Tom was also very cautious… especially when it came to valuing his own life…
Just like that, the days passed one by one.
Before long, it was the end of December.
Christmas was approaching.
Hogwarts also gradually took on a more cheerful atmosphere.
"Those who wish to stay at school over Christmas can come to me for a stay-behind application form."
In the morning, at the staff table in the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall held up a stack of forms and announced loudly.
Some young witches and wizards immediately stepped forward to collect the application forms.
But Tom and Wade didn't move.
They quietly watched as Anne ran up to get one.
"She hasn't had enough yet?" Tom said in surprise, using the Whispering Charm.
"Human desire has no end, Tom..." Wade said calmly.
"Meowkyu~" The cat Tom in Wade's arms stretched lazily.
"But if she doesn't go back for Christmas... then our plan—"
"Don't worry, she will go back. It's the end of the year—how could she not return to report in? Even if she doesn't want to, her aunt wouldn't allow it." Wade smiled. "As soon as she returns, the increase in her strength won't escape Grindelwald's notice..."
"So… after Christmas… no, maybe even before Christmas, Grindelwald will start to take action… But how are you going to lead them into the trap step by step?" Tom asked.
"In the places she's supposed to investigate, I planted some 'fakes,' along with a few incomplete manuscripts… Those manuscripts should be in Anne's hands by now. That information will gradually guide them to where I want them to go…"
Hearing this, Tom didn't ask any more questions and focused on eating.
"Tom, why'd you suddenly stop asking?"
"Well, since you always have everything figured out, there's no point in me asking this and that." Tom replied with clear self-awareness.
In truth, he was afraid that if he asked too much, Wade would get annoyed and set him up again...
Tom was quite troubled—ever since meeting Wade, this guy had constantly schemed against him… and he still had no idea why…
Could it be that he actually gets some kind of reward for setting me up?
Only if he'd known...
As Tom thought about it, he forcefully cut into a piece of fried egg with his table knife...
"As for the plan, it's fine if you ask more about it... No matter how thorough I am, I might still overlook something. I need your help, Tom," Wade said gently. "You can help me identify and fix any gaps."
Hearing that, Tom secretly curled his lip. You've already set everything up, and now you want me to look for gaps?
That said, after thinking it through carefully, Tom still replied, "As things stand, your plan doesn't seem to have any obvious flaws… If you've arranged everything, then for now we just need to wait and see."
"Alright, I trust your judgment, Tom…" Wade smiled.
"Hmm? Wait a minute!" Tom looked at Wade warily. "...If the plan fails, you're not thinking of blaming me for it, are you?!"
Right after he'd finished sharing his opinion, Wade said he trusted his judgment?
If it failed later, would Wade then say his poor judgment misled him?
No wonder Tom was so on guard. In his experience, Wade really was capable of pulling something like that!
"Oh? Tommy boy… how can you always look at me that way? We're close friends! How could I ever blame you for a failure?" Wade shook his head and sighed.
"Unless you guarantee—guarantee that even if it fails, it has nothing to do with me!" Tom said warily.
Wade sighed again and then gave his assurance.
"Alright, I promise, even if the plan fails, it will have nothing to do with Tom… I won't hold Tom responsible."
Only then did Tom finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing him like that, Wade couldn't help but pat the head of the cat Tom in his arms again.
This kid's getting harder and harder to fool...
But… even though I made the promise… I never said which Tom I was referring to, right? My Cute kitten?
"Hey, I'm talking to you two—why are you always exchanging glances during breakfast?"
After coming back, Anne had been watching them for a while.
They were using the Whispering Charm to talk, but to others, it looked exactly like they were making eyes at each other.
"Ugh! That sounds disgusting, Anne! What the hell is in your head?" Tom shot her a disdainful glare.
"What? Not happy about it? Then come fight me!" Anne stared at Tom, eyes full of challenge.
Tom turned his head away, refusing to look at her.
Yeah right… only a fool would fight an enhanced Anne!
Wade remained calm as ever. "Actually, we were trying to communicate telepathically."
"Telepathically? Is that even possible?" Anne asked curiously.
"Not necessarily, but it's worth trying. After all, many new spells come from repeated attempts sparked by a single thought." Wade said with a smile.
"I see… So, did you succeed?"
"Not yet. Are you interested? You could join us too."
"No… I'm not interested…" Anne waved her hands repeatedly.
She was a girl—how could she be making eyes at two boys?
"What a shame, Anne. In that case, your name won't be among the inventors of this new spell."
Anne simply thought Wade was joking.
But Tom, on the other hand, felt he heard a double meaning in his words.
Wasn't that basically saying that Anne betrayed Wade, and from now on, she wouldn't have a place in the team?!
Tsk tsk, Wade really was something else… and Dumbledore actually thought this guy was a good person!
_________
o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and read 13 Chapters ahead of WN at-
Patreon/Captain69