Even so, following blindly in the footsteps of Voldemort and Grindelwald would no longer be a wise choice.
With a plan already forming in his mind, Vider opened the system interface in his thoughts.
The system interface was remarkably simple, displaying only the items available for purchase and his current merit point balance.
[Item 1: 50ml of Dittany (Unlocked) - 5 Merit Points]
[Item 2: "Complete Guide to Basic Spells" (Unlocked) - 50 Merit Points]
[Refresh Countdown: 8 hours, 27 minutes, 39 seconds]
[Merit Points: 50]
[Dark Lord Achievement: Unachieved]
Seeing the second item, Vider clicked on it without a moment's hesitation.
["Complete Guide to Basic Spells" is a system-exclusive edition of a basic spellbook, covering nearly all basic spells currently in circulation worldwide. It provides detailed descriptions of every casting technique for these spells, along with their historical evolution...]
Before he even finished reading the system description, Vider chose to purchase it outright.
After all, even though this book recorded only basic spells, it would still be of immense help to Vider, a complete beginner in magic!
Furthermore, given the level of detail described, a spellbook like this could never be bought in any ordinary bookstore!
"Ding! Do you wish to purchase "Complete Guide to Basic Magic"?"
"Yes!"
"Ding! Please select the language for this book."
He could even choose the language?
At this, a thought flickered in Vider's mind. "Is there a Simplified Chinese version?"
He was really just asking on a whim, knowing full well that Simplified Chinese wouldn't appear until the 1950s, whereas they were currently in the 1930s.
"Ding! The Simplified Chinese version of "Complete Guide to Basic Magic" has been delivered. Please check and receive your item!"
A sudden warmth flooded Vider's palm, and a black-covered book abruptly appeared in his hand!
Vider picked up the book in his hand with a sense of puzzlement. He noticed that the thickness didn't seem right!
If this book truly contained all the extensive content described in the system specifications, it should have been far thicker than this.
Vider glanced down at the pitch-black cover, where the English title of the book was embossed in large, gilded letters... *Oliver Twist*.
Huh? What happened to the spellbook he was promised? Why was it a Dickens novel instead?
Vider frowned slightly.
Then, he noticed that when he focused his gaze entirely on the title, the English title *Oliver Twist* slowly transformed in his field of vision into Simplified Chinese: *Complete Guide to Basic Spells*.
And to Vider's amazement, the moment he looked away from the text, the Simplified Chinese title on the cover shifted back into the English *Oliver Twist*.
"Ding! This system-exclusive book features a disguise function. Only the host, or those permitted by the host, can see its true contents."
Vider was quite pleased with the spellbook's built-in disguise function.
Since the book could camouflage itself, he wouldn't have to worry about anyone noticing a spellbook detailing magic to such an excessive degree.
Moreover, since the true contents of the book were hidden, he could no longer judge the comprehensiveness of its contents merely by its thickness.
Vider casually opened the book. Sure enough, right beneath his gaze, the novel's text slowly melted away to reveal detailed explanations of spells! Most importantly, it was all entirely in Simplified Chinese!
Spellbooks normally contained a great deal of archaic English vocabulary, which wouldn't have been easy to grasp even with Vider's decent command of English.
Yet, because the version in his hands was a system-generated Simplified Chinese edition, translated with both fidelity and elegance, that hurdle was effortlessly resolved.
...
"Knock, knock! Mister, it's time to eat."
Lost in his study of the spells, Vider looked up and glanced out the window at the darkening sky.
Before he knew it, evening had arrived.
Vider opened the door to find Tom standing on the threshold, wearing an expression of humble subservience.
It was as if the arrogant fellow from earlier in the day had never existed; when the situation called for it, he could be remarkably thick-skinned...
In another light, one might even consider this one of Tom's special talents.
"Tom, don't call me 'mister', it sounds rather strange. If you don't mind, just call me Vider." A smile touched Vider's face.
Tom nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Then I'll call you Vider when there are people around, but when it's just the two of us, I'll still call you mister."
It had to be said that Tom was indeed a born dissembler—he spoke nicely, showed consideration for others, and was quite handsome to boot.
Anyone who didn't know him would be deceived nine times out of ten.
No wonder that after starting school, apart from Dumbledore, who had seen through his true nature, every other teacher and student adored him.
"Have it your way, then."
Vider gave a noncommittal reply and started walking toward the dining area.
Tom hurried to follow.
All the way there, Tom's behavior was nothing short of flawless.
He trotted respectfully behind Vider, playing the part of a complete flatterer.
Yet Vider knew that this was a venomous snake! Given the slightest opportunity, it would strike and sink its fangs deep into his throat!
What a malicious child... If that's how it's going to be...
As if remembering something, Vider glanced at Tom, who was trailing behind him with a submissive look, and the corners of his mouth curved upward into a slight smile.
*Thwack!*
Tom clutched his head, staring at Vider in utter bewilderment. A flash of rage darted through his eyes, though he quickly managed to conceal it.
"Vi... Mister... why did you hit me?!"
"Ding! Detected that the host has inflicted a humiliating insult upon the wicked brat, rewarded with 10 merit points!"
Splendid, he had successfully unlocked the proper way to use Tom, and incidentally, the merit points for the Dittany were safely in hand.
Hearing the system chime, Vider withdrew his hand with satisfaction.
"My apologies, I just thought I saw a fly on your head..."
"Wh—where's the fly?" Tom rubbed his still-thick head, completely dazed.
"It flew away," Vider said calmly.
"?"
Tom's eyes widened. Even a fool would have realized by now that Vider had hit him on purpose.
"Let's get moving. Mrs. Cole doesn't have the habit of waiting for people to eat."
Watching Vider's retreating back, Tom felt a mixture of alarm and fury.
*Could he have guessed what I'm planning? No... surely not! How could he possibly know what I'm thinking?*
*Then why did he suddenly hit me? Could it be... is he testing me?! Testing whether I'm truly obedient?*
At this thought, Tom frantically tried to recall whether any inappropriate expression had slipped across his face when he was struck.
However, since Tom hadn't been looking in a mirror, how could he possibly know whether he had kept his expression under control?
Trepidation gnawed at Tom as he hurried to catch up.
Right now, he was terrified that Vider might suddenly turn on him and leave him half-dead.
After all, if the roles were reversed, that was precisely what he would have done!