"What's the point of him trying to win us over?" Tom asked, puzzled. "We're just two underage wizards!"
"Tom, if we were insignificant, Dumbledore wouldn't have gone to so much trouble to send us to the safe house," Levitra shrugged. "It's just that we don't know yet what he wants from us..."
"He actually dared to send these things to us… Isn't he afraid that we'll give them to Dumbledore and ruin his plan?" Tom asked.
"Tom, you're playing dumb too much… Don't you know why?"
At that, Tom stopped asking pointless questions.
According to Anne, this kind of magical power was exactly what Robert and Tom were striving for, so why would they betray the source? Grindelwald sent these things with confidence because he knew he had grasped Robert and Tom's desire for power.
Robert smiled as he looked at the two small balls in front of him.
Two had been returned, which meant that the other one had likely been opened by Grindelwald.
In other words, Grindelwald had fully realized the power contained within… He had taken the bait!
Tom suddenly looked at Robert with suspicion. This time, he didn't ask pointless questions but went straight to the key issue.
"Since he sent these things over, does that mean… your 'fakes' fooled Grindelwald? Didn't you say they could only fool Anne but not him? Why..."
"Oh, Tom, you're getting clever again… Well, give me a moment to think. Ah, yes! This is because technology improves! The previous ones couldn't fool Grindelwald, but these new ones can!"
"You're just making up an excuse, aren't you? Damn it… you can't even think of a proper lie in advance?!"
"Nothing."
"In other words, the so-called 'fakes' you gave Anne before were actually real?!"
"You misunderstood."
"Robert! I won't trust you anymore!"
Tom grabbed a small ball angrily, turned around, and left, not even caring about the other Christmas presents.
This time, Tom was truly frustrated. He had originally thought Anne had absorbed a fake, and he felt sorry for her.
But now… he was the fool?!
Thinking about how he had handed over the real thing before, Tom was filled with regret!
"Tom…"
"Hmph!" Tom ignored Robert and headed for the stairs.
"Then."
Tom turned his head just in time to see another metal ball being thrown his way. He quickly caught it.
"You… what are you doing?"
Tom looked at the ball in his hand in surprise. What if it broke? What a waste of resources!
"You can take it too," Robert said indifferently.
"You… you don't want it?" Tom suddenly became suspicious.
At that moment, he woke up from his anger and realized something wasn't right.
Wasn't Robert very eager for power?
Why was he uninterested in something that could make him stronger?
Not only had he generously given everything to Anne before, but now he was also giving up his own share to Tom? Could it be that he had already absorbed enough when he was secretly investigating?
No! Tom denied that possibility.
Because although Robert's strength was still impressive, there were no signs of sudden enhancement!
Tom had seen how Anne had grown stronger after absorbing this magical power!
If Robert had absorbed a large amount, there would have been obvious changes!
"Why don't you want it? Does this magic power have side effects?" Tom asked seriously.
Robert sneered, "A truly strong person would never rely on external forces to make themselves stronger."
"Hah, I knew it! This definitely has side effects!" Tom said, as if he had expected it.
"I've already told you—I don't use it simply because I don't want to. How can there be any side effects?" Robert frowned.
"If there were no side effects, would you really just throw it to me?" Tom said with a sneer.
"Since when did you get so smart? Forget it, use it if you want," Robert said, unimpressed.
Although residues had side effects, that was only when absorbed in large quantities.
If it was just a little, it wouldn't be addictive. Instead, it would enhance one's strength.
Since Tom didn't want it, Robert didn't care.
Seeing Robert's reaction, Tom hesitated.
After some internal struggle, he finally walked over and placed both balls back in front of Robert.
Since he couldn't make up his mind… he would wait and see what Robert did.
If Robert didn't want to use them, then Tom wouldn't either. That was the safest choice!
"Incredible, Tom, you can now resist the temptation of power!"
"Hmph…"
Tom picked up his gift and walked to another corner of the living room to open it.
Of course, he didn't look back the entire time, afraid that if he saw the two small balls again, he wouldn't be able to suppress his desire.
Robert chuckled.
If this Tom could continue to grow, he would be far more terrifying than Voldemort.
Because despite the difficulty, he had learned the most challenging lesson—restraint.
Robert turned around and resumed opening his gifts.
Opening presents at Christmas was a great way to assess relationships.
After all, only those who had connections with you—or wanted to—would send gifts.
It was a way to map out his network of contacts.
Soon, Robert discovered that the Malfoy family's gift wasn't from Draco, but from Draco's father.
It was an extravagant cane, and its handle could be removed to reveal a concealed wand slot.
In other words, it was a high-class, hidden wand.
"Tsk tsk, the Malfoy family's taste really hasn't changed much over the generations," Robert remarked.
Though he made a joke, he gladly accepted the gift. It signified the Malfoy family's complete submission.
Next, Robert found gifts from other pure-blood families—each more extravagant than the last.
Clearly, the Malfoys had spread the word.
For these families, Robert sent out Christmas cards in response.
Christmas cards were inexpensive—one silver coin could buy a bundle—but the fact that Robert acknowledged them at all signified his acceptance of their allegiance. That was priceless for these pure-blood families.
Then, Robert opened Dumbledore's gift.
It was a personally written book on Transfiguration skills.
Though it held little practical value to Robert now, it gave him an excuse to use Dumbledore's unique Transfiguration techniques in the future.
Professor Slughorn's gift was as straightforward as ever—a full bottle of Felix Felicis.
Robert already had some, but he was always happy to have more!
Even if he couldn't drink too much of it, he could sell it for a fortune.
Slughorn was surprisingly generous.
Of course, as a prominent student, Robert also received gifts from many other professors.
Aside from professors and pure-blood families, the rest of the gifts were far more ordinary.
But Robert cherished these even more.
They were from his club members—the foundation of his future influence.
To maintain their loyalty, Robert had spent quite a bit on the gifts he had given them.
By the time he finished opening presents, it was already noon.
Tom had long since finished, watching Robert the entire time, feeling dejected.
Technically, he managed the club. But what did he get from its members?
Only some greeting cards. The best gift was a snack box from Anne…
Meanwhile, Robert received the best wizard toys and the finest food.
Comparing himself to Robert only made Tom angrier.
"Hmph… are you finally done? You must be exhausted!"
Robert grinned. "Actually, not tired at all!"
He tied a pink bow on Nagini's head.
"This is my Christmas present to you, Nagini!"
Nagini looked at the bow in disdain and rubbed against the table, trying to shake it off.
"Toby! You have a gift too."
Toby, the house-elf, almost fainted from excitement.
Then Tom narrowed his eyes.
"Wait… where's my present?"
"Ah?"
"You… you didn't forget… did you?!"
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