Abraxas left with a red face.
But Abraxas's original sad expression was now mirrored on Tom's face.
"Robert, I think you are a little too hasty..." Tom asked with a frown.
Tom didn't object to Robert's showboating because he knew he had no way to stop him. However, he just hoped that this big brother of his could have a little more sense before making such bold moves!
Abraxas's surrender had only been possible through coercion. Who knew how many rounds of manipulation it had taken to get him to this point?
But... Abraxas's family—
They were an old pure-blood family!
How could they possibly change their minds overnight?
Was it just because Robert was handsome?
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Robert asked doubtfully.
"You… You actually dared to agree to it!" Tom completely lost his temper.
"Why shouldn't I agree?" Robert smiled and said, "Right now, society is developing at a rapid pace, and it's the best time to build our image as leaders."
Tom said weakly, "What kind of persona are you trying to establish?"
"I need to establish an image of being omnipotent... Only then will people feel awe when facing me. And Abu is a role model in the community. Helping him solve his problems will have a significant impact." Robert said seriously.
Tom sighed pessimistically. "I feel like you're going to mess this up. Forget establishing an image of omnipotence—at this rate, all the prestige you've built up might be ruined in a single day... Even if you just find a way to make Abu happy temporarily, that would be better than trying to force his family to change their minds outright."
"We originally wanted Abu to join so we could unite him with the family behind him. But simply changing Abu's values doesn't mean we've won over the Malfoy family. To succeed, we need to bring his family along as well," Robert stated as if it were obvious.
Tom sighed. "So how do you plan to change their minds and make them your friends? Are you going to storm their house and beat them up like before?"
Robert grinned. "Don't be so violent, Tom... I have gentler methods."
"No... You seriously plan to knock on their door!"
"Tom, just like Abu, you should trust me, right?"
"Don't try that on me! I'm not as gullible as Abu."
Later That Day
After saying goodbye to an exasperated Tom, Robert headed to the school's Owl Shed and sent a letter to Toby, who was working in Hogsmeade Village.
By the time he returned to the dormitory, Toby was already waiting for him.
A house-elf who could Apparate within Hogwarts was, of course, faster than Robert.
"Master Robert, what do you need Toby to do?" Toby asked respectfully.
Robert raised his hand, touched his smooth chin, then pulled out a gold Galleon from his pocket and handed it to Toby.
"Master Robert, do you need Toby to buy something?"
"No... just take it." Robert said, pulling out his wand and gently tapping the gold Galleon.
A faint red light flashed on the coin before quickly disappearing.
Then, Robert took out another gold Galleon and did the same thing.
"It's too inconvenient to contact you by owl every time, so keep this Galleon with you. When I need you, I'll squeeze the coin in my hand, and yours will heat up. If you need to find me, do the same, and I'll know," Robert explained.
"I understand! Master Robert, you are amazing! You've mastered such powerful magic after only a short time at school!" Toby flattered him in his shrill voice.
"It's nothing special, just a simple conversion spell..." Robert replied casually.
The transformation spell was a part of Transfiguration, and it wasn't difficult for Robert anymore.
"Anything else you need, Master Robert?" Toby asked as he carefully wrapped the gold Galleon in a clean handkerchief and tucked it close to his body. He even used elf magic to create a pocket on the ragged curtains he wore.
"And this key," Robert handed him another item. "Take it back to the wizard tower and keep it safe. This is the key to my vault at Gringotts. In the future, I might need you to withdraw money for me."
Hearing this, Toby was so overwhelmed with emotion that he burst into tears.
"Toby… Toby will definitely complete Master Robert's request!"
"Also, the meeting location will still be the dormitory. Whether I'm looking for you or you're looking for me, we'll meet here."
Since house-elves were common in the dormitories, meeting there wouldn't raise suspicion.
After Toby left, Robert went to the library, finished his homework, and spent the evening reading books he had exchanged through the system.
By the time the library closed, his head was full of potion formulas and spells. He returned to the dormitory, washed up, and went straight to bed.
He still had things to do that night.
The Dream World
"Senior? Are you there?" Robert called out softly into the white dreamscape.
"I'm here..."
Robert turned around to see his senior, surrounded by an aura of black mist.
"It looks like you haven't made any progress in your ancient magic?" she asked.
"Uh… I've been busy with club matters and haven't had much time to visit the Forbidden Forest..." Robert admitted sheepishly.
He had indeed been busy lately and hadn't searched for ancient magic hotspots.
"Strong power is the foundation of everything. Don't slack off," the senior reminded him.
"Yes... I understand."
"So, what do you need from me? Do you want another simulated battle?"
"No… Actually, I need your help with something else…"
"Oh?"
"I need help changing some people's minds." Robert grinned.
Attacking the Malfoy family was out of the question, but maybe his senior could help him infiltrate their dreams.
After explaining the situation, the senior replied, "I can help, but only halfway."
"Huh? Why only halfway?" Robert asked curiously.
"I know your nightmare magic has a limited range. I can send your consciousness into their dreams, but the rest is up to you. Only by doing it yourself can you improve."
Robert understood that his senior wanted to push him to train more, so he didn't argue.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"Wait..." Robert quickly adjusted his form, cloaking himself in the same eerie black mist as his senior.
"Why are you copying me?" she asked, frowning.
"Uh… to conceal my identity. Also, this look is scary!" Robert admitted.
"...So, you think I look scary?" Her voice was dangerously neutral.
Robert shuddered. "I—I didn't mean it like that. I just—"
"Let's go!"
Before he could finish, he felt his consciousness being thrown into a whirlwind.
By the time he regained his senses, he was floating above a grand manor.
"Ugh!" Robert bent over, wanting to vomit, but as a conscious entity, he couldn't.
His senior had transported him before, but never this roughly.
Clearly, she was getting back at him.
"Heh… women…"
"You seem to be thinking something inappropriate?" she asked sharply.
"Ahem! I was just thinking about how to use nightmare magic effectively!" Robert said seriously.
"Right… They're asleep now. Go, enter their dreams."
Dizzy again, Robert found himself in a fog-covered space.
In the center, a middle-aged couple looked around in confusion—Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
Without hesitation, Robert, shrouded in black mist, stepped forward.
The Malfoys froze in terror.
"You… who are you?!" Lucius stammered.
Robert's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Crying? Crying also counts as time..."
(End of Chapter)
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