--
At last, Tom had time to study the belated surprise that had quietly anchored itself within him—the Strongest Learning System.
The name was unsubtle, almost arrogant, but the description was clear: a system designed not to hand him miracles, but to sharpen his mind until he became a super academic master.
The core was simple: any behavior related to learning that produced results would generate credits.
---
Credits and Achievement Points
Tom skimmed through the functions, his sharp memory recording every detail:
1. Private Tutors – Credits could be spent to "hire" a teacher. The first hour each day was free, but every additional hour cost six credits.
2. Extraordinary State – For one hundred credits, Tom could enter a heightened state of learning: thoughts racing, comprehension soaring, limits breaking. It lasted ten minutes, but could be extended for ten credits per extra minute.
And then there was a second currency: achievement points.
Unlike credits, these weren't earned through daily study. They came only from major achievements—academic, personal, or through system tasks.
And with them came the system's most powerful function: summoning teachers.
The cost varied dramatically:
B-rank (Average adult wizard): 1 achievement point.
A-rank (Excellent wizard): 10 points.
S-rank (Great man of a generation): 100 points.
SS-rank (King of the Century): 1,000 points.
SSS-rank (Immortal Legend): 5,000 points.
The price gap was terrifying, and Tom immediately understood why. Thirty years defined a generation. One wizard who stood above all his peers in that span of time was a once-in-thirty-years genius. A century? Only one could wear the crown.
And Immortal Legends? Rarer still. In the entire history of magic, there had only been a handful.
Tom's lips curved faintly. Old Deng could definitely qualify as a King of the Century.
---
The Novice Gift Pack
Returning to the system panel, he noticed a golden gift box shimmering in the center.
Novice Gift Pack.
He tapped it mentally. Light burst open. The rewards:
100 credits
One free teacher summon (minimum guaranteed: a teacher of S-rank, "great man of his generation")
Tom's heart thudded.
"So… how exactly do I summon this private tutor?" he wondered.
Curiosity won. He claimed the rewards.
---
The Learning Space
A blinding brilliance filled his eyes. His head spun as if he had shaken it too fast. When the dizziness faded, Tom realized he was no longer in his room.
He stood in a foggy world.
It felt almost real—so real he half-feared he had been teleported here. Yet a strange tether told him his body was still lying safely in bed.
The system's calm voice explained:
This is the Learning Space. Time flowed here the same as in the real world, but energy spent studying inside would not exhaust the body outside. He could study all night here and still wake refreshed.
Books he owned could be materialized here, along with teaching aids. It was a virtual world of pure study.
But, of course, there was a cost. Entering this space consumed credits. The 100 he had just received would vanish quickly.
Tom nodded. As expected. Nothing is free.
---
The First Teacher
He looked around. The mist swirled endlessly until—
"Hahahahahaha!"
A hearty laugh echoed through the fog. It rolled forward, and the mist parted, doubling Tom's range of vision.
Out of the haze strode a towering figure.
The man wore a slanted robe from ancient Athens, most of his muscular chest and arms bare. A laurel wreath crowned his head. His features were sharply cut, like a marble statue that had stepped off its pedestal and into the world.
He radiated strength, confidence, and light.
The man's eyes landed on Tom, and his grin widened.
"You are the little wizard who summoned me, eh? What an astonishing talent, to awaken my soul after so many centuries. And this contract—so firm, so binding. Child, I envy your luck."
Jealousy edged his tone, but Tom remained calm. The system's rules were explicit: in this space, no teacher could harm him. Their sole purpose was to teach. No betrayal, no ambush, no "accidents."
Even without those guarantees, Tom doubted this man would stoop to treachery. His aura was too upright, too blindingly positive. Compared to him, Old Deng could be mistaken for a cunning villain.
Tom's lips quirked. "Sir, shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking questions?"
The system, annoyingly, had not revealed the man's name.
---
Invincible Andros
The man laughed again, booming and hearty. "Hahaha! True enough, I was rude."
He struck his chest proudly. "My name is Andros. An ordinary wizard of Greece, skilled in wandless casting and the Patronus Charm. It will be my honor to mentor you."
As his name echoed in Tom's mind, recognition struck.
Andros.
The invincible Greek wizard whose portrait sometimes appeared in Chocolate Frog cards. Tom remembered Dumbledore buying him two frogs earlier in Diagon Alley, one of which had depicted this very man.
The stories weren't exaggerations. Andros had never lost a duel. He was famed for releasing a Patronus without a wand, and not just any Patronus—giant, radiant forms that filled entire battlefields.
Even in the modern era, no wizard had matched that feat. It was considered one of history's great impossibilities.
A King of the Century.
No wonder his presence felt like the sun itself.
---
The First Lesson
Tom bowed slightly, his tone respectful. "Mr. Andros, my name is Tom Riddle. I'll be your student from today. If I make mistakes, please correct me—I'll strive to improve."
Even though the system bound Andros to teach him, Tom knew the value of respect. A humble student gained a generous teacher.
The Greek's eyes gleamed with approval. He clapped his chest again. "Good! I'll do my utmost to help you grow into an excellent wizard."
Then he tilted his head. "Of course, this gift of yours must come with a price. We shouldn't waste time—let's begin."
Tom nodded quickly. "I haven't officially started at Hogwarts yet. Perhaps we can begin with the most basic spells—the Lighting Charm, the Levitation Charm?"
For the first time, confusion crossed Andros's face.
"Lighting Charm? Levitation Charm? What are those?"
Tom blinked. "???"
---