Dumbledore rubbed the bridge of his nose.
That blue Fiendfyre…
He didn't even need to say whom it reminded him of. Once, that color of flame had rolled over battlefields and nearly burned wizarding society to ash.
Then another memory surfaced, something he had dismissed long ago.
Years earlier, Snape had dueled Tom. Afterwards, Severus mentioned something peculiar: Tom fought like a young Grindelwald, overwhelming, domineering, never satisfied with mere victory.
Not only winning, but winning beautifully, crushing resistance so completely that the opponent didn't even want to fight back.
One coincidence, two coincidences…
Was it still just coincidence?
The more Dumbledore thought about it, the heavier his mind felt.
Maybe he was getting too old. Maybe he was clinging to old fears. But the pieces were aligning too perfectly.
Should he have intervened earlier?
Should he stop watching from the sidelines?
He sighed and turned away.
"Hagrid, since you've agreed to help Mr. Riddle, then don't worry yourself further. I can guess why he needs so much venom, but that's his business, not ours to reveal."
"I understand. I'll go to Knockturn Alley tomorrow and get the potion for Professor Sprout."
"Good. Thank you." Dumbledore nodded slowly, then walked away.
Down the road to the castle, he remained deep in thought.
Time had passed so quickly.
Perhaps he could no longer pretend he didn't recognize the signs.
Meanwhile in the Room of Requirement, Tom inspected his new rewards.
He hadn't gained a new bloodline, but his Longevity Body had changed him subtly. It wasn't an obvious transformation, more like a bottle that had suddenly gotten bigger while still made of the same glass.
He didn't even need testing to believe in his new toxin immunity, and the moment he touched Slytherin's venom-based magic,
Door panels melted like butter.
Snape would have screamed if he saw that.
Then, of course, was the Death Eyes.
Tom tested on animals first: squirrels, boars, anything he could catch. As long as eye contact was made,
instant death.
But the cost varied wildly. Killing a squirrel was nothing. Killing something big sucked a heavy chunk of magic.
Against a wizard?
Dangerous, but possible.
Against Grindelwald?
Tom nearly passed out from the effort, head spinning, magic drained, before the effect even triggered.
And when it finally did?
The great Dark Lord merely turned to stone for ten seconds.
Both of them stared at each other.
And Grindelwald broke the silence with dry irritation:
"My eyes feel like sandpaper."
Tom slammed the table.
"What is this scam?! The basilisk glares at people and they drop dead! I go through a mental breakdown and a migraine just to paralyze someone? Refund! I want a refund!"
"You should be grateful." Grindelwald massaged his neck, half annoyed, half fascinated. "The basilisk uses a curse. You're cursing through its legacy. The stronger the target, the more power you need. Try killing an ordinary Auror, you'll vaporize his soul with a glance. But me? Who am I?"
He gave a dramatic snort.
"Even if that snake appeared before me, it wouldn't kill me with a look alone. Unless I were arrogant enough to ignore it without countercurses."
His tone was scolding.
His eyes, however… were envious.
If Tom mastered this properly, one day he really could kill a Dark Lord with just a glance.
"Let's test it again," Tom muttered. "The paralyzing version is too slow. Ten seconds of staring makes it look like we're confessing feelings."
"Oh, gladly," Andros grinned.
Tom activated his death gaze again,
And Andros transformed into a colossus of pure light.
All curses evaporated instantly. The backlash hit Tom like a hammer, his eyes blurred, a stabbing pain making him go temporarily blind.
Tom stood still for a moment.
Then:
"…You think you're cool? Just because you turn into a celestial kaiju?"
It was hopeless. The Death Eyes worked like gravity: you crushed those beneath you, but not those far above.
Especially not this walking sunbeam of a monster. One glance and Tom was practically blinded.
And yet… both elder monsters still called him the scary one.
Hypocrites.
He glared at them both, then turned and patted Ariana's head.
"You're the best. Those two are just trying to bully me."
"Ehehe." Ariana giggled, sticking her tongue out at Grindelwald behind Tom's back.
Instead of anger, Grindelwald looked pleased.
A little spite, a little temper, she wasn't turning into another Albus. That was good.
"And your next trial?" Andros asked.
Tom's lips curled upward, mystery glowing behind them.
"A very nice one. Once I pass it, no magic in this world will feel different from any other. They'll all belong to me equally."
The system revealed:
[Trial VII · Metal: Tame an Adult Niffler and defeat it in its strongest domain. Reward: Heaven–Earth Synergy Physique]
Tom smiled slowly.
Things were about to get interesting.