The first item was the simplest. His own will could now partially influence which teachers were selected, and he no longer had to worry about accidentally summoning Dumbledore into the system for an awkward reunion with an old acquaintance.
The second and third updates could be considered together. Both targeted the Learning Space.
First, the increase in realism was unquestionably good news. It reminded Tom of the simulated universes from certain grand worlds, where even the laws of reality could be manifested and cultivated within a virtual realm. With the realism now approaching one hundred percent, what kind of effect would that produce?
Time acceleration was equally useful. It would reduce the amount of time he needed to spend inside the Learning Space, allowing him to focus more energy on the real world, earning learning points and achievement points before feeding them back into the system.
Wait.
The more he thought about it, the stranger it sounded.
Was he not essentially working for the system?
Still, the "Power of Time" talent that old Gellert had given him came with an unexpected bonus. The acceleration limit had increased from two times to three times.
As for the fourth update...
Another gold devourer had been born.
When he once held over ten thousand learning points, Tom had stopped feeling much pain using Transcendent Mode. He would activate it every couple of days without hesitation.
But now there was "Cognitive Leap," and its consumption was five times that of the original. His once impressive stockpile of over ten thousand learning points suddenly seemed embarrassingly small. It felt like the early days after he first obtained the system, when using it even once would make his heart ache for ages.
Yet how could he possibly not use it?
The system had always been honest about value. You paid dearly, but you received something extraordinary in return. A fivefold cost meant a function that was worlds apart.
Time acceleration. Cognitive Leap.
The system was practically shouting at him to earn more learning points and stop even thinking about slacking off.
The final update, however, was clearly aimed at Andros, Grindelwald, and Ariana.
Tom casually tapped to view the details.
Then his eyes widened abruptly.
Recovering from the shock, Tom entered the Learning Space.
It was still a vast expanse wrapped in white mist. The size had not changed. The furnishings were identical to before the update. Yet everything felt far more real.
So real that Tom had not sensed the slightest shift in consciousness when entering.
Ninety nine point nine nine percent realism.
Perhaps this was already a true world.
The two old legends and Ariana were summoned as well. Aside from Grindelwald's soul having been expelled from the Learning Space until seven days had passed in the real world, the other two had been frozen. Their awareness was still locked at the moment of Ariana's victory.
...
The instant they regained consciousness, a flood of new information poured into them. For a moment, all three fell silent.
Ariana was the first to recover.
Her eyes widened in astonishment and delight. "Tom... is this really true?"
Tom nodded. "My talent does not lie. If I can pull your soul in here, I would not deceive you about this."
He then looked at the still silent Andros and Grindelwald.
"This was not something I can control. It evolved on its own. The choice is entirely yours. I will not give advice, and I will not be angry or upset because of whatever you decide."
He paused before continuing calmly.
"We have spent enough time together that you understand my character. I may not treat outsiders kindly, but to my own people, I have never held back."
"Still, some things must be made clear. If you choose to accept, once you step into the real world, you must work for me. My interests come first. Only if I prosper can everyone prosper."
The system had offered a salary settlement option to its teachers.
If accepted, they would become Tom's affiliated souls.
At the cost of one thousand achievement points and five thousand learning points, the private teacher's soul could leave the Learning Space and appear in the real world.
The conditions were simple on the surface.
They could not reveal the existence of the Learning Space. They could not expose Tom's secrets. They had to obey Tom's commands and could not do anything that harmed him.
Put kindly, it was a confidentiality agreement and labor contract.
Put bluntly, it was servitude.
There was another trait, neither wholly good nor wholly bad.
As affiliated souls, they could only exist as long as Tom lived. If Tom died, they would be annihilated. But if Tom lived for a very long time, they would enjoy eternal life.
For figures like them, kings of an era, aside from Voldemort and a handful of anomalies, life and death were not the ultimate concerns.
Dignity was.
So even if they refused, Tom would neither be surprised nor angry.
Ariana spoke first.
"Tom, I choose to become your affiliated soul."
For Ariana, the chance to live again was an immeasurable blessing. Why would she refuse?
As for the constraints listed by the system, they were meaningless to her. Even without them, she would never have violated any of those rules.
After speaking, she left her soul imprint upon the information presented by the Learning Space. Tom received the notification instantly. As long as he paid the achievement points and learning points, he could materialize Ariana's soul in the real world at any time.
There was a warning, however.
Due to the laws of the world, a soul exposed in reality would rapidly lose its soul essence. It required a vessel to remain for long periods.
The beings at Hogwarts were ghosts, not souls. Their mode of existence and fundamental nature were entirely different.
Tom reached out and gently ruffled Ariana's small head.
"Give me some time. Once I summon a new teacher and gather more energy, I will help you accumulate what we need. I will bring you back to life."
The girl smiled sweetly and shook her head. "I am not in a hurry."
Tom did not believe her.
A young girl who had died at the height of her youth, before tasting the beauty of the world, how could she not long to truly touch it again? She was only saying that to spare him pressure.
"I will absolutely craft a body identical to yours," Tom promised.
He suddenly realized that the notebook of that ancient entity was a treasure trove. It contained extensive experiments, including several methods for constructing vessels. He had once dismissed them with disdain.
Now, he would read every word.
Ariana's cheeks flushed.
Actually... it did not have to be completely identical. Some places could be shaped a little more generously.
After all, she had been only thirteen when she died. Surely she would continue growing.
Just as Ariana was wondering whether she should secretly tell Tom her little request, the boy suddenly lifted his head.
His gaze locked onto Andros in shock.
"Andros, you... what did you just say?"