Chapter 5: Do I not even qualify as a threat to you?

“Tom, you took the wrong path. You should go this way.”
Levitt’s voice pulled Tom back from his thoughts.
Without Tom noticing, Levitt had reappeared right before him.
“Sorry, I… I was just a bit distracted…” Tom hurriedly explained.
“Tom, you’re overacting. If you want to appear obedient, you have to seem more natural…” Levitt said meaningfully, patting Tom on the shoulder before turning away again.
Tom stood frozen, Levitt’s words striking his ears like thunder on a clear day.
‘I was too naive! Too presumptuous! My transformation was so abrupt—how could he not know what I’m trying to do?’
‘So… he’s warning me! Telling me not to entertain any thoughts I shouldn’t!’
‘He knows full well I could turn against him at any moment, yet he remains indifferent, letting me be… Does he think I’m not even worth being a threat?’
‘Damn it! That arrogant bastard! How dare he? How dare he look down on me like this?!’
Tom’s face turned pale, his eyes brimming with humiliation, veins bulging on his neck.
In truth, Tom understood Levitt’s mindset better than anyone, because before meeting Levitt, he thought the same of others.
He believed everyone else was mediocre, incapable of threatening someone as gifted as himself, which justified his arrogance.
He never imagined that the one treated like a mere mortal today would be himself…
He never thought he would one day become the despised “fool.”
Struck hard by this boomerang of fate, Tom finally began to grasp the feelings of those he once tormented…
*Ding!* Detected: Host inflicted significant mental damage on the Dark Overlord of the Future. Reward granted: 50 merit points.
Ah... Tom, I’m beginning to like you a little.

...

Mrs. Corfield was a gaunt, weary woman.
As the shadow of war gradually engulfed Europe, fewer and fewer kind-hearted people were able to donate money or supplies to the orphanage.
Mrs. Corfield didn’t even know if the orphanage could survive the coming months.
Managing dozens of orphans and ensuring they had barely enough food and clothing in such troubled times left her physically and mentally exhausted.
“Eric hasn’t been feeling well all day. God willing, it’s not chickenpox again… we’re already stretched thin. Billy seems much better; remember to wipe him down with iodine tonight…” Mrs. Corfield said as she handed out food, speaking to a ragged girl wearing an old apron.
Soon, she noticed Levitt and Tom arriving late. “Levitt, are you settling in alright here? Tom, I just hope you won’t use your usual tricks to bully Levitt! Otherwise, you’ll be staying in the little black room again!”
‘Who’s bullying whom?’
Tom pursed his lips and said nothing, silently staring at the dinner just placed before him…
A small portion of baked beans, mashed potatoes, a piece of bread, and a bowl of some kind of thin soup.
“I’m quite comfortable here, Mrs. Corfield… In fact, compared to the hungry children still wandering outside, I’m already very fortunate! If you hadn’t taken me off the streets… I don’t know what would have become of me.” Levitt said gratefully, looking at Mrs. Corfield with heartfelt thanks.
“You’re a good kid… It’s clear I made the right choice bringing you here. You’ve been a great help these past few days. Now eat your dinner. Here, take this…” Mrs. Corfield’s tired face softened into a small smile as she slipped an egg into Levitt’s coat pocket.
Nearby, Tom glanced at his meager meal, then at Levitt’s plate, which now had an extra egg and an apple, and suddenly felt the sharp sting of inequality between people…

...

Watching Levitt leisurely peeling the egg in the corner, Tom couldn’t help but sit down opposite him, clutching his plate.
“What have you done to help that woman? Why does she treat you so differently?”
Levitt carefully scooped out the yolk and said casually, “Maybe, as you said, it’s just because of my handsome face?”
Tom clenched his spoon, wanting to be angry but afraid to lose control.
“Ha! Just kidding. I’ll share half of it with you.” Levitt laughed, using his spoon to put half the yolk onto Tom’s plate despite Tom’s disdainful look.
“I only did some small, doable things… Of course, those small things just happened to please her. Honestly, you could do the same. It’s just that you’ve always thought too highly of yourself and refused to.”
Tom pushed the half yolk to the side in disgust. “Hmph, I can’t do that kind of deliberately flattering nonsense…”
“Oh? Then who was the one groveling to me just now?” Levitt chuckled.

...

“I…” Tom’s pale face flushed a rare shade of red. “That’s because you’re better than me! I had no choice…”
“Mm… Of course, of course, Tom, I’m not saying you’re wrong. Actually, to achieve your goals, sometimes saying a few nice things or doing small favors isn’t a big deal.”
Levitt looked at the embarrassed Tom and suddenly laughed again. “Just like me flattering Mrs. Corfield to get a good private room for my practice and research, and you flattering me to learn how to enhance your powers and then take revenge on me…”
Tom felt as if his breath had stopped. He hated being so easily seen through and yet powerless to resist!
*Ding…*
After the system notification, Levitt received another 10 merit points.

...

“Reparo!”
In his private room, Levitt made a special gesture and aimed at the wooden door’s cracked lock, chanting the spell.
*Scritch…*
The faint sound of metal scraping rang out as the cracks on the metal lock gradually vanished.
Levitt watched the restored lock with satisfaction.
The *Complete Guide to Basic Spells* was indeed thorough—besides tracing the evolution of each spell from ancient times to now, it even detailed the correct wandless gestures for each incantation…
That’s why Levitt’s repair spell succeeded so perfectly this time.
Since getting this book, Levitt’s research and practice speed had increased at least a hundredfold.
Having spent 5 merit points to buy a bottle of fresh milk, Levitt now had 65 merit points left.
He looked forward to what new items might appear in the shop after midnight.
Fortunately, there was a product locking feature; otherwise, his 65-point balance might not be enough.