[Race: Garuda Thunderbird]
[Gender: Male]
[Magic Level: SS Rank]
[Innate Ability: Storm Control (Born with the ability to unleash gales and thunderstorms, capable of significantly influencing the climate!)]
[Special Ability: Absorbing Sorrow (Protecting righteousness! Repelling all evil! Fusing a trace of the Buddhist guardian deity Garuda's power, its cry can buff allies with protective power and weaken enemy abilities.)]
[Evaluation: The world's only unique thunderbird. Its powerful physique can easily tear apart an adult fire dragon. A single flap of its wings can cover thousands of meters in an instant, summoning storms and lightning with destructive power exceeding that of a typical legendary wizard... Its overall strength is no weaker than that of a typical legendary wizard!]
An SS Rank Magical Creature! A Thunderbird at Legendary Wizard Level!
This magical creature was comparable to a legendary wizard—the one and only Garuda Thunderbird!
A gleam of joy flashed in Tom Riddle's eyes. Perfect. Another opportunity to demonstrate my superiority.
"Screech~"
Recovering from the shock of its transformation and noticing the crowd below, the Garuda Thunderbird swooped down.
Boom!
Even without crashing, the sheer size of the beast and the flapping of its wings created a considerable commotion.
Even on the ground, the Garuda Thunderbird was as large as a building. It crouched, tilting its head to gently nuzzle Tom Riddle, its eyes filled with undisguised affection.
"Alright, big guy," Tom Riddle said, reaching out to pat the Thunderbird's head. "From now on, you belong to me."
"Screech~"
The Garuda Thunderbird responded softly, conveying simple thoughts: Tom saved it. Tom was a good person. It liked Tom.
"Another one," Severus Snape said, his expression as impassive as ever, though inwardly he was jubilant. Tom's pets were always the best of the best, the rarest of the rare! Even a single feather or scale was a rare and valuable potion ingredient!
And this Thunderbird... clearly mutated! The potion-making ingredients this creature possessed were unique in the world! Judging by the magical energy fluctuations, those ingredients must be incredibly potent! Severus Snape was absolutely ecstatic!
Oh? You think this bird isn't yours? Please. This is my Lord's bird, practically my colleague! We'll be seeing each other all the time, so I can just ask for a little more. I don't need blood, just a few feathers or tears would be fine, right? With a little effort and time, I'm sure I'll get them!
...
Watching Tom Riddle stuff the enormous Garuda Thunderbird into the suitcase, a wave of emotion washed over everyone. Though the storm had long since subsided and the sky was clear, Harry Potter just couldn't feel happy.
"Sigh... I can't even beat the Master's bird."
Hearing this, Malfoy couldn't resist retorting, "Didn't you lose to the Master's cat before?"
"This is different. This one's too awesome. I feel like even Snape would end up as a snack."
"..."
Did you have to say that out loud?
Severus Snape, lost in thought, subtly glanced at Harry Potter, who was staring blankly at the suitcase. I admit I can't beat this bird, but I'm not that weak, am I? I can still escape! As if struck by a sudden thought, Severus Snape took a glass bottle from his robes. "Harry, would you like some water?"
"Oh, thank you."
Harry Potter, still staring blankly at the suitcase, took the bottle and, under Severus Snape's expectant gaze, unscrewed the cork. He only held it halfway up when he paused. "Wait a minute!"
"..."
Damn it! Just a little bit more!
A hint of disappointment flickered across Severus Snape's stiff face.
"..."
You greasy-haired bat-man, you still want to sabotage me here?!
Harry Potter's gaze darted subtly between the bottle and Severus Snape before he handed it to Malfoy. "Thirsty? Want some?"
Even though he knew this water wasn't ordinary, Severus Snape wouldn't poison him in front of Tom Riddle. Besides, Harry Potter was genuinely curious about the water's effects.
"Thanks, Scarface," Malfoy said, taking the bottle. "But I'm not thirsty."
He then held the bottle out to Severus Snape. "Godfather, are you thirsty? Here, have some water." Malfoy had been displeased with him lately, and Malfoy wanted to show some filial piety to ease the tension.
"..."
Severus Snape stared at Malfoy's outstretched hand holding the bottle, and he fell silent.
Tom Riddle, standing nearby, watched this scene with amusement. Frankly, he was quite eager to see Severus Snape drink it. He knew what was inside the bottle, of course, and it was precisely because he knew that he wanted to see Severus Snape drink it.
Unfortunately, Severus Snape ultimately didn't drink it, silently tucking the glass back into his robes.
"Professor, I might have to go back now. I've got responsibilities," Ashok Petil said, looking at the sky, his mood somewhat calmer. Although the feeling of revenge wasn't as exhilarating as he'd imagined, it was alright. He had important people and things to do; he had two daughters, and he couldn't keep them waiting too long.
"Professor, if you would like to remain longer, then remain. I shall arrange expenses, accommodations, anything else." Tom Riddle said.
Ashok Petil gave a helpless smile. "To be honest, I promised to be a good host, but I haven't taken you to see any places yet."
"It is quite alright. I do not have any interest in this place."
"..."
Tom Riddle's bluntness made Ashok Petil awkwardly twitch his lips.
Tom Riddle began to speak, his face devoid of expression. "Draco misses his mother, and Severus hasn't washed his hair in days… It's about time that I take them back to England."
"…"
Everyone except Snape and Malfoy was struggling not to laugh.
"Malfoy, why aren't you laughing?" Harry Potter asked, patting Malfoy's face, which was full of black lines. "Are you just naturally averse to smiling?"
"…"
Looking at Severus Snape again, Harry Potter was met with a pair of murderous eyes.
"Alright, alright, Severus, stop glaring at Harry," Tom Riddle said, clapping his hands. "I shall have Nagini give you some tasks upon our return. Stop lazing about. It is not ideal if you cannot even defeat my bird… You are my top Death Eater, and I have high expectations for you!"
"…"
Severus Snape sighed helplessly. It wasn't that he was depressed, but rather that he felt…complicated.
But Tom Riddle was right. He couldn't even beat Tom's pet.
To be honest, he had his own pride, but he knew his limitations only too well. That bird could put a fight to Dumbledore; he wouldn't be at their level in less than ten or twenty years.
"Tom Riddle! I want tasks as well! I want to grow more powerful!" Cassandra Volle stood next to Tom Riddle, looking at him earnestly.
"You desire tasks? Then, child, finish your homework first." Tom Riddle patted Cassandra Volle's head. Fortunately, although Cassandra Volle had a bad temper, she usually wouldn't get angry even when Tom Riddle "bullied" her.
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