Grindelwald was now certain: the one who could truly impact his plans wasn't Tom—it was Wade.
So even if he really did kill Tom, Grindelwald wouldn't feel much. At most, it would just be the fall of another talented young wizard.
What a pity... what a loss, but he was ready to bear it. Everything he did was, after all, for the greater good!
All that mattered was forcing Wade to give in.
When Tom heard Grindelwald's words, he was overwhelmed with despair.
How was this fair? It was Wade who had infuriated Grindelwald—what did he, Tom, have to do with any of this?
Wade was also taken aback by the scene and stopped weaving around the battlefield.
"Sigh… Alright, what do you want?"
Seeing Wade come to a halt, Grindelwald knew his tactic had worked.
"Put down your wand, Wade. You know I don't want to hurt you. All I want is to take the magical energy and leave with my people. But you've been delaying me this whole time…" Grindelwald said calmly.
Truthfully, he no longer had the patience to keep dragging things out with Wade. He just wanted to take the magic, collect his subordinates, and leave.
But Wade had been buzzing around like a fly—too weak to defeat him, but endlessly annoying.
So Grindelwald simply wanted to subdue Wade and get this night's mission over with.
Even if he couldn't recruit Wade just yet.
"I have to admit, you really did find my weakness…" Wade said as he slowly walked forward. "Tom is my dearest friend and companion…"
Tom's heart instantly swelled with hope.
He hadn't expected Wade to actually choose to save him! Tom was so touched he almost teared up.
If he survived this… then from now on, he'd never betray Wade again!
No—he would still betray him eventually… but maybe he'd go easier on him once he was stronger!
"Since that's the case, then do as I said, Wade," Grindelwald said with a smile. "For the sake of a friend… this is the first time you've truly looked like Dumbledore's student, Wade."
Wade ignored him and turned to Tom. "Don't worry, Tom, I promise I'll…"
Tom looked at him expectantly.
Wade paused, then continued, "I promise I'll give you a grand funeral! Next year, I'll hire a Scottish bagpiper, drape your coffin in a flag, a Horse-drawn carriage, Mounties in full red serge, and a choir of orphans singing of your great sacrifices!"
Tom: "…Huh?"
Grindelwald: "…What?"
As soon as Wade finished speaking, he cast a Doppelganger Charm enhanced by ancient magic and vanished into thin air.
"What the hell?!" Tom was stunned. Weren't you supposed to save me? How did it turn into planning my elaborate funeral?
Grindelwald also looked completely speechless. "Albus… your student really isn't like you at all. Tom… sorry, don't blame me. But I never go back on my word. Safe journey…"
As he spoke, green light began to flicker at the tip of Grindelwald's wand...
Tom shut his eyes in bitter despair. "Fine, fine, Wade… I'll remember everything you said tonight!"
So much for relying on others—he'd be better off relying on himself!
If Wade could be counted on, pigs could climb trees!
Tom slipped his hand into his pocket and gripped two of the sleeping gas dung bombs.
They were one of the many "probably useless" preparations Wade had made him carry, just in case.
But right now, he didn't have the luxury to care.
Tom's thinking was simple: at this range, if he detonated the sleeping gas dung bombs instantly, Grindelwald would have to push him away!
And if… if Grindelwald didn't push him away—well, this was a knockout gas strong enough to fell a troll. If that didn't work on Grindelwald, then what would?
Even if he ended up unconscious too, it was still better than being killed outright!
With that, Tom decisively grabbed onto Grindelwald's robes with one hand—and with the other, he detonated both sleeping gas dung bombs!
Poof!
A flicker of surprise flashed across Grindelwald's usually composed face.
He stared at Tom in shock. "Gas? Cough.. It's poison?! You—"
Grindelwald abruptly shoved Tom away and retreated in a flash.
By the time the dung bombs went off, Tom was already starting to feel lightheaded.
But he could still hear Grindelwald's words clearly.
"Poison? Cough.. cough.. What poison? Isn't this just sleeping gas?" Tom stood there swaying, clutching Grindelwald's hastily discarded coat, utterly confused.
Then it hit him—those sleeping gas dung bombs had come from Wade.
And just like that, he understood.
Wade, you treacherous dog! It was poison?!
"Ugh!"
But Tom could no longer speak. His entire body wobbled as he struggled to stay upright.
Grindelwald looked at him in astonishment. "I never imagined… such courage in this child… To protect Wade, he sacrificed himself without hesitation…"
Tom stared at Grindelwald with a face full of regret. His final thought before losing consciousness was:
Courageous, my ass! Protect him, your head! Sacrifice, my foot! Wade… I fucking hate you…
Thud! Tom collapsed to the ground, full of resentment, no longer showing a trace of life.
However, the regret and unwillingness written all over Tom's face took on a different meaning in Grindelwald's eyes.
He thought Tom was frustrated at having failed to kill him.
"Sigh… who would've thought Hogwarts still had students like this… Albus, between Wade and Tom, it's Tom who truly resembles your student!"
Grindelwald said with emotion. Then he turned to where Wade was hiding. "Are you satisfied now, Wade?"
"Of course… I'm very satisfied!" Wade replied with a smile, appearing not far away.
That fake-death potion really worked like a charm.
A look of admiration appeared on Grindelwald's face. "Heh… so ruthless and cold-blooded… You're clearly one of us. Why keep clinging to Dumbledore? Come on, join my side…"
...
Haah.. haa.. Wha.. what.. just happened..
Watching Tom die so tragically, Anne—hidden off to the side—was utterly stunned.
She had never imagined that Tom, who usually seemed like such a short-tempered guy, would actually choose to sacrifice himself at the critical moment, determined to go down with Grindelwald for the sake of a friend…
As for Wade's actions… she didn't even know how to comment on them.
Textbook Slytherin behavior, really…
Anyway, if it had been her in Wade's place, the moment Grindelwald offered to share half of that magical power, she would've switched sides on the spot.
Naturally, things wouldn't have escalated to the point where a friend had to risk their life for her…
In fact, she truly didn't understand why Wade had refused Grindelwald's offer.
It's not like Grindelwald asked them to join openly!
He even said joining secretly was fine!
He promised that even if the revolution failed, they wouldn't be implicated. All they had to do was agree, and they'd get half of the magical power!
Such a sweet deal—why didn't Wade take it?
And not only did he refuse, he kept provoking Grindelwald!
And in the end, got Tom killed for it…
But… then she recalled the way Tom had resolutely triggered the poison gas bombs just now.
She suddenly wasn't so sure anymore.
If Tom had been willing to trade his life for Grindelwald's, then even if Wade had agreed to join, would Tom have gone along with it?
She clearly remembered that just earlier, when Grindelwald extended his olive branch, Tom—standing right beside her—had spat on the ground and muttered how disgusting it was.
From the looks of it, it wasn't just Wade. Tom had a strong aversion to Mr. Grindelwald too…
While Anne was lost in her thoughts, Wade once again heard Grindelwald's offer.
The smile on his face slowly faded. "You killed my dearest friend, and now you want me to join you? Do you think that makes any sense? Do you really believe everyone is as cold and heartless as you?"
Grindelwald: "Huh?"
Hearing Wade's accusation, even Grindelwald was at a bit of a loss.
Did someone change the plot just now..?
_______
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