The last system interface was the Mall.
Its standard currency was still gems, but the prices were staggering. Even the cheapest item—a Hogwarts Marauder's Map—cost thousands of gems.
Still, the selection was incredibly rich. Virtually any magical item that existed in the wizarding world could be bought here. Interestingly, the easier an item was to obtain in reality, the more expensive it was in the Mall. For instance, the Philosopher's Stone was priced at five hundred thousand gems, while the Deathly Hallows were each worth hundreds of millions.
In addition to magical items, magical creature cubs were also sold here—but they weren't cheap. A common Bowtruckle cost the same as the Marauder's Map.
In Phineas's view, many of these things were better obtained in the real world than bought in the Mall. Gems could be exchanged for Passes, and Passes were the key to unlocking more magic and progressing in power.
Still, that didn't make the Mall interface useless. It also offered spells for purchase. The price for a specific spell was ten thousand gems—the equivalent of about sixty-two Passes, each costing one hundred sixty gems.
While it might not seem like a bargain, having the certainty of obtaining a designated rare spell made it worth it in some cases.
Even more astonishing, the spells offered weren't limited to the Harry Potter world. As long as it came from a magical system—regardless of the universe—it could appear in the Mall.
This meant that with enough gems, Phineas could learn magic from other worlds and become the most powerful wizard alive—true to the system's name: the Strongest Wizard System.
After going through all the system menus, Phineas felt more at ease. His hopes for the future had solidified.
Ever since he had learned of his identity as the third son of the Black family, he'd lived with constant anxiety. Despite his efforts to grow stronger over the past nine years, fear had always lingered—fear of Voldemort's inevitable return, fear of the ruthless pure-blood families who would tear a person apart for power.
But now, for the first time, he saw a path forward. With the Mission System, the House Treasure Chest interface, and the Mall, he had concrete goals to pursue. Ultimately, his aim was to become strong—strong enough to survive and protect himself.
"Kreacher."
"Master?"
With a soft pop, Kreacher appeared beside him.
"Go to Diagon Alley and buy the items on my list. Also, take me to the Magical Creature Shop—I need a pet. An owl alone won't do."
"As you wish, Master."
After completing the shopping list, Kreacher took Phineas to the Magical Creature Shop located on the south side of Diagon Alley.
Unlike Eeylops Owl Emporium across the street, which sold only owls and related goods, the Magical Creature Shop carried a wide array of creatures. In addition to common pets like owls, cats, and toads, it also offered rarer magical creatures like Fire Crabs and Shifting Rabbits.
Even ordinary animals such as ravens were available, and on occasion, magical creatures like Nifflers and Bowtruckles appeared—but those sold out almost immediately.
The two shops also differed in atmosphere. Due to owl habits, Eeylops was dimly lit and shadowy. The Magical Creature Shop, on the other hand, was brighter—though far more cramped, thanks to the sheer number of animals in cages lining the walls.
"Oh! Welcome, young Master Phineas Black," said the shop clerk, a witch in her thirties, upon seeing Kreacher with the Black family crest.
Though Phineas rarely ventured into the magical world, his use of the Black crest made his identity clear. No one else could openly bear it.
"Hello," Phineas said. "I need a pet. Any recommendations?"
He wasn't surprised she recognized him—if he hadn't wanted to be noticed, he wouldn't have had Kreacher carry the crest-marked box.
The woman hesitated before speaking, "Well, Master Black, if I'm not mistaken, you're of age to attend Hogwarts. First-year students are only allowed owls, cats, or toads. I don't recommend toads—they're outdated. Unless you're a potioneer, there's little reason to choose them."
Phineas nodded. Among wizarding families, toads were primarily valued for their detoxification abilities and the potion ingredients they could provide. These days, only potion masters or their kin still used them as pets.
"As for owls," she continued, "your family surely has no shortage. If you're looking for a Hogwarts companion, I'd recommend a cat—or perhaps a magical creature of mild temperament. Many young girls like Puffskeins, for example. We also just received a Kneazle this morning—very energetic."
Phineas shook his head and glanced around. "I'll have a look myself."
The clerk nodded, stepped back, and shut the shop door behind him. "Take your time. I'll make sure no one disturbs you."
Phineas gave a brief nod and began inspecting the animals closely.
He spotted the Niffler the clerk had mentioned—it was the last one in stock. Its fur was uniformly black and sleek, its snout perfectly shaped, and its coat showed no signs of stress or illness. There was, however, one unusual detail: a single streak of white fur ran across its forehead, giving it an odd appearance.
That touch of strangeness caught Phineas's attention—but he had no intention of buying the Niffler.
Nifflers were adorable and gentle by nature, but they had a destructive obsession with shiny objects. Left unattended, they would tear apart everything around them in search of treasure.
Still, they had their merits. Nifflers were excellent at locating hidden valuables and especially sensitive to light—useful traits in dark or mysterious places.