"Each person can only exchange up to seventy Galleons, but because of Dengbuliduo's influence, I can offer you a limit of one hundred Galleons. That's a total of five hundred and five pounds, with a five-pound service fee."
"So little?" Tangmu frowned in dissatisfaction. "Professor Dengbuliduo just told me people usually get around two hundred Galleons."
"Because times have changed."
The goblin had no intention of favoring someone who couldn't profit him, but Dengbuliduo's presence forced him to remain patient and polite.
"Muggle money is of little use to us. The pounds exchanged each year aren't even spent entirely, so Gringotts limits the amount. But don't feel shortchanged—this is enough for your first year at Hogwarts."
"Two hundred Galleons? That was fifty years ago. Do your Muggle pounds still hold that much value?"
"Sorry, Tangmu." Dengbuliduo looked slightly embarrassed. "The last time I brought a student to Gringotts was over forty years ago. I haven't kept up with the changes."
Tangmu couldn't help but roll his eyes. Prices in Britain had skyrocketed since then—if anything, it was impressive the goblins showed this much leniency.
"Professor, could I borrow some money from you?"
Seizing Dengbuliduo's moment of guilt, Tangmu pressed his advantage.
"I don't think this amount is enough to buy all the extra books I want. I can repay you in pounds, or—if you have the patience—you can wait until I graduate and I'll repay you in Galleons, with interest."
Of course, Tangmu preferred the second option. After all, by his sixth year, Dengbuliduo might be… gone. That would make it free money, wouldn't it?
"Muggle currency is of no use to me. Very well—repay me after you graduate. I'll look forward to that day."
Dengbuliduo had never been stingy about supporting students financially—especially when the situation was partly his fault. He agreed readily.
"Wait here for a moment. I'll withdraw the money and handle a few personal matters."
With that, Dengbuliduo followed a goblin down into the vaults.
Tangmu's heart skipped a beat. Could Dengbuliduo's "private matter" be retrieving the Philosopher's Stone? He recalled it was originally Hagrid who fetched it. Had his presence altered the timeline?
Still, it wasn't directly related to him. After speculating briefly, Tangmu stopped dwelling on it and instead chatted with a goblin about exchanging gold for Galleons.
It was possible—but when comparing the purchasing power in pounds, Tangmu realized he'd take a massive loss.
Based on the current exchange rate, five pounds could buy around 0.8 grams of gold, and it took 10 grams of gold to exchange for one Galleon.
That meant roughly sixty pounds per Galleon—over twelve times the rate offered at Gringotts.
Sure, Galleons were called gold Galleons, but that didn't mean they were pure gold. They were forged from goblin metal—who knew what went into them?
With that steep exchange rate, Tangmu abandoned the idea. Better to earn and spend money within the wizarding world.
About thirty minutes later, Dengbuliduo returned to the Gringotts lobby holding a small bag and a key.
He handed both to Tangmu.
"There are one hundred Galleons here. I've also rented a vault for you with six hundred more Galleons stored inside."
Dengbuliduo added, "That's one hundred Galleons a year—use it wisely."
"Thank you, Professor. I promise to spend your money well."
Inwardly, Tangmu marveled at the old man's generosity.
Eight hundred Galleons! That was enough to last comfortably until graduation—as long as he avoided extravagant purchases like racing broomsticks or custom-made robes.
Dengbuliduo blinked, vaguely sensing something off about Tangmu's words but unable to pinpoint why. He changed the topic.
"Let's move on, Mr. Lideer. We have quite a few things to buy."
Leaving Gringotts, the two shopped for school uniforms, textbooks, scales, cauldrons, and other supplies. With Dengbuliduo present, shopkeepers were exceptionally courteous—some even offered discounts.
Even with those discounts, Tangmu spent over forty Galleons. Without them, the cost would have exceeded fifty.
With a wand purchase still ahead, his fixed expenses were already over sixty Galleons.
By Gringotts' standards, if Tangmu had only exchanged Muggle money, he'd be left with just a handful of Galleons—not enough for a comfortable term. Hogwarts covered meals and lodging, but he'd still be broke.
He recalled how Ron had only about one Galleon a year as pocket money. Compared to that, Tangmu was already rich.
He had also spotted several books he wanted—each one costly. He planned to return and buy them alone later.
With Dengbuliduo around, he had to be cautious. He didn't want anything overanalyzed.
Besides, he had no intention of stopping after spending the hundred Galleons on hand. He'd dip into the vault too.
"Why don't I have a system?" Tangmu sighed inwardly at his own misfortune as they entered the last stop of the day—the wand shop. Without a system, he'd have to study diligently and grow stronger the hard way—no shortcuts allowed.
As he stepped inside, Tangmu instinctively held his breath to avoid inhaling dust stirred by the door.
"A rare guest indeed, Albus," came a gentle voice. An old man stepped out from between the towering shelves.
"The last time you graced my shop was… forty-eight summers ago, wasn't it?"
Dengbuliduo smiled wryly. "Garrick, must you flaunt your excellent memory? It makes me unbearably jealous."
"Haha, I only remember things related to this shop and to wands."
Garrick Ollivander stepped forward and gave Dengbuliduo a hug before turning to Tangmu.
"So, young and fortunate wizard, what's your name? Anyone with Dengbuliduo as their guide must be quite special."
"Tangmu," the boy replied. "Tangmu Lideer."
Thud! Ollivander collapsed to the floor, stunned, staring blankly at the boy.
[^1]: In the Wizarding World, a system refers to a fictional advantage or supernatural aid, often granting special abilities or guidance, common in certain narrative traditions.