"Like that's even hard. Most people have brains the size of a pea. It's not a brag to manipulate idiots." And sadly, he was surrounded by them. He didn't think it was an achievement to outdo any of his peers, they weren't a real challenge he could measure himself against. He looked to his elders as true competition - he aspired to be up there with the Dark Lord. After all, what did he have to lose if he tried? "If you have little to lose and everything to gain, would you not gamble on riskier ventures?" That's why people fear those like himself.