《The Gamer: Multiverse Travel》 Chapter 1 Reincarnation It was a normal day for Daniel. He woke up in the morning to the blaring sound of his alarm clock. With a groggy sigh, he got up, made a quick breakfast, showered, and brushed his teeth. By 7:30 A.M., his morning routine was complete, and he stepped out of his small apartment. "Another day, another waste of time," he thought as he locked the door behind him. The streets of Warsaw were already bustling with life, but to Daniel, it all felt repetitive - like watching the same movie every day. He glanced at his watch. 7:35 A.M. Twenty minutes till work, he noted with a sigh and started walking. As expected, after a slow stroll through familiar streets, he arrived at the shop where he worked. On the other side of the road, the small convenience store stood just as he had left it yesterday. He checked for cars before crossing and pushed the glass door open. "Hey, Mark," he greeted his coworker. "Hey, Daniel. I see you''re actually on time today," Mark smirked. "Yeah, I don''t wanna go job-hunting again¡­" Daniel muttered. Eight hours later, Daniel dragged himself out of the store, mentally drained. Why are people so unreasonable? He had lost count of how many times customers had yelled at him for things beyond his control. This was his third job this year, and he couldn''t help but wonder if life would ever change for him. As he reached the front of his apartment building and reached for the door- CRACK! A blinding flash filled his vision. A searing pain tore through his skull, his body stiffened - then nothing. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. When he regained consciousness, all he saw was darkness. Absolute, suffocating darkness. "Am I¡­ dead?" He waved a hand in front of his face, but he saw nothing. Just as panic began creeping in, a distant light appeared. It grew rapidly, engulfing his vision, until- "WELCOME, MORTAL!" A booming voice echoed all around him, making the very space tremble. Daniel winced at the sheer volume. "Uh¡­ thanks for having me? May I ask where I am?" His voice felt embarrassingly small compared to the entity before him. "You are in my domain. You have died," the voice declared. "Died?" The word felt foreign. His mind raced, trying to recall - the lightning! "What the hell?! I died?! When? How?!" His voice rose, but before panic could fully take over, an unnatural calm settled over him. A strange force was keeping him from losing control. "You were struck by lightning due to my son''s mistake. You were meant to live another fifty years." Daniel froze. "Wait¡­ are you telling me I died because of some divine screw-up?" "Watch yourself, mortal," the voice warned, and suddenly, the atmosphere turned ice-cold. Daniel gulped. He quickly adjusted his tone. "I-I''m sorry. Uh, my name is Daniel. Can you tell me who you are?" "You may call me ROB." ''ROB? Random Omnipotent Being? Is this some kind of cosmic joke?'' he thought with skepticism. "Alright, ROB," Daniel said carefully. "Why am I here?" "Because of my son''s error, I am offering you compensation. You may either be sent to Heaven, where you will live in eternal peace, or you may be reincarnated into another world with three wishes." Heaven? Live happily forever? It sounded nice¡­ but also painfully boring. "I''ll take the reincarnation," Daniel answered without hesitation. ROB''s presence seemed to shift, as though pleased. "State your wishes." Daniel had already made up his mind. "First, I want The Gamer System. Second, I want the ability to travel through the multiverse. And for my last wish¡­ I want to become a singular existence - a being immune to outside manipulation, unique across all realities." ROB was silent for a moment. Then, a deep hum resonated through the space. "Hmm¡­ interesting wishes," ROB murmured. "Very well. Your wishes shall be granted." Daniel barely had time to process the words before the light around him intensified. "Goodbye, mortal. May we never meet again." Then, everything went black. Chapter 2 Gamer System Brrrr! Brrrr! Brrrr! "Uhhh..." Daniel groggily woke up, his hand fumbling to stop the incessant beeping of his alarm clock. ''What time is it?'' he thought, his mind foggy. He tried to glance at his wristwatch, but when he did, his heart skipped a beat. His hand... it was too small. "What the hell?!" His hands were tiny, like those of a ten-year-old, and as his gaze flicked around the room, his stomach lurched. ''This isn''t my room.'' Panic clawed at him, but then, like a torrent, a flood of memories rushed into his mind - his death, his conversation with the ROB, and... his reincarnation. ''So it was all real...'' His thoughts raced, still clouded with disbelief. "Right, the ROB promised me wishes..." He whispered the words, excitement creeping in despite the confusion. How do I open my system? "Menu?" Suddenly, a blue screen materialized right in front of his face, startling him. [Main Menu] [Stats] | [Skills] | [Inventory] | [Quests] His heart pounded in his chest. ''What the hell?!'' But the screen didn''t disappear. ''Okay... let''s see.'' He tried to calm himself, and his eyes locked on the "Stats" tab. [Stats] [Name: Daniel Wilson Level: 1 XP: 0/100 Class: The Gamer HP: 100/100 MP: 100/100 SP: 100/100 Strength: 10 Agility: 10 Vitality: 10 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 10 Charisma: 10 Luck: 10 Stat Points: 0] "Ohh..." His pulse quickened. ''So all my stats are 10... is that good?'' he thought as he clicked on the Strength stat. [Strength ¨C Increases physical strength and health.] ''I can get descriptions for the stats?'' he wondered. His curiosity piqued, he quickly began clicking through each one. [Agility ¨C Increases stamina, overall speed, and reflexes. Vitality ¨C Increases stamina, stamina regeneration, health, and health regeneration. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Intelligence ¨C Increases mana, learning speed, and memory. Wisdom ¨C Increases mana, mana regeneration, and improves decision-making skills. Charisma ¨C Increases success in social interactions. Luck ¨C Increases the chance of rare drops and lucky outcomes.] ''Hmm, just as I expected...'' He absorbed the information quickly, mentally processing everything. ''This is... useful.'' He clicked on the "Skills" tab, eager to see what else he had. [Skills] [Gamer''s Mind (Passive) Lvl Max] [- The user gains a calm, clear, and logical state of mind in all situations. - Immunity to mental disorders such as confusion, fear, or mind-control effects. - Allows the user to remain completely focused, even under stress or pressure.] [Gamer''s Body (Passive) Lvl Max] [- The user''s body is designed to function like a game character''s - After sleeping in a bed, it restores HP, MP and cures all status effects.] [Multiverse Travel (Active) Lvl Max / MP: Varies] [- Grants the user the ability to travel between different universes at will. - Cooldown: 24 hours between uses] [Singular Existence (Passive) Lvl Max] [- The user is a unique, irreplaceable entity in the multiverse. - Prevents any outside forces or entities from manipulating or altering the user''s existence.] ''Nice, all the wishes really were granted by that ROB'', Daniel thought as he read through the list of his new abilities. But then, his eyes landed on the MP next to his Multiverse Travel skill. "What?!" He tried to activate the skill, but was immediately hit with a bright red warning text: [Insufficient Mana to activate the skill.] "I need mana to activate it?" His stomach sank. But how much mana? He didn''t know the cost, and it was hard to judge whether he''d be able to use it in the next few levels or if it would take ages to grind it out. Well, at least I have the skill... he tried to stay optimistic as he turned to check his inventory and quests. Both were empty. He sighed, closing the system windows. Now, let''s see where I am, he thought, pushing the unsettling feeling aside. He looked around. He was in a small room. The walls were painted a pale beige, showing signs of wear and tear. A single window let in a little natural light, though the curtains were simple and worn out. The room contained a modest bed with a thin, slightly lumpy mattress, a faded blanket, and a few small, mismatched pillows. A wooden dresser stood in one corner, its paint chipped from use. There was a small, worn-out rug in the center of the room, frayed at the edges. A single worn-out desk sat next to the bed, with a simple chair beside it. The whole place felt... bare. Quiet. ''Where am I?'' he thought. His mind raced for answers, but the silence was overwhelming. Then, as if in response, something new appeared. You have obtained a skill through continuous effort: [Observe (Active) Lvl 1] ''Already?'' He was surprised at how quickly his efforts had paid off. ''Let''s see the description.'' [Observe (Active) Lvl 1] [- Lets the user find information about a target.] Oh, the description''s a little short, but... to the point. He tried to remain optimistic. Let''s test it out. He turned his attention to the worn rug in the center of the room. [Worn-out Rug] [A worn-out rug.] ''Is that it?'' His shoulders slumped in disappointment. But he wasn''t ready to give up just yet. He began scanning everything in the room, one object at a time. [Curtains] [Bed] [Pillow] [Your skill has leveled up.] ''Nice!'' he thought, excitement bubbling up again. ''Let''s keep going.'' He quickly resumed his observations, this time with a renewed sense of purpose. By the end of his little escapade, his skill leveled up once more. [Observe (Active) Lvl 3] [- Lets the user find information about a target.] ''So the description doesn''t change... or maybe my skill isn''t high enough yet for it to change?'' he thought, frustration building. Still, he got out of bed, determined to explore the room further. As he approached the drawer of the desk, ready to investigate, he froze. A knock echoed through the room. Chapter 3 Adapting to a New World Daniel turned toward the door as it slowly creaked open. Standing there was a middle-aged woman with tired brown eyes and loosely tied brown hair streaked with gray. Wrinkles lined her kind face, and her worn dress, paired with a soft yet weary voice, spoke of years spent caring for others. For a moment, she just stared at him, her expression one of surprise. "Daniel, when did you wake up? Are you feeling well?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Daniel froze, unsure of how to respond. He didn''t even know who she was yet, much less how to act around her. So, without thinking, he instinctively used Observe to gather some information. [Celina Jones - Orphanage Caretaker - Lvl 7] "Yes, Miss Jones, I''m feeling alright," Daniel said, his voice quiet. "You had quite the fever yesterday. I was worried you''d be sick the whole weekend," she said with a soft sigh, her eyes showing genuine concern. "But if you''re feeling better, you should come with me to have breakfast with the other children," she added, her tone warm yet authoritative. Daniel didn''t know what else to do but follow her. The corridors leading to the breakfast hall were well-kept, though the old wooden floors creaked under his weight. The walls, while clean, bore the signs of age. The faded paint had peeled in some places, and the once-bright colors now seemed dull in the morning light. When they reached the breakfast hall, it was bustling with children, all gathered around the long tables, eating and chatting. It was clear that most of them had already gotten their food. Miss Jones led him to the cook, a large woman who smiled warmly as she handed him a plate with what seemed like the standard fare: eggs, bacon, and toast. Daniel turned around, looking for a place to sit. His gaze scanned the room, but nearly every seat was occupied. He didn''t feel like talking to anyone yet, so he quietly made his way to an empty seat toward the back, a little apart from the rest. He sat down and began eating. The meal itself was nothing special, but it was enough to satisfy his hunger. As he finished, he sat back in his seat, unsure of what to do next. That was when Miss Jones raised her voice, speaking loudly so that all the children could hear her. "Now that breakfast is over, you can all go play in the yard, but don''t go outside the fence or you''ll be grounded for a week!" Daniel sighed in relief. ''I could get some fresh air'', he thought. He took his empty plate to the sink and stepped outside, the cool breeze brushing against his face. Most of the other children had already gathered in the yard, running around, playing, and shouting. But Daniel just needed a moment to think. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. He scanned the yard for a quiet spot and spotted a lone bench at the edge of the property. This should be a good place to think, he thought. He sat down and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. ''So, I''m an orphan in this world...'' He paused, his mind swirling with questions. ''It may be better than having parents. They''d think it suspicious if I started acting differently, and I should have more freedom as an orphan''. He leaned back on the bench, staring up at the sky. ''Everything looks the same as my old world, but somehow... older. Did I reincarnate in a normal Earth world from the 90s?'' He frowned, his mind racing. ''I need to ask someone for the date, and maybe I should check the library for more information about this place...'' Just as he was getting lost in his thoughts, a voice broke through. "Hey, Daniel! Wanna play football with us? We need one more player to complete the team." Daniel blinked, his concentration broken. He looked up and saw a boy standing nearby, a broad grin on his face. The boy was burly, with light brown hair and blue eyes, his posture confident and casual. Daniel used Observe to check his name. [Victor Brown - Orphan - Lvl 3] Victor Brown. Another orphan, but Daniel wasn''t sure if he was ready to socialize just yet. "Umm, not today, Victor. I''m not in the mood for playing," Daniel said, his voice quiet and hesitant. Victor wasn''t discouraged. "Oh, come on. What are you gonna do, just sit there and stare at the sky?" Daniel frowned, feeling a little annoyed for a moment. ''Can he just leave me alone?'' he thought. But he didn''t want to be rude, so he sighed and gave in. "Okay, I''ll go play with you. Don''t be grumpy..." Victor''s grin widened as he clapped Daniel on the back. "Great! We''re gonna win this game for sure now!" The next hour passed quickly, the game of football being a chaotic mix of running, laughing, and shouting. Daniel was surprised at how much he enjoyed it despite his initial reluctance. Then, as he sprinted down the field, he felt a strange sensation wash over him, followed by a sudden notification from his system. [You have obtained a skill through continuous effort [Sprint (Active) Lvl 1]] [Due to continuous exercise, agility and vitality increased by 1.] Daniel''s eyes widened in excitement. ''Oh, a new skill! And you can get stats by exercising?'' he thought, feeling an adrenaline rush that pushed him to play even harder. After a couple more hours of playing, followed by dinner, the caretaker''s voice echoed across the yard. "Playtime''s over, kids! Go back to your rooms; it''s almost time to sleep!" Daniel trudged back to his room, his body sore from the game. He sat on the bed, his mind racing as he opened his status screen to check his progress. [Stats] [Name: Daniel Wilson Level: 1 XP: 0/100 Class: The Gamer HP: 140/140 MP: 100/100 SP: 150/150 Strength: 13 Agility: 15 Vitality: 15 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 10 Charisma: 10 Luck: 10 Stat Points: 0] He stared at the screen for a moment, amazed at the results. His stats had increased just from playing football for a few hours. The idea that he could get stronger through ordinary activities like this was exciting. He wanted to check his new skill, Sprint, but his body was exhausted from the day''s exertion. As he lay down on the bed, his eyes closed almost immediately. The events of the day swirled in his mind, but sleep overtook him quickly, and he drifted off into a deep, peaceful slumber. Chapter 4 Seeking Answers Daniel had gone to bed early, so he woke up before his alarm even beeped. His body felt surprisingly alert as he pushed himself out of bed. The first thing he did was leave his room to head to the bathroom. It wasn''t exactly close, but he''d learned the fastest route yesterday after asking around. Once inside, he went about his business, then washed his hands, all the while staring at the mirror, struggling to recognize the person in front of him. In his previous life, he had ordinary brown hair, unclear blue eyes, and a face rounded from too many fast food meals. But now, he was staring at a stranger. His hair was jet black, almost unnaturally so, and his eyes were an intense shade of green, like polished emeralds. His face still carried traces of baby fat, but he could tell that in a few years, it would become sharper, more defined. ''I''ll look good when I grow up'', he thought, smiling. After getting back to his room, Daniel had some time before breakfast, so he checked the skill he''d gained the day before: [Running (Active) Lvl 7] [- You will run 14% faster, but your stamina will be depleted twice as much.] ''Hmm, not bad'', he thought, considering situations where this skill might come in handy. Maybe it''d help if he ever needed to escape from something or someone. As his mind wandered, the minutes slipped by, until a knock on his door broke his concentration. The caretaker''s voice followed: "Breakfast is ready!" He quickly stood up and exited his room. When he entered the cafeteria, he was relieved to see the line for food still short. ''Most kids must still be in bed'', he thought with a small, amused smile. At least he wouldn''t have to wait long. When it was his turn, the cook greeted him. "Hello there, dear. We''ve got beans with toast and eggs today," she said as she handed him his plate. "Come back for another serving if you''re still hungry." Daniel thanked her and walked over to the same corner he had sat in yesterday. The food wasn''t fancy, but it would do. As he ate, lost in his thoughts, he heard a chair scrape across the floor next to him. He looked up and, to his surprise, saw Victor sitting beside him. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Hey, Daniel," Victor said, grinning. "Oh, hello," Daniel replied, feeling awkward. He hadn''t expected company. "Will you play with us again? We''re playing Simon Says today," Victor asked, his tone bright and eager, oblivious to the fact that Daniel wasn''t in the mood. "Not today, sorry. I need to speak with Miss Jones, and then I''ve got some other things I have to do," Daniel said, trying to sound polite but firm. "Oh, is this your chore day?" Victor asked sympathetically. "Yes..." Daniel lied, not wanting to deal with any more begging to join their games. I really need to figure out what kind of world I''m in, he thought seriously, wishing he could get some answers soon. After finishing his meal and talking a bit more with Victor, Daniel noticed Miss Jones entering the cafeteria. She immediately raised her voice to gather everyone''s attention. "Breakfast is over. You can go play now!" Finally, I can get some answers, Daniel thought, relief flooding through him. He quickly dropped his plate in the sink and headed toward the caretaker. "Hello, Miss Jones. Do we have a library here?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. "You want to go to the library?" she asked, sounding a bit surprised. "Yes," he answered simply, unsure what else to add. He just wanted to know more about this strange place. "Hmm, we don''t have a library per se," Miss Jones said, "but there is a room with a few books." Daniel''s eyes widened with interest. "I can take you there, but you must promise me not to damage anything," she continued, a serious look on her face. "I promise!" Daniel said eagerly, his excitement almost bubbling over. Miss Jones led him through the hallways, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the quiet corridors. After a few turns, they stopped in front of an unassuming door. If Daniel hadn''t been paying attention, he might have assumed it was just another room for the other kids. But when Miss Jones opened the door, Daniel''s breath caught in his chest. The room was filled with shelves upon shelves of books, their spines lined up neatly in rows, some of them looking old and well-worn. The sight was both thrilling and overwhelming. Daniel''s heart skipped a beat, but as he scanned the room, he felt a pang of disappointment. It wasn''t as large or as impressive as he had hoped. Still, it was better than nothing. He could already feel a hunger for knowledge stirring inside him. "I''ll leave you here, then," Miss Jones said, her voice pulling him out of his thoughts. "Remember to come back for dinner." "I will," Daniel promised, watching her leave the room. As the door clicked shut behind her, Daniel felt a surge of anticipation. ''It''s time to get some answers'', he thought, already eager to dive into the books and uncover whatever secrets this place held. Chapter 5 Library ''Where should I start first?'' Daniel thought, scanning the small room cluttered with books. The shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, their spines filled with a dizzying array of titles. As his eyes drifted across the space, something caught his attention. ''Wait... are some of these books glowing?'' he thought, a flicker of suspicion creeping into his mind. "What the hell..." he muttered, leaning in to get a closer look. One of the glowing books seemed to pulse with a strange energy. He picked it up carefully, his fingers brushing against the title, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. ''So... a meditation book?'' he thought, curiosity piqued as he opened the book. But just as he did, a system window appeared in front of him. [Would you like to learn the skill [Meditation (Active/Passive) Lvl 1] ?] [Yes / No] He stared at the window for a long moment, the weight of the decision hanging in the air. He almost clicked "Yes" right away, but something stopped him. Instead, he decided to use his Observe skill on the book. [Meditations by Marcus Aurelius] [A timeless philosophical guide on Stoicism, self-discipline, resilience, and wisdom from a Roman emperor.] After reading the description, Daniel felt a surge of excitement. ''This is... actually a great skill to learn!'' he thought eagerly. Without hesitation, he clicked "Yes." The glowing particles surrounding the book vanished in an instant, and a sudden rush of knowledge hit him like a tidal wave. His mind struggled to process the flood of information, but just as quickly as it had come, the rush stopped. Daniel blinked, only to find that it was over. No lingering dizziness. No overwhelming sensations. Just... calm. [Congratulations on learning the skill [Meditation (Active/Passive) Lvl 1] ] His heart raced with a mix of excitement and curiosity. He wanted to keep searching for more skill books, but he decided to take a moment to check the details of his newly acquired skill. [Meditation (Active/Passive) Lvl 1] [Active: - Grants a +5% boost to the Wisdom stat. - Increases MP Regeneration by 5%. Passive: - Helps the user stay calm more easily. - Increases MP Regeneration by 0.5%.] This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "Wow..." Daniel''s mind raced. ''A passive mana regeneration boost, and when active, it gets a huge boost along with wisdom... and it''s only level 1?'' He grinned, already picturing how useful this could be. But then, his thoughts shifted. ''The passive to stay calm... eh, I guess it''s useful? Though it''s kinda redundant with my Gamer''s Mind skill.'' He started looking around for more glowing books, eager to find others he could learn from. But as he touched another book without even glancing at the title, he opened it and was met with another message: [Insufficient stats for learning the skill] "What?" he muttered, bewildered. He closed the book and finally looked at its title: Algebraic Geometry by Robin Hartshorne. He couldn''t help but frown, so he used Observe on the book. [Algebraic Geometry by Robin Hartshorne] [A rigorous introduction to algebraic geometry, covering schemes, varieties, cohomology, and modern mathematical foundations.] ''So, that''s why...'' he thought. He could tell just by looking at the description that this was far beyond his current capabilities. Daniel spent the next hour methodically sifting through the remaining glowing books. After much searching, he found two he could actually learn: [Waistline and Lifeline Cookbook by Robert Haskell] [The Art of Self Defense] He sat down at the small table in the corner, laying the two books before him. He opened them, already knowing what to expect this time. The rush of knowledge wasn''t as jarring, and it was over before he knew it. Two new skills had been added to his repertoire. [Cooking (Active) Lvl 1] [- The food you prepare is more delicious. - The food you prepare gives 1% more stat boosts.] [Martial Arts (Active) Lvl 1] [- Improves your fighting techniques. - Increases damage dealt with martial arts moves by 2%.] ''Solid skills,'' Daniel thought, a grin creeping onto his face. The martial arts skill especially had him excited. He could already imagine how useful it would be. But as much as he wanted to test it out, he knew better than to rush. There were still so many questions about the world he had been thrust into. With a sigh, he looked around, trying to make sense of it all. "I guess I should see if I can learn anything about this world," he muttered. He began to sift through the books that seemed most likely to give him answers: The World''s History, Britain''s History, and Technology Advancements. The books were thick, their covers worn with age. He carefully arranged them on the table, his mind already racing as he opened the first book: The World''s History. Hours passed. By the time he reached the cafeteria for dinner, Daniel''s patience was wearing thin. "No difference," he muttered under his breath. He had read through half the book, and there was no difference between this world and his previous one. He sat at his usual table, shoveling food into his mouth absently as his mind churned. ''Is this... really some parallel version of Earth? Or maybe I just time-traveled to the 90s?'' He chuckled bitterly, the thought feeling ridiculous. But he didn''t want to give up just yet. The next few days became a blur of eating, sleeping, and reading. He studied every book he could get his hands on, hoping for something, anything, that might offer a clue. Finally, after three days of relentless searching, Daniel came to a conclusion. Nothing had changed. The history, the technology, the world itself, it was all the same. The only difference was the date: it was 1991. He had read all the books about history available in the orphanage, but if he wanted to be 100% sure it was a normal Earth, he needed to check a bigger library. ''It''s time to go outside'', he thought, determination setting in. Chapter 6 Mana When Daniel woke up the next day, it was very early. The quiet morning air settled around him, but his mind was already racing. He had two goals for the day: to get permission to leave the grounds of the orphanage and go to the library, and to try to do something with his mana. He wasn''t sure how to achieve the first, but he hoped that if he asked Miss Jones, she would let him go. ''I''ll see how it goes'', he thought, uncertainty bubbling inside him. The second goal, on the other hand, felt like it was within reach. For the past few days in the library, Daniel hadn''t just been reading. The quiet, stillness of the room had started to drive him crazy. Every now and then, he took breaks to practice his Meditation skill, using it to center himself. He wasn''t sure if it was the skill working or just the natural rhythm of it, but he sensed something when it reached level 5. It wasn''t located in any one place, but rather spread evenly throughout his body. It was like a quiet hum, a sense of power that wasn''t physical but still undeniably real. He didn''t touch it then, but it felt like he was ready now. ''I have an hour until breakfast. That should be enough'', Daniel thought, setting his resolve. He slipped into his Active Meditation state, focusing all his attention inward. His mana, which had felt foreign and elusive before, now began to feel clearer, sharper. Slowly, he tried to control it, and to his surprise, it was easier than he expected. ''Am I some kind of genius?'' he thought, sarcasm lacing his thoughts as he guided the mana into his arm. His concentration tightened, and with a deep breath, he threw a straight punch. [You have obtained the skill [Power Punch (Active) Lvl 1]] ''This quickly?'' he thought, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. He opened his skill window eagerly to check out his new skill. [Power Punch (Active) Lvl 1 / MP: 10] [- Increases the power of your punch by 5%] "Not bad at all," he muttered, pleased with the results. After a moment of contemplation, he stood up, eager to test the skill. He threw punch after punch, feeling a rush of excitement building inside him. But after a while, dizziness began to creep in. His vision blurred slightly, and he staggered before sitting down in the chair next to his desk. Stolen story; please report. ''What''s going on?'' Daniel thought, confused, and quickly opened his status window. [Name: Daniel Wilson Level: 1 XP: 0/100 Class: The Gamer HP: 140/140 MP: 5/195 SP: 150/160 Strength: 13 Agility: 15 Vitality: 15 Intelligence: 24 Wisdom: 15 Charisma: 10 Luck: 10 Stat Points: 0] He felt a little proud of his stats after all the hours spent reading in the library. ''I think I know what''s wrong with me'', he thought as his eyes focused on his mana pool, which was nearly empty. He''d been so focused on the punches, he hadn''t realized how quickly his mana was draining. ''What happens if I empty it completely?'' he wondered, but he didn''t try to push his luck. Instead, he began meditating to restore his mana faster. Just as he was about to try something else, he heard the familiar knock on the door followed by the voice, "Breakfast is ready!" He sighed, his stomach reminding him that he hadn''t eaten yet. He got up from the floor, stretched, and headed to the cafeteria. The usual breakfast passed quickly, spent in his usual spot and filled with casual conversation with Victor. The idea of going out to play with him crossed his mind, but then his goals for the day resurfaced. ''Right, I need to ask Miss Jones if I can go outside the orphanage.'' As if on cue, he saw her entering the cafeteria. His heart quickened, but he pushed through the nervousness. He walked in her direction, catching her gaze. "Miss Jones, can I go outside the orphanage to the library?" he asked, his voice steady but a little anxious. She looked at him, clearly troubled by the question. "Didn''t I show you the small library in the orphanage just four days ago?" she asked, brows furrowed in confusion. "I''ve read all the interesting books there already and want to learn more," he said quickly, hoping she''d understand. She stared at him for a moment, doubt evident in her eyes. "If you say so," she began, her expression softening. "I could take you with me. I''ll be going out in two days, and I could leave you in the library while I take care of some things. You can read as much as you want." Excitement surged through him, but before he could voice his gratitude, she added, "But you''d have to do extra chores for that." Daniel''s enthusiasm dipped a little, but then an idea sparked. ''Wait, I can use my cooking skill for that.'' Without hesitation, he quickly said, "Can I help in the kitchen?" Miss Jones blinked in surprise. She had expected him to decline because of the extra work, but now she was genuinely impressed. He seemed determined. "I''ll see what I can do," she said, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. The next two days were going to be busy. Chapter 7 Realization After talking with Miss Jones, Daniel had the rest of the day free. Then, he''d be working in the kitchens for two days. ''Might as well go play some football with Victor and get some stats'', he thought, stepping out of the orphanage and into the yard. The crisp air filled his lungs, and for a moment, everything felt normal, like it always had. He spotted Victor resting against a wall. With a grin, Daniel approached him. "Need one more player?" Victor turned his head, flashing a mischievous smile. "Sure, but you''ll be the goalkeeper." Daniel groaned dramatically. "Great..." but he didn''t protest further. The game would be fun, even if he was stuck guarding the goal. And the rest of the day passed with the usual rush of energy, sweating, running, and laughing as they played. The next morning, Miss Jones woke him before breakfast started. She led him to the kitchen, where the scent of fresh bread and vegetables filled the air. The cook, stood behind a counter, chopping something with precision. She gave Daniel a curt nod, her expression unreadable. Daniel hesitated for a moment, then activated Observe. [Maria Smith - The Orphanage Cook - Lvl 8] [A strict but caring woman, dedicated to feeding the orphanage children. Hardworking, observant, and sharp-tongued, yet fair. Respected by staff, feared by troublemakers, and secretly enjoys seeing others succeed.] The skill was getting more detailed as it leveled up, and he marveled at the newfound depth of information. ''The more I use this, the more I learn'', he thought, reading the description. "What do I need to do, Ms. Smith?" Daniel asked, trying to keep his voice steady. She shot him a sharp look, her eyes narrowing. "First, no touching knives." He nodded quickly, not wanting to test her patience. Maria handed him a bag of vegetables. "Wash them. Tell me when you''re done," she instructed, her voice softer now, but still firm. As he stood at the sink, a system window popped up in front of him. [Quest Alert] [Task from the cook: Wash the vegetables!] [The cook asked you to wash some vegetables. Be quick and don''t disappoint her! Time Limit: 1 Hour Reward: 50 EXP Fail Penalty: Disappointment of the cook and possibly not getting to the library with Miss Jones.] [Accept / Decline] He stared at the notification, surprised. ''I haven''t gotten any quests before'', he realized. ''So that''s why I didn''t get any quests. I haven''t been tasked with anything since I reincarnated.'' He clicked Accept without hesitation. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The task was simple enough. He washed, scrubbed, and rinsed the vegetables, making sure they were spotless. When he finished, Maria quickly inspected them. "Good job," she said, nodding approvingly. "Breakfast will be ready soon. You can head to the cafeteria. Come back when you''re done eating." [Quest Completed] [Rewards Received] The next two days were a blur of simple chores, washing vegetables, fetching ingredients, wiping down tables, and stacking plates and utensils. By the end of each day, Daniel was drained, his body sore from the constant movement. But there were gains to be had. [Name: Daniel Wilson] [Level: 3 EXP: 50/300 Class: The Gamer HP: 190/190 MP: 195/195 SP: 195/195 Strength: 16 Agility: 17 Vitality: 22 Intelligence: 24 Wisdom: 15 Charisma: 11 Luck: 10 Stat Points: 15] Seeing his stats after waking up filled him with a surge of excitement. He hadn''t leveled up much, but it was progress. He''d saved his stat points for now, deciding to use them wisely later. He even got a charisma point, but couldn''t remember when it had appeared. ''I''ll have to be more attentive in the future'', he thought as he headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. After eating, Miss Jones dismissed the group as usual. She walked toward him, her eyes meeting his. "Are you ready to go?" Daniel nodded, and she took his hand, leading him out of the orphanage. The bustling streets of London stretched out before him, and Daniel''s heart raced with excitement. It was his first time here. The towering buildings, the constant hum of life, it all felt so vibrant. ''Everything looks so pretty'', he thought, his eyes taking in every fascinating sight around him. People hurried past, cars honked as they drove along the roads, and the mouthwatering scent of street food mingled with the city air. After a while, Daniel''s curiosity got the better of him, and he began using Observe on random people as they walked by. Each time, he got useful information, slowly leveling up his skill. Then, he caught sight of something, someone, who made him stop cold. The man he observed was dressed oddly, his clothes mismatched in a way that screamed out of place. Daniel squinted at him. He couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off about this person. [Jack Lewis, ???, Lvl ???] [???] ''What?'' Daniel thought, his mind racing. Everyone else seemed to not even notice the man, unconsciously avoiding him as if he were a ghost. ''Who is he?'' The encounter left him shaken, his thoughts spinning. He couldn''t stop thinking about it. He kept walking, but the man lingered in his mind. By the time they reached the library, Daniel was lost in thought. He hadn''t even realized how much time had passed. It wasn''t until Miss Jones spoke to him that he snapped back to reality. "I''ll be back in a couple of hours. You can read until then," she said. Her voice took on a stern edge. "Remember, don''t go anywhere. I spoke with the librarian to keep an eye on you." He nodded, still processing everything. The library was massive, shelves stretching endlessly in every direction. The scent of books filled the air, and the quiet atmosphere enveloped him, making his earlier thoughts feel distant. ''It would take me years to read all of this'', he thought as he wandered aimlessly between the towering stacks. ''Should I look for history books or skill books?'' He had almost given up on the idea of magic in this world, but the strange encounter with the man had shifted his perspective. He felt certain now ''This isn''t a normal world''. So, he spent the next few hours poring over history books, trying to make sense of it all. When Miss Jones came to pick him up, Daniel still couldn''t pinpoint a clear difference between his old world and this one. But on the way back, he started observing the people more closely, paying attention to every small detail. As they passed the spot where he had seen the strange man, he accidently used Observe on a nearby building. [Leaky Cauldron] [The Leaky Cauldron is a wizarding pub in London, serving as the entrance to Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.] Daniel''s heart skipped a beat. His breath caught in his throat. ''I''m in the Harry Potter world.'' The realization hit him like a train. Chapter 8 A World of Magic When Daniel returned to the orphanage, his mind was buzzing with excitement. He couldn¡¯t stop thinking about one thing: he was in the Harry Potter world. Every part of his body felt alive with the realization, the truth of it hitting him harder than any punch he could throw. His heart raced as he sat down for dinner, his mind wandering while he mechanically shoveled food into his mouth. He wasn¡¯t even tasting it. Afterward, he trudged back to his room, still wide awake and full of energy. There was so much left to explore, so much he had to figure out. He glanced out the window, it was late, but his body wasn¡¯t ready for sleep. Not yet. ''I''m in the world of wizards'', he thought, a grin spreading across his face. His heart fluttered in his chest. This is real. But then, a sudden thought gripped him, and his excitement faltered. ''And I have mana,'' he continued, his heart racing even faster. ¡°That means I can attend Hogwarts!¡± He froze, the weight of that thought settling into him. ¡°But¡­ why haven¡¯t I gotten a letter yet?¡± His mind spun. It was the start of the summer holidays, the same time Harry had received his letter, wasn¡¯t it? ''I¡¯m eleven years old in this body. So¡­ where¡¯s mine?'' He frowned, trying to reason with himself ''Maybe they haven¡¯t sent it yet''. His brain started working through the details. ''It¡¯s 1991. That means I¡¯ll be in the same year as Harry. And that means¡­ the center of the plot.'' His pulse quickened, a sense of dread creeping in. ¡°Dementors, Basilisk, Death Eaters¡­ and¡­ Voldemort.¡± He listed the dangers in his mind, his throat tightening with each name. But then, something inside him shifted, his fear gave way to determination. ¡°I need to start training,¡± he muttered aloud. The thought fueled him. He stood up, and walked over to his desk. The wooden drawer creaked open, and he pulled out a small notebook. He flipped to a blank page, grabbing a pen, and began to write. Training Plan for the Foreseeable Future: After breakfast: Physical training until dinner. After dinner: Magic training or reading books in the library for stats and future knowledge. In between: Meditation to regenerate faster. He looked at the plan for a moment, nodding to himself. There was something satisfying about seeing his intentions laid out so clearly. ¡°Let¡¯s experiment with magic, then,¡± he thought, sliding the notebook into his inventory. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Sitting down on the floor in a meditative pose, he closed his eyes, focusing on the mana inside him. Slowly, he began guiding the mana to his leg, just like he had done when learning to throw a Power Punch. He felt the energy move, flowing down his body and into his leg. Without hesitation, he threw a kick, hearing the familiar ding of the system notification, but he didn¡¯t react to it yet. Next, he focused on his shoulder, channeling mana to the muscle, and he slammed his shoulder into the air. Another notification. He didn¡¯t stop, continuing to direct the energy to different parts of his body. Each strike, each move, came with the same sound, notification after notification. [You have obtained the skill [Power Kick (Active) Lvl 1]] [You have obtained the skill [Power Bash (Active) Lvl 1]] The notifications kept piling up, but Daniel didn¡¯t feel tired. He was too focused, too driven to stop. After a while, a new system window appeared. [Do you want to merge your Power skills?] [Yes / No] His eyes widened. ¡°You can merge skills?¡± he thought, a surge of excitement rushing through him. Without hesitation, he clicked "Yes". [You have merged your skills and obtained [Power Strike (Active) Lvl 1]] Daniel quickly opened the description. [Power Strike (Active) Lvl 1 / MP: 10] [- Increases the power of any close combat strike by 5%] A pang of disappointment hit him. ¡°It¡¯s not much of a change,¡± he muttered, massaging his temples. But then, he reminded himself ''Focusing on one skill was better than juggling ten, especially when that one skill could do the same job as all the others combined''. He closed the window, shaking off the disappointment and reminding himself of the progress he¡¯d made. He could sense the power building within him. This was only the start. He sat quietly for a moment, thinking about his next step. Taking the mana outside of his body seemed like the next logical thing to try. His heart raced with anticipation as he focused on his hand. Slowly, he guided the mana to his palm. His fingers tingled as the energy swirled around them. He concentrated harder, trying to push the mana outside of his body. He watched, wide-eyed, as small blue particles began to float from his hand, flickering like fireflies in the dim light of his room. His heart pounded in his chest. It was working. But the excitement got the better of him. His concentration faltered, and the particles vanished into the air. "No!" he muttered to himself, frustration bubbling up. He had been so close. His head started to spin as his mana reserves drained low, and with the growing dizziness came the realization that it was late. He could barely keep his eyes open. Without another thought, he climbed into bed, his body sinking into the mattress. Almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, sleep overtook him. The next morning, Daniel awoke with a renewed sense of purpose. He was eager to get started, his mind already focused on his training plan. He made his way downstairs to the cafeteria, feeling energized despite the short night of sleep. As he picked at his breakfast, Daniel found himself chatting with Victor about the games they planned to play that day. He wondered if it would be possible to balance both training and playing, at least now, while his stats were still low, it should be manageable. But before he could dive deeper into the conversation, the caretaker appeared. ¡°Daniel, it¡¯s your chore day today,¡± she said, her tone as dry as always. ¡°After you eat, go speak with Miss Jones. She¡¯ll tell you what to do.¡± She walked off without waiting for a response, leaving Daniel to stare at his plate in disbelief. His heart sank. His training plan was already broken. On the very first day. Chapter 9 Hogwarts Acceptance Letter It was early morning, and Daniel slowly woke up, the light from the sun creeping through the cracks in his curtains. He stretched out, the sheets tangling around his legs, and groggily rubbed his eyes. A whole week had passed since he discovered the world he was in, and in that time, he had trained relentlessly, pushing himself harder with each passing day. The thought of how much he had grown made his heart race with excitement. ''Now it''s time to see my gains'', he thought, his pulse quickening as he opened his status screen. [Name: Daniel Wilson] Level: 4 EXP: 100/400 Class: The Gamer HP: 285/285 MP: 285/285 SP: 300/300 Strength: 25 Agility: 28 Vitality: 32 Intelligence: 35 Wisdom: 22 Charisma: 12 Luck: 10 Stat Points: 20 His stats weren¡¯t quite as impressive as he had hoped, but the gains were there. The initial surge of growth had slowed down, especially when it came to physical training. Playing games with the kids was fun, but it wasn¡¯t enough to push his stats like it used to. Even his intelligence had started to stagnate, he was just rereading the same old fantasy books from the orphanage library. There wasn¡¯t much else for him to learn. ''Well, at least I¡¯ve made some progress'', he thought, shaking off the frustration. He took a breath, eager to see the progress he¡¯d made. Alright, let¡¯s see how far I¡¯ve come with my skills. He opened his skills tab, his fingers lightly tapping the screen as he waited for the list to appear. [Observe (Active) Lvl 28] [- Lets the user find information about a target.] [Running (Active) Lvl 25] [- You will run 50% faster, but your stamina will be depleted twice as much.] [Meditation (Active/Passive) Lvl 12] [Active: - Lets the user gain a +60% boost to the wisdom stat - Boosts MP regeneration by 60% Passive: - Lets the user stay calm more easily - Boosts MP regeneration by 6%] [Cooking (Active) Lvl 11] [- The food you prepare is more delicious. The food you prepare gives 11% more stat boosts.] If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. [Martial Arts (Active) Lvl 15] [- Improves your fighting techniques. Increases damage dealt with martial arts moves by 30%.] [Power Strike (Active) Lvl 8 / MP: 10] [- Increases the power of any close combat strike by 40%.] Daniel couldn¡¯t help but grin at his progress. ''I¡¯m on the right track'', he thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction. But there was one more thing to check, the new skills he had gained from his training: [Speed Reading (Passive) Lvl 10] [- Lets the user read 50% faster.] He remembered unlocking the skill just a few days into his training. With the abundance of books in the orphanage library, it seemed like the perfect fit. Suddenly, he found himself breezing through pages, absorbing information at a quicker pace. It made learning feel far more efficient. Then came the newest addition: [Magic Arrow (Active) Lvl 1 / MP: 10] [- Fires an arrow made from mana, piercing the opponent.] His heart swelled with pride. ''I did it. Real magic.'' He''d spent countless hours shaping his mana, learning how to manipulate it outside his body. It hadn¡¯t been easy, but yesterday, he''d finally done it, he¡¯d created his first magical spell. ''Let''s test it out'', he thought eagerly, a grin spreading across his face. He was about to cast the spell when, knock knock knock, the sound of someone at the door broke his concentration. "Breakfast is ready!" Miss Jones called from outside. Daniel groaned, a mix of frustration and disappointment washing over him. ''I¡¯ve been waiting all week for this, and now I have to stop?'' "Ugh... I guess I¡¯ll test it later," he mumbled, begrudgingly getting up and heading toward the cafeteria. After finishing his meal, Daniel couldn''t wait to get back to his training. As he was about to head out to the yard, Miss Jones stopped him again, this time holding an envelope. "Daniel, wait! You got a letter today." She was holding it with a strange look on her face, eyeing the address carefully. It was addressed to "Charlotte Baby Home Orphanage, Room 28." Daniel''s pulse skipped a beat when he saw the logo on the envelope. Without thinking, he snatched it out of her hands, his heart pounding in his chest. ''Finally'', he thought, his excitement bubbling over. He wanted to tear it open right then and there, but a thought crossed his mind, ''I should probably wait.'' "Thank you for delivering it to me, Miss Jones," he said, his voice a little breathless with anticipation. He didn¡¯t want to seem too eager, so he quickly turned and rushed back to his room. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, he took a deep breath and sat at his desk. The letter in his hands felt heavier than any other he ever had before, like it was pulsing with magic. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning it as fast as his fingers could turn the paper. "HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards) Dear Mr. Wilson, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1st September. We will send a teacher to your current place of living, who will explain everything in detail. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress" Daniel¡¯s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. ''This is it. This is real.'' The words blurred in front of him as he tried to keep his focus. His mind raced as he tried to compare this letter with the one Harry received in his memories. ''Almost the same,'' he thought with a smile, but then an uneasy thought struck him. ''Except the teacher part...'' Suddenly, he was hit by a wave of worry. ''They wouldn¡¯t send Snape, would they?'' The very idea of the dark, brooding professor showing up to explain things to him sent a shiver down his spine. But the thought was quickly washed away by the flood of excitement. "I¡¯m going to Hogwarts!" he said aloud, the words feeling surreal but so incredibly real. He had spent his childhood dreaming of this moment, watching the movies and wishing for his own letter. And now, here it was. He read the rest of the letter carefully. Everything checked out, he would need the same books and equipment he remembered Harry needing. His anticipation grew with every line. Not wanting to waste another second, Daniel put the letter down and stood up, pacing the room with energy he couldn¡¯t contain. He was supposed to be training, but all he could think about was Hogwarts. He finally forced himself to focus. With an impatient sigh, he decided to train his magic, the excitement of the letter still buzzing in his chest. He stood at the window, focused on gathering mana. He carefully crafted the Magic Arrow, aiming it at the sky. The power crackled in his hands, but he had to be careful, if he damaged anything, the caretakers would know. So, with a deep breath, he released the spell, watching it soar into the sky, the energy leaving his fingertips in a bright flash. For hours, he practiced, his body growing tired, but his spirit soaring. He had learned a real spell. He was learning real magic. By the time night fell, Daniel was exhausted, his muscles aching, his mind racing with excitement. He crawled into bed, his thoughts still spinning with possibilities. ''Tomorrow will be fantastic'', he thought, the words lingering as he drifted into a dream-filled sleep. Chapter 10 The Professors Arrival The next morning, Daniel woke up with a rush of excitement. ''Today¡¯s the day.'' His heart pounded as he stretched, his mind racing with anticipation. ''I¡¯m going to meet a real Hogwarts professor.'' He wanted to squeeze in some training, but when he glanced at the time, his stomach sank. ''Too late.'' He had overslept and barely had time to get ready. When he arrived at the cafeteria, Miss Jones was already there, arms crossed, watching him closely. "You have a guest today, something about a boarding school," she said, her tone laced with skepticism. "I¡¯ll take you to them, and we¡¯ll see if it¡¯s true." Daniel barely had time to process her words before he instinctively turned toward the exit, eager to meet the professor. "But first, eat your breakfast," she added sternly, catching him mid-step. He sighed but obeyed, quickly grabbing a plate. To his surprise, the food tasted better than usual. ''Maybe it''s just my mood'', he thought, shoveling the last bite into his mouth before setting his plate in the sink. Without another word, he followed Miss Jones to the meeting room. When she opened the door, Daniel peeked inside, his curiosity burning. Seated at the table was a squat little woman with short, wavy grey hair tucked beneath a patched and slightly battered hat. Her earthy brown robes were speckled with soil, as if she had just come from working in a garden. But despite her rugged appearance, there was something warm and reassuring about her. Her kind smile alone made him feel at ease. He stepped inside with Miss Jones and sat down opposite the woman. Unable to resist, he activated Observe on her. [Pomona Sprout, ???, Lvl ???] His brow furrowed slightly. Nothing? He had been hoping for more information, especially after leveling Observe so much, but all it showed was a blank space. He had expected something more, but it seemed Professor Sprout was far beyond his current abilities. The first voice to break the silence was Miss Jones. "So, you¡¯re telling me you¡¯re a professor at this boarding school you want to take Daniel to?" she asked, eyeing Professor Sprout doubtfully. "Yes, and we have all the necessary documents," Sprout responded, unfazed. What followed was a painfully dull discussion - paperwork, tuition, school supplies, financial coverage due to his orphan status, location details, and so on. Daniel quickly tuned them out, his excitement draining with every exchanged document and bureaucratic formality. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. After what felt like an eternity, Professor Sprout finally cut through the monotony. "We¡¯ve been talking all this time but haven¡¯t even asked Mr. Wilson if he¡¯d like to attend the school at all," she said, turning toward him. Daniel perked up immediately. "Of course, I would like to!" he blurted out, barely containing his enthusiasm. Miss Jones, however, frowned. "Are you sure, Damian? You¡¯d be away from the orphanage for the entire school year. You¡¯d be away from all your friends¡­." Daniel hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Don¡¯t worry, Miss Jones. I¡¯m sure." He stopped himself from saying more, unsure whether he was allowed to talk about magic. Once the discussion was settled, Professor Sprout smiled. "Now, I just need to explain what you¡¯ll be learning, and then we can go buy your supplies." She glanced at Miss Jones. "If you don¡¯t mind stepping out, Ms. Jones, it¡¯s just a standard curriculum talk, and I¡¯m sure you have plenty of work to attend to." Miss Jones hesitated but eventually sighed and left, leaving Daniel alone with the professor. Sprout¡¯s warm smile returned. "So, as I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve read, the school you¡¯ll be attending is a school of magic." Daniel¡¯s heart pounded as he nodded. "I know it can be hard to believe, but magic exists, it¡¯s just hidden from normal humans," she continued. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled a wand from her holster and waved it toward a potted plant by the window. The leaves rustled before the plant suddenly sprang to life, its stems twisting and curling as it swayed in a joyful dance. Daniel¡¯s jaw dropped slightly. ''I thought she would turn the desk into a pig or something'', he thought, a small hint of disappointment creeping in. He had been hoping for something a bit more impressive. Still, watching the plant dance was enough to spark his excitement. ''This is just the beginning'', he thought, eagerly anticipating what other magic this world held. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Can you teach me how to do that?" Professor Sprout¡¯s smile widened slightly. "Naturally, you¡¯ll learn this and much more at Hogwarts," she assured him. She then went on to explain the subjects he would be studying - Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, and more, giving him a glimpse into the magical world that awaited him. When she finally finished, she stood up. "Now, it¡¯s time for your shopping." Together, they walked to Miss Jones to inform her that Daniel would be leaving and would return later. Once they stepped outside the orphanage, Professor Sprout pulled out her wand and gently took his hand. "Close your eyes and hold your breath," she instructed. Daniel barely had time to comply before he felt an overwhelming sensation, as if his entire body were being crushed and squeezed through an impossibly tight tube. It was over in less than a second, but when the pressure vanished, he collapsed to his knees, gasping. "There, there¡­ breathe steadily. The first time is always the worst," Sprout said reassuringly. Daniel clenched his fists against the ground, swallowing hard. ''Is this how Apparition feels?'' The sensation had been horrible, claustrophobic and nauseating. But at the same time, the idea of teleportation fascinated him. Wanting to appear casual, he asked, "Was that teleportation?" Sprout chuckled. "Yes, it¡¯s called Apparition. But you won¡¯t be learning it until much later. And don¡¯t go searching for it, it¡¯s a very dangerous piece of magic," she warned. Daniel slowly got to his feet as she guided him toward a nearby pub. The sign above the door read The Leaky Cauldron. As Sprout pushed open the door, Daniel¡¯s breath caught in his throat. It¡¯s really happening. He stepped inside, his eyes wide with wonder. Just to see¡­ Chapter 11 Gringotts Wizarding Bank As Daniel stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, he was immediately struck by the dim, shabby interior. The air was thick with the scent of pipe smoke, mingling with the faint, musty smell of old wood and damp stone. The low ceiling seemed to hang heavy, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floors. The bar at the far end of the room was cluttered with empty mugs, and a few tables were scattered in the corners, where witches and wizards murmured quietly amongst themselves. The atmosphere was anything but pristine, but there was a warmth in the chaos, an odd, lived-in comfort that made the place feel strangely welcoming. "Hello, Professor Sprout, what can I do for you?" came a voice from the far corner. Daniel turned toward it, and his eyes met the gaze of an old man, bald and slightly hunched, with a face that resembled a toothless walnut. Professor Sprout smiled warmly. "Hello, Tom. I''m just passing by to get to Diagon Alley," she said, her voice calm and steady. She glanced briefly at Daniel, and, as if on cue, the old wizard followed her gaze and regarded him with mild curiosity. "Oh, a new Hogwarts student, I presume?" he asked, his voice thick with an amused rasp. Daniel gave a polite nod. "You are right, Mr. Tom," he replied, trying to match the casual tone, though his heart was still racing with excitement and uncertainty. After a few more words, they made their way through the pub, threading between tables, toward the back. There, they came to a small, worn door that seemed out of place. With a quiet click, the door swung open, revealing a brick wall and a rubbish bin on the other side. Professor Sprout paused and motioned for Daniel to come closer. "Look carefully, Mr. Wilson," she said in a low voice, "This is the password to enter Diagon Alley. You''ll need it one day." She raised her wand slowly, pointed it toward the brick next to the rubbish bin, and began to count. "Three up, two across," she murmured. With a swift tap on the brick her wand was aimed at, the wall groaned and began to shift. It was as though the bricks were alive, slowly parting to reveal a hidden passage. The world on the other side felt like it belonged to another realm entirely. Daniel''s breath caught in his throat. ''So this is Diagon Alley'', he thought, his eyes wide with awe as he stepped into the bustling street. The cobbled street stretched out before them. Vibrant shops with windows piled high with enchanted goods lined the path, their colorful umbrellas providing shade over the bustling crowd. Witches and wizards in various robes, some brightly colored, some deep and dark, bustled about, exchanging goods and words. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The air buzzed with laughter and the distant clatter of magical contraptions at work. Every corner seemed to hold something new and thrilling. "We¡¯ll need to head to the bank first to withdraw the funds for your school supplies," Professor Sprout explained as they continued walking, her voice gentle but purposeful. Daniel''s gaze was fixed on the towering structures around them, each one more curious than the last. But nothing caught his attention more than the grand, snow-white building looming ahead. It was Gringotts, and its size was enough to make him feel small as he stood before it. The marble columns shone softly in the morning light, giving the building an air of both grandeur and quiet authority. They climbed the wide white stairs. At the top, two burnished bronze doors stood, flanked by a goblin in a neat scarlet and gold uniform. His eyes assessed them carefully as they approached. Daniel, tried to use Observe on the goblin, but as expected, nothing more than his name appeared in his vision, just like with the wizards he''d encountered so far. The goblin¡¯s gaze flickered briefly over them before he opened the door with a stiff, practiced motion. Inside, they entered a small, minimally furnished entrance hall. Another set of doors led further into the heart of the bank. As they approached, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but notice the engraving on the silver doors. It read: "Enter, stranger, but take heed Of what awaits the sin of greed. For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn. So if you seek beneath our floors A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there." Daniel shivered slightly, the weight of the words sinking in. ''What a creepy text'', he thought, a sense of unease creeping over him. They walked through the doors into a large marble hall with a high ceiling. The air had a faint scent of dust and polished stone, and the size of the place made Daniel feel small. Long counters stretched along the walls, their surfaces neat and polished. Doors lined the hall, probably leading to the vaults deep below. They joined a small line, waiting their turn. When they finally reached the counter, the goblin behind it greeted them with a flat, emotionless voice. "Welcome to Gringotts. How may I assist you today?" His eyes never left them, scanning with a cold, professional gaze. "Please state your business clearly, and be prepared for any necessary identification. We take great care in safeguarding the treasures of our clients." Professor Sprout spoke with practiced ease, handing over a sheet of paper. "I would like to withdraw the financial assistance funds for purchasing the first-year Hogwarts school supplies." The goblin glanced at the paper, his eyes narrowing as he checked something before grunting softly. He called over another goblin, whispering something Daniel couldn¡¯t hear. ''I wonder what they''re saying'', Daniel thought, his curiosity piqued. Minutes passed in tense silence, and then the goblin returned with a small bag of gold coins. "Your funds, Professor," he said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Thank you," Professor Sprout said simply, her tone polite but brisk. Daniel followed her as they left the bank, the gold now in hand. ''Now it¡¯s time for a shopping spree'', he thought excitedly. Chapter 12 The Wand Chooses the Wizard The first shop they arrived at was called The Cauldron Workshop. It was a dimly lit, cluttered store filled with cauldrons of all sizes, some battered and old, others gleaming and new. The air was thick with the scent of metal and lingering potion residue. Behind the counter, a man sat lazily on a stool, flipping through a worn-out magazine. As they stepped inside, he barely looked up. "Standard Hogwarts cauldron, I presume?" "You are right," Professor Sprout replied. "Five Galleons." The transaction was swift. The shopkeeper disappeared into the back and returned moments later, setting a sturdy pewter cauldron on the counter. Daniel¡¯s curiosity flared, and he activated Observe. [Simeon Woderuff ¨C Cauldron Shop Employee ¨C Lvl ???] [Cauldron (Pewter, Standard Size 2)] [A sturdy, pewter cauldron with a wide brim, ideal for potion-making. Durable and student-friendly.] He studied the cauldron. Solidly made, as expected. But what intrigued him more was seeing the shopkeeper¡¯s title. ''I can see their titles now,'' he thought. Observe was improving steadily. After thanking the man, they left the shop and continued through the winding streets of Diagon Alley. Their next stop was Second-Hand Robes, a cozy, well-worn shop offering pre-owned Hogwarts uniforms. The scent of fabric and a hint of lavender filled the air. A middle-aged woman greeted them with a warm smile. "How can I help you?" "The required Hogwarts first-year set," Professor Sprout said. Daniel stood still as the woman began measuring him with a floating tape measure, muttering calculations under her breath. The measuring tape twitched and twisted, wrapping around his arms and legs with practiced precision. "You''ll grow into these nicely," she said, packing up the set of robes, gloves, a pointed hat, and a winter cloak. Ten minutes later, they left the shop, Daniel now the proud owner of his Hogwarts uniform. Next was Second-Hand Bookshop, a quaint little store nestled beside Florean Fortescue¡¯s Ice Cream Parlour. The shelves stretched high, crammed with weathered tomes, some of which looked like they belonged in an ancient library. As they stepped inside, a thin man with spectacles perched on the tip of his nose glanced up from his book. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "How may I be of help?" he asked in a crisp voice. "The Hogwarts first-year books, please," Professor Sprout said. Without hesitation, the shopkeeper moved with the efficiency of someone who had done this a thousand times before. Within moments, a neat stack of books was placed on the counter. "Twenty-five Galleons." Daniel blinked at the price, but Professor Sprout paid without a second thought. ''I guess knowledge costs,'' he mused as they left the shop, arms full of supplies. The rest of the shopping followed a similar pattern, glass phials and brass scales from Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, and a telescope from Twinkle''s Telescopes. Now, only one item remained. A wand. The wand shop was tucked between two larger buildings, its narrow, shabby exterior almost easy to miss. Faded gold lettering above the door read: Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C. The display window held only a single wand resting atop a faded purple cushion, coated in a thin layer of dust. "I will wait outside," said Professor Sprout, shooing him forward. Daniel stepped inside. The tiny shop was nearly empty, save for a single, spindly chair in the corner. Stacks upon stacks of narrow boxes towered to the ceiling, like forgotten artifacts waiting to be discovered. His eyes wandered in awe, tracing the endless rows of wands, when, "Hello there." He jumped. Standing right beside him was a pale man with silvery eyes. His gaze was sharp and unreadable. A small chuckle escaped him. "First-year Hogwarts student?" Daniel nodded, his heart still settling. He cast Observe. [Garrick Ollivander, ???, Lvl ???] ''I could have guessed that much,'' he thought, slightly disappointed. Meanwhile, Ollivander was already sorting through a variety of wands, mumbling under his breath. "No, no¡­ Not that one¡­ Ah! This!" He turned, holding out a wand. "This one is made from Holly, 10 inches, rigid, with a Dragon Heartstring core. Holly is known for its protective qualities, often favoring those who seek to defend their loved ones, or those struggling with inner conflict. The Dragon Heartstring provides raw power and intensity, but it requires a wizard with a burning passion. Such a core does not easily submit to the weak-willed." Daniel took the wand. He waited. Nothing. "Do I need to wave it?" he thought. He gave it a try. Still, nothing. Ollivander hummed thoughtfully and plucked it back. "Not the right fit." A minute later, he handed over another. "Try this one. Yew wood, 12 inches, flexible, with a Phoenix feather core. A wand for the bold and ambitious. Yew carries strong ties to both death and rebirth, making it a powerful choice for the daring. The Phoenix feather, though somewhat temperamental, grants immense power to those unafraid to wield it." Daniel took it and waved. This time, small sparks flickered from the tip. Ollivander tilted his head. "Hmm¡­ close, but not quite." He retrieved it again. "I believe I have the perfect fit for you." He disappeared into the back for a moment before returning with a new wand. "Try this one, Yew wood, 11 inches, unyielding, with a Thestral tail hair core. Yew represents death and rebirth, while Thestral tail hair is known for its instability. Only a witch or wizard who has truly accepted death can wield its power. It is a potent but challenging core, best suited for those with strength and an understanding of life¡¯s darker truths." The moment Daniel touched it, a faint warmth spread through his fingertips, as if the wand was responding. The connection was there, not perfect, but definitely better than the others. He waved it, and suddenly, Bookshelves trembled. Boxes rattled. The counter shook slightly. He froze. Ollivander¡¯s eyes twinkled. "Ah¡­ Yes. This one suits you." Daniel glanced at the wand, excitement bubbling inside him. ''This was it.'' "That will be seven Galleons," Ollivander said, stepping behind the counter. Daniel paid and stepped outside, where Professor Sprout was waiting. "I think we''ve bought everything you''ll need," she said. "Time to get you home." His stomach dropped. ''Not the apparition again,'' he thought desperately. Before he could protest, Professor Sprout grabbed his hand, And the world vanished. Chapter 13 The Wands Power We appeared right outside the orphanage door, the sudden shift of Apparition leaving a brief tingling sensation in the air. Professor Sprout looked at me, her eyes serious but warm. "To get to Hogwarts," she said, "you need to get to Platform 9? at King''s Cross Station in London on September 1st at 11:00 AM. Don¡¯t be late, or you won¡¯t be able to attend!" Her words hung in the air, full of finality, before she rang the bell. Within a minute, the door swung open. The caretaker, a kind woman with a gray bun, peered out and her face lit up upon seeing me. "Oh, Daniel, you''re back. I¡¯ll call Miss Jones," she said, giving me a curious glance at the pile of items I was carrying. She stepped inside, leaving the door open as she went off to find Miss Jones. I looked at Professor Sprout, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside me. "Goodbye, Professor Sprout," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Goodbye, Mr. Wilson," she replied, her smile brief but reassuring, before she Apparated away with a soft pop, leaving me standing in the quiet of the orphanage doorway. A minute later, Miss Jones appeared in the hallway, her footsteps quick but purposeful. She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the pile of belongings I¡¯d brought back with me. "Welcome back, Daniel," she said, her voice warm, but her gaze lingered on the large cauldron that seemed oddly out of place among the rest of the items. "Why would you need a cauldron for school?" she asked, her brow furrowing in clear confusion. She glanced around, noticing that the professor wasn¡¯t with me. "And where is Professor Sprout?" she continued, her tone curious but laced with a hint of concern. I hesitated for a moment, the lie slipping out easily. "I guess for chemistry or something," I said, shrugging casually. "And the professor left after seeing I was safe and inside the orphanage." I quickly started moving toward my room, eager to get the items out of sight. "Let me help you," Miss Jones offered with a soft smile, stepping in to assist. Together, we carried everything to the safety of my room, her presence comforting as always. Once everything was settled, Miss Jones glanced at me, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her lips. "You¡¯re lucky," she said, her tone light but carrying an undercurrent of something else, like she was trying to mask her concern. "You got back just in time for dinner." Her eyes softened, as if she was silently wondering how this change might affect me. "Come on, let¡¯s go eat," she added gently, her voice warm with reassurance. As we walked through the familiar halls of the orphanage, her voice took on a more serious note. "Are you sure you want to go to this boarding school? You won¡¯t see anyone you know for a couple of months." If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. I met her gaze, a sense of determination settling in my chest. "I¡¯m sure, Miss Jones," I replied, my voice firmer than I felt inside. Her eyes softened, though I could see a trace of sadness there. "If you want it so much, I can only wish you luck with your grades," she said, her words carrying a mixture of hope and hesitation. I tried to keep my confidence up, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Don¡¯t worry, Miss Jones. I¡¯ll bring back trophies for sure," I said, the bravado coming more easily now. She chuckled softly, ruffling my hair with an affectionate smile. "Alright," she said, her voice light with warmth. "Go eat." After dinner, I hurried back to my room, my heart racing with excitement. ''It''s time to see what my wand can really do.'' I closed the door behind me, took a deep breath, and centered myself. "Observe," the familiar command flickered through my mind, and I focused it on the wand. [Wand - Grade: Legendary - Able to Evolve] [Bound to Daniel Wilson. Made from Yew Wood and Thestral Tail Hair Core, 11 inches in length. It has a pseudo-ego. Bonuses: - Greatly enhances the effects of magic cast, making spells more powerful and precise. - Improves control over Transfiguration, allowing for greater ease in manipulating forms and shapes. - Enhances the ability to work with spells that involve communication with the deceased, divination, or invisibility, making it particularly effective for these forms of magic. - Aids greatly in learning both Light and Dark Magic.] I stared at the description, my mind reeling. "Wow," I whispered, my eyes widening. ''It only costs 7 Galleons?'' I thought, still in disbelief at how affordable it seemed. But then I looked at the rest of the description again. "It¡¯s so powerful," I murmured to myself, a mix of excitement and awe flooding through me as I gently held the wand in my hand. But then my eyes landed on one line I hadn¡¯t noticed before: an ego? A flicker of confusion ran through me. "The wand has an ego?" I said quietly, my voice filled with disbelief. ''Was that normal? Did every wand have an ego, or was it just this one?'' I felt a strange prickling sensation in my hand, like the wand was responding. I looked at it, the unease twisting in my stomach. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take good care of you,¡± I said softly, not sure if I was reassuring the wand or myself. But it felt like the wand was listening, like it knew what I was thinking. I shook off the odd feeling, trying to focus. ''Now, let¡¯s test you out,'' I thought, opening the window. The night air was crisp, the sky growing darker, but I couldn¡¯t wait to see how my new wand would perform. I should have been getting ready for bed, but sleep could wait. I raised my hand, focusing my magic into it. I cast the magic arrow and watched it shoot into the sky. Then, I shifted my focus to the wand, channeling my magic through it. The arrow shot out again, but this time, it exploded in the night sky, much stronger and more precise than before, at least twice as powerful. "Wow," I murmured, my breath catching as the surge of power coursed through me. I tested the wand further, but soon a wave of light dizziness hit, leaving me with a strange mix of exhilaration and exhaustion. Reluctantly, I stopped and looked around the room. ''It¡¯s a mess'', I thought, the chaotic pile of items in the corner standing in stark contrast to the otherwise empty space. With a resigned sigh, I moved to tidy up, carefully organizing everything. When I was finished, I noticed it was pitch dark outside. With a quiet sigh, I climbed into bed, my thoughts still racing. ''It¡¯s time to resume training tomorrow'', I thought, my excitement burning brightly. Chapter 14 New Plan The first thing Daniel did after waking up was take a deep breath, his mind already working. He came to the realization that his training needed a shift. ''I don''t get almost any stats for playing games anymore,'' he thought, ''It''s time to make a new plan.'' He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching the stiffness out of his muscles. The quiet of the room was broken only by the sound of his footsteps as he walked over to his desk. He grabbed a notebook from his inventory, flipped it open, and started scribbling down his thoughts. Training Plan - After breakfast ¨C Find a secure place to train physically until dinner. - After dinner ¨C Practice magic and read all the remaining books in the orphanage library. If possible, visit the local library to read more once the orphanage books run out. ''I think this will work,'' he mused, reading over what he''d written. It was a solid plan, but a nagging thought in the back of his mind made him pause. He remembered the grueling training sessions from the past week, the constant reading and practice that had drained him. "But I can''t train all the time," he added aloud, rubbing his temples. "That week was exhausting." He quickly added another note to the plan: - Two-day breaks on weekends to do whatever I want. "Perfect," he smiled, satisfied with the balance he had struck. After stowing the notebook back into his inventory, he stood up and glanced at the clock. It was almost time for breakfast, and the idea of a full day to himself was too tempting to pass up. "Today is a weekend, so I have all day free to do what I want," he thought. "But magic... I want to do magic anyway. Why not?" With renewed energy, he left for breakfast. The food was simple, but he didn¡¯t mind. Afterward, he played a little football with the kids in the yard. It was fun, but after an hour, he felt the pull to get back to his room. ''Now it''s time to see the first-year books,'' he thought, glancing at the stack on his desk. As he examined them, his gaze flickered over the eight books. Five of them were glowing faintly, while the others remained dormant. "I wonder why..." he mused, tilting his head in curiosity. But he didn¡¯t waste much time dwelling on it. Instead, he reached for the glowing books, accepting them all at once. A sharp, sudden pain hit him like a tidal wave, and he grunted, clutching his head. "Ughh!" he groaned. "Noted: don¡¯t try to absorb five books worth of skills at once." The pain lingered for a moment before gradually fading, leaving him with a strange, dizzying sense of fullness. He took a few minutes to steady himself, blinking against the residual fuzziness in his mind. When the discomfort passed, he finally checked the descriptions of the new skills. [Elementary Potions (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with brewing elementary potions - Your elementary potions are 1% more potent] If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. [Elementary Herbology (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with planting elementary herbs - The elementary herbs you plant are 1% more potent] [Elementary Transfiguration (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with performing elementary transfiguration -Your elementary transfigurations are 1% better] [Elementary Spells (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with performing elementary charms and jinxes - Your elementary charms and jinxes are 1% stronger] ''Wait, only four skills?'' he thought, scanning his entire list for any new additions, but the list remained unchanged. ''Where are all the spells I know?'' He felt the lingering knowledge of the spells from the books. It was almost as if they were already part of him. Deciding to test it out, he raised his wand and said clearly, "Wingardium Leviosa," pointing at the pen on his desk. The pen floated up into the air, just as expected. He felt a subtle drain on his mana, a tiny thread of energy that was pulled away by the spell. "Hmm, I could keep this pen floating for an hour or more," he mused, watching the pen hover before letting it gently fall back to the desk. He quickly checked his skill list again. [Elementary Spells (Passive) Lvl 2] [- Helps with performing elementary charms and jinxes - Your elementary charms and jinxes are 2% stronger] ''So I didn¡¯t get all the spells, just one big skill that houses them all,'' he realized. He wasn¡¯t sure if that was good or bad, but there was no way to change it anyway. Shrugging off the thought, he tried a few more spells, though he decided to leave transfiguration alone for the moment. As he continued practicing, a light dizziness settled over him. He stopped, taking a deep breath. It was time to meditate. While he sat in silence, a thought began to form. ''I can easily practice magic in my room, especially since it''s just first-year stuff. Nothing too dangerous.'' He smiled slightly. ''I can also read the books here or in the library. But... I need a secure place to train physically, one where I can really push myself.'' A slight frown creased his forehead. ''I can''t do it out in the open. It''d be too obvious if an 11-year-old kid suddenly ran faster than an adult.'' Suddenly, his mind raced. He remembered Han Jihan¡¯s skill, "Dungeon Creation." That was it. He jumped to his feet, energized by the idea. "I can create a dungeon! Of course!" he said, pacing in excitement. He quickly focused, gathering mana in his hand, and said, "ID Create!" For a moment, nothing happened. He looked around, but the world around him seemed unchanged. "Maybe I missed something?" he thought, eyes scanning the room. He paused, feeling an unsettling stillness in the air. "Isn''t it... too quiet?" he murmured, stepping closer to the window. There were no sounds from outside, no birds, no voices, nothing at all. A thrill shot through him. He raced outside and found himself in the yard, but it was empty, just like the world outside the window. ''So it did work!'' he thought, excitement bubbling up inside him. ''It copied the world exactly as it is!'' He sprinted toward the nearest shop. It took longer than he expected since he had no idea where it was, but after a bit of searching, he found it. Without hesitation, he took all the money from the register and hurried back to his room. ''Now it''s time to get back,'' he thought, eager to test it. He said, "ID Escape." In a blink, the world shifted, and he was once again surrounded by the familiar sounds of life, the shouts of kids outside his window, birds chirping, and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. "Never knew it was so loud here," he chuckled, checking his inventory. His eyes widened. There was no money in sight. ''What?'' he thought, confused, before it hit him. ''Everything in there is fake.'' A wave of disappointment washed over him. For a moment, he felt deflated. But quickly, he shrugged it off. "At least now I have a place to train." He sat back at his desk, his mind buzzing with possibilities, and checked his newly acquired skills. [ID Create (Active) Lvl 1] [- Used to create Instant Dungeons - Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels Currently Available ID List: - Empty ID ¨C Monsters: none] [ID Escape (Active) Lvl 1] [- A skill to exit instant dungeons] ''As expected,'' he thought, nodding to himself. Noticing that dinner was fast approaching, he left his room and made his way downstairs. As he ate, he chatted with Victor about trivial matters, the conversation a pleasant distraction. After dinner, he slipped into the library, immersed in fantasy books. But eventually, sleep called. "The grind begins tomorrow," he thought, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Chapter 15 Time Skip Daniel¡¯s training had settled into a routine, one that began the moment he opened his eyes. The physical aspect of it was dull - monotonous, repetitive, predictable. After breakfast, he would slip away to his room, ears tuned for any sign of approaching footsteps. If the coast was clear, he would go into the Instant Dungeon, away from prying eyes. His routine always started in the orphanage yard inside the Instant Dungeon. The air was still, unmoving, and the space felt strangely quiet, no wind, no distant chatter, just a perfect, frozen replica of the real world. He stretched first, loosening his limbs, then dropped down for push-ups, the cool stone beneath his hands feeling exactly the same every time. After that came tree climbing, good for both agility and grip strength, before moving on to the best part: running. Here, he could run freely without worrying about being seen or interrupted. The stillness took some getting used to, but after a while, he stopped noticing. It was just part of the routine. Not that it always worked in his favor. More than once, the caretakers had noticed his absence and gone looking for him. He had barely managed to talk his way out of trouble, excuses about being in the bathroom or getting lost in a book usually worked. Not always, though. Miss Jones still gave him suspicious looks. Still, he never trained too seriously. Why push himself to the brink when there was no immediate need? He wasn''t in a life-or-death battle. He wasn''t even being tested. So, most days, training turned into exploring, an excuse to wander, observe, and take in the world at his own pace. Magic training, however, was different. It was actually fun, at least, at first. He split his sessions between two core activities: reading to boost his Intelligence and practicing spells. But after two weeks, he noticed something strange. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. His Wisdom wasn¡¯t improving. That was a problem. Intelligence let him memorize and understand, but Wisdom helped him think critically, analyze situations, and make smart decisions. So, he adjusted. He added problem-solving and puzzles to his routine, logic games like chess with the caretakers and other kids, crafting riddles to challenge himself, and running mental "What If?" scenarios, where he had to predict the outcomes of different choices. Reading was still a priority, of course. He started with the Hogwarts first-year curriculum, even the books he had already absorbed skills from. The knowledge transfer wasn''t perfect, the absorbed memories only contained what was necessary for spellcasting, not the full content of the books. So, he read them properly. And when he finished, he moved on to whatever random books he could find in the orphanage library. At one point, he tried to enter the Instant Dungeon''s version of the library in London, hoping to revisit the well-stocked shelves from his first trip outside. But when he got there, he found nothing but empty books, hollow imitations, their pages blank. That was when he realized something important: the Instant Dungeon was just a shell of the real world. No shortcuts. No infinite knowledge at his fingertips. If he wanted to learn, he had to do it in the real world. His magic training started out exciting, but after weeks of repeating the same spells, it grew tedious. He couldn''t practice Potions or Herbology, not without ingredients or magical plants, so he focused on what he could do. Spellcasting was the most thrilling part. At first, he could only levitate a quill, a minor achievement, but a satisfying one. With practice, he progressed to heavier objects: books, small boxes, and eventually chairs. There was something undeniably satisfying about making things move with just a flick of his wand and a focused thought. Transfiguration, however, was another beast entirely. It demanded constant mental effort, he had to visualize both the object as it was and as he wanted it to be. It was difficult, even frustrating, but also strangely satisfying when he got it right. The thrill of watching a matchstick morph into a needle, or a scrap of parchment reshape into a crisp, folded origami bird, never got old. But even magic, with all its wonder, could become routine. Before he knew it, the days had blurred together. He had fallen into a rhythm, a cycle of training, reading, and thinking. The monotony should have been unbearable, but time had a way of slipping through his fingers. And then, just like that, September 1st arrived. The day he would enter Hogwarts. Chapter 16 September 1st Daniel almost didn¡¯t wake up on the morning of September 1st. The excitement from the day before had kept him tossing and turning all night, his mind racing with anticipation. The only reason he opened his eyes at all was Miss Jones, who gently shook him awake. "Daniel, time to get up," she said softly. "You need to eat breakfast, and we have to head to King''s Cross Station." His eyes fluttered open, and he groggily groaned, "Ughhh." But as the words registered, he shot out of bed in a rush. "Right, it¡¯s September 1st!" he said, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. He quickly grabbed his bag and followed Miss Jones to the cafeteria, his heart still pounding from the whirlwind of emotions. As they sat down to breakfast, Victor''s voice broke through his thoughts. "So..." Victor trailed off, his eyes lingering on Daniel. "You''re leaving today." Daniel felt a pang in his chest at the quiet sadness in Victor¡¯s voice. ''I guess I¡¯ll miss him, too,'' he thought, the memories of all the games he¡¯d played with Victor and the other kids at the orphanage flooding back. He tried to smile, but it came out a little shaky, as if the weight of the moment caught him off guard. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be back for Christmas," Daniel reassured him, trying to sound confident. Victor nodded, but his face still looked a little down. "Yeah, I guess you will," he muttered, his voice soft. The mood hung between them for a moment, but when Daniel finished his breakfast and stood up to leave with Miss Jones, he was met by a sudden rush of voices. One by one, the kids from the orphanage approached him, offering hugs, good wishes, and promises that they¡¯d miss him. Daniel smiled, though his throat tightened. "I¡¯ll miss you all too," he said, feeling a tear prick at the corner of his eye. Quickly, he wiped it away before anyone could notice. Together with Miss Jones, he walked out of the orphanage. At King''s Cross station, the bustling crowd around them felt like a blur. It was still only 10 A.M., and Daniel had an hour to spare before he needed to board the train. He took his bag from Miss Jones, but before he could say anything, she pulled him into a tight hug. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Daniel froze for a moment, taken off guard. The embrace felt warm and comforting, and for a brief second, he wished he didn¡¯t have to leave. He hugged her back, though her voice came out quieter than he expected. "Stay safe, Daniel," Miss Jones said, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on his shoulders. "Remember to brush your teeth and change your underwear every day¡­" She began listing all the little things that made Daniel chuckle awkwardly. "I know, I know," he said quickly, embarrassed but amused at the same time. Miss Jones smiled at him, a gentle kind of sadness in her eyes. "You can always come back if you feel lonely or if you don¡¯t like your new school," she added, her voice softening. "I¡¯ll make sure you can return to your old one if you want to." She hugged him again, tighter this time, and Daniel felt a lump form in his throat. "Now go," she said, pulling away with a forced smile, though her eyes were still moist. "Goodbye, Miss Jones," Daniel called, his voice a little shakier than he intended. He turned and walked toward the platforms, his heart heavy but hopeful. He glanced around, looking for platforms 9 and 10, but there was a slight twist in his gut when he realized he wasn¡¯t sure which pillar marked his destination. ''9 and 3/4 should be somewhere there'', he thought, squinting toward a brick pillar that didn¡¯t look any different from the others. He took a deep breath. ''I guess it¡¯s the right one'', he thought, stepping toward it. Just as he was about to collide headfirst with the stone, something strange happened. It was as though the air shimmered, and before he knew it, he was walking through the wall as if it wasn¡¯t there at all. He stumbled for a second, disoriented, then looked around, wide-eyed. ''So this is Platform 9 3/4'', he thought, his heart racing. The platform was exactly as magical as he had imagined, though there were fewer people than he expected. ''I guess being early has its perks'', he mused, his gaze falling on the majestic train ahead of him. The Hogwarts Express loomed large, its polished exterior gleaming under the soft morning light. ''And this is the Hogwarts Express'', he thought, excitement bubbling in his chest as he walked toward it. The train¡¯s interior was just as impressive. Daniel found an empty cabin not far from where he¡¯d boarded. It was cozy and inviting, the sunlight streaming in through the window, casting a golden glow across the seat. He placed his bag in the overhead compartment, his hands trembling just slightly from the sheer thrill of the moment. He sat down by the window, staring out at the parents and children waving goodbye to one another on the platform. ''I can¡¯t wait to see Hogwarts'', Daniel thought, his heart beating faster with every passing second. Chapter 17 Ride to Hogwarts Daniel sat in his compartment, watching families on the platform say their goodbyes. Parents hugged their children tightly, younger siblings clung to robes, and trunks were hoisted onto the train with excited chatter filling the air. After a few minutes, boredom crept in. He pulled up his Status Page to check his progress. [Name: Daniel Wilson] [Level: 6 EXP: 100/600 Class: The Gamer HP: 665/665 MP: 800/800 SP: 735/735 Strength: 61 Agility: 75 Vitality: 72 Intelligence: 88 Wisdom: 72 Charisma: 20 Luck: 15 Stat Points: 30] A small smile tugged at his lips. His training was paying off. But¡­ progress had slowed. Daniel reached into his inventory and pulled out his notebook, flipping through his notes on stat gains. ''I used to gain five points daily when all my stats were around ten. Now, I can train all day and see no improvement.'' It was frustrating, but expected. Growth couldn¡¯t stay that easy forever. ''I guess my only options are to push my training harder or spend stat points¡­ but there''s no immediate danger, so I can afford to take the slow and steady path.'' With that in mind, he switched to his Skills Page and reviewed his abilities. [Observe (Active) Lvl 36] [- Lets the user find information about a target.] [Running (Active) Lvl 58] [- You will run 116% faster, but your stamina will be depleted 1.5x as much.] [Meditation (Active/Passive) Lvl 36] [ Active: - Lets the user gain a +180% boost to the wisdom stat - Boosts the user MP Regeneration by 180% Passive: - Lets the user keep calm easier - Boosts the user MP Regeneration by 18%] [Cooking (Active) Lvl 21] [- The food you prepare tastes better. - The food you prepare gives 21% more stat boosts.] [Martial Arts (Active) Lvl 35] [- Improves your fighting techniques. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. - Increases damage dealt with martial arts moves by 70%.] [Power Strike (Active) Lvl 18 / MP: 10] [- Increases the power of any close combat strike by 90%] [Speed Reading (Passive) Lvl 31] [- Lets the user read 155% faster] [Magic Arrow (Active) Lvl 66 / MP: 4] [- Fires an arrow made from mana, piercing the opponent] [Elementary Potions (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with brewing elementary potions - Your elementary potions are 1% more potent] [Elementary Herbology (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with planting elementary herbs - The elementary herbs you plant are 1% more potent] [Elementary Transfiguration (Passive) Lvl 82] [- Helps with performing elementary transfiguration -Your elementary transfigurations are 82% better] [Elementary Spells (Passive) Lvl 94] [- Helps with performing elementary charms and jinxes - Your elementary charms and jinxes are 94% stronger] [ID Create (Active) Lvl 9] [- Used to create Instant Dungeons - Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels Currently Available ID List: - Empty ID ¨C Monsters: none] [ID Escape (Active) Lvl 9] [- A skill to exit instant dungeons] His eyes lingered on Elementary Spells, feeling a surge of pride. It was almost level 100, which he assumed was the max. But some skills, like Meditation and Speed Reading, were becoming a chore to level up. When he first unlocked Speed Reading, he could level it just by finishing one book. Now, he had to read ten for a single level. ''At this rate, it''ll take me decades to max it out.'' He sighed but then paused, reconsidering. ''Wait¡­ maybe it''s not about how many books I read, but how much total time I spend reading. I''ll have to test that later.'' Closing the skill window, he placed his notebook back in his inventory. His gaze drifted back to the platform, where he noticed a family of redheads. ''Weasleys.'' If the Weasleys were here, then Harry couldn¡¯t be far. Daniel scanned the crowd for the famous black-haired boy, but Harry was nowhere in sight. After a moment, he gave up and debated between sitting in silence or rereading one of his books. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. The compartment door creaked open. Daniel looked up, curious to see who it was. A boy his age stood in the doorway, hesitating slightly. "Is there any seats left?" he asked, his voice quiet but polite. The boy had black hair, a fair complexion, and blue eyes that stood out against his pale skin. However, his brooding demeanor made him seem more reserved, as if he was used to keeping to himself. "You can take the one across from me," Daniel said. As the boy put his trunk away, Daniel activated Observe out of habit. [Michael Corner, Bookworm, Lvl 9] [Michael Corner is a half-blood wizard with black hair, a fair complexion, and blue eyes. A silent and reserved kid, he struggles to make new friends and hopes that Hogwarts will be a fresh start where he can change that.] ''Level 9,'' he thought, impressed. ''Even first-year wizards have higher levels than most normal adults.'' Michael sat down, looking a bit uncertain but also eager to talk. Daniel decided to make it easier for him. "I''m Daniel. What¡¯s your name?" "Michael," he answered softly. "Are you also a first-year?" Daniel asked. Michael gave a small smile. "Yeah. But my dad told me a lot about Hogwarts, so I know a couple of things." There was a quiet confidence in his voice, like he wanted to be acknowledged for his knowledge. "Nice. Are both your parents wizards?" Michael shook his head. "No, just my dad. My mom doesn¡¯t have magic." Daniel hummed. "Must be nice. I don¡¯t know my parents, so I have no clue if they were magical or not." Michael¡¯s expression changed slightly, like he had said something wrong. "Oh¡­ sorry for bragging about my dad." Daniel waved it off. "Don¡¯t worry about it. I got over it a long time ago. I have people at the orphanage who are like siblings, so I never really felt alone." Michael nodded, looking relieved. They fell into easy conversation, discussing the Hogwarts houses, how the Sorting worked, and what classes would be like. Their chat was interrupted when the door swung open without warning. A bushy-haired girl with a bossy voice stood there, eyes scanning the compartment. "Have you seen a toad? Neville lost one." Daniel blinked, annoyed at the sudden intrusion. "You could knock." The girl hesitated, then her expression softened. "Sorry for barging in," she said quickly, before continuing, "but have you seen a toad?" Daniel sighed. "Haven¡¯t seen one, but you should ask the prefects. They probably know spells for this kind of thing." Her face lit up as if she had just been given the best idea in the world. "You¡¯re right! I read about the prefects in Hogwarts: A History! They¡¯re the most impressive students from each house, they¡¯ll definitely know something!" And with that, she turned and hurried off without another word. Daniel leaned back and exhaled. "Not even a thank you." Michael chuckled. "She was¡­ intense." They had barely resumed their conversation when the door slammed open again, this time with more force. A pale boy with slicked-back hair stepped in, flanked by two towering figures. His sharp, aristocratic features twisted into something between superiority and impatience. "Have you seen Harry Potter?" he demanded, his tone making it clear he expected an immediate answer. Daniel didn¡¯t even bother looking up. "No." Draco Malfoy scoffed, clearly unimpressed with his lack of concern, and left, slamming the door behind him. This time, no one else disturbed them for the rest of the ride. Hogwarts was getting closer. Chapter 18 The Sorting Begins As the train rumbled along, Daniel and Michael¡¯s conversation slowly dwindled, the excitement of their journey giving way to a comfortable silence. But soon, a loud shout broke through the quiet, "We¡¯ll be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes! Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately." The announcement pulled Daniel¡¯s attention back. ''Five minutes.'' He hadn¡¯t realized how much time had passed, and before he knew it, the train came to a stop. They stood, stretching their legs before heading toward the door of their cabin. The platform outside was bustling with energy, students anxiously glancing around, but then a booming voice echoed across the station, "Firs¡¯ years! This way!" Daniel paused. The voice was unmistakable, and when he turned, he saw the source, a giant man, towering over the crowd. His wild, bushy black hair and thick beard gave him a fierce appearance, but his beetle-black eyes had an odd warmth to them. The man was dressed in a moleskin coat and huge boots, his large hands waving to the group. ''This must be Hagrid,'' Daniel thought, his curiosity piqued. As they made their way over, Daniel used Observe on him out of habit. [Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds, Lvl ???] ''Still can¡¯t see the levels,'' Daniel thought, but his attention quickly snapped back to Hagrid¡¯s deep voice, "Firs¡¯ years! This way! Firs¡¯ years, any more firs¡¯ years?" As the crowd began to thin and Hagrid saw no more students coming his way, he called out, "C¡¯mon, follow me, firs¡¯ years!" he barked and started leading them toward the shore of a lake. Daniel¡¯s excitement mixed with awe as he saw a row of small boats waiting by the water. It felt surreal. The Black Lake stretched out before them, shimmering under the darkening sky. ¡°I¡¯m Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts,¡± Hagrid said with a wide grin, as if introducing himself for the first time, though it seemed like most already recognized him. The boats gently rocked in the water as Hagrid helped each of the first years aboard. Daniel felt the familiar coolness of the lake air as they set off across its surface, the distant flickering lights of the castle barely visible through the mist. "Watch yer heads!" Hagrid suddenly shouted, ducking under a stone archway that they were sailing toward. The first years followed his lead, though none of them had the same issue with the low arch. And then, they passed through it. The mist parted before them like a curtain unveiling a grand stage, and Hogwarts Castle loomed before them, towering, majestic, and magnificent. Its spires scraped the sky, glowing faintly against the inky night. Tiny windows twinkled like stars, and the whole castle seemed like something pulled from a dream. It was so much more magnificent than Daniel had ever imagined. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡®So this is Hogwarts,¡¯ Daniel thought, taken aback by the sight. ¡®It looks much better than in the movies.¡¯ The boats made their way to the shore, and Hagrid helped them out, urging them to follow him up a rocky path toward the looming gates of the castle. With each step, the castle grew even larger and more imposing. When they reached the gates, Hagrid threw them open with ease, his enormous hands gripping the iron as though it weighed nothing. He led them into the castle, past suits of armor and portraits that seemed to watch them with eyes that flickered in the torchlight. Finally, they reached a large door, where a woman stood waiting. Her sharp gaze swept over the group. She wore green robes, and her hair was tied in a tight knot, giving her a no-nonsense look. Daniel recognized her instantly from the stories and knew who she was, Professor McGonagall. ¡°Firs¡¯ years, Professor McGonagall,¡± Hagrid said, stepping aside. "Thank you, Hagrid," McGonagall replied curtly, her eyes briefly scanning the group. Hagrid nodded and turned to leave, his heavy steps echoing down the corridor as he walked away. McGonagall looked at the students, her stern face softening ever so slightly. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin." Her voice was calm but authoritative, and she quickly began to line them up. "Wait here," she said, and disappeared through the large doors into the Great Hall. The moment McGonagall vanished behind the doors, a hum of nervous excitement filled the air. The first years couldn¡¯t help but whisper to one another, their anxieties mingling with curiosity. "What do you think we¡¯ll have to do?" Michael asked, looking at Daniel for reassurance. Daniel opened his mouth to reply, but his attention was drawn elsewhere. He pointed toward the doors, where silvery figures drifted by, ghosts. Their pale forms glided effortlessly through the entrance. One student jumped back in surprise. ¡°Ehhh!¡± he exclaimed, his eyes wide with fear. One of the ghosts turned toward them, and with a booming voice, he greeted them. "Welcome to the Great Hall! I am Nearly Headless Nick, Gryffindor''s ghost." As Nearly Headless Nick floated in front of them, a handful of students turned their heads in curiosity. He went on to explain a bit about the Hogwarts ghosts and their roles at the school. "I hope some of you will be sorted into Gryffindor," he said with a wink. "It¡¯s the best house after all." With that, he disappeared, leaving a lingering sense of awe behind him. The students quickly returned to their conversations, though their chatter was a little quieter now. The door swung open again, and Professor McGonagall reappeared, ushering them into the Great Hall. The room was grander than Daniel had ever imagined, with four long tables filled with students. Their eyes were all on the first years, and in the center of the hall, the Sorting Hat sat on a wooden stool. McGonagall moved toward the Hat, her voice carrying as she explained its role. "The Sorting Hat will decide which of the four Houses each student will belong to." One by one, she called up the first years. The sound of their names echoed in the hall, and Daniel couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of nervous anticipation. While McGonagall handled the sorting, Daniel let his gaze wander. He briefly glanced at the older students, observing a few of them before his attention shifted to the professors'' table. He recognized most of their faces, but curiosity pushed him to use Observe on them anyway. When his eyes landed on Professor Snape, [???] ¡®What?¡¯ That was all Observe revealed. Before he could think about it too long, Snape¡¯s eyes locked with his. Daniel¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. His pulse quickened, but his skills quickly forced him to calm down, pretending like he was just admiring the grandeur of the Hall. He broke eye contact and looked around, hoping his brief moment of tension went unnoticed. ''Shit, does he know?¡¯ Daniel thought, but then reassured himself. ''Don¡¯t worry, he doesn¡¯t necessarily know it was me.'' ''I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t use it on Quirrell first.'' Suddenly, his name rang out through the hall. "Daniel Wilson." He stood up, a swirl of excitement bubbling inside him. ''I wonder which House I¡¯ll be in.'' As he made his way toward the stool, the Sorting Hat was placed gently on his head. The moment it touched his hair, a voice echoed inside his mind. "Interesting..." Chapter 19 Ravenclaw ''Interesting...'' Daniel heard a voice in his mind the moment the Hat landed on his head. ''I can¡¯t read your memories at all,'' the voice continued. Daniel sighed, a bit relieved. ''So even the Sorting Hat can¡¯t read my memories,'' he thought. ''No, I can¡¯t read your memories, but I can read your surface thoughts,'' the Hat replied, almost as if it was matter-of-fact. Daniel felt an awkward tension. ''Oh, so¡­'' he thought, feeling a bit exposed. ''What do you do with the sorting if you can''t read my memories?'' ''I don¡¯t read everyone¡¯s memories, anyway, just the most memorable moments,'' the Hat explained. ''But if I can¡¯t do that with you, I guess I can let you pick the house you want to be in.'' ''Huh, you can do that?'' Daniel thought, now genuinely surprised. ''I can do anything when it comes to sorting,'' the Hat said, sounding smug. ''But before you decide, I¡¯ve got a question for you.'' ''Okay, shoot,'' Daniel replied, curious but still cautious. ''How did you get Occlumency shields strong enough to block even me at such a young age? Is this some unique trait or mutation?'' Daniel stiffened. ''I¡¯d rather not say,'' he thought quickly, feeling a pang of unease. ''Hmm... alright,'' the Hat said. ''So, what house do you want to be in?'' ''Ravenclaw,'' Daniel answered without hesitation. ''I guess it¡¯s our goodbye then,'' the Hat said with a chuckle before shouting, "RAVENCLAW!" As the Hat was lifted from his head, a wave of applause washed over him. The sound of clapping and murmurs of curiosity filled the air as Daniel rose to his feet. His robes shimmered and shifted, turning from plain black to a refined blend of blue and bronze, Ravenclaw¡¯s proud colors. The Ravenclaw table greeted him with a mix of polite applause and intrigued stares. Some of the older students exchanged glances, no doubt wondering what had made the Sorting Hat deliberate so long on his choice. When he reached the end of the long table, a boy with glasses flashed him a grin and nudged an empty seat next to him. "Welcome to Ravenclaw!" the boy said, with a playful twinkle in his eye. "Hope you like riddles." The joke was a little lame, but Daniel smiled out of politeness anyway. "Thanks for the warm welcome," Daniel replied, sliding into the seat next to him. The Sorting ceremony continued, and before long, everyone had been sorted. At last, Headmaster Dumbledore stood from his seat to address the students. "Welcome!" he said, his usual twinkle in his eyes. "I have a few start-of-term announcements I¡¯d like to share. First years should note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to all students," he said, casting a pointed glance at a pair of mischievous redheads. "Also, the Third Floor is off-limits to anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Stolen novel; please report. A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the hall. After pausing for dramatic effect, Dumbledore added, "And finally, I must tell you that magic in the corridors is strictly forbidden. The janitor has asked me to remind you of this. No magic in the corridors, please!" The students exchanged amused glances. Dumbledore¡¯s unique style of humor always seemed to lighten the mood. "Now, everyone, let¡¯s sing the Hogwarts hymn," Dumbledore announced, his voice lifting in a way that made the whole room fall silent. Words appeared above his head, and everyone, even the most tone-deaf, joined in with varying degrees of enthusiasm: "Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, Teach us something, please, Whether we be old and bald, Or young with scabby knees, Our heads could do with filling, With some interesting stuff, For now they¡¯re bare and full of air, Dead flies and bits of fluff, So teach us things worth knowing, Bring back what we¡¯ve forgot, Just do your best, we¡¯ll do the rest, And learn until our brains all rot." As the last note faded, Dumbledore grinned. "Ah, music! What a beautiful thing," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Then, without missing a beat, he declared, "And now, before we begin our feast, I''d like to say a few words..." "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" A few chuckles rippled through the hall at the odd combination of words. "Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore finished, and with a wave of his hand, the tables were magically filled with food. Roast meats, golden mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and various other dishes appeared, along with large bowls of treacle tart and other sweet treats. Drinks like pumpkin juice and water filled the goblets, creating a spread fit for royalty. The entire hall buzzed with conversation as everyone dug in. "The Sorting wasn¡¯t what I thought it would be," Michael, who had been sitting beside Daniel, remarked between mouthfuls of roast chicken. Daniel glanced at him, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, but if you think about it, some of us are Muggleborns, like me, so it wouldn¡¯t make sense to do a test," Daniel replied. "And don¡¯t even get me started on fighting." Michael hummed in agreement. "You¡¯re right," he said, taking a swig of pumpkin juice. They ate and chatted casually, the tension of the Sorting Ceremony slowly melting away, until the feast came to an end. Dumbledore stood up once more. "The feast ends here. First years, the Prefects will take you to your common room," he announced and with that, he began walking away. A voice spoke up, and Daniel turned to see an older student standing beside them. "Come with me. My name is Penelope Clearwater, and I will take you to the Ravenclaw common room," she said, her voice calm but warm as she guided the group toward the exit. The Ravenclaw common room was located in a tower, like Gryffindor¡¯s, but it had its own unique charm. The entrance wasn¡¯t a simple door, it was guarded by a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. When Penelope knocked, the eagle came to life and posed a riddle, "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?" "Anyone wants to take a guess?" Penelope asked, looking around at the first years. Daniel raised his hand. "An echo," he said confidently, and the door swung open. "Good," Penelope smiled, "Let¡¯s go inside." The room beyond was nothing short of stunning. Spacious and airy, with tall, arched windows that framed the breathtaking view of the Hogwarts grounds. The walls were adorned with shelves full of books, a true reflection of Ravenclaw''s intellectual nature. Comfortable chairs and study desks filled the room, providing the perfect space for both relaxation and study. "Now, boys, your bedrooms are on the right, and girls, your rooms are on the left," Penelope continued as they neared a fork in the hallway. "Your belongings are in the trunks beside your beds. Goodnight," she added, before turning to head up the left staircase. The boys made their way to their shared bedroom. As everyone found the bed that belonged to them, Daniel took a deep breath. "I guess we should introduce ourselves," he said, eager to break the ice. "My name¡¯s Daniel." Chapter 20 First Day "My name is Michael Corner," said Michael with a slight hesitance, but he quickly steeled his nerves and tried to sound confident. "Terry Boot," introduced a boy with light brown hair, fair skin, and brown eyes, his voice steady and assured. He carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who didn¡¯t doubt himself much. The last boy in the room smiled when everyone turned to him. "My name is Anthony Goldstein," he said, his voice light and friendly. Daniel immediately liked him. ''He seems like a nice guy,'' he thought. Anthony had blond hair, light skin, and bright blue eyes that almost seemed to sparkle with intelligence. After introducing themselves, they chatted for a while, but the exhaustion of the long train ride and the excitement of the sorting caught up with them. One by one, they gave in to sleep. Daniel was the first to wake up. The room was still dark, but his body refused to rest any longer. He glanced around and saw that everyone else was still fast asleep. ''I guess my training routine changed my biological clock.'' Carefully, he slipped out of bed, moving as quietly as possible so he wouldn¡¯t wake anyone. He made his way to the bathroom. A quick, hot shower helped shake off the last remnants of sleepiness. After brushing his teeth and finishing the rest of his morning routine, he stepped back into the dormitory to find that everyone was now up. "You wake up early, huh?" Terry remarked, noticing Daniel¡¯s damp hair. "Yeah, I guess it''s just my routine. I used to train in the mornings," Daniel replied as he sat on the edge of his bed. "Train?" Michael looked at him curiously. "Like... physical training?" "Yeah. I started training in magic too after learning about it," Daniel answered, now watching their reactions. "Is that weird?" Anthony was the first to respond. "Not weird, just unusual. You don¡¯t see many people training at our age. Well, besides Quidditch, but that''s more like playing games than actual training," he said with a reassuring smile. "Oh, okay then. Wanna join me? We have the whole day free today," Daniel offered. The three of them exchanged skeptical looks. "It''s not that I don''t want to," Anthony said slowly, "but maybe later?" The others nodded in agreement, they seemed far more eager to study than work out. "Alright, your loss," Daniel said with a shrug before heading out of the dormitory. When he entered the common room, it was mostly empty. A few early risers were scattered around, some reading, others simply sitting in silence, still waking up. ''I guess most people are just getting up now,'' Daniel thought as he scanned the room. His gaze landed on the prefect from last night, the one who had guided them to the common room. She was seated in an armchair, nose deep in a book, but when he approached, she glanced up. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "Excuse me, can you tell me what time it is?" She gave him a brief, appraising look before smiling. "Oh, you''re up early." With a flick of her wand, she muttered, "Tempus." A set of glowing numbers appeared in midair: 6:28 A.M. ''I need to learn that spell,'' he thought, intrigued. "Breakfast starts at 7:30 A.M. and ends at 9:00 A.M.," she informed him. "You''ll get your schedule then, so don''t be late if you''re planning to wander." Her expression turned slightly amused, as if she had seen plenty of first-years get lost in the vastness of the castle. "Okay," Daniel replied, making a mental note. As he turned to leave, she added, "If you get lost, ask the paintings. They¡¯re usually happy to help, some of them, anyway." He nodded, appreciating the advice, and left the common room. The stone staircases echoed his footsteps as he descended the tower, the torches flickering with light. The castle was eerily quiet this early, and he felt a thrill of excitement as he started exploring. After wandering for about 45 minutes, Daniel still hadn¡¯t found any important places, like the library. ''Okay, this place is bigger than I thought. I should look for the Great Hall instead,'' he decided. His stomach was starting to protest, and food was now a higher priority than books. Thankfully, finding it was easier than expected, and soon enough, he found himself stepping into the massive, enchanted space of the Great Hall. The bewitched ceiling reflected the early morning sky, a soft, golden hue spreading across the clouds. The long tables were already bustling with students eating breakfast. He quickly spotted the Ravenclaw table and made his way over, taking a seat beside his housemates. "So, did you train?" Michael asked as Daniel grabbed a piece of toast. "No, I was just looking around, trying to find the library and the exit to the yard," Daniel replied, reaching for some eggs. Michael''s eyes lit up. "Did you find it?" "No," Daniel said flatly. Michael visibly deflated, his shoulders slumping in disappointment. His expression was so comical that Daniel had to stifle a laugh. "But we can look for it together after breakfast," he offered. That perked everyone up, and they all agreed enthusiastically. Just as they were about to change the subject, a familiar voice interrupted them. "Here are your schedules," Penelope Clearwater said as she approached, handing each of them a neatly printed copy. Daniel took his and glanced over it, curious about the days ahead at school. Monday: 9:00 AM ¨C 10:30 AM ¡ú Transfiguration (w/ Hufflepuff) 10:45 AM ¨C 12:15 PM ¡ú Herbology (w/ Hufflepuff) (Greenhouses) Lunch Break 1:30 PM ¨C 3:00 PM ¡ú Charms (w/ Hufflepuff) 3:15 PM ¨C 4:45 PM ¡ú History of Magic (All Houses) Tuesday: 9:00 AM ¨C 10:30 AM ¡ú Defense Against the Dark Arts (w/ Slytherin) 10:45 AM ¨C 12:15 PM ¡ú Potions (w/ Hufflepuff) (Dungeons) Lunch Break 1:30 PM ¨C 3:00 PM ¡ú Charms (w/ Hufflepuff) Midnight ¨C 1:00 AM ¡ú Astronomy (Astronomy Tower, All Houses) Wednesday: 9:00 AM ¨C 10:30 AM ¡ú Herbology (w/ Hufflepuff) 10:45 AM ¨C 12:15 PM ¡ú History of Magic (All Houses) Lunch Break 1:30 PM ¨C 3:00 PM ¡ú Transfiguration (w/ Gryffindor) 3:15 PM ¨C 4:45 PM ¡ú Defense Against the Dark Arts (w/ Hufflepuff) Thursday: 9:00 AM ¨C 10:30 AM ¡ú Potions (w/ Slytherin) (Dungeons) 10:45 AM ¨C 12:15 PM ¡ú Charms (w/ Hufflepuff) Lunch Break 1:30 PM ¨C 3:00 PM ¡ú Flying Lessons (w/ Hufflepuff) (Only for First-Years, Training Grounds) 3:15 PM ¨C 4:45 PM ¡ú Study Period / Free Time (Library, Common Room, etc.) Friday: 9:00 AM ¨C 10:30 AM ¡ú Transfiguration (w/ Slytherin) 10:45 AM ¨C 12:15 PM ¡ú Herbology (w/ Hufflepuff) Lunch Break 1:30 PM ¨C 3:00 PM ¡ú History of Magic (All Houses) 3:15 PM ¨C 4:45 PM ¡ú Defense Against the Dark Arts (w/ Gryffindor) Additional Notes: Flying Lessons are only for the first term (until Christmas). After that, you get a free period. Astronomy is always at midnight once a week. History of Magic is one of the only classes where all houses are together. Weekends are free for studying, Quidditch practice (if on the team), or exploring the castle. Chapter 21 First Lessons After finishing their breakfast, the group spent the rest of the day exploring the castle. They wandered through the corridors, found the library, but didn¡¯t stay long. The shelves were overwhelming, stacked high with countless books. They briefly poked around before moving on, eager to discover more. When lunch arrived, they returned to the Great Hall for a quick meal before heading back out. They spent a little more time exploring, and by the time they got back to the common room, everyone except Daniel was utterly exhausted. It had been a long, busy day of walking and discovering, and the others were ready for bed. Daniel, however, wasn¡¯t quite ready to sleep. He slipped away quietly, entering the ID where he could train for a while. He needed to tire himself out before sleep would come easily. ''It¡¯ll help me sleep better,'' he thought as he began his exercises in the solitude of the dimly lit space. The next morning, they were all up early for their first day of classes. It was Tuesday, and after a hearty breakfast, their first lesson was Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins. As soon as Daniel stepped into the classroom, the smell hit him. ''Oh brother, this room stinks!'' he thought, his nose wrinkling in protest. He immediately regretted stepping inside. The air was thick with an overpowering odor, garlic. Everywhere. His stomach turned at the sharp, pungent smell, but he forced himself to endure it. ¡°What is this smell?¡± Michael asked, his face contorting as he tried to get used to the air. ¡°It¡¯s garlic,¡± Daniel muttered, trying to keep his voice steady, though his own nose was twitching. ¡°I know, but why does the whole room smell like this?¡± Michael replied, still sniffing the air in confusion. ¡°How would I know?¡± Daniel responded flatly, his eyes scanning the room for some explanation. It seemed they weren¡¯t the only ones bothered by it. A few other students were also visibly uncomfortable. Before Michael could respond, the door opened, and in walked Professor Quirrell. He was a thin, nervous-looking man, with a pale face and a large, purple turban. His robes were slightly disheveled, and his hands trembled as he held a stack of papers. He shuffled to the front of the class and stammered out an introduction. ¡°H-Hello, y-you all. I-I¡¯m your professor of DADA th-this year,¡± he stuttered, each word shaking from his lips. Daniel exchanged a glance with Michael, who raised an eyebrow. The man didn¡¯t seem like he could handle anything darker than a mild headache, let alone dangerous dark creatures. But they tried to remain polite and listened as Professor Quirrell rambled on about various dark creatures. Most of the lesson was spent talking about vampires, which, despite being a potentially exciting topic, fell flat due to Quirrell¡¯s nervous demeanor. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°I once encountered a vampire in Romania,¡± Quirrell continued, telling a story about how he had narrowly escaped being hunted by one, "H-H-He w-w-wanted to¡ª" Michael raised a hand. ¡°Why does the classroom smell like garlic?¡± he asked again, clearly wanting an answer. ¡°Well,¡± Quirrell¡¯s eyes darted around, clearly uncomfortable. ¡°G-Garlic is¡­ uhm, useful. It¡­ repels vampires¡­¡± He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. When the class finally ended, the students filed out, most of them wearing frowns. ¡°That was a lesson?¡± Terry muttered sarcastically, shaking his head. ¡°Yeah, I think I could¡¯ve taught it better,¡± Anthony joked, his voice dry as they made their way to the dungeons for their next class, Potions. The cold hit them as they entered the dungeons, sharper than anywhere else in the castle. Michael shivered and wrapped his arms around himself. ¡°I hope I don¡¯t get sick.¡± He muttered under his breath as they walked into the Potions classroom. The room was dim, lit by flickering candlelight that cast eerie shadows on the walls. The shelves were lined with strange powders and glass jars containing all sorts of bizarre substances, some of them glittering, some of them bubbling ominously. As Daniel made his way toward the back of the classroom, Michael turned to him and said, ¡°I¡¯ll sit at the front. I like Potions.¡± Daniel nodded and asked, ¡°Anyone want to join me at the back?¡± Anthony raised his hand. ¡°Sure, why not,¡± he said, following Daniel. Before they could settle, the door swung open with a dramatic flair, and Professor Severus Snape entered. His black robes billowed as if they had a life of their own. He didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries or introductions. His cold, calculating eyes swept over the room, sending a shiver down Daniel¡¯s spine. ¡°There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class,¡± Snape¡¯s voice echoed in the cold room. ¡° As such, I don¡¯t expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making." Snape¡¯s eyes locked onto Daniel briefly, then quickly darted away. ''Did he notice me using Observe after all?'' Daniel thought, but there was no time to dwell on it. Snape had already written the Cure for Boils recipe on the board. ¡°Get to work.¡± Snape¡¯s voice was sharp and final. ''It doesn¡¯t look that hard,'' Daniel thought as he glanced at the instructions. Turning to Anthony, he muttered, ¡°Crush the snake fangs and add them to the cauldron.¡± Anthony did as instructed while Daniel prepared the rest of the ingredients. Once Anthony finished, Daniel added the dried nettles and stirred with a careful hand, following the recipe. They worked quietly, concentrating on the task at hand. The potion was soon ready. They bottled it with a sense of accomplishment. But when they approached Snape¡¯s desk, he glanced at their potion, his lip curling in disdain. ¡°You call this a potion? A troll could brew better,¡± he sneered. ¡°Minus one point from Ravenclaw.¡± ''What a prick,'' Daniel thought, watching Snape turn away. [Lesser Cure for Boils] [The Lesser Cure for Boils weakly heals boils but may cause itching, redness, or tingling. Multiple applications are often needed.] ''Well, maybe it¡¯s not the best potion in the world,'' Daniel thought, though he didn¡¯t let it bother him too much. ''It¡¯s a first try, after all.'' The class ended with an awkward silence as Snape left without another word. The students followed, clearly feeling the sting of his harsh remarks. ¡°He wasn¡¯t that bad,¡± Michael said, attempting to lighten the mood. ¡°Yeah, your potion was the only one he said was acceptable, so don¡¯t talk about it,¡± Anthony teased. They made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, ready for the rest of the day¡¯s lessons. Chapter 22 New Dungeon After eating lunch, Daniel and his friends headed to the third floor for their Charms lesson. The room featured a high ceiling, wooden desks in rows, and enchanted candles that lightly illuminated the space. Beside the professor''s desk stood a podium made of books. "Why are there books on the ground?" asked Michael, a little outraged by the apparent disrespect toward them. "Didn''t you see that the professor is really short? Maybe he uses them as a podium," answered Terry. "But why books? Can''t he use a stool or something else?" Michael questioned, and they began discussing the topic. Daniel, however, didn''t pay much attention to them. He simply sat quietly, waiting for the professor to arrive. He didn''t have to wait long, after a minute or two, the professor entered the classroom. Smiling at the students, he hopped onto the podium of books, causing a few students to snort or chuckle. He didn''t seem to mind and quickly introduced himself. "Hello, everyone! My name is Filius Flitwick, but you can call me Professor Flitwick. I will be your Charms professor." Professor Flitwick was exceptionally short due to his goblin ancestry, with a tiny frame and a high-pitched voice. In his elderly years, he had a shock of white hair and a wrinkled face. He began by explaining a few things about Charms, and once he was done, he announced excitedly, "Now, we will learn the Levitation Charm!" He went on to explain, "The Levitation Charm is used to lift objects high into the air, allowing controlled movement. When you master it enough, it defies gravity and can lift heavier objects than normally possible." Demonstrating, he waved his wand at his desk and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Instantly, the desk and all the books beside it floated gracefully into the air, moving around wherever his wand pointed. "To cast the charm, you need to follow the wand movement carefully and pronounce ''Wingardium Leviosa'' correctly. You can find more details in your textbook. Try it out on the feathers first!" Flitwick said, waving his wand to make feathers float onto everyone''s desk. Daniel looked at the feather before taking out his wand. With a flick, he cast, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The feather immediately rose into the air on his first try. ''Easy,'' he thought. Professor Flitwick, noticing his success, exclaimed excitedly, "Congratulations, Mr. Wilson! That''s five points for Ravenclaw!" He then added, "If you''re already familiar with the charm, feel free to practice it on heavier objects or assist your classmates." With that, he moved on to check on the other students. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Daniel considered practicing with heavier objects, but when he saw his friends struggling, he sighed and said, "Your wand movements are off." He spent the rest of the lesson helping them. By the end of class, all of his friends had managed to make their feathers float, which thrilled Professor Flitwick. He rewarded them with even more points. As they left the classroom, Anthony suggested, "We have a couple of hours before the next lesson. Want to explore the castle or read something in the library?" Everyone except Daniel agreed. "Sorry, I want to get in some training," he said, excusing himself. He entered a random classroom and glanced around to see if anyone was there. When he saw the room was empty, he activated his Empty ID and saw a notification. [Your skill leveled up] He looked at the description and felt a surge of excitement. [ID Create (Active) Lvl 10] [- Used to create Instant Dungeons - Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels Currently Available ID List: - Empty ID ¨C Monsters: none - Gnome ID - Monsters: Gnomes] ''Should I go now?'' he thought for a minute, then decided, ''Ehh, why not? I have a couple of hours until Astronomy lessons.'' He exited the Empty ID and entered the Gnome ID. His surroundings twisted, and he suddenly found himself in a damp, underground maze with narrow, twisting tunnels. Small burrows filled with roots and dirt lined the walls. Flickering mushrooms lit the path, and the air smelled of earth and fungi. Daniel looked around but didn¡¯t see anything. He moved closer to the wall and slowly began heading in a random direction. It didn¡¯t take long for him to spot a small, brown humanoid creature. He quickly used Observe on it. [Gnome, Lvl 4] [Gnomes stand about one foot tall, smaller than Erklings, with disproportionately large heads that resemble potatoes with legs. Their bodies are typically brown, and they have sharp teeth. While not dangerous unless provoked, they are mischievous by nature and often bite if threatened or disturbed in their burrows.] He read the description and pointed his wand toward the creature, casting Mana Arrow. The arrow shot straight through the gnome¡¯s head, killing it instantly. [EXP +40] [Drop: 40 Pence] Daniel walked up to the disintegrating gnome, which broke apart into motes of blue light, leaving behind a few coins. ''Nice, I can get rich and strong at the same time,'' he thought, imagining how much money a stronger monster might drop. He continued walking, silently ambushing more gnomes with Mana Arrows to the back of the head. Each successful hit earned him more experience and eventually, a new skill. [Due to continuous action, you have earned a skill] He checked the skill details. [Sneak (Active) Lvl 1] [- User is harder to notice when the skill is in use. - If the user ambushes an enemy while the skill is active, the damage is boosted by 5%.] ''Nice, another useful skill,'' Daniel thought, pleased with his progress. He continued his silent hunt, spending the next three hours in the dungeon. When he finally left and checked his inventory, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. [87 pounds and 50 pence] ''Not bad for a single outing,'' he thought. Then, he looked at his level. [Level: 12 EXP: 2850/3000] He grinned, ¡®Finally, I can start grinding levels.¡¯ But then, his gaze shifted to the rest of the items in his inventory: [Gnome Teeth] [Gnome Claws] [Gnome Saliva] "Maybe they''ll come in handy later," he mused, before heading to the library. When he spotted his friends in the library, he grabbed a random book, sat down next to Michael, and quietly read until it was time for their Astronomy lesson. Chapter 23 Another Day, Another Lesson They reached the top of the Astronomy Tower at midnight, the cold night air brushing against their faces, already feeling a little worn out from the day. "Couldn''t they do the class earlier?" complained Terry, leaning against the stone wall, his eyes heavy as he tried to stay awake. His voice was barely above a whisper. "I guess we get the best view at midnight," Michael yawned, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to stay alert. He wasn''t doing much better. Daniel, on the other hand, felt relatively fine. Thanks to his higher stats and the Gamer''s Body skill, he could technically go a couple of days without sleep with only some debuffs to deal with. Just as he was contemplating that, the door to the classroom opened with a soft creak, and in walked Professor Aurora Sinistra, who introduced herself in a no-nonsense tone. "Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Professor Aurora Sinistra, and I¡¯ll be your Astronomy teacher," she said briskly, her sharp eyes scanning the room as if she were already assessing them. Professor Sinistra was tall and thin, with dark skin that contrasted strikingly against her olive-green robes. Her high cheekbones added to the sharpness of her features. A pointed hat adorned her head, speckled with astrological signs, and her gaze was calm but direct, carrying the quiet confidence of someone who knew exactly what they were doing. She explained the basics of the subject before instructing them to take out their telescopes and begin their first stargazing session. Daniel squinted through the lens, amazed. ''The sky is so clear'', he thought, ''It''s even clearer than those million-dollar telescopes I saw in my previous life.'' He marveled at the crisp detail, feeling a slight sense of wonder creep over him. Once everyone had their telescopes set up, Professor Sinistra began to explain the constellations, planets, and the movements of the stars. Her voice was calm and steady, but it was the night sky itself that truly captured their attention. The lesson was brief, as it was already late, and Daniel felt a little disappointed that it ended so quickly. The sky was vast, and there was so much to learn. But he didn''t dwell on it for long. As he made his way back to the dormitory with his friends, he fell asleep thinking about distant planets and constellations. The next morning, Daniel was the first to rise again. After finishing his morning routine, he wandered into the common room to read while waiting for the others to get up. He didn¡¯t have to wait long, and soon, the others were ready, heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast. "We have Herbology as our first lesson today," Anthony announced between bites of toast. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. "Yeah, Professor Sprout¡¯s the one who introduced me to magic," Daniel said, remembering his first encounter with the professor. He found himself a little nostalgic as they ate, the conversation flowing easily, but still, the day''s schedule was on his mind. After finishing breakfast, they headed to Greenhouse One for their first Herbology class. The greenhouse was filled with the rich, earthy scent of soil and growing plants. Sunlight poured through the glass walls, bathing the space in a warm, golden glow. Shelves and tables were neatly lined with pots of magical plants, while vines twisted around the wooden beams, adding a touch of enchantment to the air. "It''s really pretty in here," Anthony said, gazing around in awe. The others nodded in agreement. "It really is," Terry added. They walked around, casually looking at the plants in the pots. Just then, Professor Pomona Sprout entered, her friendly smile giving the room a welcoming feel. "Good morning, everyone," she said warmly. "I¡¯m Professor Pomona Sprout. You can just call me Professor Sprout. I¡¯ll be your Herbology teacher." She began by explaining the importance and uses of Herbology, introducing the students to less dangerous magical plants. "This is a Flutterby Bush," she said, pointing to a plant with slender, twisting stems and soft, quivering leaves. "It¡¯s a magical plant that quivers and shakes. It produces flowers once a century, and they adapt their scent to attract the unwary." The plant¡¯s small, vibrant flowers were a burst of color, and its delicate branches swayed gently, almost as if it had a life of its own. Professor Sprout continued the lesson, pointing to a couple more plants, before moving on to the next topic: Basic Plant Care. "Today, you¡¯ll be learning how to water, prune, and repot magical plants," she explained. "You¡¯ll start with Common Poppies." The students were given the task of carefully repotting the plants, each of them focused on their work. Daniel found the task calming, his hands deftly working through the motions. When the lesson ended, the students felt surprisingly content, despite the simplicity of the task. "It¡¯s really interesting how many different plants there are, and how many different effects they all have," Michael hummed, stretching his arms as they made their way to the next class. "Yeah, some of these plants were pretty cool," Terry agreed, deep in thought. As they entered the History of Magic classroom, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but feel it was surprisingly ordinary, much like any classroom he¡¯d been in during his previous life, just with an ancient, worn feel to it. ''Not exactly what I expected,'' Daniel mused, settling into a seat next to Michael in the middle row. The door opened, but instead of a regular entrance, Professor Binns simply phased through the door, his ghostly form barely visible at first. He appeared as a faint mist, with spectacles perched on his nose. His voice was dry and monotonous as he immediately began lecturing, with hardly a pause to check if anyone was listening. "Goblin rebellions," he muttered, his voice droning on without emotion. "A critical subject, one you must all remember." Daniel found it hard to stay awake, but the lesson seemed to drag on. ''So the lectures weren¡¯t exaggerated in the books'', he thought, stifling a yawn. By the time class ended, Terry let out a long sigh. ¡°I think that was the most boring lecture I¡¯ve ever heard in my life,¡± he groaned. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Daniel agreed, rubbing his eyes. ¡°I almost fell asleep there.¡± The others nodded in agreement, and they made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, the conversation flowing easily again. They couldn¡¯t help but laugh at how the lesson had been so dull, hoping the rest of the day would offer a bit more excitement. Chapter 24 Transfiguration After finishing their meals, Daniel and his friends got up and headed toward the Transfiguration classroom. The heavy wooden door swung open with a soft creak, revealing a room that felt simple and practical.. Stone walls lined with tall windows let in soft, natural light. Rows of wooden desks were neatly arranged throughout the room, and books, quills, and a few enchanted objects were scattered around. At the front, a blackboard stood ready, with Professor McGonagall''s desk nearby, on which a cat sat, casually watching them as they walked in. Daniel''s curiosity piqued as he caught sight of the cat. ''I wonder what animal I''d be if I became an Animagus,'' he mused to himself, his eyes lingering on the feline as it blinked back at him. "What''s with the cat?" Anthony whispered, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "I don''t know, but it could be the professor''s," Daniel replied with a shrug, making his way toward the middle row to sit beside Michael. Just as it was time for the class to begin, the door swung open. However, it wasn''t Professor McGonagall who entered, it was two students, looking flustered and out of breath. "I told you we''d make it in time," one of them said with a grin, though it was clear they were trying to cover up the fact they had barely made it. The other nodded, and just as the students entered, the cat on the desk shifted, its body contorting and twisting in the blink of an eye, until, standing there before them, was Professor McGonagall herself. The transformation was so swift and smooth that it left everyone momentarily stunned, and it certainly didn''t help the two late students, who now looked pale and wide-eyed. The class erupted into a murmur of excitement, while the two students stood frozen in horror. "Would we be able to do that too?" Terry asked eagerly, eyes wide with excitement. Professor McGonagall fixed him with a sharp gaze, the corners of her lips barely twitching as she replied, "You could, but you''d need to be older, and register with the Ministry. It''s called Animagus Transformation, and it''s illegal to do it without being registered." Her voice left no room for argument. Turning to the latecomers, she raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, perhaps I should transfigure you into a clock so you won''t be late next time?" The two students quickly mumbled, "We''re sorry, Professor McGonagall." Professor McGonagall nodded briskly. "Go sit," she instructed, then turned back to the class. "I am Professor McGonagall, and I will be teaching you Transfiguration." With a glance toward the blackboard, she began explaining how Transfiguration was an incredibly difficult and dangerous subject, requiring immense concentration and precision. As she spoke, she demonstrated by transfiguring her desk into a small, oinking pig and back into its original form, impressing the students. The room filled with awed gasps. "Now, for your first attempt," she said, her tone cutting through the chatter. "You must transfigure a matchstick into a needle." With a flick of her wand, she levitated a matchstick to each student, and Daniel immediately focused on his task. ''Should I go simple with a plain needle or add a little flair?'' he thought for a moment. He knew he could do both, but wasn¡¯t sure if he should go all out on his first attempt. ''Keeping it simple seems like the right choice for now.'' Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. He waved his wand with a practiced motion, focusing on the matchstick and visualizing it transforming into a needle. The matchstick shifted, and within seconds, a needle lay neatly in front of him. ''Smooth,'' Daniel thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction. ''The practice at the orphanage had definitely paid off.'' As Professor McGonagall passed by, she paused at his desk. Her eyes flicked to the needle, then back to Daniel with a slight nod. "Impressive. Five points for Ravenclaw. Now, try to add more detail to your work," she said before moving on to another student. Daniel didn''t waste time. He set to work on the details, but just as he was about to concentrate, he felt a sharp gaze boring into him from across the room. He glanced up and caught sight of Hermione staring at him with what could only be described as a competitive fire in her eyes. ''Oh no, please don''t tell me she''s going to make this into some sort of rivalry,'' Daniel thought, rolling his eyes internally. By the time the lesson ended, Daniel had earned a couple more points for the additional details on his needle. No one else had managed to fully transfigure their matchstick into a complete needle, though a few had come close. As the students shuffled out of the classroom, Daniel was stopped by Hermione, who had a determined look on her face. "You won this time, Daniel," she said, "but we''ll see if you can win in the next lesson." With that, she turned and left. Anthony raised an eyebrow as he watched her go. "You know her?" "We met on the train," Daniel replied casually, then added, "but didn''t really talk after that." Terry grinned mischievously. "Hmm, looks like someone''s got a little competition," he said, nudging Daniel with his elbow. Daniel chuckled and shook his head. They made their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, chatting and laughing as they went. The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. After DADA, Daniel spent some time in the dungeon and then headed to the common room to study. The next day began with Potions and Charms, which went similarly to the first time, except for the new skill he gained during Charms class. He didn¡¯t check it right away, though, waiting until lunch when he had a bit more time. [Teaching (Active) Lvl 1] [- Boosts the user''s ability to teach others. - At higher levels, allows the user to directly teach a skill to another person.] ''Could I teach someone my Gamer''s Body or maybe Singularity skills?'' he thought, tapping his fingers against the edge of his plate. ''Maybe if I level it up to the max level or evolve it somehow?'' With a shrug, he pushed the thought aside and finished his meal. He was already looking forward to the flying lesson ahead, and the rest of the day would be free. The first flying lesson came up quickly, and Daniel found himself standing near the Quidditch pitch, where Madame Hooch was already waiting. She looked strict, her posture focused as she stood, ready to begin the class. "Good afternoon, everyone," she said in a brisk voice. "My name is Rolanda Hooch, and I''m your flying instructor." She wasted no time. "Now, get beside a broom and say ''Up!'' loud and confident." Daniel followed the rest of the students toward the brooms and said, "Up!" without hesitation. To his satisfaction, the broom shot into his hand on the first try. He grinned, feeling a rush of pride. ''Nice, first try. Maybe I''ll join the Quidditch team,'' he thought, but then quickly shook his head ''Nah''. As the rest of the students managed to get their brooms into their hands, Madame Hooch called out, "Now, carefully sit on the broom and push off with your legs." Daniel followed the instructions, feeling himself rise gently into the air. ''This is awesome,'' he thought, tempted to shoot forward, but then heard Madame Hooch''s sharp voice. "Don''t even think about it," she snapped, glancing at the students floating on their brooms. "We''re not flying yet." The lesson progressed slowly, with the students practicing flying in slow circles and gradually moving up and down. By the end of the session, Daniel had earned a new skill. [Riding (Passive) Lvl 1] [- The user has an easier time getting used to any vehicle. - Every vehicle the user rides on is 2% faster.] The rest of the day was free, so Daniel made his way to the dungeon and then to the common room, continuing his studies. Chapter 25 Upgrade The next day didn¡¯t bring anything particularly exciting, just another normal day of lessons. But since it was Friday, Daniel now had two full days of free time to study, train, or explore the castle however he liked. Waking up early and going through his usual morning routine, he noticed his friends were still snoring away in their beds. ''They usually wake up around now, but since there are no classes, I guess they won¡¯t,'' he thought, chuckling to himself as he made his way downstairs to the common room. The warm glow of the fireplace flickered against the walls, and the soft hum of morning silence filled the air. Settling into one of the comfy chairs, Daniel reflected on his first week at Hogwarts. ''It¡¯s surprisingly easy to gain Intelligence points just by reading books here.'' He smiled ''I guess it¡¯s because of the sheer variety of books, some are magical, some are just novels, and there is so many of them that a normal human could read for decades non-stop and still not finish them all.'' He looked at his stats page: [Name: Daniel Wilson] [Level: 19 EXP: 0/10,000 Class: The Gamer HP: 685/685 MP: 870/870 SP: 755/755 Strength: 63 Agility: 77 Vitality: 74 Intelligence: 94 Wisdom: 80 Charisma: 26 Luck: 20 Stat Points: 95] His physical and mental stats looked solid, but his eyes drifted to Charisma and Luck. ''I need to figure out how to train these properly,'' he mused. ''Charisma seems to increase from successful conversations, and Luck from lucky encounters...'' Thinking back, he realized that helping his classmates had boosted Charisma more than casual conversations. ''So, if I help larger groups, maybe I¡¯ll get even better gains?'' He nodded to himself, making a mental note to test it out. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. As for Luck, he had noticed it rising when he got rare item drops from mobs. ''Maybe gambling games like poker would work?'' The idea made him wince, he didn¡¯t really like gambling ''I¡¯d have to test that anyway, maybe not with real money, though.'' After analyzing his stats, he glanced at his level and felt satisfied. ''Already level 19, and I¡¯ve only had the dungeon for a week.'' Closing his stats window, he pondered what to do next. ''I should push my magic training. Some of my skills are already close to level 100.'' With that decision made, he left the common room, found a quiet space, and began practicing magic. One Week Later [Name: Daniel Wilson] [Level: 24 EXP: 18,750/40,000 Class: The Gamer HP: 720/720 MP: 945/945 SP: 790/790 Strength: 66 Agility: 80 Vitality: 78 Intelligence: 99 Wisdom: 90 Charisma: 35 Luck: 28 Stat Points: 120] Daniel grinned at his progress. ''Just one more point to hit 100 Intelligence...'' He was tempted to spend a stat point, but he shook his head. ''Nah, I can grind it naturally.'' His Charisma and Luck training had been a success, too. Helping others had indeed raised Charisma faster, and after some careful experimenting, he confirmed that gambling did, in fact, boost Luck. Satisfied, he closed his stats window and checked his 2 new skills: [Basic Transfiguration (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with performing basic transfiguration - Your basic transfigurations are 1% more effective] [Basic Spells (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Helps with performing basic charms and jinxes. - Your basic charms and jinxes are 1% stronger.] He had panicked at first when leveling his elementary spells and transfiguration to level 100 had replaced his old skills. He¡¯d worried he had lost the +100% boost from before, but after some testing, he realized his spells were just as strong. He sighed in relief. Still, now that his skills had evolved, he needed new spells to level them up further. ''It¡¯s the weekend, so I have time to look for new spells.'' With that in mind, he made his way to the library. The towering bookshelves stretched endlessly in every direction, filled with centuries¡¯ worth of magical knowledge. As Daniel wandered aimlessly, trying to find a book on spells, an annoyed thought crossed his mind. ''Why can¡¯t they just organize these properly?'' He squinted at the mismatched titles, shaking his head. Then, his eyes landed on something interesting: "The Art of Invisibility: Mastering the Disillusionment Charm." His excitement flared as he grabbed the book, but the moment he did, a notification popped up: [Insufficient skill level. Requires at least Intermediate Spells skill.] "Ughhh," Daniel groaned, slumping slightly as he returned the book to its shelf. ''Figures.'' A few minutes later, another title caught his attention: "The Freezing Charm and Its Uses." ''Now this looks promising.'' Grabbing the book, he flipped it open, and smiled as he eagerly clicked [Yes]. A rush of information surged into his mind, filling his head with the mechanics of the spell. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he quietly slipped into his dungeon to test it out. He plucked a random book from the shelf, tossed it into the air, then swiftly raised his wand. "Immobulus!" A soft blue light shot from his wand, striking the book mid-air. Instantly, it froze in place, completely motionless. Daniel smirked. ''Nice.'' He tested it out a few more times, ensuring he had it down. Satisfied, he exited the dungeon and went back to scanning the library. ''Alright, let¡¯s see what else I can learn.'' Chapter 26 Boss Monster After discovering a few more spells he could learn, Daniel returned to the common room. When he walked in, he found his friends huddled in the corner with books scattered around them. With a teasing smile, he approached them. "Hey, I see you got up," he said, leaning casually against the wall. They glanced up from their books. Anthony raised an eyebrow and replied, "Yeah, we aren¡¯t freaks like you." Terry joined in, "Who wakes up at 6 A.M. on weekends?" They laughed, the sound light and easy. After a moment, Daniel leaned forward. "Wanna do something today?" "We already are," Michael said, lifting the book in his hands to show it to Daniel. Daniel chuckled. "Yeah, but we read all the time. How about we explore Hogwarts or maybe go outside?" Everyone thought it over, and after a few seconds, they agreed. Daniel¡¯s smile widened as he pushed himself up from the wall. They got up and made their way toward the door. As they exited the common room, Terry looked around. "So, where are we going?" Daniel shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. Where do you want to go?" Anthony grinned mischievously. "Maybe the Quidditch pitch. I think the Ravenclaw team¡¯s practicing right now." That suggestion got everyone¡¯s approval, and they headed toward the pitch. The Quidditch pitch was a vast, oval-shaped field surrounded by towering spectator stands. Three golden goal hoops stood at each end, gleaming in the sunlight. The grass was trimmed short, with boundary lines barely visible. When they arrived, two teams were in the middle of a scrimmage, one decked out in blue robes, the other in green. "We have the pitch reserved for today, Flint," a tall, lean man with piercing grey eyes said, his dark brown hair neatly combed and his posture radiating quiet authority. Daniel used Observe on him: [Sebastian Everwood ¨C Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain ¨C Lvl 54] [Sebastian Everwood is a tall, sharp-eyed student with a keen strategic mind. As Ravenclaw¡¯s Quidditch captain, he excels at precise passes and analyzing opponents'' weaknesses. He values intellect over brute force, drilling his team on complex formations.] Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain, sneered. "I wonder where, when I have Professor Snape¡¯s signature on my reservation paper," he said, holding up a piece of parchment with a smug grin. Sebastian looked ready to snap but took a deep breath. His expression shifted as he read the paper, his features hardening. The two captains exchanged heated words, their voices low and tense, enough that the first-years couldn¡¯t hear much beyond a few sharp exchanges. A minute later, the Ravenclaw team, led by a clearly furious Sebastian, left the pitch. As the group walked past, Terry raised an eyebrow and asked, "What happened?" Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. One of the Ravenclaw players glanced at them, shrugging. "Slytherin overbooked us. We¡¯re going to Professor Flitwick to see what we can do." He quickly turned and ran to catch up with his teammates. "So, are we watching the Slytherins practice?" Damian asked, clearly uninterested. Michael shook his head with a grin. "Let¡¯s head to the Black Lake. Maybe we¡¯ll spot the Giant Squid." The idea caught on quickly, and they agreed. The rest of the day passed in a blur of sunlight, laughter, and fresh air by the lake. The next day, Daniel woke up early again. After his usual morning routine, he descended into the common room, grabbed a book, and settled into a quiet corner to read. When he finished, a notification popped up: [Congratulations! For getting 100 Intelligence points, you unlock the skill [Beginner Magic Affinity] ] Daniel blinked, feeling a subtle shift as the mana around him seemed to hum more closely, more intimately. A smile tugged at his lips, and he opened the description of the new skill. [Beginner Mana Affinity (Passive) Lvl Max] [- Makes the user more sensitive to mana and handle it better. - 10% increase in MP recovery rate. - 5% increase in total MP amount. - 5% increase in magic damage. - 5% increase in magic defense.] ''Nice, and it¡¯s only at the beginner level. I can¡¯t imagine what the later levels will be like,'' he thought, feeling the excitement build. With a stretch, he got up and put the book back where it belonged. ''Time to grind some levels. I skipped all day yesterday.'' He left the common room, scanning for a place to enter the Gnomes ID. After finding it, he slipped inside and resumed his usual routine: sneak up on gnomes and take them out with a quick shot to the head. He tested a few new spells, including the Freezing Charm, but the magic arrow still proved to be the fastest way to clear them. He was getting better each day, dispatching the gnomes faster and more efficiently. Just as he killed the last gnome and was about to exit the dungeon, a new notification appeared: [Due to the user killing 100 Gnomes in under an hour, the BOSS MONSTER will spawn in 30 seconds.] Daniel¡¯s eyes widened, and he tried to exit "What¡¯s going on? The ID Escape skill isn¡¯t working!" [You can¡¯t escape during the Boss Fight.] He sighed. "Great..." His fingers tightened around his wand as he readied himself. The countdown ticked down. In 30 seconds, the boss appeared. The Boss looking like a burly gnome with bark-like skin and glowing amber eyes, stomped out of the tunnel. His beard, wild and cluttered with trinkets, bounced as he moved. His iron crown twisted in bizarre shapes, and his gnarled wooden scepter crackled with energy. His robes, ragged and patched with pieces of stolen wizarding cloaks, fluttered behind him. [King Grimbuckle, Boss Monster, Lvl 20] Before Daniel had time to read more, the boss waved his scepter, sending a surge of blue magic racing toward him. Daniel rolled to the left, narrowly dodging the blast. He retaliated by launching a mana arrow. With a stomp, Grimbuckle slammed his scepter into the ground, causing the earth to shake. An earth wall erupted between them, effortlessly blocking the attack. Seeing his vision blocked, Daniel darted into the shadows, activating his sneak skill. He crept around, carefully positioning himself behind the boss. When the earth wall collapsed, Grimbuckle fired a blast of blue magic at the spot where Daniel had been. Realizing he was no longer there, the boss let out a furious roar and stomped the ground once more, causing the earth to tremble. Daniel almost lost his balance but recovered quickly. He¡¯d made it behind the boss. Taking a deep breath, he aimed for Grimbuckle¡¯s head, his magic arrow glowing brighter with every ounce of energy he poured into it. He fired. The arrow shot forward, faster and larger than before. Grimbuckle noticed something out of the corner of his eye and turned, but it was too late. The arrow hit him square in the eye, sinking deep into his skull and ending the fight. [+2000 EXP] Relief washed over Daniel. He walked to the spot where the boss had fallen, scanning for any loot. As expected, he found an iron crown and some money. He used Observe on the crown: [Grimbuckle¡¯s Twisted Crown - Grade: Rare] [Grimbuckle¡¯s Twisted Crown is a jagged iron circlet, its edges curling like gnarled branches. Faint amber gems pulse with dark magic. Cursed, it offers power at a price, draining the wearer¡¯s vitality while granting a magic regeneration boost. Ancient Curse: Increases wearer¡¯s mana regeneration by 15%, but the crown also slowly drains 5% HP every 5 minutes of wear.] "Ugh, a cursed item," Daniel muttered to himself, eyeing the crown. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll use it much... but it might come in handy someday." He shrugged and placed it in his inventory. "Now, let¡¯s get out of here," he said quietly to himself. He left the dungeon, making his way back to the common room to relax for the rest of the day. Chapter 27 Nightly Exploration 16 September Monday arrived like an uninvited guest, dragging Daniel out of his dreams and into another day at Hogwarts. He went through his morning routine, splashing cold water on his face in an attempt to wake himself up more quickly. Once dressed, he headed to the common room to wait for his friends. It didn¡¯t take long before they descended the dormitory stairs, still blinking sleep from their eyes. Together, they made their way to the Great Hall, where the comforting aroma of breakfast greeted them. Plates of toast, eggs, and sausages filled the long tables, and the sound of chatter and clinking cutlery filled the grand space. They ate at a leisurely pace, exchanging small talk about the day ahead before heading off to their first class, Transfiguration. The moment Professor McGonagall entered the room, the casual murmur among the students died down. She was a strict teacher, and no one wanted to get on her bad side. When she saw that everyone was quiet, she wasted no time in getting started. "Today, we will study the Transfiguration alphabet, and if we have time, we will practice more on the needles," she announced before turning to the blackboard. With a flick of her wand, neat writing appeared on the surface, detailing a series of symbols. She explained that the Transfiguration alphabet consisted of 26 characters, each corresponding directly to the English alphabet. Daniel listened, taking notes, but he had already memorized most of this from extra reading. When it came time for practice, he flicked his wand and effortlessly transfigured his matchstick into a needle. Instead of practicing something he had already mastered, he spent the remaining time helping his classmates. ''If I can¡¯t challenge myself, I might as well level up my teaching skill,'' he mused. "The rest of the day followed a familiar rhythm, lessons, laughter, and the occasional tutoring when his friends became confused. Classes wrapped up at 4:45 P.M., and the students filtered back into their common rooms. As they settled in, Daniel stretched his arms behind his head and glanced around at his friends, who were busy with their homework. "So, do you want to do something today?" he asked, tapping his quill against the parchment. Michael looked up from his book. "We¡¯ll finish in about two hours, so that gives us three more before curfew," Daniel added when he saw their questioning looks. Michael¡¯s eyes landed on the Wizarding Chessboard sitting nearby. "We could play chess," he suggested with a shrug. "I''m good with that," Anthony agreed. The rest nodded, and after finishing their assignments, they dove into a series of chess matches. Daniel wasn¡¯t particularly skilled at the game, but his high wisdom stats helped bridge the gap, allowing him to enjoy the back-and-forth banter. The common room buzzed with warmth and laughter, making it easy to relax after a long day of lessons. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. By the time curfew approached, most of the students had started heading to bed. Daniel, however, found himself staring at the ceiling, restless. "Ugh, I can¡¯t sleep," he muttered under his breath, turning onto his side. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, but his mind refused to shut off. ''Too much energy. Might as well do something with it.'' A smile crept onto his face. ''Let¡¯s go exploring for a bit.'' Moving as silently as possible, he slipped out of bed and tiptoed toward the door. His heart pounded a little as he reached the dormitory exit. His skillful sneaking paid off, and soon, he was in the common room. The dimly flickering lanterns cast long shadows against the walls. Daniel froze when he spotted a Prefect sitting by the fireplace, eyes glued to a book. ''Alright, gotta be careful¡­ or,'' he mused, ''I could just enter the ID and exit that way¡­ but where¡¯s the fun in that?'' A grin spread across his face as he activated his sneak skill and stuck to the darker parts of the room, slipping past the Prefect unnoticed. The door creaked ever so slightly as he stepped out into the corridors. "Easy," he whispered, grinning to himself. The castle at night was an entirely different world. The usual bustling energy of Hogwarts was replaced by eerie silence. Shadows danced across the stone walls, flickering with the dim torchlight. The suits of armor stood still, almost as if they were watching him. He made his way toward the Great Hall, curious to see what it looked like in total darkness. However, he hesitated before entering. ''No need to push my luck just yet.'' Instead, he wandered aimlessly, enjoying the thrill of being out when he wasn¡¯t supposed to be. ''Maybe it¡¯s time I explore the Room of Requirement?'' he thought, turning toward the staircase. But just as he was about to step onto the first stair- A firm hand clamped down on his shoulder. Daniel¡¯s entire body stiffened. A scream threatened to escape his throat, but he managed to swallow it and regain his composure. He quickly put some distance between himself and the source of his momentary panic, turning around with his hand already grasping his wand. "I wonder what you are doing out at night, Mr. Wilson," a low, drawling voice sneered. Even before he fully faced his captor, he knew exactly who it was. "Professor Snape¡­" he muttered, his stomach sinking. The Potions Master¡¯s gaze was sharp and unreadable, his black robes making him seem even more menacing in the dim corridor. "Fifteen points from Ravenclaw," Snape announced coolly. "And you will receive another punishment. I will make sure this lesson sticks so you never sneak out after curfew again." Daniel winced but knew better than to argue. "Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll escort you back to your common room," Snape added, turning on his heel without another word. Daniel had no choice but to follow. When they entered the Ravenclaw common room, the Prefect looked up, startled to see him accompanied by the notorious professor. "I see you let a first-year sneak past you," Snape remarked with a sneer before striding away, his robes billowing behind him. The Prefect let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples. "Sigh¡­ go back to your dormitory." He walked Daniel all the way to the door before leaving him with one last look of exasperation. Daniel slipped inside, relieved to see his friends still sound asleep. As he climbed into bed, he exhaled slowly, replaying the night¡¯s events in his mind. ''I should learn an invisibility charm or something before trying that again,'' he thought with a smile. With that final thought, exhaustion finally took over, and he drifted off to sleep. Chapter 28 The Daily Routine Tuesday, 1 October 1991 The morning started like any other. Daniel woke up, went through his usual routine, and made his way down from the dormitories into the common room. He yawned, as he settled into his usual spot, waiting for his friends to wake up. One by one, they stumbled in, still groggy from sleep. Once everyone was ready, they left the Ravenclaw common room and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. As they walked, Michael let out a tired sigh. "So, the first lesson today is DADA, huh?" His voice was already filled with dread. Terry smirked. "Yeah, I bet he¡¯ll go on about another vampire that ¡®hunted¡¯ him after he ¡®accidentally¡¯ turned his back in a random cave." The group chuckled, barely suppressing their laughter as they entered the Great Hall. Breakfast was uneventful, and soon enough, they made their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. As always, the room reeked of garlic. Daniel had long since accepted that this was just part of his life now. They took their usual seats in the back row, trying to stay out of the professor¡¯s direct line of sight. A few minutes later, Professor Quirrell walked in, "G-good m-morning, students," he stammered. "T-today w-we will t-talk a-about Imps." Some students exchanged surprised glances. Michael leaned closer to Daniel and whispered, "You think he¡¯s finally going to start doing normal lessons?" Daniel shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. We¡¯ll see in the next one." "S-silence p-please," Quirrell stuttered. Once the class quieted down, he continued, "T-The Imp is a magical beast found only in Great Britain and Ireland, notable for its sense of slapstick humour. Imps delight in tripping and pushing anybody they can get their hands on, as well as lobbing Wizard Crackers and other small projectiles at their victims..." At least it wasn¡¯t another vampire story. That was an improvement. After DADA, they had Potions in the dungeons. Unsurprisingly, the lesson went exactly as Daniel expected. No matter how precise he was with his brewing, he still lost points. Snape barely glanced at his potion before sneering, "Pathetic," and moving on. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. At this point, Daniel wasn¡¯t even offended. It was just routine now. During lunch, they sat together, enjoying their food while the usual background chatter filled the hall. Nearby, a group of second-year girls were giggling amongst themselves. "You know, Neville Longbottom crashed from his broom today," one of them whispered. "And I heard Draco is bragging about challenging Harry Potter to a duel," another added. Daniel tuned them out, already guessing where this was going. ''So Harry will see Fluffy in a few days,'' he thought idly as he finished his meal. After lunch, they had Charms, followed by free time until Astronomy at midnight. Daniel used that time to practice his Transfiguration. During Astronomy class, Professor Sinistra was explaining planetary orbits when something unexpected happened. [The Map Function Unlocked] ''Oh? Didn¡¯t know there was a map function. If I had known, I would''ve tried to unlock it sooner,'' he mused, opening the new feature. The screen that appeared before him was mostly a dull gray void, with only a small 10-meter radius around him visible. ''So I¡¯ll have to manually unlock all of Hogwarts¡­ maybe even the Forbidden Forest,'' he thought. ''But only when I¡¯m stronger.'' With that, he dismissed the map and focused back on the lesson. At breakfast the following day, the Great Hall was buzzing with fresh gossip. As soon as Daniel sat down, Padma Patil turned to him. "Did you hear? Professor McGonagall accepted Harry into the Gryffindor Quidditch team!" Daniel looked at her, unimpressed. "Didn¡¯t know about it, but is it really that important?" "Of course! He¡¯ll be the youngest player in a century!" she said excitedly. He nodded absentmindedly, letting her talk as he focused on his food. After breakfast, they headed to the Herbology greenhouse for their lesson. The rest of the day passed uneventfully. In his free time, Daniel decided to explore Hogwarts and map out whatever he could. It took away time from practicing magic, but he didn¡¯t mind. Friday, 4 October 1991 The morning was going as usual until a few owls swooped into the Great Hall, carrying a large package that landed right next to Harry Potter. Daniel barely needed to guess what it was. ''So they saw Fluffy already,'' he thought as he watched Harry unwrap a broomstick. He tapped his fingers against the table. ''I want to see the Cerberus too¡­ but first, the Invisibility Charm.'' With that, he turned back to his meal. Nothing else interesting happened that day. The next morning, Daniel lounged in the Ravenclaw common room, staring into the fire. ''It¡¯s getting boring farming Gnomes already,'' he thought. Even the boss was easy now. He sighed and checked his skill list. [ID Create (Active) Lvl 14] ''Should I try to see if I unlock something at level 15?'' He thought for a moment before shrugging. ''Why not?'' Leaving the common room, he found a secluded spot where no one was around. Then, he began spamming ID Create and ID Escape to grind experience. Since the skill had already been close to leveling up, it didn¡¯t take long before a new notification popped up. [ID Create (Active) Lvl 15] [- Used to create Instant Dungeons Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels Currently Available ID List: Empty ID ¨C Monsters: None Gnomes ID ¨C Monsters: Gnomes Pixies ID ¨C Monsters: Cornish Pixies] Daniel blinked at the new option. ''Oh, Pixies¡­'' He groaned. ''This is going to be annoying to farm.'' With a deep sigh, he selected Pixies ID and stepped into the dungeon. Chapter 29 Pixies Daniel¡¯s vision shimmered for a second, and when it cleared, he found himself deep inside the dungeon. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, the dim light provided only by glowing fungi and flickering enchanted lanterns. Twisted roots formed tangled passageways, some shifting as if alive, while the uneven floor was slick with patches of slippery moss. High-pitched chattering echoed through the labyrinth as Cornish pixies darted through crevices, their tiny wings buzzing like an infestation of oversized, electric-blue dragonflies. Some were undoubtedly setting traps. Others? Probably just plotting mischief for fun. Instinctively, Daniel ducked behind a thick root, activating his Stealth skill. He stayed still, watching. The pixies were small, no more than eight inches tall, with sharp, pointed faces and gossamer wings. Their shrill, squeaky voices were chaotic. He focused his gaze and used Observe on one of them. [Cornish Pixie, Lvl 11] [A mischievous, electric-blue creature with unpredictable flight patterns. Enjoys pranks, lifting people by their ears, stealing small objects, and causing general havoc. Surprisingly strong for its size. Incomprehensible chatter sounds like a never-ending argument among hyperactive birds.] Daniel analyzed their movement patterns. ''Too many of them here. My stealth tactics won¡¯t work in such an open space.'' He took a deep breath and crept in the opposite direction, searching for an isolated group. Traversing the dungeon was harder than expected. The lack of proper shadows made it difficult to stay hidden, and the slick, uneven terrain turned every step into a potential hazard. ''One wrong move, and I¡¯ll be the one getting hunted.'' After several careful minutes, he found a promising spot, just three pixies fluttering near a large root. ''This will do.'' Before engaging, he checked his new skill. [Spinning Magic Arrow (Active) Lvl 4 / MP: 10] [- Fires an arrow made from mana. The arrow spins, increasing its piercing damage to the opponent.] Taking position behind the pixies, Daniel steadied his wand. He waited for the right moment, then fired three quick shots. The first arrow shot through the air with a sharp whoosh, striking a pixie straight in the chest. It dropped instantly. The other two, however, reacted immediately, screeching as they darted erratically in every direction. ''Damn! I won¡¯t be able to hit them like this!'' The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Thinking fast, he flicked his wand and cast, "Immobulus!" A soft blue light engulfed the pixies, freezing them mid-air. With a quick flick, he finished them off with two precise shots. Letting out a slow breath, he muttered, "I should start with the Freezing Charm from now on." He gathered his loot and prepared to continue farming when a distant wave of sharp, excited shrieks sent a chill down his spine. ''Oh, come on¡­'' A horde of pixies was incoming. The high-pitched screams of their fallen comrades must have alerted them. Without hesitation, Daniel slipped into the shadows, activating Stealth and slipping away as quickly, and quietly, as possible. From there, hunting became more efficient. He found smaller groups, immobilized them first, then picked them off with swift Magic Arrows. The method worked well, and after about three hours of dungeon crawling, he finally exited, making his way to the common room. Daniel slumped into his usual corner seat, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. His mind replayed his dungeon run. ''Harder, but the EXP is great, and the loot is worth it.'' He was already considering ways to improve his strategy when his classmates interrupted his thoughts. "Where were you?" Michael asked, raising a brow. "We checked the common room like an hour ago, but you weren¡¯t there." "Went out exploring for a bit," Daniel replied vaguely, still half-lost in thought. "Wanna go to the Black Lake?" Anthony suggested. "Didn¡¯t we go there last week?" Terry pointed out, frowning. The two immediately started bickering. Daniel sighed, then casually threw out a different idea. "Why don¡¯t we go to the kitchen, grab some food from the elves, and have a picnic instead?" The arguing stopped. "Oh, that actually sounds good," Terry admitted. "Wait, you know where the kitchen is?" Michael asked, skeptical. Daniel smirked. "I¡¯ve been exploring more these past few days. Stumbled across it." Navigating to the basement, they soon found themselves standing in front of a large painting of a silver fruit bowl. Without hesitation, Daniel reached out and tickled the pear. It squirmed under his touch before transforming into a massive green door handle. With a simple pull, the door swung open, revealing the Hogwarts kitchen. A wave of warmth and mouthwatering aromas enveloped them as they stepped inside. The chamber was vast, with high, arched ceilings and flickering torchlight. Giant wooden tables mirrored those in the Great Hall, while enchanted copper pots hovered mid-air, stirring themselves. House-elves bustled about, their small forms zipping back and forth as they prepared the meals. Almost immediately, a house-elf scurried up to them, eyes wide and excited. "Oh! A visitor, sir! Is young master hungry? Would you like some pudding? Or pumpkin pasties? Or perhaps a hot meal? The elves are happy to serve, yes, yes!" She spoke so fast Daniel barely kept up. He held up his hands. "Uh, sorry for intruding! Could you make us a couple of sandwiches in a basket? We¡¯d like to have a picnic." The elf¡¯s ears perked up. "Oh, no intrusion at all, sir! It is our pleasure, yes, yes! The finest sandwiches for a perfect picnic!" Within minutes, they were handed a large picnic basket, packed not only with sandwiches but also fresh fruit, pumpkin juice, and a neatly folded picnic blanket. The group found a cozy spot near the Black Lake, laying out the blanket before unpacking their food. They spent the afternoon chatting about random things, classwork, Quidditch, Terry¡¯s ridiculous fear of garden gnomes, and Anthony¡¯s theory that Professor Flitwick was secretly a retired dueling champion. With the sun setting over the lake, they all leaned back, content, enjoying the calm before another day awaited. Chapter 30 Spending Points Thursday, 31 October Daniel woke up early as usual. The morning air brushed against his skin as he went through his routine, and when he finally made his way down to the common room, a thought echoed in his mind. ''It''s getting harder and harder to gain stats,'' he mused as he stared at his stats window. [Name: Daniel Wilson Level: 37 EXP: 176,250/240,000 Class: The Gamer HP: 910/910 MP: 1180/1180 SP: 930/930 Strength: 90 Agility: 94 Vitality: 92 Intelligence: 120 Wisdom: 105 Charisma: 80 Luck: 73 Stat Points: 185] ''I hit 100 Wisdom almost two weeks ago, and I¡¯ve only gained 5 stats since then,'' he thought, feeling a little frustrated. He glanced at the skill he had unlocked from hitting 100 Wisdom. [High-Speed Thought Processing (Passive) Lvl Max] [- Greatly increases the user¡¯s thinking speed, allowing for faster information processing.] He shook his head, letting out a frustrated sigh. ''I need to stop obsessing over this.'' After a moment of contemplation, he made up his mind. ''Fuck it, I¡¯ll add stat points to everything below 100 to unlock the skills.'' With this sudden though, Daniel started pouring stat points into Strength, Agility, Vitality, Charisma, and Luck, bringing them all up to 100. As soon as he finished, a strange sensation swept over him. It wasn¡¯t painful, but it felt like his entire body was melting. It was oddly pleasant, almost addictive. The sensation passed after a few moments, leaving Daniel a little breathless, but smiling. His fingers hovered over the screen as a wave of notifications appeared. [Strength has reached 100! You have gained the skill: [Troll¡¯s Strength (Passive)] ] [Agility has reached 100! You have gained the skill: [Light Walk (Passive)] ] If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. [Vitality has reached 100! You have gained the skill: [Iron Body (Passive)] ] [Charisma has reached 100! You have gained the skill: [Silver Tongue (Passive)] ] [Luck has reached 100! You have gained the skill: [Fortuitous Encounter (Passive)] ] ''Nice,'' he thought, feeling a rush of excitement. He opened his skills window and started reviewing the descriptions. [Troll¡¯s Strength (Passive) Lvl Max] [- Your physical strength has surpassed human limits. - Boosts raw power, allowing you to lift, throw, and strike with overwhelming force.] [Iron Body (Passive) Lvl Max] [- Increases resistance to physical attacks.] [Light Walk (Passive) Lvl Max] [- The user moves silently and lightly, almost gliding over surfaces.] [Silver Tongue (Passive) Lvl Max] [- Boosts the user¡¯s ability to persuade and influence others.] [Fortuitous Encounter (Passive) Lvl Max] [- Increases the chance of beneficial outcomes in random events.] ''Hmm, some of these skills seem lackluster compared to the Intelligence one,'' he though to himself, but quickly shrugged it off. It wasn¡¯t worth getting worked up over. Just as he was about to close the windows, an unexpected sharp pain suddenly radiated through his chest. His eyes widened as a notification popped up. [The user¡¯s stats have all reached 100 or above. Prepare for evolution.] His heart raced, and panic flared briefly in his chest. ''What does that mean?'' But then, the familiar calmness of Gamer''s Mind settled over him, helping him think clearly. He quickly stood up from the chair in the common room and left, trying not to draw attention to himself. After a few moments of searching, he found a secluded spot in the castle, a perfect place to undergo whatever change was coming. Just as he entered the Empty ID, a sharp, searing pain gripped his entire body, as if he was being torn apart from the inside out. He gritted his teeth, but the pain only lasted about ten seconds, just long enough to make him feel like he was going to pass out. When the sensation faded, he stood there, panting, his body now humming with a newfound power. [Congratulations! The user has become a High-Human.] Daniel blinked, staring down at his hands. They looked the same as before, yet somehow... different. A subtle sense of strength pulsed through him, though he couldn''t spot any obvious physical changes. He left the Empty ID and made his way to the nearest bathroom, eager to check his reflection. ''I don¡¯t look different...'' he thought, a sense of relief flooding him as he studied his face in the mirror. ''Maybe my features are a little sharper, but that''s about it.'' Curious, he opened his stats window again to check for any changes there. [Name: Daniel Wilson Level: 37 EXP: 176,250/240,000 Class: The Gamer HP: 2000/2000 MP: 2360/2360 SP: 2000/2000 Strength: 100 Agility: 100 Vitality: 100 Intelligence: 120 Wisdom: 105 Charisma: 100 Luck: 100 Stat Points: 114] Daniel¡¯s eyes widened. ''Holy shit, my MP doubled!'' he thought, shocked by the sudden increase. ''I didn¡¯t even put points into Intelligence or Wisdom, so it must be from the new race.'' He closed the window, still processing the change. With a sigh, he left the bathroom and headed back to the common room, but it was empty. Without thinking much about it, he made his way to the Great Hall. As soon as he walked in, a flood of new sensations hit him. He could hear the conversations of students across the room as if they were standing right next to him. The scents in the air were more vivid, more distinct. ''Now that I think about it... my vision¡¯s clearer too,'' he realized, scanning the room with ease. ''Must be another advantage of my new race,'' he mused, making his way over to his friends. ¡°Where were you?¡± Michael asked, looking up from his plate. His tone was casual. ¡°We thought you¡¯d be here when we couldn¡¯t find you in the common room or dorm.¡± Daniel shrugged. ¡°I was in the toilet,¡± he replied nonchalantly, giving nothing away. Michael didn¡¯t press further, and the rest of the day went by without incident. Finally, the evening came, and the Halloween feast was about to begin. Chapter 31 Troll Thursday, 31 October 1991 The moment the final lesson ended, Daniel and his friends made their way to the Great Hall, eager for the Halloween Feast. The hall was unrecognizable from its usual grandeur, completely transformed for the occasion. Thousands of floating pumpkins bathed the long tables in a warm, flickering glow. Golden platters overflowed with roasted meats, steaming pies, and bowls of sweets, filling the air with a rich, mouthwatering aroma. Above, enchanted bats swooped through the vast ceiling, which reflected a dark, stormy autumn sky. Countless candles floated eerily, their flames casting shifting shadows along the towering house banners and ancient stone walls. They found seats at the Ravenclaw table, settling in near the end. The second they sat down, Terry wasted no time and immediately reached for the sweets. ¡°Don¡¯t eat too many,¡± Michael said, piling some roasted chicken onto his own plate. ¡°They¡¯re unhealthy.¡± Terry groaned. ¡°Ugh, don¡¯t start acting like my mother, Michael.¡± ¡°What? I¡¯m just stating facts.¡± Terry narrowed his eyes, clearly about to argue, when Anthony cut in with an exasperated sigh. ¡°It¡¯s Halloween. Just let it go.¡± Grudgingly, they dropped it and moved on to talking about random things, Quidditch, upcoming exams, and theories about what their next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson would be. Daniel was nearly finished with his first plate and had just reached for a slice of pumpkin pie when- BANG! The doors of the Great Hall burst open with a deafening slam. Heads whipped around just in time to see Professor Quirrell stumble inside, his usually pale face now sickly white. He gasped for breath, eyes wild with panic. ¡°T-Troll, in the dungeons!¡± he stammered, swaying unsteadily. ¡°Thought you ought to know-¡± And then, with a dramatic flair, he collapsed. For a moment, silence hung thick in the air. Then, all at once, the hall erupted into chaos. Students screamed, panic rippled through the crowd, and people scrambled to their feet, looking around in terror. ¡°SILENCE!¡± Dumbledore¡¯s voice cut through the noise, instantly commanding attention. The hall fell deathly quiet. His piercing blue eyes swept over the students before he gave his orders. ¡°Prefects, lead your houses back to the common rooms immediately.¡± Then, turning to the professors, he instructed, ¡°Teachers, follow me to the dungeons.¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. The Great Hall shifted into a flurry of movement as students hurried to follow their prefects. The excitement for the feast was entirely forgotten. Daniel was about to follow the others when- [You have received a new Quest!] He blinked as a glowing blue notification appeared before him. Quickly, he opened the quest window. [Help Save Hermione Granger!] [Hermione Granger is alone in the bathroom with the troll. Help Harry and Ron save her. Time Limit: 1 Hour Reward: 20,000 EXP Fail Penalty: Possible death of the Golden Trio.] [Accept / Decline] Daniel¡¯s eyes widened. ''Death?'' His thoughts raced as he considered the butterfly effect. ''I haven¡¯t even spoken to Harry once and only a couple of times with Hermione. Would my involvement really change anything?'' He hesitated, but only for a second. ''Even if everything goes like in the books, better safe than sorry. The troll shouldn¡¯t be a problem for me anyway.'' Without wasting another moment, he accepted the quest. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the common room,¡± he told his friends hurriedly. Before they could respond, he activated Stealth and vanished from their sight. Slipping out of the Great Hall, he spotted Harry and Ron rushing down the corridor and silently followed them, his footsteps soundless against the cold stone floor. As he trailed behind them, his mind nagged at him. ''I haven¡¯t gotten a single quest since arriving at Hogwarts, and now, the moment something dangerous happens, I suddenly get one?'' The thought was unsettling, but he pushed it aside. Five minutes later, the horrid stench of the troll hit him like a brick wall. ''Bloody hell, why does it smell this bad?'' With his enhanced senses, the foul odor was nearly unbearable. It was like a mix of rotting garbage and something far worse. He forced himself to breathe through his mouth. Up ahead, Harry and Ron sprinted toward the girls'' bathroom. The moment they pushed the door open, a loud BANG echoed from inside. Daniel didn¡¯t hesitate, he darted in right behind them. The first thing Daniel saw was the massive, lumbering troll raising its wooden club directly over Hermione. She stood frozen, terror flashing in her eyes. Daniel didn¡¯t think. ¡°Expelliarmus!¡± A blast of magic shot from his wand, hitting the club mid-swing. The massive weapon was wrenched from the troll¡¯s grip and hurtled through the air, straight toward Daniel. ¡°Oh, for-¡± He threw himself to the side just in time as the club smashed into the floor where he¡¯d been standing. The troll, now weaponless, turned its furious gaze on him. ¡°RAHHHGGGG!¡± it bellowed. Then, with surprising speed, it charged. Daniel didn¡¯t move immediately, he waited. The ground trembled beneath the creature¡¯s weight as it barreled toward him, its beady eyes locked onto its target. At the last second- Daniel sidestepped. The troll didn¡¯t have time to stop. BOOM! It crashed headfirst into the solid stone wall, making the entire bathroom shake from the impact. It stumbled back, momentarily stunned. Daniel didn¡¯t waste the opening. He swiftly raised his wand, aiming directly at its exposed eye, and cast the Magic Arrow. A bright, glowing projectile shot forward, piercing the troll''s eye and driving deep into its brain. The creature let out a final, guttural sound before collapsing. A heavy silence fell over the room. Then- ¡°Urghh-¡± The sound of retching made Daniel turn. Hermione was crouched in the corner, pale as a ghost, vomiting. Harry and Ron weren¡¯t much better, both looked like they were trying very hard not to throw up. "Who¡­ who are you?" Harry finally managed, eyes darting between Daniel and the now-dead troll. Daniel shook his head. "Doesn¡¯t matter. The professors will be here any second. If you don¡¯t want detention, you¡¯d better leave now." Their faces drained of color even further. Without hesitation, they bolted. As they turned back toward him, Daniel was already gone, Stealth active once more. Back in front of the Ravenclaw common room, a familiar notification popped up before him. [Quest Complete!] [You have gained 20,000 EXP!] Daniel smiled. ''Well, that went smoother than expected.'' Chapter 32 Questions When Daniel answered the knocker¡¯s question and stepped into the Ravenclaw common room, he barely had time to take a breath before he spotted a familiar figure waiting for him. The prefect. The same one who had seen him being led back by Professor Snape the night he sneaked out. Arms crossed, expression unreadable, but the moment their eyes met, the question came. "Where were you?" Daniel didn¡¯t so much as blink. "I got separated with everyone hurrying past and had to find my way back." His voice was calm, his face carefully neutral. The prefect gave him a long, scrutinizing look, clearly not buying it. But instead of pressing the issue, he let out a tired sigh. "Let¡¯s go inside. The feast is still going." Daniel followed him in, the warmth of the common room washing over him. Conversations buzzed around the tables, the occasional burst of laughter breaking through. As he slipped into his usual spot, his friends wasted no time. "Where did you go?" Terry asked the moment he sat down. "I needed to go to the bathroom," Daniel said, grabbing some food like it was no big deal. Dead silence. Then, they all stared at him like he had just said something completely ridiculous. "You think we¡¯ll believe that?" Terry asked flatly. "Yeah, just don¡¯t tell us if you don¡¯t want to," Michael said with a shrug, reaching for some bread. Daniel sighed. ''The whole school will know because of Weasley anyway.'' "I got away to see the troll," he said, completely straight-faced. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. His friends froze. Terry choked on his drink. "I guessed that," Anthony muttered, shaking his head. "So, how did it go?" Terry asked, suddenly excited. "Well, he was really smelly, for one¡­" That got a few snickers, and soon, the conversation flowed naturally again, lasting until the feast ended. The Next Day Things were normal, mostly. The morning air was crisp, the chatter in the hallways the usual mix of excitement and grogginess. But through the entire Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, Daniel felt a gaze burning into the back of his head. He didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was. ''I guess they¡¯ll want to talk after class,'' he thought, pretending not to notice. As soon as the lesson ended, Michael nudged him. "Weekend tomorrow. What should we do?" "I don¡¯t know. We can think of something together," Daniel replied as they left the classroom, falling in step with the others. They had barely made it into the corridor when a voice called out. "Hey, Daniel, can we talk for a minute?" He turned to see Hermione standing there, looking expectant. "Sure," he said before glancing at his friends. "Go ahead without me. I¡¯ll catch up." Michael raised a curious eyebrow but said nothing, and the group continued on. Daniel followed Hermione down the corridor in silence until they reached an empty classroom. Inside, waiting for them, were Harry and Ron. They didn¡¯t speak until Daniel shut the door. Then, Ron wasted no time. "Why were you in the bathroom?" Daniel blinked. "I followed you." Ron stared. "What?" "I followed you," Daniel repeated. "But why?" Harry asked, frowning slightly. Daniel shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. I saw you two leave the Great Hall alone and got curious." Harry exchanged a glance with Ron before nodding. "Okay." Hermione, however, wasn¡¯t done. "Why did you kill the troll?" Daniel looked at her like she had just asked him why the sky was blue. "What was I supposed to do? Let it kill all of you?" She hesitated but held her ground. "You could have restrained it, and we could have run away." Daniel let out a short breath. "I¡¯m not strong enough to hold a full-grown troll for more than a few seconds." Hermione looked like she wanted to argue, but Harry cut in. "Thank you for saving us." Daniel simply nodded. "No problem. Is that all?" "Not quite," Ron said. They asked him a few more questions, how was he so strong, if he could teach them some cool spells, and other random curiosities. By the time he finally left, heading back to the Ravenclaw common room, he exhaled deeply. ''I guess I got tangled in the plot,'' he thought as he walked down the corridor, shaking his head. Chapter 33 Quidditch Saturday, 9 November 1991 Daniel woke up early, stretching with a yawn before going through his usual morning routine. The air in the dormitory was crisp, a reminder that winter was creeping closer. By the time he made his way downstairs, the common room was quiet except for the occasional crackle of the fireplace. He settled into his usual seat, lost in thought. ''Last week was normal, no rumors, no awkward questions from the teachers...'' He leaned back against the couch, staring into the flames. ''I guess Ron didn¡¯t tell anyone about me. Surprising, considering he could be bragging about defeating the troll'' Not that Daniel would have minded. He had prepared himself for the possibility, but in a way, it was better this way, less attention, fewer complications. His thoughts were interrupted as his friends trudged over, plopping into the seats around him. "So, what are we doing today?" Michael mumbled, still half-asleep, rubbing his eyes. Terry, already more awake, perked up. "There¡¯s a Quidditch match at eleven. We could go watch it." Daniel glanced at him, mildly curious. "Who¡¯s playing?" "Slytherin vs. Gryffindor," Terry replied before turning back to Michael, who looked like he might doze off again. ''Oh, it''s this match,'' Daniel thought. He had read about it in the books. He supposed it would be interesting to see how it actually played out. "Sure, why not?" The others shrugged, not having anything better to do. With their plans settled, they made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. The chatter of students filled the massive space, the clinking of plates and silverware adding to the lively atmosphere. After eating, they spent some time in the library before heading toward the Quidditch Pitch. The stands were already packed by the time they arrived, students buzzing with excitement. Most were from Gryffindor and Slytherin, but Daniel spotted students from the other houses scattered around as well. They managed to find a decent spot in the middle, just as the players were taking to the air. "So, who do you think will win?" Anthony asked, watching as the teams lined up. "Slytherin," Terry said with a sigh. "They¡¯ve had the most practice this year." "Yeah, because they booked up everyone else''s practice time," Anthony muttered. Before they could continue complaining about Slytherin''s questionable tactics, the game began. The players shot into the air, the Quaffle passing rapidly between teammates. Daniel watched in mild interest. ''Maybe it¡¯s more fun to play than to watch. The adrenaline might make it exciting, but from here... it¡¯s just a bunch of people flying around. Still, it¡¯s better than normal sports, even if the rules make no sense.'' Then, something strange happened. Harry started moving erratically, his broom jerking as if it had a mind of its own. Terry frowned. "Is he throwing the game?" Michael squinted at the scene. "Maybe his broom¡¯s defective or something?" Before they could come up with more theories, a commotion broke out among the teachers. Moments later, Harry''s broom steadied, and he resumed flying normally. The game continued without further incident, until the Seekers spotted the Golden Snitch. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. The crowd held its breath as Harry and the Slytherin Seeker raced after it. Then, in a reckless move, Harry dove straight toward the ground. Gasps rippled through the stands as he crashed onto the field, only for him to stand up moments later, the Snitch caught in his mouth. The stadium erupted. Gryffindor students roared with victory, shaking the stands with their cheers. "Well... that was one way to do it," Anthony said, raising an eyebrow. Terry exhaled. "I¡¯m not sure if that was skill or a near-death experience." With the excitement over, they made their way back to the common room, chatting about the match. After some time spent reading and discussing various topics, the day slipped back into routine. Another normal day at Hogwarts, well, as normal as it could get. Wednesday, 10 December 1991 The morning chill lingered in the castle corridors as Daniel and his friends made their way down to breakfast. The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall reflected a crisp winter sky, and the tables were piled high with warm porridge, toast, and steaming pumpkin juice. After eating, they headed toward Greenhouse One for Herbology, their first lesson of the day. The air inside was damp and earthy, a stark contrast to the cold outside. They took their usual seats, the glass panes of the greenhouse fogging slightly as more students filed in. Professor Sprout entered, her warm but firm voice cutting through the morning sluggishness. "Good morning, everyone! Today, we will learn the Severing Charm." Excited whispers rippled through the class at the mention of a new spell. "The Severing Charm is used to precisely and accurately cut something," she continued, her expression turning serious. "However, if used carelessly, it can cause serious injury, or worse." That got their attention, and the students quickly fell silent, suddenly far more interested in listening than chatting. Professor Sprout demonstrated the spell, pointing her wand at a withered branch. "Diffindo!" she cast, and with a clean slice, the branch was severed, the two pieces falling neatly to the table. "Now, everyone, I will give you a withered plant to practice on. But be very careful, no pointing your wands at anyone, and keep your hands well away from the target," she instructed, handing out the plants. The rest of the lesson was spent refining their casting before they packed up and headed to History of Magic, which, as expected, was as dull as ever. Professor Binns droned on in his ghostly monotone about ancient wizarding laws, and Daniel had to fight to keep his eyes open. By the time lunch rolled around, the Great Hall was a welcome sight. The warmth from the enchanted torches, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread, it was the perfect break from the monotony of the previous lesson. After lunch, they made their way to the Transfiguration classroom. As always, the room was impeccably neat and orderly, every desk perfectly aligned. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting warm golden streaks across the polished wooden desks. Professor McGonagall entered precisely on time, her sharp gaze sweeping over the students. "Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted. "Today, we will practice the Mice to Snuffboxes transfiguration." Daniel watched as some students exchanged uneasy glances. Turning a living creature into an object was a bit different from turning a matchstick into a needle. "Mice to Snuffboxes is a transformation spell that requires precision," McGonagall explained. "If performed incorrectly, the snuffbox might retain whiskers, or worse, remain half-mouse, half-box, which is, I assure you, quite distressing for the mouse." A few students chuckled nervously, though no one doubted she was serious. McGonagall demonstrated, lifting her wand in a fluid motion. The mouse on her desk shimmered for a moment before transforming into a perfect, ornate snuffbox. No whiskers, no fur, just polished wood with silver inlays. "Now, begin," she instructed. Daniel concentrated, carefully following the precise wand movement. He felt a bit nervous, this was his first time transfiguring a living creature. Still, his skill was high enough that, after one attempt, his mouse transformed perfectly into a snuffbox. Professor McGonagall gave a small nod of approval before moving on to inspect the others. Michael groaned as his mouse turned into a rather fuzzy-looking box. "I think mine still wants to run away." "At least it¡¯s not biting you," Terry muttered, glancing at a student who had somehow managed to turn their mouse into something resembling a pincushion. After plenty of practice, the lesson finally came to an end. Before dismissing them, McGonagall pulled out a parchment and addressed the class. "This is the list of students staying at Hogwarts for Christmas," she announced. "If you wish to remain at the castle over the holidays, please add your name." Daniel barely paid attention. He already knew he wouldn¡¯t be staying, he¡¯d be returning to the orphanage for Christmas. Once the professor finished taking names, they packed up and left the classroom, heading into the corridors as the rest of the day carried on as usual. Chapter 34 Back to the Orphanage Tuesday, 23 December 1991 Daniel woke up early, as usual, but for once, he didn¡¯t rush through his morning routine. There was no need, there were no lessons today. Instead, the Hogwarts Express would take them home for the holidays. As he dressed, he glanced at his school trunk, already packed and ready to go. ''I guess I won¡¯t be able to read about magic for a while'', he thought with a sigh. He briefly considered sneaking a few books into his inventory but decided against it. Knowing Hogwarts, there were probably all sorts of hidden wards, and he didn¡¯t want to mess with them yet. After a moment of hesitation, he made his way down to the common room. The fire was crackling in the fireplace, filling the space with a warm glow. It was quiet, with most students still sleeping in the dormitories and only a few awake. As he stood there, lost in thought, the familiar sound of footsteps echoed from the dormitory stairs. ¡°Morning,¡± Michael greeted, stretching as he came down. ¡°Morning,¡± Daniel replied. Terry yawned as he joined them. ¡°So, last breakfast of the year at Hogwarts. Let¡¯s make it count.¡± They headed down to the Great Hall, which felt emptier than usual. The enchanted ceiling was a dull gray, matching the cold winter sky outside. Once they had finished eating, Michael turned to them. ¡°So, are you excited for Christmas?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Terry said through a mouthful of toast. Michael smirked. ¡°What do you want for presents?¡± Terry swallowed and shrugged. ¡°Something cool, I guess.¡± Daniel chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s specific.¡± They continued chatting until breakfast ended. Around the time their first lesson would normally start, they grabbed their trunks, bundled up in their cloaks, and made their way out of the castle. The Hogwarts Express stood waiting, steam billowing into the cold air. They boarded, found an empty compartment, and settled in for the long ride. The journey passed quickly, filled with snacks, card games, and random conversations. When they were nearly in London, the conductor¡¯s voice rang through the train. ¡°We¡¯ll be arriving at King¡¯s Cross in five minutes.¡± They gathered their things as the train pulled into the station. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°See you guys later,¡± Daniel said as they stepped onto the platform. ¡°Bye, Daniel,¡± Michael replied, already scanning the crowd. His face lit up when he spotted his parents. One by one, the others reunited with their families, leaving Daniel standing alone for a brief moment. He shrugged and stepped off the platform, heading toward the station''s exit. Near the exit, he looked around and spotted Miss Jones, waiting patiently, dressed in a warm coat and scarf. She smiled when she saw him. Daniel smiled back and walked over. ¡°Hello, Miss Jones.¡± ¡°Welcome home, Daniel,¡± she said warmly. ¡°You¡¯ve grown quite a bit.¡± Daniel smirked. ¡°Must be all the studying.¡± She chuckled. ¡°I imagine so. How was school?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything when we get back,¡± he said, noticing her shiver slightly. ¡°It¡¯s freezing out here.¡± She nodded. ¡°Come on then.¡± Together, they left the station and headed toward the orphanage. The moment Daniel stepped inside, a wave of excited voices greeted him. ¡°Daniel¡¯s back!¡± ¡°Hey, it¡¯s been ages!¡± ¡°Did you bring anything cool?¡± Daniel smiled as he greeted the younger kids. Some faces were new, others were familiar but had grown in the months he¡¯d been away. He barely had time to respond before he noticed someone missing. ¡°Where¡¯s Victor?¡± he asked, glancing around. Miss Jones¡¯ smile softened. ¡°Oh, Victor got adopted not long after you left for boarding school.¡± Her voice held a mix of sadness and warmth. Daniel blinked, then let out a small, relieved breath. ¡°Good for him.¡± He meant it, Victor had always talked to him about wanting a family. It was strange knowing he wouldn¡¯t see him anymore, but it was a good kind of strange. Miss Jones studied his face. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Daniel said honestly. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ unexpected?¡± She nodded in understanding. ¡°Come on, you must be tired. Go settle in.¡± Daniel headed to his room, relieved to find it still unoccupied. Dropping his trunk near his bed, he sat at his desk and stared at the ceiling. ''I came back for Christmas because I promised Victor. But now that he¡¯s been adopted¡­ what do I do?'' He glanced at the door, remembering the younger kids who had welcomed him so excitedly. His thoughts drifted to his inventory. [¡ê5,588] A small smirk tugged at his lips. ''I guess I can spend some money on presents.'' Activating Empty ID, he slipped out of the orphanage and wandered through London, hopping between shops. He bought sweets, toys, and small gifts, careful not to buy too much from the same store. After all, a 12-year-old spending hundreds of pounds in one place would definitely raise eyebrows. By the time he was done, his inventory was full of goodies. Then another thought hit him. ''What about my Hogwarts friends?'' ''I don¡¯t know their addresses¡­'' He frowned. ''Guess I¡¯ll just give them something on the train back.'' Satisfied, he stepped into an empty alley, activated Empty ID, and returned to the orphanage unnoticed. Back in his room, Daniel leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. ''How do I give the kids their presents without them knowing it¡¯s me?'' He tapped his fingers on the desk. ''Maybe I could just leave them at the door with a note about an anonymous donation?'' It wasn¡¯t the most creative plan, but it should work. Slipping into Empty ID again, he carefully positioned himself outside the orphanage. Once he was sure no one was around, he activated Sneak, approached the front door, and pulled everything out of his inventory. He placed the gifts neatly on the doorstep, along with a simple note. Taking a deep breath, he rang the bell, then slipped back into Empty ID before anyone could see him. Back in his room, he flopped onto his bed, grinning to himself. ''I guess I¡¯ll find out in the morning if my plan worked.'' With that thought, he drifted off to sleep. Chapter 35 Christmas When Daniel woke up the next day, he stretched with a groan, listening to the soft creak of his muscles. He walked over to the window and opened it wide, immediately feeling the rush of cold air slap him across the face. His breath misted in the frigid morning air, and for a moment, he just stared out at the orphanage yard, watching a few birds flutter around. The quiet scene gave him a sense of calm. After a few moments, he shook off the drowsiness and headed to the bathroom to start his morning routine. He brushed his teeth, splashed water on his face, and did his best to look more presentable. When he finished, he returned to his room and glanced at the clock. There was still some time before breakfast, just enough for a bit of quiet thinking. ''Now that I''m back in London, I could check out the local library and see if there are any new skills to learn,'' he thought, a grin forming at the thought of some new skills. ''But not today. It¡¯s Christmas after all.'' He stretched lazily in his chair, sinking into the backrest with a sigh. The knock on his door broke his thoughts. "Breakfast is ready," Miss Jones called from the hallway. Daniel sighed but smiled, getting up. When he entered the cafeteria, his eyes were immediately drawn to the Christmas tree in the center. It was decorated simply, but with a charm that made the space feel cozy and festive. Beneath the tree were the presents he had secretly donated yesterday, along with a few that he hadn¡¯t. ''I guess they took the presents,'' he thought, a wave of relief washing over him. The children, all too eager, rushed toward the tree, their faces lit up with excitement. But before anyone could grab a gift, Miss Jones¡¯s voice rang out. "First, eat breakfast, then you¡¯ll all get a present." The kids let out a collective groan, but they didn¡¯t argue. They lined up, plates in hand, the chatter now replaced by the hum of excitement and impatience. Daniel grabbed his plate and made his way to his usual seat. When he finished, he set the plate aside, waiting for the others to finish. The anticipation of presents hung in the air. Finally, when everyone had eaten, Miss Jones smiled and walked over to the Christmas tree, ready to start handing out gifts. "Daniel," she called his name. He was a little startled when he heard his name, but he stood up and walked over to her. She handed him a bag filled with a mix of candies and a couple of comic books. "Thank you," Daniel said, a genuine smile forming as he accepted the gift. Miss Jones gave him a smile before calling out to the next child. Daniel returned to his seat, feeling content with the small gift. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The children wasted no time tearing into their gifts, some immediately diving into their sweets, others flipping through comic books. Daniel didn¡¯t really have anything to do, and he didn¡¯t want to train on Christmas. So, he joined in, playing a little with the younger kids and reading through the comics he''d received. A few hours later, they gathered for Christmas dinner, and afterward, Daniel helped with the cleaning. When everything was tidied up, he headed to his room, content with the day and ready to rest. The next morning, after his usual routine, he thought, ''I could head to the library, but it''s still a holiday, so it¡¯s probably closed.'' Instead, he made his way to the kitchen, where Ms. Smith was already busy preparing breakfast. "Good morning, Ms. Smith. Need any help?" he asked, eager to lend a hand. She glanced up from her work and smiled. "Welcome back, Daniel. You can wash the vegetables, let me know when you''re done." Daniel nodded and got to work, the rhythmic task of washing vegetables giving him a chance to clear his mind. After breakfast, he headed back to his room, his thoughts already turning to the rest of the day. ''I guess I¡¯ll train my Basic Spells skill. It¡¯s almost level 100,'' he thought, curious about what the next evolution of the skill will be. With that, he entered the Empty ID and began his training, the next few days passing in a blur. Monday, December 29, 1991 After breakfast, Daniel snuck out of the orphanage. He headed to the library, the same one he had visited before. When he reached a spot where he thought no one would see, he stepped out of the dungeon and made his way inside. The librarian glanced at him briefly but didn¡¯t acknowledge his presence, quickly returning to his book. Daniel grinned. ''Perfect,'' he thought. ''Now, time to see if there are any new skills to learn.'' He began searching the shelves for any glowing books, scanning the titles with focus. After a while, he¡¯d gathered a decent pile of books, ready to absorb their knowledge. As he began the process, he took breaks in between to avoid another painful headache. ''Not a bad haul,'' he thought as he finished absorbing the last book. He glanced at his newly acquired skills: [First Aid (Active) Lvl 1] [- Allows the user to properly clean and dress wounds, perform CPR, and handle basic medical situations.] [Survival Skills (Passive) Lvl 1] [- Increases the ability to survive in outdoor environments.] [Mechanical Repair (Active) Lvl 1] [- Increases success rate when fixing or maintaining common mechanical devices.] [Navigation (Active) Lvl 1] [- Increases accuracy when navigating through unfamiliar areas.] [Sewing (Active) Lvl 1] [- Improves efficiency in mending or making simple clothing. - The clothes you make are 2% more comfortable and durable.] ''Five new skills,'' he smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He exited the library, taking in the crisp air outside before deciding to observe some people around him. He used the skill on a random man passing by. The window appeared in his vision: [Martin Brown - Veteran Soldier - Lvl 16] [Martin Brown is a seasoned veteran soldier with a rugged, battle-hardened appearance. His sharp eyes and weathered face reflect years of combat experience. He¡¯s strong, disciplined, and skilled in tactics and survival, despite his quieter demeanor.] [Strength: 25 Agility: 22 Vitality: 26 Intelligence: 15 Wisdom: 21 Charisma: 10 Luck: 15] ''I can see stats now,'' Daniel thought, a grin creeping across his face. He continued observing, now keenly aware of the numbers hidden beneath each person. When he reached the orphanage, he snuck in and quietly observed the children too. With all the new information swirling in his mind, he returned to his room. Sitting at his desk, he pulled out his notebook from the inventory, his pen scratching against the paper as he wrote. ''I see. The average stats, besides Charisma and Luck, are 15, with trained individuals reaching as high as 35.'' ''Charisma and Luck vary, though. I saw someone with 75 Luck, but the rest of his stats were average.'' After a few more thoughtful moments, he put his notebook back into the inventory and spent the rest of the day training, his mind buzzing with new possibilities. Chapter 36 Back to Hogwarts Daniel spent the rest of his Christmas break doing two things. First, he focused on training his mental and physical stats. To train his mental stats, he read as many books as possible in the Muggle library, and to train his physical stats, he hunted in the dungeon and maintained his usual workout routine. At first, normal training seemed ineffective, barely increasing his stats anymore. But after investing in some training equipment, his progress surged again. The second thing he did was spend time with the kids at the orphanage. Whether it was playing games, reading stories, or helping the caretakers with chores. It was a nice change of pace, but like all good things, the break didn¡¯t last long. Sunday, January 5, 1992 Daniel woke up early, as usual. After doing his morning routine, he started packing for his return to Hogwarts. Technically, there was nothing to pack, he kept most of his belongings in his inventory. But to avoid suspicion, he went through the motions anyway, carefully considering what to physically pack versus what to leave stored away. Once finished, he sat down in his chair, reflecting on his progress. ''I gained six new skills over this break.'' He opened his skills window. ''Five from the library, and one from the shop where I bought my new training equipment.'' His eyes landed on his latest skill: [Physical Conditioning (Passive) - Lvl 8] [- Improves the efficiency and gains of the user''s physical training.] A smirk played on his lips. ''The new skill and the equipment really improved my stat gains.'' Just then, a knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. ¡°Breakfast is ready!¡± With one last glance at his status screen, he got up and headed to the cafeteria. After a quick meal and heartfelt goodbyes to the children and caretakers, he left with Miss Jones for King¡¯s Cross Station. Upon arriving at Platform 9?, he noticed the place was nearly empty. A quick Tempus spell showed he was an hour early. ''Better early than late,'' he thought, finding an empty compartment on the train. Settling in, he pulled out three small presents from his inventory, one for each of his closest friends. Closing his eyes, he leaned back and relaxed, waiting for them to arrive. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Before long, the compartment door slid open. He turned to see Michael stepping inside. ¡°Hey, how was Christmas?¡± Michael asked, plopping down onto the seat across from him. ¡°Pretty good. We got some anonymous donation of presents at the orphanage,¡± Daniel said with a grin. He reached into his bag and handed Michael a wrapped package. ¡°I would¡¯ve given you this on Christmas, but I forgot to ask for your address.¡± Michael blinked in surprise, his face tinged pink. ¡°Oh-uh, thanks! I didn¡¯t bring anything for you.¡± Daniel waved him off. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± They chatted for a while, and soon, the rest of their friends joined them. With laughter and conversation filling the compartment, the journey back to Hogwarts passed in no time. Back at school, they had the rest of the day free. Instead of wandering the castle or causing mischief, they lounged in the common room, catching up on everything that had happened over the break. The next day, lessons resumed, and Hogwarts life settled back into its usual rhythm. But in the middle of Charms class, as they practiced their spells, a notification suddenly popped up in Daniel¡¯s vision: [Your skill [Basic Spells (Passive) Lvl 100] has evolved.] He blinked and quickly opened his skills window. [Intermediate Spells (Passive) - Lvl 1] [- Helps with performing intermediate charms and jinxes. - Your intermediate charms and jinxes are 1% stronger.] A slow smile crept onto his face. ''Finally.'' He wanted to rush off immediately and see what new spells he could learn, but class wasn¡¯t over yet. Forcing himself to focus, he continued practicing, though anticipation buzzed in his mind. After Charms, and a painfully dull History of Magic lesson, he was finally free. Wasting no time, he headed straight to the library. His first objective? Finding the Invisibility Spell. Scanning the shelves, his eyes landed on the book he needed. ''There it is.'' The moment he absorbed the skill, the knowledge of the Disillusionment Charm filled his mind. ''Now, I can start exploring the castle again.'' Encouraged, he searched for more spells he could now learn. One, in particular, stood out, the Freezing Spell. His mind immediately jumped to the Pixie Dungeon. ''This will make hunting in the Pixie Dungeon ten times easier. I still haven¡¯t spawned the boss, but with this spell, it should be easy.'' Satisfied, he left the library and made his way to an empty dungeon to practice. Hours passed in the blink of an eye, and when he finally stepped outside, he realized it was already past curfew. ''Oops.'' Hurrying back to the common room, he slipped into the dormitory, only to find his friends still awake, waiting for him. ¡°Where were you?¡± Michael asked, narrowing his eyes. Daniel grinned. ¡°Exploring. Found something interesting. I¡¯ll show you later.¡± Terry, half-asleep, looked like he wanted to ask more but decided against it. Instead, they exchanged a few words before finally settling in for the night. As Daniel lay down, a single thought played in his mind. ''Tomorrow, I¡¯ll see if I can spawn the Pixie Boss.'' With that, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, already anticipating what was to come. Chapter 37 Secret Room Tuesday, 7th January 1992 The day went on like any other. Daniel¡¯s schedule was filled with Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions after breakfast, followed by Charms after lunch. And, of course, at midnight, there would be the Astronomy lesson. But that was still hours away, leaving him with plenty of time. ''Now¡¯s my chance to spawn the Pixies Dungeon Boss,'' he thought with a grin, anticipating the challenge. He had just started to leave the Charms classroom when a voice called out behind him. "So..." Michael began, his tone laced with curiosity. "Weren¡¯t you going to show us where you were yesterday?" Daniel froze mid-step. ''Right, that.'' ''Ugh, I totally forgot. Guess I¡¯ll just have to spawn the boss tomorrow,'' he thought, mentally shifting priorities. He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." Terry shot him a look, his eyebrows raised in mild disbelief. "Yeah, right." Daniel raised an eyebrow in return, catching his friend¡¯s skeptical gaze. "What¡¯s with the look?" Terry shrugged, a hint of concern in his voice. "It¡¯s just... you¡¯ve been spending more and more time alone lately." Daniel thought about it. ''Do I?'' He reflected for a moment, realizing that he had indeed been spending a lot of time training or hunting in the dungeon by himself. "Guess I¡¯ve been a bit of a bad friend," he muttered under his breath. "Sorry about that," he added, a bit of guilt creeping into his voice. "I got a little too absorbed in magic." Anthony, ever the easygoing one, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It¡¯s nothing, mate. Just don¡¯t disappear on us again, yeah?" "Yeah, thanks," Daniel muttered, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. They stood there for a moment in silence, before Terry spoke up, his voice softer now. "Yeah... I¡¯m sorry for questioning you too." The air lightened, and they all shared a smile. With the tension gone, Michael broke the silence. "So, where¡¯s this hidden place?" Daniel grinned "On the fourth floor. Follow me." They made their way up through the castle, following a quiet corridor at the far end of the fourth floor. It was dimly lit, and the cool stone walls gave the space a slight chill. When they reached the end, they stopped beside a large antique mirror. It stood inconspicuously in the middle of the hallway, its tarnished silver frame etched with faint runes. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Terry raised an eyebrow. "This is the place?" "Yep," Daniel said with a shrug. "I stumbled upon it while I was exploring." He stepped closer to the mirror, ran his fingers over its cool, worn surface, and used Observe. [Ancient Mirror on the Fourth Floor] [ An old, ornate mirror with a tarnished silver frame, covered in faint runes along its edges. The glass is slightly foggy, distorting reflections. Pressing the bottom-right corner with firm intent causes the mirror to shimmer and reveal a hidden passage. ] With a smile, Daniel stepped forward and pressed the bottom-right corner of the mirror, his intentions clear. The mirror shimmered for a moment, and then, to his friends¡¯ astonishment, it melted away, revealing a dark, narrow corridor. "Alright, let¡¯s go," Daniel said with urgency. "It¡¯ll close in about a minute." He stepped into the passage, and the others followed closely behind. As soon as they were all inside, the mirror shimmered back into existence behind them. From their side, they could see everything outside, but from the other side, the passage was completely hidden. "A one-way mirror," Michael observed with a mix of awe and amusement. "Yeah, pretty cool, right?" Daniel smiled. "Let¡¯s keep going." The corridor wasn¡¯t long, and at the end, they found a wooden door, old and weathered. With a creak, Daniel pushed it open, revealing a small, classroom-sized room, cloaked in darkness. As they stepped inside, the torches on the walls flickered to life, casting a soft glow over the room. In one corner stood a wooden table with a few chairs, all covered in dust, beneath a faded tapestry. In the opposite corner, there were training dummies, targets, and a few worn-out spell-torn dolls, clearly used for magic practice. The room had an air of abandonment, the dust thick in the corners, as if time had forgotten it. "Whoa..." Michael whispered in awe, his voice echoing slightly in the otherwise quiet space. Terry bounced on his heels, his eyes wide with excitement. "A secret meeting room!" he exclaimed, already imagining the possibilities. He walked toward the table, brushing his fingers across its surface. They began to explore, but the room yielded no more secrets, no papers, no hidden books, just a few old and dusty furnishings. Anthony eyed the dust-covered chairs and asked, "Do we, uh, wipe them down?" Daniel smirked, his wand already in hand. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got this." With a flick of his wrist, he cast "Scourgify!" The dust vanished in an instant, leaving the chair looking cleaner than they had in years. "Nice," Terry said, impressed. Daniel continued to clean the rest of the chairs and the table, and after a few moments, they all settled down. "We could use this place as a secret meeting room," Michael said, his voice full of excitement. "And practice our magic here too. It¡¯s perfect!" "Yeah, and I could teach you guys a few things," Daniel added with a grin, enjoying the idea of sharing his magical knowledge. Anthony smirked. "Like the Scouring Charm?" Daniel chuckled. "If you want. But check this out." He stood up and walked over to the training dummies, his wand at the ready. "Glacius!" he cast, and a wave of cold air burst from his wand, instantly covering the dummy in a thick layer of ice. "Ohh!" Michael gasped. "Teach me, please!" he added eagerly, clearly impressed. Daniel smiled, pleased with the effect. "Alright, alright, I¡¯ll teach you." He spent the next hour explaining the spell, and they all gave it a try, but after a couple of hours with little progress, they finally decided to call it quits. They still had to attend the Astronomy lesson. As they made their way back to the Astronomy Tower, they thought about what else they could do with the hidden room. Chapter 38 Pixie Boss Wednesday, 8 January 1992 Daniel woke up early, as usual. After waiting for his friends, they gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast. The air was filled with the smells of sizzling bacon and freshly baked bread. Conversation was light, and the mood was easy, as it always was before lessons began. The first lesson of the day was Herbology, where they learned about the Puffapod. Professor Sprout excitedly showed them the plant, its large pink seedpods gleaming under the sunlight. The beans inside shimmered, and when they touched any solid surface, the pods instantly bloomed. After Herbology, it was time for History of Magic. Daniel braced himself, ready to listen to another endless lecture about the Goblin War. But then, to his surprise, Professor Binns veered off into an entirely different topic. "All right, class, settle down. Today we''re discussing the Soap Blizzard of 1378!" Professor Binns announced, his voice echoing through the room. "The Soap Blizzard of 1378 was, in essence, a blizzard of soap that occurred sometime in that year. This event was followed by the 14th-century Wizarding Economic Bubble. And not long after, Gringotts Wizarding Bank was founded." Daniel blinked, puzzled. ''Soap Blizzard?'' he thought. ''Really?'' Just as he was processing it, Professor Binns switched topics again, returning to the familiar Goblin War. Daniel sighed, lost in his thoughts, as the lesson droned on. After the lecture ended, they had lunch, a quick break before Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. The lessons went by as usual. Finally, after the last class of the day, Daniel found himself walking out of the DADA classroom, a plan already forming in his mind. He had been thinking about spawning the Pixies Boss, but he didn¡¯t want to just run off like he used to. He had grown more mindful of his friends lately. ¡°I¡¯ll see you guys in three hours or so,¡± he said, turning to them. ¡°I¡¯ve got something I need to do.¡± Anthony looked up at him and nodded, ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll be in the secret room.¡± With that, they split up, and Daniel made his way to an empty classroom. He checked the hallways to make sure no one was nearby before stepping into the Pixies Dungeon. This time, there was no need for stealth. He¡¯d done this a hundred times before. As the sound of the pixies buzzed in the air, Daniel cast Glacius the moment he saw the first one, freezing it in place. A quick shot from a Magic Arrow, and it was done. After about 30 to 40 minutes of wandering through the dungeon, a notification popped up. [Due to the user killing 100 pixies in under 1 hour, the BOSS MONSTER will spawn in 30 seconds.] Daniel activated his Stealth skill and slid into the shadow of a thick root, keeping a low profile. Not long after, a glowing pixie appeared, flanked by a handful of other pixies. He immediately used Observe on it. [Swarm Mother, Boss Monster, Lvl 30] [A glowing pixie-like creature, the Swarm Mother is the ruler of this dungeon. Unlike ordinary pixies, she possesses four shimmering wings and an unsettling intelligence behind her eyes. She commands a swarm of aggressive pixies, using them as both a shield and a weapon. To defeat her, one must first eliminate her minions. Only then can she be struck down.] ''So this boss is a summoner¡­'' Daniel mused. He quickly analyzed his surroundings. The Swarm Mother always had pixies close by, acting as a shield. He needed to act quickly. Quietly, he snuck around to her back and cast Glacius, freezing the pixies in place. He didn¡¯t finish them off, just left them immobilized so they couldn¡¯t protect her. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Expecting some kind of magic, Daniel braced himself for an attack. But to his surprise, the Swarm Mother was frozen solid like the other monsters. Without hesitation, he fired a Magic Arrow at her, taking her down in one hit. [+3000 EXP] As the pixie fell, Daniel let out a quiet sigh. ''What a disappointment'', he thought. ''I¡¯m overleveled for this dungeon.'' He glanced at his stats and chuckled, realizing just how much stronger he had become. [Name: Daniel Wilson Level: 47 EXP: 290000/510000 Class: The Gamer HP: 2510/2510 MP: 2960/2960 SP: 2520/2520 Strength: 125 Agility: 126 Vitality: 126 Intelligence: 152 Wisdom: 130 Charisma: 107 Luck: 106 Stat Points: 159] With a grin, he turned his attention to the loot. He found a small silver ring with intricate engravings of fluttering wings. ''Not bad,'' he thought as he used Observe on it. [Ring of the Swarmmother] [A delicate silver ring with intricate engravings of fluttering wings circling the band. Its surface glimmers with embedded traces of pixie dust, occasionally releasing faint, shimmering sparks of magic. When worn, the ring allows the user to summon 10 pixies for 5 minutes. These pixies can assist in combat by distracting enemies, disarming traps, or scouting. They vanish after the duration ends. Cooldown: 1 hour.] He smiled, adding the ring to his inventory. After searching a little more for loot, he left the dungeon and found a quiet spot to sit down. [The Pixie Dungeon is too easy now. I think it¡¯s time for an upgrade.] He looked at his ID Create skill. [ID Create (Active) Lvl 19] [- Used to create Instant Dungeons - Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels Currently Available ID List: - Empty ID ¨C Monsters: none - Gnomes ID - Monsters: Gnomes - Pixies ID - Monsters: Cornish Pixies] ¡°One more level,¡± he muttered, standing up. ''Let¡¯s grind it out.'' With determination, he started creating and destroying dungeons, pushing the skill to its limit. After about 20 minutes, he saw that the skill had leveled up. A satisfied grin spread across his face. ''Let¡¯s check what¡¯s new,'' he thought as he opened the skill. [ID Create (Active) Lvl 20] [- Used to create Instant Dungeons - Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels Currently Available ID List: - Empty ID ¨C Monsters: none - Gnomes ID - Monsters: Gnomes - Pixies ID - Monsters: Cornish Pixies - Erklings ID - Monsters: Erklings] ''Erklings?'' Daniel thought, narrowing his eyes. ''Never heard of them... should I go now or look into what they are and come back later?'' He thought for a moment, then shrugged. ''The Pixie Dungeon was too easy for me now. This can¡¯t be so much harder.'' He sighed, steeled his nerves, and entered the dungeon. Immediately, he was struck by the change in atmosphere. It wasn¡¯t a cave or enclosed space but a forest. It was night, and the trees stretched endlessly in every direction. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting soft, shifting shadows across the moss-covered ground. The air was eerily still, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. He crept into the shadows of a nearby tree and activated his Stealth skill. ''I guess I¡¯ll scout first,'' he thought, heading off in a random direction. A few minutes later, he spotted something, a camp with a fire in the center. His curiosity piqued, he watched from the shadows. ''Are Erklings intelligent?'' he wondered. Then, the soft sound of singing reached his ears. It wasn¡¯t bad, just a strange, melodic tune that seemed oddly inviting. "Into darkness taking flight, whispers on the wings of night, follow us, our lovely tune, as above the smiling moon, Diddle-dee-dee, diddle-dee-doe, not far now, not far to go, Into twilight, into gloom, sing the sound of dawdling doom, follow us, our lovely song, know that we can do no wrong, Diddle-dee-dee, diddle-dee-doe..." ''Not bad,'' Daniel thought with a raised eyebrow, moving higher up the tree for a better view. His heart skipped a beat when he first laid eyes on an Erkling. ''It looks like a child-sized Slenderman,'' he thought, suddenly feeling very uneasy. Quickly, he used Observe on one. [Erkling, Lvl 27] [Erklings are sinister, elf-like creatures, about three feet tall with sharp, pointed faces and glowing eyes. Their high-pitched cackles lure children into the forest, where they are snatched away. Erklings find human children particularly delicious and speak human language to deceive their prey.] ''Yeah, not fighting this today,'' Daniel thought, his stomach turning. He silently backed away from the camp, deciding to exit the dungeon for now. After leaving the dungeon, he found his friends in the secret room. He sat down beside them, and they started talking and joking around. For now, the dungeon and its creepy Erklings would have to wait.