Harry Potter: The Planewalker

After the initial excitement, Christian began to frown. As he summarized his previous battle and what he had learned from watching these two fights, he realized he would be defeated if he confronted either of them.

'Their attack potency is even more powerful than mine with the elder wand, but that's not the main issue,' he analyzed. 'The main problem is their way of fighting and my lack of mobility.' These two were well-trained in both magical and physical battles, and they perfectly combined these different fields.

Meanwhile, Christian has stopped practicing his fencing for over a year and cannot move as fast as these two. 'If I knew how to Apparate and use it in battle, this would not be much of an issue.'

If he could Apparate, Christian could deal with it when they came for a close combat attack, as his own mobility would not hinder him.

'I cannot improve my attack potency now, but I might find a solution to my mobility,' he concluded. It was not the time to learn Apparition, and he would not risk the danger of learning alone. So, the best option would be to find a spell in the library that can increase his movement speed so he can dodge or distance himself from these kinds of opponents.

'The library should have such a spell. Let's hope it's on the second level.'

Christian no longer hesitated. After checking on Kallista and discovering she was second in her group, he headed directly to the second level, ignoring the creepy stare that Orphelia was secretly giving him. It took him a while to reach his destination as he had to ask for directions, but eventually, he found his way.

The library clerk checked his newly acquired [Second Class Apprentice] status from his identity card before allowing Christian's entry. He then immediately asked the clerk where the spells were located, and the man politely answered him.

'It seems people were still observing the other matches,' thought Christian, noticing how few people were at this level. He did not hesitate to head to Section U7, where most of the spells at this level were.

"Oh, Curator, you scared me.' Christian was not expecting someone waiting for him in that aisle, and he was caught off guard.

"I said I would give you a gift if you perform well, and I'm here to keep my word," said the Curator, going straight to the point. A book with a black cover appeared in his hand.

"Arcane Magic?" asked Christian after reading the cover.

"I believe it's called Ancient Magic in your reality."

"This is a book that teaches Ancient Magic?" Christian swiftly opened it, but the entire thing was empty except for a small circle on the first page with directions to place his palm on it. So, he looked at the Curator with a puzzled expression.

"Humans can only learn Arcane Magic at age 15 or 16 and need a specific talent. The book contains an enchantment to test your age and talent before the content is revealed."

"Specific talent, huh?" Christian was unaware of this aspect of ancient magic. He remembered the Keepers were selective about who taught this magic in the game, but there was no mention that only people with certain gifts could learn it.

"You don't have to worry about it since you have the talent."

"I do? How do you know?"

The Curator sighed, "It's really sad how little you know. With your destiny, ignorance means unpreparedness, which usually leads to death." 

"Then, why don't you enlighten me?"

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Both," replied the Curator. "Although I can tell you that your Magus Eyes mean on your 15th or 16th birthday, you will awaken the ability to see the Arcane Energy freely floating in nature, and that will greatly help you master [Ancient Magic] (he used air quotes)."

"Is that so?" muttered Christian. He remembered that the main character in Hogwarts Legacy and the Keepers' leader, Percival Rackam, had the same ability. But it was never mentioned that his ability was called the Magus Eyes.

"You said your gift might save my life one day. What does that mean?"

"Do you have someone you trust who would do anything for you?" the Curator asked instead of responding.

"Huh, my mother and my aunts. Maybe my uncle."

"Are they the ones who trained you?"

"My mother did."

"She did a wonderful job," praised the Curator. "Anyway, give the book to these people and see if they have the talent. Tell them to learn the content but not publicly reveal its power until your 14th birthday."

"And if they don't have the talent?"

"I recommend you find someone who does and enslaves their souls to force them to be your guardian." Christian was immediately speechless about how swiftly this conversation had shifted.

"Think I'm too ruthless?"

Christian did not answer.

"Your future is bleak. If you want a chance at surviving, you must tap into the darkness in your heart without allowing it to consume you. Remember my words, as they might save your life."

The Curator suddenly disappeared, but his voice echoed one last time: "One more thing: I will give you another gift if you perform well in the third test."

Christian was left with the book in his hand, feeling frustrated beyond words. He appreciated the Curator's gift, but did not like how the other knew much about his situation but didn't tell him anything. He sighed before putting the book in his bag and searching for the spell he wanted. He immediately noticed that many books had an invisible golden thread to indicate the ones he could use, just like on the first level.

He looked around and noticed that only a small percentage of the spells had white marks on them, and that made him frown. He swiftly checked, and that's when he learned the most popular magic system in this place is [Hymn Magic], while the one he's used to — [Incantation Magic] — is a less popular form of magic, hence why some spells are common amongst regular wizards.

Luckily, Christian found a spell called the Acceleration Charm, with the incantation Velomotus. 'Velox, Latin for swift, and Motus, the word for movement. This should do,' thought Christian. After taking this scroll, he decided to check Hymn Magic as he remembered how the Curator said the theories or contents of the books did not fit the rules of his reality; he wanted to know what that meant.

After finding the right book or scroll, he immediately started reading and discovered his answer. The core components of magic in his 'reality" are Focus or Concentration, the Power of Words, Visualization, and Intent. Hymn Magic replaced the power of words with the power of vibrations and frequencies. All spells or magic theories are based on using vibrations to manipulate the world around them. 

'So, people with musical talents are more suited for this magic system, especially the ones with perfect pitch — they would be considered geniuses.' Christian was glad Incantation Magic was the mainstream in his reality, as his musical talent was great, but still far away from the genius tier.

"However, it still does not make sense why Hymm's spells and theories would not work at home," he muttered.

"It's because your world lacks [Mystery]."

Christian lowered his scroll to look at the cat before him. He paused briefly before asking, "What do you mean by [Mystery]?"

"Have you heard of the Laws of Physics?"

"I have."

"Think of the Laws of Mystery as the same. It's why any reality, realm, or dimension can have magic or supernatural abilities. Once it dissipates, the Laws of Physics will completely govern a world, and magic will be gone forever."

Christian suddenly thought of Jim's world.

"Are you saying [Mystery] is a quantifiable thing, and due to the lack of it, this realm's magic cannot work in my reality?"

"I have said enough."

"You must be related to the Curator," Christian said, rolling his eyes.

"That's a fair assumption," replied Mimir.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm just curious about you, so I came."

"I'm assuming you won't answer my questions like him?"

"Another fair assumption."

Christian shook his head before putting away the scrolls and heading to his hotel. He needed to prepare for the third trial.