NOVEL WEB Chapter 32 Magic Learning
Three weeks later, in the Room of Requirement.
This time, the room had transformed into a cozy study.
Two rows of bookshelves lined the left and right walls, filled with all sorts of books and notes. Most of them were of little value, likely left behind by students over the years as supplemental reading.
Opposite the door stood a tall floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, a magically simulated storm raged, thunder and lightning flashing against the glass. Inside, however, the wool carpet underfoot and the roaring fire in the fireplace made the space feel especially warm and inviting.
Seated on a soft sofa, Peter closed the book in his hands and rubbed his tired eyes.
"System."
A translucent panel appeared before him:
[Host: Peter Weasley]
[Magic Power Scale: 438 (Average adult wizard: 500)]
[Talents: Charms 7, Dark Arts 6, Transfiguration 8, Potions 10, Herbology 6, Divination 2 (Max value: 10)]
[Spells: Occlumency LV5 (MAX)... Obliviate LV0 (0/2), Reducto LV0 (0/2), Disillusionment Charm LV0 (0/2), Vanishing Spell LV0 (0/3), Silencing Charm LV0 (0/3),... Revelio LV0 (0/4), Patronus Charm LV0 (0/4), Incendio LV0 (0/5)...]
[Potions: Elixir of Euphoria, Enhancer, Veritaserum, Wit-Sharpening Potion, Amortentia, Bafey Brain Refresher, Polyjuice Potion...]
[Reputation Points: 22]
Staring at the updated stats, Peter slowly nodded to himself, a flicker of realization crossing his mind.
A month had passed.
Ever since Peter received Professor Snape's rare permission to borrow advanced books from the Restricted Section, he had spent nearly all his time aside from attending classes holed up in the Room of Requirement.
After a long period of relentless study, he finally reached the end of the material.
Peter set the book down, let out a deep breath, and shook his head to ease the dizziness from so much intense concentration. He then called up his system panel.
The list of newly unlocked spells and potions brought a surge of joy to his quiet heart.
These were things he had longed for over the past few years but had never been able to reach. Even relatively common spells like the Reducto or Obliviate were difficult to find sources for.
That was because these spells were restricted by the Ministry of Magic. Unless someone was formally enrolled at a recognized institution like Hogwarts where students were registered and monitored independent or "wild" wizards had little to no chance of learning them.
There were many such wild wizards in the magical world. Some were bitten in childhood and turned into werewolves or vampires. Others were undocumented dark wizards who had fled from other countries.
Not all dark wizards were as "elite" as the Death Eaters. Plenty lived on the fringes of society, involved in small-scale mischief and drifting in and out of the gray areas of the law.
What surprised Peter most was that Snape had actually allowed him to borrow a book that touched on the dark arts.
Most of the content in Introduction to the Dark Arts consisted of basic poison spells and minor curses. But at the very end of the book, someone had inserted a page of handwritten notes.
It recorded three spells: the "Invisible Divine Sharpness," the counter-spell "Speedy Healing," and the Fiendfyre Curse.
Peter didn't even need to guess who had written it.
Of course it was Snape. As a former Death Eater, he clearly had no qualms about dabbling in the dark arts.
Naturally, Snape wouldn't be reckless enough to suggest that Peter go and practice the Unforgivable Curses right away.
But even so, Peter was already more than satisfied. Without Snape's help, it might have taken him four or five years just to get access to spells of this level.
When it came to dark magic, his only other path would have been to seek out wild wizards, head to Knockturn Alley, or try his luck in the underground markets.
That route was full of danger. The underground world was crawling with swindlers and criminals. If all you lost was a bit of money, that would be considered lucky. Many black market wizards wouldn't hesitate to rob you or worse.
After staring at his system panel for a while, Peter pressed his fingers to his forehead, sobering up from his earlier excitement.
"There are just too many new spells. If I try to master them all on my own, it will take forever. The best approach is to spend a few reputation points to upgrade one or two spells to beginner or intermediate level, and then practice the rest through repetition."
"Twenty-two reputation points won't cut it... I need to boost my income."
With that thought, Peter stopped hesitating. He poured all his reputation points into upgrading the Scarpin Revealing Spell, pushing it to Level 2 (10/16).
This spell was going to be a huge asset for potion development, and potions were directly tied to boosting his monthly earnings and reputation gains.
While he was still at Hogwarts, investing every available point into practical skills like this was clearly the smartest move.
After selecting the ingredients, Peter pulled out a bottle of Scabies Potion and poured it into a cup. With a practiced flick of his wand and a voice as steady as if he had cast it a thousand times before, he chanted:
"Revelaspell."
Instantly, his vision shifted. The potion in the cup began to glow.
Different hues swirled on the surface, a strange blend of overlapping colors, yet each was sharp and distinguishable.
Peter could suddenly feel it this completed potion could be unraveled.
He waved his wand again.
The blue liquid inside the cup began to separate under the influence of a mysterious force. The vibrant color faded, shifting back toward the distinct shades of venomous snake fangs, dried nettle, and other raw ingredients.
The intricate magical formation that had fused these materials into a potion was now collapsing under the spell. And under the same influence, it attempted to revert, restoring each component to its original form as much as possible.
Peter studied the separated potion for a while, then calmly poured the Scabies Potion out.
It was useless now. The Scarpin Revealing Spell could reverse the potion's structure, but it couldn't restore it once broken down.
"What an incredible spell. I wonder how that wizard named Scarpin even created something like this?"
He let out a quiet sigh. "Shame he's long gone. Probably not even dust left in his grave…"
After tidying up the room and disposing of the magical waste, Peter stretched his back and decided it was time to head back to the dormitory for some sleep.
Starting tomorrow, he would officially begin crafting and developing potions.
He already had several ideas swirling in his mind and was eager to make some breakthroughs.
But as he exited the Room of Requirement and stepped into the corridor, he came face-to-face with someone he hadn't expected.
Standing under the flickering torchlight on the eighth floor, in a plum-colored night robe and a childish lavender sleeping cap, was none other than the most powerful white wizard of the age
Albus Dumbledore.
"Oh good evening, Mr. Peter Weasley. Are you also out here looking for the toilet?" the old man asked with complete seriousness.
"…Huh?"
Peter blinked, completely stunned.
Dumbledore continued with a gentle smile, "Ah, so you've discovered this place too. Fascinating, isn't it? I've walked this corridor hundreds of times over the centuries, and yet it wasn't until one particularly desperate night when I urgently needed the loo that this room suddenly appeared before me. And inside were every kind of lavatory I could imagine. Ever since, it's become one of my favorite little secrets. Thank Merlin!"
This old fox is playing dumb again…
Peter caught on quickly and replied with an easy smile, bowing slightly. "It's certainly a magical room, Headmaster. But I wasn't here for the toilet. I'm still young I don't usually need to get up at night."
Dumbledore, eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles, acted as if he hadn't noticed the book Peter was carrying. "Yes, yes… age is quite unforgiving. I envy your youth, Peter. Still, do give the room a try sometime. You may find it… relieving."
Peter gave a slight shrug. "I might not be visiting again anytime soon."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"I've nearly finished studying the book. Next, I plan to start developing potions refining my own theories. I'm afraid I'll be buried in notes for a while. Sorry to disappoint you, Headmaster."
Dumbledore chuckled. "No disappointment at all. Severus has spoken highly of you. Called you Slytherin's young Potions genius."
Peter offered a modest smile. "That's all thanks to Professor Snape's guidance and your generosity, of course. It's getting late, Headmaster. I should return to the dormitory. Good night."
"Good night, Mr. Weasley."
Two foxes, one older and one younger, exchanged pleasantries like any ordinary meeting in the hall just a friendly chat, nothing more.
But both knew it was anything but that.