Magic and Desire

"Now that you can control your own magic to perform some magic tricks, maybe we can try combining spells to release even more magic," Felix's voice slowly emerged in the living room.

"Really?!" Harry, who had been reading a book on the table, suddenly became excited. A week had passed since he successfully lit a fire for the first time.

Driven by his newfound confidence, he could now conjure fire, manipulate branches, or make flowers bloom prematurely.

At first, he felt a sense of pride, but later Mr. Lucifer quietly informed him that at his age, Uncle Felix had already mastered perfect control over his magical abilities, capable of casting spells effortlessly.

"I remember lying on my bed and casting spells with my feet, even breathing fire from my butt," Mr. Lucifer chuckled.

Harry didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Nevertheless, since then, he had grown even more in awe of Uncle Felix's powers...

"The first spell we'll work on is the Restoring Charm," Felix announced, opening the "Standard Spells - Elementary" book and pushing it toward Harry.

[Reparo]

This spell could mend damaged items, returning them to their original state.

Having read numerous magic books by now, Harry was already familiar with this spell. The book also contained detailed instructions on the incantation's pronunciation and wand movement.

He glanced up at Felix, who wore a proud expression resembling that of a cat, nodding in approval. "Yes, that's right. No wand needed, just use your hands."

Harry wasn't disappointed; instead, he was intrigued. He just wanted a definitive answer.

"You can use your hands as a wand, and your glasses as the target," Felix suggested.

Harry's glasses were in a sorry state—temples and nose pads held together by tape, cracks on the lenses. A perfect target for restoration.

Nodding, Harry removed his glasses, placed them on the table, and prepared to try again.

"Reparo!" Harry waved his finger in front of his eyes, reciting the spell.

The glasses twitched twice on the table before settling down again.

"Don't worry, kid," Felix reassured, standing beside him and extending his hand. "Watch my movements closely."

With a swish, Felix cast the spell: "Reparo!"

Suddenly, the tape on Harry's glasses spun around, emitting a small silver light that repaired the damaged areas. The cracks in the lenses began to shrink and merge until they disappeared entirely, leaving behind a brand-new pair of glasses. The rust on the temples vanished, and the broken parts were seamlessly mended. The old tape lay discarded on the table.

"Wow!" Harry exclaimed in admiration. It was rare for him to observe spellcasting in such detail. The sensation of reality being rewritten amazed him.

"Merlin, the founder of modern magic, combined runes, Latin, ancient Greek, and Egyptian magical texts, laying a solid foundation for modern magic," Felix explained slowly.

"Can you tell me the three elements of modern magic?" he quizzed.

"Gestures, spells, and intent!" Harry responded promptly, his study of magic books during this period proving fruitful. In addition to spells, transfiguration, and potions, he had delved into many history books.

"What distinguishes modern magic from ancient magic fundamentally?" Felix inquired further.

Harry pondered for a moment before replying, "Intent!"

"Yes, before Merlin's time, apart from some dark magic in ancient Egypt that required malicious intent, most ancient magic was strictly rational. Runes, formations, or spells that tapped into the origin of the world left no room for error. Precision was paramount for excellence in magic during that era."

"After Merlin, he pioneered the amalgamation of diverse knowledge and streamlined magic spells and runes, enabling individuals to cast spells successfully by reciting just a word or a short phrase."

Felix illustrated his point by drawing runes on the table.

"These simplified spells and gestures serve as the framework during the casting process. Our intent to cast spells guides the laws of the world, ensuring they follow the predefined path of our framework to manifest our desires," Felix elucidated.

Harry nodded understandingly. "I see."

Felix nodded in return, then waved his hand. With a flash of silver light, the glasses reverted to their previous dilapidated state, the tape winding back around them.

Seeing Harry's astonished expression, Felix grinned. "There's no better training tool than this, is there?"

Harry couldn't help but agree with a wry smile. "You're right..."

Although Felix was newly acquainted with magic in this world, his vast theoretical knowledge and spellcasting experience had already equipped him with mastery over many simple spells.

However, he had deliberately refrained from repairing Harry's glasses earlier, even neglecting the various minor damages in the castle. He had been waiting for this moment.

After all, practice makes perfect, right?

And he certainly wasn't acting as a babysitter.

With that in mind, Harry resumed his practice, repeating the incantation over and over again: "Reparo!"

Hours passed, yet there was no change in his glasses. Harry looked at Felix with a hint of desperation, seeking answers.

Felix smiled knowingly, retrieving "Modern History of Magic" from the nearby shelf and flipping to a specific page before handing it to Harry.

"The answer lies within these pages," Felix remarked.

Harry felt a pang of confusion, but he dutifully began reading, scouring each word for clues. After a while, he stumbled upon a particular passage.

"...The incorporation and evolution of Latin and English have undoubtedly altered spellcraft. It's evident that all spells in this era are mere replicas of ancient incantations.

Modern spells utilize Latin characters developed over centuries, inevitably leading to discrepancies in spell records and authentic pronunciation.

Thus, in the study of contemporary spells, one must relinquish everyday speech habits and discern the awkward cadences, pitch variances, and phonetic shifts to swiftly master a spell..."

Harry's ears flushed with embarrassment. He had previously glanced at this page but had been too engrossed in the thrilling historical narratives to notice this particular passage.

"Reparo—"

Felix interjected slowly, "Raise and lower slowly, enunciate 'o' in a low tone."

Harry nodded, refocusing on his glasses and attempting the spell several more times, this time paying close attention to the cracks in the lenses.

He realized that if he couldn't repair his glasses in one fell swoop, he would need to proceed step by step.

As he recited the spell once more, a faint silver light emerged at the edge of the crack in the spectacle lens, tracing along its length.

Wherever the silver light passed, the crack vanished.

Harry lifted his glasses, beaming at Felix. "Uncle Felix, I did it!"

Impressed, Felix nodded approvingly. With practice, Harry should be able to repair the entire glasses unaided. And given guidance, he could mend larger objects effortlessly.

"Not bad," Felix praised, then added with a smile, "But you're not quite there yet."

"Why not?" Harry queried, puzzled by the enigmatic grin on Felix's face.

"If you can mend those old items scattered around the castle, then I'll be convinced," Felix challenged.