2

Chapter 2: The Professor Arrives

July 28th, early morning.

"Didn't you sleep well last night?"

"Nope."

Ethan nodded at Philemon Adrian, who sat reading the newspaper on the sofa.

Indeed, he had spent the past two days deeply engrossed in studying magic.

The Imperius Curse, Killing Curse, and Cruciatus Curse—each had been meticulously practiced on mice due to their prohibition on human use. This rigorous experimentation had left him sleep-deprived and weary.

Thanks to these mice, Ethan had gained profound insights into magic.

Successful spellcasting typically required a wand, gestures, incantations, emotions, and magical output. However, full-level spells bypassed the need for wands and gestures, relying solely on emotion and magical output.

With his "Heart of Darkness" talent, Ethan didn't even require emotional influence, casting spells purely through controlled magical output. In just two days, he had progressed from casting the Killing Curse with hand gestures to merely a glance—potentially lethal.

The sheer potency of the full-level Killing Curse and his augmented dark talents surpassed even Voldemort's prowess.

Regrettably, such spells could not be openly employed.

During this process, Ethan also achieved two milestones:

[Wandless Casting]

Advanced spellcasting skill—a significant stride along the magical path.

Achievement: Successfully cast a spell without a wand.

Reward: Random spell.

[True Eyes of Light]

Radiant eyes—the epitome of magical elegance!

Achievement: Successfully cast a light-related spell with both eyes.

Reward: Random spell.

The rewards—a "Petrification Curse" and a spell called "Energy Siphoning"—proved satisfactory.

The "Petrification Curse," a well-documented spell with modest efficacy, and "Energy Siphoning," a variant resembling a certain three-handed technique but modified.

However, unlike the full-level spells in the novice gift pack, these were rudimentary, first-level forms.

While Ethan understood spells and gestures, he couldn't cast without a wand. Today, though, he would acquire one.

According to yesterday's owl correspondence, a Hogwarts professor would guide new students today—remarkable speed for an owl.

Simultaneously, Ethan's panel updated:

Name: Ethan Adrian

Age: 11

Bloodline: Wizard

Talents: "Enhanced Soul" (Heightened learning efficiency and spellcasting speed.) "Robust Physique" (Enhanced physical fitness and magical adaptability through exercise.) "Heart of Darkness" (Master black magic without emotional influence.)

Spells: Killing Curse (10), Cruciatus Curse (10), Imperius Curse (10), Energy Siphoning (1), Petrification Curse (1)

"If I were him, I'd be too excited to sleep!"

Philemon set aside the newspaper, showing empathy.

Children inevitably yearned for the magical realm. Despite Ethan's typically precocious demeanor, his current excitement was typical for his age.

"I'm not excited, just fatigued from magic studies."

Ethan reclined on the sofa, voicing his exhaustion.

"What have you concluded?"

"Without a wand, magic remains inaccessible. So, I must procure one."

Philemon chuckled wryly, recognizing Ethan's jest.

"Alright, it's breakfast time for both of you."

Just as Philemon prepared to respond, Nitia's voice called from behind.

Nitia seldom ventured into the kitchen—nannies managed domestic affairs. She was not a conventional homemaker.

At Adrian Maritime, Nitia oversaw operations. During busy periods, she and Philemon might be away for a month.

The couple, having returned from America the day before yesterday, attached great importance to Ethan's enrollment at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Though unfamiliar with wizards, they acknowledged the likelihood of Ethan's acceptance—bolstered by the trained owl's credibility.

Engaged in maritime shipping, their profession revealed peculiar sea tales. Outsiders dismissed drunken sailors' sightings as barroom tales, but industry insiders acknowledged truth, reporting such incidents for specialized resolution.

Moreover, familial ties with the British Navy afforded insights into the wizarding world, passed down through generations.

...

Precisely at nine o'clock.

The Ethan family awaited, seated upright on the sofa, as the doorbell chimed.

"I'll get it!"

Philemon drew a deep breath, rising to answer the door—a rare moment of nervousness.

Per his father's counsel, wizarding affairs warranted discretion—better kept from public knowledge. Hence, the household staff enjoyed the day off, obliging Philemon to handle matters personally.

A dark green robe and wizard's hat greeted him at the threshold, followed by a stern-faced woman in her sixties sporting square-framed glasses.