Chapter 7: Night of Magic

Late at night, on Tibey Avenue, the light from the second-floor window of residence number 19 was still on.

Albert was rapidly reading through the contents of a book, effortlessly increasing his speed reading skill to level 2. His memory had significantly improved as well. Ordinary people didn't possess this ability, and Albert was undoubtedly stronger in terms of memory.

Just a moment ago, Albert discovered another unfamiliar skill: Wizard's Bloodline, level 0.

Ordinary experience couldn't level up this skill; it could only be upgraded using skill points.

This was the first time Albert had encountered such a situation. He hesitated for a moment but decided to raise the Wizard's Bloodline to level 1.

After upgrading the skill, Albert noticed that his efficiency in learning magic had increased. His magical power seemed stronger, and he grasped the Light Spell faster. With just a few minutes of practice, he managed to raise the skill to level 1.

It meant that Albert had achieved a basic understanding of this spell. Even without consciously focusing, he could easily use it.

Should he invest all his skill points into it? Albert hesitated. Skill points were difficult to obtain, and he needed to reserve some for himself.

However, after much contemplation, he still used the remaining 2 skill points, only to find out that it could only raise the skill by one level. What a disappointment!

After upgrading the Wizard's Bloodline to level 2, Albert didn't feel any other changes.

Could it be a passive skill? Albert felt a bit frustrated, but he didn't regret it. He walked out of his room and began to try the Unlocking Spell.

With a wand in one hand and the book "Standard Spells for Beginners" in the other, Albert followed the gestures taught in the book. He waved it lightly twice, resembling a reversed S shape, which felt quite awkward.

After a few more attempts, Albert locked the door with a flick of his wrist, using the Alohomora spell.

Albert reached out and twisted the lock a few times, but it didn't open.

He failed.

Although the failure was expected, there was still good news. Another unlocking spell appeared on the panel, but this time, there was no experience gained.

"Albert, what are you doing?" A girl's voice sounded from behind. Nia, dressed in her pajamas, appeared at the end of the hallway.

Albert turned his head to look at his younger sister. He knew how she must be feeling, as if she had caught a thief stealing snacks.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Albert asked.

"I can't sleep!" Nia complained. "You're so sneaky. You're secretly practicing magic, aren't you?"

Albert felt a bit embarrassed, but it was true. It was like being caught stealing... uh, eating sweets. He was being humble.

"I want to play too!" Nia stared fixedly at Albert's wand.

"But this is not a toy!" Albert shook his head. He wouldn't allow his sister to use the wand.

Children are least capable of restraint; they act based on their own preferences, and nobody knows what kind of trouble they might cause.

Of course, the assumption is that Nia is also a wizard.

After all, Albert himself is a wizard, so the probability of Nia being a wizard is high. That's why he wouldn't let Nia easily attempt to use the wand, at least not for now.

"You're so sneaky. Aren't you secretly playing with it yourself?" Nia complained, like a child whose toy had been taken away.

"Why don't you go back to sleep?" Albert changed the subject.

"No, I can't sleep."

"Then let me tell you a story!" Albert took out his keys, reopened the door, and walked inside.

"Albert is so cunning!" Nia muttered, but she still picked up Tom and walked into Albert's room.

As soon as Tom entered the room, he sniffed around as if looking for an owl, showing a strong objection to the birdcage near the window.

"Alright, Tom. Sheila went out to hunt!" Albert picked up the short-haired cat, gave it a belly rub, and didn't forget to put the wand in the drawer, lock it, and put the key in his pocket. It was like protecting against thieves. Albert knew his sister's personality too well.

"Hmph! Is it necessary to be so cautious?" Nia pouted unhappily.

"I don't know you well enough," Albert rolled his eyes at Nia. "If you get hold of the wand, who knows, you might blow up our house? Don't promise me anything. I don't want you suddenly losing an arm one day, or worse, your life."

"I won't," Nia felt a little guilty.

It was indeed a similar situation in the past. It happened not long after Tom arrived at their house. Nia got injured because she treated Tom roughly, and she still remembered how angry Albert scolded her.

That was the first time Nia saw Albert angry.

"Don't forget the lesson," Albert retorted. "Do you still want to listen to the story?"

"Fine!" Nia leaned back on the cushion, stroked Tom's fur, and quietly listened to Albert telling a fairy tale. He had become quite skilled at it, originally practicing for oral proficiency and improving his English level. After all, he wasn't a native English speaker in his core. Despite being influenced by his time travel, he still had some gaps in this area.

It's worth mentioning that he also mastered another foreign language, French, through experience points raised by one level. Albert would be considered a genius, and it wasn't without reason.

"Albert, do you think I'll be able to use magic in the future?" Nia suddenly asked.

"You should be able to. I can use magic, so Nia should be able to as well," Albert reassured her.

"That's because you're a genius. You're quick at learning everything."

"It has nothing to do with being a genius!" Albert sighed. "We're siblings. If I can do it, you should be able to too."

"But Grandfather can't. He says everyone in his family can use magic except him," Nia murmured. "And Dad can't either."

Poor Herbert was innocent but got caught in the crossfire.

"Even if you can't use magic, you can do other things," Albert reassured her.

"You're so cunning. You can already use magic, yet you say such things to comfort others. Tom, attack him!" Nia grabbed Tom's paw and placed it on Albert's face.

As the night grew deeper, Nia fell asleep unknowingly.

The door was pushed open, and Daisy and Herbert, dressed in pajamas, entered the room, looking helpless as they gazed at their sleeping daughter.

"She finally fell asleep," Herbert whispered, picking up Nia and returning her to her own room.

"Goodnight, Albert. Rest early and don't stay up late. You can read your books tomorrow," Daisy kissed Albert's face softly. "Your dad and I won't object to your decision."

"Goodnight." Albert stifled a yawn, pushed Tom away with his hand. The lazy cat just lazily rolled over, seemingly unwilling to move from its spot.

"Never mind. Goodnight, Tom." Albert pushed the cat aside, played with the pillow a bit, and found a comfortable position to rest. He was already quite tired.

But, come to think of it, magic really is a fascinating thing.

(End of this chapter)