C 63

"Kain, look! My spell is working!" Hermione Granger exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as she watched the bread float effortlessly in the air before her. After just two days of practice, she had successfully cast her very first spell.

"That's amazing, Hermione!" Kain praised, genuinely impressed.

Since their visit to Diagon Alley, Kain had rented a small garden house located just a street away from the Grangers' home. This proximity made it easy for Hermione to visit him daily, with only a twenty-minute walk separating them.

Kain was aware of Hermione's passion for magic and her eagerness to learn more. After returning from Diagon Alley, she had implored her parents to allow her to spend time with Kain to read books and understand the wizarding world better.

At first, Mrs. Granger was somewhat apprehensive about her daughter's frequent visits. To alleviate her concerns, she had accompanied Hermione to Kain's house a couple of times.

However, it didn't take long for Mrs. Granger to realize that Hermione and Kain were simply engrossed in sorting through magical texts, discussing the Daily Prophet, or examining various magical materials. When the discussions turned dry, they would read together, and lunchtime was spent in animated conversation.

After observing their routine for a couple of days, Mrs. Granger grew bored. The topics surrounding magic were far beyond her understanding, so she eventually excused herself to return to the dental clinic she operated with her husband.

Although she felt she had not gained much insight from her time there, she was comforted by the fact that Hermione was safe with Kain. Despite their limited interactions, it was clear to her that Kain and Hermione shared a deep passion for magic, even more intense than her husband's.

Meanwhile, Hermione's collection of books remained insufficient. Although the Grangers had borrowed some Galleons from Kain during their outing in Diagon Alley, these funds had only covered the cost of a few new clothes for Hermione.

In contrast, Kain's extensive collection included hundreds of magical books, roomfuls of magical materials, and advanced textbooks that would be far too costly for her family to acquire. The cheapest items in the bookstore were Hogwarts textbooks, which were still a financial stretch for families like the Weasleys.

Kain welcomed Hermione's visits with open arms. He recognized her remarkable talent, especially her aptitude for potion-making, as she had successfully brewed a potion during her second year at Hogwarts—a feat that even seasoned graduates struggled to accomplish on their first attempt.

With such a gift, if Hermione dedicated herself to potion-making, she could easily become a master, perhaps even surpassing the renowned Severus Snape.

"Hermione, can I try it too?" Kain asked, picking up one of the second-hand wands he had purchased.

After watching Hermione's demonstration, he felt inspired. However, his enthusiasm was tempered by frustration. The wand selection at Ollivanders had been disheartening; the old man had refused to sell him a wand, assuming Kain was merely a Muggle.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Kain shouted, his voice filled with determination.

Boom!

The wand shattered in his hand, echoing the disastrous result of his earlier attempt. In total, he had spent seven Galleons on wands that now lay in ruins.

"Oh my gosh, it exploded again!" Hermione exclaimed, her excitement mixed with concern. "You must not be a Muggle. According to 'Origins of Magic,' you have to have magical power. But if that's true, then why can't you use it? If you were a true Muggle, the wand wouldn't even react like that!"

Kain could only shrug in response. Hermione, full of enthusiasm, turned the pages of a hefty magic tome and read aloud, "Maybe your technique is incorrect? Or perhaps the wand just isn't a good fit? But why can't Mr. Ollivander see that?"

Hermione's words flowed rapidly, almost like a machine gun, as she continued to speculate.

Kain pondered the issue, knowing that magic in the Harry Potter universe was far more complex than he had initially believed. It would truly be a pity if he couldn't learn even a fraction of it. Without magical power, activities like potion-making or flying on broomsticks would be completely beyond his reach.

In the past two days, Kain had absorbed a significant amount of information from the books. He had initially assumed that magical power was an inherent ability possessed by wizards.

However, he soon discovered that many texts suggested it was actually derived from one's bloodline—passed down from parents or grandparents. This concept bore a resemblance to the idea of chakra; like chakra, magical power was determined at birth and could not be cultivated unless granted by an external force.

Kain speculated that wizards might inherit their magical abilities from ancestral connections to magical creatures or other races known for possessing innate magical powers. He felt that this theory was plausible, especially considering that he seemed to lack any trace of magical power himself.

While the offensive magic found in the Harry Potter world might not be extraordinarily powerful, there was a wealth of practical spells to learn. The disillusionment charm, apparition spell, and transfiguration were just a few examples of magic he desperately wanted to master.

He drew a comparison between ninjutsu and wizarding magic, observing that while one focused primarily on combat, the other was oriented towards life-enhancement and assistance.

Kain was determined not to miss out on magic just because he lacked innate power. He considered the possibility of utilizing the Extremis virus as a means to unlock his potential.

In Kain's eyes, the Extremis virus held tremendous promise. Its most impressive feature was its ability to reprogram the user's DNA, effectively activating the sections of the brain responsible for bodily repair.

To illustrate, he likened the human body to a computer: Extremis served as the core antivirus and repair software. Any new software installation needed to be scanned by Extremis; if the scan was successful, the installation could proceed without issue.

However, if the scan failed, there was a risk of "explosion," though the likelihood of this occurrence was significantly reduced due to Kain's fusion with Hashirama cells.

Kain contemplated the potential of collecting blood from magical creatures to conduct further research on his own flesh and blood. If he could achieve a successful fusion without causing a disaster, he might be able to inject himself with the blood serum of magical beings to gain magical power.

"Kain? Mr. Kain?" Hermione's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. Concerned that he seemed lost in thought, she approached him with an air of sympathy.

"After I get to Hogwarts, I promise to investigate your situation. Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard of this century, will definitely know about your unique circumstances. Just wait for the good news!" Hermione reassured him.

Kain smiled at her optimism. "Thank you, Miss Granger. That means a lot."

"Just call me Hermione. I think we're friends now, and friends help each other out."

With a determined expression, she continued, "You've been so generous with the magic books in this room and the materials here that you've practically opened a library for me. Helping you with this is the least I can do."

Kain nodded, feeling grateful for her willingness to assist. "Hermione, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

...

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