Adam Smith woke up in an unfamiliar place, his calm demeanor masking the whirlwind of emotions beneath. As he took in his surroundings, he observed his frail, malnourished body, yet he found it functional. His fingers traced the iconic lightning bolt scar on his forehead—a symbol that carried the weight of legend. Lucius Malfoy's words echoed in his mind: "This scar is a legend."
"So, my wish has finally been granted," Adam thought. "I am Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived."
He glanced around the small, dilapidated shack on the island where he was stranded with the Dursleys. The Walrus, the Horse, and their pig of a son were fast asleep, completely unaware of the storm brewing within the newly awakened Harry Potter. He patiently awaited his birthday and Hagrid's arrival with his Hogwarts letter.
The anticipation was almost palpable. Soon, his journey into the magical world would begin. But excitement, while present, was tempered by a profound sense of responsibility. Adam was not some wide-eyed child thrilled by the prospect of adventure. He was a seasoned soul, hardened by the trials of 999 grueling lives. He knew better than to rush headlong into the unknown.
Unlike those clichéd fanfiction protagonists who received miraculous powers as rewards for noble sacrifices, his journey to this moment had been anything but straightforward. No benevolent higher being had whisked him away with promises of a better life. If anything, his arrival in this world was the culmination of unimaginable suffering and perseverance.
Adam remembered his death vividly. It wasn't a glorious moment of heroism but a raw, brutal end. He had sacrificed himself to protect two women from an unspeakable fate, only to find himself standing in a long, gray queue before the so-called higher beings of the "Department of Death."
When his turn finally came, he laid bare his desires before them, asking for a second chance in a different world. But instead of compassion or understanding, he was met with ridicule. They laughed, mocked him, and dismissed his life as insignificant.
Their disdain taught him a harsh truth: merely avoiding harm and believing in a higher power does not make one special. The universe does not reward mediocrity. If you want something, you must work for it—honestly and relentlessly.
After their laughter subsided, they offered him a cruel bargain. "Live 999 lives," they said. "Face every hardship imaginable. Overcome insurmountable odds. Accumulate good karma without any aid. Only then will we grant you your wish—a single wish. And it can't make you an instant powerhouse."
It was a deal designed to break him. The higher beings expected him to falter, to crumble under the weight of despair. But Adam accepted without hesitation.
Each of his 999 lives was a test of endurance and resilience. He was born into poverty, war, disease, and discrimination. He faced physical disabilities, mental anguish, and social alienation. Yet, through it all, he clung to a single line from the Bhagavad Gita:
"Karmanye vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshu kadachana"—Do your duty without attachment to the results.
This mantra became his anchor, guiding him through every storm. When he finally completed the ordeal, the higher beings could no longer mock him. Instead, they acknowledged his perseverance and granted his wish. But there was more: impressed by his tenacity, they bestowed upon him an additional blessing—immunity from instant death.
For his wish, Adam chose wisely. He requested to transmigrate as Harry Potter, just before his 11th birthday, with a "1000 Times Positive Result System."
The system's function was simple yet profound. It operated silently in the background, ensuring that all his actions yielded the most beneficial outcomes for him. It had no flashy features, no status screens, and no cheat-like abilities. But Adam had thought this through over 1000 lives. He understood the price of power and the dangers of greed. The simplicity of his wish made it powerful—and safe.
The inclusion of "positive" in the system's name was what made it truly overpowered. Every result would be in his best interest. For instance, if he cast Stupefy, the system might not make it excessively powerful, but it could deepen his understanding of the spell, allowing him to perform it wandlessly and silently. If he cast the Killing Curse, the system would shield him from its negative repercussions, letting him master it without fear.
Even without the system, Adam knew that Harry Potter's raw talent was extraordinary. Harry may have been a puppet of fate, but his potential was undeniable. With proper guidance and determination, Adam intended to unlock every ounce of that talent and more.
Now, as he waited for his journey to begin, Adam reflected on his plans. The Wizarding World was a land of wonder and opportunity, but it was also rife with corruption, prejudice, and danger. Voldemort, Dumbledore, and the Ministry—all were players in a complex game of power and manipulation. Adam had no intention of becoming anyone's pawn.
"I will carve my own path," he thought, determination hardening his resolve. "And I will ensure that no one—neither death nor destiny—can dictate my fate."
The Dursleys stirred in their sleep, oblivious to the monumental changes brewing within their unwanted nephew. Adam's gaze shifted to the window, where the faint light of dawn was beginning to creep in. He knew Hagrid would arrive soon, and with him, the letter that would officially mark the start of his magical education.
But Adam wasn't just waiting for Hogwarts. He was preparing for a new life—a life where he would rise above every challenge and rewrite the story of Harry Potter. This time, the Boy Who Lived would not merely survive. He would thrive.
As the minutes ticked by, Adam's thoughts wandered to the broader implications of his journey. The higher beings who had mocked him would no doubt be watching, waiting for him to falter. But he had no intention of giving them the satisfaction.
"Let them watch," he thought, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I've faced worse than them. And now, with the knowledge of 1000 lives and the power of my system, I will show them what it means to truly live."
The first rays of sunlight broke through the cracks in the shack, illuminating Adam's scarred yet determined face. Somewhere in the distance, he heard the faint roar of a motorcycle engine approaching.
His time had come.
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