[Notification: Challenge task activated. Surpass Hermione Granger in academic scores continuously for one school year to receive the blessing: Scholar 2.0]
[Scholar 2.0: Gain an additional 4 hours per day to enhance your study efficiency.]
"Did I just trigger a mission?" John mused, momentarily dazed. Suddenly, a glint of gold caught his eye, followed swiftly by a broomstick zooming past. Before he could process the situation, a Bludger was hurtling towards him. Instinctively, he reached out to catch it, only to feel a sharp pain in his arm as if it had dislocated.
"God, John, are you okay?" Hermione's voice echoed, filled with concern, albeit a bit delayed.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team, still in the midst of their practice, quickly realized something was amiss. The Weasley twins were the first to arrive at the scene. Despite the Bludger's violent attempts to escape, John's grip remained unyieldingly firm, a feat that left even Oliver Wood in awe.
"You caught a Bludger with your bare hands. You're a natural Beater," Wood couldn't help but exclaim.
George chimed in, "John Wick, if only you were in Gryffindor."
Fred added, "Then we could retire."
Their banter was cut short by Angelina Johnson, who, with her long black hair tied in a twisted ponytail, interjected, "Will you two be quiet? His hand looks broken."
Harry, who had been so engrossed in chasing the Golden Snitch that he hadn't noticed the commotion, landed immediately upon realizing John was injured. He was consumed with guilt, lamenting, "This is all my fault."
John's complexion had turned pale, the pain evident. "Can we focus on getting this thing secured first?" he managed to say, referring to the Bludger that had nearly struck Hermione.
Wood quickly secured the Bludger, which had been moving at a speed that could shatter a bat. Once it was tied up, John let out a sigh of relief. With his face turning even paler, he shifted to a half-kneeling position, his dislocated arm propped against the ground. Under Hermione's worried gaze, he forcefully realigned his arm with a sharp click.
The onlookers gasped at the sight, their expressions a mix of shock and admiration. The Weasley twins, known for their fearless antics, looked on with respect. "Why is there such a disparity among Slytherins?" they wondered aloud, recalling how Draco Malfoy had once made a dramatic scene over a minor injury.
Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, was known for her impatience with Malfoy's theatrics, having attempted to send him away on multiple occasions.
Surrounded by a group of concerned Gryffindors, John reassured them, "I just need to exercise more," offering Hermione a comforting smile. To Harry, who was still visibly worried, he added, "It's not your fault, Harry."
Despite his protests, Harry insisted on escorting John to the school hospital. To the casual observer, it might have seemed as though something serious had happened to him.
However, not long after being admitted, Madam Pomfrey sent John on his way, declaring him fit. "See, I told you it was nothing," John said with a shrug, his demeanor relaxed.
Harry finally felt a sense of relief and apologized to Hermione, "Sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have flown so low."
Hermione, ever understanding, replied, "Don't blame yourself, Harry. No one can predict the Golden Snitch's path."
This incident served as a turning point, thawing the frosty relations between Harry and Hermione. Now, only Ron remained distant. Harry, having seen Hermione's true character, was determined to mend their friendship.
...
John's routine became one of study by day and training by night. The incident with the Bludger had underscored the importance of physical fitness for a wizard. Now a regular visitor to the restricted section, John, under the guise of a Disillusionment Charm, would delve into "Advanced Charms" and other texts, seeking to further his knowledge and abilities. In the Room of Requirement, John declared his need for a training space. As he paced back and forth in front of the tapestry three times, a wooden door materialized on the previously blank wall. Stepping inside, he found himself in the familiar training room he had used before. This time, however, he brought along a large sword from a set of medieval armor. "I'm almost accustomed to the weight of this sword," he mused, adjusting his grip.
Under the flickering candlelight, John's movements with the sword were fluid and precise, casting silver arcs through the air as if painting the darkness with stars. Each swing met the humanoid targets with such force that they shattered upon impact, only to be restored to their original form thanks to a Restoration Charm. This enchantment saved John considerable time, allowing him to focus on his training without interruption.
[Ding, receive blessing: Sword Dance]
[Sword Dance: Enhances the spectacle and destructiveness of swordsmanship]
Feeling the strain in his hands, John set the large sword aside. The rigorous exercise had not only honed his physical strength but also noticeably increased his magical power, netting him an additional 15 magic points in a single night. He was determined to continue this regimen, confident that it wouldn't be long before he achieved another level up.
Without pausing for a break, John commenced the second phase of his training, focusing on spellcasting. Pushing himself to the limit, he noticed significant improvements, particularly with the Disillusionment Charm, which he practiced nightly for stealth. By October, his proficiency with the charm had reached level 10, a testament to his dedication.
[Magic Power: Level 2 (450/500)]
[Spells: Alohomora (Level 3), Levitation Charm (Level 4), Transfiguration (Level 2), Disillusionment Charm (Level 3), Lumos (Level 2), Incendio (Level 1), Bone-Breaking Curse (Level 1)]
[Skills: Short Weapon Proficiency (Level 7), Great Sword Proficiency (Level 4), Firearms Proficiency (Level 1)]
[Blessings: Physical Fitness, Quick Attack, Precision, Scholar, Pilot, Long-Distance Running, Sword Dance]
John's knowledge of magic had expanded significantly, thanks in part to the Restricted Section of the library. There, he encountered the Fiendfyre Curse, a formidable spell even among dark arts, known for its difficulty to control. Recalling an incident where someone had recklessly unleashed Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement, causing a massive fire, John wisely decided to postpone studying such dangerous magic until he was more experienced.
...
During Monday's Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall praised John's skill, awarding 5 points to Slytherin. The task was to transform animals into goblets, and John's subject, a cute, big-eyed creature named Tom, obediently transformed under his spell. McGonagall, impressed by his proficiency, contributed to Slytherin's points, which had been lacking. Hermione, however, seemed somewhat disheartened, feeling as though John was pulling further ahead in their friendly rivalry. Little did she know, John's achievements were the result of countless sleepless nights dedicated to training and study.
[Sleepless: Requires only 2 hours of sleep per day to feel fully rested]
This newfound resilience allowed John to remain alert during classes, even under Professor Snape's intimidating scrutiny. Rumors had circulated about Snape's frequent visits to the school hospital, though John doubted they had anything to do with him.
...
Back in the Room of Requirement, John's training continued with vigor. He wielded his large sword with grace, each swing sending a cascade of silver light through the targets in front of him. With his wand in his left hand, he aimed at a target to his side.
"Reducto," he commanded, and a blast of white light shot from his wand, reducing the target to rubble. This marked a significant improvement from his initial attempts, showcasing the fruits of his relentless practice and dedication. John took a moment to rest, gearing himself up for the day ahead. With the eve of Halloween approaching, he knew the importance of maintaining his best condition. Moreover, the day after tomorrow marked the end of his two-month-long punishment in the trophy room. As a Slytherin, his common room was located in the dungeons, requiring him to traverse from the eighth floor down to the first. Thankfully, Hogwarts was labyrinthine with shortcuts, a fact that John was grateful for.
Upon reaching the corridor on the first floor, John encountered an unexpected sight. Barrow the Bloody, the usually reticent ghost of Slytherin, appeared to be waiting for him. The ghost's presence in the dimly lit corridor added an eerie atmosphere, yet John couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about why Barrow had sought him out.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge