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"Is this enough?"
George pulled out a bulging pouch containing over four hundred Galleons.
He had chosen such a large owl for two main reasons.
First, an owl of this size possessed impressive offensive capabilities. In the event of danger, it could provide significant help.
Second, he valued its flying ability. While regular magical owls can carry about ten pounds, a larger owl should be able to handle over a hundred pounds without trouble.
If he ever encountered trouble he couldn't handle, the owl could also serve as a means of escape—both a pet and a flying mount. If not this one, then which?
"Since you're certain, there's no problem at all," the shopkeeper said.
Seeing that George was serious and not joking, the shopkeeper eagerly helped move the great horned owl onto the cart, anxious that George might change his mind.
Owls of this size eat a lot, and without a buyer, the shop would be at a loss.
With the pet secured, George proceeded to the last and most important shop: Flourish and Blotts.
Today, he wasn't just buying all the first-year textbooks; he also needed various other magical books, particularly those about spellcasting with gestures.
Learning spellcasting gestures was crucial because, without a wand, his magical abilities in the Marvel universe wouldn't be effective.
It was August 3rd, and with eighteen days until Gilderoy Lockhart's book-signing event at Flourish and Blotts, the store wasn't very crowded. Finding books was relatively easy, simply a matter of asking the staff.
"Spellcasting with gestures? We haven't sold those books in ages. Everyone uses wands now; who still bothers with such outdated methods?" the staff member shook his head.
George didn't give up and continued, "I'm quite interested in those outdated methods. Can you help me find one? I'm willing to pay extra!"
To show his sincerity, he placed twenty Galleons on the counter.
The staff member hesitated for a moment, then held up four fingers, "We'd need to special order it. It's quite expensive—forty Galleons."
"No problem," George said, immediately placing forty Galleons on the table.
He knew the price was likely inflated, but as long as he could get his hands on a book about spellcasting gestures, he would pay as much as needed—even four hundred Galleons.
"Three days. It will be here within three days," the staff member said with a grin as he accepted the Galleons.
"I'll come back in three days to collect it," George replied.
After another round of shopping and paying for the items at their marked prices, George, humming an unfamiliar tune, pushed his overflowing cart back to the apothecary in Knockturn Alley, ready to begin his self-study of magic.
On the way back, George attracted a lot of curious glances because of the large, conspicuous owl.
"Behave yourself and don't make any noise."
Once he arrived at the shop, he placed the great horned owl on the desk in his bedroom. After feeding it with a rabbit he had bought from the owl shop, he gave it a few instructions and then started organizing the newly purchased magical books.
To George's surprise, the owl responded very docilely to his words and even nodded in understanding.
For ordinary young witches and wizards, the great horned owl's size makes it difficult to handle and potentially dangerous, making it an unsuitable pet.
But George was different.
His physical strength surpassed that of a normal adult, so even though the owl was large, it posed no challenge for him.
As for the danger, George's inherited telepathic abilities from Professor X, while only at level two, had a minimal effect on complex human minds but worked well on simpler animals.
Not only could he easily communicate with animals, but he could also influence their behavior to some extent.
Sometimes George wondered if he had devoted his time to magical creature research, he might have become a magical creature master as accomplished as Newt Scamander or Hagrid.
"Let's start with 'Standard Spells: Beginner' and 'Magical Theory'," he decided, pulling out the two most important books from the pile.
He began studying them intently.
For now, mastering practical spells was the priority. Other subjects like magical history, herbology, and potions could be put on hold until the crisis in the Marvel universe was resolved.
His study continued until evening.
"It's definitely not as easy as it looks!"
After putting down the book and rubbing his dry eyes, George grabbed a loaf of bread he had bought in Diagon Alley and began to eat.
Watching movies made it seem like casting spells was as simple as waving a wand.
But in reality, he found that successfully casting a spell was far from easy.
It was similar to cooking.
What seems like just a few steps can become quite complicated when you try it yourself.
Even if the steps are the same, the results can vary greatly.
According to the magical books, to successfully cast a spell, you first need to have magical blood and power. Without these, even if all other steps are correct, the spell won't work.
Next is the incantation. The spell must be pronounced clearly, and the speed and emotion of the incantation can vary depending on the spell. Failing to meet these standards can either weaken the magical effect or render it ineffective altogether.
There is also a small chance of unintended effects occurring.
Lastly, there is the matter of wand movements. Wand waving isn't random; different spells require different movements and trajectories.
Of course, these considerations are mainly for beginners.
If you truly understand and master a spell, to the point where you have thoroughly studied its fundamental principles, casting it wandlessly and silently is not difficult.
The most elite wizards can perform most spells instantly without a wand or incantation.
"Let's focus on the unlocking charm first," George decided, flipping to the page on the unlocking charm in Standard Spells: Beginner.
First-year textbooks cover basic and easily learnable spells, which are also generally the least powerful.
For example, the cutting charm, even if he mastered it, could only cut something as thin as a napkin at his current level—probably not enough to even cut skin.
Instead of wasting time on such weak spells, George opted to prioritize learning the unlocking charm. This would allow him to unlock the mutant ability suppressors around his neck in the Marvel universe and unleash his powers. It would also enable him to open various high-tech doors in the research laboratory and make a successful escape.
If time permits later, he could learn additional spells.
He considered the transfiguration charm, which might be more useful than the unlocking charm, especially against high-tech weapons. Destroying even a single component could render them inoperative.
However, after further consideration, he decided against it.
Learning transfiguration as a standalone category is much more complex compared to other spells. Even Hermione, a genius, struggled with it before school started. George doubted he could master it in a short time without guidance.
Even if he did manage to learn it, the results might not be immediately evident, making it an unnecessary risk.
(End of Chapter)