Echoes of Power ( I - V ) 11,000 Words
"Okay, son, I need to think about this…a lot," Michael said, his voice steady but edged with concern. "I need to think this through... Really think it through. I'll make some calls and see what I can do. In the meantime, you stay put. I don't want you going back until we've figured this out."
His son nodded. "Got it, Dad. Take your time. Honestly, I don't plan on going back anytime soon. I need at least a month to clear my head. Six months straight of studying is… a bit much, even for someone like me."
In all honesty, all he wanted was to accumulate some system points before whatever his dad had planned.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, a month and a half had passed in the blink of an eye. 1988 was over, and now it was February 1st, 1989.
During this time, Maverick mostly stayed at home, only visiting the magical side of the world a few times to try out some things.
Most of his time was spent napping or watching TV, but Maverick made sure to dedicate some time each day to his magical exercises, if only to stay somewhat productive.
The workouts didn't just help him improve his magical energy—they also left him with a satisfying sense of well-being. It was the kind of feeling you get after a good workout, when the tension in your body fades, and you can't help but feel a little lighter, a little stronger.
Other than that, he didn't practice any magic and only did some reading from the magical side.
[ Name: Maverick Caeser ]
[ Class: Wizard ]
[ Rank: Magus ]
[ Magical Energy: 481 + ]
[ Points: 478 (Increases Ten points per day) ]
[ Extraordinary Characteristic Points: 1 (Increases One point per year) ]
[ Extraordinary Characteristics: Excellent grade spellcasting ]
[ Talents: ]
[ Magical Energy Manipulation (Advanced +) ]
[ Magical Sense (Advanced +) ]
[ Transfiguration (Advanced +) ]
[ Potions (Beginner +) ]
[ Alchemy (Beginner +) ]
[ Spells: ]
His magical energy had increased by a couple of points from the small workouts, and he had now accumulated nearly 500 system points to use freely.
However, he wanted to accumulate more—at least 2000—not to increase his Magical-Energy, but to raise a solid offensive and defensive spell to Master level.
Achieving Master level proficiency would mean he had surpassed the level of Hogwarts professors.
He came to this idea after thinking about the Patronus charm.
According to the system, being able to cast a corporeal Patronus is considered advanced, but for most witches and wizards, casting a solid Patronus is seen as nearly mastering the spell.
But most adult wizards, including Aurors—the magical law enforcement—don't have a deep enough understanding of the spell to produce a full Patronus.
It was the same case with talents like Transfiguration. He believed that Professor McGonagall's proficiency in Transfiguration was at peak advanced level but not quite at Master level yet.
In any case, all of this was based on hypotheses, and he believed there wouldn't be much difference in the actual time would tell.
As for Magical-Energy-Manipulation and Magical-Sense, he had gathered enough information from various books to make a comparison.
A typical Magus wouldn't be aware of these two innate talents and would have to work tirelessly just to master the basics. Only a rare few geniuses might reach something close to Intermediate Proficiency before advancing to the rank of Great Magus.
Based on the stories and information he had read, a Great Magus should have these talents with proficiency that goes beyond intermediate, reaching an advanced level.
The mastery he had with these two talents at the Magus rank was beyond genius, with his understanding matching that of a Great Magus, which, there are not even a hundred alive recorded.
Advanced proficiency in any talent or spell, as recognized by the system, can be considered a very high level of mastery in the eyes of regular wizards and witches.
Regarding Arch-Magus, there are recorded instances of fewer than ten, and he found almost no details about their prowess—mostly hypotheses from other authors of the books, lacking actual only certainty is that their control over Magical-Energy would be extremely high, at least at Advanced level Proficiency, and most likely at Master level Proficiency.
Again, these thoughts were all just speculation based on logical reasoning after his research, and the actual situation may differ.
Maverick then shifted his focus to the extraordinary characteristic points, and just as he had expected, on January 1st, the value increased by one point.
Over the past month, he had thoroughly studied the extraordinary characteristic, focusing on why and how the system reacted to it.
He had visited the Leaky Cauldron a few times just to test his assumptions. One thing he was certain of was that the extraordinary characteristic could only be copied from non-living objects.
He had tested it on magical creatures like a goblin from Gringotts, magical animals from the pet store, and even a house-elf he encountered in one of the shops. However, none of them triggered any reaction from the system.
However, when he tested it with magical objects such as flying broomsticks, wands, and even bags enchanted with extension spells, all of them prompted a reaction from the system.
The reason he hadn't copied their characteristics was that none of the objects he had encountered were of excellent quality or higher.
His wand did trigger a reaction, but it only notified him that he had already copied its function. Moreover, the latest model flying broomstick he had come across only displayed a normal-rated extraordinary characteristic.
Since he had only one opportunity to copy per year, he decided to hold onto it until he encountered an object with an excellent or mythical rating.
Today, his main focus was the upcoming meeting his father had arranged to address his peculiar situation. For the past month and a half, he had trusted his father to find a solution and hadn't asked about it.
Although he was a reincarnator, his parents had raised him. Eighteen years had passed, and he loved them as any child would love their parents. Furthermore, he knows without a doubt that the love his parents have for him is real and unconditional.
After finishing his usual morning routine, Maverick came downstairs for breakfast. Both his parents had taken the day off, as a very special guest was expected to join them—someone his father had mentioned as one of the few people in the world who could help with his situation.
His mother and father were already seated at the table, having breakfast, and he joined them. As he sat down, his mother poured him a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
"So, Dad, when is our guest coming?" Maverick asked, starting the conversation.
"Noon, probably. He said he'd be here today," his father replied, taking a bite of bread.
"Is he a magical person? Someone from the government?" his mother inquired.
"Yes and no. He's magical, alright, but not from the UK. In fact, you both have already met him—several times, actually."
Both Maverick and his mother paused at his father's response, now pondering who the guest could be. If he was magical and they had already met him, it meant this person was likely someone his father had encountered through work. And since their family had met him multiple times, the person must be more than just a work acquaintance—perhaps a close friend.
"Now I'm curious," his mother said impatiently. "Michael, why don't you just tell us? Why all the mystery?"
His father smiled and replied, "It was that person's suggestion, and I was asked not to reveal who it is."
Maverick felt most of his concerns ease at that. After hearing his father's explanation, he was fairly certain that the guest wasn't just anybody—it was someone his father truly trusted.
Hours passed, and just as the clock struck twelve, the doorbell rang, prompting the family of three, who were sitting in the living room, to look in the same direction.
As Ariel began to rise from her chair to answer the door, her husband stepped in front of her and spoke hurriedly, "You both stay. I'll get it."
Ariel leaned back on the sofa, and Maverick gave his father a nod. At the same time, he extended his magical senses to see who it was. After a moment, his eyes widened in surprise.
Maverick's surprised expression lasted only a moment, so his mother didn't notice anything. Half a minute later, his father returned, but he was alone, causing his mother to raise an eyebrow.
"Ahem... Ed, you can show yourself now," Michael said, shaking his head and showing a smile.
Maverick had already sensed the presence of someone next to his father, cloaked by a powerful Disillusionment Spell. If it weren't for the advanced proficiency in his magical sense talent, he would not have been able to detect anything.
"Hahaha!" A booming, hearty laugh spread through the room as a blonde, muscular middle-aged man, wearing an orange shirt with flower patterns and brown shorts, appeared out of thin air.
Maverick had been trying his best to remain calm ever since he noticed the, very familiar, person outside their house. He wanted the surprise to unfold as intended, and even felt a bit guilty for having used his magical senses to take a peek.
Before any one, Ariel exclaimed a loud, "Edward!", with her eyes wide open.
"Ary, you haven't aged a day. Has this workaholic been treating you alright?" Edward stepped forward with a wide grin and gave Maverick's mother a big hug.
"Is good to see you Edward. Welcome to Britain." His mother answered while returning the friendly embrace.
Maverick had also risen from the sofa by this point. After greeting his mother, Edward turned to him.
Over the past eighteen years, Maverick and his family had visited the States multiple times, as his mother's side of the family lived there. Edward, or "Uncle Ed" as he usually called him, was a close friend his father had introduced to his mother and him when he was only six years old.
He was a reincarnator, so even though his physical age was six, he still remembered most of the important things, even from when he was an infant.
Every time Maverick's family visited his maternal grandparents, they would also visit Edward's home as they got more and more acquainted over the years.
From his earliest years, Uncle Ed always had the presence of someone who was extremely outgoing and friendly. Edward was also married and had a family, and on the rare occasions they visited the United States, their families would often go on outings together.
At that moment, as Maverick and Edward's gazes met, Maverick suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of pure presence wash over him, as if he were standing before a higher being, shrinking to the level of an ant in comparison.
To his mother and father, it seemed like a simple exchange of glances before Edward stepped in for a hug, but for Maverick, the brief moment felt strangely longer—almost unnaturally so—before the sensation vanished.
"Little Rick! You've grown taller." Before Maverick could fully process what had just happened, Edward pulled him into a big, hearty embrace.
"Little Rick! You've grown taller." Before Maverick could fully process what had just happened, Edward pulled him into a hearty embrace.
"Uh... Uncle Ed... It's good to see you..." Maverick returned the hug, though with a bit of hesitation, still unsettled by the surreal experience.
As Edward released him, he placed his hands firmly on Maverick's shoulders and gave him a good look. Maverick, trying to conceal his nervousness, met his uncle's gaze.
By now, Maverick was absolutely certain that his seemingly ordinary uncle was far more extraordinary than he had ever imagined.
"So... I hear you've been giving your old man a bit of a headache," Edward said, grinning widely as he locked eyes with Maverick.
"Edward!"
Before Maverick could respond, his mother stepped in, her protective instincts kicking in as she noticed his nervousness. Ever the loyal guardian, she acted without hesitation.
"Ha-ha!" Edward chuckled at the sound of her stern voice. He let go of Maverick's shoulders and turned around. "Relax, Ary. I was just getting a measure of your son..."
She eased her stance, crossing her arms firmly under her chest. "I'm more upset that after all these years, I had no idea your family was magical," she said, her tone sharp as she turned her gaze to Michael. "And you've been keeping all of this from me..."
Michael flinched, preparing to play the 'classified' card, but Edward intervened.
"Hahaha! In my defense, Silvia's no witch. She's as much a Muggle as you are. Only Bella and I are special."
"Really?" Ariel asked, her surprise evident.
"Really! We met as two normal humans, fell in love like normal people. Magic is just a part of me. I'm human first, Ary..." Edward's tone softened, a touch of melancholy creeping in, contrasting with his burly frame.
"Aww... That's so sweet and romantic..." Ariel's stern demeanor melted instantly.
Michael shook his head at the sudden shift in his wife's mood, while Maverick simply watched the scene unfold.
"Haha... Enough about me. We're here to talk about your son," Edward said, redirecting the conversation. Laughter seemed to be a natural part of his speech.
"Right..." Ariel responded, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll go prepare lunch while you boys talk."
Michael sighed, looking first at Maverick, then at Edward. "Come on, let's sit and talk," he said, patting Edward's shoulder.
Maverick sat across from his father and Uncle Ed.
"So... kid, your father told me quite an interesting story. If I didn't know you, I'd have trouble believing what he said," Edward began, looking directly at Maverick. Maverick scratched his head in surrender, unsure how to respond.
He had nothing more to add to the story and certainly didn't want to fabricate anything in front of this man, who seemed unfathomable to him. He decided to stick to what he had already said and answer only what was necessary.
"Before we get started..." Edward raised his hand, and an exquisite, metallic-looking wand appeared in his grip.
"Mekedas Raviel!"
A blue circle of light formed at the tip of the wand, expanding to envelop Maverick before either Michael or Maverick could react.
"ED!"
"Calm down, Mike. I'm just running a test on your son..."
Maverick wanted to resist, but he felt utterly powerless. His advanced proficiency in magical energy manipulation had no effect. He was certain Edward had done something to immobilize him effortlessly while casting a spell Maverick had never heard of.
Even though he was frozen, Maverick's face remained calm, masking the helplessness he felt. His father, seeing no visible distress, stayed silent.
The blue energy circled around Maverick several times before it dissipated. As it faded, Maverick finally regained control of his body and magic, but he forced himself to stay composed.
"Hmm..." Edward hummed thoughtfully.
"Is everything alright, Ed?" Michael asked nervously.
Maverick was even more anxious. He had too many secrets, and Edward's mysterious scan worried him. What if he discovered something?
"Ah... No, everything's fine. Your boy is in perfect condition," Edward said, though his tone seemed slightly questioning.
Michael sighed in relief. He hadn't asked Edward to scan his son, but hearing that nothing was wrong was a relief.
"The spell I used is a highly advanced, Ex-Grade detection spell. It checks for black magic, magical artifacts, rituals, and even the soul."
Maverick's eyes widened. He had never heard of such a spell, and the mention of the soul made him extremely uneasy. After all, he wasn't originally from this world, and he didn't know what that meant for a reincarnator like himself. Had he taken over the original Maverick's soul, or was he Maverick from the start?
Fortunately, Edward's next words gave him the biggest sigh of relief he'd ever felt.
"I'm certain he hasn't performed any rituals, carries no magical items other than his wand and some bags, hasn't dabbled in black magic, and his soul is perfectly normal."
"So...?" Michael turned to Edward, impatient for more answers.
"So...?" Edward repeated, stroking his chin thoughtfully before continuing. "Well, that means your son is an anomaly—a good anomaly. To put it simply, either young Rick here is something that's happened before but was never recorded, or this is the first time in history someone like him has appeared."
"Someone like me?" Maverick couldn't help but ask, and his father mirrored the question with a curious expression.
"Yes, kid. Your father already told me your story about awakening your magic last year. I know this for a fact because when we met two years ago in the U.S., you had no magic in you at all.
Referencing the recorded history of magic and from my personal experience, I've never come across a witch or wizard experiencing their first magical outburst after the age of eleven. That's the first point.
The second point may not sound as remarkable, but at 18, you're already a Magus. Sure, there are geniuses who reach this rank before 20, but no one does it as quickly as you have. Six months from Novice to Magus is unheard of.
Third is your control over mana—or, as you English call it, magical energy."
Maverick looked surprised, and Edward noticed keenly.
"Hah... You didn't think that little trick went unnoticed, did you, boy?" Edward chuckled condescendingly.
"I sensed your probe the moment you released it, but that's not what really surprised me. It was your control over it. Even for me, back when I was at the Marquis level—ah, sorry, you Brits call it Great Magus—it took over a decade to reach that level of mastery over my mana."
"Wait, Uncle. You spoke in past tense. Does that mean...?" Maverick asked, his heart racing, surprise clear on his face.
"Hmm...?" Edward tilted his head thoughtfully before realizing.
"Hahahaha... That's right, I haven't formally introduced myself, have I? Well, I—"
"Son, your Uncle Ed is actually the—" his father interjected, realizing he hadn't revealed who Edward really was, only to be cut off by Edward himself.
"Mike! Why do I need you to introduce me when I'm right here?" Edward groaned, complaining before refocusing on Maverick, who was now looking at him with wide eyes, as if he'd just gotten his favorite toy. Edward's boastful grin grew even more.
"As I was saying... Ahem... Uncle Ed here is..." Edward puffed out his chest, pointing his thumb at himself. "America's only King-level wizard, and the only one in the entire West. The strongest of the sev—"
"Third... Arguably..." Michael interrupted with a blank, disapproving stare.
Edward's jaw dropped, a vein bulging on his forehead.
"He's considered the third strongest Arch-Magus. That's what he's trying to say," Michael once again spoiled his friend's introduction.
"Who says I'm the third? That blasted woman Bagshot has no idea what she's talking about!" Edward shot up from the sofa, rolling up his sleeves, ranting about the historian.
"Uh... Dad, Uncle, I don't understand what you're talking about," Maverick lied, playing dumb. But now he had a general idea and knew exactly who his uncle was.
Moreover, his uncle had always been like this, so his current behavior didn't surprise him at all—carefree, extremely extroverted, kind, and outgoing. It's just that now Maverick had to add a few more adjectives, like outrageously strong, when describing Edward Garling.
"Ahem... Anyway, don't believe the silly books, Rick... Now, where were we...?
Ah, yes, Mana... Your control over mana is very, very advanced. When you probed me as I first arrived, I noticed that, although you spread your mana, it was extremely precise, directed only at the door, exactly on point. That is something only a peak Marquis or a King can achieve.
Hmm... Sorry... Like I said before, a Marquis is what you'd call a Great Magus, and a King level means Arch-Magus. We in the West like to complicate things, as you see."
"This is so cool, Uncle Ed. You're Edward Garling. I mean, I knew your name before, but now this feels kind of... different. Cool," Maverick commented, expressing genuine surprise. When he had read the books and come across that name, he had never once considered it might be the same person.
"Ahaha... Yes... Ahem... Well, let's continue...
Now, I've mentioned three things that make you different from other wizards. But there's one last thing I can't confirm without running a test myself." Edward glanced from Maverick to Michael, then back at Maverick.
"But before that, lets talk about your situation..." At Edward's words, both Maverick and his father noded solemnly, giving their full attention.
"Getting you a wizarding identity is simple for me. But obviously, that's not exactly what you want right?" He asked the father and son to which they both nodded.
"Here's what I have in mind. I'll take your son with me to America, where he'll study with me for a while. He'll then take the OWL and NEWT exams at Ilvermorny School.
It's nothing new to them, unlike the old bastard's school at Scotland, Ilvermorny allow witches and wizards to take exams at their school even if they've been homeschooled.
The problem might arise if someone decides to dig into your past. The seven identical 'Books of Acceptance' held by the seven major schools worldwide keep records of every witch and wizard's magical awakening." Edward paused after a brief summary of Maverick's situation.
Michael nodded, already familiar with the information, while Maverick looked puzzled. He was surprised yet again, as this was something different from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter universe.
"The Book of Acceptance is an ingenious piece of alchemical equipment. Only seven were ever created.
After World War II, the International Confederation of Wizards made agreements with the Muggle governments, which required certain changes.
One such agreement was to provide records of witches and wizards born outside of noble wizarding families to Muggle authorities.
It sounds simple but isn't easy to execute. A few years later, Nicolas Flamel came up with a solution. He studied the original Book of Acceptance at Hogwarts, as its principles aligned with what they wanted to achieve.
So, after lengthy negotiations, the old fool Dumbledore allowed Flamel to study and make changes to the book.
It has very straightforward principles. The Book of Acceptance, or Book of Admittance as it's also known, is a magical book used at Hogwarts to record the names of magical children. It was created by the school's founders with precise functions – nothing more, nothing less.
It records the names and ages of children under eleven in Europe and nearby regions who experience their first magical outburst.
It served a purpose during the founders' time, helping them find magical children who needed guidance during that dark period in history when our kind were being hunted.
Flamel analyzed and then modified it. He created six other books with the same functions, each covering a different region of the world.
These seven identical books are now spread worldwide, their range nearly covering the entire planet. Each book records the names of magical children who experience their awakening in its designated area.
The names are then sent to the magical authorities within each region to filter out children born into ancient wizarding families. The final list is then shared with the Muggle governments." Edward paused briefly before leaning back on the sofa.
"Now, the advantage you have is that none of the books will have a record of your name. Flamel never altered the function that records only children under eleven," Edward explained.
"And the bad news?" Michael asked.
"Bad news? Oh... there's no bad news. I'll simply add Rick's name manually to Ilvermorny's book, which covers North and South America.
Even though these are powerful alchemical creations, they can't cover the entire Earth 100%.
Sometimes, if a magical outburst isn't powerful enough, the books miss it. One of Flamel's modifications allows witches and wizards to be manually registered regardless of age, for cases where a magical awakening might have been overlooked.
Principle Fontaine is a good friend of mine, and I'll slip your name in, backdated to a time when you were in America with us as a child.
"To get you to sit for the OWLs and NEWTs, I'll say you're my personal student and have been attending Muggle schools while studying under me. That should clear up most doubts."
Maverick and his father sat quietly, contemplating the plan. They both agreed it was well thought out.
"Ed, you know, if word gets out that you've taken on a student, it'll draw a lot of attention to Maverick," Michael said, his voice laced with concern.
"Attention? Ha! Let them try!" Edward responded fearlessly.
But after giving it some thought, he calmed down. "Hmm... I won't make it public. And I'll ask Fontaine to keep it quiet as well."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea," Michael agreed, and Maverick nodded too.
"Well, little Rick, as I mentioned before, I'd like to run a little test..." Edward addressed Maverick.
"Uh... Is it a detection spell test, like the one you did before?" Maverick asked nervously.
"No. And what's with that look?" Edward asked, squinting.
Maverick scratched his head to hide his nerves under a mask of embarrassment. He was indeed uneasy, remembering how helpless he had felt when Edward had cast the spell on him.
Fortunately, Edward didn't linger on the memory. "Your dad tells me you covered almost all the spells taught at Hogwarts in just six months. That's a big claim."
Maverick relaxed. As long as it didn't involve strange spells being cast on him, he felt more at ease.
"Not to brag, but it's true, Uncle," Maverick replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
Edward stood up from the couch and addressed Michael first. "I'll take him somewhere and be back in an hour. I just want to see your son's genius firsthand." Then he looked at Maverick.
"Uh..." Michael hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded. "Alright, just make sure to return soon. Ariel would be upset if you both missed lunch."
Edward nodded, then turned to Maverick. "Come on, kid. Take my hand."
Maverick had a good idea of what his uncle intended to do. In fact, he was a bit excited.
"Relax. I'm about to Apparate us. You know about it?" Edward explained briefly.
"Uh... I read about it but have never seen it done. The actual magic wasn't in the books."
"Of course it's not," Edward scoffed. "Alright, brace yourself."
Located 183 miles west-northwest of Nunivak Island, St. Matthew Island is a remote, uninhabited island in the Bering Sea, Alaska, under the administration of the United States.
Two figures suddenly appeared in a grassy area a few miles from the coast. Although the landscape was green with grass, the temperature hovered just a few degrees above freezing.
-Cough, Cough Cough.
Maverick couldn't help but cough, overwhelmed by the unpleasant sensation he'd just experienced. He had read about Apparition and its side effects, but feeling it firsthand was, without a doubt, one of the most unpleasant experiences he had ever had.
But within moments, he managed to pull himself together and look around at where his uncle had brought him.
"Where are we?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Not bad… Most people would spill their guts after experiencing Apparition for the first time," Edward remarked, impressed by Maverick's toughness.
"We're in a place very far from any prying eyes. But just in case…" Edward said, his eyes widening and glowing gold.
Maverick felt a wave—no, a tsunami—of energy surge through him. Even if only for a moment, the intensity reminded him that the man in front of him was one of the most powerful individuals in the world.
"Good. Not a soul in sight," Edward said after a moment of silence, and Maverick was certain that his uncle had just completed a wide-range scan of the area.
He waited for his uncle's instructions, still unsure why he had been brought to such a remote place, somewhere so distant he didn't even know where they were.
"All right, little Rick. First, I want you to demonstrate what you've learned. Show me a few spells you're confident in..."
Maverick thought it over. It seemed his uncle simply wanted to verify his claims.
Maverick raised his hand, and his wand slipped from the holder strapped to his arm and into his grasp.
He didn't hesitate or overthink; the list of spells was already infront, displayed by the system.
Just as he prepared to begin, Edward called out, "You can start with some offensive ones—direct them at me."
Maverick paused, then nodded. He wasn't worried; he knew his uncle would be unharmed.
He began with an Exploding Charm. "Bombarda!" The spell shot forward and hit, something. The ground in front of his uncle, scattered dirt, creating a small cloud of dust.
Edward stood relaxed, hands tucked into his pockets, his thick, wavy golden hair fluttering like a majestic lion's mane. To Maverick's astonishment, his uncle did not cast any defensive spells; he blocked it effortlessly with raw energy alone.
"Flipendo!" he followed up with a knockback jinx, but the result was the same.
"Incendio!"
"Diffindo!"
"Bombarda Maxima!"
He unleashed several spells, each he knew with intermediate proficiency, ending with a more powerful version of the Exploding Charm. Yet his uncle remained in place, calm as if the spells were nothing more than light gusts of wind. The final spell made him raise an eyebrow, but that was it.
Maverick took a deep breath, preparing to cast the spells he knew best, at the advanced proficiency.
First, he fired a Binding Spell, chanting "Petrificus Totalus," then immediately followed up with a powerful Stunner. "Stupefy!"
Both spells crashed against the invisible energy barrier in rapid succession, scattering rocks and creating a far greater impact than before. Still, the barrier held firm, and his uncle remained unfazed, as nonchalant as ever.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Edward showed a satisfied expression, clapping three times in praise.
"All right, now show me the defensive spells. I'll attack, and you defend."
Maverick was speechless, hoping his uncle was only joking. But seeing Maverick's face, Edward only grinned and added, "Don't worry, I know how to measure my own strength. But don't slack off—you did make a bold claim."
Maverick didn't get a chance to respond; he saw his lion-like uncle withdraw one hand from his pocket and point a finger at him.
"Protego!"
A transparent, spherical shield formed around him as Maverick prepared for the impact. But nothing happened—Edward simply stood there, pointing.
"A very solid Shield Charm. Impressive," he commented before a ball of energy formed at the tip of his finger and shot toward Maverick.
Boom!
Maverick's Shield Charm held strong, scattering dust and soil in a half-circle away from him.
'A spell? No! The force was definitely at the level of my strongest offensive spells,' Maverick analyzed, feeling a weight from the feedback of the impact.
"Truly… very impressive, little Rick. Now, try holding on as long as you can," Edward said, launching more energy beam like things at him in quick succession.
"Uncle, wai—"
Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After the fourth hit, Maverick felt heavy and fatigued. His shield was still intact, but each impact seemed to reverberate through his body, as though gravity intensified with each strike before releasing again.
He looked visibly drained, panting, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Edward halted his onslaught and took a good look at Maverick.
"Tell me, little Rick, what do you lack at this moment?"
His uncle asked a strange question. He made the Shield Charm disappear and gave it some thought. Some of my hypotheses may need further analysis, he pondered.
"Stamina? Or magical energy?" he replied after careful consideration.
Edward nodded. "Yes. Your understanding of some of the spells you demonstrated has clearly reached a profound level, but you lack the fuel to back it up."
"I can say with certainty that your Shield Charm is at a very high level, even compared to some veteran wizards I know. However, what you lack compared to them is power and stamina."
Maverick listened carefully, comparing Edward's words with the theories he had already formed. What his uncle explained was something he had suspected, and now it was confirmed. Still, he wasn't worried or discouraged. With time on his side, he knew he would only grow stronger.
"Uncle, I've only been a wizard for less than a year, and you're comparing me to seasoned Great-Magus…"
Edward blinked, realizing his oversight. "Haha… That's true. I was only trying to teach you a lesson and make sure you don't become too proud…" He explained, trying to hide a hint of embarrassment.
He had indeed overlooked that point after witnessing Maverick's deep understanding of spells.
"Hmmm…" Edward stood with a hand on his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
"Right… Show me your Patronus," he said suddenly.
Maverick nodded and flipped his wand, chanting, "Expecto Patronum." A raven made of white, foggy energy took shape in front of him, flapping its wings before slowly landing on his shoulder.
"Incredible!" Edward exclaimed. "A very solid Patronus!"
"Alright, the first half of my test is done, and you've passed with high marks," Edward said, walking toward Maverick.
He placed a hand on Maverick's shoulder, and Maverick felt a rush of energy pour into him, like the refreshing sensation of cold water after a long run.
Edward maintained the connection for a few seconds before stopping. Then he snapped his fingers, and the scattered ground, soil, and debris began to move as if time were reversing, returning to the way it looked before they started firing spells.
Maverick observed everything, feeling his fatigue nearly vanish. The ease with which his uncle performed the Reverte spell indicated advanced or master-level proficiency.
This time, he knew it was a spell and not just raw energy, because one, he knows the spell, and two, there were no visible signs of magical energy being physically displayed.
"Are you good, or do you want to go back?" Edward asked, his wand appearing in his grip.
"No, uncle… Let's continue…" Maverick responded. He was genuinely enjoying himself. It was the first time in the last six months that he had used spells without any worry, and the feeling exhilarated him.
"Good. Now, this is my last test for you. If you pass, I will take you on as my apprentice," Edward said expectantly, crossing his arms over his chest while holding his wand in one hand.
"Uh… I thought you had already decided to take me in as your student, uncle…" Maverick said, showing a shy and slightly confused expression as he scratched his head with the tip of his wand.
"True… That's me taking you as a student. I have nine at the moment, and only one of them is my direct apprentice. For my students, I won't be teaching them personally much—only some selected courses. Instead, I have my close confidants as their teachers.
But make no mistake, they are all extremely knowledgeable, at least at the Marquis level. So don't be disheartened just because you may not become my apprentice, little Rick. It's still much better than learning from any school in the world." Edward grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
Maverick carefully considered his uncle's words. He resolved to do everything he could to become Edward Garling's apprentice because he believed that with his uncle as a backer, he would have a much easier time accomplishing his future plans. But if not, that was fine as well.
After all, his relationship with Edward would be more than just that of a student; he was also a good friend of his father.
He knew he was being a bit shameless for thinking like that, but it was just a fleeting thought. Either way, it was a win-win situation.
"I understand, uncle. Let's get started," Maverick said, nodding solemnly with a determined expression.
Edward raised his wand. "Pay close attention to my wand movements and listen carefully to the incantation. This is a spell I developed myself, and only my students and apprentices have had the opportunity to learn it."
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"
"Tell me, little Rick, have you ever heard of a spell that can trap someone in a true illusion?"
Maverick paused, considering his answer."You mean like a Confusion Charm?"
"Hmm…Yes, in a way," Edward replied, nodding thoughtfully."But this is something different.I'm talking about a true illusion—a spell that goes beyond that."
Maverick furrowed his brow, digging through his recalled the spells he had learned, and spells from the Harry Potter series, but nothing came up.
"This spell... I created it of a kind!"Edward's gaze was fixed on Maverick."I want to test your you can grasp it as you claim to have learned the entire seven-year spell set, I'll decide whether to take you on as my apprentice or welcome you as one of my students."
"I have no doubt that you can learn it... Any genius spell is easy to pick up, but very, very difficult to master.
And I don't expect you to master it right away; I only want to see enough understanding to measure your potential."
Taking a few steps back, Edward raised his wand with deliberate care, his eyes never leaving Maverick's."I've only taught this spell to a select 're the tenth person I've ever shared it can be a powerful tool, even a trump card when you need it most."
Maverick watched his heightened magical sense, he noted even the smallest movements or deviations in the wanted to impress Edward Garling.
"This spell... can be very dangerous in the wrong hands!"After many instructions, he finally advised caution, and adopted a serious expression he rarely showed.
"Pay close attention to my wand movements and listen carefully to the incantation."
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"He demonstrated with a swift, fluid flick.
"This motion must be firm and sharp, like a that instant, your mind must be entirely clear, your intent singular: to dominate!You must visualize, in detail, the illusion you want to create—the texture of the air, the light, the sound—all of you wish them to see, feel, or even fear, you must build fully in your mind and project it.
One requirement for casting is a grasp of the mind you have something better: your mana perception is exceptionally high, making up for that."
Maverick's expression turned into a mix of curiosity and caution. Most spells in the mind arts were not something he wanted to experience.
To an ordinary observer, Edward's movements might have seemed like simple wand flicks in the with his magical sense heightened, Maverick noticed slight ripples spreading from the tip of the wand, like invisible waves.
He focused no visible changes occurred, doubt crept into his expression, only to shift back to shock as he felt a tremor in the ground.
His gaze remained fixed on Edward, and he was stunned to see Edward slowly begin to was what his senses told him.
The slight quake beneath him was consistent but not intense.
All of his senses were on high alert, searching for any abnormalities.
Along with the tremor, Edward's physical form gradually became transparent until, a few seconds later, he vanished completely.
Maverick was certain now that he had fallen under the spell—and he hadn't even noticed.
The tremors intensified, forcing him to spread his legs wider to maintain his balance.
"The victims wouldn't even realize they were caught," echoed Edward's voice from strained to locate its source but failed miserably.
"You can change the smell..."
Suddenly, a burning scent filled the air.
"The sounds..."
A loud boom, like something detonating beneath him, erupted from below, and Maverick instinctively glanced down.
"Sight..."
The tremors grew stronger, the ground shook violently, and Maverick struggled to keep his footing.
Boom!
A burst of fire—no, lava—spurted up like a small eruption a few meters away, causing him to lose his balance and fall back.
"The sensation on your skin..."
Each declaration grew louder and echoed around him, overwhelming Maverick as he tried to make sense of it all.
He felt the heat, even the shock wave which pushed him back a bit, forming two lines where his boots dragged the ground beneath.
Boom!
Boom!Boom!
More eruptions surrounded him—first from the east, then the west, front and felt the heat radiating against his skin.
Chunks of lava hurtled toward him, and instinct kicked stumbled, leaping from the cracked ground and darting toward an opening.
Boooooom!
A larger explosion erupted directly in front of him, and the shockwave sent him flying backward.
Maverick looked visibly was the first time in both his lives that he had experienced something like this—a near-death even forgot that this was just a demonstration of an illusion.
Using all four limbs, he turned to run.
RUMBLE!
The ground directly below him began to shake, forcing him to hesitate.
RUMBLE!RUMBLE!
'No!No, no, no!This isn't real!' Maverick reminded himself, panic rising.
Crack!
The ground split open beneath him, creating a chasm that separated him from safety.
Crack!Crack!
The gap widened quickly, and Maverick clung desperately to either side, his arms and legs straining to hold on.
'No, not real!Not real!
RUMBLE!
A gust of hot air rushed up from below, where the front of his body eyes widened as he saw the glow of red lava surging toward could neither run nor four limbs barely kept him from plummeting into the abyss.
"Argh!"
He squinted in pain, feeling the intense heat against his body.
His eyes were wide open as he looked helplessly at the lava rushing toward him.
No!NO!
He closed his eyes, bracing for impact.
Then, nothing a moment, he remembered to open them, only to find Edward standing in front of him, the scene peaceful once more.
Then—
Thump!Thump!
He felt the adrenaline coursing through him, his body reminding him that he had just experienced something intense.
Maverick subconsciously turned his head frantically, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"Well, how was it?"
His frantic behavior was brought to a pause upon hearing the familiar voice.
He looked ahead at his uncle."What just..."He struggled to speak; his voice was low.
"How was your experience?"Edward inquired again, this time showing a helpless smile, thinking he might have gone a bit overboard with the demonstration.
Maverick finally came back to his had felt curiosity, confusion, shock, and then fear, all without realizing it.
"That was...real?"he could only ask.
"Real?"Edward echoed, tilting his head slightly."What does 'real' mean?"
"I mean, that felt so real..."Maverick corrected himself, finally getting his mind back on track.
"Do you want to feel it again, so you can grasp the sense of it?"
"Cough...That felt so real.I didn't even know when I got there a way to break free from it?"He coughed to rid himself of embarrassment, then changed the subject and asked instead.
"Break free?Yes, there are two , you have to realize that you are under an , if your mana reserves are greater than the caster's, you can brute force your way free from , you need to have extreme mastery over your mana sense—just as I , you can spread your mana inside your body very rapidly in an irregular manner, allowing you to break free from the illusion," Edward explained in one breath.
Maverick stood speechless, listening to the asked the question not expecting an answer, feeling that if he were in Edward's position, such valuable information shouldn't be given away so casually.
"Why...You think I shouldn't share this information?"Edward asked, his tone mixed with amusement.
Maverick sheepishly scratched his head in embarrassment, realizing his uncle had somehow guessed his shrude little thought.
"First, you are Mike's son.I've known him for over two is one of the few people I consider a truly brotherly I've known you since you were a baby and have a general idea about your personality—enough to judge your character.
Second, you're about to become my student, and I consider my students to be the people closest to me apart from my family.
Third, I am Edward Garling!"
He explained, although the last part was more of a , a very reasonable boast.
Maverick scratched his head again, showing an embarrassed grin before speaking."So then, Uncle, teach me the principles behind the spell, the chanting, and the wand movements a few times.I'll learn it in an hour."
Edward gave him a disdainful look."Boy, if you can learn this and even cast a simple illusion on me in an hour, I'll owe you a favor."
Saying that, he materialized a small, rolled-up parchment by tapping the ring on his right middle finger.
"Read this and burn it.I wrote this specifically for you, given your extraordinary achievement in mana control while you were embarrassing yourself under my you can start to comprehend it or not, we'll be returning in an 's been half an hour already, and I don't want to get a scolding from your mother."
Hearing the Arch-Magus speak as if his mother were something dangerous seemed really that's who his uncle was—a person who truly valued those who were his close confidants, powerful or not.
Maverick caught the parchment, unrolled it, and started instructions were simple for principles of utilizing magical sense, which he already knew, combined with everything else here, made him think he could get started right away.
Maverick's attention was momentarily drawn to Edward, who suddenly conjured a chair, took out a bottle by tapping his ring, and sat down casually with a raised brow.
"Go on…give it your best," he said, easily opening the metal cap.
Maverick shook his head, sat down on the grass, and returned to analyze the principles of his uncle's illusion spell.
After reading back and forth a couple of times, he used Confirngo to burn the paper.
He then stood up, took his wand from the wand holder, and closed his memory went back to when his uncle cast the spell: the wand movements, the chanting, and the subtle cues he had picked up using his magical sense.
Combining it with the notes on the spell's detailed principles, he raised his wand to give it his first try.
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"
With nearly the same swing, he attempted to cast the spell on his uncle, who was sitting on a conjured sofa, one foot over the other, elbow rested on one arm of the chair, sipping from his bottle and watching him intently.
Nothing happened.
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"
"Here's a hint—keep it me think you're a rock or something," Edward remarked casually, causing Maverick to pause and think.
After several seconds frozen in thought, Maverick's eyes gleamed as he tried again.
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"
Again, nothing happened.
Half an hour later.
The wind was calm, barely enough to make the grass stood in front of the casually seated Arch-Magus, eyes closed, wand in hand.
According to Edward, this was an easy spell to start with, and after reading the principles, Maverick understood why. At a basic level of understanding, the spell functioned much like a typical Confusion Charm.
Drawing from the notes and recalling Edward's movements when casting the spell, Maverick focused deeply as he made his umpteenth attempt.
With a glimmer in his eyes, he opened them, and in perfect timing, his wand hand moved, executing the familiar swing.
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"
Nothing rather, something did spell didn't cast correctly, nor did it reach the intended target, but Maverick's magical sense picked up a faint ripple—one that aligned with the notes, a ripple that would occur when magic attempted to find a target.
The ripple formed briefly, only to disappear immediately, signaling a failed attempt.
"Ahaha…come on, little Rick, let's get you home.I'm starving."Edward stood from his conjured had undoubtedly noticed the subtle improvement in Maverick's last failed attempt, but to him, it wasn't enough to be considered as getting started.
However, instead of the look of disappointment that might follow a failed attempt, Maverick's face showed nothing but ecstasy.
He did his best to suppress his emotions and watched as Edward dispelled the conjured seat, obviously ready to head back.
When their eyes met, Edward spoke first, "I said it was an easy spell to get started with, but I never meant learn-it-in-one-day Bella took a month to cast the simplest illusion…so don't be so hard on yourself."He paused, allowing Maverick to process his words.
"Little Rick, if you can cast even a simple illusion, using the principles of my spell, within a month, I'll consider you qualified."
Maverick, however, gave a confident grin, one corner of his mouth curling misread it, thinking Maverick had either agreed or felt confident he could complete the challenge sooner than a month.
But what Edward didn't realize was that Maverick's smile held a different meaning, and he was about to give the man a major surprise.
After all, his system had just prompted him that his proficiency had reached Beginner level in the illusion spell immediately following his last attempt.
[Illusio Lunam Lectorem (Beginner +)]
Maverick had his focus on the newest addition to his system panel.
The spell, Illusio Lunam Lectorem, was listed under the spells, meaning he could increase its proficiency using system points.
Without hesitation, he willed the plus sign, and the system displayed the expected notification.
[ Spend 10 poins to increase the proficiency of Illusio Lunam Lectorem to intermediate proficiency?]
[YES] [NO]
Maverick chose YES, and a surge of information flooded his arrived as memories, as usual, giving him a deeper understanding of the principles and a stronger grasp on casting the new spell.
Using the system took only a moment, and Edward still stood there, having just advised him to take it easy, challenging him to master the spell within a month.
"Uncle, you said you'd owe me a favor if I could cast even a simple illusion in an hour, right?" Maverick reminded the Arch-Magus.
Edward raised a brow, clearly amused but not taking him seriously. "Sure, as long as it's nothing too... shady."
Maverick raised his wand, a confident grin on his face. "I'm just a lowly Magus, and you're the mighty Golden-Lion of America. Even if I manage to pull this off, I doubt it'll fool you."
Edward smirked at the audacious boy in front of him, still not expecting Maverick to understand the spell's full power. "Alright, kid. I'll lower my mana perception to the level of a typical Magus," Edward said, making the adjustment with a wave of his hand. He didn't know why, but he decided to humor Maverick.
Maverick looked him straight in the eye. He trusted his uncle's word and knew he wouldn't lie.
"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"
Maverick's incantation was smooth, his wand movements precise. A ripple spread out in a half-circle, passing Edward.
Since Edward had dulled his perception, he didn't notice anything at first, though he was quietly impressed with Maverick's improvements in chanting and technique.
Then, in a delayed moment of realization, his eyes widened, showing genuine surprise for the first time that day.
Maverick—or rather, what Edward saw as Maverick—began to change.
The transformation was surreal and a bit unsettling. Maverick's skin, hair, and clothing turned an intense, matte black, absorbing the surrounding light until he looked like a shadow rather than a person. Slowly, his form began to break apart, each piece dissolving into feathers, peeling away one by one.
The air grew eerily still as Edward's gaze locked onto the image before him, hypnotized by the strange metamorphosis.
From the darkness of Maverick's form, pairs of red, raven-like eyes flickered to life, piercing and cold. Each pair blinked, shifting in and out of focus, and then morphed, each one transforming into a pitch-black raven that emerged from the shadowy figure.
Then, in an explosive burst, the black mass disintegrated, scattering in a cloud of black feathers and dark, beady eyes. Ravens shot out in every direction, filling the air with the frantic flapping of wings. Within seconds, Maverick had completely vanished, leaving only a sky filled with cawing ravens that spiraled up and dispersed, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Snapping out of his shock, Edward instinctively activated his mana, breaking the illusion instantly.
Maverick reappeared, standing calmly in the same spot, wand still raised.
Edward's face shifted from shock to serious contemplation, and finally, to a sigh of helpless admiration. Shaking his head, he muttered, "Calling you a genius doesn't cover it... You're a monster, kid."
Maverick lowered his wand with a grin, replying, "Just don't let Mom hear that."
Edward laughed—a deep, genuine laugh—before his gaze turned serious, locking onto Maverick's. "Maverick Caesar, I don't say this lightly. I want you as my student... My direct disciple. Will you accept?"
It was clear this wasn't just an offer. Edward's tone was deeply respectful, his expression serious, and beneath it, a hint of worry—almost as if he feared Maverick might refuse.
Maverick looked at the now solemn Arch-Magus with equal seriousness. He bowed first, then spoke earnestly. "Please, accept me as your apprentice." Instead of a simple "yes," he made it a request, understanding it would honor his uncle's status as an Arch-Magus—one of only seven known to be alive today.
Edward recognized the gesture, and Maverick's thoughtfulness elevated his respect even more. He extended his hand, prompting Maverick to stand straight.
"I accept. From today on, along with my daughter Isabella Garling, you will be my second apprentice."
This rare ceremony was conducted in one of the most remote places on Earth, with only the two parties involved as witnesses.
They exchanged genuine smiles. A teacher to a student, and a student to a teacher.
"Let's go. I hope it's not too late and I don't get your mother on my back…" Edward said, placing a hand on Maverick's shoulder.
"By the way, do you know the Disillusionment spell?" Edward asked. In response, Maverick simply flicked his wand and cast the spell silently.
"Impressive… Get ready!" Edward said, performing the Apparition.
The two—now teacher and student—appeared in front of Maverick's house. Under an invisibility charm, they were unnoticed by anyone around.
They walked up to the door, and Maverick rang the bell.
"I liked the thing you did with the ravens," Edward said as they waited. "Where'd you get the idea?"
"Uh… It just came to me…"
"Haha... You've got a sharp mind, little Rick. Combine that with some creativity, and you'll be a force to reckon with," Edward praised, encouraging him.
Maverick shared the feeling, sensing this spell would become one of his most valuable assets.
Click.
The door opened, revealing Michael. Thanks to the Disillusionment charm, he saw no one, but he was used to it and knew Edward and Maverick were there.
He stepped aside, and after a moment, closed the door behind them.
Inside, Maverick lifted the charm, and Michael let out a sigh of relief.
"Is it bad? How bad?" Edward asked, eyes wide.
Maverick watched the little exchange between his teacher and father, not commenting. After all, they'd only been gone an hour and a half.
"No, it's fine. I told her you'd be back in two hours, and you're here before that, so we're safe."
"Haha… Let's go then. It's been too long since I've had Ary's cooking."
They made their way to the kitchen, where Maverick's mother was setting the table.
A while later, Maverick, his parents, and his teacher sat around the table, enjoying a delicious lunch prepared by his mother.
"So, what's the plan now? Will you be going to America with Ed, or...?" Michael asked, looking between Maverick and Edward.
"Well, you don't expect Edward to play nanny every day, do you?" Ariel chimed in.
"Haha… No need to worry about me and Rick here."
"Yeah, I'm not a kid, Mother. I'm almost 19."
"You'll always be my kid, young man." His mother shot him a look, daring him to argue.
Maverick, the prodigy magician, and Michael, Britain's Prime Minister, both sighed, surrendering to the only authority higher than themselves.
"Hahahaha…" Edward's laughter did nothing to save them from the embarrassment.
"I'll head to America with Uncle. I'm planning to take my exams in June, so I need to cover a lot in potions and alchemy. I've read the books, but I need hands-on experience."
"Take your time with it, Rick," Edward advised earnestly. "Potions and alchemy are practical subjects. Reading's good, but that's just part of it."
"He's right, Maverick," his mother agreed. "I don't know anything about potions or alchemy, but they sound tough. Your uncle knows best, so don't rush." His father nodded along.
Maverick sighed. There was no way he could explain his system, so he'd have to keep coming up with excuses.
Both Potions and Alchemy were currently at a Beginner level, listed as talents in his system. Maverick planned to bring both up to Intermediate before heading to America.
Pretending not to know much about potions and alchemy would be more hassle than it was worth, so Maverick decided to genuinely study both subjects and see if he could reach Advanced proficiency on his own. If he didn't make enough progress by exam time, he'd then use system points to boost his proficiency for a better score.
Of course, he wasn't aiming for a perfect score, even if he believed it would be possible with Advanced proficiency. Instead, he planned to achieve a score that was considered excellent, just below the level of an outstanding genius.
After all, standing out as an all-around prodigy would only draw too much attention—something he wanted to avoid.
For now, he didn't intend to go beyond Advanced in either subject; the points cost was too high, and he needed to prioritize his overall strength first.
He quickly thought through his plan, then refocused on the conversation. He needed to take the exam this year because he wanted to travel, lay the groundwork for his future, and get back before the events of the Harry Potter storyline began. By then, he'd be ready to apply for a teaching position at Hogwarts.
First, he had to get his teacher on board.
An idea popped into his head, and he shot his teacher a sly look, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, Teacher, what do you think about making another bet?"
Edward felt a wave of unease wash over him. He recognized that look and the confidence behind it.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. You can take this year's exam. But potions and alchemy aren't really my strong suits, so when you get to America, I'll set you up with two tutors—good friends of mine."
Then, realizing he had more to say, he added seriously, "But listen, kid, you're my student now, and I don't want to see any average grades. You don't have to be at the top, but I expect you to do better than average. If not, you might as well wait until next year."
Maverick grinned and nodded. "Don't worry, Teacher. I'll make you proud."
Later, Edward left the Caesar family home after explaining his plan to help sort out Maverick's identity issue with his parents.
Before he headed out, Maverick asked for a few key spells—ones he couldn't find in any of the books.
Without hesitation, Edward shared everything he asked for and reminded him to take it easy before heading to America in a week.
After Edward left, the family settled back into their usual routine, and the week flew by before they knew it.
Today, Maverick woke up, finished his morning routine, and headed downstairs. His parents had taken the morning off from work to say goodbye before his trip abroad.
Over the past week, Maverick practiced the few spells he had learned from his teacher. It turned out to be surprisingly easy to understand them well enough for the system to recognize and prompt him.
The spells included the Confundus Charm, Occlumency, and Apparition. When Maverick went to ask his teacher for them, he hesitated at first because he didn't want Edward to ask too many questions, and he genuinely preferred not to lie.
To his surprise, Edward handed them over without hesitation, only warning him not to practice Apparition without supervision and reminding him of its dangers.
Maverick agreed and meant it.
Occlumency and Confundus was very simple for him, and he was able to get the system to recognize in half a day.
However, after reading the principles behind the Apparition spell, the system surprised him by actually listing the spell. It showed that he had at least a basic understanding of it.
This was true in a way, since he grasped the principles; all that was left was for him to perform the spell.
Maverick guessed that his previous experience with the spell—along with his higher proficiency in Magical Sense and Magical Energy Manipulation—might have played a role in the system recognizing it without him even trying to perform it.
He didn't hesitate to raise the three new spell to Advanced proficiency. They were very useful and gave him more ways to protect himself.
[ Name: Maverick Caeser ]
[ Class: Wizard ]
[ Rank: Magus ]
[ Magical Energy: 483 + ]
[ Points: 108 ]
[ Extraordinary Characteristic Points: 1 ]
[ Extraordinary Characteristics: Excellent grade spellcasting ]
[ Talents: ]
[ Magical Energy Manipulation (Advanced +) ]
[ Magical Sense (Advanced +) ]
[ Transfiguration (Advanced +) ]
[ Potions (Intermediate +) ]
[ Alchemy (Intermediate +) ]
[ Spells: ]
[ Aquired Advanced Proficiency: ]
[ Illusio Lunam Lectorem, Flipendo, Bombarda, Expelliarmus, Protego, Finite Incantatem, Petrificus Totalus, Stupefy, Patronus, Charm, Episkey, Reparo, Revelio, Disillusionment, Wingardium Leviosa, Occlumency, Apparition, Confundus ... ]
[ Aquired Intermediate Proficiency: ]
[ ... ]