Chapter 21: MAGIC 101: WHAT HARRY NEVER LEARNED
→ 10 REVIEWS= 1 BONUS CHAPTER
→ 100 POWER STONES= 1 BONUS CHAPTER
→ 200 POWER STONES= 1 BONUS CHAPTER
CURRENT PROGRESS:↓
– FIRST OBJECTIVE- 7/10 RE.
– SECOND OBJECTIVE:-39/100 P.S
– THIRD OBJECTIVE- 39/200 P.S
XxxxX
Harry exhaled deeply as he examined his newly reconstructed body. He stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders, feeling an ease and strength he had never known before. His eyesight was sharper, his muscles more defined, and even his magic felt more responsive. It was a strange sensation, but he wasn't complaining.
A smirk played on his lips as he looked down at himself. So this is what it feels like to be in peak condition. He could get used to this.
Nova, lounging nearby, eyed him with mild amusement. "You look like someone who just discovered mirrors exist."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm allowed to appreciate not looking half-dead for once."
Nova snorted. "I suppose that's fair. Though I have to say, you staring at yourself for this long is getting a little weird. Should I leave you alone with your reflection?"
Harry shot him a glare. "Oh, shut it."
Nova smirked. "Relax, Potter, I'm just saying—you've gone from 'scruffy orphan who probably lives in a cupboard' to 'almost presentable.' That's progress."
"Almost presentable?" Harry scoffed. "I'd say I look more than presentable."
"Sure," Nova said with mock seriousness. "If you ignore the permanent scowl and the fact that your hair still looks like you lost a fight with a hurricane."
Harry ruffled his already messy hair out of spite. "It's called style, Nova. Something you wouldn't understand."
Nova let out a dramatic sigh. "And yet, despite all this newfound confidence, you still don't know how half your spells actually work. Tragic, really."
Harry frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Nova smirked. "I mean, for someone who's fought Dark Lords and Death Eaters, you sure do rely on instinct a lot. Tell me, Potter, what's the theoretical difference between a Stunning Spell and a Blasting Curse?"
Harry opened his mouth—then shut it. He knew how to cast both, obviously, but if Nova was asking for an in-depth explanation… Well, he wasn't exactly a walking spell dictionary.
Nova's grin widened. "Oh, this is fantastic. The great Harry Potter, hero of the wizarding world, has no clue how his own magic actually works. Do they just hand out legendary titles these days?"
Harry scowled. "Oh, sod off. I know enough to beat anyone who comes at me."
"Sure," Nova drawled. "As long as you never face someone who actually knows magic instead of just throwing spells around and hoping for the best."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine. I could know more. But in case you haven't noticed, I've been a bit busy staying alive."
"Ah, yes," Nova said dramatically. "Too busy saving the world to read a book. Truly, your struggles are legendary."
Harry crossed his arms. "Fine. If you're so convinced I'm a magical idiot, let's get an actual assessment."
He turned to the system. "Show me my current knowledge levels."
The system flickered to life.
---
[CUSTOMER KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT]
Current Magical Knowledge: 47% (Below Required Threshold)
Core Subjects:
DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS: 40% (Strong practical application, decent theoretical knowledge, but lacks depth in advanced counter-curses and dark rituals.)
CHARMS: 45% (Knows many spells but lacks precise control and deeper magical mechanics.)
TRANSFIGURATION: 40% (Understands basic transformations but struggles with complex or living transfigurations.)
POTIONS: 30% (Can follow recipes but lacks deeper understanding of ingredient interactions and alchemy.)
-----
ADVANCED & SPECIALIZED SUBJECTS:
MIND MAGIC: 5% (Very weak. Basic
resistance but no active skill in mental arts.)
ANCIENT RUNES: 1% (Knows almost nothing, no formal study.)
ARITHMANCY: 5% (Completely unfamiliar with magical numerical theory.)
GENERAL MAGICAL THEORY & SPELLCRAFTING: 25% (Instinctive grasp of magic but lacks structured knowledge in advanced spell mechanics.)
---
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE FOR TRADE APPROVAL:
Must achieve high mastery in four branches of magic (70% or higher).
Must expand theoretical understanding in spellcrafting, runic applications, and magical adaptability.
Needs refinement in control, precision, and structured application of magic.
---
Nova examined the evaluation and let out a sharp laugh. "Merlin, Potter. You're basically a half-trained wizard. You can throw spells well enough, but your magical foundation is a disaster."
Harry scowled. "I survived against Voldemort multiple times. I can't be that bad."
Nova smirked. "Yeah, because you relied on instinct, dumb luck, and sheer stubbornness. The system doesn't care if you can chuck a powerful Stunning Spell in a duel—it wants to know if you understand why the spell works, how to modify it, and how to counter it efficiently. And right now, you're just a glorified Hogwarts student who got extra combat practice."
Harry winced at the assessment. He had expected to be lacking in some areas, but seeing it laid out so clearly stung.
Nova, of course, took full advantage of the moment. "That face," he said with a smirk, "looks like someone just got told they're the backup Seeker instead of the star player."
Harry shot him a glare. "I knew I wasn't the best at theory, but I didn't think I was this far behind." He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "It's not like I've been slacking off. I've fought Death Eaters, battled creatures most wizards wouldn't dream of facing, and I still need to 'refine my adaptability'?"
Nova leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Battle experience is one thing. Understanding the intricacies of magic is another. You're a good duelist, sure, but there's a difference between casting a spell and mastering magic itself. The system isn't judging you as just another Hogwarts student. It's holding you to a much higher standard."
Harry exhaled, trying to push down his irritation. "Fine. Then I'll learn." His eyes flicked back to the system screen. "But at least tell me how much ground I need to cover. How far behind am I compared to, say, a fully trained wizard?"
The system flickered, displaying a breakdown.
---
[COMPARATIVE KNOWLEDGE ANALYSIS]
AVERAGE HOGWARTS GRADUATE (7th Year): ~65% Overall Knowledge
COMPETENT AUROR: ~80% Overall Knowledge
MASTER OF A MAGICAL DISCIPLINE: ~90%+ in Specialized Fields
CURRENT STATUS: 47%
-----
AREAS OF GREATEST DEFICIENCY:
ADVANCED SPELLCRAFTING – Limited understanding of spell structure and modification.
THEORETICAL DEPTH – Lacks comprehensive knowledge of magical mechanics.
ANCIENT RUNES & ARITHMANCY – Almost nonexistent knowledge.
OCCLUMENCY & LEGILIMENCY – Practically untrained.
RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION:
→ Expand theoretical knowledge.
→ Practice magic beyond standard spellcasting.
→ Develop counter-curse knowledge.
→ Improve magical adaptability.
------
Harry stared at the glowing screen before him, resisting the urge to groan. He wasn't sure what annoyed him more—the fact that he was so far behind in magical knowledge, or Nova's smug expression as he watched Harry come to terms with it.
"Great. So I'm below a seventh-year, nowhere near an Auror, and barely above a fourth-year if we go by book knowledge," he muttered.
Nova gave a slow, deliberate clap. "Finally, he gets it."
Harry shot him a glare but forced himself to focus. "Alright. If I have to fix this, I need a plan." He drummed his fingers against the table, mind already working. The first name that came to him was obvious. "Hermione will help me," he said firmly. "She won't hesitate if it means helping me improve."
Nova raised an eyebrow. "Confident, are we?"
Harry crossed his arms. "Of course. She's my best friend. She'd probably be thrilled that I finally care about studying properly."
Nova chuckled. "Fair point. But just because she's willing doesn't mean it'll be enough. The system isn't looking for someone to spoon-feed you answers—it wants you to understand magic at a fundamental level. Listening to Hermione ramble about theory won't do much unless you apply it."
"I know that," Harry said, a little defensively. "But having her explain things will help me get there faster. If I'm missing key concepts, she'll point them out. If I'm practicing something wrong, she'll correct me."
Nova tapped his fingers on the table, nodding slightly. "Not a bad approach. If you combine Hermione's knowledge with hands-on training, you might actually get somewhere. But you'll still need to put in the work."
Harry sighed. "I figured as much." He leaned back in his chair, thinking. "But what am I supposed to tell her? That some mysterious system appeared and I made a deal with an all-powerful being to get information on Voldemort's secrets, but I need to study more magic to actually obtain it? She'd think I've gone mad. Or worse, she'd go straight to Dumbledore or McGonagall."
Nova shrugged. "That's your problem. Solve it yourself."
Harry ran a hand through his hair, deep in thought. He needed Hermione to believe him, to see the system for herself. And then an idea struck him. He sat up straight, his eyes sharp.
"What if you make a deal with Hermione?"
Nova's interest was piqued. "Oh?"
"If she sees the system and you for herself, she'll believe it's real," Harry explained. "That way, she won't run to a professor thinking this is some dark magic nonsense. She'll take it seriously."
Nova chuckled. "Smart. Instead of convincing her yourself, you let the system and me do the work."
"Exactly." Harry leaned forward. "You said the system trades in knowledge, artifacts, and power, right? Hermione is basically a walking library—she has knowledge she could trade. Maybe she'd even want to make a deal."
Nova tapped his fingers on the table, considering. " She is very much academic, unlike some magical idiot. Maybe she can help me with some magical projects..hmmm very good idea. But I'd need to find something valuable enough to offer her in return. She won't trade just for the sake of it—she's too logical for that.
Harry selectively ignored the jab and smirked. "Oh, I already know what she'd want—more knowledge."
Nova grinned. "You think she'd trade for access to advanced magical texts? Lost spells? Forbidden research?"
"Definitely," Harry said without hesitation. "If you offer her rare magical knowledge—stuff she can't find at Hogwarts—she'll take the deal. And once she sees the system in action, she won't doubt it."
Nova leaned back, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "Alright, Potter. You've got yourself a plan."
Harry let out a relieved breath. "Good. Now I just have to convince her to hear you out without thinking I've gone insane."
As he pondered his next step, another thought occurred to him. Nova was a being capable of granting wishes. If the system valued knowledge, then…
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Wait a second."
Nova raised an eyebrow and motioned for him to continue.
"Can't I just wish for my magical knowledge to increase? That would solve my problem instantly, right? Just tell me how much I need to pay to meet the contract requirements."
Nova let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Ah, Potter, if only it were that easy."
Harry frowned. "Why wouldn't it work? You can grant wishes, right? I could just wish to have enough magical knowledge to meet the trade requirements."
Nova leaned forward, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're not wrong. I could theoretically grant you instant mastery of several branches of magic. But the system doesn't operate on loopholes—it enforces the spirit of the deal, not just the letter. If you try to wish for instant knowledge, the price would be astronomical."
Harry hesitated. "How astronomical?"
Nova smirked and raised a hand. The system's interface flickered, and new text appeared in glowing letters.
---
[CUSTOMER REQUEST: INSTANT KNOWLEDGE UPGRADE]
Option 1: Direct Knowledge Infusion
Effect: Grants full mastery of any chosen branches of magic.
Cost: 500,000,000 Galleons.
Option 2: Structured Knowledge Enhancement
Effect: Rapidly increases comprehension and retention, allowing accelerated study.
Cost: 50,000 Galleons per topic.
Option 3: Custom Knowledge Expansion (Negotiable)
Effect: Partial infusion, tailored to customer's current potential.
Cost: Variable, depending on scope.
---
Harry stared at the first option, his jaw dropping. "Five hundred million Galleons? That's ridiculous!"
Nova grinned. "The system values knowledge highly. True mastery isn't something you can just buy on a whim."
Harry groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Even the second option is expensive! 50,000 Galleons per topic, not subject but per topic."
Nova shrugged. "Then maybe don't try to brute-force your way through this. You could take the third option and negotiate a smaller knowledge boost, something more reasonable."
Harry frowned, rereading the options. He exhaled. "I'll think about it. But for now, I'm sticking to the original plan. Get Hermione involved, study properly, and train until I reach the threshold."
Nova nodded approvingly. "Smart choice."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Now let's just hope I can get Hermione to listen without thinking I've lost my mind."
XxxxX
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