[ Chapter VII (7): "MS. SOJOURNER MULLEIN'S FIRST LESSON IN MAGIC" ]
[ STUDENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY CASTED THE WAND-LIGHTING CHARM, PROFICIENCY INCREASE 5.0% ]
What the fuck...?
Matthias watches in confusion as the little lady besides him casts the Wand-Lighting Charm in her first go. That wasn't what surprised him, he believes she's capable, no, what surprised him is the increase in her proficiency which is x15 more than when he cast a spell; plus the brightness that her spell has, it's extremely blinding!
[ "I-I did it!" ] Jo who doesn't notice the clear disbelief written on her Professor's face, instead went and celerated with her supportive grandfather. [ "Grandpa, I did it!" ]
[ "That you did, atta girl!" ] Who due to his excitement, and Jo's excitement, closed down the bodega early— something unprecedented, perhaps something that should be recorded in history.
And at the moment, the three of them is practicing magic, in the middle of the isles with a small round table. Matthias sitting on one side, while the other is occupied by the Mullein granddaughter-grandfather pair.
[ "I-I did it, Mr. Wizard." ] She beemed, her smile practically blinding to an emo-like individual like Matthias; who in turn squinted his eyes to shield himself from the imaginative light. [ "I did magic!" ]
That you did, better than me... Matthias glanced down at his wand and wondered why she's more gifted than him in magic, he did after all spent hours on a single mastery on spell, yet this girl...
He turned to the girl, and in seeing her happiness is learning magic— the usually bitter and salty Matthias shoved down that personality, instead showing his positive side, especially because this is a child— he can't be negative to a child. [ "You did wonderful." ]
He smiled at her, albeit with no teeth as he doesn't want her to see this body's yellowish teeth; one that only knew of alcohol and nicotine in-between it, and also because even though he toothbrushed it, he could still smell bad breath.
[ "The Wand-Lighting Charm is supposed to be a very difficult charm to someone who hadn't experienced casting magic, yet here you are, on the first try." ] He continued the praise/assessment by leaning forward, enough for her to hear his voice clearly. [ "You, Ms. Mullein is a gifted witch, I'm proud of you, and call me Professor." ]
In hearing that, the older and younger geneation of the Mullein Family practically shrill in excitement. Less so high pitched for the former, more so the latter; a child, which grasped the wand very tightly— to the point that Matthias worries about it's durability.
[ "Uhh- sweetie, uhm. Can you please cast the Wand-Lighting Charm, again?" ] He swallowed the lump on his throat, praying his wand wouldn't break, before then continuing the lesson, [ "Remember the incantation?" ]
[ "Lumos!" ] She instinctively yelled, which made the stick in her hand glow a bright white light; less than before, but more light than the normal Lvl. 0 proficiency should show, in comparison to Matthias that is.
[ STUDENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY CASTED THE WAND-LIGHTING CHARM, PROFICIENCY INCREASE 3.6% ]
[ "..." ] He watched wide eyed the light slowly disappear from the tip of the wand, disbelief written all over his face; which is noticed by the Mullein grandfather, a proud smirk slowly rising from the corner of his mouth.
[ "Okay, again." ] He said, wanting to see the proficiency bar fill to 100% and see what'll happen, and also because he wants to teach her Nox— means night, it's the counter spell.
[ "Again?" ] She asked, her hand itching to do the magic again. Only waiting for a permission to do so.
[ "Yes, again, Ms. Mullein." ] Matthias leaned back on the uncomfortable wooden chair that he's sitting on, [ "As much as you want." ]
[ "Yeeesss!" ] She wasted no time and casted the Wand-Lighting Charm again. To a seasoned wizard or witch, this may not look that much, especially because the said Wand-Lighting Charm is the most basic charm there is— simple making of lights.
And yes, if you compare this to other charms which borders on helpful and deadly, the Wand-Lighting Charm doesn't compare much. But to Jo, and Anthony Mullein who had lived their entire life entirely unfamiliar to magic, it's everything. [ "Lumos!" ]
And after having casted the sams said spell for the nth time— to be precise the 38th time, Jo finally stopped when her Professor signalled for him to stop; even her grandfather is confused. [ "Professor, did I do... something wrong?" ]
[ "Shh, don't question your Professor, Jo." ] Anthony Mullein, her grandfather scolded her, reminding her who's the Professor and Student in their dynamic. [ "He might be thinking about something important. Don't disturb him while he's thinking, let's wait." ]
Jo who doesn't know anything better at the moment, nodded, not fully understanding but following what her grandfather said; making a zipping motion on her mouth.
[ STUDENT HAS ACHIEVED 100% PROFICIENCY WITH WAND-LIGHTING CHARM LVL. 0 ]
[ PLAYER WILL BE AWARDED ACCORDINGLY BASED ON STUDENT'S ACHIEVEMENTS: 20 SYSTEM COINS, 40 EXPERIENCE ]
Holy shit... This is actually a very lucrative business idea, I'm bloody rich!
Contrary to their expectation, Matthias is instead happy due to the influx of money and experience that he is receiving. Totally opposite of important, but to Matthias it might as well be, as it could buy steak.
Matthias salivates inwardly to the thought of being able to buy 120 steak from the magical plate, 100 from the System's Mission, and 20 from teaching her about the Wand-Lighting Charm. Imagine how much more steak he could get by teaching her more.
[ "Keep casting the Wand-Lighting Charm, Ms. Mullein. But after saying Lumos, say Nox and imagine the light disappearing from the tip of your wand." ] Matthias taught. Spoon-feeding knowledge in a blitz, which the other ate and done even before he could finish speaking. [ "Alright, Professor." ]
[ "Lumos!" ] She chanted, the tip of her wand glowing brightest compared to the previous cases. Jo chalked this up to improvement, which it is in reality, though unbeknownst to her this kind of improvement isn't normal— but hey, she's 10 years old, she doesn't know what's normal or not. [ "Nox!" ]
Jo doing what she was told, said Nox, thus causing the light from the tip of her wand to disappear. Seeing her curiosity, Matthias opened his mouth to explain. [ "Lumos means light, and Nox means night. The latter spell is known as a counterspell used to extinguish another spell— either casted from your wand, or another's." ]
He doesn't know if she could understand everything, but from experience he knows that children generally knows much more than they let out. He was such example.
So like the trusty adult he is, he didn't hold back his punches; continuing his explanation about the history of latin incantation, importance of wand waving, and emotions in casting magic. An impromptu lesson which captivated even grandfather Mullein.
All of this he learnt from the 3 books he currently possessed— 2 for Charms and 1 for Transfiguration. While the other things are mostly added by him, exaggerations, made-up, and theories from the HP FFs he read back in his original universe.
It was heavy, it was confusing, it was mesmerizing enough to captivate the duo for an hour and a half. Even Matthias was confused, when the fuck did he become so intelligent? He doesn't know but it's welcome.
[ "When will I earn my robe?" ]
[ "When you're ready." ] He's lying, he doesn't know where to buy a wizard/witch robe— it's either through the System's Shop, or a normal shop somewhere in Gotham; a costume shop to be precise.
[ "Is this wand mine?" ]
[ "Every wizard of witch have their own wand, usually the wand chooses the person, so, no. That's still mine, Ms. Mullein, sorry." ] Again, he doesn't know where to buy a wand, so, no, you're not taking anything missy.
[ "Then when can I get my wand?" ]
[ "When the star's align you'll know, Ms. Mullein, that'll be the day when you'll be able to control your magic." ] Bullshitting, really, that's my wand little lady, get you own.
[ "That sounds stupid." ] She pouted, crossing her arms while she looked at the wand in her hand; the tip lighting a faint white glow even without her needing to chant. Yes, she easily reached that mastery while Matthias was busy making up stories. [ "But... I want a wand, to show off." ]
Jo imagines herself holding the said wand to her classmates, then being the center of attention, and her mustering up an army of children that she'll teach magic on. But that sounds like a distant dream now, maybe in the future if given the chance.
Seeing her so dishearted, Matthias imagined himself in her situation and would have definitely done the same— probably worse, because he would have definitely stolen the wand if given the chance and never turn back. So he, he doesn't know why exactly, but he assured her. [ "Yeah, uhh- maybe in the future, you'll never know." ]
Hearing that, her eyes regained their usual brighness and shoned bright. [ "Promise?" ] Her pinkie finger stretched out for a pinkie promise, the highest vow there could be.
[ "..." ] What have I done, shit. He doesn't like responsibilities, but he also doesn't like disrespecting pinkie promises, so he reached out his and tangled it. [ "Fine, I promise." ]
And besides, if his gig last that long, then wouldn't he need to give her a wand in the first place? Screw it, already made a pinkie promise, can't break it.
At the same time, Mr. Mullein came out from the back of the bodega, from the small kitchen, still wearing an colorful apron around his waist. In his hands is a tray filled with freshly made tortillas, lovely. [ "Tortillas? Anyone?" ] I guess that means recess.
[ ---------- ] [ ---------- ] [ ---------- ] [ ---------- ]
[ FUN FACT: DC Comics made Harry Potter even before J.K Rowling did. In The Book of Magic by DC, they introduce a young British kid named Timothy Hunter with the potential to become the world's greatest mage— destined to be the conduit for the legendary wizard Merlin. In short, he is Harry Potter before Harry Potter was made; having predated the creation of HP by 7 years. ]
[ 10/04/2025 ]
[ 10/04/2025 ]