Late at night, at 19 Tiber Avenue, the lights were still on in the second-floor window.
Albert was rapidly reading through the book, casually leveling up his Rapid Memory skill to Level 2. His memory had significantly improved—an ability beyond the reach of ordinary people. At least in terms of memory, Albert was undoubtedly superior.
Just moments ago, Albert had discovered he had gained another unfamiliar skill: Wizard Bloodline, Level 0.
Ordinary experience couldn't level up this skill; it could only be improved using Skill Points.
This was the first time he'd encountered such a situation. After a moment's hesitation, Albert decided to upgrade Wizard Bloodline to Level 1.
Upon leveling up the skill, Albert found his magic learning efficiency had increased. Or rather, his magical power had grown stronger, allowing him to master the Luminos Charm more quickly. After just ten minutes of practice, he had already leveled the skill to Level 1.
This meant Albert had achieved a basic understanding of the spell and could cast it effortlessly without needing to concentrate.
Should he invest all his Skill Points?
Albert hesitated. Skill Points were hard to come by, and he needed to save some.
After much deliberation, he decided to invest the remaining two Skill Points. However, he discovered he could only level up the skill by one level?
What a scam!
After Albert upgraded his Wizard Bloodline to Level 2, he didn't feel any other changes.
Could it be a passive skill?
Albert was a little frustrated, but he didn't regret it. He left his room and began practicing the Alohomora spell.
With his wand in one hand and Standard Spells, Grade 1 open in the other, he followed the hand movements described in the book, making two gentle strokes in a reverse S shape. It felt awkward.
After a few more attempts, Albert locked his door from the outside and cast Alohomora on the doorknob.
He turned the knob a few times, but the lock didn't budge.
Failed.
Though the failure was expected, there was good news: another Alohomora spell had been added to his Panel, though this time without any experience.
"Albert, what are you doing?" a girl's voice called from behind him. Nia, still in her pajamas, appeared at the end of the hallway.
Albert turned to face his sister, knowing exactly how she felt—like she'd caught a thief sneaking a snack.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Albert asked.
"I can't sleep!" Nia complained. "You sly fox! I knew you were secretly practicing Magic."
Albert felt a little embarrassed, but it was true. He felt like he'd been caught stealing... ahem, sneaking a dessert, and he was a bit humbled.
"I want to play too!" Nia said, staring intently at Albert's wand.
"But it's not a toy!" Albert shook his head. He wouldn't let his little sister use the wand.
Children had no sense of restraint and acted purely on their whims. There was no telling what kind of trouble Nia might get into.
Of course, that was assuming Nia was a wizard herself.
Since Albert was a wizard, there was a high chance Nia was too. That's why he wouldn't let her try using the wand so easily—at least not yet.
"How sly! You were sneaking around playing with it yourself!" Nia complained, like a child whose toy had been snatched away.
"Aren't you going back to bed?" Albert changed the subject.
"No, I can't sleep."
"Then I'll tell you a story!" Albert pulled out his key, unlocked the door, and stepped back inside.
"Albert's so sly!" Nia grumbled, but she still picked up Tom and followed him into his room.
As soon as Tom entered the room, he began sniffing everywhere, as if searching for an Owl. He was clearly displeased with the birdcage by the window.
"Alright, Tom, Shera has gone out to hunt!" Albert picked up the shorthaired cat, stroked its belly, and then carefully placed his wand in a drawer, locked it, and put the key in his pocket as if guarding against thieves. Albert knew his sister's personality all too well.
"Ugh! Is it really necessary to treat me like a thief?" Nia pouted, her small lips pursed in annoyance.
"Don't I know you?" Albert rolled his eyes at Nia. "If you got your hands on my wand, wouldn't you blow our house to smithereens?"
"I wouldn't!" Nia insisted stubbornly.
"Who knows if you wouldn't? Don't forget how you got that scratch on your arm." Albert didn't want to risk finding out. "Don't make promises. I really don't want to see you suddenly lose an arm one day, or worse, lose your life."
"I wouldn't," Nia mumbled, a hint of guilt in her voice.
It had been a similar situation before. Not long after Tom had arrived at their home, she had been scratched for treating him roughly. She still remembered Albert's furious scolding.
That was the first time Nia had ever seen Albert angry.
"Don't forget your lesson," Albert retorted. "Do you still want to hear the story?"
"Alright!" Nia leaned back against the cushions, stroking Tom's fur as she listened quietly to Albert's fairy tale. He had become quite skilled at storytelling, having practiced for both oral practice and to improve his English. After all, his core identity wasn't that of a true Brit. Despite having absorbed the language through immersion since his transmigration, he still felt a slight gap in this area.
It was worth noting that he had also picked up a foreign language along the way. He had leveled up his French by a grade through experience. There was a reason Albert was considered a genius.
"Albert, do you think I'll be able to use Magic someday?" Nia asked suddenly.
"You should be able to," Albert reassured her. "If I can use Magic, so should you."
"But that's because you're a genius who learns everything so quickly."
"It has nothing to do with being a genius!" Albert was speechless. "We're siblings. If I can do it, so should you."
"But Grandpa can't," Nia murmured. "He says his family can, but he can't. And Dad can't either."
Albert was caught in the crossfire.
"Even if you can't use magic, there are other things you can do," Albert comforted.
"You're so sly! You can already use magic, yet you still say things like that to comfort others. Tom, hit him!" Nia grabbed Tom's paw and pressed it against Albert's face.
As the night deepened, Nia drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
The door creaked open, and Daisy and Herb, both in their pajamas, entered the room. They looked at their sleeping daughter with a mixture of fondness and resignation.
"Finally asleep," Herb said, picking up Nia and carrying her back to her room.
"Good night, Albert. Get some rest and don't stay up late. You can read your books tomorrow," Daisy whispered, kissing Albert's cheek. "Your father and I won't oppose your decision."
"Good night," Albert said, stifling a yawn. He nudged Tom, but the cat merely rolled over lazily, showing no intention of moving.
"Never mind. Good night, Tom," Albert said, pushing the cat aside. He fluffed his pillow, found a comfortable position, and settled down to sleep. He was exhausted too.
Still, magic was truly a wondrous thing.