"Aunt Penelope, I really like the finance tutor you found for me, and I've already mastered some of the related knowledge. Could you please find me a philosophy teacher as well?"
"Leo, I'm very happy to see you so enthusiastic about learning; after all, you'll need to take over Grafton Industries in the future." The graceful woman paused, studying the young man before her with gentle concern. "But you're still a child and need to pay attention to proper rest and recreation to ensure healthy physical growth."
"Aunt, the world is like a giant washing machine; either you roll over others, or others roll over you!"
Inside the elegantly decorated villa, Penelope Grafton leaned against the plush sofa, looking rather helplessly at the handsome young man before her. His dark golden hair was neatly combed, and his deep black eyes revealed a maturity that didn't belong to someone his age.
Leonardo Grafton, the sole heir to the British commercial giant, Grafton Industries. His parents had died in an accident during a business trip, and he had been subsequently raised by his aunt Penelope. She had never married or had children of her own, so Leo was the only bloodline left by her brother, and she had always treated him as her own son.
Leo had been clever and intelligent since childhood, well-behaved and studious, and completely unlike other children his age who were mischievous and carefree. But sometimes Penelope felt that Leo was almost too studious. Not only could he quickly master various subjects taught by his tutors, but he would also actively request teachers to assign him large amounts of practice exercises and homework.
Rubbing her temples, Penelope chuckled softly. "I know what a washing machine is, but what does 'roll' mean? You always like to create new expressions." Her voice grew more serious. "However, Leo, have you really thought it through about going to that Hogwarts place?"
Leo had been living in this world for ten years already. When he first discovered that he had been reborn into a wealthy family, he thought he would inherit the family fortune, dominate the business world, and trample the financial industry underfoot to become a proper business mogul.
However, this morning had changed everything. A snow-white owl flew in through his bedroom window, dropped an envelope with practised precision, and left as gracefully as it had arrived.
The emblem on the envelope was unmistakable... a capital "H" surrounded by a lion, snake, badger, and eagle.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Order of Merlin First Class)
Dear Mr Grafton,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Given your circumstances, we will send a professor to answer your questions, who will arrive no later than eight o'clock this evening.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts? Magic? Leo had finally accepted the fact that he had somehow ended up in the Harry Potter universe, trying hard to recall every detail he could remember from the books and films.
This world had all kinds of wonderful magic, a completely self-contained magical society, and a rich variety of magical creatures. For young wizards from pure Muggle families like Leo, a professor would visit their home to explain the basics of the wizarding world.
"I wonder which professor will come," Leo mused to himself. "Dumbledore? Or the stern Professor McGonagall? Surely not that intimidating Snape..."
Facing Penelope's inquiry, Leo nodded with determination. "Yes, Aunt. At Hogwarts, I can learn about magic... knowledge I know absolutely nothing about yet."
Seeing that Leo was about to launch into another passionate speech about acquiring new knowledge, Penelope waved her hands with amused surrender. "Alright, alright, if you want to go, then go. After all, it's extraordinary supernatural power... who in their right mind would refuse such an opportunity?"
As the current head of Grafton Industries, Penelope had heard whispered rumours about the existence of the magical world in certain high-society circles, but she never expected that her nephew would actually awaken wizarding powers.
After chatting with his aunt for a few more minutes, Leo returned to his room, closing the door behind him.
"System, I'm about to go learn magic... can you waive this month's loan payment?"
[Congratulations to the host for stepping into a brand new world. Currently applying for the 'Magic Loan' package for you...]
Hearing the system's emotionless mechanical voice, Leo shook his head helplessly. As standard equipment for most transmigrators, this system had awakened when he was six years old. Its full name was the Loan Reward System.
The concept was simple yet terrifying: Leo could directly receive rewards in advance and then complete loan tasks issued by the system afterward to pay off his debt.
For example, Leo had recently taken out a loan for "Financial Knowledge Mastery". The moment he signed the loan contract, vast amounts of finance-related knowledge flooded his mind instantly. Afterward, he needed to read fifty finance books and complete five hundred related exercises to repay the loan. Of course, thanks to the pre-advanced knowledge, Leo was far more capable of completing these tasks efficiently.
[To celebrate that the host is about to embrace the wonder of magic, we have applied for "Loki's Faceless" (annual loan) for you...]
Seeing the words "annual loan", Leo's left eyelid twitched uncontrollably. The system's loans were divided into four categories: daily loans, weekly loans, monthly loans, and the most dangerous annual loans.
The repayment periods were exactly what they sounded like... one day, one week, one month, and one full year, respectively. The rewards increased progressively with each tier, but the difficulty and scope of the loan tasks also skyrocketed accordingly.
[Loan Project: Loki's Faceless (Annual Loan)]
[Repayment Period: 365 days]
[Loan Content: Gain the magical talents of Loki, God of Tricks and God of Transformation]
Magical Aptitude Ratings:
[Light Magic: S]
[Dark Magic: SS+]
[Defence Against Dark Arts: S+]
[Transfiguration: SSS]
[Potions: A]
[Alchemy: A+]
[Raw Magical Power: SS]
[Loan Tasks: Master Light Magic proficiently, Master Transfiguration to perfection, Master Dark Magic to perfection, Raise extraordinary heirs...]
Looking at the detailed description of the "Loki's Faceless" loan package, Leo's expression became increasingly conflicted. He knew about Loki from Norse mythology... the silver-tongued god of mischief, especially renowned for his shapeshifting abilities and mastery of illusion magic.
But such luxurious rewards also meant hellish loan tasks. Just the sheer number of requirements made his head spin. No matter how powerful Loki's talents might be, could he realistically master all this magical knowledge within a single year?
And what in Merlin's name was 'raise extraordinary heirs' supposed to mean? Was it because legend claimed that Loki had given birth to bizarre creatures like Fenrir the giant wolf, Jörmungandr the world serpent, and Sleipnir the eight-legged horse?
Could humans even produce such beings? The very thought made Leo's stomach churn.
"System," he said carefully, "for my first magic-related loan, there should be some kind of beginner's discount, right?"