Chapter 135: Patronus Spell
After a while, he left, leaving behind only the open box, the empty throne, a dark crucible discarded in the corner like rubbish, and the viscous liquid within it.
Due to the appearance of the crucible and the unknown substance inside, the four naturally ignored it.
When Phineas returned to Hogwarts, the first thing he did was bid farewell to George and the others. As usual, he headed to the Room of Requirement to check his system panel.
As expected, the task connected to the legacy of the four founders had advanced another stage.
There is a stark contrast between modern magic and ancient magic. As the powerful wizards who established Hogwarts, the first formal magic school in Europe, the strength of the founders was beyond question. Was it possible, then, that they had left behind remnants of ancient magic?
Side Mission: Inherit the legacy of the four legendary founders.
Second stage completed: Patronus Charm fully mastered.
Third stage unlocked: Apparition spell proficiency reward granted.
Additionally, the task related to exploring Hogwarts had been updated:
Explore Hogwarts: Visit all locations within Hogwarts (excluding *****), including classrooms, corridors, staircases, etc. (Completed)
Common rooms of the four Houses (Slytherin and Ravenclaw completed), professors' offices (completed), the kitchen, the Room of Requirement, secret passages (Room of Requirement completed), and the inherited relics of the four founders (Ravenclaw and Gryffindor completed).
Progress: 65% — Hidden achievement unlocked.
Reward at 100%: Mastery of Fire Magic (includes counter-spells).
It was clear that Phineas had reaped significant gains from uncovering Gryffindor's treasure.
Both major missions had progressed considerably, and more importantly, his Patronus Charm had reached full mastery.
Phineas had never actively studied the Patronus Charm—not because it was weak; in fact, it was one of the most useful spells. With foreknowledge of future events, it was crucial to learn. After all, the Dementors would eventually break free from Azkaban.
Yet he never pursued it. Despite the spell not requiring much magical power—a wizard of fifteen or sixteen could easily manage it—it was still classified as advanced magic. The challenge lay in its emotional component.
Any spell involving emotions was inherently complex and considered advanced.
Most believed that casting a Patronus required happy memories and joyous emotions. But Phineas knew better. That common belief was flawed.
Despite the name "Patronus," wizards had failed to understand that the true core of the spell was never magic power or joyful memory—but the instinct to protect. The desire to shield what mattered most was the key.
There were rumors that dark wizards could not cast Patronuses due to tainted souls. But this wasn't entirely true. While the Patronus might touch upon the soul, it wasn't deeply rooted in it. As long as the soul remained intact, the spell was still possible.
The true reason dark wizards failed was because they had forsaken their humanity. Without it, there was nothing left they wished to protect.
Phineas lacked a sense of belonging in this world. At least, for now, there was nothing he cherished or fought to defend.
He understood the people around him were real—flesh and blood—but he remained detached. His motivations were rooted in gain. That set him apart from the traditional pure-blood families, who valued bloodline above all. Phineas valued benefit.
He had no anchor. Nothing he treasured. So he had known all along that he couldn't cast the Patronus, even if he tried.
But that was no longer the case.
Now, the problem had been perfectly resolved. He could summon a Patronus at will, without relying on emotion—only magic. That was the system's strength.
Phineas raised his wand and whispered:
"Expecto Patronum!"
Silvery-white mist emerged from the wand's tip, drifting upward and forming a cloud. Gradually, it took shape.
It transformed into a silver-white kitten. The mist began to solidify, and the kitten moved gracefully, darting and leaping around him through the air.
Observing his Patronus's form, Phineas nodded. It was just as he had suspected—there was a similarity between the Patronus and Animagus forms. Both drew upon fragments of the soul.
Thinking about it, he realized that while some wizards suspected a connection between Patronuses and Animagi, no one had formally published any research on the subject.
After all, few could cast a Patronus, and even fewer became Animagi. Rarer still were those who mastered both.
As Phineas pondered this, the system interface once again made its presence known:
"How can a wizard who aims to be the strongest not contribute to magical academia? Publish five scholarly articles in the wizarding world and receive recognition from established authorities.
Reward: Legilimency and Occlumency."
Phineas sighed. He was increasingly convinced that the system only generated tasks based on his own thoughts and intentions.
The founders' legacy, exploring Hogwarts, escaping the vampire fortress, and avenging the vampire clan—each had begun as his own ideas before becoming system missions.
But because of this, Phineas had grown to trust the system more. As a time traveler, he had read his fair share of stories about self-aware systems manipulating protagonists. It was only natural to be suspicious.
But his strongest wizard system seemed to lack self-awareness entirely. It was more like a modular tool that activated in response to his goals.
It remained silent unless prompted. Spell rewards were not necessary to cast spells. And the knowledge of new spells often came to him gradually—via dreams—over the nights following a reward.
---
System Panel
Name: Phineas Walburga Black
House: None
Date of Enrollment: 1 September, 1989
Health: 3000 (average human: 2000)
Magic: 500 (average young wizard: 100; adult wizard: 500)
Luck: ***
Exploration Attribute: 30%
Bloodline: 50%
Echo: Jonathan (Purple 450/15)
Equipment: Magical Gloves
Spells Known: General Spells, Animagus (cat), Shadowless, Unforgivable Curses, Patronus Charm