I'm about to turn eleven, and believe me, I've got a story to tell about how much I've changed since the system first came online.
My first real eye-opener happened about forty-eight minutes after I'd drifted off to sleep. It turned out that when the system promised me ten times the rewards; it wasn't kidding – it applied to almost everything.
(Flashback)
I woke up feeling completely refreshed, as if I'd just had a solid eight hours of sleep. The only snag? It was still the middle of the night, and I'd only closed my eyes for less than an hour. Forty-eight minutes of sleep, multiplied by ten, genuinely felt like a full, deep eight hours.
Since that initial discovery, I'd explored a plethora of things related to my system. Sure, sleeping less meant the days stretched out, moving at a much slower pace, but I'd filled that extra time with an incredible amount of self-discovery.
Working out became something I genuinely enjoyed. Most people would need weeks to feel the payoff for their hard work. Me?
Ten push-ups gave me the benefits of a hundred. The only fatigue I felt was from the actual amount I'd physically completed. My body, now a mana reactor, meant that any muscles I tore would not only heal faster but also strengthen even more.
I had my own accelerated growth loop, and I knew this would be the foundation of my magical journey, too.
And get this: I could essentially eat anything now! How cool is that? Every single nutrient, no matter the type, was absorbed optimally into my body.
All in all, I spent the better part of the next five years' training, devouring educational books, especially about the era I was born in. My rapid advancements in school meant I had enough knowledge to easily apply for university at the tender age of ten.
(Present Day)
My bedroom had undergone a massive overhaul since I was six. A towering bookcase now held dozens of books, ranging from early education primers to advanced university texts. A set of weights sat next to my bed, something I'd grown quite fond of.
Mr. Thompson quickly realized I had a real hunger for knowledge, so he was always happy to buy me new books.
Now, you're probably wondering, Klaus, you've done so much. How has no one adopted you yet?
Joke's on you! Mr. Thompson had asked me on my ninth birthday if I wanted him to adopt me. It turned out he couldn't have children, and that was the main reason he'd started this orphanage. He was pushing his late sixties and wanted someone he trusted to take care of everything he'd built in the future. And that person, surprisingly, was me!
We didn't tell the other kids about the adoption. I understood they'd see me as some privileged kid, and probably feel envious. So, we kept it on the down low, not changing how we interacted with one another. But James – or Mr. Thompson, as everyone else knew him – began showing me the ropes. From managing monthly expenses to looking for investments.
With my system, I'd become quite proficient in these areas, so James was more than happy with my future prospects. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was a wizard, but really, it wouldn't change much in the long run.
Tap… Tap… Tap…
I was pulled from my inner musings by the faint sound of something sharp tapping on my window. An owl was perched on the sill, its beady eyes fixed on me. Noticing it, a wide smile spread across my face.
"It's here!" I quickly opened the window, inviting my new avian friend into my room.
The owl flew to my desk, fluttering its wings as if declaring, 'I have arrived, peasant!'
Laughing to myself, I found the letter attached to its foot. "God, this is a heavy piece of paper. Oh, no, it's parchment. That makes more sense."
The wax seal on the back was all I needed to see before I tore the letter open, fishing out the parchment.
_____
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Thompson,
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.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress.
_____
The additional piece of parchment held the standard information necessary for my education at Hogwarts, from the location of Diagon Alley to the required items.
Before the bird got annoyed, I grabbed a piece of paper, quickly penning my response and attaching it to the owl's leg once again. "Thanks for your hard work, buddy. Send this back to Professor McGonagall."
As the bird took flight, I raced to my bedroom door, slamming it open as I made my way to Mr. Thompson's office.
Down two flights of stairs, I knocked on his door.
"Come in!" His smooth voice called out. Opening the door, I closed it behind me before taking a seat in front of his desk.
"Klaus, what brings you here? Our lessons aren't until this evening." He smiled at me, the wrinkles around his eyes crinkling slightly.
"Uh, James. Something happened. Well, nothing bad. But I received a letter today." Fishing the parchment from my pocket, I slid it across the table.
Mr. Thompson, or James, picked it up and slowly read the letter. I sat there, a little apprehensive, watching his face change with each line: from shocked, to confused, and finally, resignation.
"So, they've finally reached out?" he asked, fishing out a glass and pouring himself some bourbon.
I was… confused? "Sir, what do you mean? You know about this?"
Taking a large drink, James nodded and smiled.
"I think it's time to explain something about my past. My mother and father were what you'd call magical, a witch and a wizard. They weren't from Britain, but the USA. They moved here right after the war and brought over their family wealth. Unfortunately, I was born a squib–someone who has no magic."
He's a squib? He knows about magic? Okay, this is something I never would have guessed.
"My parents were lovely, but once they learned about my… condition… they created a Muggle, or non-magical, bank account for me, left a tidy sum of money, and shipped me off to a new family." Chuckling, he took another drink. "Guess they didn't understand the amount they left me, as wizards have no concept of Muggle finances. I was left with a fortune and no parents."
"So… you used that money as capital and started your own businesses, leading to this point now, where your adopted son, in turn, is magical?" I asked.
Laughing out loud, James nodded. "You seem incredibly calm about this, but yes, you're right. So, what do you think? It's pretty out there. But this letter is one hundred percent true. They have a book that can find anyone with magic in the country, and they are registered to the school from birth."
This made the whole situation much easier than I'd anticipated. I wouldn't need to deceive James about anything but my system, and that was just being smart. No one should know about it.
"I sort of already knew something was different about me, but I was too worried to talk about it. I can make things float to me, push things away. I even accidentally spoke to an animal, I think? Less spoke, and more instructed it to leave my room."
As I said that, I lifted James's glass with a flick of my finger, making it move around the room and back into his hand.
James stared at me, momentarily shocked, before a slight giggle escaped his lips. "Yeah, alright. You're a little prodigy, I get it, kid. I wish you would have told me, but I understand, this would be freaky for anyone. So, have you replied to the letter?" A small smirk appeared on his lips.
"Yeah… I got a bit excited. Sorry 'bout that."
"Ha! No worries. I guess someone will come here soon?" I nodded at his question.
"Talk about irony, right? I was kicked out of my family for no magic, and I adopted the one kid in my orphanage that has magic." Shaking his head, James stood up.
"Get some rest today. I'm sure you'll have someone come in this week. We'll go from there, okay?" he said.
Smiling, I hugged him before stepping away. "Sure, maybe we can kick some magical ass as compensation for them being… well, for being dicks to you?"
James quickly smacked the back of my head. "Language!" Before he laughed once more.
"But sure, thanks, kid!"
_____
(A/N - Third chapter for today! Sect Master requests the blood of your fallen victims. Thanks!)