Chapter 11: Profound Knowledge is a Prerequisite for Becoming a Spellcaster
[Name: Dudley Dursley]
[Race: Muggle (True)]
[Profession: Magician (False), Ripple User]
[Strength: Nine]
[Agility: Six]
[Constitution: Fifteen]
[Mana: Zero]
[Magic: None]
[Mystic Code: None]
[Skills: Iron Mountain Lean (Level Five), Boxing (Level Three), Language (Level Two), Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (Level Two), Biology (Level Two), Handcraft (Level One), Firearms (Level One), Archery (Level One)]
[Special: Ripple Qigong (Level One)]
The ability column contained a jumble of various things; in short, everything was there except magic. All of these were activated through experience points gained by daily eating.
The system's explanation to Dudley was: "Profound knowledge is a prerequisite for becoming a spellcaster."
This reasoning was fairly logical, and Dudley accepted it.
Relying on these, along with his own hard work, Dudley had successfully created the perfect image of a top student.
Incidentally, the skill list could be upgraded through experience gained from daily meals, but specials could not—they required self-cultivation.
Dudley did not know what the maximum level for abilities was, but his Level Three boxing already allowed him to dominate across major schools.
As for attributes like strength and agility, Dudley had no basis for comparison, so he was even less clear on what level they truly represented. Still, he assumed they were decent.
At least in terms of strength, Dudley had never backed down from anyone.
After hearing the system's prompt, Dudley clearly saw the mana column increase from zero to zero point five.
At that moment, Dudley's heart pounded wildly with excitement.
Although it was only zero point five, and although compared with other attributes it was practically nothing, this was still progress—from nothing to something. It was a historic step.
"Could it be that I really have talent as a magician?"
Dudley's small heart was shaken greatly.
"Matou Shinji's issue is not that he lacks magic circuits, but that his circuits are completely solidified, like a river fully clogged and cut off. That is why he cannot refine life force into mana through his circuits. If a massive energy force opened his circuits, Matou Shinji could also use magic."
"Please continue to work hard to complete tasks, strive to activate more magic circuits or add magic crests, and become the strongest spellcaster as soon as possible."
The system actually displayed two messages, rarely answering one of Dudley's doubts.
Break open to use magic. Dudley sharply caught a few keywords.
"If I have mana, doesn't that mean I can too?"
In his mind's eye, Dudley saw himself holding a wand in his left hand and a magic book in his right, strolling leisurely through Hogwarts as he studied.
Then he noticed the race entry of Muggle (True) and the zero point five mana value.
The path must be walked step by step, food must be eaten bite by bite. At this stage, he still needed to honestly chew down potions.
Three months passed quickly. Transformed into a study fanatic, Dudley exhausted all of Mrs. Figg's magical books during this time. Altogether, there were not many, and most were only first-year fundamentals.
After all, Mrs. Figg was a Squib. Buying too many books was pointless, and with many unclear parts in the texts, she could not resolve Dudley's questions.
Even so, thanks to Mrs. Figg, Dudley greatly enriched his magical theoretical knowledge. At least he was no longer magically illiterate.
"Children, it's time for us to go home." The Dursleys arrived as scheduled, unusually including Harry as well.
Vernon had not only secured that big business deal but also gained many additional orders. He smoothly assumed the position of sales manager, and the commission alone brought in a substantial sum. This meant that the Dursley family's standard of living was about to rise another level.
The Dursleys had originally worried that Dudley might not be eating well at Mrs. Figg's. But seeing how much sturdier his physique had become, they dismissed the thought.
With his build now, anyone would believe him if he said he was on a high school football team—yet in reality, he was only in the fourth grade.
Of course, Dudley was not the only one who had changed. After three months, Vernon's belly had ballooned like an inflated ball. Clearly, his own quality of life had improved.
Looking at that wobbling, jiggling stomach, Dudley had already begun considering urging Vernon to exercise daily with him. Excessive obesity was truly unhealthy.
Before leaving, Dudley reluctantly returned the book Magical Drafts and Potions to Mrs. Figg. It was an excellent introductory work on magic, not only covering potions but also containing knowledge on defending against dark magic. Every time Dudley read it, he gained new insights—it was his favorite book.
"Since you like it so much, just take it with you," Mrs. Figg said, placing the book in his hand.
To her, it was just a book. If she wished, she could buy another anytime.
In the end, Dudley did not take it. On one hand, he had already memorized the contents, and since Mrs. Figg's home was not far, he could always come back to read it again. He believed she would welcome him. On the other hand—and more importantly—the Dursleys disliked magic, and they hated anything associated with it.
This was Petunia's sore point.
Dudley, being a filial child, did not wish to upset her. So, in front of them, he would never mention anything about magic—unless her heart knot could one day be untied.
He believed that day would not be too far off.
At night, the world was silent. Only faint streetlights and starlight dotted the dark sky. The streets were empty, with only a few dogs sniffing at garbage bins. The roar of a distant car faded quickly into the night, and occasionally a night bird chirped on a branch. The moon hung in the sky, spilling a gentle silver glow that bathed everything in soft light.
Harry and the Dursleys were already fast asleep. But on the second floor, Dudley was busy brewing something in his room. A cauldron sat on the table alongside simple laboratory instruments—beakers, graduated cylinders, capillary tubes, funnels, test tubes, and an electronic balance.
Naturally, Dudley could not use open fire in his room, so he used an induction cooker instead.
All of the equipment came from a chemistry supply shop. The cylinder measured liquids, the electronic balance precisely weighed ingredients, mixtures were tested in beakers, and every result was carefully recorded in his notebook.
To be frank, though wizard magic was marvelous, potion brewing was still rather primitive. The tools were outdated, and even renowned masters often relied purely on intuition and experience.
It was not scientific at all.
Inside the cauldron, the green-brown liquid slowly turned pale blue as Dudley stirred it. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face—he had succeeded.
He carefully ladled the liquid into test tubes, sealed them with stoppers, and stored them neatly in a cabinet.
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
To calculate precise values and successfully brew this potion, Dudley had not rested properly for days.
But it was worth it. Looking at the test tubes filled with liquid as blue as the Aegean Sea, Dudley felt utterly content.
(End of Chapter)
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 8 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 64 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/anish_44