Inside the Ravenclaw dormitory, Leo sat absorbed in "The Development of Silent Spells", his silver-black wand held casually in his right hand as he occasionally tested various gesture patterns.
Silent spells represented a fascinating magical concept: by constructing the desired spell effect purely within one's mind, magic could be released through wand movements without requiring spoken incantations.
Traditional incantations served as mental anchors, helping wizards focus their attention while providing tracks to guide magical energy flow. Leo contemplated the fundamental principles underlying silent casting.
First came the necessity of constructing precise spell effects, requiring thorough familiarity with the magic being performed. Second were significantly higher concentration demands coupled with more refined magical control.
Everything ultimately depended on focused 'thinking'. That mental process had to remain extremely clear, intensely focused, and absolutely free from distracting thoughts.
Time to begin practising with the simplest applications.
Leo pointed his wand toward the leather-bound book, its worn binding gleaming dully in the candlelight. The dormitory air hung thick with the musty scent of ancient stone and Terry's forgotten half-eaten chocolate frog. Only one concept filled his consciousness: Levitate.
The magic felt different this time—instead of the usual warm surge rushing down his arm, the power gathered like liquid silver in his chest, cool and precise. Without spoken words to guide it, the energy moved through his wand like mercury through glass, silent and strange. The book trembled once, then rose with an eerie smoothness that made his skin prickle. No familiar magical hum, no whispered incantation—just the soft rustle of parchment pages and his own shallow breathing as the volume hovered in perfect, unnatural silence.
Not particularly difficult, actually.
Silent spells were typically taught during the sixth year, though the advanced text mentioned strict requirements. Wizards needed substantial magical power reserves to attempt wordless casting successfully.
Young wizards' magical capacity increased naturally with age, experiencing especially rapid growth after entering adolescence. However, Leo's magical power talent reached SS-rank, meaning both his total capacity and development speed far exceeded ordinary standards.
It seems I can employ silent spells relatively easily already. In terms of raw magical power, he apparently matched nearly adult wizards despite his youth.
He continued reading while experimenting with silent casting across different spell types. Sometimes summoning pillows from his bed, other times shrinking small bottles or levitating quills...
"Whoosh!"
Crimson flames erupted from his wand tip, which Leo immediately shaped into a controlled ring of fire. The blazing heat warmed his face as he analysed the results.
When silently casting basic spells, power remained essentially unchanged with strong stability maintained throughout. However, slightly more complex magic experienced reduced potency during wordless execution, and control proved less precise than traditional incantation-based casting.
According to the reference text, certain spells absolutely required spoken components to function properly. But that limitation didn't concern him... silent spells' primary advantage lay in their stealth potential, perfect for surprise attacks and catching opponents off guard.
Disrupting enemy rhythm and maintaining tactical advantage mattered more than absolute power in many combat scenarios.
After concluding his silent spell practice session, Leo noticed the evening remained relatively young. He opened another borrowed volume, "Powerful Potions", turning directly to the section covering calming and sedative formulations.
His earlier strategic planning returned to mind. Aurelius still required seven days of recovery sleep before awakening to his enhanced form. These intervening days provided a perfect opportunity for potion preparation.
"System, are there any potion-related loan options available?"
[Improved Potion Formula (Weekly Loan): Learn brewing techniques for enhanced potions with superior effects and reduced material requirements.]
[Task: Successfully brew 5 different potion varieties.]
[Basic Finished Potion (Daily Loan): Obtain one basic potion (within Hogwarts first-to-third-year curriculum range).]
[Task: Successfully brew one potion of identical type.]
Daily loans allowed him to specify precise loan content, essentially customising potion varieties according to his needs. The first-to-third-year range would prove entirely sufficient for current objectives.
As for improved formulas... could he potentially borrow the formula loan to learn recipes, then utilise finished potion loans to directly customise those enhanced versions?
"System, do finished potion loans include improved potion variants if I've already learnt those enhanced formulas?"
[...]
[Must successfully brew the improved potion at least once first]
[Congratulations host for discovering a hidden loan usage! =ᗜωᗜ=]
Observing the system's reaction, Leo understood he'd apparently identified an exploitable loophole. Why call it a "hidden usage" and attempt to be cute? A loophole was simply a loophole.
"System, display available formulas for improvement."
After rapidly scanning the comprehensive data provided, Leo immediately identified a potion perfectly matching his requirements:
[Sleep-Inducing Incense (Improved Version): Advanced calming and sedative potion effective on both wizards and magical creatures. Wizards lose consciousness within five seconds; magical creatures require ten seconds to two minutes, depending on body mass.]
Remarkably effective! The unconsciousness onset time was more than half shorter compared to standard versions, while also reducing required materials.
Conserving potion ingredients remained beneficial, even though basic potion components weren't particularly expensive. However, he possessed limited supplies brought from Diagon Alley, and first-year students couldn't easily acquire additional materials.
Later, combined with appropriate spells, he could approach magical creatures stealthily before rendering them unconscious with sleep-inducing incense. Whether dealing with docile or ferocious magical species, sleeping creatures were manageable creatures!
Leo first borrowed the formula loan, planning to attempt brewing that very evening while time remained available.
From his magically expanded briefcase, Leo extracted his personal cauldron, precision scales, and other essential tools, plus the raw materials needed for sleep-inducing incense production.
However, before beginning formal potion brewing, Leo selected several medicinal ingredients with awakening properties, grinding them to fine powder and extracting their concentrated essences before stuffing the mixture into a gauze mask.
Donning the protective mask, Leo felt cool sensations enter his lungs with each breath. This represented a simple safety preparation included with the improved incense formula, specifically designed to maintain consciousness during brewing.
Without this crucial protection, he would succumb to sleep long before the potion finished processing.
Following the memorised formula precisely, Leo completed systematic raw material preparation through careful slicing, grinding, and extraction techniques. According to established procedures, he separately brewed and soaked components before lighting his cauldron to begin the crucial boiling phase.
Throughout the process, he used his wand to control flame intensity while adding appropriate amounts of processed materials at precisely timed intervals.
Leo's technique started somewhat unsteadily, since this represented his first attempt at this particular potion. However, he'd practised various simple formulations at Grafton Manor before arriving at Hogwarts, providing adequate foundational experience.
Moreover, his A-rank Potions talent was actively supporting his efforts. While A-rank seemed insufficient compared to his collection of S-to-SSS-rank abilities, it actually represented the peak of normal human capability.
With continued diligent study and extensive practice, he could master existing potion knowledge and techniques comprehensively. He simply lacked that crucial spark of genius inspiration that allowed true innovators to transcend established limitations and reach realms predecessors had never achieved.
Leo felt no urgency regarding potions and alchemy... he could research them methodically over time. His current primary objective remained mastering combat magic and improving overall magical strength.
A-rank proficiency was entirely sufficient for now, with potions serving auxiliary rather than central roles.
During the brewing process, Leo's control over heat regulation and material timing became increasingly refined. As bubbles within the cauldron decreased and the liquid gradually thickened to proper consistency, Leo compared results against the formula description.
Nearly complete. After cooling, it would achieve the desired ointment-like texture.
Time passed minute by minute as the potion liquid solidified progressively, its colour shifting toward pale blue. Simultaneously, a subtle orchid fragrance began diffusing throughout the room, gradually filling the entire space with its soporific aroma.
Even through his protective mask, Leo could detect the scent's presence. Fortunately, the cooling sensation from his mask's internal layer helped dispel any drowsy impulses.
Finally, Leo carefully transferred the finished potion into a small iron container and inserted a candle wick for future ignition when needed.
Excellent. Brewing complete.
Click.
The dormitory door opened as Terry entered their shared room, unconsciously inhaling the lingering fragrance. "Leo, are you brewing potions? Are you preparing for tomorrow's Potions cla..."
Before he could finish speaking, Terry's eyes rolled backward and he collapsed straight toward the stone floor.
Leo quickly raised his wand with practised reflexes. An instant silent Levitation Charm struck Terry's falling form, preventing his head from meeting the unforgiving floor with painful force.
Leo waved his wand toward the window, opening it wide to disperse the remaining fragrance from their enclosed space.
Looking at his accidentally affected but peacefully sleeping roommate, then at the small iron container in his hand, Leo couldn't suppress a satisfied smile.
Not bad at all. The improved formula's effectiveness was genuinely impressive.