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Name: Dudley Dursley
Race: Muggle (True)
Profession: Mage (False), Hamon Energy User
Strength: 9
Agility: 6
Constitution: 15
Mana: 0
Magic: None
Magical Equipment: None
Skills:
Iron Mountain Impact (Lv. 5),
Boxing (Lv. 3),
Language (Lv. 2),
Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (Lv. 2),
Physiology (Lv. 2),
Handicrafts (Lv. 1),
Firearms (Lv. 1),
Archery (Lv. 1).
Special:
Hamon Energy (Lv. 1).
The list of abilities was filled with all kinds of strange things.
In short—there was everything… except magic.
All of these abilities had been unlocked through experience points gained from eating daily.
The system's explanation was simple:
"Profound knowledge is an essential prerequisite for becoming a mage."
The reasoning made sense, and Dudley accepted it.
In the end, it was precisely these abilities—combined with Dudley's own effort—that allowed him to successfully build the perfect image of a top student.
It was worth noting that normal skills could be upgraded through experience gained from daily meals, but Special abilities could not.
Those required actual training.
Dudley had no idea what the maximum level of these skills was, but Boxing at Lv. 3 was already enough for him to dominate virtually any school competition.
As for attributes like strength and agility, without a reference point, he couldn't say exactly where he stood—but he was certainly not weak.
At the very least, when it came to strength, Dudley had never backed down from anyone.
At the moment the system notification sounded, he clearly saw his Mana value rise from 0 to 0.5.
At that instant, Dudley's heart began pounding wildly.
Even though it was only half a point.
Even though, compared to the other attributes, that 0.5 was practically negligible…
It was still a transition from nothing to something.
A historic step.
"So… does that mean Shinji Matou actually had magical talent?"
Dudley's small heart was deeply shaken.
"Shinji Matou is not lacking Magic Circuits. His circuits are completely solidified—like a river that has been fully silted up and dried out. Because of this, he cannot refine his life force into mana."
"If a massive amount of energy is used to break through these circuits, Shinji Matou will be able to use magic."
"The caster is advised to continue completing missions, activate more Magic Circuits, or add Magical Crests in order to become the strongest caster as soon as possible."
The system displayed two consecutive messages—something rare—directly answering Dudley's doubts.
Break through.
Use magic.
Those keywords were instantly captured by his mind.
"If I have mana… doesn't that mean I can do it too?"
In Dudley's imagination, he saw himself strolling casually through Hogwarts, a wand in his left hand and a magic book tucked under his right arm.
Then, he glanced again at the Race field: Muggle (True), and at the 0.5 mana.
The road had to be walked step by step.
And meals eaten one bite at a time.
For now, it was best to focus honestly on potions.
The three months passed quickly.
During that time, Dudley—having turned into a complete study maniac—devoured every single magic-related book in Mrs. Figg's house.
There weren't many. Most of them were basic first-year materials.
After all, as a Squib, it made little sense for her to buy advanced books. Moreover, there were many parts even she couldn't explain.
Still, thanks to Mrs. Figg, Dudley greatly enriched his theoretical foundation in magic.
At the very least, he was no longer completely ignorant.
"Kids, it's time to go home."
The Dursleys arrived right on schedule—and, surprisingly, included Harry this time as well.
Vernon had not only secured the major contract but had also closed several additional deals, officially taking the position of sales manager. The commissions alone brought in a substantial sum.
This meant the Dursley family's standard of living would rise yet another level.
They had worried that Dudley might not be eating well at Mrs. Figg's house—but upon seeing his clearly bulked-up physique, they immediately dismissed that concern.
With his current build, no one would doubt it if they were told he played for a high school football team.
In reality, he was still only in fourth grade.
And Dudley wasn't the only one who had changed.
After three months, Vernon's belly had visibly expanded like an inflating balloon. Clearly, he too had been enjoying life.
Seeing that round belly wobble with every step, Dudley seriously began considering putting Vernon on a daily exercise routine.
Obesity was bad for health.
When it was time to leave, Dudley reluctantly returned Magic of Potions and Elixirs to Mrs. Figg.
It was an outstanding introductory book—not just for potions, but also containing quite a bit of material on Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Every rereading brought new insights.
Without a doubt, it was his favorite book.
"If you like it that much, you can take it with you," Mrs. Figg said, placing the book into Dudley's hands.
To her, it was just a book. If she wanted, she could buy another at any time.
In the end, Dudley declined.
On one hand, he had already memorized the contents, and Mrs. Figg's house was close—he could come back anytime.
On the other hand… and this was the most important point—
The Dursleys didn't like magic.
And they liked anything related to magic even less.
That was an open wound in Petunia's heart.
Dudley was a devoted son. He didn't want to see her suffer.
So in front of them, he would never mention magic—unless he first resolved Petunia's trauma.
And he believed that day wasn't far off.
Night fell.
The street was silent, lit only by dim streetlights and starlight. No one was around. Only a few dogs quietly sniffed through trash bins in the distance. The sound of a car rumbled briefly before fading into the darkness.
Occasionally, a nocturnal bird chirped from the branches.
The moon hung in the sky, casting a gentle silver glow over the world.
Harry and the Dursleys were already fast asleep.
But in the second-floor bedroom, Dudley was hard at work.
On the desk sat a cauldron along with various common laboratory tools: beakers, graduated cylinders, capillary tubes, funnels, test tubes, and a precision electronic scale.
No open flames.
Dudley was using an induction cooktop.
All the equipment had been purchased from chemical supply stores.
Volumes measured precisely.
Weights controlled down to the milligram.
Results carefully recorded in a notebook.
Wizarding magic was marvelous—but when it came to brewing potions, their methods were extremely primitive.
Even renowned masters often relied on "feeling" and "experience."
Completely unscientific.
Inside the cauldron, the greenish-brown liquid, under constant stirring, slowly transformed into a pale blue color.
At last, a satisfied smile appeared on Dudley's face.
He had succeeded.
With great care, he ladled the liquid into several test tubes, sealed each one, and stored them in the cabinet beside him.
Only then did he let out a breath.
To calculate precise values and successfully brew the potion, Dudley had gone several days without proper rest.
But it was worth it.
Looking at the deep blue liquid—resembling the ocean itself—Dudley felt an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.
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