Erwin could hardly believe his luck.
His first forty draws had been standard fare, nothing extraordinary.
But the final ten-pull delivered something unexpected: a double gold drop, excluding the bonus from the novice card pool.
Which meant three gold cards in a single pool.
He stared excitedly at the golden cards on the screen, watching as the radiant light slowly dissipated to reveal their true forms.
**
Name: Albus Dumbledore
Quality: Gold
Talent: Transfiguration: 8 (Historical Legend), Dark Arts: 8 (Born for Azkaban), Defense Against the Dark Arts: 8 (Champion of Justice)
Spells: Most Dark Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration
*
Name: Phoenix (Pet Card)
Quality: Gold
Gender: Female
Talent: Immortality
Abilities: Healing (Tears), Defense (Spell Absorption), Messaging, Apparition
*
Name: Gellert Grindelwald
Quality: Gold
Talent: Dark Arts: 8, Divination: 8 (only the two strongest talents are shown)
Spells: Most Dark Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ancient Dark Magic
**
Looking at the three cards before him, Erwin froze in stunned silence.
'As expected of the two Dark Lords. Especially Dumbledore, not only does he possess eighth-level talent in white magic and Transfiguration, but his Dark Arts proficiency rivals Grindelwald's.'
And then there was the phoenix.
To obtain the headmaster's iconic companion before even entering school was extraordinary.
Even at Hogwarts, he could use the phoenix to Apparate and leave at any time if danger arose.
However, he immediately faced a dilemma.
Each gold card allowed him to choose only one talent or spell to absorb.
Dumbledore's choice was obvious; it had to be Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Erwin's current talent in that field was only a four, which placed him in the realm of minor genius but still required significant improvement. If he chose that card, his talent would be raised to five.
Grindelwald's card, though, presented a more difficult decision.
Part of him wanted to select Defense Against the Dark Arts again, which would raise his talent to level six, already second only to a handful of legendary figures.
According to his own calculations, even exceptional wizards like Snape, Sirius Black, and James Potter, the most outstanding of their generation, were only level five.
But then he looked at his level eight Dark Arts talent.
If he integrated Grindelwald's ability, he could reach level nine, the highest possible rating in the system's evaluation.
"It doesn't matter. I can improve my Defense Against the Dark Arts later. For now, let's see what it feels like to have maxed-out Dark Arts talent."
"System, integrate Dumbledore's Defense Against the Dark Arts talent and Grindelwald's Dark Arts talent."
*Ding.
[Integration complete.]*
Erwin blinked.
'...That's it?'
He examined himself carefully, but felt no immediate physical change.
Though that made sense, this was merely talent, not knowledge or power.
The difference would reveal itself through future learning and practice.
"Let me see the Phoenix."
Suddenly, flames materialized before his eyes, slowly expanding into a ring of fire.
A bird radiating gorgeous nobility and grace emerged from the blazing halo.
It landed on Erwin's shoulder and pressed its golden beak affectionately against his cheek.
Erwin stroked the phoenix's magnificent feathers, instantly enamored with his new companion.
After several minutes of interaction, he spoke thoughtfully.
"Dumbledore's phoenix is named Fawkes. I need to give you a proper name as well. From now on, you'll be called Velora."
"Chirp!"
'???'
Erwin tilted his head.
'Wait, is that what phoenixes actually sound like? That seems... wrong somehow. But cute,'
After playing with Velora for a while longer, he turned his attention to his other rewards.
Five hundred Galleons and numerous spells.
Six purple cards had appeared:
Transfiguration Mastery x1Potions Mastery x1Complete Spell Compendium x2[Occlumency] x2
Combining the various spell knowledge, Erwin closed his eyes and silently absorbed the information flooding his mind.
Five minutes later, he opened his eyes.
"Perfect."
'My [Occlumency] is now equivalent to ten years of dedicated practice, and I've gained proficiency in numerous other spells. After entering Hogwarts, I won't need to worry about my secrets being exposed. Old Dumbledore and that old bat Snape shouldn't be able to justify using [Legilimency] on a student at full strength.'
He checked his updated status panel.
**
Host: Erwin Gaunt
Age: 11 years old
Birthday: October 31st
Identity: Owner of Gaunt Investment Company, Garden Elementary School graduate, incoming Hogwarts freshman
Bloodline: Wizard Bloodline (Awakened, will strengthen with increased power until fully awakened)
Magic Power: 7
Magic Items: None
Charms Talent: 5 (Outstanding)
Defense Against the Dark Arts: 5 (Outstanding)
Divination Talent: 0 (Troll)
Dark Arts Affinity: 9 (The True Dark Lord Descends)
Gold Coins: 0
**
A single wave of card draws had substantially increased his strength.
The magic power within his body had more than doubled.
According to the system's notes, ordinary young wizards typically entered school with a magic power rating around one, reaching five upon adulthood.
Erwin now matched the reserves of an adult wizard.
Of course, this only referred to his total magical capacity, not his actual combat ability or magical achievement.
Without sufficient knowledge and skill, he could easily be defeated despite his abundant power.
In the days that followed, Erwin began his magical studies in earnest.
However, without a wand and having drawn no wandless casting skills, his options were limited.
He could only study the theoretical knowledge of Potions and Transfiguration he'd obtained from the cards.
The systematic knowledge provided by the system didn't encompass the entirety of these subjects; it was equivalent to Hogwarts' second-year curriculum.
However, each time he drew a duplicate card, his understanding and mastery of that particular spell or subject would continue to deepen.
Of course, Erwin could strengthen that mastery further and use it more skillfully through independent study.
The system didn't lock his potential; it merely established his baseline.
In this manner, the days passed slowly until July 31st arrived.
**
9:00 AM.
Ding dong!
Ding dong!
When the doorbell rang, Erwin knew immediately that a Hogwarts professor had arrived, though he couldn't guess which one had been sent.
Curious, he opened the door.
As it swung wide, a middle-aged man appeared before him.
He had greasy black shoulder-length hair, thin cheeks, a gaunt face, a prominent hooked nose, and thin lips.
A billowing black robe swelled in the morning breeze, making him resemble an enormous bat.
Erwin recognized Snape instantly, though he had to pretend otherwise.
"May I help you?"
Snape executed a meticulous gentleman's bow, and a slightly hoarse voice reached Erwin's ears.
"Good morning, Mr. Gaunt. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Severus Snape, Potions Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of the Slytherin House."
"The purpose of today's visit is twofold: to guide you into the world you rightfully belong to, and to serve as your escort to Diagon Alley, where we will purchase the necessary supplies for your first year."
Erwin's face displayed just the right amount of surprise and hope.
He stepped aside and gestured toward the interior of his home.
"Please, come in, Professor Snape. I could hardly believe the letter delivered by owl: that magic truly exists in this world. But your presence here makes it real. Let's talk inside."