Time flows silently.
Like fine sand slipping through fingers.
Before long, the day before the start of school had already arrived.
Ian had also grown.
The magic in "Advanced Dark Arts Unveiled" wasn't difficult to learn, except for the part about Soul Artifacts. Ian had already gathered the three standard Unforgivable Spell bindings.
[Killing Curse (Level 1) 11/100]
[Imperio (Level 1) 1/100]
[Crucio (Level 1) 3/100]
...
Since he was in the real world, Ian certainly wouldn't dare use his wand to practice these severely illegal spells. He mainly grasped the magic through theoretical contemplation.
This was aided by Ian's extraordinary talent for the Dark Arts, and the notes and explanations from Gellert Grindelwald in "Advanced Dark Arts Unveiled" were invaluable.
Of course.
Apart from the three Unforgivable Curses, Ian only briefly learned two other dark spells like [Reducto] and [Transformation Torture Curse], without delving further into more.
After all.
Learning less but learning well is better.
To increase magic levels, Ian would need to spend time building skill levels. Being able to master dark arts to handle most situations felt sufficient enough.
"Learn slowly, eventually I'll absorb everything into my mind."
Ian wasn't in a rush.
He would often study some content from "Standard Spell: Beginner" too.
As a diversion from studying dark arts.
The Hogwarts spells required for first-year students needed some practice from Ian. Thankfully, his current magic level was no longer as weak as before.
In a matter of days.
Even if Ian hadn't completed "Standard Spell: Beginner," he had already reached a competent level of normal execution for most of these manageable spells.
That is, a Level 1 magic spell.
The only spell that troubled Ian was learning Transformation Technique, just conjuring a needle was enough to puzzle him for several days without gaining any skill level.
[Transformation Technique (Level 0) 17/50]
This can truly be called slow progress.
Who knows if he fares worse compared to ordinary little wizards.
Ian actually could vaguely sense his problem — as Dumbledore had reminded before, maybe he was placing too much emphasis on the principle and logic of magic formation.
Especially under the influence of [Wisdom Enlightenment].
This is a fairy tale-like world.
Imagination and belief hold significant sway.
Teacher Mara from the Misty Illusion Realm had also mentioned similar situations; lifelong knowledge couldn't surpass Pandro's belief in himself.
Compared to those who believe magic to be miraculous, Ian's analytical mindset rendered him a little stuck in his obsession with logic and principles.
No choice.
Realizing this doesn't mean he can correct it immediately.
"Hogwarts founder Rowena Ravenclaw was also a wizard who admired reason, and excelled in Transformation Technique. Surely there's a balance to be found here."
"Back then, I went to drawing classes for a few days. Though the extracurricular tutor said I'm not cut out for it, I must have some creativity and imagination, right?"
Ian didn't doubt whether he could learn Transformation Technique; he just didn't know when he'd find the balance between logic and imagination.
This needs time.
"Transformation Technique shattered my confidence; only this precious knowledge can help me rebuild." Whenever Transformation attempts were difficult, Ian would revisit "Advanced Dark Arts Unveiled."
The whole book records many spells, roughly divided into three categories: Evil Curse, Poisonous Curse, Death Curse, which increase in danger and cruelty.
Aside from these three dark arts categories, there's another special kind — Curses.
"Turns out noseless Voldemort got his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor position from here…" Ian had no interest in researching curses.
He's always been kind to others.
Where would he find enemies needing curses like this?
Given the time.
Isn't the Killing Curse more appealing, or is the Fiendfyre's valve not open wide? Yes, after returning from the unnamed bookstore, Ian naturally researched the renowned dark art, [Fiendfyre].
Now.
Fiendfyre had become his highest skill level dark spell.
[Fiendfyre (Level 1) 76/100]
Due to similar concerns, Ian didn't dare use his wand to cast and practice such severe punishment spells, thinking perhaps he should get a backup wand someday.
Can Diagon Alley customize?
Anyhow.
Without practice, improving skill level is truly difficult. [Fiendfyre] reached this skill level solely from records and notes in "Advanced Dark Arts Unveiled."
Must admit.
The ruthless Miss Grindelwald wasn't wrong. From [Fiendfyre], Ian could feel the unmatched brilliance of his grandfather Gellert Grindelwald just through annotations.
With this current skill level.
Ian hadn't even fully read the annotations and explanations on this spell.
"Tomorrow is school, it'll be difficult to read this book then." Ian eagerly anticipated school time, while regretting he couldn't freely study these unique magics anymore.
Of course.
Learning other magic is nice too.
He could also study Alchemy as Teacher Mara required, and Ian hoped that under Professor McGonagall's guidance, he would successfully find the balance between reason and imagination.
"Surely it will be a fulfilling life!"
Ian looked forward to the future.
He sat at his desk and started tonight's homework.
"Today study the final content of Fiendfyre. Grindelwald could effectively avoid harming the caster, even embedding his will within Fiendfyre."
"Truly a superbly talented improvement!"
Ian lit his wand, impatient to begin last night's study. Being cautious, when he went to school he decided to bury "Advanced Dark Arts Unveiled" under the parlor floor.
Yes.
Must put it in the rotten coffin. Even if Snape returned to live here, surely he wouldn't be insane enough to dig up the corpse for a chat.
"The reflection of the soul is uniquely important… The deeper the magic, the more this seems to be emphasized. Dark Arts and White Magic share commonalities at certain stages."
As skill level slowly increased.
Ian flipped through pages related to [Fiendfyre].
Outside.
The night wind whispers.
In this book from Miss Grindelwald, at the end of [Fiendfyre]'s annotations, Ian saw a line of unexpectedly intriguing words.
"May you gain much from your studies, my friend."