The level-up felt like a physical refresh—the exhaustion of the day vanished, and the prick on his finger healed instantly.
Over the next few weeks, Harry dedicated himself completely to the System.
He quickly learned that his [Basic Clean-up Charm] Scroll, once used, didn't require a wand or shouting.
It simply imprinted the intent and focus necessary to perform the spell silently.
His cupboard became his training ground; he would cast the charm hundreds of times, silently vanishing dust and minute crumbs, watching his skill proficiency rise:
[Basic Clean-up Charm] (Level 5) → (Level 6). Efficiency increased.
He started receiving small, daily quests that subtly improved his abilities:
Daily Quest: Master of Stealth: Navigate the house unseen to retrieve a glass of water after 10 PM. Reward: 5 EXP, Stealth Skill Proficiency.
Daily Quest: Endurance Test: Withstanding three hours of Dudley's chasing games without tears or giving up. Reward: 10 EXP, Minor Health Boost.
By the time late July arrived, Harry was a completely different person internally. He was level 8, sharper, and tougher.
The Dursleys only noticed that he was unnervingly quiet and efficient, which suited them just fine.
Checking his status before bed one night, he saw his gains.
He didn't have to see specific numbers, he felt the improvements listed by the System.
Status
Name: Harry J. Potter
Title: Hidden Prodigy (Gained from a long-term stealth mission!)
Level: 8
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Unspent Skill Points: 15
Skills:
Gamer's Mind (MAX)
Gamer's Body (MAX)
Basic Clean-up Charm (LVL 22)
Silent Casting (LVL 10): Reduces the need for verbal components in spell-casting.
Stealth (LVL 15): Allows for highly effective non-magical evasion.
When the first letter from Hogwarts arrived, Harry's [Gamer's Mind] allowed him to observe the
Dursleys' panic with clinical interest. It was simply the beginning of a MAIN QUESTLINE.
[MAIN STORY QUEST: The Invitation]
Objective: Successfully receive and read the letter addressed to Mr. H. Potter, The Cupboard under the Stairs, 4 Privet Drive.
Reward: Major EXP Boost, 1x [Skill Scroll: Basic Defensive Charm], Access to Hogwarts Main Questline.
Failure Condition: Letter destroyed or not read.
Accept? Y/N
He watched the escalating absurdity—the shredding of the letters, the blocking of the mail, the frantic flight to the sea-shack on the rock—all as steps in a grander narrative.
Every minor inconvenience was met with a surge of EXP.
When the clock struck midnight and his eleventh birthday began, Harry was not trembling under the blanket. He was waiting.
KABOOM!
The door exploded inward. Rubeus Hagrid filled the frame, enormous and terrifying.
Vernon Dursley shrieked, firing his useless rifle.
Harry sat up calmly, pushing his glasses up his nose.
[MISSION COMPLETE!]
Mission Title: Stealth Mage: Phase One
Objective: Successfully hide the existence of the System and all gained skills/power from the Dursleys and any external magical influence until a recognized magical entity makes contact.
Reward: Significant EXP Boost, 10 Skill Points, 1x [New Skill: Mana Affinity], [Title: Hidden Prodigy] Upgrade.
LEVEL UP! Harry Potter has reached Level 9!
Hagrid's deep, rumbling voice filled the shack,
"Ah, Harry. A very happy birthday ter yeh."
Harry looked up at the giant, his mind already calculating the next sequence of events. He was no longer the frightened, ignorant boy of Privet Drive.