The crisp morning air was biting on Lucas' skin as he drank his coffee on the porch.
After settling into his new home and getting a feel for his possessions, Lucas had spent the evening brainstorming his next steps in this new world.
First, school won't start for another two weeks. This gives me time to establish a routine and adjust to the town. I really don't want to find a job, but $1,000 isn't nearly enough to sustain myself for the coming weeks.
Forks was a small town located in Washington State. Its population hovered around a healthy 3,000 people, the epitome of a small town. From Lucas' memories, the closest high-density city would be Seattle.
The town was run by typical mom-and-pop shops, nothing like the cities or larger towns. The closest thing to fast food would be found on the highway heading outside of town.
"I could go the cheesy route that most people do, and write some books from my past?"
As the thought crossed his mind, he instantly dismissed it. "Of course, I'd need to remember them word for word. Plus... I don't fancy myself an author."
Sighing, he found a recently logged tree stump and sat down. Leaning back on his arms, Lucas scanned the treetops that surrounded his home.
System, can you explain the Wizard species I received?
———
[Wizard (Harry Potter): Wizards are individuals uniquely gifted with the innate ability to manipulate magic, a powerful energy permeating their world. This magical aptitude manifests in diverse ways, enabling them to cast spells through incantations and wand movements, brew complex potions with varied effects, and even transform themselves or objects through transfiguration. While many use their powers for constructive purposes, some delve into the forbidden realm of curses and the Dark Arts, employing malevolent magic to inflict harm, exert control, or even kill. This darker side of magic includes unforgivable curses that carry severe consequences, demonstrating the immense destructive potential inherent in a wizard's abilities. Beyond these core abilities, wizards can also possess specialized talents such as the ability to see the future, communicate with magical creatures, or master advanced branches of magic.]
———
Nodding along as he read the description, Lucas was content that it was the same kind of wizard he knew from the novels and films.
Seeing as I can't use their world's energy, will I have something similar to a core within myself?
Regardless, I think this will be good for me.
System, assimilate or whatever. Let's make me a wizard.
With his confirmation, Lucas felt a warm sensation begin to flow from the top of his head, slowly moving downwards, past his shoulders and down his body.
This isn't so bad! He chuckled internally.
As if some kind of deity decided it was time to teach Lucas a painful lesson, his nerves flared with searing pain, as if he'd been submerged in molten fire and then blasted by a lightning strike.
Before he could scream, or even gasp out, the pain disappeared.
"What the fuck?" he questioned. The instant relaxation followed by searing pain had given him some kind of emotional whiplash.
It must have been Gamer's Mind/Body working to stop the pain. Lucas guessed.
———
[Ding! Congratulations, your species has now updated to Human (Wizard).]
[Skills Obtained: Magic Affinity, Magic Manipulation (No wand, no issue!)]
(Author Note: Magic is just Mana, but I'm calling it Magic to work with the HP power system for now.)
[Items Obtained: Standard Book of Spells V1 (System Version)]
———
After double-checking the information the panel provided, Lucas closed his eyes as he mentally checked how his body felt.
An odd sensation ran directly under his skin, like electricity running through a wire; his body thrummed with hidden energy.
So that must be magic? What a wonderful feeling.
Letting out a sigh of contentment, he opened his eyes and smiled. "I need somewhere to test this."
Lucas mentally commanded ID Create as a burst of power shot out of him.
———
His surroundings disappeared; the home he now knew was gone, along with the forest he was sitting in. What met his eyes was a barren land, devoid of anything green.
Slopes of sand stretched as far as his eyes could see. The blistering sun was bearing down on his skin as the cool winter winds disappeared completely.
"Either I've been teleported to another part of the world, maybe the Sahara Desert, or this is a completely different — maybe a personal mirror dimension for training."
[Welcome to the Beginner Dungeon: Zombies!]
[Please kill all enemies within to complete your first dungeon. ID Escape can be used to leave, placing the dungeon on a pause. Once the dungeon is completed, a new one of a higher level will be created the following week.]
A book appeared within Lucas' hand, its thick pages bound in a leather exterior. "The System's version of a spell book, huh? Hopefully it's got something for me to learn."
Lucas placed his hand on the cover; just as he was about to open it, another system prompt appeared.
[Would you like to learn Standard Book of Spells V1?]
A laugh rippled from Lucas' mouth as he gawked at the text. "You can even do this? Holy broken, Batman!" With a thought, he confirmed he wanted to learn it.
A mass of information flowed through Lucas' mind regarding the comprehension and proficiency of multiple spells in the Harry Potter franchise. The knowledge and skill set became almost second nature within a couple of seconds.
(Author's Note: Did you know how minimal, or even non-existent transfiguration spells are? Have a Google, it's almost dead.)
Taking a deep breath, Lucas smiled from ear to ear at the mass of power that could be released from his fingertips.
"Shit, there are so many obscure little spells to make life easier. There's no Ministry of Magic here to stop me, so I can have lots of fun."
With a calm mind, Lucas began his trek through the barren wasteland.
After a couple of minutes walking, he heard a sound similar to a grunt. Past the crest of a sand dune, a man was walking towards him, his steps awkward with a distinct limp.
Zombie!
Lucas's eyes flashed with excitement as he slowed his pace and took in the sight.
Flicking his hand, Lucas pushed the magic within his body towards his outstretched hand.
Diffindo.
A crescent blade of magical energy flew from his outstretched hand, streaking towards the undead creature. As it hit the creature, the top half of the zombie's head slid apart from the bottom, its body falling to the ground and turning to dust.
"Haha! This is fuckin' awesome!" Lucas cheered as he ran towards the ashes of the slain corpse. Peering at its remains, something glittering caught his attention.
"What's this?" Bending down, Lucas picked up some paper and a ring.
[Item Found: 1 x Ring of Magic Regeneration, $100 USD.]
"I can get money from this?!"
———
Authors Note: I hope you're enjoying the fic! Let me know your thoughts or opinions, maybe leave a review if you're feeling generous. Much love <3