What does it take to create a miracle?
Ian answered this question with a pen and dozens of hours.
The magic potion textbooks for all seven grades, an astonishing amount of text, but relying on his yet forgotten skill level from compulsory education, he managed to transcribe them word for word without a mistake.
He even had time to check for typos.
"Old but still sharp!"
Ian shook his somewhat aching arm, put down the feather pen that was almost splitting, and looked up. The sun outside hadn't even set yet.
It's still early before the next round of dream entering the Misty Illusion Realm.
[Master of Potions (Level 2): 23/200]
The intense effort not only let Ian complete his goal ahead of time but also brought him a decent harvest in terms of skill improvement. He now has a good accumulation in potion theory.
At least stronger than most little wizards of the first and second year, the only shortcoming might be just not having experienced practice. Making potions hands-on would certainly be a bit rusty.
"I hope I can also practice potion brewing in the Misty Dream Realm."
Ian held high expectations for this dream entrance and also felt worried about his two adventure-loving friends—shouldn't already dead souls not be able to die again?
"Crunch, crunch, crunch~"
The long period of intense writing made Ian somewhat hungry. He grabbed a few leftover pieces of bread from yesterday, munching on them like biscuits.
The taste was hard to describe.
The Da Ying Empire is a well-known culinary desert, and the wizarding world also faces such hardships. Fortunately, Ian wasn't too picky about food.
Young people have good teeth.
Gnawing on hard bricks is just like grinding teeth.
"Calculating the time, it should be four or five days until the Hogwarts school term begins."
A bite of brick-like bread, a sip of mountain spring water that hasn't been irradiated yet, sitting outside the small cabin looking at the faint castle in the distance, Ian even felt the days were full of hope.
As the sun gradually set.
The golden glow also became more gentle and profound.
"Fluorescent Flickering!"
Since the Lighting Spell was about to upgrade, Ian didn't waste this time before bed. He lit up his wand and started brushing up on his skill level.
[Lighting Spell (Level 2): 3/200]
Compared to those special magics and the improvement of [Master of Potions], the upgrade speed of White Magic like [Lighting Spell] was noticeably slower.
Of course.
This only applies to comparing Ian with himself. Accompanied by a leap in skill level, Ian clearly felt a revelation. His understanding of [Lighting Spell] immediately deepened.
"It can actually be like this!"
With the newfound comprehension, Ian waved the already much brighter glow in his hand. The glow at the wand's tip actually began to change in color.
Red.
Blue.
Green.
And eerie green... If he could further master the skill of silent spellcasting, perhaps this most basic [Lighting Spell] could be used to imitate the [Killing Curse] and scare others?
Hmm.
A nice idea.
"But I already know the Killing Curse, so this is somewhat redundant..." Ian controlled the flow circuit of magic power, trying to create a source of light that could briefly depart from the tip of the wand.
Unexpectedly.
He was not successful.
The moment the light source left the wand's tip, even though the magic circuits were still running, these circuits still collapsed due to the lack of stability from the wand.
"Still not skilled enough, maybe I can try to imprint these circuits onto objects similar to wands, the stability problem should get some improvement."
Ian was slightly stunned when he thought of this.
He felt this thought somewhat familiar.
Upon careful consideration.
He suddenly realized—this was practically the method of Alchemy!
"Frustrating! Nearly founded a new branch!!"
Ian realized he missed a chance to be featured on a Chocolate Frog card.
Unwillingly, he ran back to flip through books.
As expected.
No miracle happened.
The initial birth of Alchemy was indeed a similar thought process, and several centuries ago, the wizarding world had already invented Alchemical tools capable of long-term illumination.
Up to this day.
The family that invented those alchemical tools still monopolizes the market for lighting tools in the wizarding world, just like how all shampoos in the wizarding world market come from the Potter family.
"Damn patent monopoly!"
Compared to missing the opportunity to invent Alchemy, not being able to cash in on a flash of inspiration following skill upgrades was perhaps what made Ian feel most frustrated.
Piles of Golden Galleons.
Just because he was born thousands of years too late, he missed it all!
Is there anything more infuriating for a poor person?
No!
"If I could learn some lost potion formulas or magic from Teacher Mara, I would also register for a patent and lie in Gringotts vaults counting money every day!"
Returning to the cabin.
Before falling into a deep sleep with a pile of notebooks.
Ian realized he was still an ordinary person.
He didn't just love money.
Moreover.
He wasn't truly against patent monopolies, but disliked when the monopoly wasn't his.
…
"I'm truly enlightened!"
Upon reawakening.
The lavish halls looked no different from the last time he entered the Misty Illusion Realm.
The Witch seemed to be waiting all along.
She was as cold and proud as always, sitting on the same unchanged long bench, looking at Ian with an indescribably peculiar gaze... at the pile of notebooks he held.
"You really didn't disappoint me."
The Witch's tone carried a bit of amazement.
"Ha, indeed brought them in."
This was actually Ian's first attempt at bringing so many items into the Misty Illusion Realm, fortunately, nothing failed, and all those notebooks he held tightly came with him into the realm.
"Teacher Mara, look how amazing I am!"
Ian chuckled as he placed the notebooks on the long table. This time, the tables and chairs in the hall didn't run away, just some teacups were opening their eyes to curiously observe Ian.
"Yes, very amazing."
The Witch didn't sting on her praise.
Just.
She clearly misunderstood Ian's intention to boast about copying so much text, thinking he was showing off the ability to bring so many items crossing the death boundary.
So.
"However, you clearly can achieve more impressive things, just now you might not yet realize it." The Witch gave some cryptic advice to Ian.
"Huh?"
Ian was puzzled for a moment before reacting.
"What are those impressive things you're talking about?"
Ian curiously asked.
"You need to discover that by yourself."
The Witch once again became a riddler.
"If you could just tell me directly, I could consider it as my own discovery."
Ian blinked.
"…"
The Witch paused for a moment.
Perhaps feeling awkward from Ian's earnest gaze.
She sighed.
"I merely glimpsed some possibilities, not truly omniscient... How to proceed, that's your journey, and only you walk that path."
The Witch's low words left Ian in contemplation.
He looked at the books on the long table.
His heart gradually rose with some... bold ideas.