Erwin listened to the System's announcement, a spark igniting in his eyes. Just as he'd suspected, only two talent categories were eligible for fusion this time. It felt almost scripted—he'd drawn exactly two fusion cards, and they aligned perfectly with his existing abilities. Coincidence? He doubted it.
But Erwin didn't dwell on the implications. He pushed the thought aside and focused. "Strongly recommended, eh? Let's fuse the second pair first."
The System had guided him this far; hesitation was pointless.
[Initiating talent fusion. The process will take three minutes. Please remain still and wait.]
As the notification faded, Erwin felt a sharp tug in his mind, like threads unraveling from his thoughts. He sensed it clearly—this was the essence of his talents being woven together. In the past, he'd always just equipped them without question, letting the abilities integrate seamlessly. But now, curiosity stirred. What were these things, really? Invisible forces reshaping his magic?
It didn't add up. Erwin prided himself on his inquisitive nature; he should have probed deeper from the start. Had his drive faded, or was something—someone—steering him away from those questions? He shook it off. The System's origins were a mystery, far beyond the Grim Reaper's grasp. That much was clear from how easily he'd commandeered the death token's power. Whatever forces lurked behind it all, one truth held: the Reaper wasn't on its level.
Speculation wouldn't help. Not yet. For now, Erwin's path was simple—grow stronger, seize every advantage. Only then could he stand against any hidden puppeteers.
Three minutes slipped by in a haze.
[Fusion complete. View new talent?]
"Show me," Erwin said.
[Talent: Beast Master's Bond (Rainbow Gold)]
[Talent Effect: All magical creatures exhibit exceptional affinity toward you. They will never attack unless provoked first. You can calm even the most furious beasts with words or touch, forging an unbreakable bond of trust that positions you as their closest ally.]
Erwin's brow furrowed as he scanned the description. On the surface, it seemed like a straightforward merge of his prior gifts: the pull of magical creatures and an enhanced soothing aura. Compared to the raw power of something like Plunder, it didn't scream legendary. But then he spotted the nuance—and his eyes widened.
The key lay in the wording: "magical creatures," not "magical animals." Dragons and the like fell under animals, a broad but limited group. Creatures, though? That encompassed anomalies—beings twisted by magic into something extraordinary.
Take the Whomping Willow, for instance. Hogwarts' infamous tree wasn't just flora; it was a magical creature, a violent outlier among willows. Or the Devil's Snare guarding the Philosopher's Stone—vines with a predatory will of their own. In the wizarding world, such entities abounded: animated suits of armor, rogue poltergeists, even cursed objects pulsing with life.
This talent's rainbow-gold rating made perfect sense now. It wasn't mere affinity; it was dominion over the arcane wilds. And that soothing effect? It carried an amplified twist, capable of pacifying even the most volatile guardians, turning threats into allies.
Erwin's mind raced to Professor Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff House, whose affinity for flora bordered on the legendary. This gift echoed her talents, perhaps even surpassed them in scope.
Satisfied, he turned to the remaining fusion: Precision Casting, Infinite Firepower, and Spell Multiplication. He'd wielded Precision Casting in duels, its unerring accuracy proving invaluable. The other two? From their descriptions alone, they were powerhouses—endless barrages and replicated incantations.
Fusing three elite abilities was a gamble. What if the result disappointed? He'd lose tools he'd come to rely on. But holding back felt like self-sabotage. Erwin clenched his jaw. At worst, he had upgrade charms to fall back on. Double down if needed.
Decision made, he commanded the System mentally.
The familiar chime echoed.
[Initiating talent fusion. The process will take three minutes. Please remain still and wait.]
Erwin settled in, his expression unchanging, as if this were just another drill.
Time blurred.
[Fusion complete. Congratulations—you've unlocked a new talent.]
[Talent: Arcane Mastery (Platinum Gold)]
[Level: Advanced]
[Effect: You are a prodigy of spellcraft. All your incantations ascend to higher proficiency, unlocking sixth-level magic. At this tier, spells gain transformative traits, amplified by your innate talent.]
[Sixth-Level Requirements: 300,000 spell proficiency points, 20 talent points.]
[Precision Enhancement: Single-target spells now track their marks unerringly.]
[Multiplication Boost: Channel extra magic to replicate spells, creating cascading effects.]
[Active Mode: Activate once daily for 30 minutes. During this burst, spells cost no magic and bear no backlash.]
Erwin exhaled slowly, a grin breaking through. Dual fusions, one shimmering rainbow and the other gleaming platinum—this was no mere upgrade. It was a leap. Beast Master's Bond would redefine his interactions in the Forbidden Forest or beyond, turning peril into partnership. And Arcane Mastery? It elevated his spellwork to elite heights, promising barrages that could overwhelm foes or unravel wards with surgical precision.
He flexed his fingers, already envisioning the applications. Sixth-level magic—Dumbledore's domain, perhaps, but now within reach. The wizarding world had just gotten a lot more interesting.
...
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