Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any other references that you might see in this fanfic.
A/N: Here are some answers to the questions you guys posted.
First, the Room of Requirements can't make something convenient like Skill books.
Second, the party system will be used, however to those that have read the Gamer, you know that there is a certain method that a sociopath like Charles will have no problem using. It appears at the end of the Church of Masks arc. Wink. Wink. Spoiler.
Third, to those wonder how Charles plans to hid is abilities from others, well I don't want to spoil it but he has a plan for that so don't worry.
Fourth, yes the dollar to gallon ratio is 1/25 for future references.
Fifth, Charles will but with Harry and Draco on occasion, but his goal is to gather followers to make his own fraction.
Lastly, no. Not every repeated action can become a skill. It would be really tiresome if it was. Like Breathing LV 34 or Blinking LV 56. Skills typically have an umbrella effect, which means that it covers other aspects. They also need to be game oriented.
Spells I'll talk about later. The same with Potions. Food on the other hand can't be used to gain skills, maybe improve resistances or give a temporary boost but nothing so OP. Else, Faux would be missing a leg real soon.
Hopes this helps. Also think of him as a male Azula if it helps you visualize some of the scenes.
Chapter 4
(Week 2)
It occurred to me shortly after my close call with the undead wizard that I might not be as prepared as I had initial thought.
The more I reviewed the fight, the more obvious it became that I was sorely lacking in range attacks. Normally this could easily be fixed by wielding my rapier and wand at the same time but the problem with that method was that I couldn't cast spells yet.
There was also the problem with how I had been fighting. I was a close-range fighter who relied on strength and speed to overwhelm my opponents. Unfortunately, most wizards tended to fight from a distance, making them harder to hit. That added with their ability to teleport away when I got close meant that it was almost impossible to fight them normally.
For now, I need a powerful range attack and a way to keep my opponents from moving.
It was with this mindset that I upped my training in the Room of Requirements.
[Energy Bolt]'s level has risen by one.
Energy Bolt (Active) LV 3 EXP: 0.0%
Description: A skill that attacks by emitting mana. Attack power increases by INT. Range 20m.
Cost: 15 MP
The wooden dummy was blown backwards 50 ft as the ball of highly condensed mana hit it right in the chest causing a small explosion.
I pulled back my smoking hand as I bent backward into a back handspring to avoid the ax aimed at my chest.
The earth was momentary upside-down.
Pushing strength into my hands I finished my handspring by planting my feet on a training dummy's chest, the same one that had been trying to sneak around me and stab me with an iron spear.
The axe wielding dummy was back as it started a chain of random swings.
Going for a downward strike I saw an opening and stepped on the handle of the axe before it could get up, then I sent a roundhouse kick at its head.
The kick was powerful enough to rip it's head off it's shoulders. It staggered drunkenly before falling to the floor in a boneless heap.
I felt a brief stabbing pain in my leg, but I ignored it as there was still one last enemy. If I was normal that kick would have fractured my bones instead of feeling a little pain that disappeared in seconds.
The spearman was back on its feet and ready for round two.
It circled around, the spear pointed close to the ground. The room had been learning my fighting patterns and taken to creating tougher enemies as a result.
I allowed it to make the first move, the only equipment I had was a pair of steel bracers that I had the room create for me.
It stepped forward stabbing at my leg with surprising speed. I sidestepped the attack and waited for the next one.
I didn't have to wait long as it began to execute a complex combo of stabs and swings.
This time I didn't bother to dodge as I either blocked or deflected the spear attacks with the bracers.
The room was filled with the sound of metal crashing against metal.
After a couple more clashes I decided to end it. It overextended on a thrust and I took the chance to grab the end of the handle before snapping the spear in half.
It looked mildly confused but not for long as I took the broke half with the spear tip and stabbed it in the head then thrust my open hand against its chest.
"…Energy Bolt," I whispered the name of the attack.
Just like the rest of its brethren it was blown away, the entire left side of its body turned into splinters.
-15 HP
[Martial Arts]'s level has risen by one.
[Physical Endurance]'s level has risen by one.
I ignored the pain in my hand knowing it would disappear in a few seconds.
Looking at the clock in the room I saw that breakfast would end soon and the first class of the day would begin. We were in the second week of school already. However today was special as flying lessons would begin, with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw learning together.
Leaving the room, I changed out of my clothes and made my way towards transfiguration class.
-Line Break-
It was 4 PM when both our Houses finally made it to the courtyard where we would be practicing flying. I had previously asked the Room of Requirements for a flying broom, but it was only able to provide the non-magical kind.
We stood in two neat files staring at each other. Both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tended to follow rules to the letter so there was no need to worry for any acting out like the other two houses, probably the reason why we were first.
School Broom- Rank: Magical
Semi-sentient broom enchanted to fly. It looks ready to fall apart so I wouldn't trust it too much. It has a maximum speed of 60 mph.
Madam Hooch looked at us with her yellow hawk like eyes to make sure that no one was messing around, not that there was need since it was as silent as a grave as everyone was too nervous.
"Stick out your right hand over your broom and say 'Up!'"
I looked at the ratty broom and tried to convey every bit of authority I felt I had over it in an almost threatening manner.
It seems that it really was semi-sentient as it shot up to my awaiting hand when I pictured myself throwing it into a woodchipper if it didn't listen, I didn't even have to speak.
I looked around to see how everyone was doing and saw that I was the first to succeed.
"Five Points to Ravenclaw," Madam Hooch said as she stared at the broom in my hand, "Mr. Bell, it looks like you might have some talent after all?"
I wasn't sure how making a broom move was supposed to prove I had talent, but I didn't dwell on it as my other housemates smiled at me.
Once everyone had managed to call their brooms, we practiced mounting them and then kicking off the ground.
There were no mishaps like the one Neville experienced, but a few of the broom did try to buckle off some of the Puffs.
We weren't allowed to fly more than a few feet of the ground, so we spent the next hour flying from one side of the field to the other. The goal was to fly as straight as possible without falling off.
Of course, no mere 11-year-old could compare to me and my 16 points in DEX. I had the balance and flexibility of most professional gymnast which when combined with my strength, meant that riding a broom was… well child's play.
By the end of the lesson I had managed to earn Ravenclaw another 5 points and unlocked a new skill.
[Flying] (Active/Passive) LV2 EXP: 41.33%
Description: Who said man wasn't meant to fly? Not you. Flying. It's in your blood.
Passive: 5% increase speed to all flying vehicles such as brooms, mounts, or magic carpets.
Active: You can fly without a medium as long as you have enough magic. The more magic you use, the faster and higher you can travel.
Cost: 50 MP per second
As we entered the Great Hall for dinner, I glanced at the Gryffindor table and spotted a certain bushy haired witch.
Hermione Jean Granger LV 10
HP: 400/400
MP: 450/450
I felt my mouth twitch into a smile. Looking at the two boys my previous smile dropped when I saw that their levels were still the same.
Taking my seat, I put them out of my mind as I focused on Hermione again. It wouldn't be an understatement to say that it was thanks to her that the Golden Trio was able to survive most of their adventures. If things followed the original story, then she would grow to become a brilliant and powerful witch.
I was tempted to snatch her up now just to have a valuable pawn, but I held myself back knowing the time wasn't right. She wasn't useful to me right now, she still placed too much trust on authority, something that would clash with my own mindset quite often. If I wanted to make the best use of her, then she would first need to see the ugly side of the world and experience all types of dangerous situations.
My plan for taking the title of strongest would need a lot of key components, one of which were competent followers. Once Hermione grew strong enough, cynical enough, then I would make my move to collect her. Until then I would merely play the role of friendly rival.
Food appeared on the table and I quickly went to work stacking my plate full of food, most would go into my inventory anyways.
That reminded me, I should really look into getting the cooking skill, since food carried certain buffs from restoring HP to increasing learning speed. I suppose I could ask the elves to teach me, they were certainly subservient enough.
(Library)
I was patiently reading a book on transfiguration when out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hermione walk in through the front door and look around.
It was no big surprise to me, since I was the one that had called her out here.
She spotted me and made her way to me, a folded note in one of her hands.
"Are you-"
I cut her off by raising a finger, establishing my superiority in the process.
I finished the passage before sighing and shutting the book with a satisfying snap. I took off my frameless glasses, replicas of those from my past life. I had paid an older student transfigure them to serve as a memento from my past life.
Looking at the confused witch, I gave a charming smile, "Sorry, about that, I was at an important part. I'm sure you would understand the feeling of being interrupted?"
"Yes, of course" she said with an understanding expression.
I got up from my chair and stood in front of her, causing her to step back and look up slightly as I was at least a few inches taller than her. I was also much broader on account of the muscle I had packed thanks to all of my training.
I stuck out a hand, "Hello, we've never been properly introduced. I'm Charles Bell."
She looked at my hand confused before finally realizing she was supposed to shake it. "A pleasure, I'm Her-"
"Hermione Granger," I cut her off, "the most likely candidate to take the title of smartest witch in our year."
She gained a slight smile and with her cheeks turning a pink hue from the complement.
"How you managed to trick the Sorting Hat into sending you into Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw I will never now," I said in a slightly teasing tone.
"H-huh? I didn't trick-"
"Relax, it's just a joke," I told her putting up my hands in a surrender position, "Speaking of jokes, do you know how much a polar bear weighs?"
"No," she said confused.
"Enough to break the ice."
"Go ahead, you can laugh. It's funny."
"H-hahaha," the smaller witch did a rather impressive fake laugh.
My lips quirked up at her attempt.
We sat opposite each other at one of the empty tables.
"Ahem, so why'd you call me out here," she finally asked.
I drummed my fingers on the table then looked her straight in the eyes, "I'll be frank, you are probably the best student in our year, and that's saying something when compared to others who have lived their whole lives in the magical world."
"Thank you," she said trying to hide the glee from being complemented again but it was all too obvious.
Narrowing my eyes, I continued, "Unfortunately, that's something I won't allow to happen."
She looked startled before raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, "Excuse me?"
"Sorry to say this, but I intend on taking the number one spot."
"I don't understand. Did you call me all the way here just to say that?"
"I thought I'd tell you I'm metaphorically throwing down the gauntlet."
It seems I managed to trigger a nerve as she glared at me, "Did you really expect me to just step aside?"
I leaned forward with a playful smile, "Of course not, what would be the fun in that? No, I expect you will give it you all. I want to beat you knowing you tried your hardest."
Oh, now she was angry as she also leaned in trying to get in my face, "Then I hope you're ready to be disappointed, as I have no intention of losing."
"Good, neither do I. I suppose this makes us rivals then," I announced as I stood up prompting her to do the same.
"I suppose it does."
I stuck out my hand again, "May the best witch or wizard win."
She shook the hand more confidently as we looked into each other eyes looking for any weakness and finding none, "May the best witch or wizard win."
[Quest: Worthy Rival] Complete!
You gained the Title of [Rival]
[Rival: You thrive in competition. Your thirst for being the best is already unquenchable so why not make it your job?
Effect: You and your chosen rival receive an additional 15% to all EXP earned.
Effect: Competitions against each other now results in EXP.
Effect: All skills now level up 20% faster.
We finished our handshake and stood awkwardly staring at each other.
Clearing my throat I told her, "Usually this is the part where one of us dramatically storms off," hoping she would take the hint.
She too looked mildly uncomfortable, "Umm, I actually had some studying I wanted to do in the library today sooo…"
"Me too," I indicated to the books on the table.
"Well I'm not leaving," she said crossing her arms and sitting down again.
"…I suppose we can both share the library," I offered as I took my seat too.
"No helping it then," she stated casually as she took a book from the stack and opened it.
"I guess not," I agreed before opening my own book.
We read in comfortable silence for a while before I finally opened my mouth to speak, "By the way, should I continue to call you Hermione or would you like it if I called you Granger from now on?"
"Granger. You?"
"Charles please. Hmm- Granger does tend to roll off the tongue rather nicely."
"…So why did you pick me over everyone else? Like Harry Potter for example?" she asked without looking up from her book.
"Potter huh? To be honest, he's a bit of a disappointment. I thought that as someone raised in the non-magical world like us, he would be a tad more excited to study magic, but so far all I have seen him do is cause trouble for Gryffindor with his friend Ronald Weasley. As I said before you're the much better choice."
"…In what way?"
"Okay now you're just fishing for compliments."
(Common Room)
When I finally entered the common room, I noticed a crowd around the bulletin board.
"Hey Michael, what's this all about?" I asked tapping my fellow Ravenclaw on the shoulder.
"Oh, Charles your back already," the black-haired boy said turning around, "Flitwick put up an announcement that Quidditch tryouts will be held next week."
Oh, so that's what it was.
Hmm? Should I give it a try?
As far as I knew, there was no rule against First Years joining the team, only against them owning their own broom. This meant that they would have to use the school brooms if they hoped of try out. As a result, most first years were rarely chosen since they lacked both experience flying and a decent broom.
Still for my plan, I needed to establish myself as Ravenclaw's golden boy, someone that could do no wrong. Joining the team seemed like a step on the right direction.
When the crowd finally thinned out, I walked to the tryout sheet and wrote my name among the applicants.
[A quest has been created.]
[Going for the Gold]
Show your housemates that you were born to rule the skies by joining the Quidditch team.
Completion award: EXP 7,000
Increase closeness with Ravenclaw House
Random Item.
Completion Failure: Decrease closeness with Ravenclaw House.
"Charles, you're signing up?" Anthony Goldstein asked as he was accompanied by the rest of our year's Ravenclaw.
I gave them my most sincere smile, "Well it never hurt to try right?"
Terry stepped forward, "Unless you get hit by a bludger."
"…Well there is that."
Padma slapped Terry on the shoulder playfully, "Oh stop that. You don't know that for certain. Who knows, he might actually get in. Even Madam Hooch said he was a natural." Turning to me she smiled, "Don't worry though, if you do get your head smashed in, I'll let you see my notes when you wake up from your coma."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I said in the most deadpan voice I could muster.
Still, the experience alone would be enough to push me to the next level giving me enough points for WIS.
(Room of Requirements)
The room had transformed itself into a large white room with padded walls and floor. The ceiling was easily 100 ft.
I was currently using it to train my flying skill. This time when I asked for a flying broom the Room had provided it, making me think that it could only materialize items that I was familiar with.
Flying reminded me slightly of surfing as you need to use your whole body to steer.
Thanks to the my newly acquired title of [Rival, I had managed to level up flying to Level 10 after only a few days.
[Flying] (Active/Passive) LV10 EXP: 53.23%
Description: Flying. It's in your blood. Who said man wasn't meant to fly? Not you.
Passive: 25% increase to all flying mediums such as brooms, mounts, magic carpets, or airplanes.
Active: You can fly without a medium using magic. The more magic you use, the faster and higher you can travel.
Cost: 40 MP per second
DEX had also exceeded 20 giving me peak human dexterity.
I had all the grace of a cat as I walked and felt safe even on hard to balance surfaces. DEX also transferred over to all abilities to, like my piano playing, running speed, and even aim.
I was confident that if I used my abilities professionally, I would be able to win every gold medal at the Olympics.
Put winning some gold trinkets wasn't my goal. No, my goal was much bigger.
Standing on the handle of the conjured broom I closed by eyes spreading my arms as wide as possible before falling backwards plummeting to the floor below.
My eyes snapped open as I extended a hand to the broom. It shot from its floating position to my hand with surprising speed.
Tightly holding onto the handle, I positioned it underneath me, my foot at the base of the handle where it met the twigs.
When I was only a few feet of the ground I commanded it to accelerate just as I pulled it up so the handle was facing the ceiling. The straw twigs briefly scrapped the floor then shot up vertically like a spinning rocket, as it steadied itself from the sudden change of direction.
It really was like a combination of surfing and sky-diving, both of which I had experience back in my old life. People used to think I was an adrenaline junkie on account of all the life risking hobbies I had, but the truth was that I was just trying to find something could make me feel again.
Steading the broom horizontally I stood up then performed a backflip along the length of the handle as if was a balance beam. It was almost laughable what a high DEX and no fear could accomplish.
I finished my little stunt with a final swing launching me 20 ft into the air before landing perfectly on the broom.
"Ta-da!"
The room apparently had good taste as a score board with the number 10 appeared on the far-off wall.
"My flying skills should be passable for the moment. Now I just need a bit of actual practice. Room, create some bludgers and bat."
A small bat appeared on the ground along with two iron balls that shot away like cannonballs.
"Room, create some targets too."
Red and white bullseyes appeared on the walls and in the air. Some moved around to imitate players flying with other being stationary.
Diving down I retrieved the bat and flew up high.
One of the bludgers moved to knock me off my broom but I was ready.
As soon as it entered my range I swung the bat using all my strength causing it to be sent away and into a floating target that shattered when it was hit.
My hand rung from the force of the hit and I saw that the wooden bat now had a crack on it.
"I thought these were supposed to be magically enhanced to deflect bludger?"
Wooden Beater's Bat- Rank: Ordinary
A wooden replica of a beater's bat. It has no magical enchantments and just a really good imitation.
[A skill has been created through a special action.]
[You obtained the skill, 'Blunt Weapon Mastery'.]
[Blunt Weapon Mastery] (Passive) LV1 0.0%
Description: Allows user to freely handle blunt weapons.
Effect: Increase 10% attack damage with blunt weapons.
Effect: Increase 5% attack speed.
A new skill already. Lately the number of skills I need to level up had been growing, though I wasn't complaining.
After having the room create a beater's bat made out of solid steel I continued to practice until it was curfew.
(Great Hall)
Today was a Sunday and I had nothing planned for today other than to enjoy the weather.
Life wasn't all work after all. One needed to enjoy the little things.
Which is exactly why I enjoyed looking at the conflict between the future Golden Trio. It was already an open secret that Harry had become Gryffindor's seeker. There was also the whole mid-night duel between Draco and Harry.
All of this resulted into a grumpy bushy-haired witch that was going out of her way to ignore her housemates.
Glancing at the Slytherin table I noticed Daphne and Tracey talking among the other pureblood girls. Looks like I wouldn't be able to talk to them today.
Grabbing a piece of bacon from the plate I was unprepared for it to be snatched from my fingertips by a white snowy owl.
I stood up from my seat and grabbed the nearest thing on the table and threw it at the thieving bird.
The green apple sailed through the air like an arrow catching Hedwig on her way back to the Gryffindor table. She ended up crashing in front of Ron as a result.
The ginger now sported a face full of food, so nothing too out of the ordinary.
The Slytherin table behind me had looked up to see what the commotion was and were in the process of laughing their heads off.
"Not bad mate," Terry said having seen the entire thing, "you plan on trying out for chaser?"
Ron finally managed to whip his face enough to glare at the Slytherin Table who were still laughing. The redhead grabbed a piece of pie and through it across the hall, hitting Crabbe in the face.
The Great Hall stood silent, but I could see the twins smiling mischievously as they grabbed a handful of food before jumping on the table and roaring a mighty battle cry.
"FOOD FIGHT!"
The Gryffindor table were quickest as they began to throw anything within arms reach at the Slytherins. But their advantage didn't last as all the houses began to throw food.
[You sense danger!]
My head tilted to the left, letting the cupcake hit the Terry across from me.
I turned back to look at who throw it, "Really Tracey?"
The Slytherin witch didn't respond and instead gave a playful smile as she readied another pastry, this time a piece of cheesecake.
I blocked it by using a sliver tray as a shield, then retaliated with a bowl of pasta that did meet its mark.
Seeing the chaos around me I jumped over the tables and to the Gryffindor where Hermione had taken cover under the table.
"Your house has impeccable manners as always Granger," I commented as I joined her hiding place.
She looked annoyed as she replied, "Oh shut up you. I saw you throw the apple."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," I said an all too innocent tone that wasn't fooling anyone, "though I do suggest that we get out of her before a teacher come?"
"First one to the exit?"
"Right then," I said offering a hand that she shook.
We both got out at the same time.
"Hii," she exclaimed in surprise as she barely dodged a bowl of pudding.
I gave her the tray as we made a run for the entrance. I dodged everything thrown my way occasionally grabbing something from the air and sending it back to the thrower.
A jug of pumpkin juice was thrown my way but luckily, I was able to use a nearby Hufflepuff as a human shield, keeping myself dry.
"Sorry."
I grabbed another Puff and ran for the exit using them as a battering ram.
Thanks to his selfless sacrifice I managed to make it to the end of the room a few seconds before Hermione.
500 EXP
"Looks like I won," I announced letting go of the poor Puff.
"You cheated."
"Did not."
"Did so!"
"Did not times infinity! Let's get out of here."
We exited the Hall and walked away, turning the corner just as we hear the angry footsteps of Professor McGonigal that had a face full of thunder.
"So, I was in the library," I announced.
"What a coincidence, so was I," she said playing along.
"Oh good, we can be each other's alibi."
"Aren't you worried that someone will tell on you?"
"For what? All I did was offer the bird an apple? It was the Weaselly twins and Ronald that started the food fight. Plus, there is such a thing a Ravenclaw loyalty, no one's going to willingly rat me out," I said throwing her a wide grin. As I said before, one needs to enjoy the little things.
Not a bad end to my second week at Hogwarts.
A/N: Thanks for reading.
Not much to explain, it should be pretty clear cut.
I'll have the next chapter mostly finished, so it should be up by Sunday.
This is his current Stats.
Charles Bell
Class: The Gamer
Level: LV 11 Next Level: 3.47%
HP: 220/220
MP: 250/250
STR: 16
DEX: 20
VIT: 17
INT: 20
WIS: 16
LUK: 13
Points: 30
Money: 3,350 G/ 7 S/ 9 K
Inventory: 102/120