Taking solace in the fact that I know my dorm mates wouldn't be bothered in the least if I didn't return for the night, so at the very least no one will report me missing, giving me enough time to figure out what the hell this is.
Patches of different types of leather and skin, I mean leather is essentially skin, but there were patches that were clearly… human.
Even without opening it I could see the pages were aged and then some, something in my gut was screaming at me, as if in the presence of a powerful artefact, I even levitated it to here refusing to touch it with my bare skin, it was bad enough to use my magic on it.
"It's just a book." A shrill voice whispered in my ear and I was forced to withhold a sigh.
"I noticed Myrtle," I dismissed the ghost with a flat voice and continued to stare at the book that my ever so lazy familiar suddenly graced me.
When I questioned where the damned owl got the book it gave me its usual lazy glance and fell asleep on my headboard not bothering to return to the owlery, of course, mother runs a creature sanctuary and she gifts me with the laziest familiar out there.
Shaking my thoughts off the golden feathered fiend of mine, I flicked my wand in the direction of the book and hoped that it would open so I could read it without touching it.
Yet it remained firmly shut begging for me to touch the damned thing… a soft lulling urging me to do so.
Ah well better scrounge up my Gryffindor courage and ignore every intelligent thought.
The moment my fingers touched the book it suddenly disappeared, in a bright blue flash, blinding me.
My palm viciously rubbed my eyelids as Myrtle did what she did best, moan. Eventually, she calmed down, it took a while though and a headache was coupled with it, "Are you okay, Alton?"
I lean my head back resting it against the cool porcelain of the sink as my vision finally returned to me, "I think I'm no worse for wear. Still doesn't explain what that fucking book was."
A gift from your father.
'The fuck?' Bold luminous blue words hovered in the air.
Your father feels guilt for not being in your life, a supremely power being shamed that he cannot groom and nurture your abilities, so he searched his armoury for the perfect gift for a young wizard, the Oghma Infinium, a grimoire capable of gifting every user a different but powerful ability or boon.
My chest heaved as I stared at the words hovering over Myrtle's head, the ghost none the wiser.
"I'm going crazy."
"Oh, then you can off yourself," Myrtle giggled as I felt a soft caress graze me, "then we could haunt these toilets together forever and ever."
"I could think of no worse hell than that." I shot down her delusion not giving her a chance to plant any seeds of thought that I enjoy her company, this bathroom is literally the only where I can have some peace and quiet from the other students but I'm forced to tolerate her presence.
Though I suppose the inverse is true and she tolerates me or at least at first she did, now it seems like she enjoys my visits, maybe I should cut back on them for my own sake of peace.
She let out a wail of despair as she flew into a toilet.
You're not going crazy, young Alton.
'Then what am I, weird floating text that only I can see as it seems?'
You're a Gamer.
My face scrunched up in confusion, 'I'm a what?'
Quest Unlocked: Tutorial 1 – Learn the ropes.
Reward: You learn the bare bones
Think, status.
Am I really going to follow the direction of the magical floating text from a book that claims it's from my father?
Yep, yes am I.
'Status.'
Name: Alton Geur
HP: 300
MP: 100 [5 MP Per Second]
SP: 300
Level: 1 - [Level Reset]
Race: Half Breed [Wizard/?]
Age: 16
Stats:
Strength [Your general physical prowess is not all that useful for a wizard.] = 5
Endurance [Works as your health points multiplier] = 4
Agility [Affects your stamina regeneration] = 6
Charisma [The effects of your presence amongst people vary on this, as well as your chances of convincing people, mind you don't expect outlandish lies to succeed or accept commands out of nature no matter how high your charisma stats is.] = 5
Intelligence [Effects the speed on how fast you pick up new information] = 7
Regain [Effects the speed of MP regeneration] = 5
Luck [Influences actions that fall under the realms of chance] = 7
Half Breed? How… I was always told I'm a Half-Blood, but to be a half-breed is mean my father wasn't even human, and better yet I don't even know what he was, it's infuriating.
Appearance-wise, I looked like a Geur, painting and photos of my family showed how wildly different we all looked from each other, yet I from what I could gather from baby pictures I was the spit of mum. So any half-breed creature blood in me gave no clue as to what he was.
I take a calming breath and steady my shaking hands, this is a lot to take in.
Think, skills.
I still don't know if I've lost the plot but crazier things have happened and the only explanation has always been, magic.
'Skills.'
Defence Against the Dark Arts: 37
Transfiguration: 28
Charms: 17
Potions: 25
Arithmancy: 32
Care of Magical Creatures: 45
Herbology: 20
Flying: 17
Well, I guess that makes sense with Care of Magical Creatures being my best skill, helping mum with her job isn't exactly optional, as she quite literally brings her work home.
Gotta say even without a reference to compare to, I'm proud of my DADA skill, it's the one subject I've shown any actual interest in, but that's mostly because I refuse to be a doormat and allow anyone to push me around, just too bad the people who decide to antagonise me are usually a lot more skilled than I am.
Think, 'Perks.'
Wonder what this means? 'Perks.'
Current Perks:
Occlumency – Occlumency is the act of magically closing one's mind against Legilimency. [Unlocked due to becoming a Gamer.]
Surface Thoughts - A ability to sense the surface thoughts of a being with a minor Legilimency probe. Almost undetectable. [Unlocked via the 'observe' ability]
One with Nature – Animals and creatures do not perceive you as a threat and are more inclined to relax near you. [Unlocked due to your time spent with magical creatures for most of your life.]
Thick Skinned 1 – Gain a 10% damage resistance to all forms of damage. [Unlocked due to all the times you became a target dummy to certain witch.]
Tough Bastard 1 – An increase in your overall spellwork damage by 10%. [DADA Natural Perk]
'Natural Perk? What's a Natural Perk?'
There are two types of perks; Perk Points, which you will receive every two levels and you may choose from a series of perks, and then there are Natural Perks, which are gifted to the Gamer when they increase a particular skill to a certain level, they automatically gain a perk associated with the skill.
'So if I raise let's say Transfiguration to a certain level, I could unlock a perk for it?'
Correct
This is so grand, if I didn't have a reason to work hard in class before I certainly do now.
Quest Unlocked: Brightest wizard of your age – Get all of your school's skills over level 75.
Rewards:
10,000 Experience Points
Unlock a Specialised Ranked Spell
3 Gifted Perk Points
'Specialised?'
Think, inventory.
Okay, I guess I'm being ignored or it's part of another tutorial, better get on with this.
'Inventory.'
Inventory Space: 1/30
Wand; Yew Wood, Dragon Heartstring, 15 Inches [Owned by Alton Geur]
Let me guess, 'Wand.' I let out a pleased sigh as I felt the familiar weight of my trusty tool in my hands. The funny thing is it wasn't in any of my pockets, it just suddenly slipped into my palm as if I unholstered it from one of those sleeve holsters.
Sounds like I have a storage space connected to my very being, which is with no doubt impossible even with magic. Storage spells and enchantments and living beings do not mix. Then again none of this should be possible.
I jostled my shoulder blade as it was not resting at an awkward angle against the sink, maybe I should get some rest now, or at the very least sit on something comfy.
I stood up and cracked my stiff neck.
"I have thought this through," Myrtle floated out of her toilet and floated in front of me yet again, "and I forgive you."
Lock eyes on her and think, observe.
'Observe.'
Name: 'Moaning' Myrtle Warren
Level: Irrelevant
Race: Ghost, former Muggleborn witch
Reputation: 60 (Likes/Attraction) - Wishes to delve beyond the norms of living-undead relations with you.
Quest Completed: Tutorial 1 – Learn the ropes.
Reward: You learn the bare bones
"For what?" I said in a bland voice and not even a beat passed and she once again moaned away in her toilet, I'm not once again going to waste an opportunity to get the hell out of here, I rushed out of the toilets.
'Alright, here's the midpoint of the castle,' The point where all four houses can separate and head to their common rooms.
Aw fuck, I knew instantly why I had the sudden urge to find the nearest pit and jump into it for my safety.
"Up early even for you, Mongrel." The soft voice let out a cackle, coupled with deep black untameable hair and deep violet eyes, the girl was pretty, gorgeous even but the ugly sneer took away from her beauty.
Alright why not? 'Observe.'
Name: Bellatrix Aquila Black
Level: 20
Race: Pure Blood Witch
Age: 17
Reputation: -75/-50 (Hate/Begrudging Respect) [Gained a +25 Due to her respect that you are willing to throw back spells her way.] - Relief that she'll be able to release some pent-up frustrations on you.
How the hell is her level so much higher than mine? I mean yeah sure I've never once beaten her in any impromptu duels we've had but shit at the very least I manage to get a few hits in, now this system is telling me she could've easily stomped me like it's nothing. Unless of course we were on a similar level but I got my level 'reset' due to all this madness.
"Not in the mood you inbred cretin." I brushed past her drowning out her retort as I usually do whenever it involves my mother being a blood traitor.
The Fat Lady let out a frustrated sigh as she stared at me with thinly veiled annoyance, "What is it with you and your dorm mates, first Potter and his tails appear and then-"
"Balderdash," I uttered with the same amount of annoyance directed back at her.
"Youths of today." She tutted but nonetheless her frame swung open allowing me entrance to the Gryffindor common room.
The room was a ghost town except for a couple laying on the sofa asleep holding each other by the dying fire.
I headed towards a series of stairs not bother pause as heard a whispered voice muffled behind the metal doors, I swung it open and was met by four confused and startled pairs of eyes.
A couple of them peered back at the curtain-drawn bed that I knew was mine as if to confirm I wasn't standing right in the doorway.
"Alton," Remus Lupin was the first to get his bearings back as he greeted me with a cordial smile.
"Lupin," I greeted without glancing in his direction, the norm for me, but as I crossed the dorm heading towards my bed I suddenly stopped and turned my head towards the battered and worn weary boy.
'Observe.'
Name: Remus Lupin
Level: 15
Race: Half-Blood Wizard [Werewolf]
Age: 16
Reputation: 20 (Acquaintance) - Wondering how long you were away from the dorm.
He gave me a strained smile and raised the motionless chocolate frog, "Want some?"
So the chocolates are his, I mean I've seen the wrappers and packets lain strewn all over the room but I always figured they belonged to Pettigrew, because of his… husky frame.
"You know chocolate is poison for werewolves as it is for dogs, right?"
The aforementioned poison slipped his grasp as he stared at me in fear, hell a sense of dread wafted off Potter and Black.
"Ho-ow-" He stumbled on his words as fear crept into his voice.
"I've known you're a werewolf since the first day here, the scars are familiar enough, and the fact you disappeared at every full moon to go back home to tend to your mother despite your father being alive and well enough to take care of her, plus the sluggish behaviour right after the transformation is a sight I've seen enough times."
Rushed footsteps could be heard from behind me, as I turned around I saw Black and Potter standing too close to me now, Pettigrew continued to watch this all go on from the foot of his bed however.
"You cannot tell anyone. If you do…" The plea from Black didn't work so well considering his family is a series of nutcases, pleading with good intentions just didn't work well for him.
The roll of my eyes was put on a show for their benefit, "Didn't I just say I've known since the first year? If I was going to tell anyone, I would've done it ages ago." I huffed out in annoyance.
"You also said you've seen it before also," Lupin said in a soft voice hope practically leaking off of him, werewolves were isolated by the general public, and hatred followed where they went.
Waving off him with a shake of my head, not wanting him to assume whatever his mind was going to conjure up, "My uncle, he was inflicted at a young age, my grandfather dedicated his life to taking care of my uncle, he even home-schooled him and built a creature sanctuary in our family estate. When the old man passed on, all of his responsibilities fell on my mother."
Potter seemed vexed for some reason, "Why wouldn't you say something then? Why keep it to yourself?" He was getting dangerously close to me which would result in a stunner in his face.
Backing away from him was probably for the best, I didn't buy into any of the political BS of the wizarding, kissing the knuckles of every broad and prostrating myself like a twat for some stooge above my station, my family had little to no friends in Britain, our wealth from hard work and blood… and Asia.
So taking a deep calming breath was for the best, not wanting to piss off a petty bitch like Potter, "Why would I have? My uncle being a werewolf is no one's business, the only reason why I mentioned it was because Lupin is poisoning himself."
Potter didn't let up on his glare but I could Black pulling him back before shuffling into view, "What do you mean by that, by the way?"
Shrugging my shoulders, I moved towards my bed, speaking over my shoulder, "Just ask him yourself, sounds like something a bunch of friends will fight about, it kind of sounds like a nightmare if I'm being honest." Grabbing my school bag and my damned owl before walking out of the room, ignoring their protest.
The Fat Lady mumbled under… she mumbled whatever consisted as breath for living portrait, as I walked out of the common room still well past curfew. My body forgot its earlier desire for rest, not that it was an issue for me, for as long as I could remember I could go about my day with only a few hours of sleep, I don't why but something about the night just energises me.
Many restless nights have allowed me to know this castle like the back of my hand, even the faculty rounds and how best to avoid them, that was a lot of trial and error though.
However it's a bit tougher today with a huge lazy owl on my shoulder, she cracked her amber eyes tucked itself further in and rubbed its face into the side of my forehead, "Don't act all cute with me," A low rumble escaped her throat.
Hmm…
'Observe.'
Name: Shimmer
Level: Irrelevant
Race: Verreaux Eagle Owl
Reputation: 100 [Unquestionably Loyal/Amused] - Warm fool. Her fool.
Knowing how she perceives me should beg to question how come she doesn't act like a regular owl, but I couldn't help but ignore it and focus on the flutter in my stomach that someone even if it's my familiar regards me so highly.
Quest Unlocked: Who needs friends… you do – Raise your reputation with 5 people over level 85.
Rewards:
5,000 Experience Points
Random Rare Spell
Passive Spell
'Does Shimmer count?'
Quest Unlocked: Who needs friends… you do – Raise your reputation with 5 people over level 85.
'Wow, passive-aggressive much?'
Shimmer gave me a slight nip alerting me that we'd arrived owlery, instead of going in, I laid my elbows against the stone railing looking out at the sun rising over the distant hill, bathing the ancient castle in sunlight.
Shimmer once again nipped at my ear, this time drawing blood.
HP: 298/300
"Ow." I glared at the owl, "Maybe I should question your loyalty." She let out a low hoot and spread her impressive wingspan washing me over with the cool winter breeze.
"So to get me out of the cold weather you drew blood, that's questionable!" She gave me a look that just told me she was perfect in every approach possible.
"Just wait, I want you to send a letter for me." I pulled out a parchment and a quill and I summoned all of my will to convey all of my feelings for the man who claims to be my father.
Maybe there's some hate in the letter, maybe there's a bit of thankfulness for the gift, I didn't exactly hold back as wrote on the parchment, it's as if a dam broke and I couldn't stop the words, I needed to get it all of my chest.
When I was done, I couldn't force myself to read through what I wrote, instead, I rolled it up and attached it to Shimmer's leg, I stroked the crook of her neck, "Listen, Shim, it's really important that you get this letter to the man who sent that book to me. Could you do this for me?" As I gazed into her eyes I couldn't see her usual gleam of mischief as she bowed her head.
"Thanks, Shim." The eagle owl flew off; her massive wingspan was all that I could spot of her for a good while before she disappeared into the horizon.
A tired and frustrated sigh caused me to curse my lack of perspective, "Mr Geur," I turned around and gave my head of house a shaky smile, "what are you doing up at a time like this?"
"I just wanted to send a letter and-"
"You haven't slept once tonight have you." She didn't question, she stated.
Right, the best way to lie to McGonagall is to give her a hint of truth, or in her case the whole truth barring one piece of information, "My father got into contact with me recently, and I just can't sleep so I wanted to send a letter to him."
Persuasion Check Passed [Temporary bonus +2 charisma due to good standing with McGonagall.]
EXP gain: 25/100
Sweet, 'Observe.'
Name: Minerva McGonagall
Level: ? [Cannot see levels 30 or more than yours.]
Race: Half-Blood Witch
Age: 40
Reputation: 60 [A reminder from the past] - His mother's son through and through.
"I did not know your father could get into contact with you." The unsaid muggle didn't go over my head.
Letting out a scoff, "Yeah a bit of surprise to me, that a muggle that I've never met could do that, or a more reasonable explanation is that my mother lied to me."
Professor McGonagall isn't someone who would let something like an awkward tension best her, "Mr Geur, if you wish we can take some time to speak, at your leisure of course."
"Thank you, Professor, I may take you up on your offer one of these days."
She gave me a curt nod, "See that you do." She cleared her throat and sidestepped motioning towards the castle, "I doubt that you will get any sleep, so at the very least have a hearty breakfast."
"Will do, Professor."
HP: 300/300
MP: 80/100 – [5 MP Per Second]
EXP: 75/100
Spell Unlocked: Episkey - Heals minor injuries [5 HP]
Wait I already knew that spell, it's bloody well I did it.
Quest Unlocked: Tutorial 2 – Learn the different ranks.
Reward: Random common spell.
I know full well that I'm the only one seeing the text box but I still couldn't help but look around the great hall at the few bodies up this early to see if they gasping my way, then again floating text would be pretty minor in regards to magic. Still, no one took notice of me more than a courteous nod to their fellow earlier riser.
Think, spells.
Here we go, 'Spells.'
Spell Logs:
Common Spells + [Minor and small spells with either more powerful variation or no practical use other than its intended purpose. These spells cost a small amount of MP.]
Rare Spells+ [Spells that require fixed levels to use, have a wider range of use. These spells cost a moderate amount of MP.]
Legendary Spells + [Spells that require a high fixed level, to attempt to use these spells without the desired level can have dire consequences. These spells cost a large amount of MP.]
Passive Spells + [These spells cap your MP for a continuous spell affecting you.]
Specialised Spells + [Spells learnt from individuals that are specific to them, and now you.]
'Common Spells.'
Common Spells –
Episkey - Heals minor injuries – 20 MP Per Second
Lumos – Emits light from the tip of your wand – 5 Per Second
Nox – Cancels out Lumos – 0 MP
Rictusempra – Tickling Charm – 5 MP Per Second
Sonorus - Amplifies one's voice – 5 MP Per Second
Aguamenti - Shoot water from wand – 5 MP Per Second
Diffindo - Cuts or rips material – 10 MP Per Second
Wingardium Leviosa – 10 MP Per Second
'Rare Spells.'
Rare Spells –
Deprimo - Creates great downward pressure – 50 MP
Piertotum Locomotor - Animates statues – 20 MP Per Second
Defodio - Carves through stone – 50MP
Locomotor Mortis - Leg-lock curse – 40 MP
Stupefy - Stuns target – 100 MP
Expelliarmus - Disarming Charm – 100 MP
Protego - Shields caster from curses – 100 MP
Legendary, Passive, and Specialised were all grey outed, not allowing me to open up, I'm guessing it's because I don't know any spells that fall under that category.
Quest Completed: Tutorial 2 – Learn the different ranks.
Reward: Random common spell [Chilante – Chill or ice over your drink – 20 MP]
Well fuck that new spell costs a fifth of my magic points and it's considered a small amount of MP, gods, here's hoping levelling up will increase my magical points, or I'm royally fucked.
So if I use all these spells again, I can get more experience points. Though I suppose it would be odd if I started too randomly so spew spells for no reason.
Quest Unlocked: Sanctum Sanctorum – Find a good and safe place for you to train and practise spells.
Optional Objective 1: Find the Chamber of Secrets
Optional Objective 2: Find the Room of Requirements
Optional Objective 3: Find the Spider Den
Reward: A Training Ground
Reward: 500 EXP
Optional Reward: Natural Perk
Optional Reward: Natural Perk
Optional Reward: Natural Perk
What the fuck? The Chamber of Secrets, the actual Chamber of Secrets, is a place that no one has found in recorded history, a place that has been labelled as a rumour.
Well shit, I want it.
Whelp off to the library to find any information on a literal myth and try and base it on reality.
A/N - Chapters 1 to 11 - Edits - 2024/07/23
Just going through this story improving the grammar, and most likely a shit load of errors even still, as its me, though I was hoping to clean it up a bit to hopefully inspire me to go back to it, but we'll see. Also padding out and adding to the already existing chapters (1-11), like a lemon on chapter 7.