Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Ride to Hogwarts
Daniel sat in his compartment, watching families on the platform say their goodbyes. Parents hugged their children tightly, younger siblings clung to robes, and trunks were hoisted onto the train with excited chatter filling the air.
After a few minutes, boredom crept in. He pulled up his Status Page to check his progress.
[Name: Daniel Wilson]
[Level: 6 EXP: 100/600
Class: The Gamer
HP: 665/665
MP: 800/800
SP: 735/735
Strength: 61
Agility: 75
Vitality: 72
Intelligence: 88
Wisdom: 72
Charisma: 20
Luck: 15
Stat Points: 30]
A small smile tugged at his lips. His training was paying off.
But… progress had slowed.
Daniel reached into his inventory and pulled out his notebook, flipping through his notes on stat gains.
'I used to gain five points daily when all my stats were around ten. Now, I can train all day and see no improvement.'
It was frustrating, but expected. Growth couldn't stay that easy forever.
'I guess my only options are to push my training harder or spend stat points… but there's no immediate danger, so I can afford to take the slow and steady path.'
With that in mind, he switched to his Skills Page and reviewed his abilities.
[Observe (Active) Lvl 36]
[- Lets the user find information about a target.]
[Running (Active) Lvl 58]
[- You will run 116% faster, but your stamina will be depleted 1.5x as much.]
[Meditation (Active/Passive) Lvl 36]
[ Active:
- Lets the user gain a +180% boost to the wisdom stat
- Boosts the user MP Regeneration by 180%
Passive:
- Lets the user keep calm easier
- Boosts the user MP Regeneration by 18%]
[Cooking (Active) Lvl 21]
[- The food you prepare tastes better.
- The food you prepare gives 21% more stat boosts.]
[Martial Arts (Active) Lvl 35]
[- Improves your fighting techniques.
- Increases damage dealt with martial arts moves by 70%.]
[Power Strike (Active) Lvl 18 / MP: 10]
[- Increases the power of any close combat strike by 90%]
[Speed Reading (Passive) Lvl 31]
[- Lets the user read 155% faster]
[Magic Arrow (Active) Lvl 66 / MP: 4]
[- Fires an arrow made from mana, piercing the opponent]
[Elementary Potions (Passive) Lvl 1]
[- Helps with brewing elementary potions
- Your elementary potions are 1% more potent]
[Elementary Herbology (Passive) Lvl 1]
[- Helps with planting elementary herbs
- The elementary herbs you plant are 1% more potent]
[Elementary Transfiguration (Passive) Lvl 82]
[- Helps with performing elementary transfiguration
-Your elementary transfigurations are 82% better]
[Elementary Spells (Passive) Lvl 94]
[- Helps with performing elementary charms and jinxes
- Your elementary charms and jinxes are 94% stronger]
[ID Create (Active) Lvl 9]
[- Used to create Instant Dungeons
- Stronger dungeons may be created at higher levels
Currently Available ID List:
- Empty ID – Monsters: none]
[ID Escape (Active) Lvl 9]
[- A skill to exit instant dungeons]
His eyes lingered on Elementary Spells, feeling a surge of pride. It was almost level 100, which he assumed was the max.
But some skills, like Meditation and Speed Reading, were becoming a chore to level up.
When he first unlocked Speed Reading, he could level it just by finishing one book. Now, he had to read ten for a single level.
'At this rate, it'll take me decades to max it out.'
He sighed but then paused, reconsidering.
'Wait… maybe it's not about how many books I read, but how much total time I spend reading. I'll have to test that later.'
Closing the skill window, he placed his notebook back in his inventory.
His gaze drifted back to the platform, where he noticed a family of redheads.
'Weasleys.'
If the Weasleys were here, then Harry couldn't be far.
Daniel scanned the crowd for the famous black-haired boy, but Harry was nowhere in sight. After a moment, he gave up and debated between sitting in silence or rereading one of his books. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
The compartment door creaked open. Daniel looked up, curious to see who it was.
A boy his age stood in the doorway, hesitating slightly. "Is there any seats left?" he asked, his voice quiet but polite.
The boy had black hair, a fair complexion, and blue eyes that stood out against his pale skin. However, his brooding demeanor made him seem more reserved, as if he was used to keeping to himself.
"You can take the one across from me," Daniel said.
As the boy put his trunk away, Daniel activated Observe out of habit.
[Michael Corner, Bookworm, Lvl 9]
[Michael Corner is a half-blood wizard with black hair, a fair complexion, and blue eyes. A silent and reserved kid, he struggles to make new friends and hopes that Hogwarts will be a fresh start where he can change that.]
'Level 9,' he thought, impressed. 'Even first-year wizards have higher levels than most normal adults.'
Michael sat down, looking a bit uncertain but also eager to talk. Daniel decided to make it easier for him.
"I'm Daniel. What's your name?"
"Michael," he answered softly.
"Are you also a first-year?" Daniel asked.
Michael gave a small smile. "Yeah. But my dad told me a lot about Hogwarts, so I know a couple of things." There was a quiet confidence in his voice, like he wanted to be acknowledged for his knowledge.
"Nice. Are both your parents wizards?"
Michael shook his head. "No, just my dad. My mom doesn't have magic."
Daniel hummed. "Must be nice. I don't know my parents, so I have no clue if they were magical or not."
Michael's expression changed slightly, like he had said something wrong. "Oh… sorry for bragging about my dad."
Daniel waved it off. "Don't worry about it. I got over it a long time ago. I have people at the orphanage who are like siblings, so I never really felt alone."
Michael nodded, looking relieved. They fell into easy conversation, discussing the Hogwarts houses, how the Sorting worked, and what classes would be like.
Their chat was interrupted when the door swung open without warning.
A bushy-haired girl with a bossy voice stood there, eyes scanning the compartment.
"Have you seen a toad? Neville lost one."
Daniel blinked, annoyed at the sudden intrusion. "You could knock."
The girl hesitated, then her expression softened. "Sorry for barging in," she said quickly, before continuing, "but have you seen a toad?"
Daniel sighed. "Haven't seen one, but you should ask the prefects. They probably know spells for this kind of thing."
Her face lit up as if she had just been given the best idea in the world. "You're right! I read about the prefects in Hogwarts: A History! They're the most impressive students from each house, they'll definitely know something!"
And with that, she turned and hurried off without another word.
Daniel leaned back and exhaled. "Not even a thank you."
Michael chuckled. "She was… intense."
They had barely resumed their conversation when the door slammed open again, this time with more force.
A pale boy with slicked-back hair stepped in, flanked by two towering figures. His sharp, aristocratic features twisted into something between superiority and impatience.
"Have you seen Harry Potter?" he demanded, his tone making it clear he expected an immediate answer.
Daniel didn't even bother looking up. "No."
Draco Malfoy scoffed, clearly unimpressed with his lack of concern, and left, slamming the door behind him.
This time, no one else disturbed them for the rest of the ride.
Hogwarts was getting closer.