{18th July 1991}
{Rigel's POV}
[System Upgrade in progress...Time remaining: 00:00:01]
[System Upgrade Complete]
...
The upgrade felt a little underwhelming. I expected major changes since the system was down for a whole day, but it didn't notify me if anything had changed.
'Do I have to explore everything?' I thought as I focused on pulling up my status window. The stats remained unchanged from what I last remembered. That was until I noticed the physical aspects of my stats no longer had any limits.
...
[Name: Rigel Black]
[Age: 18]
[Gender: Male]
[Family: Black]
[Level- 11 (612/1000)]
[Mana- 2521/2701]
[Mana Control- 39%]
[Allegiance- Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, Most Ancient House of Gaunt]
[PHY- 11]
[REF- 22]
[VIS- 12]
[AGI- 15]
[Mana Points- 12]
[Points- 0]
...
'So I can theoretically start pumping stat points into something like Reflex past 20 now?' The thought was intriguing, but theoretically, most of my combat power comes from my magical prowess and not physical stats. So dumping one stat point I get each level into any other stat was a waste of time.
'Though I wonder if just by relying on exercising could push past the 20 limit.' I had gotten into a conditioning regimen for the latter part of the year when I started practicing dueling in the Room of Requirements. Maybe I can start weight training or more body conditioning to push myself and see if it helps.
I focused on pulling up my spell list, but it hadn't changed either. Aside from the new spell that I had learned for the staff, it was listed there slightly differently from the rest. While the rest of the spells were listed in bold letters, this one had a soft, earthy glow to it.
---
[Spells]
[Levitation Charm Lv - 10]
[Color Change Charm Lv - 10]
[Wand-Lighting Charm Lv - 10]
[Wand-Extinguishing Charm Lv - 10]
[Verdimillious Charm Lv - 10]
[Softening Charm Lv - 10]
[Unlocking Charm Lv - 10]
[Locking Charm Lv - 10]
[Mending Charm Lv - 10]
[Knockback Jinx Lv - 10]
[Severing Charm Lv - 10]
[Full Body‑Bind Curse Lv - 10]
[Disarming Charm Lv- 10]
[Cleaning Charm Lv - 10]
[Tickling Charm Lv -10]
[Smokescreen Spell Lv - 10]
[Altering Spell Lv -10]
[Engorgement Charm Lv- 10]
[Shrinking Charm Lv - 10]
[Summoning Charm Lv - 8]
[Singing Curse Lv-7]
[Water-Making Spell Lv - 6]
[Banishing Charm Lv - 5]
[Disillusionment Charm Lv - 5]
[Shield Charm Lv - 5]
[Bombardment Spell Lv- 5]
[Stunning Charm Lv - 4]
[Blasting Curse Lv -4]
[Slowing Charm Lv- 3]
[Ascending Charm Lv - 3]
[Confundus Charm Lv- 3]
[Reviving Charm Lv - 2]
[Revealing Charm Lv - 2]
[Bombardment-Max Spell Lv - 2]
[Conjunctivitis Curse Lv - 1]
[Mana Cluster mapping Lv - 1]
---
'The last spell is a little different, is it because it was designed for a staff, but then why the color change?' Deciding that I could take a minute to solve this mystery, I focused on the spell.
---
[Arcane spell- Mana Cluster Mapping: Level 1 {0/1000}]
[Mana Cluster Mapping is an advanced diagnostic charm that reveals concentrations of regenerative mana within living tissue. By sensing the density and flow of life-force, the caster can pinpoint hidden injuries, internal trauma, or developing ailments.]
[Trait Requirements: Parseltongue]
[Staff Movements: loose figure-eight swings over the target]
[Mana Cost: 10 Mana/min]
---
'Ah, so it is because it is an arcane spell, and the rest of the spells that I had learned are more modern charms or spells... Is there a difference between arcane spells and these advanced charms?' I thought and tabled that question for later. Maybe Sirius would have the answer to that, but to be honest, I probably will have to ask someone else, maybe Prof. Flitwick would know better.
Going back to the menu, I opened my traits and noticed no change. It was the smallest menu that I had access to with my mana sense, Parseltongue, mana resistance, and Metamorphmagus as the only listed traits. (AN: Am I forgetting any?)
Going through the list, I called up my affinities. The list had improved a bit over the year, with me gaining multiple affinities from the girls.
---
[Affinities]
[Charms: 25]
[Transfiguration: 30]
[Potions: 40]
[Dark Arts: 27]
[Astronomy: -21]
[Herbology: -12]
[Runes: 15]
[Arithmancy: 23]
[Mind Arts: 11]
---
I went through the numbers again before pausing. Something was different, and it didn't take me long to figure out what it was. The affinity score was always a percentage boost for a spell's power, so my charms usually had a 25% boost compared to anyone else's charm.
'Not that anyone will notice with a levitation charm, but why the change now? Do I still get the boost?' I thought, and with a flick of my hand, my wand appeared in my hand, and with another twitch, the apple that was resting on the fruit basket floated up to me.
It dropped into my hands, and after weighing it for a moment, I let it go flying again. I kept an eye on my mana counter as it floated above the basket, and after a minute, I let it drop.
'From the rough calculations, nothing seems to have changed.' I let the apple drop and opened the Affinity tab once again. Was the change just for the sake of simplicity, or did it have some deeper meaning? I thought as I pulled up the potions list. Nothing had changed here as well, but the thought that I was missing something was bugging me. I pulled up the information about the Sleeping Draught and froze.
---
[Potions]
[Basic Antidote Potion Lv – 10]
[Wound-Freezing Potion Lv – 10]
[Cure for Boils Lv – 10]
[Cure for Superficial Cuts Lv – 10]
[Shrinking Solution Lv – 7]
[Hair-Raising Potion Lv – 7]
[Essence of Dittany Lv – 6]
[Skele-Gro Lv – 5]
[Wiggenweld Potion Lv – 5]
[Pepperup Potion Lv – 5]
[Sleeping Draught Lv – 4]
[Memory-Clearing Draught Lv – 4]
[Shrinking Solution Lv – 4]
[Elixir of Minor Rejuvenation Lv – 4]
[Strengthening Solution Lv – 4]
[Antidote to Common Poisons Lv – 3]
[Babbling Beverage Lv – 3]
[Lassitude Potion Lv – 3]
---
---
[Sleeping Draught: Level 4 {3732/4000}]
[A potent soporific elixir, the Sleeping Draught gently lulls the drinker into a deep, restorative slumber. Its effectiveness hinges on precise temperature control and careful timing—the gentler the simmer and the slower the cool-down, the smoother and more natural the sleep. At higher mastery levels, the draft minimizes post-sleep grogginess and reduces the risk of nightmares.]
[Potions Affinity Requirements to level up: 25]
[Key Ingredients:
– 3½ g dried Valerian root
– 2 g powdered Silk-Sleep mushroom
– 1 drop unicorn hair infusion
– 50 ml midnight dew (collected under a waning moon)]
[Brew Technique:
Gently simmer Valerian root and mushroom powder in water for 30 minutes, stirring clockwise exactly 45 times per minute.
Remove from heat and stir counter-clockwise 20 times as you add the unicorn hair infusion.
Allow to cool undisturbed for 11 hours under a silken cloth.]
[Dosage & Effects:
– Single teaspoon for a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
– Half-measure for a brief, one-hour rest.
– Effects begin within five minutes and fade completely within thirty minutes of waking.]
---
--------
AN: I have changed how the affinity system works to make it more practical. Now, each spell and potion has a set affinity to learn it, and a certain affinity is needed to level up the spell. While learning spells won't be that difficult, maxing them out would become harder. Also, I made some changes to how Rigel gains affinity to make it easier for him to gain it, which would force him to have intimate relations with more people.
P.S.- 54+ chapters on P.atreon + a photo of Luna Lovegood for free members.