章節 33: Magic Rabbit Hole
"I just remembered; I need to check on the books on wandless casting in here." Said Aurelius
"Why? You're already able to do wandless casting without even moving. Isn't that already considered mastered?" asked Martha.
"I think so for most people, but remember, this is likely just the definition for people who use wands regularly," I said.
"Ah, so you're thinking that only the elite of their kind can truly say they've mastered their craft," said Ann, realizing that it isn't any different for people in their niche.
"Precisely, I could very well be considered only at an intermediate level or even lower level compared to those who are actually competent in wandless casting for all I know," I said while putting the book into my bottomless bag.
"I'll be taking my time. Please do whatever you feel like while you wait." I told them.
"All right, let's go, ladies," said Ann.
He heads towards the lift again and has it take him to wandless magic to find dozens of books on the topic. He grabs the youngest and looks at how little it has worn down as much as the others.
"Wandless casting advanced class issue 1 by Atticus James Galegold"
He opens the book to what he assumed was the overview, and something piqued his curiosity, which was titled The True Strength of Wandless Magic.
<I think I've stumbled upon something that my predecessors could feel but couldn't figure out how to draw it out like myself actively. It is likely due to my ability as a natural occlumens who has taken the art to its peak. This started due to random magic that occasionally occurred when I was distraught. I developed my occlumency to where my emotions would be a non-factor to avoid casting random magic. I assumed my magic would be less potent by actively controlling how much emotion I fed the magic, but I didn't realize that I could better control the magic like a more controlled valve. The thing is that I was able to measure the magic expertly so that I knew precisely how much was coming out, and I could designate the amount like you'd measure a gram on a scale. While this conserved my magic, the truly amazing thing that happened due to my actions was the increase in my sensitivity. I could draw out my magic at such an astonishing rate that it was at least twice as fast as how quickly my wand would pull it toward itself to cast. This meant I could use twice the amount of the same spells I used with a wand and at a smaller price. It might not be that amazing considering the barriers to even attempting this requires you to have a massive magic reserve, an incredible amount of control of one's magic, limit the magic arsenal that you've trained to know like the back of your hand, and be a true master occlumens that you'd only even be able to attempt to reach if you're a natural occlumens. However, if you can reach this stage, you'll be a force to be reckoned with. I must warn you that if you desire this, you must truly master your emotions, or else, during times of extreme emotional distress, your body will release far more than you intended all at once. A simple spell meant to incapacitate could become lethal when too much magic is expelled.>
"I will take this with me, but I will need to consider whether or not I even would use it. As it said, I need to master my emotions to the extreme, but I'm also nearing adolescence, meaning the time when emotions are the most chaotic. And what if I want to be intimate with a partner? It's like asking whoever sleeps with me if they're willing to sleep with me while I have a bomb strapped to my chest."
"Well, I should look at other options because this essentially turns me into a top-tier master class fast combo casting, but I'd have to live with my emotions dulled. Maybe I could make a ring that reduces my emotions from their extreme? No, the effect would be more or less the same, but I guess I should be fine if I create a shield for them and reduce my magic and emotions just enough. Another option is to increase the sensitivity only slightly. I don't mind only being 1.2 times faster. That way, I can still enjoy things at 80%, but it might be better to look for some ritual. After all, strengthening the body using rituals using things that already have the abilities is pretty standard. I'll be fine if it isn't dark or uses something illegal like a phoenix. Or I could perhaps go through what I was planning on doing but have my senses of pleasure and joy dialed up. That way, I get the whole experience. Or I could do all of it. I like it. I will do a ritual that increases my sense of joy and pleasure and strengthens myself. I will also go through the training to improve my occlumency to the absolute maximum and then control my magic even more precisely. I'll need to find a ritual that does that, but I will need to do this soon after finishing my occlumency training.
I'll need to go into the magic section. It houses rituals and spells. I may not be able to use most of them and the ones that are sectioned off strictly for the lord of the house, but it will be useful enough. And I will likely get the ritual I want. After all, there is no way there haven't been at least a few depressed people in our family over the centuries. I'll have to inform my moms and even give them my reasons. There was no way they'd let me choose any ritual without explaining it to them. They only accepted Nagini because they liked her, and that she protects us while there was no actual harm to me. The issue is that these two are separate things that will have to balance each other, and one is dependent on me keeping focused enough on my occlumency not to let my negative emotions get out of control to cause accidents. Perhaps if I get an occlumency ring that passively keeps my emotions in check? That way, both will balance each other out without my input. Yeah, that could work.
"So I need a happiness ritual, master occlumency to increase magic sensitivity and create a ring that turns on and off occlumency that dampens, not cuts it out. No big deal." He said with a half-hearted chuckle.
He goes towards the magic room section and goes into the ritual room. He calls a lift and directs it to increase the effects of happiness, joy, and love rituals. He is taken to a room that houses hundreds of books, and a light literally highlights the relevant books.
"Nice, I guess; since this is a little too general, I guess the vault decided it required more directions."
Aurelius looked at the highlighted book titles, but one piqued his interest. "Pleasant emotions from the brain, the mind, and the soul by Ignatius Galegold"
He takes a look.
<From what I can tell, our brain, much like our eyes, is what I'd consider the machine, but that machine can harm our mind like being ill muddles our ability to think and may even cause us to question our beliefs. In contrast, the thoughts in our mind dictate our beliefs and understanding; while our soul is likely deeply connected, it is not entirely connected in certain ways. It likely is just as involved in our sense of self as who we are. After all, we know ghosts exist and maintain their sense of self despite some losing both their mind and their body, which allowed them to interact. Some even seem to regress to something that aligns with who they were inside rather than what they portrayed, so perhaps the idea of individuals losing or never having lost their inner child is more literal than we thought. So, if that's the case, mental studies will need to be conducted. I hypothesize that by allowing them to keep their playful nature reminiscent of a child. At the same time, our bodies remain healthy and make us feel good, and having our minds at peace and satisfied could guarantee a happy life, at least artificially.>
"Wow, this person may have created magical psychology and therapy." He said but continued to read.
<I've advised a ritual that may decrease the negative effects of aging and increase the sense of stimulation. However, it has been shown to have extreme signs of addiction, especially among those who are more vain. It isn't all bad, but I will likely need to temper the effects.>
"If he's already gone this far, he should've created a better version since there are more pages."
<It seems that I have created what could only be called a miracle since I've made what could effectively be called Nirvana on earth. It is a ritual that enhances the sense of joy, happiness, and pleasure. While also increasing the lifespan of our members by nearly a century before they start returning to normal, the cost is quite steep. It requires some hard-to-gain material like unicorn hair, powder unicorn horn, phoenix feather, moonstone powder, pearl dust, and other ingredients that are very high in demand and tiny in supply. Unfortunately, this requires a large number of unicorn ingredients in large quantities>
"Where the hell am I supposed to get all of this? There are supposedly reserves for mystical animals like unicorns that sell things like shedding and broken horns, but they are sold at auction. The only people who get regular items like unicorn hair already have contracts, like Ollivander. I guess I'll have to wait for auction, or perhaps some of those items are in this vault. Damn it, all of this learning keeps pushing me down this damn rabbit hole that's tossing me back and forth."
"Perhaps my home houses some rare creatures. After all, they have an entire island isolated from humanity. If they were so rare, my family would want a steady supply, so either they had their own or a contract with someone who did. Perhaps a better bet is to look for old contracts with reserves. But even that seems like a waste of time since those contracts would be with places that likely don't exist anymore. Well, whatever, both will be reviewed anyway. So now I have to go to raw materials, contracts, and visit my manor, or return to Grahsnak and go to auction to obtain rare ingredients like unicorn horn and phoenix feathers. Maybe I could get some off Hagrid. He wouldn't harm a hair on their heads, but he would surely pick up some shed unicorn hair. Man, I hate this. So much work for power. I have Nagini, but she's helping out my moms. I'll contact her."
'Hey Nagini,' I said through our mental link.
'What's up, Aurelius?' she said
'I'm searching if my vault has something like unicorn ingredients that were preserved here. Can you go into my contracts and take a look to see if there are any with reserves that house unicorns or phoenixes? I'll basically need every ingredient under the sun that has to do with longevity and regeneration.' I said to her in a tired tone.
'Gotcha. I'll keep that in mind on any of those contracts. I'll have your mothers look for it, too.' She said.
'Alright, I'll be heading to raw ingredients. Hopefully, not every organic material isn't just dust, even with a time dilation charm, rune, or ritual not on my mother's level that preserved me will not likely have saved them, but it's worth a look. Worst case scenario, we'll have to buy them at auction.' I said with a shrug.
'Huh? If that's the case, why even bother? You have more money than the entire planet in finances and debts.' Said an incredulous Nagini.
'Wasting precious resources is poor practice; besides, it gives us a steady supply of whatever we need.' I said.
'Fair enough, I'll be signing off. See you, bossman.' Said my guardian totem with mirth.
'Alright, same here.' I said, chuckling.
Aurelius places all the books he's compiled into his pouch and heads to the raw materials. "All right here is to hoping." He enters the lift and tells it to take it to ingredients involved in regeneration and longevity. The ingredients were well preserved. The plants were preserved by having them survive in a self-sustaining ecosystem garden, while all the other organic materials like eyes and hair were housed in blocks of ice that were in a time dilation rune. "Well, that's one way of maintaining some things." I cast a point me a charm to indicate which were unicorns, and it turns out several blocks that appeared to house different ingredients had unicorn remains like hair, horns, and surprisingly, even hooves. I tried it with phoenix ingredients, but unfortunately, it came up short, with the only thing available being phoenix tears.
"Still useful, but not quite what the ritual required," I said aloud.
'Hey Aurelius, your mother found something, and it looks like you indeed have a contract. It appears that you have some investments in some reserves for unicorns and, surprisingly, even a contract with the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, but I think it has to be renewed. I'm not sure if they're too keen on accepting another offer from a wizard if that's the case.' She said, worried about the last part.
'Agreed, we'll have to rely on the auction or that reserve. What can you tell me right away.' Aurelius said.
'Well, you have roughly 40% of the reserve, so I'd imagine you have some rights to materials if requested. I don't know how many unicorns exist or if the reserve still exists.' She informed me.
'Yeah, that's what I feared too, but hey, I found unicorn ingredients. I have no clue if they're enough for the ritual, though. I'll need to take a look at the recipe.' I said in response.
'All right, let me know if you have enough.' She said.
'Will do.' I responded.
He looked at the ingredients for the ritual, and it was daunting.
2 Phoenix Feathers: Known for its regenerative properties.
10 Unicorn Hair strands: Symbolizes purity and longevity.
5 Mandrake Roots: Used for its powerful restorative and rejuvenating effects.
One bushel of Dittany: Heals and promotes regeneration of tissues.
A vial of Murtlap Essence: Known for its healing properties.
One bushel of Gillyweed: For vitality and enhancing the body's natural functions.
A large bottle of Dragon Blood: Used in many powerful potions for its magical properties.
A hundred grams of moonstone powder: Enhances magical properties, particularly those related to age and time.
2 Powdered Silver Unicorn Horn: A rare and powerful ingredient for healing and purification.
5 Pearl Dust: Symbolizes purity and longevity.
1 Ashwinder Egg: Known to be used in potions that require a component of heat and life force.
Note that this ritual was designed for five people to have a life span increase of a hundred each, but with fewer people, the more powerful.
"Well, at least, I can dial it down to just one person, but how the heck do I reduce a few drops for a single ritual? I think the best option is to have the entire family have the ritual done to them. Should that extend to Hermes? I love the little guy, but I'd prefer to do it for someone I'd like as a spouse. Besides, I can make a weaker version for him that will still extend his life span several decades, but I'd have to do that for his mate. And then I also have to do that with my children and also their children. What a pain. Having a brain is torture. Why can't I call it a day to be content with what I have and enjoy life? Oh, I know. I had to be a big part of the damn Harry Potter series, and now I have to fix the bloody plot and ensure the safety of my family and whoever ends up being with me. And given how things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if it were Silvia or Hermione. And then I have to consider the marriage contracts and now doubt the storm of letters coming for marriage proposals after the debts have been known, but they'll know that only I can make the contract null and void, and my mind will be protected. Why couldn't I have been placed in a less troublesome world." He said while grabbing the ingredients.
'Okay, I have checked the unicorn bits, and they are enough. I found everything except Dittany leaves, phoenix feathers, and an ashwinder egg. I've already placed everything inside my pouch.' I told her.
'Dittany leaves and an ashwinder egg are relatively easy. But where are we supposed to get phoenix feathers?' said my Asian friend.
'I can buy them from Fawkes, or perhaps I could buy some from Ollivander. After all, he has hundreds of wands; a few having phoenix feathers doesn't seem out of the question.' I said confidently.
'We'll see, I suppose,' said my totem guardian.
I return to the ladies.
"Hey, dear, are we all finished?" said Martha.
"Yeah," I said.
"By the way, what is all this for?" said Ann, a bit skeptical.
"I want to do a ritual that would make us happier, improve our health, and increase our lifespan by a century. It's meant for five people, but we could adjust it to be just for us. We can perform the ritual again if we wish to do it for others." Aurelius said.
"Sounds nice. What do you think, dear?" asked Martha to Ann.
"Not sure how to feel about it, but if it makes life better, I suppose it can't hurt. Besides, we have all the money in the world. We might as well enjoy our freedom and time with it; however, we already live a pretty nice life, but something else seems to have prompted this, so spill it." Said Ann with a shrug and a smirk.
Nagini just smiled.
"Alright, I need to say the other reason is that I want to strengthen myself by improving my sensitivity to magic by increasing my occlumency to the absolute maximum. The issue is that when I get out of control, it is going to be exponentially worse based on how much I decide to increase my sensitivity." I said with confidence to minimize their concern.
"Wait, so you're saying that if you get really upset and decide to use a jinx that's only meant to disable could become lethal?" said Martha.
"More or less?" I said in response that I was not arguing with the point.
"That sounds like a terrible idea." Said an incredulous Ann.
"That's where occlumency comes in, but naturally, I can't hold that constantly, so I intend to make a ring that dulls my emotions while also doing the ritual that will improve the positive emotions while reducing the negative emotions," I said trying to make clear to my parents before they say no.
"It sounds like he has a viable plan, but what does the timeline look like, and when can it be implemented?" asked Nagini.
My mothers both look at me.
"Well, I intend for all of this to be finished by the end of summer before I hit adolescence," I said
"Makes sense. Your emotions during your teenage years are amplified significantly more than when you enter adulthood. Okay, I'll allow it, only if you have all the ingredients and the ritual prepared by the time your occlumency has reached the appropriate level. Otherwise, it will be difficult to gain control when you're overly happy." Said Ann.
"I agree." Said Martha.
"Thanks Mums" I said.
"Now that I think about it, will you age more slowly, or will you just remain healthier longer?" asked my totem guardian.
"According to what I read, it seems to be the latter, so I won't have to wait a decade to be biologically an adult," Aurelius said with relief.
They all looked at me.
"Well, that's good. Anyway, what's next on the list?" my mother Ann said.
"Okay, well. We got everything. Nagini, we've already gotten stuff for all of us. You're officially a Galegold, so getting some leeway feels appropriate despite your status as a totem guardian." I told her.
"Thanks, but to be honest, I have no idea. I already got rid of my curse, I have magic again, I get to live a normal human life, and we're already working towards stuff. I suppose it wouldn't be asking too much to get one of those quills and massage suits for each of us. No?" said Nagini.
"I can immediately give one of the quills to each of you, but I will need to key them to you and give it some sort of way to activate the enchantments that aren't reliant on magic to start," I said.
"Not necessarily. Remember, I am also defending your home, or you can have a house elf power it up and link it to your mother." Said Nagini
My mothers shrug "works for us."
"Well, I'll have to find the schematics and figure out how to make it later. For now, you'll have to deal with sharing and focus on building our defenses." I said, having essentially all I needed.
We all leave the vault.
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