Hogwarts: Please, Just Graduate Already! Chapter 5

"Reparo."

As if time had turned back, all the fragments flew back to their original positions one after another, and the cracks vanished.

"Pretty simple." Wayne muttered to himself.

He clearly had no idea that his spellcasting talent had already reached SS-. There were hardly any people in history who ranked higher than him. If learning a Mending Charm was still difficult for him, then other wizards might as well become Squibs.

At the same time, Wayne discovered that when he held his wand and cast spells according to the instructions in the book,

his mind and thoughts concentrated with ease. He also felt none of the obscurity that came from needing to strain himself to activate a spell.

No wonder most wizards were hardly any different from Squibs after losing their wands. Over the next hour, Wayne read and practiced at the same time, quickly learning several basic spells.

Lumos, the Cleaning Charm, the Levitation Charm, and the Unlock Charm.

Not only had he learned them, but he could also simplify some of the steps.

Take the Levitation Charm, for example. The rhythm of the incantation was extremely important. If the pauses were wrong, the spell would fail or only work incompletely.

What did "incompletely" mean?

For example, you might want to make a fountain pen float one meter high, but it would only rise half a meter, and its direction of movement would be uncontrollable.

The books explained all of this.

But Wayne only needed to recite the incantation clearly and completely, and use somewhat casual wand movements, to cast the spell successfully.

In two words, it was terrifyingly impressive!

"System, are spell proficiency levels divided into ranks?" Wayne suddenly asked in his mind.

Spell proficiency levels are divided into Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master.
The host can increase spell proficiency through practice and comprehension. The host can also draw the corresponding spells through the lottery and stack their proficiency.

"Do I have a spell proficiency panel?"

A light screen appeared before Wayne's eyes. He glanced at it, and the few spells he had just learned had already reached the Intermediate level.

This put Wayne in a much better mood.

The greatest benefit of the panel was that it gave him a clear understanding of his condition and let him see the progress he made through his own efforts.

Sometimes, it wasn't that people were unwilling to work hard. It was that they couldn't see the results of their efforts.

Without continuous positive feedback, it was naturally impossible to persevere for long. Wayne was full of energy now.

In just one night, he had learned all the spells first-year students needed to master, and every one of them was at the Intermediate level.

Over the next few days, Wayne didn't go out either.

Aside from going downstairs to eat, he spent the rest of his time constantly studying magic in his bedroom and study.

With his formidable magical talent and the Memory Palace's ability to let him memorize everything at a glance, Wayne's progress was simply too fast.

He didn't stop at the first-year material. He learned all of Standard Spells, Year Three and the earlier material in one go, mastering a large number of commonly used spells.

If Professor McGonagall knew how quickly he was progressing, she would be so shocked that her hair would fall out. He had self-studied up to the third year in just a few days. By the end of his first year, wouldn't he be able to take the NEWTs exams alongside seventh-years?

Time flashed by, and August arrived.

London's weather grew even hotter. The irritating cicadas made everyone's tempers worse, but it had no effect on Wayne, who had cast a Silencing Charm over his room.

Bang!

After closing Dark Arts Defense Guide, Wayne stretched lazily. He walked over to the window and pulled open the curtains. The glaring sunlight poured in, making him squint involuntarily.

"I'm tired of reading. Maybe I should go stroll around Diagon Alley again."

Last time, Professor McGonagall had accompanied him, so there were many things he hadn't been able to buy. This time, he could go on a crazy shopping spree.

As for the talent ranking, it was the little author's own system, based on the rankings he had assigned to several famous wizards according to information from the official website.

For example, he had ranked the Deathly Hallows at SSS level, which was certainly somewhat lacking in rigor.

But this wasn't purely a mathematical problem. The comprehensive ranking was only a rough concept, and the most important standard was still combat power.

That was why Defense Against the Dark Arts, spells, and magical power accounted for such a large proportion. I can understand everyone's objections, and I'll try to make things more reasonable. At the very least, I'll be able to give my own reasons and make things less uncomfortable for everyone.

How Is One Trash Can Enough?

Wayne was about to do a good deed anonymously. He hailed a taxi and once again arrived at The Leaky Cauldron.

For such a cute little wizard, Tom the bartender naturally remembered him well.

He even gave Wayne a free cup of Butterbeer and asked him to finish it before leaving.

"The Butterbeer I serve is just a sweet drink. It doesn't contain alcohol." Tom was afraid Wayne would mistake it for real liquor, so he explained, "But when it comes to Butterbeer, the best is still the kind at The Three Broomsticks."

"Madam Rosmerta's skill is absolutely unmatched. Every time I go to Hogsmeade, I order two cups. What's even better is that her husband is dead."

Looking at the intoxicated expression on Tom's face, Wayne fell into deep speechlessness.

After finishing his Butterbeer, Wayne stopped listening to Tom talk about widows and came to the courtyard.

A smile curled across his lips. Here we go, buddy!

Professor McGonagall had said that the trash can had been placed under a Permanent Sticking Charm and couldn't be moved. At his current level, he couldn't cast a decent counter-charm.

But that didn't mean Wayne couldn't do something for the magical world. He took out his wand and pointed it at the wall. "Reparo."

The stone bricks, which had nearly been polished smooth by generations of wizards, quickly became brand-new. Wayne frowned again.

"No, they're too new. Anyone could recognize them at a glance." "Reparo, Reparo, Scourgify!"

After a great deal of work, Wayne had completed his good deed.

The entire wall was spotless, as if it had just been built. It was impossible to tell which brick was the correct entrance.

He was also worried that one trash can wouldn't be enough for The Leaky Cauldron. After all, people came and went every day, and business at The Leaky Cauldron was excellent.

With only one trash can, how many times would Uncle Tom have to take out the rubbish each day? "Geminio!"

After several Copy Charms, the area in front of the wall was filled with identical trash cans. Wayne nodded in satisfaction.

His Copy Charm wasn't very proficient yet. These trash cans could last at most one—

But that was enough.

The school would start in a month, and there wouldn't be that many young wizards coming over. After doing such a great deed, he decided not to tell Uncle Tom. Who could blame him? He was used to hiding his achievements and fame.

Wayne stepped forward, preparing to enter Diagon Alley, but suddenly froze. "Damn, which brick was it again?"

After spending ages, Wayne finally entered Diagon Alley successfully, though there was still a trace of gloom on his face.

"What rotten luck. I didn't expect to shoot myself in the foot right from the start." Wayne cursed as he walked along the cobblestone street.

He hadn't thought things through this time. He had been having too much fun and had nearly made a fool of himself. Compared to several days ago, Diagon Alley had become even livelier, with many people crowded outside a shop.

Wayne went over as well.

It turned out to be Quality Quidditch Supplies. Three flying broomsticks were displayed in the most conspicuous shop window, accompanied by a huge poster.

The brand-new Nimbus 2000 flying broomstick was now grandly available. It used the most advanced Speed Charm, Braking Charm, and a seat that hugged the rider's backside, allowing your broomstick to respond like your own arm and roam freely through the sky.

Nearby, several wizards were commenting on the broomstick's specifications.

"Acceleration is up five percent, deceleration and shock absorption are up five percent, and maximum speed is up five percent. The improvement is way too small. It's like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube."

A wizard wearing a purple cloak sighed. "Who can blame the Cleansweep series for being so useless? Comet hasn't released a new product in ten years, so Nimbus has the whole market to itself."

"Even with such a small improvement, it's still a whole tier better than the other brooms." Wayne listened for a while, then entered Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Many people outside were there to watch the excitement, but only a few genuinely intended to buy something. Flying broomsticks held roughly the same position in the wizarding world as small family cars.

With Floo Powder and Apparition available, many wizards only needed a broomstick that could fly. Whether it was fast or slow didn't matter much.

Apart from Quidditch players and the wealthy, not many people would replace their broomsticks for such a minor improvement.

Wayne also saw the price on the plaque.

Five hundred Galleons.

That price wasn't particularly expensive to him, but wages in the magical world were generally low. Earning a few dozen Galleons a month was the norm, and Mr. Weasley earned only—

seventy or eighty Galleons a month.

The price of the Nimbus 2000 was already considered exorbitant.

Although Wayne could easily buy one, he left after only taking a couple of glances. Once he had taken his Flying lesson at school, he could buy one later if he liked it.

After leaving Quality Quidditch Supplies, Wayne went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions nearby. Last time, he had only bought the three plain robes required by the school.

Wearing a pure-black robe made him look no different from a walking giant bat. To avoid matching Snape, Wayne still needed to buy several more sets in different styles.

"Welcome. What can I do for you?"

The owner of Madam Malkin's was a woman around forty. She had taken good care of herself and still possessed a mature charm. When she saw Wayne enter, she gave him a gentle smile.

"Good day, madam. I need a few robes suitable for wearing to school," Wayne said politely.

"Very few young wizards come here to buy clothes. Come over."

The proprietress found him interesting and beckoned Wayne over. The two of them entered a small room.

Half an hour later.

"That'll be eighty-five Galleons and twelve Sickles. Little one, you can just give me eighty Galleons." The proprietress smiled broadly, clearly satisfied.

Wayne had spent more than a month of Mr. Weasley's wages on three robes. No wonder this was considered a luxury shop in the wizarding world.

The money wasn't entirely wasted. All three robes had been fixed with Cleaning Charms, Waterproofing Charms, and Fireproofing Charms, saving him plenty of trouble.

After giving the proprietress his home address, Wayne clutched his wallet as he left.

Money really didn't last. Counting his previous spending, more than half of his two hundred-plus Galleons had vanished in the blink of an eye.

Wayne could only go to Gringotts and withdraw another five hundred Galleons before beginning his shopping spree.

At Scribbulus, he bought three quills made from Demon Bird feathers. There was nothing special about them. They were simply pink and adorable, and looked nice.

At Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, he bought quite a few more processed potion ingredients. Hogwarts had excellent benefits, and the school provided all the ingredients for Potions class.

But Wayne still had to purchase the materials for his private brewing and practice. He couldn't be like Potter, after all, going to Snape's office whenever he was missing something.

It was only because Harry Potter could get away with it. If it were anyone else, just see what Snape would put you through.

One Shot, New Purple Talent

Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was a shop specializing in prank items and little novelties, much like Zonko's Joke Shop in Hogsmeade.

Wayne bought two of every product: one set for himself and one for research.

Although he only bought two of each item, there were simply too many products. The shop assistant's face was practically splitting with a smile.

Which young master from some pure-blood family had come out on a shopping spree? Spending dozens of Galleons on prank items would earn him a hefty commission.

After finishing his crazy shopping spree, Wayne sat beneath the sunshade at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, eating ice cream.

At the same time, points began appearing in his mind one after another.

Successfully prevented a wizard from entering Diagon Alley: Points +5
Successfully interfered with a wizard entering Diagon Alley: Points +1
Successfully prevented a wizard from entering Diagon Alley: Points +5
.

Wayne smiled.

The points awarded were small, but they were sustainable. It hadn't even been that long, and his points had already reached eighty.

System points could be used for draws, with one draw costing one hundred points. Draw qualities were divided into White, Blue, Purple, and Gold. Every hundred draws guaranteed one Gold reward.

In the several years since obtaining the system, Wayne had received only one Gold reward. It had given him fifteen percent of the original shares of Microsoft, which couldn't be diluted.

He didn't know whether the guarantee was still retained.

He had made more than one hundred and thirty draws so far. At most, after another seventy draws, he would be able to obtain another Gold reward.

"System, say something."

Ding! The draw mechanism is unaffected by upgrades. The host is guaranteed to obtain a Gold reward within sixty-four draws.

"That's more like it."

Wayne happily ate the last bite of his ice cream. When he saw that his points had reached one hundred, he casually made a draw. Unexpectedly, it came out Purple.

The chance of drawing Purple was only ten percent. He had gotten a little lucky this time.

Congratulations, host. You have obtained the talent: Magical Creature Affinity!

Huh?

Wayne raised an eyebrow. This looks pretty good.