Night Vision, Wind Riding, Hagrid Arrives

Seeing the prompt on the light screen, Rhine felt even more delighted.

Two more talents acquired!

Compared to these two talents, what did the few Pounds Sterling he had spent even count for?

It was not even enough to casually order a dish at a restaurant!

The only thing Rhine found somewhat regrettable was that his relationship with the Messenger Owl had only reached Close Friendship, not Life-and-Death Friendship.

He had not obtained the Essence of Sun and Moon talent.

But on second thought, that was only natural.

Seek Advantage and Avoid Harm was the instinct of all living things. It was only because he and Butler Fland had built up years of affection that they had reached Life-and-Death Friendship.

How long had he even known this Messenger Owl? Expecting to reach Life-and-Death Friendship was asking too much.

"Looks like once I get to Hogwarts, I should visit the owlery and bond with it a little."

"The Essence of Sun and Moon talent might not be useful, but having it is better than not having it."

With those thoughts passing through his mind, Rhine asked the Messenger Owl for its name.

"Roberts?"

"You live in Cage Seventeen at the owlery, right?"

"Alright, got it. Once I'm at Hogwarts, I'll come see you and bring you snacks."

Roberts flapped his wings happily before saying to Rhine,

"Alright, hurry up and write your reply. I'll take it back for you."

"Then, probably tomorrow, a professor will take you to the wizarding world."

Hearing that, Rhine quickly asked,

"Do you know which professor will be coming?"

Roberts tilted his head and thought for a moment.

"Usually, it's Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall."

"But Professor McGonagall has been very busy lately. It seems the young wizards in your year have especially many problems."

"If she can't manage, Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, might come instead. That big fellow looks frightening, but he's actually a good person."

Rhine nodded and quickly wrote a reply stating that he was willing to attend Hogwarts.

Only then did Roberts fly away with the letter. Before leaving, he did not forget to wave a wing at Rhine in farewell.

As Roberts flew away, Rhine kept his gaze fixed on the direction it had gone beyond the window.

Soon, Roberts's figure vanished into the pitch-black night.

Then Rhine softly said,

"System, claim the Night Vision Talent and Wind Riding Talent for me."

The next second, as the light screen refreshed, information about Rhine's friendship with the Spirit Crane appeared on it.

The rewards section also gained the Night Vision Talent and Wind Riding Talent.

Before Rhine's eyes, the night that had been utterly black and impossible to see through suddenly became as clear as day.

He could see every detail beneath the night sky!

Even a rat currently sneaking along the street, apparently on its way to steal something to eat, was perfectly visible to Rhine.

"It's not just night vision. My eyesight has improved quite a bit too. At the very least, I won't need glasses anymore."

"This kind of benefit the system did not even mention is pretty useful too."

At the same time, Rhine stretched a hand out the window.

The night wind blew past him. The night was slightly chilly, yet Rhine found it strangely familiar.

Every wisp of wind brushing past his fingertips seemed to be greeting him.

"Master Rhine, come play!"

If he were an adult with a driver's license, or if he had a Flying Broomstick, Rhine would definitely crank his speed to the limit without hesitation and charge fiercely at these little sprites in the air.

But he had neither...

So Rhine gritted his teeth and said,

"Can't play. I don't have the conditions. Just give me a massage instead."

Immediately, a gentle breeze blew in. It carried not the slightest chill as it swept across Rhine's entire body, leaving him relaxed and comfortable, as though all the grime on him had been blown away.

"This talent is at least the equivalent of a permanent Cleaning Charm. No more washing clothes."

"And a permanent massage too. This is bliss."

Before he knew it, Rhine had lain down on the soft, comfortable sofa in his study and drifted into sleep beneath the soothing massage of the gentle breeze.

Until the next day, Rhine drowsily sensed an unusual vibration carried in the wind.

He opened his eyes and looked out the window.

"The wind is rather noisy today, isn't it?"

Following the vibrations in the wind, he soon saw a bird-like black speck approaching through the clouds.

But it was not a bird. It was a Flying Motorcycle.

Rhine's heart stirred, and he immediately knew who was coming.

"Hagrid?"

Anticipation flashed through his eyes.

His friendship with Butler Fland and the Messenger Owl Roberts had already brought him considerable benefits.

But Butler Fland was a Muggle with no magic, and although Roberts belonged to Hogwarts, it was only a Messenger Owl.

No matter how blind the system was, it could not possibly mistake them for some great Primordial power.

But Hagrid was different.

Though he had been expelled from Hogwarts and had his wand snapped, he was a genuine diehard supporter of Dumbledore, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, and possessed Half-Giant blood.

There was a good chance the system would mistake him for some great Primordial power, right?

The benefits from befriending him would surely be substantial!

After thinking for a moment, Rhine had Butler Fland notify the estate's security.

"One of my friends will be coming shortly. Bring him to my study."

Surprise appeared in Butler Fland's eyes.

Lord Rhine's friend?

Not that he meant any offense, but although Rhine was famous, he was truly not enthusiastic about socializing.

After all, compared to those his age, Rhine was far too mature.

As for adults, although Rhine's speech and mannerisms were unlike those of a child, his appearance made it difficult for people to take him seriously.

Coupled with the aura of a literary prodigy, conversing with Rhine was quite stressful.

Who exactly was this friend?

Soon, amid Butler Fland's confusion, he saw a burly figure appear before him.

Butler Fland froze.

This giant in strange clothes was Lord Rhine's friend?

Wait, could he be a writer?

Oh, then it made sense. Writers and artists—anything they did, even taking a dump in the street, had to be some form of artistic expression.

So what if he was a little taller and dressed a little strangely?

Butler Fland promptly followed Rhine's instructions and led Hagrid to Rhine's study.

And when Rhine saw Hagrid, he froze as well.

Because a prompt had appeared on the system's light screen.

You have encountered Yuan Hong, leader of the Meishan Seven Monsters, who is traveling the world in Zhaoge.

Yuan Hong is an innate anomalous being, a White Ape who attained the Dao. He stands over eight chi tall and possesses a heroic appearance.

He wields the One-Qi Water-Fire Staff, has mastered the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, excels in martial arts, and has a fierce nature that delights in killing.

...

Warning: Although the Tribulation has not yet begun and Yuan Hong has not chosen a side, he bears little goodwill toward the Chan Sect.

System recommendation: Kneel and beg for mercy. You may yet escape with your life.