The Magic of Breathing

1991, Britain.

The summer heat was intense, sunlight filtering through the clouds onto the streets and alleys, the air filled with a damp scent.

Sacred Heart Orphanage, an ordinary orphanage in the Muggle world.

Damon White sat in a rocking chair, leaning back lazily against the backrest, like a retired old man, his eyes half-closed, lazily watching the children chasing and playing in the yard.

His expression was casual with a hint of detachment, lying there lazily under the warm light, without a trace of strength.

He had been exhausted these past few years trying to save this orphanage from bankruptcy.

His piano skills, which had been in a state of semi-abandonment, were picked up again. At the age of six in this life, he toured everywhere under the name "Child Prodigy," earning a substantial amount of money with this gimmick over the years.

Now, he had enough money to last him several lifetimes, and once he came of age, he could leave this place.

Just as Damon was daydreaming about the future, a middle-aged woman with a kind face and a slightly hunched back approached him with a smile.

She looked at the child lying in the rocking chair, a flicker of admiration in her eyes, and leaned down to whisper in the boy's ear, saying gently:

"Damon, there's a letter for you." The director's expression was rather strange, "It was delivered by an owl."

She held an exquisite-looking letter in her hand, the envelope bearing a uniquely designed school crest.

The crest's main body was a shield-like crest, with strong and powerful outline lines. The shield was cleverly divided into four sections, depicting a lion, a snake, a badger, and an eagle. In the center of the shield, the symbols of the four houses surrounded and clustered around a large golden letter "H."

"A letter from an owl?"

Damon was a little confused. He took the letter from the director's hand. For some reason, the moment his fingers touched the envelope, his heart felt a sudden jolt.

It was unprecedented before this.

Damon's expression subconsciously became more serious, and when he saw the wax seal on the envelope and the pattern on it, especially the English word "HOGWARTS," his breathing slowed down.

Thump thump!

His heart skipped a beat uncontrollably!

Damon's hands trembled slightly as he drew the letter from the envelope and read it quickly:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Recipient of the Order of Merlin First Class, Chief Wizard of the Great Wizarding Association, President of the International Confederation of Wizards)

Dear Mr. White:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Attached is a list of the required books and equipment. The term begins on September 1st, and we will await your owl's reply by July 31st.

Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress

"Harry Potter. It's Harry Potter."

Damon's pupils contracted. He picked up the envelope again, staring blankly at the crest on it.

So, he hadn't just transmigrated to Britain, but also to the world of Harry Potter?

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for discovering the true nature of the world and activating the Magic System]

[As the owner of the Magic System, every breath you take represents abundant magic]

[With every breath, you will gain 0.01 Magic Points]

[Current System Level: Level 1]

[Current Magic Level: Level 1]

[Current Magic Points: 0]

[Note 1: The system level and magic level are primarily related. As the system level increases, the host's breathing will possess even greater power!]

[Magic required for upgrade: 1/1000]

[Note 2: The magic reference value for Dumbledore, the strongest person in this era, is 180,000]

[For more functions, please explore them yourself]

"The cheat has arrived too."

Damon put down the letter and let out a soft breath, countless thoughts flooding his mind like a tide.

Not only did he transmigrate to the world of Harry Potter, but he also activated a system. Wasn't this his chance to soar?

Having recovered his senses, Damon began to study the system before him.

[Current Magic Points: 0.03]

At this moment, the column representing the current Magic Points had changed.

"Breathing makes me stronger?"

Damon tentatively took quick breaths in and out, and his Magic Points immediately jumped to 0.04.

He understood.

This gaining magic points through breathing wasn't once per second, but rather, for every complete cycle of inhaling and exhaling, he would gain 0.01 Magic Points.

A child's breath is short; given his current body, he completes one breath roughly every three seconds.

There are 86,400 seconds in a day, meaning he breathes 28,800 times a day, which translates to 288 Magic Points.

"So, in three and a half days, I can level up?"

Magic Level—Harry Potter's combat style is idealistic; there shouldn't be specific numerical values, or is this just a reference?

Under the orphanage director's somewhat worried gaze, Damon sat back down in the recliner, completely at ease.

When he realized he had transmigrated into the world of Harry Potter, he was actually a little worried for a moment.

It wasn't that he was worried about danger. Although Voldemort's threat was real, who could refuse the chance to experience the magical world with an adult's mindset?

He was worried that if he wasn't awesome enough after winning the lottery and transmigrating to the Harry Potter world, wouldn't he just become a 'spectator' in this wonderfully diverse wizarding world? To him, that would be worse than death.

When he watched the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Damon envied not Newt Scamander, who owned many magical creatures, but the male lead, the Muggle—Jacob Kowalski.

This was because Jacob, as a Muggle, experienced the wonders of magic, something Damon, who was also an ordinary person before, deeply yearned for.

Now, it seemed he could largely relax.

With a respiratory system in place, and with his continuous effort starting now, was he afraid he couldn't become strong?

"Damon, you seem very happy?"

The director beside him, having never seen the 'little adult' in front of her so excited, asked at an opportune moment.

"Yes, Director. Perhaps I'll be leaving here soon."

Damon stood up from the rocking chair, his gaze slowly sweeping across the orphanage courtyard, at the children laughing and playing, their smiles pure and bright.

"Leaving? Do you have some temporary travel plans?"

"Yes, I'm going to a magic school."

"Magic school?"

The director thought of the owl that had suddenly appeared earlier, her expression peculiar.

If it were any other child, she would have thought they were talking nonsense. But she knew Damon wouldn't.

"When are you going? When will you be back?"

"Likely within the next few weeks. As for returning, it might be during the holidays."

The director hesitated for a moment, then quickly nodded.

Ever since she started taking Damon on tour, she had realized how precocious and how opinionated the young boy before her was.

She had already prepared herself for his departure and didn't say much now, merely reaching out to stroke his head, her eyes filled with affection.

At this moment, she forgot the remarkable feats the boy had accomplished in just a few years, briefly forgot his contributions to this orphanage, and simply, out of a mother's love for her child, said softly:

"Damon, you are smarter than anyone else. No matter where you go, I believe you will do very well.

But if you ever feel tired outside, you can always come back here to rest. Don't forget, this will always be your home."

"Thank you, Director."

After Damon finished his mental preparation with the director, he returned to his room to write a reply.

Dear Ms. Minerva McGonagall: I am deeply honored to receive your letter.

I am eagerly anticipating the magical learning journey ahead and thank you for giving me this opportunity.