Vacation Balance Running Low

The adults seemed to be having a pleasant conversation, but Eli knew it was all polite nonsense.

After dessert, the Hall Family said their goodbyes.

Eli had already asked to go out for a walk while the adults were still making awkward small talk.

He brought Harry along with him.

"My foolish brother, let your little brother save you from your miserable life!"

Mr. Dursley did not seem entirely reassured, so he had Dudley follow them.

Dudley was not particularly interested in this unfamiliar new companion, but as long as he could escape the adults' boring conversation, he was more than willing.

"Listen up, kid. From now on, Harry is under my protection. You're not allowed to bully him anymore, got it?"

Eli looked like he was fiercely threatening Dudley, though his little expression was more adorable than intimidating.

Dudley was not having any of it. Who was Dudley, anyway? Hadn't anyone asked around? He was a figure of some standing on this street. What kid didn't have to call him Boss Dudley?

"What? Has this skinny praying mantis gone crazy?"

Indeed, standing before Dudley's size, the seemingly frail Eli had absolutely no intimidation factor.

Eli was extremely dissatisfied with Dudley's attitude. Damn brat, did kids these days all have such foul mouths?

"You little gas canister, you're pretty full of yourself."

Seeing that things were about to turn ugly between them, Harry tried to intervene.

Though he did not know why this young nobleman named Eli was speaking up for him, Harry, who had never experienced friendship before, did not want Eli to suffer on his behalf.

Although Dudley had put it unpleasantly, Harry did think that Eli was somewhat skinny compared to Dudley.

"Eli, don't do this. Don't provoke Dudley."

Eli was not the least bit afraid. What a joke. Was a genius young Wizard like him supposed to fear this gas canister?

Today, he was determined to leave Dudley with an unforgettable memory!

A ripple spread from Eli's body, and a stone half the size of a face slowly floated into the air.

"Harry, get back. I'm about to show off!"

"Huh? Show off what?"

Eli did not answer. He controlled the stone and stopped it between them.

Dudley grew uneasy at Eli's display and froze where he stood.

But a glint flashed through Harry's eyes.

Seeing that Dudley had been frightened stiff, the corner of Eli's mouth lifted in satisfaction.

"Listen carefully, fatty. I could crush you with one hand!"

Bang!

The half-face-sized stone could not withstand the pressure and instantly filled with cracks.

Eli withdrew his magic, and the stone turned into countless fragments that fell to the ground.

"Ah!"

Dudley's plump face went pale in an instant, and he let out a trembling cry.

His parents had always told him to stay far away from strange people like this.

Now he would never forget it. It was terrifying!

Seeing that Dudley had been thoroughly frightened, Eli softened his expression. "So? Do you still dare bully Harry?"

"N-No... I won't... I won't..."

Eli nodded in satisfaction. "Mm, you can be taught. By the way, did I bully you today?"

He wore a kindly smile, his eyes brimming with goodwill.

At least, that was how he saw it.

But in Dudley's eyes, this thing was a demon!

Dudley was quick-witted enough to understand. "N-No, no. Nothing like that happened."

Eli was even more satisfied. "Mm, very good. Go play somewhere else."

Dudley felt as though a great weight had been lifted from him. He ran off without looking back.

Off to the side, Harry watched Eli display his might, his eyes full of stars.

That was so cool!

He had always wanted to punch Dudley's fat face a few times, but as someone who could barely fight at all, he was always the one getting beaten up.

Though being bullied all the time embarrassed him, he also wanted to be as imposing as Dudley.

Eli noticed Harry's look of utter admiration and, for some reason, felt secretly pleased.

He patted Harry on the shoulder. "See that? Don't get too cocky. It won't do you any good."

"Mm-hm!"

How could Harry possibly object right now? Harry had someone watching his back now!

Eli smiled and turned away, but his face suddenly went a little pale.

The effort of crushing the stone directly with magic had been rather great for him.

Although he possessed more magic than many adult Wizards, a Wizard's strength was not determined solely by the amount of magic they possessed.

Having magic but not knowing how to use it was pointless.

What he had done just now was the crudest possible application of magic, consuming even more power than a destructive spell would have.

On top of that, he was still young, and his body could not withstand excessively powerful magical output.

"I still need to become stronger!"

Eli looked forward even more to his upcoming life at Hogwarts. He wanted to see real magic under the guidance of the greatest White Wizard!

Teaching Dudley a lesson was only a minor interlude. By the time the Hall Family returned home, it was already completely dark.

"Eli? There's a letter for you."

Mrs. Hall held a letter with a puzzled expression. It had no stamp and looked rather thick.

It clearly stated that it was to be received by Eli Hall, and the address even specified Eli's room in detail.

When Eli saw the letter in Mrs. Hall's hand, his eyes lit up, but he still had to pretend that he knew nothing.

"Oh? Who sent me a letter?"

Eli's puzzled expression truly made him look as though he knew nothing.

Mrs. Hall handed the letter to Eli.

She did not open the envelope for him. The Hall couple had always respected Eli's right to independence.

As he accepted the letter, he felt the distinctive roughness of parchment.

The familiar emblem composed of a lion, snake, eagle, and badger immediately gave Eli an intense sense of unreality.

The family of three sat in the living room as Eli carefully read the letter's contents aloud to the Hall couple.

Just as expected, once they had heard the letter, the Hall couple's suspicion was written all over their faces.

They each carefully read through the letter themselves, and Mr. Hall solemnly placed it on the table.

Seeing how serious his father and mother looked, Eli immediately grew nervous.

"How am I supposed to explain this? They've always hoped I would study law and become a lawyer. Who would have thought I'd become a Wizard?"

Mr. Hall pondered for a moment. "I believe we should preserve the original letter and seek help from the police!"

Eli nodded. "Mm... mm?!!"

This seemed completely different from the reaction he had expected! Where was the surprise? The magic? He had even been ready to show them a trick! Why were they talking about calling the police?

Mrs. Hall nodded as well, deeply agreeing. "This person knows so much detailed information about Eli. They must have been planning something for a long time. Ernest, I think we should apply for protection!"

"That's right, Doris. First, we need to stay calm. I'll contact my friends in the judicial and law enforcement departments and get the protection application processed as quickly as possible!"

A trace of ruthlessness even flashed across Mr. Hall's face. Anyone who wanted to harm his son could forget about it!

Mrs. Hall's expression eased slightly. "To be safe, we should hire a few bodyguards before then."

Mr. Hall nodded heavily.

Beside them, Eli felt as though thunder were crashing through his mind. "Heavens, what kind of development is this?! What's this about applying for protection? And where did bodyguards come from?! Dad, what's with that ruthless look? Don't do anything reckless!"

Eli realized that things were starting to slip out of control. He even saw his father preparing to seal away the admission letter.

If he did not explain things now, Dumbledore might end up becoming a fraudster!

Eli stammered as he interrupted the Hall couple's arrangements. "Th-This... Mom, Dad, calm down first. I think... I might know something..."

At those words, the Hall couple turned their sharp gazes on Eli in unison.

"Wait a moment. I'll get the recorder. This is all evidence."

Mr. Hall had not even finished speaking before he prepared to stand up.

"Hey, hey... Dad, wait. Don't panic. I mean something related to magic."

Seeing how hurried Mr. Hall was, Eli quickly stopped him.

The two adults looked puzzled. "Magic?"

Mrs. Hall spoke in confusion.

Seeing that they had finally calmed down, Eli hurriedly explained.

"Yes, magic. The magic mentioned in that letter might be real! I can demonstrate it for you."

Before they could question him, Eli activated his magic again and extended it toward the vase on the table.

Before the Hall couple's horrified eyes, the vase slowly rose into the air. It even circled around the three of them once before landing steadily back on the table.

The air suddenly fell silent.

It seemed as if a long time had passed while the Hall couple remained immersed in their shattered worldview.

After a long silence, Mr. Hall finally spoke slowly, though he no longer had the same commanding manner he displayed at work.

"So, um, in other words, Eli, you're a... Wizard, and you're going to attend a magic school called Hogwarts?"

Eli nodded repeatedly. "That seems to be the case."

Mr. Hall drew a deep breath, and his worldview seemed to shatter once more.

In the end, Mrs. Hall spoke up. "Ernest, at least Eli's magical talent is real. As for that magic school, why don't we talk to them first?"

Mr. Hall's expression shifted several times, but there was no other solution. Everything he had learned and everything he knew was utterly helpless before this problem.

"That's all we can do!"

Seeing that his parents had finally accepted the reality of magic, Eli let out a long sigh of relief.

He had truly been afraid that they might do something foolish because they could not accept such a bizarre event.

The Hall couple studied the letter over and over. Learning that a professor from the school would personally come to answer their questions put them somewhat at ease.

With completely different feelings, the family waited for tomorrow to arrive.