After parting with Snape…
Charlie returned to his room at the orphanage.
He glanced at the unfinished letter lying on his desk.
Shaking his head, he tossed it straight into the trash.
Then he began going through the books Snape had brought him.
These books were obviously quite old.
They had an ancient, well-worn appearance, yet still carried a refined elegance.
Not a speck of dust could be found on any of them.
Snape had clearly cleaned them himself.
“Defense Against the Dark Arts: From Beginner to Master.” “Secrets of Magical Creatures: The Origins of Magical Beasts.” “A Study of the Importance of Magical Reserves in Practical Combat.” “Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs.” …
Compared to the previous batch, these books were far more profound.
Charlie quickly immersed himself in studying.
Before long, he entered a deep state of concentration.
Time flew by.
[After finishing Defense Against the Dark Arts: From Beginner to Master, you have comprehended the Universal Defense Against Dark Arts Technique.] [After reading Advanced Encyclopedia of Magical Power, you have comprehended the Advanced Magical Breathing Technique.] [After finishing Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, you have comprehended the Herb Grafting Technique.] …
Several days passed.
Charlie devoted himself entirely to these books.
They were considerably more difficult than the previous ones.
Naturally, they also required much more time to finish.
His mind became filled with an ever-growing wealth of knowledge.
The techniques and principles he comprehended seemed to engrave themselves directly into his memory.
Only one book remained.
Charlie picked it up.
The Principles of Magical Power Flow Within the Human Body.
He immediately began reading.
Everything around him faded away.
Nothing outside the book seemed to exist anymore.
[After finishing The Principles of Magical Power Flow Within the Human Body, you have comprehended the Magical Body Tempering Technique.] Charlie slowly closed the book.
Taking a deep breath, he smiled.
Finally…
He had finished them all.
The final technique he had comprehended— The Magical Body Tempering Technique— Satisfied him immensely.
Even exceptionally powerful wizards often possessed fragile bodies.
That was one of the reasons Defense Against the Dark Arts was considered such an important subject at Hogwarts.
After all…
A wizard only had one life.
A successful surprise attack could kill almost instantly.
Charlie’s newly comprehended technique, however, solved that weakness.
If practiced properly…
Until it became instinctive muscle memory…
The moment someone launched a magical sneak attack…
His body would automatically form a perfectly placed magical barrier.
Directly over the targeted area.
Fast.
Precise.
Incredibly durable.
It could effectively block offensive Dark Magic.
Of course…
Charlie already possessed another method for resisting Dark Magic.
He could instantly transform into his Animagus form.
A fire dragon.
Its physical durability was absolutely terrifying.
The only downside…
Was that transforming destroyed his clothes every time.
Whenever no one was around…
Charlie occasionally went to the countryside to practice.
Now that he was ten years old…
His dragon form had grown to a very satisfying size.
Once he entered Hogwarts…
With better potions and magical food, it would probably grow even faster.
Charlie then picked up Snape’s notebook.
Its pages were packed with dense handwriting.
Every page contained Snape’s thoughts on Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Numerous experiments had been meticulously recorded as well.
Charlie read through everything carefully.
Some time later…
He identified the core problem Snape had been researching.
How could a wizard efficiently defend against surprise magical attacks?
Charlie smiled.
What a coincidence.
Wasn’t that exactly what his newly comprehended technique solved?
After reading Snape’s notes…
Charlie’s understanding of the Magical Body Tempering Technique advanced another level.
Over the following days…
He began practicing it in earnest.
The results were astonishing.
He could clearly feel his body becoming stronger.
His strength.
His speed.
Every aspect of his physique improved dramatically.
Without exaggeration…
At only ten years old…
Breaking a massive stone slab with his chest wouldn’t have been difficult.
Not that he had any intention of doing something so pointless.
His greatest achievement…
Was mastering the instantaneous formation of magical barriers over specific parts of his body.
His palms.
His back.
His knees.
Anywhere.
Instantly.
The response had already become almost instinctive.
That was only possible because of the unique training method Charlie had comprehended.
Only by following his cultivation method could someone hope to reach this level.
The following day…
Charlie picked up a pen.
He began writing another letter.
Most of it contained requests for additional books.
He also included a few greetings for Snape.
Finally…
He answered the questions Snape had left in his notebook regarding Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Once he finished…
He summoned his owl.
“Done.” With everything taken care of…
Charlie finally allowed himself some rest.
He had been incredibly busy lately.
…
Several days later.
Inside an office at Hogwarts…
Snape stood by the window, staring into the distance.
It looked as though he were waiting for something.
For reasons he couldn’t explain…
He had been unusually distracted these past few days.
Somehow…
He kept feeling that Charlie would surprise him again.
The books didn’t count.
He was already certain Charlie would finish them quickly.
But…
What about his notebook on Defense Against the Dark Arts?
Would Charlie actually offer suggestions?
A tiny part of him…
Was looking forward to it.
Even though he knew the thought itself sounded absurd.
“Hoot!” An owl cried outside the window.
Snape’s heart skipped a beat.
He immediately looked outside.
Sure enough…
Charlie’s owl was flying steadily toward his office.
After taking the letter…
Snape tossed the owl a few magical treats.
Then he sat down and began reading.
Dear Professor Snape, These are the books I’d like to request next…
…
Snape carefully read through the list, making notes of every title.
These were all books Charlie needed.
He would make sure to find them.
Then he continued reading.
His eyelids twitched.
Regarding the Defense Against the Dark Arts problem you mentioned, I have a few ideas…
It was real.
Snape’s heart surged violently.
Merlin…
Charlie actually responded to my research problem!
Is this really a child?
A boy who hasn’t even entered Hogwarts?
No…
He’s a true magical genius.
Snape suddenly stood up.
He began pacing back and forth across the office.
Taking deep breaths over and over.
Trying desperately to calm himself.
Only after a long while…
Did he finally exhale.
He rubbed his face.
Then slowly sat back down.
Taking out fresh parchment and a quill…
He placed Charlie’s letter beside them.
And began copying every word.