After advancing to Sequence 8, Wade didn’t rush to begin acting as a Clown.
Instead, he devoted most of his energy to studying.
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, by Miranda Goshawk.
As a first-year textbook, it contained a variety of introductory spells, including the Unlocking Charm, Levitation Charm, Knockback Jinx, Wand-Lighting Charm, Fire-Making Spell, and the Mending Charm.
For an ordinary first-year student, learning magic without a professor’s guidance was both difficult and dangerous.
One careless mistake could easily result in self-inflicted injury.
But Wade wasn’t merely a wizard.
He was also a Sequence 8 Beyonder.
His heightened spirituality and keen intuition naturally helped him avoid danger, making it relatively safe for him to teach himself basic spells.
Moreover, after eleven years of constantly training his spirituality, his control over magical power had become remarkably refined.
At the very least, when it came to wandless magic, his talent was exceptional.
Of course…
Casting with a wand was still easier, smoother, and consumed less magical power.
Which was precisely why wandless magic made an excellent hidden trump card.
“As expected…” “I really am a genius.” Wade gently polished his wand before making up his mind.
Unless absolutely necessary…
Never reveal my ability to cast without a wand.
Even his magical talent needed to remain hidden.
Not too brilliant.
Not too mediocre.
Just…
Perfectly average.
Besides spellwork, he neglected none of his other studies.
A History of Magic.
Magical Theory.
A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration.
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.
Magical Drafts and Potions.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.
The books were piled high upon his desk.
Every day, Wade spent well over half his waking hours immersed in them.
Without realizing it, he was steadily transforming into an outstanding student.
Among them all, the greatest surprise was undoubtedly Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
It meticulously documented the habitats, temperaments, and danger levels of countless magical creatures.
His intuition told him that many of the potion ingredients required for future Sequences could likely be found within its pages.
The book had been published in 1927.
Its author was Newt Scamander.
Now it was 1991.
I wonder if he’s still alive.
If he is…
I’d love the chance to meet him someday.
Time passed quickly.
Before long, the end of July arrived.
That day, Wade was eating lunch on the first floor of the Leaky Cauldron as usual.
From time to time, however, his gaze drifted toward a particular man.
Professor Quirinus Quirrell.
A timid-looking wizard wearing an oversized purple turban.
Wade’s knowledge of Harry Potter wasn’t especially extensive.
Before his reincarnation, he had only watched the first three films rather casually.
Still…
He vaguely remembered that Quirrell would become Hogwarts’ Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
More importantly…
The fragment of Lord Voldemort’s soul was attached to him.
Logically, Wade should have stayed as far away from him as possible.
Unfortunately…
His curiosity won out.
Activating Spirit Vision, he looked toward Quirrell.
Buzz— The instant he did…
A chill swept through his entire body.
Quirrell’s limbs glowed red.
His heart shone green.
Orange and yellow alternated around his abdomen.
His throat radiated blue.
His entire body was enveloped in a healthy white aura.
Everything appeared perfectly normal.
Until…
Wade’s gaze reached Quirrell’s head.
The healthy violet aura that should have been there had been completely polluted by an inky black darkness.
The black aura resembled a venomous serpent.
Weak…
Yet incomparably sinister.
It radiated bone-chilling malice.
Suddenly— The darkness stirred.
An unbearable pain shot into Wade’s head as though a glowing-hot needle had been driven straight into his brain.
The agony was almost enough to make him scream aloud.
Without hesitation, he shut off his Spirit Vision.
Only then did the pain recede like an ebbing tide.
When he finally recovered, he discovered his back was soaked with sweat.
Until I reach a sufficiently high Sequence…
I absolutely cannot use Spirit Vision recklessly.
Ordinary wizards might never notice anything.
But powerful ones…
That was another matter entirely.
If Voldemort hadn’t been so incredibly weak at the moment…
That single glance might well have been outright suicide.
“Someone was spying on us.” A hoarse voice suddenly echoed inside Quirrell’s mind.
He shuddered involuntarily.
“W-Who was it…
Master?” he whispered softly, ensuring no one else could hear.
“How should I know?” “But I’m certain they’re nearby.” “Find them.” “Kill them.” “They cannot be allowed to interfere with our plans.” Quirrell glanced around the crowded pub.
His face twitched.
Easy for you to say.
How am I supposed to find one person among all these people?
What am I supposed to do…
Kill everyone?
I couldn’t even if I wanted to.
“M-Master…” “Could you perhaps give me a hint?” “Worthless fool.” Voldemort snapped angrily.
“How did I ever end up with an idiot like you?” “Look for whoever is behaving differently.” “The most unusual person.” Quirrell nodded obediently and slowly scanned every customer from left to right.
From the corner of his eye, Wade noticed the movement.
His heart skipped a beat.
Ignoring the uncomfortable dampness on his back, he immediately adjusted his expression and posture.
The Clown’s mastery over facial expressions and body language was pushed to its absolute limit.
Sure enough…
Quirrell’s gaze swept over him without pausing before moving on to the next person.
“Master…” “I don’t see anything unusual.” “Could…” “Could you have been mistaken?” “Are you questioning me?” Creak…
The front door of the Leaky Cauldron suddenly swung open.
A giant more than twice the height of an ordinary man stepped inside, accompanied by a nervous-looking young boy.
“Afternoon, Tom.” “The usual?” “Thanks, Tom.” “But I’ve got Hogwarts business today.” The giant patted the boy on the shoulder.
“I’m helping little Harry buy his school supplies.” Tom froze.
His eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at the boy.
“My goodness…” “It’s Harry Potter.” The chatter throughout the pub stopped instantly.
Silence fell over the room.
Almost every pair of eyes turned toward the bespectacled boy with the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
“Welcome back, Mr.
Potter!” One customer rushed forward to shake Harry’s hand.
“Welcome!” Harry looked utterly bewildered.
An elderly witch with gray hair eagerly seized his hand.
“I’m Doris Crockford.” “It’s such an honor to finally meet you!” “I’m so happy, Mr.
Potter.” “I can’t even put my feelings into words!” “Mr.
Potter!” Wade enthusiastically joined the crowd.
“I’ve heard so much about you.” “I never imagined I’d get to meet you before school even started.” His excitement was entirely genuine.
Quirrell had clearly sensed something moments ago.
Wade wasn’t sure whether he had truly escaped suspicion.
But now…
Harry Potter had arrived.
The perfect scapegoat.
He had never intended to become acquainted with the Boy Who Lived.
Yet at this moment…
He couldn’t have been more grateful.
“Are you going to Hogwarts too?” Harry asked.
“Just like you.” “I’m starting my first year as well.” “My name’s Wade.” “Wade Morea.” Acting exactly like an overexcited fan meeting his idol, Wade eagerly shook Harry’s hand before beaming with excitement.
Then, taking advantage of the commotion, he hurried up the stairs.
And quietly disappeared from Quirrell’s line of sight.
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