Chapter 19 - Wizards of the Second Generation and Truth

Upon hearing this, Asmodeus nodded gracefully. "First, allow me to explain the most crucial aspect to you. The starting point. What will enable talented Muggles and even those less so, with the help of wizards, to use magic." As Asmodeus spoke, he pulled a piece of chalk from his pocket and began drawing a mana accumulation circle around himself.

"So, do you see this magical circle? Mr. Nicolas Flamel should somewhat understand what it's created for, right?"

"I see runes for accumulation and preservation, but I don't think it's used just to store mana. There's a part of the circle I don't quite grasp," Mr. Flamel remarked.

"Mr. Flamel, the distinguished alchemical genius, I see merely peculiar symbols with lines drawn around them," one of the elders chimed in.

"Yeah, I don't understand anything about runes, just some doodles," someone else added.

Ahem, Asmodeus redirected attention from the discussion about the circle back to himself.

"Mr. Flamel is telling the truth. This circle is used for mana accumulation and keeping it in place. But the most crucial part of this circle is the runes 'direction' and 'introduction.'"

"It's my own development based on the runes 'Path' and 'Seeking' for the 'direction' runes and an altered rune 'penetration,'" he said without blushing.

Well, actually, it could indeed be considered his creation. The magical accumulation circle wouldn't have appeared in this world without him and the system, and the system wouldn't have emerged without him. Moreover, after paying 50 points for the complete absorption of knowledge in those books, he truly became an expert in runes and everything related to those books.

"The main purpose of this circle is to help a person guide magic into their heart and form what I call energy rings around them."

"With each new ring, the amount of mana produced by the heart will increase, and upon completing the third ring, it will lead to qualitative changes in the person's body."

"The constant influence of magic will gradually assimilate into the person's heart, allowing the heart to generate mana independently, regardless of the presence or absence of the rings."

"Although, at the moment, this method cannot fully equate Muggles to wizards due to the body's saturation level with magic,"

"This method has advantages over natural-born wizards."

"What I call 'impact magic,' spreading throughout the body from the heart, will strengthen a person's physical abilities."

"Wizards like us, who rely on manipulating energy in our blood and around us, also, in a sense, have a physical advantage over Muggles, but it lies in bodily strength and the so-called 'life force' of the entire organism."

"That's why wizards, on average, live much longer than Muggles."

"For example, our previous Hogwarts headmaster, Armando Dippet, is still alive. To your knowledge, he's already 354 years old."

"Cough, cough, is this lad cursing me?"

A cough echoed from the end of the hall.

Asmodeus turned and saw an old man with a beard twice as long as Dumbledore's sitting in a wheelchair.

Asmodeus smiled and said,

"Good evening, Elder Dippet. I hope you can help me confirm my theory. So please answer, have you ever used something like Mr. Flamel's Philosopher's Stone or anything else to extend your life?"

"Cough, cough, no, lad. Honestly, I still don't understand why I'm still alive."

Well, without me, you wouldn't have lasted long, thought Asmodeus, nodding to the second eldest person here.

"As you can see, the more powerful the wizard and the more mana within, the longer the lifespan and even the quality of life."

"By the way, a little off-topic, but you old folks might find this very interesting."

"The construction of rings around the heart is not exclusive to Muggles, and Squibs and full-fledged wizards can also use the technique I've created."

"This will allow you to strengthen your body and extend your life. Moreover, though it's not so crucial in the case of those present, it will, to some extent, increase the amount of mana in the body and the level of its control."

"Mr. Dippet, I'd be happy to guide you if you allow it."

"Cough, cough. Let's give it a try, lad. Not that I fear death, but if I can walk again, I wouldn't mind living another dozen years or so," he said as his assistant, or better to say, pupil, pushed the wheelchair into the circle.

"Mr. Dippet, you must have already felt the magic of the circle, haven't you?"

"Yes, it feels like I can peer into myself. Interesting magic."

"This is the influence of the 'search' and 'direction' runes. Close your eyes, and you can feel the mana surrounding you at the moment. You need to grasp it and mentally direct it toward your heart."

Armando Dippet closed his eyes and began to sense the magic around him.

"I feel it; the magic in the circle is about five times denser than outside. I think if I draw such a circle in my bedroom, even without the rings, I could live another couple of years."

"You are to some extent right. Actually, if a magical circle is drawn on an enlarged scale in the classrooms where young wizards are taught, it could enhance the efficiency of their education. Unfortunately, it would reduce their natural sensitivity to magic, which, in my opinion, is more crucial than rapid progress.

Now, let's continue. Headmaster, can you grasp the magic in the air around you?"

"Yes, it's as if I have an additional invisible hand."

"Good, now direct the mana flow through your veins and arteries toward your heart, completing a full rotation around it to form the ring.

Once you've formed the ring, take a small portion of that mana and carefully carve the 'accumulation' and 'preservation' runes on your heart.

Do it slowly and precisely, making sure not to cut too deep, so that in case of further improvement to this technique, you can replace the rune."

While Asmodeus spoke, Mr. Dippet had already immersed himself deeply in the process of carving the runes on his heart. He tried to do it as finely and cautiously as possible; he didn't want to die from such foolishness as piercing his heart.

"It seems ready... well."

Before the former headmaster could finish, he felt surges of magic emanating from his heart. It felt as if waves from the shores of England were constantly washing over the body of this 354-year-old man.

Seeing that Armando Dippet fell silent, his apprentice wanted to approach and ask if everything was alright, but Asmodeus stopped him, saying,

"Everything is fine. He successfully formed the ring and carved the runes; just let him feel the changes."

While Asmodeus spoke, Armando Dippet had already realized the changes in his body.

Slowly, leaning on the arms of the wheelchair, he began to rise, and, seeing how his apprentice's eyes were about to pop out from amazement, Armando finally stood on his feet!

"Haha, I haven't walked on my own for 10 years. I feel great. Guys, you definitely need to do the same, especially you, Niko!" This old man had a smile from ear to ear;

Asmodeus was surprised that his jaw prosthesis hadn't fallen out yet.

"As you can all see, mana rings can not only allow Muggles to use magic, but, according to my preliminary calculations, will increase the expected average lifespan in the magical world by 30%."

To be honest, the lifespan didn't matter much to these old folks; most of them were well over 80, except for some newcomers. But the prospect of strengthening their bodies excited them greatly. While Dumbledore might be able to jump and skip at 110, not everyone's bodies retained their former capabilities.

"Cough, cough," Asmodeus regained the attention of the elderly.

"We got a bit sidetracked; I'll continue."

"According to my observations, wizards expend 40% of their own magical power while casting spells, and the rest is supplemented by ambient magic in the air."

"Unfortunately, the rings cannot enable a Muggle to tap into external mana, as they already accumulate it from the air themselves."

"Therefore, the new generation of wizards will find it more challenging to cast spells, and they'll lag in endurance during battles."

"But since my future plan relies on Muggles not fearing wizards and matching them in strength, I've thought about this."

Saying this, he pulled out a leaflet from his pocket and, after casting a copying spell, handed it to everyone present.

"What you see here is an alchemical weapon I developed: swords, rapiers, spears, and so on."

"They will have runes similar to those on the heart carved into them. This will help new wizards in casting spells and using magic, somewhat like magical wands but with their own characteristics. I chose various forms of cold weapons because, according to my calculations, the physical strength, upon completing the three rings, can reach the level of three adults combined and may become the primary combat method for new wizards. Especially since, over time, due to the constant exposure to magic, the weapon will evolve alongside its owner. Honestly, I've already contemplated crafting a pair of enchanted blades for myself."

"By doing so, we will balance the powers of both sides to prevent conflicts in the future. The emergence of a new group of people in the magical world will inevitably lead to a new stage of resource distribution. For fair competition, the strengths of the parties must be roughly equal. Additionally, this will to some extent reduce the influence of the theory of blood purity."

"I have also developed combat methods based on the new system..."

Asmodeus spoke without pause until he felt that the gazes directed at him carried an unfamiliar emotion. So, he stopped and asked,

"Uh, did I say something wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Are you really just 13 years old?" asked Perenelle Flamel.

"Can't you tell?"

"Well, it's just difficult for all of us to understand why a 13-year-old behaves like a seasoned storyteller. Besides, you managed to do what hundreds and thousands of wizards before you couldn't: give magic to Muggles," she continued.

"Well..."

Well, anyway, I was going to find a way through that world..

"Actually, you're right, Mrs. Flamel."

"I'm not 13 years old; I'm 20, and moreover, I'm not from this world."

For a moment, complete silence hung in the bar.

........

Ahem, ahem.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and asked, "Uh, ki... Mr. Morningstar, what do you mean by that?"

Asmodeus began to tell his story, hiding all the information about the system and his first life. He told only about his life as a fire bender.