Chapter 113 "The Trinity of Life"

Skyler sensed the surge in magical power and eagerly activated the Magic Sight, intending to assess the extent of his magical growth. Unexpectedly, as soon as the Magic Sight took effect, Skyler experienced a sudden tightness in his chest, and his entire body felt ablaze, as though engulfed by a fiery inferno.

His blood raced through his veins like boiling liquid, signaling a profound and potent transformation, akin to a second magical upheaval in his life.

In response to the intense sensation, Skyler couldn't suppress a scream, unleashing a formidable burst of magical power from within. This magical energy formed invisible shockwaves in the air, causing the cavern's ceiling and surrounding walls to quiver, resulting in the dislodging of boulders.

Witnessing the imminent danger of falling debris, Skyler hastily evacuated the crypt, fearing for his safety. In a strategic move, he utilized a summoning curse to gather hundreds of eight-eyed spider eggs strewn across the location, stowing them away in his suitcase.

Given their Grade A contraband status, these eggs held significant value in the clandestine market, each fetching a handsome sum of at least 100 gold gallons.

[Hundred Eggs of Aragog's spawn have been obtained!]

After successfully escaping the underground lair of the eight-eyed spiders, Skyler summoned Dobby and Apparated back to his dormitory. Exhausted and contemplative, he collapsed onto his bed, pondering the rationale behind triggering this second magical upheaval.

Perhaps, Skyler speculated, this phenomenon was an ancestral manifestation of ancient bloodline power. In the modern era, the potency of bloodline abilities has significantly waned compared to the formidable ancestral strengths of thousands of years ago.

Skyler considered the absorption of advanced energies like the "source of life" and the "crystal of wisdom" as potential keys to unlocking the dormant potential within his bloodline.

Skyler couldn't help but anticipate what treasures Gryffindor might have left behind—Ravenclaw boasted the "Essence of Wisdom," and Hufflepuff possessed the "Source of Life." This led him to wonder about the potential legacy Gryffindor had bequeathed.

It took half an hour for the weakness induced by the magical upheaval to gradually subside. Skyler keenly sensed the various transformations the second magical upheaval had wrought upon his body.

Firstly, his physical strength had notably increased. As Skyler clenched his fist, he could distinctly feel the enhanced power generated by the muscles in his arm, a strength at least twice that of his previous state.

This augmented power played a pivotal role in wizard duels, not only providing greater resistance to disarming and repelling curses but also amplifying explosive power during activities such as running and jumping.

Furthermore, his magical prowess had taken a significant leap, propelling him into the realm of an adult wizard and beyond. It was conceivable that, within a year, as Skyler entered his fifth year, he could potentially reach the status of a junior Auror.

In comparison, his peers like Harry and Ron, who started their magical education alongside him, would merely be scratching the surface of the upper grades by that time.

Reflecting on the original book, Skyler mused about the achievements of Harry's squad, who ventured into the Department of Mysteries and confronted Death Eaters in their fourth and fifth years.

Despite facing formidable challenges, they managed to survive. Skyler recalled the heated discussions in his previous life's fan club, where members debated the plausibility of these events.

Lucius Malfoy's command to kill if necessary had sparked debates on the protagonist's luck and the potential leniency of Death Eaters, casting a shadow over the authenticity of their victories.

Aligning with his understanding of his father in this life, Skyler interpreted the command differently. To him, the phrase "kill if necessary" implied avoiding senseless killings and resorting to lethal force only when absolutely essential, especially when the targets were underage children.

Despite the malevolence of Death Eaters, Skyler recognized that they, too, had families, children, and love. Unlike Voldemort, he believed that harming children was their last moral boundary.

Reflecting on past events, Skyler recalled instances during the Department of Mysteries battle where restraint was displayed. Ron was affected by a "smirk" effect spell, a Stunning spell struck Ginny, and to his astonishment, Antonin Dolohov, instead of causing harm, opted to play a prank spell known as "Tarantella" on Neville.

This was a surprising deviation from the expected malevolence of Death Eaters, revealing a unique aspect of their character.

Returning to Skyler's present situation, his magical capabilities had been significantly bolstered. He had mastered various uncommon and peculiar attack methods, coupled with intricate tactical strategies and acute combat responsiveness.

Even when his magical power was at the level of senior students, he could challenge adult wizards of higher caliber. Now, armed with increased magical prowess, he felt confident enough to take on wizards at the junior Auror level.

Moreover, Skyler sensed an overflow of magical power within him. His magic pool resembled a brimming reservoir, with small streams branching out in all directions, creating a complex network of magical flow.

It seemed as if his body had developed a new network of blood vessels dedicated to facilitating the seamless circulation of magical power, nurturing every organ, tissue, and even every cell in his body.

While Skyler continued to explore and contemplate the transformations in his body, a sudden warmth enveloped the back of his neck.

"Tsk tsk..." Aquila's phantom materialized, wearing a complex and human-like expression. "It appears that I've acquired an extraordinary master!"

"I must have slept for too long, missing out on some fascinating developments... When did your magic power awaken?" Aquila inquired with genuine interest.

"Awaken? Aquila, are you suggesting that magic started flowing autonomously? It's been a while," Skyler responded, recalling the events after administering Occupational Cerebral surgery on Morag.

The changes ensued when he removed the black energy, but deciphering the exact nature of these changes had proven challenging due to the personal emotions involved.

"Uh... it's hard to explain; it happened for some reason. I decided to unlock Occlumency, and that's when I noticed a sudden shift in my magic. I still haven't grasped the underlying principle," Skyler explained.

"Interesting." Aquila's eyes sparkled with an inexplicable radiance. "The fact that you stumbled upon it without intentional effort speaks volumes about your remarkable luck. You've reached a realm pursued by Master Ravenclaw throughout his life, a realm even the wise Lord Ravenclaw never successfully entered."

"Of course, Lord Ravenclaw faced her own challenges; she dedicated much time to unraveling her bloodline curse..." Aquila asserted gravely. "As per Lord Ravenclaw's deductions, the benefits of magic activation are myriad—countless."

"First and foremost, you must have noticed that your magic power has transformed into a conduit, connecting your spirit and soul. This state is referred to as 'the unity of spirit and soul.' The soul and spirit can now blend and nourish each other. It is precisely this union that laid the groundwork for your current undertaking."

"Without having entered the realm of magic activation and unity of spirit and soul, Master Hufflepuff's inheritance would merely alter your body, at best. It might enable you to master a new secret or enhance your overall magical prowess. This might already be considered a significant adventure by others, but—compared to what you've attained—it pales in comparison!"

"Do you grasp how fortunate you are?" Aquila still found it challenging to comprehend how Skyler had accomplished all of this. The entire process seemed riddled with too many coincidences. From Aquila's perspective, it was simply unbelievable. Incredibly fortunate!

"Since you had already established the magic bridge within your body prior to absorbing the 'source of life' left by Master Hufflepuff, the influx of a substantial amount of magic power squeezed into your body—meaning, you've surpassed the limits of the human body!" Aquila inquired promptly, "Do you recall the third question posed by the eagle door knocker?"

Skyler nodded. He vividly remembered the intricate query that had to be put in words "What is the true meaning of life?", which he answered with "Material, Spirit, and Soul." This response ultimately led to his acceptance as Ravenclaw's successor and candidate for the treasure.

Aquila lapsed into a moment of recollection, then wore an expression of admiration. "Honestly, your response back then truly astounded me—material, spirit, and soul. There's no better encapsulation than that. Essentially, the triad of body, mind, and emotion constitutes life."

Continuing with his explanation, Aquila added, "Given your current state, having achieved unity of spirit, soul, and body, your magic power has progressed further, intertwining these elements into a cohesive whole. This aligns with the concept of 'three in one.' Strictly speaking, you've touched upon the true essence of life. It could even be argued that you can no longer be classified as a wizard but as an entirely new species."

"What? Is that even possible?" Skyler was taken aback, completely unaware of how extraordinary he had become.

"You find it hard to believe?" Aquila observed Skyler's expression and scoffed. "Let me tell you, that's the untamed magic within you—although your magic has been activated, it's akin to that of a newborn, still in the early stages of exploration. If you learn to guide it as a vessel of magic power, it will become your most formidable weapon!"

Skyler contemplated for a moment, then inquired slowly, "So, how do I guide it?"

Skyler believed that Aquila had the knowledge, and it was merely awaiting Skyler to seek guidance. Otherwise, why share this information now?

Aquila replied, "If you think you can get the answer from me without giving anything in return, that won't fly. You must offer something in exchange!"

Skyler pursed his lips, acknowledging that he had initially sought a shortcut without putting in the effort.

Now that he grasps the importance of guiding magic, drawing from his understanding of spirit and soul magic, it's essential to delve into the subject himself—a matter of time and dedication.

Skyler organized his mind's characteristics of spirit, soul, and magic. The soul, inherently fluctuating, can experience significant shifts under intense emotions, potentially leading to its division.

The "Abatel" soul chapter even suggests a controversial shortcut to fortify the soul—killing the love residing in the heart.

Magic power itself is lifeless. It only becomes perceptible to the wizard during spellcasting, following a fixed one-way flow—from the hand into the wand—transforming the magic power into a spell through specific wand movements before being released.

Now, Skyler's magic takes on a new dimension. In essence, magic power can circulate to any part of his body. This prompts a realization—can Skyler cast spells using any part of his body?

The mental image of waving a wand between his toes made Skyler shudder; the idea was almost unbearable. However, he soon realized he had fallen into a thinking trap. Who said a magic wand was a necessity for spellcasting?

Wandless casting, while less potent than using a wand, was an option, as Dumbledore and Voldemort, even at their peaks, would not engage in a duel without their wands. Yet, certain spells did not require a wand.

Transfiguration, for instance!

Skyler's eyes gleamed with a sagacious light as he turned to Aquila, sporting a triumphant smile. "Aquila, I've got it!"

"Oh, really? Show me then," Aquila responded, a hint of disbelief coloring its words. This youngster had already proven to be remarkably fortunate; if he possessed such insight, it would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Aquila, created by magic in the tenth century, had witnessed the emergence of numerous exceptional talents during an era of heroes. From Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff to Slytherin, and figures like Gryffindor, Nerida, Merlin, and Morgana Le Fay—each one a prodigy in their own right.

(Note: Nerida Vulchanova was a Bulgarian witch, the founder of Durmstrang, who mysteriously perished during her tenure. She was replaced by Harfang Munter, known for his admiration of combat magic and black magic, as the school's principal.)

Yet, Aquila couldn't help but feel certain that none of these luminaries had exhibited the same level of exceptional prowess at the age of 14. Skyler's accelerated growth was undeniably abnormal.

Closing his eyes, Skyler mentally engaged the transformation technique on his body—comprehending the composition and alteration of matter, understanding the flow and fusion of magic, and embracing unyielding confidence and determination.

Magic power coursed from the magic pool through his heart, traversing the brain, and ultimately permeating every corner of his body.

"Absolutely, that's it!" Skyler exclaimed as he felt the newfound power inside his body surge from his core.

Magic power slowly surged through Skyler's body, yet lacking proper guidance, it remained confined. He sensed every part and cell of his body brimming with potent magical fluctuations, accompanied by a subtle swelling sensation and a touch of a paper-cutting-like discomfort.

Drawing in a deep breath, Skyler decided to release the pent-up magic power from his body. As he did so, he felt every part and cell undergo distortion and transformation.

Suddenly, Skyler's stature increased, his hair turned a deep black, his pupils darkened, and his facial features underwent a complete overhaul—revealing the visage of Carter Yang from his previous life!

Indeed, Skyler's speculation was spot on; he had mastered a new ability—Disguise Magus!

[The Secret Technique of The Black Family has been learned—Disguise Magus!]

Aquila's beak fell agape, rendering it speechless. Skyler not only comprehended the art of guiding magic power but also grasped its application in actual combat!