Harry Potter: The Mage's Path Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.

Hi all,

Another Harry Potter chapter. This thought me hard, but I managed to get it out in the end. Here, Harry meets his first familiar.

Chapter 3

Harry returned to the spot where he could get a good look at the Sentinel. It was just beyond the range of his skill, so Harry crept closer until he judged he was close enough.

'{Observation}'

=====

Aspen Horror Sentinel | Level: 4 | Normal | HP: 60/60 | Mana: 60/60

STR: 10| END: 8 | AGI: 7 | INT: 4 | MAG: 3 | PER: 5 |

Resistances/Weaknesses

Phy Def: 17 | Mag Def: 6 | Piercing: 50% | Blunt: 50% |

Shadow: 50% | Fire: -50% |

Loot: 20 pounds (100%); Tree Sap (100%); Shadow Essence (40%); Aspen Horror Sentinel Essence (10%); Minor Energy Necklace (10%); Oath Breaker (3%)

Description: An Aspen Horror that has gained maturity. It wields a heavy two-handed great sword. It has excellent physical strength and can remain still for long periods, only to ambush unsuspecting victims.

=====

The drop rates of the two pieces of equipment seemed much lower than the Elite version of the monster. Harry couldn't imagine getting lucky enough to get both with such low odds.

The two Fireballs appeared in his hand, and Harry launched them at the Sentinel.

Sentinel has been ambushed.

[Critical Hit!] Sentinel has taken 11 damage x2

The Sentinel exploded into action. It turned and ran at him.

Harry prepared with his next volley. He launched the following two Fireballs and retreated. The Sentinel took the two impacts before closing in with its great sword, ready to cleave him into two halves. It was a slow attack, however, and allowed for some exploitation.

Instead of dodging backwards, Harry moved towards the Sentinel and dived between its legs. It was the method he used in the last fight. Sentinels kept their legs apart when swinging their swords to increase their power.

The sword cleaved the ground, but Harry was already behind the Sentinel. He launched two more Fireballs at the Sentinel's back.

[Back Attack!] Sentinel has taken 10 damage x 2.

Sentinel lifted the sword from the ground, then swung around in a wide sweeping arc, and Harry ducked underneath it, almost getting hit. The speed had surprised him. Sentinel followed it up with a downward diagonal slash from the other direction. It was faster this time, and Harry stumbled back clumsily, falling over. The sword dug into the ground between his legs.

On his back, Harry prepared two more Fireballs. He launched them as the sword descended again and to hit the Sentinel's face. It flinched and stumbled backwards.

Sentinel has taken 7 damage x2.

Sentinel is dazed.

Incredibly, Sentinel dropped the sword on the ground. Harry took advantage, launching another two sets of Fireballs to finish the Sentinel before it could recover.

Sentinel was defeated.

30 experience gained.

Harry sighed in relief. The fight had been more straightforward, despite its hairy moments. He managed not to get hit once, though, which he considered an accomplishment.

Dual-Casting was quite effective. Once he got the skill level higher, he imagined himself spamming Fireballs with two hands and never running out of Mana. Although, one problem kept appearing; his movement during battle. He needed better skills to avoid faster enemies.

What about when he teleported to the school roof? Could he replicate that skill? Pop around the battlefield and blast enemies with impunity. A silly grin appeared on his face.

He shook himself out of his distracted thoughts and looked at the loot.

No equipment dropped. Harry already had the two pieces of equipment, anyway. Extra copies would not benefit him unless he found a place to sell them. Looking at the other loot on the ground, Harry suddenly had an idea. Going into settings, he changed it, so the loot automatically went into his inventory. He would have to monitor it to ensure he didn't fill his inventory completely. Was there a way to increase his inventory size?

Harry opened the chest and discovered five bottles of blue liquid. Guessing at the contents, he grabbed one and used {Observation}.

=====

Minor Mana Potion | Consumable |

Description: A basic mana potion that restores 50 mana.

=====

The Mana Potion was incredibly useful. Although he was close to another patch of Witches Caps, they weren't very useful in a fight. Harry couldn't pause to eat a bunch of mushrooms while facing a powerful enemy. He didn't know how powerful the Boss was, so he may need to rely on the potions to restore his Mana quickly.

Harry stood and checked his Map to get his bearings. Now that he had plenty of Mana-restoring items, it was time to finish this Dungeon. He would grind his Observation skill while he was at it as well.

{0(((..)))0}

Two hours later, Harry stood before a burrow in the northwest corner of the Map. After clearing out the rest of the enemies, Harry progressed with his level and skill. He now had a bag full of loot that he would look at after. He did not see the point since he received nothing immediately useful.

'{Status}'

=====

Harry Potter Age: 10

Title: Apprentice Mage

Level: 5 [6/100%]  AP: 20

Resources

Energy: 120/120 [100]  Regen: 2.5%/h

Mana:    180/180 [220]  Regen: 7.5%/h

Attributes

DEX:10  VIT:5  MAG: 9  INT:11  WIL:15 PER:7  CHA: 8

Resistances

Physical Defence: 5  Magical Defence: 0

Status Effects: (Physical) 2.5% Status Effects: (Mind) 7%

Fire: 0.5%

Perks

Apprentice Mage: + 1 to Magic, Willpower per level

???????: ???????

Detriments

Malnourished: (removable)

Harry Potter is below his height and weight for his age because of poor nutrition. Increase food consumption by threefold for three months to remove this detriment. Long-term consequences may ensue if not corrected {-5 to Vitality}.

???????: (removable) - 25% to Magic.

=====

Skill gains:

Observation: Lv2 >> Lv4

Basic Fireball: Lv4 >> Lv5

Harvesting: Lv11 >> Lv12

Dual-Casting: Lv1 >>Lv4

=====

After reaching level five in {Fireball}, he got a pleasant surprise. {Impact} added a new characteristic to the skill. It gave a chance to halt an opponent's advancement in battle briefly. Harry imagined if he got the skill high enough, he could keep an enemy frozen in action while he spammed {Fireballs}. An excellent thought, but probably not as easy as it sounded.

The detriment that stole a quarter of his Mana was seriously annoying. Harry lost out on sixty Mana, which would only worsen when he increased it further. Until it revealed itself, he was stuck dealing with the problem.

Harry checked his stock of potions. Fortunately, he did not use another one in battle, so he still had three Energy and five Mana Potions at his disposal. But his health was only fifty per cent, so he took another Energy Potion. Taking a breath, he descended into the depths of the burrow.

Unlike above ground, where the woods were bathed in dim radiant light, everything was in complete darkness. Harry produced light by casting {Fireball}. Fighting a rising sense of claustrophobia, he walked forward. The walls narrowed until there wasn’t much space between him and the wall. Living in a cupboard did not make him overly fond of tight spaces.

Ten minutes later, Harry paused and looked at his Map. He had turned around, and now he was closer to the centre of the Map. The remaining red marker showed the Boss was straight ahead of him. The original marker only gave the location of the entrance, which is why he had been confused.

Harry continued forward until he came upon the entrance to a vast cavern overgrown with massive tree roots. They covered everything; the ground, the walls, and in the ceiling; a network of intertwined roots pulsing with an eerie light. In the cavern's centre, a huge humanoid tree stood there unmoving.

'{Observation}'

=====

Shadow Horror Treant | Level: 5 | Boss | HP: 180/180 | Mana: 100/100 |

Description: An elder aspen tree corrupted by the shadow element. It burrows underground at the root system's source and feeds on the tree's nutrients while slowly corrupting them.

=====

Harry gulped at the size of the Treant. It must have been nine feet, with a compact body and long limbs ending in thick roots, shaped into a rough estimation of feet. Its hideous facial features were small and almost obscured behind a thick beard of foliage and a crown of branches.

The Treant opened its eyes and glared viciously at him. However, it made no move to approach him, as it seemed too restrained by its environment. Harry understood why as he cautiously approached- thick pulsating roots attached to its back burrowed into the far wall. It must be how it absorbed the tree's nutrients.

The roots in covered the ground made it hard for him to move quickly without tripping. Harry prepared two Fireballs and launched them at its face. The Treant did not move, but a wall of roots rose from the ground and shielded the Treant.

Harry kept his distance as he slowly circled the Treant, looking for an opening. It turned and tracked his movements, and it wore an arrogant expression as if it considered him not a threat.

Harry stopped to cast another spell- which was a mistake as roots came up from underneath him and tangled his feet. Struggling to escape, he watched in horror as the Treant raised its arm and formed a long branch into a shape of a sharp spear. Harry tore his feet out of his shoes and dived to the side.

The spear pierced the ground where Harry had been standing. He immediately rose and continued running in a circle, looking for roots ready to entangle him again. This was the Treant's territory, and it had a home-field advantage. The entire battlefield was a disadvantage. And the Treant could attack him from long-range with its spears.

"I need to get in close," Harry muttered. It didn't seem to be a much better option. He activated {Sprint} and ran forward.

The Treant raised its giant foot and stomped the ground in front of Harry. The earth shook, and Harry fell over, his shoulder impacting the ground with a pained grunt. Looking up, he saw the other foot descending on him, and Harry squeezed his eyes shut in terror, waiting for the inevitable pain.

Harry opened his eyes in confusion when he found himself behind the Treant, standing on the root attached to the wall. Did he just perform accidental magic? On instinct, Harry launched a pair of Fireballs at the Treant's back.

[Back Attack!] Treant has taken 16 damage x 2

Treant HP: 148 | 180

The Treant roared and tried to shake him off, but Harry clung onto the root tenaciously. Roots erupted from the ground and tried to envelop him, but Harry stood up in a crouch and advanced until he stood directly at the Treant's back. Harry launched another pair of Fireballs at the Treant's back.

[Back Attack!] Treant has taken 14 damage x 2

Treant HP: 120 | 180

Treant has been inflicted with Burn.

Treant takes 7 damage from Burn.

Treant HP: 113 | 180

Harry didn't have time to celebrate as roots rose around him and formed into over a dozen sharp spears. His eyes widened when the spears shot straight at him. Harry dived off the back of the Treant, but one spear penetrated his leg. Harry screamed as he fell to the ground.

Harry Potter has taken 37 damage.

Energy: 75 | 120

Treant has taken 63 damage.

Treant HP: 50 | 180

Treant takes 7 damage from Burn.

Treant HP: 43 | 180

Harry pulled the spear out of his leg, grimacing in pain. Surely he would go insane from all the pain he kept experiencing. He resisted the temptation to put all his AP into Willpower right there.

Harry grasped the spear, rose to his feet, and dodged as another foot came stomping down. He caught a glancing blow and began rolling over the ground.

Harry Potter has taken 41 damage.

Energy: 34 | 120

Harry got up quickly and activated {Sprint}. He retreated to the edge of the cavern and watched the Treant. Would the Burn status effect finish it? That last attack had damaged the Treant as well, so he was quite fortunate.

Treant has taken 7 damage from Burn.

Treant HP: 36 | 180

Burn has dissipated.

"Dammit, " Harry scowled. After downing an Energy Potion, he returned to the action. He prepared another pair of Fireballs and sprinted forward.

Energy: 84 | 120

Harry was ready this time as the monster tried to stomp on him. As the foot descended, he launched the Fireballs at it’s foot and it roared in pain.

Treant has taken 8 damage x 2.

Treant HP: 18 | 180

{Impact} has halted Treant.

The Treant overbalanced and fell on its side, causing the ground to shake with the impact.

Treant has taken 15 damage.

Treant HP: 3 | 180

Harry smirked and fired another pair of Fireballs at the fallen Treant.

Treant was defeated.

Monster Data + 100%

Monster Data: Aspen Horror Treant has been added to the Bestiary.

200 experience earned.

Dual-Casting: Level 4 >> Level 5

Harry slumped to the ground in relief. That had been an awful fight. He should not be in a dungeon with so few skills. It made him improvise a lot, and he got lucky a few times. At least he made it through.

=====

Congratulations!

Escape the Instant Dungeon Quest complete.

Rewards: ID Creation Skill, ID Escape Skill.

=====

ID Creation | Active | Level: 1 | Next: 0% | Cost: 20 |

Description: Summon an Instance Dungeon to explore. The number and variety of Dungeons available depend on the skill level. Time moves slower in Instance Dungeons by a factor of three, but it ages the player by three times as well.

Respawn Time: One Week

• Dungeons Available:
• Empty Dungeon: Nothing inside
• Aspen Wandering Horror Dungeon: Levels 1-5

=====

ID Escape | Active | Level: MAX | Next: --- | Cost: 20 |

Description: Escape an Instant Dungeon that is within five levels of the player. Other types of dimensional spaces can be escaped without restriction.ID Escape cannot be used in the middle of combat.

====

Gaia has updated the Magic Attribute!

Magic: The Magic Attribute determines the amount of Mana at the player's disposal. It affects the potency of his spells and allows him to get some powerful abilities. However, the more magic the player has, the harder it is to control. Less control means some magic is closed to the player and may be dangerous to himself and others when casting spells.

• 1 Magic = 20 Mana
• Control: 84%

=====

You have learned a new skill!

Accidental Magic | Passive | Level: 4 | Next: 22% | Cost: Variable |

Description: The player is susceptible to bouts of accidental Magic when feeling an intense emotion like fear or anger. The Magic will subconsciously act as the player's desire and perform a feat of Magic at random.

• +4% chance to perform accidental Magic in a dangerous situation
• +4% chance to learn the spell performed with accidental Magic.
• -4% to Control

=====

Now that he had plenty of time, Harry read through the notifications slowly.

Being able to return to the Dungeon to farm experience and loot was awesome. But, first, he needed to learn more skills before he gave it another crack. There was no use being stupid and dying inside a Dungeon.

Gaia seemed to add things as she went along. Control was another factor he now had to take into consideration. Did that mean it might affect the skills he could learn? Harry checked his {Basic Fireball} skill and confirmed that it now listed a control requirement. Thankfully, it didn't have a high requirement. But it means that he now had to learn how to manipulate Mana. How would he go about doing that?

Harry moved on to the final notification. It confirmed that he had used accidental Magic. The skill was a double-edged sword, but it would be worth the price if he could learn to teleport by chance. Then again, he could try to understand it himself.

He stood up, walked over to the Treant, and looted the corpse. The Treant disappeared and revealed a series of stone steps descending into darkness.

Harry checked his condition before walking down the steps. Even though all the monsters seemed cleared out, he wasn't about to let his guard down.

He stepped into a small room that looked like it had once been a laboratory but looked neglected, as if no one had been there in a long time. He ran his finger over the surface of a table, and it came away thick with dust.

What the hell is in those? Harry stopped next to a shelf lined with glass jars containing various body parts from creatures. He shuddered when he saw a pair of eyeballs floating in fluid. As he was about to turn away, he heard a faint noise further down. Harry moved down the rows of jars and spotted a lone jar with someone inside. And they were banging on the glass to get his attention.

It was a miniature-sized female dressed in a dark purple dress that matched her hair and had a pair of translucent wings sprouting from her back. She had tiny exquisite features, like a doll. However, she looked weak, lying against the glass as if she didn't have any strength.

Harry quickly opened the jar and reached a hand inside. He cursed when the tiny human latched onto his finger and bit down, drawing blood. Her grip was surprisingly strong, and he couldn't shake her off.

=====

Congratulations!

You have bonded with your first familiar!

Umbra Fairy

Level: 1 [0%] AP: 0

Umbra Fairy | Level: 1 | Legendary | HP: 30/30 | Mana: 200/200 |

STR: 2 | END: 7 | AGI: 8 | INT: 10 | MAG: 10 | PER: 7 |

Resistances/Weaknesses

Phy Def: 1 | Mag Def: 20 |

Status Effects: (Mind) 50% |

Shadow: 100% |

Description: The Umbra Fairy is considered to be long extinct. Unlike its modern-day counterparts, it has high intelligence and powerful Magic. This Fairy was captured and used for experiments, which corrupted the woods.

=====

You have gained a new Perk!

Familiar Bond | Passive | Level: MAX | Next: --- | Cost: 0 |

Description:  A familiar is a companion in a non-human form. There is usually a very definite bond between a human and their familiar - more than friendship - like a magical bond that ties them to each other, or it could be a contract, aside from any feelings they develop over time.

• Telepathic communication
• Share Mana

=====

You have gained 50 Mana

You have gained 10 Magic Defence

You have unlocked Shadow Affinity

=====

Shadow Affinity  [1/100%]

Description: Many consider the Shadow Element as wicked, but it is merely another tool that can be abused by its practitioners. The shadow Element encompasses fear, illusion, corrosion and concealment.

• + 1% Shadow Manifestation Speed
• - 1% to all shadow-related skills costs.
• + 0.25% shadow resistance

=====

"Your magic is yummy," the Fairy said. She had let go of his hand and was flying around him in curiosity.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, you little vampire," Harry retorted.

"Didn't have a choice. If I didn't become your familiar, then I would have died."

"Well, if it's like that, then everything is fine," Harry said sarcastically.

She flew in front of his face. " Why did you open the jar? You wanted to save me, right? So why are you angry at the result?"

Her logic struck Harry speechless. But he couldn't conjure a counterargument.

"What's your name?" Harry asked.

"Celeste." She flew and perched on his shoulder.

"Well, I'm Harry Potter. It looks like we are stuck together."

Celeste kicked his shoulder with her tiny feet. "You make it sound like a bad thing. Do you know how amazing I am? Worship me, human."

Harry reached up and flicked her, almost sending her tumbling off his shoulder. "Aren't you responsible for corrupting the woods?"

"Silly boy. Does it look like I did that from my prison? I was captured and used in experiments. It was horrible." Celeste shuddered.

"Sorry," Harry said. "How long have you been here?"

"I don't know. A few decades."

"What!?" Harry turned to look at the Fairy incredulously. "How old are you?"

"You not supposed to ask a lady her age," she said haughtily.

Harry shook his head and began searching for the final treasure chest. He found it tucked away behind a desk. It was golden and twice the size of the regular chests. Kneeling, he pried the lid open to reveal its contents.

He took the first item out of the chest.

'{Observation}'

=====

Training Wand | Equipment | Uncommon |

Description: A training wand that allows players to cast level-one spells. Perfect for the budding wizard. It does not have the [Trace], so the wand can be used without reprisal.

• Level 1 spells cost 20% less.
• Control + 5%

=====

"Wait, why do I need a wand to cast magic?" Harry asked confusedly.

"Because you are a wizard. You rely on wands to cast your Magic." Celeste flew down and alighted on his hand.

"Really?" Harry conjured a {Fireball} in his free hand.

"Woah," Celeste flew off his hand in fright. "You're a Mage!"

"Of course," Harry boasted, puffing out his chest.

"They were scarce even decades ago when I was still free," Celeste said. "I guess I got lucky in that regard. If only your personality weren't so horrible."

"Hey," Harry protested. "By the way. Is that what it means to be a Mage? That I can use magic without a wand?"

"Among other things“ Celeste replied. "but hurry and keep looting. There may be something in there for this lady."

"As my mistress commands," Harry muttered.

The next item he retrieved was a book, and when he opened it, he got a prompt.

Would you like to learn Severing Charm? Y/N

Harry accepted, and the book disappeared in motes of light.

=====

You have learned Severing Charm!

Severing Charm | Active | Level: 1 | Next: 0% | Cost: 5 MP | Control: 70%

Description:

The Severing Charm (Diffindo) is a charm used precisely and accurately to cut something. If misused, it could cause death or injury. At higher levels, it increases power and range.

• Utility: Lazy wizards use this spell to cut things.
• Power: 5-10
• Range: Five meters.

=====

This was such a helpful spell. It had a lot of uses in battle and in general.

"Hey, what happened to the book," Celeste shouted in confusion.

Harry paused. Didn't Celeste know about Gaia? He had assumed that she would be clued in after she became his familiar. Had he broken the rule?

Gaia has made an exception with familiars. Downloading relevant information into her brain."

Celeste floated down in a dazed manner and became unresponsive.

"Celeste?" Harry waved a hand in front of her, but there was no reaction. Shrugging, he returned to the chest.

The next item he retrieved was a piece of equipment.

'{Observation}'

=====

Shoes of Agility | Equipment | Uncommon |

Description: A pair of shoes that are light and comfortable.

Raises the player's speed by fifty per cent.

=====

Harry equipped them straight away. This was a significant find. In the short term, at least, when he still had no movement skills.

There was only one left in the chest, a bunch of pound notes. Harry reached out and started counting the money. It amounted to three hundred pounds. He didn't have to worry about money for a while.

"Hey," Celeste shouted in his ear.

Harry rubbed his ear in irritation. "So, do you know everything now?"

"Yep. Now I realise you aren't as special as I thought. Just lucky."

Harry reached out to grab the offending Fairy, but she evaded with a giggle.

"Just kidding. They chose you for a reason. That makes you special enough."

Harry blinked. Was that his first compliment from the irascible Fairy?

"Let's get out of here. I have had enough of this place," Harry said.

"You're telling me," Celeste landed on his shoulder.

'{ID Escape}'

The world around him shattered, and Harry was back in the clearing in the woods. Celeste flew around in excitement.

Harry watched her in amusement. She certainly brought liveliness to his life, at least. Growing up, he didn't have any friends because of his cousin, so getting used to having a companion always by his side would be an adjustment.

Harry sat down and realised he had forgotten to do an accounting of his loot. Opening his inventory, he removed everything and started counting.

=====

980 pounds.

Tree Sap x 37

Shadow Essence x 11

Aspen Horror Sapling Essence x 2

Boar Tusks x 18

Boar Meat x 18

Savage Boar Essence x 1

Oath Breaker x 1

Minor Energy Necklace x 1

Aspen Horror Sentinel Essence x 1

Fine Tree Sap x 1

Superior Shadow Essence x 1

Aspen Horror Treant Essence x 1

Shadow Aspen Spear x 1

Shadow Aspen Jerkin

=====

It was all the loot that had dropped from the monsters. He got an extra copy of the Minor Energy Necklace, but he could only gain benefits from equipping one necklace.

Harry inspected the equipment he received from the Treant.

=====

Shadow Aspen Spear | Equipment | Uncommon |

Description: A piece of aspen wood that absorbed a copious amount of the Shadow element. It has reinforced the wood into a sharp spear. The spear is effective against enemies weak to piercing and the Shadow element.

Shadow Aspen Jerkin | Equipment | Uncommon |

Description: The Jerkin is a piece of equipment that is part of a set. The Jerkin looks rough and may not feel the most comfortable, but its defence and utility cannot be questioned.

The spear would have been helpful against the Savage Boars. Harry lifted the spear and almost dropped it because of the unexpected heaviness. Yeah, that was unlikely.

Next, he equipped the Jerkin and looked down at himself. It felt like he had dressed in a shirt made of bark. It was tolerable, and he would not ignore the protection it gave him. He stored it back in the inventory.

Celeste flew over and landed in front of the pile of Shadow Essences. She turned and looked at him with teary eyes. "Can I have these?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't have any use for them at the moment. Besides, I can always get more."

"Yay." Celeste grabbed one essence and hugged it to her side. She sat down and closed her eyes. The ball of essence began slowly shrinking, and Harry watched in fascination.

After ten minutes, the Shadow Essence had disappeared, and Celeste patted her tummy as if she had eaten a full-course meal.

"What were you doing?" Harry asked.

"I am an Umbra Fairy. My affinity is with the Shadow element. It is the source of my strength. Because I was repeatedly drained of my power, I became weak. In gamer terms, I am a level 1 rookie."

"So you need to absorb these to regain your power?"

"Yep, but I can only absorb so much at a time. So store them in the inventory for now," Celeste ordered.

Harry saluted. He stored all the items in the inventory but kept some money on him.

Then a thought occurred to him. He looked at the perk he acquired. "How do you absorb elemental essence? I have Fire Affinity I need to level. And I gained the Shadow Affinity from you as well."

"I don't know about fire essence. It probably feels a lot different to the shadow element. Shadow is the aspects of secrets, corrosion and fear. The first thing you have to learn is meditation. You won't be able to sense the essence before you know how to calm your thoughts."

"I see. There are probably plenty of meditation books out there that I can read. There may even be a skillbook. That reminds me, I should probably hit the library and see if I can gain any skills from them."

Harry stood up and stretched. So much had happened so quickly that it was hard not to feel exhausted. Before he returned to the Dursleys, he was going to the supermarket. He was going to stock up on a bunch of food to ensure he never went hungry again.

"You better hide in my shirt pocket," Harry said. "I don't imagine people will react well to seeing you."

"No need", Celeste boasted. "I can conceal myself." Saying that the little Fairy disappeared in front of his eyes. He felt a weight land on his shoulders.

"You have to teach me how to do that."

So tell me what you think. Do you like Celeste? It will not be the only familiar he will have. Can’t forget a certain owl.