A Web Of Magic

There are three steps to spell creation. First is the intent behind the spell. What do you want the spell to do? Then you assign an incantation that describes that intent according to your understanding. The incantation should make sense to you, it need not mean the exact effect. Sometimes you can even forgo the incantation all together if you are confident enough. The second step is the magic flow. How much magic is required to accomplish it and in what way should it flow to accomplish the effect? This is where the wand movement is crafted. If your control is good enough, you can even forgo this step, but for Magnus who is a beginner in spell creation, it's a very helpful crutch. Wandless magic creation is still ways away for him. The third step is limitation. What are the limits of your spell? What will it do when you supply it less or more magic than required? What can and can't your spell do? This is where most people go wrong. They don't set any limitations and their spell blows up in their face. This is the difference between a Wand-Lighting charm making a small light versus it creating a harsh light that burns the eyes out. Once all three steps are done, you can try to release your spell and see what happens.

Magnus finished the first step quickly. The second step took him an hour. The third step took the longest at over two hours. At every step he used the arithmancy chart followed by divination technique of Augury to constantly check for the feasibility of the spell and testing various conditions. Once all three steps were done, he once again did an Augury with his focus crystal to confirm that everything would work. Only then did he put down the tools in his hand and stand up. 'Ugh, my legs are cramping,' he complained in his heart but he didn't show it on his face.

He whispered while making the required wand movement, "Ostendo Aversum." There was a dim glow at the tip of this wand but nothing else happened. 'At least it didn't blow up so that's a success,' he thought as he went over what went wrong. Once he summarized his gains, he cast it once again.

"Ostendo Aversum."

He turned around and moved his wand over the wall in front of him. The range of the spell is just one meter, that's one of the limitations he set. As the wand moved over the wall, the wall seemed to turn transparent. Everything that was behind the wall was now visible. He could clearly see the common room of Ravenclaw through the wall. "Now that's a success," Magnus said as he congratulated himself in his mind as he looked at his newly earned points.

[Impact points+100]

The Grey Lady on the other hand, was overwhelmed. She didn't even notice that her mouth was slightly open in wonder. She never saw a spell created so quickly and so safely. 'Is this because of the Divination technique he used? I never knew Divination can be used that way! Mother was right, there's so much more to the world when you let go of your narrow views,' she thought sadly. The sadness quickly passed and she had hope once again, 'Maybe he's the one I'm looking for? He's talented enough and has a decent character. No, I can't trust another boy just because he's polite and talented. But, he's still so young, he doesn't show any signs of malice like that disgusting man. Ugh, I shouldn't have ignored the signs last time when I saw them. My pride is my downfall just like mother said. I've watched over Magnus many times, he might be naughty sometimes, but he's still a good person. He's even learning healing to help people. Most his age only want to learn offensive magic. Even if I choose him, it's not set in stone that he can accomplish what I want. Alright, I've decided,' the Grey Lady went through a plethora of arguments in her mind and she finally made a decision just in time for Magnus to turn back and look at her.

"Congratulations, Magnus. You have successfully cleared the trial. Now before I give you your reward, can you explain to me what your spell is all about?" the Grey Lady asked curiously.

Magnus expected her curiosity, and had the answer prepared, "I call it the X-ray spell. In other words, it's a See-though spell. It can help me see through any object as long as it isn't protected against such an effect. It's great for reconnaissance, but I mainly made it for this. Watch-" he used the spell on his hand and showed it to her. The inside of his hand was immediately visible, from blood vessels to muscles and bones.

"While there are many diagnostic spells which can give similar information, it is just faster to see what's going on underneath to enable better and faster healing. Maybe once I release this spell, I can make the lives of many healers much easier," Magnus explained excited. Of course, he left some things unsaid. But that didn't escape the eyes of the Grey Lady.

"That's very brilliant. It's nice of you to share it with your fellow healers Magnus. You have good intentions. But, tell me. Do you have any intentions of using it near the female dormitories?" her voice got dangerously low at the end.

"Uh, no. That'd be inappropriate," he immediately replied. 'Hmm, I was thinking of selling the spell, but I never thought of this situation. Maybe I should keep the full version of this to myself.'

"Good. Since, you have completed the trial, here is your reward. Many wizards over the millennia tried to gain the secrets of Ravenclaw, you're the one to get some of them. Cherish them and make good use of them. Here, touch your head to the symbol of Ravenclaw," the Grey Lady pointed towards the wall which now sported the bronze eagle at around his height. The eagle looked archaic and possessed a certain charm that the present-day symbol lacked.

Magnus did as he was instructed and touched his forehead to the eagle. The eagle shimmered for a moment and vanished. Immediately, knowledge poured into his head. Knowledge about Runes, Arithmancy, Memory and Mind enhancement techniques and esoteric magical theories. They were the specialty and foundation of what made Rowena Ravenclaw great, if the rumors are to be believed. Just like in Ravenclaw fashion, the knowledge is merely a tool. How he uses it and what spells he makes from it is left up to him. The knowledge was probably worth around two level-ups. He just has to digest it all. He was very glad his mind stat was enhanced, if not he's not sure he could handle the inflow. Once the influx of knowledge ended, he heard a m.a.t.u.r.e and intelligent voice in his head, "Soar to heights that have never been seen before."

How a voice can sound intelligent, he didn't know. But he's pretty sure about one thing. It was the voice of one of the founders, Rowena Ravenclaw. He didn't know why but he had this hunch. "Soar to heights that have never been seen before," he subconsciously uttered out loud.

"Ah, yes. That was mother's favorite line. She used to tell that to people all the time," the Grey Lady said nostalgically. There was a hint of happiness yet sadness on her face.

"Mother?" Magnus looked at her in question.

"Very well. There's no point in hiding it now. You got her inheritance and are a decent boy. I shall introduce myself properly this time. I'm Helena Ravenclaw, daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw. Only heir to the now defunct House of Ravenclaw," Helena curtsied in greeting.

"…"