The rhythmic clack-clack-clack of the train wheels against the tracks was oddly soothing, a steady counterpoint to the buzzing excitement that now filled my new reality. We'd managed to snag an empty compartment near the middle of the train, which was a win in itself. No awkward small talk with strangers yet.
Daphne, already settled across from me, had pulled out a book on advanced Charm-work. Of course. Always learning, always refining. Her focus was absolute, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration.
An I was in prime observation mode. The hallway outside our compartment was already a bustling thoroughfare of students: older kids laughing loudly, first-years peering out with wide, nervous eyes, and a general racket of trunks being dragged and owls hooting.
My enhanced processing buzzed, constantly processing the stream of new faces, new magical signatures, new potential data points. It was like watching a live feed of an incredibly complex, ongoing RPG.
I sighed, adjusting the comfortable plush seat.
A new environment, new data. It felt like an opportune moment.
With a casual, almost imperceptible flick of my wrist, I pulled up the Anime System.
The numbers glowed:
300 SP.
Right. That was what was left after my strategic investments in 'Great Sage' and 'Instant Object Manifestation' back then. It wasn't much compared to the 'Arise' skill, but every point counted.
'Daily Task Complete: Endure 15 Minutes of Unregulated Adolescent Noise Pollution. Reward: +25 System Points.'
The notification popped up, almost comically.
Seriously, the System found anything to give me points for.
After 15 minutes, I now had 325 System Points. Not a fortune, but enough for a minor upgrade.
I scrolled through the available low-tier skills, filtering by what might be useful on a train, or indeed, at a school full of unpredictable teenagers. My gaze landed on one that had always intrigued me.
'Observation Haki (Basic)' – 300 SP.
This skill, reminiscent of One Piece, promised heightened awareness, an intuitive sense for intentions, hidden presences, and even a slight precognitive flicker of immediate events. It wouldn't let me dodge bullets yet, but detecting a prank before it landed, or sensing someone approaching from behind, could be incredibly useful. Plus, it just felt... cool. It fit my observational nature perfectly.
Confirm purchase?
My finger twitched.
Yes.
A familiar, small satisfied hum vibrated through me as the points drained.
'Skill Acquired: Observation Haki (Basic).'
Optimization Protocols Initiated.' Excellent. Now, beyond just processing data, I could feel it. The subtle currents of intent, the faint ripple of magic, the almost-silent approach of...
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the new skill hum through me. It wasn't seeing, exactly, but a profound sense of everything around me. The specific vibrations of the train, the distinct magical signatures of students in neighboring compartments, the varying emotional states of those walking by in the corridor. It was like having a super-sensitive radar, but for abstract concepts.
A faint ripple caught my attention. Not quite a sound, not quite a vision, but a distinct presence approaching our compartment. And a familiar surge of self-importance.
"Someone's coming," I murmured, opening my eyes and looking casually towards the door.
Daphne glanced up from her book, eyebrow slightly raised. "Lucian? What are you talking about? I don't hear anyone."
"Oh, nothing," I replied with a dismissive wave.
"Just my intuition, you know." My lips twitched. The feeling was getting stronger. And it was definitely... Malfoy.
Daphne shrugged, but her eyes lingered on my face for a moment, a flicker of mild surprise there. She probably just thought I was being weird, as usual. But she didn't dismiss it entirely.
The compartment door slid open, revealing none other than Draco Malfoy, flanked by two hulking boys who looked like they'd been carved from particularly dense oak, complete with the intellectual capacity of a slightly used potato. Crabbe and Goyle. My internal database supplied the names instantly. My newly acquired 'Observation Haki' gave a faint, almost imperceptible thrum, identifying his intent to dominate the interaction.
"Greengrass," Draco drawled, his eyes sweeping over us with that familiar sneer that already seemed permanently etched onto his face. His gaze paused on me, a flicker of recognition, then settled on Daphne. "Still together, I see. Such a family habit, I suppose." He gave a dismissive shrug, a subtle jab about our shared pure-blood traits.
"Well, whatever" Draco said, stepping in, Crabbe and Goyle lumbering behind him like particularly devoted, albeit dim-witted, bodyguards.
He looked at me again, a hint of disdain. "Still muttering to yourself, Lucian? Or are you perfecting your 'knowledge' of broomsticks you can't buy?" His reference to our Diagon Alley encounter was clear.
"Oh, just refining my understanding of the fundamental forces of the universe," I replied, a faint, knowing smile playing on my lips.
My wand, resting on the seat beside me, gave a faint thrum.
"Some concepts, like true magical power, simply require more... understanding. Rather than brute force, as you said yourself."
My analytical ability kicked in:
'Subject: Draco Malfoy.
Emotional state: Seeking dominance, provoked.
Prediction: Will attempt to re-establish social hierarchy using perceived familial status.
Recommendation: Subtle counter-measures for optimal long-term influence.'
Right, got it. Play along, but subtly undermine.
Draco's eyes narrowed, a muscle twitching in his jaw. He clearly understood the implication now, and it stung. "I suppose. Anyway, you'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Greengrass. You don't want to make friends with the wrong sort." His gaze flicked pointedly to the hallway, then back to us, an almost imperceptible hint of a threat. "I can help you there."
"We're quite familiar with the 'right sort,' Malfoy," Daphne said coolly, her voice like ice, completely shutting him down. "Our family lineage is rather... well established."
Draco's cheeks flushed slightly, clearly rebuffed. He turned back to me, trying a different tack. "I heard Potter's on this train. Got himself a compartment near the back, I think." He looked at me expectantly, as if this news should thrill me.
"Potter?" I mused, pretending to consider it. "Ah, yes. The Boy Who Lived. Interesting chap." I gave a small, noncommittal nod.
Before Draco could say more, a plump witch with a trolley, laden with sweets and wizarding snacks, appeared at our compartment door. "Anything from the trolley, dears?"
Draco immediately turned up his nose. "No, thanks. I've brought my own." He brandished a packet of what looked like very expensive, very dull biscuits.
"Oh, but you'll miss out on the experience," I said, leaning forward. "Mum always says it's about the journey, not just the destination. Or the biscuits." I purchased a handful of Cauldron Cakes and Pumpkin Pasties.
Draco gave a disdainful sniff, clearly outmaneuvered in the snack department. "Well, I suppose we'll be going then." He turned, and with Crabbe and Goyle lumbering behind him, slid the door shut, leaving us in silence.
"Insufferable," Daphne muttered, taking a bite of a Cauldron Cake I offered.
"Indeed," I agreed. "But predictable. And predictability, my dear sister, is a strength for us."
A while later, the compartment door slid open again, but this time it was a different sort of chaos. Harry Potter stood there, looking a bit flustered, with Ron Weasley beside him, munching on something that looked suspiciously like a large, slightly squashed sandwich. And then, a bushy-haired girl peered over Ron's shoulder, looking incredibly earnest. Hermione Granger.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one." Hermione's voice was bright, a little demanding, and utterly no-nonsense. She scanned our compartment with an almost desperate hope.
And the update on the trio:
'Subject: Harry Potter.
Emotional state: Mildly flustered, seeking answers.
Previous social interaction: Minimal.
Prediction: Will defer to companions in conversation.'
-----
'Subject: Ronald Weasley.
Emotional state: Bored, hungry.
Primary concern: Food.
Prediction: Will engage if food is offered or relevant to current task.'
-----
'Subject: Hermione Granger.
Emotional state: Determined, logical, highly focused on objective.
Prediction: Will drive conversation to completion of task.'
Well, this was going to be interesting.
The Golden Trio, live and in person, and they needed a toad.
Perfect. Oh, wait, heyyy, this wasn't quite how it went down in the movies.