NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The System
The night after returning to Hogwarts, Arlen sat in his dormitory, the quiet of the Slytherin common room settling around him. The flickering light from the fire illuminated the dark green walls, casting long shadows across the room. The other students had retired to their beds, but Arlen couldn't sleep. His mind was still racing with the possibilities of the new life that lay ahead, the power that was now within his grasp.
He had spent the better part of the day navigating the school, finding his bearings, and carefully choosing his words and actions around the other students and staff. He had to be cautious; too much attention would draw unwanted eyes. But for the moment, he was content to observe.
However, he could not ignore the voice that had become a constant presence in his mind—the System. The warlock Orenthus had made it clear that the System was not just a tool for power, but a gateway to understanding and controlling the magic that flowed within him. Tonight, he would begin to fully explore its potential.
Arlen closed his eyes, focusing inward, and the familiar sensation of magic surged around him. Almost immediately, the translucent interface appeared in front of him, glowing faintly with an ethereal light. The display was still new to him, but it was becoming more intuitive with each passing day.
The system's interface was like a digital ledger, its menus floating in mid-air, easy to navigate with a mere thought.
System Interface
Character Status
Abilities
Inventory
Summon Options
Family Legacy Progress
Current Task
At the top of the screen was a glowing icon labeled "Character Status." This was where Arlen could see the progress of his physical and magical attributes, as well as the magic within him that he had begun to harness.
Character Status: Arlen Blackthorn
Age: 15
Magical Power: 78/100
Stamina: 52/100
Intellect: 85/100
Alignment: Neutral (Unaligned)
Bloodline Influence: 12%
Arlen's eyes narrowed as he examined the figures. His magical power was considerable for his age, but there was still room to grow. The bloodline influence was a curious detail—something to do with his family's legacy, perhaps, but it wasn't entirely clear yet. He'd need to explore that further in the coming days.
He pressed the next tab, "Abilities," and the list of powers he had unlocked appeared.
Abilities
Shadow Manipulation (Level 1) - Control over shadows, allowing for concealment and limited attack.
Minor Summoning (Level 1) - Ability to summon creatures or entities from the ether, bound by loyalty.
Dark Vision (Level 1) - Enhanced vision in darkness or low-light conditions.
Soul Link (Unlocked) - Establish a link to the soul of an individual for a limited time, providing temporary insight into their thoughts and emotions.
Arlen smiled as he looked over his abilities. Some were familiar, like Shadow Manipulation, but others—like Soul Link—were new, and clearly powerful. This was just the beginning. He felt the urge to test his abilities further, but the timing wasn't right. Hogwarts would need to remain unaware of the true extent of his powers—for now.
His gaze shifted back to the display. Below the abilities tab, a small section labeled "Inventory" caught his attention. He had not yet explored this part of the system, and curiosity gnawed at him.
Inventory
Ancient Grimoire - A powerful spellbook containing advanced dark magic (currently being studied).
Dark Elixir - A potion that increases magical power temporarily (1 use remaining).
Runestone - A mystical stone used to enhance spells (unused).
Arlen noted the items carefully. The Ancient Grimoire would be a powerful tool in his studies, though it would require more time to master. The Dark Elixir could be a useful boost when needed, but its single use meant it had to be used strategically. The Runestone was intriguing—its ability to enhance spells could be the key to unlocking more devastating magic.
The most fascinating part of the system, however, was the Summon Options tab. Arlen had already summoned Bellatrix, but the system offered far more. He had learned that he could summon allies not only from different timelines, but from various realms of magic. This was what set the system apart from anything he had ever seen. He had the potential to call upon beings of unimaginable power.
The screen flickered slightly, then displayed the following:
Summon Options
Bellatrix Lestrange - Loyal, skilled in dark arts and combat.
Demon of the Void - A shadow entity capable of immense destruction (not yet unlocked).
Warlock of the Underworld - A powerful sorcerer with mastery over elemental magic (not yet unlocked).
Vampire Lord - Immortal being skilled in both combat and manipulation (not yet unlocked).
Arlen's eyes lingered on the options. Bellatrix, for now, would be his most trusted ally. But the others, particularly the Demon of the Void and Warlock of the Underworld, offered tantalizing glimpses into the power he could soon command.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind, pulling him out of his thoughts.
System Notification: "New task unlocked. The path to greatness is long, but you must take the first step. Seek out allies within Hogwarts. Trust no one fully, for even in the shadows, there are those who watch you."
Arlen's heart raced. The system had just presented him with his first true challenge within the school. The idea of finding allies—ones who could help him build his power within the very heart of Hogwarts—was an exciting proposition. But the warning was clear: trust would be in short supply.
He deactivated the system interface with a simple thought, and the screen vanished, leaving him in the dimly lit dormitory. As he lay back against the pillows, his mind buzzed with the possibilities. Tomorrow, classes would begin. But the true lessons, Arlen knew, would not be found in the textbooks. They would be learned in the shadows—through manipulation, power, and control.
Hogwarts was just another battlefield. And Arlen Blackthorn was ready to claim it.