The next morning, Tangmu opened his system panel and was surprised to find his credits had increased by 18, with three achievement points added.
Checking the system log, he understood—fully mastering the Levitation Charm, Lumos, and the Spark Charm had earned him 30 credits total.
Mastering three spells also rewarded three achievement points.
Tangmu fell into deep thought.
The learning space seemed like a perpetual motion machine. Learning a few spells could earn back the credits spent—and yield a profit. He wouldn't need to worry about running out of time in the learning space anymore.
However, he knew the real credit sink likely lay in activating the "Transcendence" mode.
With his current points, he could only afford ten minutes—not enough to test it. He didn't dare waste any, fearing the loss would sting too much.
What would it feel like? Could it make him soar?
Tangmu pictured the transcendent state as he got up and washed but didn't enter the learning space right away.
Yesterday, he had tested with Andeluosuo. After Tangmu exited the space, Andeluosuo could enter a dormant state or stay active. If the space was running and burning credits, Andeluosuo could observe the outside world through Tangmu's eyes and communicate with him.
Was this some kind of spirit-host setup?
This gave Tangmu an idea: he could buy all the textbooks and project them into the learning space. Andeluosuo could learn first, and Tangmu could then study more efficiently, saving time and points.
Early that morning, he took a bus to the city center. Entering Diagon Alley via the Leaky Cauldron, he headed straight for Flourish and Blotts.
Tangmu didn't know which books upper years used, but the shop assistants did.
He found an idle assistant and explained his request.
The assistant looked surprised. "All the textbooks? Are you sure? You look like a first- or second-year. There's no need to buy them all at once."
"Take Defense Against the Dark Arts, for example. The professor changes yearly, and so do the textbooks. You might waste money."
Such a kind person. Tangmu was sure he was from Hufflepuff.
"Knowledge is never a waste. Even if the books change, what I've learned is mine. Better to spend on books than toys or snacks—and if I don't need them later, I can sell them second-hand."
The assistant regarded him with wonder. He hadn't expected such practical wisdom from a child.
But a customer was a customer. He'd tried to persuade him once, which was enough. So the assistant pushed a trolley and began collecting books for Tangmu. Learning Tangmu was a soon-to-be first-year, he nodded confidently. "You'll definitely be sorted into Ravenclaw. Though I still think Hufflepuff is the best House."
Tangmu nodded in agreement. "Ravenclaw suits me."
After all, he was destined to be a top student—or even a legend. Among the four Houses, only Ravenclaw matched his scholarly nature.
Ten minutes later, the cart was piled high with textbooks—not only the required curriculum but also extras Tangmu picked out.
At checkout, he was shocked to find he didn't have enough money.
Yesterday's shopping cost 15 Galleons, averaging 2 per book. But higher-year textbooks were pricier. One book, High Magical Power: A Self-Defense Guide, cost 7 Galleons!
Just like Muggle universities in Britain—outrageously overpriced.
He recalled Aerman's complaints: her son's college textbooks cost dozens of pounds each, some exceeding a hundred. Legal robbery.
Tangmu made another trip to Gringotts to withdraw 200 Galleons before settling the bill. He also paid 10 Sickles for owl delivery.
Done shopping, he skipped further exploration and stopped by a Waitrose nearby for fruits and snacks before heading home.
Waitrose, a high-end Muggle supermarket, sold only the freshest foods. While Tangmu might be broke in the magical world, his Muggle finances ensured a comfortable life—and he never skimped on quality.
His appetite was larger than most kids his age, but it wasn't abnormal—mainly due to his frequent physical training.
He didn't need magic. His fists were enough to protect himself… and maybe extort a few Knuts from school bullies.
At 3 p.m., three owls flew in through the window carrying books. Tangmu projected them into the learning space but didn't enter himself.
He wanted to test learning efficiency outside the space compared to inside.
"Whew… exhausting."
At 10 p.m., Tangmu collapsed into bed, closing his eyes in fatigue.
On average, a person's focus peaks at 15 minutes. Longer, and concentration drops, with mental drift setting in. Studying over two hours straight often leads to irritability and reduced efficiency.
Tangmu studied from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., minus meal breaks. The most effective time was the two hours before dinner. Afterward, he was mostly skimming textbooks like a casual reader—not truly learning.
He earned 30 study points that day—equal to what he gained from three hours in the learning space the night before.
As for the "Transcendence" mode, he'd consider it once he had more credits. For now, he had to use the learning space efficiently.
With a plan settled, Tangmu drifted off to sleep.
In the month that followed, he didn't visit Diagon Alley again. He spent five hours daily in the learning space with Andeluosuo and the rest practicing freely in the real world.
Just like that, time flew by—and the first day of school arrived.
[^1]: In the Wizarding World, Knuts are the smallest denomination of magical currency, with 29 Knuts to a Sickle and 17 Sickles to a Galleon.