Morning came early for Corvus. He woke even before the sun, but the early hour did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm. After quickly completing his morning rituals, he called out to the system. He had questions.
"Siri, good morning. How have you been?"
Siri: Host, Siri is an advanced AI system. I am functioning as I was designed and coded to do.
Corvus sighed. "A simple fine would have sufficed. Who created you, by the way?"
Siri: Host does not possess the required privileges to access that information.
"Alright. Fair enough," Corvus replied. "This morning I noticed certain changes in my body. I seem to have grown a little taller. My face looks more symmetrical, and believe it or not, better looking. Lastly, my hair appears shinier, curlier, and fuller." He paused. "Oh, and by accident, I heated the bathroom tiles just by thinking they were cold."
Siri: This is an expected phenomenon. Characteristics of Shisui are blending into your body, your genes, and your very being.
Corvus frowned slightly. "So does that mean I have to go through something similar every time I incorporate a new template? That was brutal, to say the least. I still feel like I have mental scars, and every time I step into the bathroom, the sensation comes back. Is there any way to lessen the pain?"
Siri: The first template is your foundational template. Therefore, the bodily modifications were extensive. You may also request that I temporarily deactivate your pain receptors.
Corvus froze. "Huh?! Why didn't you tell me that sooner?"
Siri: You did not ask.
Corvus mentally unleashed a stream of swear words and an impressive rant.
"…Never mind," he muttered. "Show me my status, Siri."
He was still grumbling internally as the interface appeared.
Name: Corvus Marvolo Lestrange, Corvus VI
Father: Rodolphus Lestrange
Mother: Bellatrix Lestrange, née Black
Godfather: Regulus Black (since 1971)
Godmother: Narcissa Malfoy, née Black (since 1971)
Primary Template: Shihui Uchiha ( Three Tomoi Sharingan - 36% )
Level: 3
Class: Mage
Stage: Novice
Age: 7
HP: 100
MP: 100
Physique: 9
Spirit: 15
Perception: 18
Endurance: 12
Intelligence: 39
Charisma: 18
Luck: 3
Toxicity: 0
Bloodline Talents: Warg, Metamorphmagus (Partial)
Acquired Talents: Sharingan One tomoe ( full power yet to be awakened ) (Maximum 3 talents allowed)
Skills: Tap to see all Skills( 6 shown )
Observe Lv.1
Basic Mage Skills Lv.0
Chūnin-level Ninja Skills Lv.2
Basic Life Skills Lv.1
Mind Arts Lv.1
Illusion Arts Lv.2
Affinities: Fire, Wind, Lightning, Yin
Current Role Play(s): None
Saved World Coordinates: None
Acquired Traits: Sharingan
Followers: None (Maximum 2 allowed)
Familiars: Rook (Maximum 2 allowed)
Pets: None (Maximum 2 allowed)
Current Location: Lestrange Manor
Purchase Points: 100
Stat Points: 10
EXP Points: 0
"Woah," Corvus muttered. "My Charisma increased by a lot. Is that why I look so good now?" He nodded approvingly. "Good, good… hold on. Why are my HP and MP still at 100, Siri?"
Siri: That value represents your HP and MP percentages. HP is calculated based on Physique, Endurance, and Spirit. MP is calculated based on Intelligence, Mage Level, and Spirit.
"Okay, fair enough," Corvus said. "Did my stats increase because of the Shisui Uchiha template? I also see I have stat points now. Can I allocate them?"
Siri: Yes. And yes, you may. However, note the following: up to a stat value of 10, one stat point increases the value by one. From 11 to 20, two stat points are required per increase, and so on.
Corvus's eyes gleamed.
"Noted. But, I see I have awakened only 36% of the template, any reason why?."
Siri : The percentage is expected to increase with time and acclimatisation of abilities.
Hmm, Let's see, he thought. Gained a lot of skills. Good, good. Great. I can warg now, and I can also morph.
He smiled faintly. Ten stat points… Mage skills increased from Initiated to Novice as well.
"Let me try something."
"Lumos," Corvus said, attempting to conjure light.
Nothing happened.
"…Right. I don't have a wand," he muttered. So I have to imagine it. Think of light. Will it into existence.
He closed his eyes and focused, picturing a single, steady glow forming in front of him.
When he opened his eyes, a large ball of light burst into existence, almost blinding him. It flickered erratically, sometimes blazing bright, sometimes dimming until it nearly vanished.
Corvus frowned.
My control is still poor, he realized.
Still, his heart beat faster. Even like this, it was unmistakable.
Magic.
A small, confident smile crept onto his face.
At least now, he thought, I can show my parents… and Grandfather… that I've finally awakened Magic.
"But before that," Corvus murmured, "let's meet my familiar."
"Good morning, Rook. How are you doing?"
Hungry and tired. What else? came the irritated reply. Annoying human keeps me locked up, doesn't give me food, and then asks how I'm doing. Hmph.
'Woah,' Corvus blinked. 'So I can hear you, huh?' He grinned. "Alright, alright. Let's get you something to eat."
"Cherry!"
Plop.
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Cherry, bring some food for my friend Rook here."
"Yes, Young Master!" Plop.
Let me try feeding my magic to him, Corvus thought.
He opened the cage and gently touched Rook's head. The raven stiffened at first, displeased.
What is this human trying to do…
Hm.
That… feels good.
Alright. You are slightly less annoying now. Hmph.
"Haha," Corvus chuckled. "I'm glad you like it, Rook. After breakfast, we'll take a flight."
Hmph. This human is less annoying. I like that. I will give you a rat later for the help.
"No need for rats," Corvus said quickly. "You can keep those."
Hmph. Human, your loss…
The raven paused.
…Human. You can hear me?
Rook stared at him, half confused, half astonished.
"Yes, my friend Rook. I can hear you."
Annoying human can hear me too?! Rook squawked. Then hurry and get me out of this cage. It's stuffy!
Cherry returned with food.
"Here you go," Corvus said, stepping aside. "Eat first."
Rook wasted no time.
"Hey, Cherry," Corvus added. "Good morning. Sorry to bother you so early. Are my parents or Grandfather awake yet?"
"Good morning, Young Master," Cherry replied. "It is too early. They are still asleep."
"Never mind. Let me know once they're awake."
"Cherry will remember, Young Master."
"Good. You can go now."
Plop.
"It's still early morning, Rook," Corvus said softly. "Once the sun is fully up, we'll go outside."
Hmph. Don't forget.
Corvus smiled.
He pulled up his status screen again, contemplated his options carefully, and then allocated his stat points where he deemed fit.
Level: 3
Class: Mage
Stage: Novice
Age: 7
HP: 100
MP: 100
Physique: 10 (+1)
Spirit: 16 (+2 → +1)
Perception: 18
Endurance: 12
Intelligence: 39
Charisma: 18
Luck: 10 (+7)
Toxicity: 0
Luck is an important factor in life, Corvus thought. Can't ignore it.
Now all my attributes are in double digits. Good. Very good.
"Siri, is the store open?"
Siri: The store will open after your first multiverse travel.
"Okay. Got it. I'll check that later."
He stretched slightly.
"Meanwhile, I'm hungry. I need to take Rook out, then practice warging… and a few other things."
Rook clicked his beak approvingly.
Less annoying human is learning fast.
Corvus smiled again, already planning the day ahead.
Hours Later – Dining Room
Mr. Lestrange sat at the dining table, having his early morning tea while going through his usual ritual of reading the newspapers.
"Tch… another attack," he muttered. "Tchh."
"Not just the Potters this time. Other purebloods as well."
He sighed heavily.
At the beginning, he and the other pureblood families had only wanted to rally their kind and expand their collective interests. It was meant to increase business, influence, and profit. That had been the plan.
They had used Tom Riddle against Dumbledore, believing that through him they could finally gain leverage. Dumbledore was slowly corroding their interests and also culture. They couls not allow that.
But Tom had been far too strong.
Instead of being controlled, he had become the one pulling the strings. One by one, the purebloods had fallen under his influence.
I can't even recognize my own sons and daughters-in-law anymore, Mr. Lestrange thought grimly.
Still, the Black family… that situation have been handled neatly. Their power dwindling and Aructus Black has even isolated himself.
"That fool Cygnus," he scoffed softly. "Hah."
He still remembered the plan he and Abraxas Malfoy had devised back then. Clean. Efficient. Profitable.
My sons, he thought bitterly, they've either forgotten the reason for all this… or never realized it to begin with.
I should have been upfront from the start.
Now it was too late.
Tom Riddle had been meant to be nothing more than a boogeyman, a tool to frighten the masses and pressure the Ministry. Instead, he had crowned himself Lord Voldemort and gone on to brainwash most of the heirs of the Dark families.
And they were too foolish to see it.
Mr. Lestrange sighed again, staring into his tea.
I was foolish too, he admitted silently.
Power trumps all…
His thoughts drifted back to his grandson.
The boy was intelligent. Far too intelligent for his age. He had even defeated him at chess. Granted, he himself had never been a great player, but to lose to a seven-year-old… Tch.
That was precisely why he had decided to take Corvus to France. The child could not remain in this atmosphere. Not here.
His thoughts were interrupted by the very grandson he had been worrying about.
Corvus entered the dining room, and Mr. Lestrange paused.
The boy looked… different. More confident. Sharper. Even prettier.
For a brief, absurd moment, the old man wondered if his grandson had turned into a granddaughter overnight. He immediately dismissed the thought and schooled his expression.
"Good morning, young Corvus," he said evenly. "You're looking especially fresh today."
"Good morning to you as well, Grandfather," Corvus replied politely. "I have a surprise. Are Mother and Father here?"
"No," Mr. Lestrange answered. "They left in the middle of the night and have yet to return."
"Oh. Never mind then."
With that, Corvus raised his hand. A sphere of light bloomed above his palm. He looked up at his grandfather and asked with a cheeky grin, "Cool, isn't it?"
Mr. Lestrange stared for a heartbeat before breaking into a laugh.
"Congratulations," he said warmly. "As expected of my grandson. I was never truly worried about you being a squib in the first place. A foolish notion." He chuckled again, genuinely pleased.
"I have another surprise," Corvus said. "Watch this."
His hair shifted color, turning white… then red… then blue… before settling back into black.
"Metamorphmagus," Mr. Lestrange breathed. He looked almost giddy now. "I am proud of you, Corvus, my grandson. That talent hasn't awakened in centuries within the Black family."
"When are we going to France, Grandpa?" Corvus asked.
"Today," Mr. Lestrange replied without hesitation. "After breakfast. I only need to stop by Gringotts first. I'll take you with me."
It was the best morning Mr. Lestrange had had in a long while.
His grandson had awakened magic. And not just magic, but the rare gift of Metamorphmagus.
Now, he only had one task left.
To secure his heir.
And ensure his future.