HP: The Arcane Thief

Chapter 18

After sending Draco to the Hospital wing, Professor Alice gave Axel a deep look.

"Axel Hunt, right?" 

Axel nodded, wondering whether he was in trouble after all.

Though, contrary to his expectation, Professor Alice had an impressed look as she actually smiled at him.

"The way you predicted the spell trajectories while moving in such a calm and composed manner when spells are being thrown at you… it was truly impressive. I don't think even a professional duelist could have done it better. You have a tremendous talent for this. Take 10 points for Slytherin for an excellent demonstration of skills."

It was the first time a student had received so much praise from Professor Longbottom. But Axel just sighed upon unwittingly gaining more points for the Slytherin. 

After that, Professor Alice took the safer approach for the rest of the class as she taught them some basic stuff about dueling. 

While she taught, Axel just blended himself among the students to hide from all kinds of gazes that were being thrown his way and to check out his rewards. 

Even though his actions might seem impulsive, as if he didn't care about the consequences, he had actually done everything after careful calculations. 

No one except the headmaster really has the power to expel him from here. Apparently, there used to be an option to have a seat in the board of governors by paying money. But now, money is the last thing Hogwarts needs. This he has known from the basic knowledge.

And from what he's seen, the Malfoy family isn't really much of a big shot since it hasn't even got its own seat in the Wizengamot. 

So, there shouldn't be any drastic actions. Now, the only other problem is… 

'This attention,' he thought, looking at many who were trying to find him among the crowd. Especially Rose Potter. She was the one who start the applause for him. 

'Now, it's safe to assume that all this attention might cause some problems. But…' 

His eyes went to the system interface in front of him. A massive 3% increase in the approval rate and a suggestion on how he can increase his magic power output. 

Both of these rewards were so huge that he couldn't understand what exceptional work he did to deserve this. What could the impression of a few first years matter?

But, whatever it was, he figured that it was totally worth it if he's got such insane benefits.

The approval rate of each percent increases after he performs several impressive deeds or missions. After the first time when it got a massive 6% boost, it has only increased by one each time. But this time, he got 3% directly. 

As for the way to increase his magic power output, he realized which path he has to focus on to do that as the system directly gave the information into his brain. 

The main point is… the connection with his wand. Right now, with so much nerve damage in his hands and body, his magic can't find the right pathways to flow out of his body into his wand. It causes pain when it can't escape, even if it doesn't affect the body directly.

So, now imagine if the wand practically sucks out the magic. Now even if it couldn't find the way on its own, most of it can still be sucked out through various pathways.

And that can be done by strengthening the connection with his wand. There's another benefit to this as well. The Cherub Hair core wand would amplify his magic based on the strength of his connection with it. So, there are two-way benefits in strengthening his bond with it. 

"Though the question is… how to do it?" The system didn't specify that. 

Something to think about later. Now, for the final reward. The new feature. Honestly, Axel had never played any RPGs so he had no knowledge of how this class system works. 

'System, give me more info.'

[You will have to activate the Class feature for that. Do you accept the Class: Arcane Thief?

Y/N]

'Well, do I have any other class option?' 

[You do. But the class is so special that you can only accept them after you have passed the required threshold Approval rate which is too high. You will also get successive class options that come after gaining a certain degree of mastery in Arcane Thief or when you pass the requirements to possess a class.]

'I can have multiple classes at once in the future, right?' 

[Affirmative.]

"Then... yes, I accept the class," said Axel decisively. 

*Ding*

[Class Accepted]

[You are now an Arcane Thief.]

[Now you can access the information you asked for.

Arcane Thief: A special Class achievable only by those with exceptional skills and talent in thieving and possessing magic. 

There is nothing a Master Arcane Thief can't steal. 

The fields of Specialisation include:

-Stealth Magic

-Wards

-Traps

-Enchantment

-Pickpocketing 

-Knife/Short-Sword Weilding

Minor Accomplishments in some other skills. Chance for major accomplishment in other fields through special missions or through special conditions.

The method to learn these skills of these fields will be unlocked successively when you master the beginning skills and with missions. You might also get special missions for special skills. The methods will be imprinted directly into your mind.] 

'... Well, I want to laugh right now,' thought Axel as he tried to suppress the wicked grin that was fighting its way into his face. 

This was every Thief's wet dream! His hands had been itching after his last try at thieving which had landed him in a hospital and he had given up on stealing anything until he had enough skills to pull it off which would take years. 

Now, it seems that he won't have to wait that long after all.

….

It was lunchtime and Axel was making his way towards the Great Hall.

But, he realized that there was a problem. 

'Why is everyone looking at me?'

First years, he can understand, but the rest? No sir. He should totally be a background character for others.

He saw a group of students huddled together, watching something on their Magi-mirrors.

"Damn, can this guy see the future or read mind or something?" 

"He's just a first year, apparently,"

When one of them saw Axel passing by he pointed at him.

"Hey look! It's him! The guy in the RM!"

The others also looked at him and got surprised. This group was apparently more daring.

"Hey, can you take a picture with us?" He asked, showing his magi mirror.

"Why?" Asked Axel. He was genuinely confused. 

That made them somewhat confused.

"Well, why not? You're RM has gone viral on the Hogwarts Forum! You're famous now. We have to be the first ones to share our pictures with you!"

'....Whut?'

 Axel bailed out from there after making an excuse. 

'System, what the fuck is going on?!' 

"Host, the video of your fight, or the Recorded Memory (RM) as they call it, has been posted on the Magi-hive in Hogwarts Forum. It is currently being shared among various platforms, meaning that it is going 'viral'. This has increased your reputation and thus helped you gain the system rewards."

"...."

"Fuck."

"Damn it."

"Shit.".

"Hell."

It made sense now. Only now he understood why he got such an outrageous reward of 3% approval for something so trivial as performing well in front of the first years.

Right now, Axel hoped that the Wizarding world was just as backward as it was 10 years ago.

…

For the rest of the day, Rose was left replaying the fight of Axel again and again. 

He did such a great job of teaching that arrogant ponce a lesson! 

But unlike others, she was fully aware of his disabilities. He shouldn't be able to do magic. And his body was also not in a good state as far as she was aware. 

But still, he had managed to win the duel in such a domineering fashion. She noticed that he never made any rapid movements, because he simply couldn't. And he could actually do magic! The last time she had seen, he could barely cast a Lumos while struggling. 

At that time, his determination to improve despite his disabilities had deeply moved her, and today he's progressed so fast! 

When he had won and Draco finally got what he deserved, she was so impressed that she had started to applaud. She would have wanted to praise him in person, but… it seems that she can't do that anymore. He's a Slytherin after all. 

Even though her two Aunts were Slytherins, Sirius had still never stopped on passionate hate for Slytherins. Especially the 'greasy git'. 'Those two might be the rare exceptions, or they just got their head right afterward,' he'd say for her two Aunts.

Thus, it was understandable that Rose had gotten quite a lot of prejudiced opinions about the Slytherins. 

Thus, when Axel had gotten sorted into Slytherin, she had been quite disappointed that he actually turned out to be a Slytherin. She had begun wondering If Axel was an evil person or not. Plus, Neville and Susan hadn't heard better things from their home as well. 

And when she heard that her Aunt Bella was missing and Axel was the last person she had talked to, it was like her fears had come true. 

Thus, she had questioned him about what had happened. 

Though she had felt bad when Axel's eyes towards her had turned cold. She wasn't sure what was right anymore!

Yesterday night, Aunt Andromeda had called her to ask about Axel, asking whether she was properly taking care of him or not. She had told Rose that Aunt Bella's reply did come and she said not to worry. Rose was quite ashamed and regretful while her Aunt repeatedly stressed to take care of Axel.

She thought she'll try talking to him today, but that guy didn't even acknowledge her presence today even when she tried to catch his eye several times! It was like they were... strangers. 

Rose was feeling quite vexed for some reason. No one had ever ignored her. 

"Ouch! Why did you hit me!" Protested Neville.

Rose blinked. She realized she had accidentally hit Neville. 

"Why are you in the way?" She asked rudely before getting up. 

"Where are you going?" He asked. 

"Just to prank some Slytherins," she replied as she flicked her red hair off her face. Axel was strictly out of bounds. She'll have to prank other Slytherins. 

Neville sighed. 

'She's back again,' he thought in apprehension. 

This was Rose Potter's real nature. The one she hides behind her perfect well-groomed persona. 

***

A.N.:I have thought of several other classes as well and one very special one. Though it'll take years to completely master the classes.

Some screen time to the girl-who-lived. To show why Axel is needed to save the world in the first place. She's not mature yet as she's only 11 and she has led a pampered life. Not everyone can be like Axel, but she'll have character development as the years progress.

Just keep giving POWERSTONES and the Chapter will be here.

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