A sharp Hogwarts

What exactly is magic?

This was the question Dalia asked Dumbledore when she first entered school.

As a reward for "peeping into the future", Dumbledore's answer was also extremely serious.

"The intersection of human nature and knowledge, the intersection of fantasy and reality, the perfect resonance of spirit and body."

In subsequent Charms classes and in the Hogwarts library, Dalia also found similar explanations.

It’s no surprise that magic is older than the recorded history of civilization.

Magic was born when humans hid in caves, sat around small campfires, and were afraid of things they didn't understand.

Of course, at that time, people did not call that power "magic". They were more inclined to regard it as a gift from gods or nature.

Prophets, shamans, wizards, gods...

People in different regions have different names for those special people who have awakened to unimaginable power.

When the first generation of wizards spent their entire lives searching for the secret of the birth of magic, people invariably found the same answer:

worship.

Ancient wizards discovered that "sacrifice" allowed them to steadily pass on the tribe's "divine power."

Offering delicious and abundant food, enjoying it with certain rituals, and praying can help the "chosen ones" inherit the magic awakened by their predecessors.

As time goes by, the sacrificial process continues to be simplified, and the accompanying magic becomes more and more systematic and stable.

Cooking has become the epitome of ancient sacrifices, while spells and magical dishes are the products of modern magic.

"French fries correspond to fluorescent flashes - the light spell."

Whatever the name of this magic is, its essence is to create light.

The qualifying standard for "Standard Charm, Level [-]" is that after casting the spell, you can at least summon light that can be seen in the sun.

Previously, Dalia's magical shimmer was almost invisible during the day, so she was judged to be an unqualified low magic user.

And looking at the current scene...

Dalia sat at Dumbledore's desk, looking up at the "sunlight" that filled the room.

Candlelight visible in sunlight?

So what level of magical power does her "egg fried rice" count as?

In the previous Charms class, Professor Flitwick had described in detail what might happen when high-level magic is associated with it.

As the wizard's magic power, knowledge, and the combined difficulty of the target dish increase, the wizard can even clearly feel the process of the spell "coming".

And now, Dalia finally understands that feeling - but there is a slight difference.

If the original "French Fries (Glimmer)" was a briquette discarded in the corner of her soul, then the appearance of "Egg Fried Rice" was more like a clear spring or waterfall of light that suddenly fell from the sky above her soul, constantly Wash away the ugly briquettes and gradually turn them into bright and dazzling diamonds.It didn't feel like Professor Flitwick had realized some brand new magical ability, but more like a certain seal was suddenly unlocked, allowing the power hidden within to be completely released.

Yes, unblock!

Dalia stared at the egg fried rice in front of her that glowed with a faint golden light.

The complete ritual of accompanying magic is to finish eating, appreciate your work carefully and patiently, and to imagine and claim it with purpose.

and so……

Maybe her "seal" hasn't been completely broken yet?

Dalia scooped up a spoonful of egg fried rice and put it into her mouth, savoring the harmony of egg droplets and rice.

"I should have thought that French fries are Harry's light...then what else can my light be besides egg fried rice?"

The rice seems to be a bit softer and less cooked.

The taste is also lighter, and the fishy smell of egg liquid is not completely removed...

Dalia quickly scooped up the egg fried rice one spoonful at a time, enjoying the quiet moment while devouring it, the corners of her mouth raised unconsciously.

But...this is the smell she is familiar with!

The golden rice waves swayed and made a rustling sound.

The wind blowing through the countryside blew her hair, sparkling in the sun.

paddy……

Ripe rice fields in a golden autumn afternoon.

The orange-yellow egg liquid rises from the earth, emitting a charming fragrance under the hot sunshine, and blends into the golden ears of wheat little by little.

The breeze blew, and the boundless aroma of rice fields came from all directions, wrapping Dalia in the middle. The gentle wheat light blew over her naked body, and a sense of warmth and security continued to flow out from deep inside her heart. The whole person seems to have returned to the lazy bed in the afternoon when he was a child - that distant nest.

This is--

Accompanied by sunshine, the perfect fusion of rice and eggs, it is a pastoral flute song that can be played endlessly.

"belch--"

Dalia put down the spoon in her hand with satisfaction.

The egg fried rice on the plate and in the pot was completely wiped out.

Just as she guessed, after the dishes were "sacrifice" completely and perfectly, new changes appeared.

The diamond-like "magic spell" suspended in the depths of her soul turned into a ball of light and floated somewhere above the tip of her tongue.

Maybe this is... the secret of modern magic?

The "sacrifice" ceremony is engraved on the soul and body.

And when the wizard needs it——

"Egg fried rice——"

Dalia put her fingers on the handle of the knife and whispered softly.

As the endless brilliance bloomed, the aroma of fried rice lingered in her mouth again.

Although it is much lighter than the real thing, it is still an extremely pleasant and comfortable experience.

And more importantly...

"what?"

Before Dalia could "remember" the beauty of releasing magic.

A familiar warmth flowed out of her heart and spread throughout her body in an instant.

The sound of countless pages turning was heard, and she seemed to have returned to the moment before her "time travel".

However, this time the books did not fall from the sky, but flipped, danced and circled in her heart.

“Arrabbiata (Italian Spicy Tomato Sauce Noodles)——”

“Broccolisuppe (Cream of Broccoli Soup)—”

“Caesarsalad (Caesar salad)——”

"..."

Dalia subconsciously raised the kitchen knife and recited the magic she had learned in the past few months one by one.

Maybe her "European magical talent" is low, but her dishes can still produce magic.

The spicy tomato sauce side corresponds to the original "flame".

But with just the little flame on the tip of Dalia's knife, it might be a little difficult to light a candle.

You know, even a wizard like Hagrid who dropped out of school can light a fireplace directly with this spell.

Cream of Broccoli Soup is a new dish learned last week - the universal lock-picking magic, which Hermione once used to open Fluffy's door.

The effect of this magic is mainly evaluated on the success rate and complexity of unlocking.

Dalia failed to open any locks during the lesson, which earned her a zero.

Of course, after Dalia deliberately locked the bathroom door and tried it several times, she found that it could still be opened...

As for Caesar salad, it is an advanced version of the floating spell...

In fact, this situation is not uncommon in Hogwarts magical learning.

The same magic effect may be accompanied by multiple magic dishes, but there will be certain differences in difficulty, details, and power.

Dandelion salad is accompanied by floating magic, which allows wizards to master the floating ability smoothly.

Caesar salad is the most commonly used spell by wizards to control objects flying in the air.

"There are no changes. It seems that the egg fried rice has only replaced and optimized the light magic."

Dalia observed the effects of those spells and said with some regret.

Unlike the Light Spell, the other spells are still half-dead - not squibs, but not much different from squibs.

but……

"Can all these magics be optimized and unblocked?"

Dalia frowned, trying to capture the subtle feeling when casting the spell.

Although there was no change in the magic effect, with the success of egg fried rice, she seemed to have found her own path.

Now, those "European-style magics" that were created in advance are like spell slots that have been expanded in advance.

The companionship and perception of magic come from the body and soul, just like dandelion salad to the floating spell. Thousands of years of magic teaching experience at Hogwarts allow professors to find the most suitable and easiest way to help young wizards open "spell slots" "Magic dishes, and when the magic ability is turned on, the enhanced magic dishes will have an effect.

For example, Caesar Salad can enhance the ability to float and control flight - Dalia was a little skeptical at first, because Caesar Salad didn't work.

But now she finally understands...

The core of "magic promotion" and "magic replacement" lies in the soul, and her heart has long belonged to Chinese cuisine.

As for the reason why the Chinese food she tried before was not successful, Dalia almost had a guess in her mind:

If the corresponding "spell slot" is not activated, then no matter how many Chinese meals she cooks, the chance of awakening the accompanying magic is too low.

After all, this "body"'s dining habits for the past 11 years have been standard British. Even if she likes a certain dish very much, every cell in her body will still instinctively resist and reject it. However, if she presses the European magic first The accompanying magic is activated normally through the world, and then the mind accurately strengthens and replaces it...

"Yes, it should be like this - I can deduce it from the taste of the dishes and habits!"

Dalia's eyes became brighter and brighter. She walked quickly to the cooking table while thinking about the spells she had learned now.

There were still several hours until Dumbledore and others returned, and during this period, she could still try at least two or three dishes.

As for the second option——

Dalia's eyes swept back and forth around the cooking table, and quickly locked onto a red area.

As the former head of Gryffindor House and an outstanding graduate, Dumbledore naturally has peppers in his office.

"hot--"

“Pecho marinara sauce – flames blazing.”

"Well, dragon blood research, super spicy...this should be fine."

Dalia's brain was running rapidly, constantly connecting what she had seen these days.

Just as she was thinking about what "flame" dishes she should cook, her eyes suddenly stopped behind the desk.

There were several strange-looking cabinets there, one of which was not closed tightly, and a small basin could be vaguely seen.

And in that small basin, there seemed to be something white, shaky, and tofu-like.

Obviously, it should be some of Dumbledore's private magic research.

"this is……"

Dalia opened the cabinet curiously, twitched her nose, and smelled it cautiously.

really!

this is--

"...Tofu?! Hogwarts actually has tofu?!"

Dalia's eyes widened in surprise, she knew what she should cook!

Flame on the tip of the tongue - Mapo Tofu!