A Touch of Science in a World of Magic
Harry eagerly picked up the newly forged smartphone, admiring its sleek obsidian surface that caught the afternoon light streaming through his chamber window. With childlike anticipation, he pressed the power button, his breath held in expectation.
Nothing happened.
The screen remained stubbornly dark, reflecting only his disappointed expression. Harry's brow furrowed as he pressed the button again, harder this time, as if force might breathe life into the device.
X's voice chimed in his mind, tinged with amusement. "You do realize it needs electricity to function, right? Even the most advanced technologies require power sources."
Harry's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He cleared his throat, straightening his posture as if he hadn't just made such an obvious oversight. "Of course! I was just... checking if the phone was properly forged. Quality control, you understand."
"Quality control," X repeated, the skepticism in his voice unmistakable. "How thorough of you."
Harry rolled his eyes at the sarcasm. "Alright, fine. I got excited and forgot about the power issue."
X hummed, unconvinced but moving on. "So, master inventor, how do you plan to tackle the electricity problem in a world where power outlets aren't exactly common?"
Harry tapped his chin thoughtfully before his eyes lit up with inspiration. "That's simple enough. X, transfer all the knowledge about solar panels and battery storage to me. If we can't plug it in, we'll harness the sun instead."
"As you wish," X replied.
Within moments, Harry's mind flooded with intricate schematics and energy flow principles—photovoltaic cells, lithium-ion storage mechanisms, charge controllers, and power distribution systems. The information cascaded through his consciousness like a waterfall of scientific knowledge.
Without wasting time, he pulled out a fresh scroll of enchanted parchment and began sketching with practiced precision. His hand moved with surprising confidence for an eleven-year-old, drawing a compact solar panel array that was efficient yet small enough to fit inside a portable device. Next, he designed a high-capacity power bank with multiple charging ports, complete with protective runes to prevent overheating.
"The runes will bridge the gap between magical protection and scientific functionality," he murmured to himself, adding the final touches to his design.
An hour later, as the ancient symbols on the scroll pulsed with emerald light before gradually fading, the final product materialized before him—a sleek, obsidian-framed solar panel connected to an elegantly crafted power bank with three glowing charging ports.
Harry ran his fingers over the smooth surface, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Perfect."
After completing his work on the portable solar panels and power bank, Harry couldn't contain his excitement. He burst from his room and raced down the marble hallway, his footsteps echoing against the high ceilings until he reached Lily's chambers. Without knocking—a habit their mother constantly scolded him for—he threw open the door and found his sister reading quietly by her window.
"Lily!" he exclaimed, crossing the room in three quick strides. He grabbed her hand and began pulling her toward the door.
Lily's book tumbled from her lap as she was yanked to her feet. "Harry! What in the seven realms are you doing?" she protested, her voice rising in indignation. "You can't just barge in and drag me from my room like some sort of barbarian!"
"There's no time for proper etiquette," Harry insisted, his eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement. "I've created something extraordinary—something that will change everything."
Lily planted her feet firmly on the plush carpet, forcing Harry to stop. "The last time you said that, you nearly set the east wing on fire with your 'extraordinary' magical experiment."
Harry's expression turned serious. "This isn't like that time. This is different—better. Trust me, just this once?"
Something in his earnest gaze made Lily relent. She sighed dramatically, but curiosity had already begun to override her annoyance. "Fine. But this had better be worth abandoning my book for."
Once they reached his chamber, Harry reverently picked up the portable solar panel, handling it like a sacred artifact. He turned to Lily, nodding toward the power bank resting on his desk. "Pick that up, would you?"
Lily eyed the strange box with suspicion, her delicate brow arched in question. "And why exactly should I touch that peculiar contraption?"
Harry's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Because if you do, dear sister, I'll show you something even more impressive than the most elaborate magic you've ever witnessed."
"More impressive than magic?" Lily scoffed, though her eyes betrayed her interest. "That's quite the claim, brother."
She hesitated for only a moment longer before carefully lifting the power bank, turning it over in her hands as she examined the unusual craftsmanship. "It's... warm," she observed with surprise.
"That's the stored energy," Harry explained, already leading the way toward the door. "Come on, we need sunlight for the next part."
As they traversed the grand halls of their family estate, several servants paused in their duties to watch the siblings pass by with their strange devices. One brave maid, Elara, who had known them since they were toddlers, finally approached with a curious expression.
"Young master," she began tentatively, her eyes fixed on the objects in their hands, "if I may ask, what are those unusual items you're carrying?"
Harry grinned, unable to contain his pride. "Something I forged myself. Completely new. We're heading outside to test them in the sunlight."
Elara's eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' of astonishment. "Forged? By yourself?" she whispered, looking at him as if seeing him for the first time. Without another word, she gathered her skirts and hurried away, whispering urgently to every servant she passed.
The whispers spread through the mansion like wildfire: the young master had created something without training, a feat unprecedented for someone his age.
By the time Harry and Lily reached the sunlit central courtyard with its meticulously tended gardens and marble fountains, they found they were no longer alone. Their mother, Lady Frigga, had already arrived, her emerald dress flowing gracefully around her as she strode toward them. Beside her walked their father, Lord Lor, his usual stoic expression replaced with unmistakable curiosity. Their loyal butler, Thorne, followed a respectful distance behind.
"Harry, Lily," Frigga called, her melodious voice carrying across the courtyard as she approached. Her keen eyes assessed the strange objects in their hands. "What brings you outside at this hour? And what, pray tell, are those peculiar items you're carrying?"
Lily shrugged elegantly, the gesture reminiscent of their mother. "I'm as much in the dark as you are, Mother. Harry practically kidnapped me from my reading, claiming he'd show me something that surpasses magic itself."
Frigga's gaze shifted to her son, one eyebrow raised in elegant inquiry. "Is that so? Harry, would you care to explain these mysterious creations?"
Harry stood a little taller under their scrutiny, a confident smile playing on his lips. "They're something I forged using the Blackstone pen—tools for harnessing and storing the sun's energy."
A profound silence fell over the courtyard.
Lor and Frigga exchanged glances that spoke volumes—surprise, disbelief, and perhaps a touch of concern.
"Forged?" Lor finally asked, his deep voice breaking the silence. "By yourself, without instruction or guidance?" He stepped closer, examining the devices with newfound interest. "Harry, what you're suggesting is nearly impossible. The Blackstone pen requires precise knowledge and years of training. Without such preparation, one cannot simply create complex objects on a whim."
Harry felt X's silent presence in his mind, urging caution. He knew he needed to choose his next words carefully—the truth about X's existence and the knowledge transfer would raise far too many questions.
He shrugged with practiced nonchalance. "I don't know how to explain it properly, Father. Ever since my awakening, knowledge has been... coming to me naturally, as if I've always known it but just needed to remember."
Frigga's emerald eyes widened slightly, a flash of recognition crossing her features. "A skill?" she murmured, almost to herself.
Lor nodded slowly, his expression turning thoughtful. "That would certainly explain it. Rare, but not unheard of."
Harry blinked in genuine confusion. A skill? He wondered silently. What are they talking about?
Noticing his bewilderment, he decided to probe further. "What exactly do you mean by 'skill,' Mother?"
Frigga's lips curved into a gentle smile as she stepped closer, placing a warm hand on his shoulder. "Throughout history, certain individuals have developed unique abilities beyond ordinary magic—talents that manifest naturally and grow stronger over time. We call these exceptional gifts 'skills.' They're exceedingly rare, and they can emerge at any moment, particularly after significant events like your awakening."
She glanced at Lor, who nodded in agreement before adding, "Some of the kingdom's most legendary warriors and scholars possessed such skills. Many chose to keep them hidden—such abilities often attract unwanted attention."
Harry nodded slowly, inwardly relieved at this convenient explanation. If they believe it's some innate magical talent rather than knowledge from another world, they won't ask too many uncomfortable questions.
Just then, the smartphone resting beside the power bank began to emit a soft blue glow. The screen flickered hesitantly before coming fully to life, displaying a startup animation that seemed wildly out of place in this magical world.
Harry quickly retrieved it, watching with satisfaction as the boot sequence completed successfully. The familiar interface materialized on the screen, the glow illuminating his triumphant expression.
Frigga, Lor, and Lily leaned forward instinctively, their faces a mixture of wonder and bewilderment as they studied the glowing rectangle in Harry's hand.
"Harry," Lor began, his voice unusually tentative, "what manner of device is that? It resembles no crystal ball or scrying mirror I've ever encountered."
Harry couldn't suppress his proud smile as he held up the device. "This, Father, is what I call a 'smartphone.' It can capture perfect images of people or landscapes instantly—I call these images 'photos.' Eventually, if two people each possess a smartphone, they'll be able to communicate across any distance, no matter how far apart they might be. For now, its capabilities are limited, but this is just the beginning."
Lily's sapphire eyes widened with fascination. "You mean... it can create perfect portraits in an instant? Without a mage-artist or enchanted paints?"
"Precisely," Harry confirmed, turning the device in his hand to show them its sleek design. "And without using a single drop of mana."
The skepticism in their expressions was unmistakable. Lor's brow furrowed, while Frigga exchanged a look with Thorne that clearly questioned Harry's ambitious claims.
Harry smirked at their obvious doubt. "You don't believe me, do you? Very well—allow me to demonstrate."
With practiced ease that belied his brief experience with the device, he tapped on the smartphone's screen, bringing up the camera application. The courtyard garden instantly appeared on the display, rendered in perfect detail. He adjusted the frame to include his family, their expressions shifting from skepticism to astonishment as they saw themselves replicated on the small screen.
With a quick press of his finger, the device made a soft clicking sound. Harry turned the screen toward them, revealing a flawless image capturing Lor, Frigga, and Lily exactly as they stood amid the blooming courtyard flowers.
For several heartbeats, no one spoke. They simply stared at the screen, utterly transfixed.
Lily was the first to recover, her voice barely above a whisper. "By the ancient ways... it must be powerful magic!"
Harry shook his head firmly. "No magic whatsoever, Lily. This is purely science—knowledge and techniques from..." he hesitated momentarily, "...from my awakened memories. No mana was required to capture this image."
Frigga and Lor exchanged meaningful glances. "Science?" Lor repeated the unfamiliar word carefully, as if testing its weight on his tongue.
"Yes," Harry confirmed with growing confidence. "This device doesn't rely on magical energy at all. In fact, it could theoretically be created without the Blackstone Pen—though doing it that way would take years of precise craftsmanship rather than hours."
Their expressions transformed from confusion to astonishment. Frigga's composed demeanor briefly slipped as she reached out toward the device, stopping just short of touching it. "May I?" she asked softly.
Harry placed the smartphone in her outstretched hand. She examined it closely, turning it over to study every angle.
"The clarity is remarkable," she observed, her voice measured despite her clear amazement. "It shows our faces with perfect accuracy, much like when we use crystal balls for communication between distant provinces."
Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! And given time and resources, I can enhance this smartphone to communicate across distances too—just like your crystal balls, but without the mana consumption or the need for arcane knowledge to operate it."
Frigga's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression turning from wonder to something more calculating. "Harry, do you truly understand what you're claiming? The communication crystal balls took the Royal Academy's finest scholars decades of research and countless experiments to perfect. Many consider them the pinnacle of magical innovation in the last century."
Harry met her penetrating gaze without flinching. "If I say I can make it work, Mother, then I can make it work. This is just the beginning of what's possible."
A charged silence hung between them before Frigga's expression softened with something that looked remarkably like pride.
Lily, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during this exchange, suddenly burst with excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together, looking every bit the twelve-year-old girl despite her usual composed demeanor.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, bouncing slightly on her toes. "I want one too! Can you make me one? Please? With a purple case instead of black?"
Harry glanced at his sister, unable to suppress his amusement at her childlike enthusiasm. Despite their occasional sibling rivalries, seeing her genuine excitement filled him with warmth. He nodded indulgently. "Of course I can, Lily. I'll craft one especially for you by the week's end—purple case and all."
Before he could elaborate further, Frigga turned to Lor, her voice carrying a hint of excitement that she rarely displayed. "Lor, we should have these devices as well. Think of the possibilities—instant images without an artist's commission, potential communication without crystal maintenance." She looked back at Harry. "Make them for us too, would you, son?"
Harry recognized the perfect opportunity unfolding before him. He adopted a thoughtful expression, as if considering their request. "I'd be happy to create smartphones for the entire family, but in return, I need your assistance with something."
Lor and Frigga exchanged curious glances before returning their attention to him. "What assistance do you require, Harry?" Frigga asked, her voice gentle but curious. "You need only ask—our family's resources are considerable, even if our noble status is relatively new."
Harry waved dismissively, as if their vast wealth were an inconsequential detail. "Oh, it's nothing that requires gold or rare materials. I simply need some people—servants, perhaps—to help me implement something throughout the mansion."
Lor's expression grew cautious. The idea of his eleven-year-old son making large-scale modifications to their ancestral home clearly made him uneasy. "What exactly are you planning to install in our home, son?"
Harry opened his mouth to explain, but Frigga placed a gentle hand on her husband's arm. "If Harry's skill has truly awakened," she said softly, "then we should encourage its development, not hinder it."
She turned to Harry, her eyes filled with maternal concern beneath her supportive exterior. "If you wish to create something new for our home, you may proceed. But promise me you won't attempt anything dangerous or structural without consulting us first."
Lor sighed, recognizing when he was outvoted. His stern expression softened as he looked at his son with newfound respect. "Very well. You may enlist help from the household staff for your project, but remember—with great innovation comes great responsibility. Ensure that whatever you're planning won't endanger anyone."
Harry nodded solemnly, barely containing his excitement. "Thank you, Father, Mother. I promise you won't regret this decision." He paused, a confident smile spreading across his face. "And don't worry—I know exactly what I'm doing."
As he spoke those words, a small part of him wondered if they were entirely true. But with X's knowledge guiding him and his family's support behind him, Harry felt ready to bring this medieval magical world into a new era of technological advancement—one invention at a time.