Chapter 2: Magical Creature: Umbra
There are three spells in the wizarding world that are recognized to be the most cruel, sinister, and evil of the Unforgivable Curses.
They are the Cruciatus Curse, the Killing Curse, and the Imperius Curse.
These three spells are extremely unique, firstly because they do not have counter-curses, and secondly because their requirements for casting are extremely strict.
They require calling up very powerful negative feelings and a very powerful amount of magic.
As with most Dark Arts.
The moment the caster utters the incantation, the dark power silently corrupts his mind, gradually causing him to lose his natural nature.
It is precisely because of this reason that the laws in the wizarding world strictly uphold that whist whoever dares to cast these three spells.
When they are caught, they will be imprisoned in Azkaban for life!
Dylan was helpless, completely not anticipating the three randomly selected full-level spells to all be Unforgivable Curses.
"Calm down, Dylan, calm down. Spells are just tools, even the Unforgivable Curses!"
Dylan raised a hand and lightly slapped his cheek, grumbling to himself, "At least. I have some means of self-defense now, right?"
They say the best defense is a good offense. While he did not receive a Patronus Charm, the Unforgivable Curses were not completely unacceptable.
Having fooled himself inwardly,
Dylan's feelings cooled down significantly, and he redirected his attention to the system panel in front of him.
In addition to the three full-level curses, he also had a free magical creature to take.
"By Voldemort, grant me an adorable animal. I don't desire a phoenix or a Qilin, something that does not look like Gargamel will suffice."
Perhaps Voldemort heard Dylan's desire from the very bottom of the void.
In the blink of an eye, the star blew apart.
Dylan felt the void before him shudder.
In the wink of an eye, a small creature, black cat-like but lynx-like, smoothly sprang out.
It was small, its coat a deep black, the color of midnight, unblemished.
Dylan looked at it, and his eyes darkened again.
This little creature, though kitten-like, had no cuddliness in it, but a coldness.
Looking into its eyes, Dylan felt a chill.
"Moo~" The little creature's claws were hidden under its furry paws, and its black eyes stared fiercely at Dylan.
[Message]:You have been gifted with a magical pet—Umbra!
[Message]:Your pet space has been opened!
"Umbra?"
Dylan glanced at the system panel, where there was a detailed introduction to the little monster.
Reading it, he sighed.
"Good thing it's not a wicked magical creature. But I need to purchase a license to have it as a pet, or it's illegal."
But the system also granted him a pet space, where Dylan could store Umbra, rather than having to have it sit beside him all the time.
"Moo!"
Umbra meowed a bit louder, as if communicating something to Dylan.
And Dylan discovered that he could sort of sense what little animal was trying to tell him.
"You want to be held by me?" Dylan blinked.
"Moo!" Umbra proudly replied by raising his head.
Oh, a tsundere, little one, huh?
And why must it meow like a cow?
Dylan reached out and cradled Umbra in his arms.
"Little one, now that you're my pet, would you prefer me to give you a name?"
Umbra curled its little legs around itself, leaned forward and gazed at Dylan, yet said nothing.
"You're so handsome, with your black fur, let's name you."
"Coal Ball? Do you like that name?"
"Moo?!" Umbra bared its teeth.
Noting that it did not protest, and noticing a flash of light in its big eyes, as if it was pleased, Dylan rubbed it.
"Good, you like it. Now, your master has some business to take care of. You stay in the space for now."
"Moo??"
Dylan put Coal Ball in the pet space.
He could sense that the area was such a Poké Ball; the animal would not be cramped within it, or even be capable of sensing anything whatsoever.
"I would like someday perhaps it could become possible to transform the pet area into a world,"
Dylan thought, and then proceeded to think over how to ask in a magical creature store within Diagon Alley if they might be able to inform him of how to acquire an Umbra breeding license.
After all, it was his first pet, and he couldn't hide it like a mistress, could he?
"Sigh, what a mess. I haven't even begun school, and I've already done all sorts of illegal things."
After the diligent rereading of the Hogwarts acceptance letter and the accompanying list of requirements, and memorization of the key points, Dylan put the two pieces of parchment back into the envelope and went out of the basement.
"Mom! Dad! I have something to tell you!"
After his usual morning routine and showering, the three-person family sat at the dinner table, and Dylan told his parents about the magic school.
But his parents eyed the letter on the table suspiciously.
"Hubert, you won't believe this. I mean. magic?" Dylan's mother, Maeve, stared in amazement.
"Honey, neither do I, but Dylan has always told us the truth." Hubert took up a sheet of parchment and examined it carefully.
"You mean, this is a prank from one of Dylan's friends?" Maeve inquired, her disbelief slightly alleviated.
"Mom, you know I have no friends."
Dylan blinked, reminding her gently.
Maeve and Hubert exchanged a glance.
Did their kid get ripped off?
Dylan might have been able to employ his spells with his parents in order to ease their minds.
But he did not need to; he was still young and did not feel like playing out Harry Potter's script.
Even though his family was impoverished, they loved him dearly.
"Hmm, Dad, I think I should answer the letter. What if it is real?" He sported a suitably hopeful expression.
"Magic?" Hubert jabbed his finger at the parchment, adopting a slight frown.
"Oh, my dear, you may answer, but don't set off with anyone, all right?" Maeve firmly instructed.
"Certainly!" Dylan assented enthusiastically.
At breakfast, being the day off that it was, Dylan's parents watched him draft the reply.
Seeing their child's genuine efforts, they said nothing more.
He was only a boy, so to be interested in strange things was not odd. He didn't need to be stopped from writing merely a letter.
As soon as the letter was done and arranged by the living room desk near the window, the day passed on in its whole with no hint that an owl even existed.
"Honey, don't cry. Maybe by Christmas, Santa will deliver a special gift."
Maeve comforted Dylan, observing him continuously glancing out the window for the letter.
"Huh? Santa?" Dylan was taken aback.
Come on, Mom! It's July!
You're giving me a rain check until Christmas?
(End of chapter)