Chapter 25: Learning! The Limits of Magic!

The bookstore owner might have been physically frail, but that did nothing to diminish his expertise in selecting books.

In fact, being able to run a bookstore in Hogsmeade was proof that, while he might not have had the best business acumen, he undoubtedly possessed a deep and sincere love for books and knowledge.

The three books he chose for Ian were perfect introductory materials—structured progressively from simple to complex, ensuring that a beginner could quickly cross the threshold of learning.

- "Phonetic Table of Magic Script": A guide to the pronunciation of Ancient Runes, providing their texts, meanings, and the standard, precise way to vocalize them.

- "Beginner's Guide to Ancient Magical Script": As the name suggests, once one learns how to read Ancient Runes, this book serves as a gateway to understanding their fundamental structure.

- "Advanced Magical Script Translation": A comprehensive compilation that delves into the practical application of Ancient Runes, teaching how to interpret and work with rune-based texts.

Three books, arranged in a logical progression, forming a structured path into the study of Ancient Magical Script.

Of course, even with the right learning approach, Ancient Runes were notoriously difficult. The bookstore owner wasn't exaggerating when he said most people would struggle to master them.

"Ugh! This is ridiculously hard!"

Ian sat by the window of his small cottage, flipping through Phonetic Table of Magic Script. Sunlight poured through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow over the quiet room. The peaceful atmosphere did little to ease his growing frustration.

He had been studying diligently for quite some time, yet he still couldn't master even the most basic pronunciations. His status panel stubbornly refused to acknowledge the acquisition of a new skill.

To put it bluntly, it was really difficult.

It made sense, though. If Ancient Runes weren't so complex and challenging, why would modern wizards have abandoned them in favor of incantations like Lumos and Obliviate?

That's right—both Ancient Runes and modern incantations were simply mediums for casting magic.

The transition from Ancient Runes to verbal incantations wasn't arbitrary; it was a natural process of selection. The difficulty of learning and the risks involved in using Ancient Runes made them impractical for most wizards, leading to their gradual replacement by easier, safer spells.

Strictly speaking, the potential of Ancient Runes far exceeded that of modern spells. This was why powerful wizards often studied them at some point in their lives.

However, this high potential came at a cost. While Ancient Runes offered immense possibilities to the exceptionally gifted, for the average wizard, they were an insurmountable barrier.

In the old days, many young wizards perished due to unstable magic.

Many others, like Ian now, remained stuck in the beginner stage for years, struggling to master even a handful of functional spells.

It was no coincidence that so many witches and wizards were burned at the stake by Muggles in the past—the instability of Ancient Rune-based magic played a significant role.

The emergence of modern spells fundamentally changed wizarding society. By lowering the barrier to entry and making magic more stable, they allowed a far larger number of wizards to wield power effectively.

This was the real reason modern spells replaced Ancient Runes.

After all, the majority of the wizarding population belonged to the middle and lower echelons of magical ability. The comparison between Ancient Runes and modern spells was much like that between manual and automatic transmission cars—one offered more control and power, but the other was easier to use and far more accessible.

"I really hope the spell Professor Mara gives me is powerful… otherwise, all this suffering will have been for nothing!"

Ian sighed. His tongue wasn't particularly agile, which was a problem since Ancient Runes were among the earliest written magical languages, derived from the traits of magical creatures and plants. Many of their phonemes were outright unnatural for the human vocal system.

It was an absolute nightmare to pronounce.

Yet, despite his frustration, Ian didn't give up.

And in the end, perseverance paid off.

[You have successfully understood and pronounced an Ancient Rune. Ancient Rune Proficiency +1]

Ancient Runes were undeniably difficult, but Ian was no ordinary student. He might not have been among the most gifted prodigies, but he was far from average. With determination, he could push past this barrier.

As he continued his relentless studies, progress finally began to show.

The moment Ian successfully pronounced his first rune, his status panel updated, and a new skill was added. His Insight ability kicked in, accelerating his learning.

[You have successfully understood and pronounced an Ancient Rune. Ancient Rune Proficiency +1]

[Linguistic Proficiency +12]

[You have successfully understood and pronounced an Ancient Rune. Ancient Rune Proficiency +1]

[You have successfully understood and pronounced an Ancient Rune. Ancient Rune Proficiency +1]

[Linguistic Proficiency +12]

One step forward, and everything became easier.

With his skill panel enhancing his comprehension, Ian's learning speed improved significantly. Still, compared to his other skills, Ancient Rune Proficiency progressed much more slowly. Fortunately, studying these runes also boosted his Linguistic Proficiency, and by a considerable margin.

This made sense—Ancient Runes were not just another language.

Ancient Runes, especially the runic script, were the first magical writing system created by wizards. They were developed from the study of magical creatures, plants, and natural phenomena.

Many of the oldest forms of magic and alchemy were built upon this foundation.

In the early, untamed era of magic, Ancient Runes were the primary means of channeling and casting spells. They functioned as magical circuits—when inscribed properly, mana flowed through them, creating effects that modern wizards would find unfamiliar.

This principle extended to ancient alchemy as well. When runes were carved into enchanted artifacts, those objects could harness magic in ways that went beyond ordinary spells.

There were even records of ancient wizards crafting artifacts capable of manipulating time itself.

But as the centuries passed, Ancient Runes fell out of favor. Two major inventions pushed them toward obsolescence:

1. The Magic Wand

Acting as a stabilizer, wands made spellcasting far more reliable and accessible. They simplified the process of channeling magic, reducing the risks of unstable spellcasting.

2. The Evolution of Incantations

With wands making magic easier, wizards developed simplified verbal incantations. While these spells were less powerful than runic magic, they were much safer and more practical.

The widespread adoption of wands made magic accessible to a broader population, but it also led to a rise in magical accidents. As a result, further simplifications were made, leading to the creation of structured incantations that ensured safety and consistency.

Thus, modern spellcasting was born.

With the rise of institutions like the Ministry of Magic, most wizards no longer needed high-level magic for survival. Since modern spells were sufficient for their daily lives, the use of Ancient Runes dwindled.

Yet, for those who pursued greater magical knowledge, Ancient Rune study remained essential.

What was once the foundation of magic had become the domain of a select few—a path reserved for the truly gifted and determined.

No one knew if this was for the better or worse.

And no one could say for sure whether modern incantations, too, would one day be replaced by something new.

History had a way of repeating itself, often unnoticed until it was too late.

After all, change always began in silence.