Hogwarts Card System.

Chapter 5: Bearing the pressure that should not be borne at this age

"Oh, little Ted, you're back. How's it going? Have you been admitted?" Mammy asked quickly.

"Yes, Mammy. I was accepted. And because of my special situation, the school also introduced me to a part-time job before the start of the semester. I can work there part-time, with food and accommodation provided..."

Ted began to trick Mammy.

He had already decided to work in Diagon Alley and live in Old Tom's Leaky Cauldron.

The nanny was still reluctant to let him go, after all, he had to work alone to earn money to support himself at the age of 11.

But many children in orphanages are like this. They become apprentices early or are selected to attend church schools.

Mammy reluctantly agreed to Ted's "work-study" plan.

After dinner, Ted started to pack up.

Actually, there was nothing much to pack up, except for some daily necessities and an old guitar.

Other small toys and other things were given to younger children.

I'm going to Diagon Alley to venture into society tomorrow, and I'm really excited.

By the way, I have to buy something useful here too.

Parchment is not cheap in the Muggle world, but ink and other things are dirt cheap.

I also arranged a diary. What era is it in? Why are people still using parchment? Don't you know how expensive it is?

He also had to buy a fountain pen. The quill pen was too thin and he was not used to it.

Ted is a money-savvy person, so he'll buy whichever is cheaper.

If school uniforms could be made by Muggle tailors, he would have wanted to make robes here.

Ted was so excited that he even suffered from insomnia.

So I might as well look at my textbook.

"The Standard Book of Spells, Elementary", Ted read carefully under the covers with a flashlight.

"I remember that before I entered school, wands seemed to be able to be used privately. Hermione practiced spells at home and fixed Harry Potter's glasses when she got in the car. In other words, there is no Trace yet..."

In fact, the "Act for the Reasonable Restraint of Underage Wizards" was promulgated in 1875; the main content of this law is to restrict wizards under the age of 17 from practicing magic outside of school.

I have to seize this opportunity and make use of it.

Two months is too much, I can't just work part-time, right? I didn't come to the magic world to earn foreign exchange.

Ted opened The Standard Book of Spells: Elementary. The preface reads:

"A spell differs from a Transfiguration spell in the following way: a spell adds certain properties to an object or creature, whereas a Transfiguration spell changes it into something entirely different."

"Small spells are not difficult to break. As young wizards, the effects of the spells you learn will mostly disappear within a few days or even hours."

"Dark curses, hexes, and curses are collectively called Dark Curses. This book will not cover such curses."

……

The first spell recorded in the book is the Luminescent Spell!
Nothing much to say, just a very simple description.

Ted took out his wand and began to cast the spell as in the book.

"Fluorescent flash~"

No, no! The pronunciation is not quite right.

Come again!

"Fluorescent flashing~" This time the gesture was a little restrained.

After trying five or six times, Ted finally felt the correct flow of magic power. "Fluorescent flash~", the tip of the wand emitted a white light, flickering.

"Wuhu~Now there's no need for a flashlight!"

Not only that, Ted also found that he had gained 25 experience points! Learning and practicing magic can indeed gain experience.

However, after using it for a while, Ted found that only the first time he got more experience points. After more than ten times, he gained a little experience points.

After using it dozens of times, I felt that the magic power in my body was empty.

Well, being able to learn the Luminescent Spell on the first day is a great achievement.

With infinite expectations for magic, Ted, who was exhausted and lacking in magic power, finally fell asleep.

The next morning, after saying goodbye to his tearful Mammy, Ted boarded the bus.

……

The Leaky Cauldron was still dim, lit by candlesticks or oil lamps.

Those drinking wizards were having a candlelight dinner.

I wonder if the flash spell can last forever?
There is a kind of advanced magic called fairy fire that can keep burning.

Who can stand the smoke and fire? If we can make a magic lamp, it will definitely sell well.

The wall is too mottled, just like a rough house. It would be much better if it was painted with white or putty.

Of course, maybe wizards just like this medieval style!

"Oh, you are the new student yesterday. What's your name?" The boss Tom noticed Ted who pushed the door open and dragged his suitcase.

"Ted, Ted Epiphany, Mr. Tom. I need to stay here until school starts. Could you tell me how much the cheapest room is? If it's convenient... do you need a part-time waiter?"

"Oh, waiter? Well, I haven't thought about that. As for the room..." He looked at Ted's old clothes that he had been wearing for several years and the somewhat worn suitcase.

In the end, Old Tom, who looked a little fierce and unapproachable but had a kind heart, gave Ted a free storage room.

In return, Ted had to help clean up after closing time at night.

He even gets to mix up a free sandwich in the morning.

"Thank you! Thank you so much."

I have to say, there are still many good people in the magical world!
After all, for wizards, cleaning can be done with magic, which is not a difficult task. Old Tom is really helping Ted. The utility room is very small. A bed can be put in, and a 60-centimeter bedside table can be put in as a table. Then there is no room for a chair. But what else can Ted expect? Only gratitude!
After tidying up the room briefly, Ted put on a second-hand wizard robe and went to the backyard with his wand.

He knocked gently on the brick, and the arched door appeared with the sound of bricks moving. On the other side of the door was the still bustling Diagon Alley. Ted couldn't help but smile.

……

Which store should I go to find a job?
We can't go to Gringotts, can we?

Shops selling cauldrons and broomsticks are also not suitable.

Ted decided to walk around first to familiarize himself with the environment and take a closer look at the shops to see how difficult his exploration mission was.

There are Ira's Owl Shop with many owls of all sizes, the Crackle and Hop Magic Joke Shop, the Magical Creatures Shop, the Obscurus Book Company, and Ms. Primpernell's Beauty Apothecary...

Ha, this is the most modern store Ted has ever seen.

It turns out that everyone loves beauty.

There is also Flourish and Blotts Bookstore, which is a good choice! It’s a rare opportunity to read books for free! Books are too expensive!

However, ideals are full and reality is skinny. Ted asked several stores in a row, but no one wanted him.

The reason is that he is too young and not old enough to work!

Is the wizarding world so law-abiding? They don't even use child labor. Do they really think labor laws exist?!

Just when Ted's working career was about to end before it even began and he was at a loss as to what to do, suddenly a man next to him exclaimed, and then "crash", something spilled.

Ted quickly jumped to the side holding his robe, avoiding the spreading unknown liquid.

Looking closely, oh, it’s a bunch of slugs!
The man was carrying a bucket of slugs, but one side of the handle broke, and the slugs were scattered all over the floor, crawling around happily!

When the people around saw this, they quickly hid far away.

Slug: I'm free~
"Damn it! I shouldn't have bought these disgusting slugs. I won't buy them next time! Definitely next time!" the man complained.

He used a "Repair As New" to fix the barrel, but the slug had to be caught by himself.

Ted thought about it, rolled up his sleeves, squatted down and helped the man pick up the slugs on the ground - they were slippery and twisting, and they didn't bite people, but they were disgusting.

"Oh, thank you, thank you, let me do it, thank you, kid!" the man thanked hurriedly.

The two men were in a panic and it took them several minutes to catch all the slugs.

This thing is too slippery, and sometimes if you hold it too tightly it will squeeze out from between your fingers.

The man let out a long sigh, "Thank you so much."

As he said this he pointed his wand and said, "Clean it up!"

Ted's hands were clean.

"I'm Slug Giggs, and the Slug Giggs Pharmacy behind you is owned by me. If you need any potion materials in the future, you can come to me and I'll give you a 20% discount!" the man said with a smile.

"Uh, so... do you need hourly labor?" Ted asked innocently.

Huh? Do I have to repay this favor so soon?

Slug was a little confused, feeling like he had fallen into a pit! He had dug the pit himself!
Soon, Ted found his first job - processing simple potion materials, such as slugs, in a pharmacy.

The maximum working time is three hours a day, and the weekly salary is 14 silver Sickles.

1 Galleon = 17 Sickles = 493 Knuts
God knows who invented this exchange rate!
Ted's salary was 3 Galleons and 5 Sickles a month, which was almost enough for a magic wand in two months!

Although the income is low, at least I have a job.

The mission was completed, and this was the first mission he had completed!
"Ding~ Completed the task [Worker (Green)], reward: 100 experience, card [Restore Energy (Green)]"

There are 100 more experience points in the character column's experience pool, and I still need more than experience points to level up, and more than experience points to exchange for [Several Pages of Psychic Handbook (Blue)]. Full of motivation!
And he also got his first card:
This card has a green striped border and shows a figure with arms outstretched and head tilted back, with a green light entwined around the body.

【Restore Energy (Green)】

Spell Cards

Consume a small amount of magic power and restore some of the consumed physical strength.

Chill for 4 hours.

Ted found an opportunity to try it out, and it helped him recover from his fatigue and return to a state of energy.

This is roughly equivalent to drinking a bottle of "vitality tonic" for free every four hours, allowing him to work more energetically.

The chosen worker, yes!
……

"Hello, Mr. Tom, I found a job."

"Really? That's great! Have a glass of butterbeer, it's on me." Old Tom was also very happy to hear the news.

"What kind of job?" he asked, placing a large oak mug of bubbling butterbeer in front of Ted.

"It's Slug Jiggs Pharmacy. I'll help with the low-grade medicinal materials."

"That's great! What are the details?"

"For example, when dealing with slugs. Use special gloves to scrape off the slime and throw it into a bucket. Then use a silver knife to dig the slugs open, squeeze out the internal organs, lay the slugs flat, and wait for them to dry."

"Uh~" Old Tom was speechless.

"Haha, what else can I do as a little wizard who hasn't even started school? It's great that Mr. Slug Giggs is willing to help me. And I can also learn some knowledge about potions by the way."

Old Tom nodded and said nothing more.

He found that Ted had a very good mentality and was very mature.

What 11-year-old wants to deal with disgusting slugs?

Even in difficult situations, he remains optimistic and carefree, and never complains about anything.

This kind of person is undoubtedly likable.

Signed, looking for monthly ticket~
Please~Hold your fist!

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(End of this chapter)