Starting at Hogwarts, Logging into Elden Ring

At the Grangers’ dining table, the family of four enjoyed a warm, happy breakfast.

Is it my imagination? Why does my cousin look... more handsome than before?

Little Hermione’s sharp eyes caught the subtle change.

It wasn’t her imagination. Arthur had already been a bit good-looking, but after passing through the forces of time and space, his body had been refined into something flawless. On top of that, last night’s fusion with the Twelve Trials now radiated a vigorous masculine aura.

To outsiders, he seemed like an exquisite porcelain figurine—yet full of vigor.

Mrs. Granger noticed Hermione sneaking glances and teased:

"Looks like our little Hermione is quite taken with her cousin—you’ve even forgotten to eat your breakfast!"

Blushing, Hermione quickly put down her fork.

"I’ll... go grab the mail!" she said, darting off.

With Hermione gone, Mrs. Granger turned her sights on Arthur.

"Seems like you two are getting along well. Hermione seems to like you. Any interest in becoming my son-in-law?"

Arthur almost choked on his bread. He’d heard foreigners matured early, but this was way too soon!

"Auntie, please don’t joke like that. Hermione and I only met yesterday—it’s far too soon to talk about things like that."

"You shouldn’t say that," Mrs. Granger winked. "Your uncle and I were in love at first sight."

Mr. Granger nodded beside her in agreement.

"Even so, we’re still just kids!" Arthur protested.

"Oh~ so you do have thoughts about little Hermione then?"

Arthur was about to deny it when Hermione returned.

"Mum, today there’s not just my letter—there’s one for Cousin too! And they were delivered by an owl! That’s so strange. He only moved in yesterday, so how could anyone know he’s here already?"

The Grangers exchanged a surprised glance.

Arthur looked at the ancient-looking envelope, a hunch forming in his heart. He accepted it. The address read:

"England, Hampstead Garden Suburb, No. 3 Heathgate — Arthur."

Sealed with a crest of a lion, snake, badger, and eagle.

Sure enough—it was a Hogwarts acceptance letter.

Arthur couldn’t help but marvel at the school’s efficiency. He had only awakened magic last night, and the very next morning the letter had arrived.

"Look, Cousin! My envelope looks exactly like yours. They must be from the same place. Do you know who sent them?" Hermione asked, holding up hers.

"I’m not sure. Let’s open it and see."

Arthur tore open the seal. The first page read:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Order of Merlin First Class, Grand Sorcerer)

Dear Mr. Arthur,

1

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

The term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Deputy Headmistress,

Minerva McGonagall

Arthur didn’t even need to check the second page—he already knew it listed required books and supplies. He had read this scene countless times in his past life, always wondering if his own letter was late. Now, at last, the dream had come true.

Hermione, meanwhile, had finished reading and was skeptical.

"This looks like some elaborate April Fool’s prank."

The Grangers took turns examining the letters.

"It does seem like some kind of joke. Best ignore it," Mr. Granger said.

But Mrs. Granger shook her head.

"Dear, I think there’s some truth to this. Do you remember what I told you about the strange things that sometimes happen around Hermione?"

"You mean that time when we were drunk, and little Hermione snuck a sip of wine? Are you sure you weren’t just tipsy yourself, imagining dishes floating in the air?"

Mrs. Granger was about to argue when Arthur interjected:

"I think... that wasn’t an illusion."

Blue light shimmered around his hand. Arthur flicked his wrist toward the window—

A streak of light shot out, striking the flowers outside. It was unmistakably a Glintstone Pebble from Elden Ring.

Petals scattered through the air. Inside, silence reigned.

The three of them stared at Arthur, stunned speechless.

"I... dreamed about this last night," Arthur said lightly. "And when I woke up this morning, I realized I could actually do it in real life."

This was true—he had only discovered it earlier that morning.

When he’d asked the System why he could use this spell without "materializing" it, the answer had been: knowledge doesn’t count as an in-game item. As long as the host learned it, and the world’s rules were compatible, he could use it in reality.

That was when Arthur realized his greatest treasure wasn’t just gear—it was knowledge of an entire world.

And why had he mastered the spell so quickly? Simple: his innate talent, Extraordinary Aptitude.

He hadn’t just learned to "use" the spell in battle yesterday—he’d understood its underlying principles.

The System had "given him a computer" by letting him cast the spell. But Arthur had dismantled it, studied its parts, and now knew how to build one himself. All he needed were the "components."

What were those magical "components"? In his eyes, they were magical runes. By channeling them through a wand and forming rune circuits, different spells could be cast.

Knowing the method, reproducing a spell was child’s play.

And as for wands?

The System told him: Arthur himself was practically a living artifact. Using his own body as a wand was no problem at all.

Arthur could only shrug. What could he say? Having cheated really did mean being free to do whatever he wanted.

Hermione was the first to recover from the shock.

"Cool! Cousin, how did you do that? Teach me!"

"Sure. But first, let’s reply to this magic school. The owls are still waiting outside. Just don’t be upset if you can’t learn it yet."

"Hmph! No way. I’m clever. If they sent me a Hogwarts letter, that means I’ve got magical talent. I’ll definitely learn it!"

"Alright, alright. I believe you," Arthur chuckled.

He knew most wizards in this world needed wands to focus their magic, and their spells required specific gestures too. Without a wand, Hermione’s control over her mana was practically nonexistent. She wouldn’t be able to shape runes, let alone circuits.

But he couldn’t exactly explain where his knowledge came from, so he just agreed. Later, once Hermione had her wand, he could guide her properly.

The two of them laughed and ran off to write their replies.

Hearing their door shut, the Granger parents came back to their senses.

"So... they just left us here? Not even asking for our opinion?" Mr. Granger muttered, a little jealous. It felt like his precious little girl was slipping away from him already.

Mrs. Granger rolled her eyes.

"Children having their own ideas is a good thing. And little Arthur seems so steady for his age. The poor boy’s parents’ accident made him mature early. I like him very much."

"I’m warning you," Mr. Granger said gruffly. "Don’t stir up trouble. The boy’s probably still grieving, and now he’s found something new to focus on. Don’t disrupt that."

He wanted to argue more, but under his wife’s stern glare, he swallowed the words.

If Arthur had overheard his uncle’s thoughts, he would have sighed: Men understand men better.

Grief? He had none. His backstory here was just System-generated. His parents’ deaths felt more like a quest setup than a personal tragedy.

Besides—he had just unlocked wandless casting. He was far too delighted to be sad.