Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a vast multiverse, with countless worlds that share similar structures and magical laws.
The red-robed wizard belonged to the The Red Wizards of Thay, an organization in the world of Faerun.
The wizards of this realm were bound by the concept of spell slots—a structured way to harness magic.
Rather than a limitation, spell slots functioned as a tool, making magic easier to learn and cast.
However, legendary wizards had developed ways to bypass these restrictions entirely.
Through their mastery, they wielded legendary spells capable of feats far beyond ordinary magic. Some even ascended to godhood.
In their classification, most magic-users in other worlds would be considered warlocks rather than wizards.
True wizards were those who studied spells with discipline, mastering every detail through research.
In contrast, warlocks relied on innate talent or a mystical bloodline.
Wizards in the magical world were naturally gifted with magic, but many of them, such as Dumbledore, were also researchers, combining both intellectual study and raw power.
In D&D worlds, a wizard's potential was tied to intelligence, while a warlock's was determined by their bloodline.
The legendary Arcanists of Netheril, for instance, were known to have a minimum intelligence score of 17—considered barely acceptable by their standards.
The greatest among them had intelligence scores surpassing 20, some reaching 22 to 24.
If converted to a modern Muggle IQ scale, an average person ranged from 90 to 110.
A score of 120-140 marked intelligence, while anything beyond 140 indicated genius-level intellect.
The mightiest Arcanists likely had IQs exceeding 220 or even 240.
Ted estimated that his own IQ, when enhanced by buffs, would range from 150 to 180.
Without these boosts, his natural intelligence would only allow him to reach third-circle spells at best, out of a total of nine.
Third-circle magic granted access to spells like Invisibility and Fireball—powerful yet still considered entry-level.
Anything below that was merely dabbling in magic, barely worth mentioning.
Thankfully, Ted could still grow. With each level, he could increase his intelligence, paving the way for greater magical mastery.
As he flipped through the pages of the spellbook, Ted realized he had stumbled upon an incredible treasure trove.
Despite being only an aprentice wizard, the red-robed wizard Panny had compiled an impressive collection—over sixty spells ranging from cantrips to third-circle magic.
"How rich was this guy?" Ted marveled.
In Faerun, magic was expensive. Learning spells required either formal education—often with steep tuition—or purchasing scrolls, which didn't come cheap.
The sheer number of spells available was staggering, and not every wizard had access to the same knowledge.
Some wizards in isolated regions might go their entire lives without learning more than twenty spells.
Ted had read about the Red-Robe Wizards and knew them to be ruthless.
Their entire nation revolved around magic, using spells to control weather patterns and boost agricultural production.
They were infamous for their harsh treatment of lower-level wizards, fostering a cutthroat environment where apprentices were pitted against each other in brutal competition.
This strict hierarchy extended to magic item production as well.
The country thrived on exporting enchanted goods and food supplies.
Given that a third-circle wizard was still considered low-ranking within this system, Panny's collection of spells was remarkable.
Ted couldn't help but suspect that the man had influential connections—perhaps a powerful mentor or even a romantic entanglement with a senior wizard.
Not only did Panny possess a vast array of spells, but he had also dabbled in multiple schools of magic: Divination, Transmutation, Enchantment, and Evocation.
The Red-Robe Wizards were known for specializing in a single school, so why had Panny branched out?
One spell in particular caught Ted's eye—a third-circle spell called Animal Cuteness.
[Animal Cuteness]: Transforms a beast or magical creature into a younger, cuter version of itself for a limited duration.
"…What kind of spell is this?!" Ted muttered in disbelief.
But it reinforced a key lesson—prepared wizards were the most dangerous.
A wizard with an extensive repertoire could always find the right spell for any situation.
In a world where spell slots dictated usage, the challenge was not just knowing magic but preparing the right spells for the right moment.
A fool who loaded all their spell slots with Fireball would not last long in battle.
Ted grinned. This haul was worth every bit of effort.
Though converting Faerun's spell models to the casting methods of his current world wouldn't be easy, the potential benefits were immeasurable.
In History of Magic class, Ted found his mind drifting.
His spellbook contained over ten cantrips alone, and he couldn't decide where to start.
A sharp elbow to the ribs snapped him back to reality.
"What's wrong with you?" Hermione whispered. "You've been spacing out the whole time. And you haven't taken any notes!"
Ted cleared his throat. "I just… remembered some spell. Got a little distracted."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. He'd been acting this way at the start of last month… and the month before that, too.
'Something happens at the start of every month… Hermione thought. What is he up to?'
She continued to ponder this mystery over breakfast the next morning.
The boys had just returned from their morning run, still laughing and joking as they sat down at the table.
Neville lowered his voice. "I dunno about you guys, but Hermione's been pursing her lips and looking serious all morning. Feels familiar."
Ron nodded. "You're right, Neville. She's acting just like McGonagall!"
Jerry smirked. "What are you talking about? McGonagall is Hermione's role model!"
Before they could continue, Hermione slammed her hands on the table, eyes blazing with frustration.
"You three!"
Neville instantly threw his hands up. "Nothing to do with me!" he blurted out, scooting away slightly as if that would save him.
Before the conversation could go any further, a flurry of wings filled the Great Hall as the morning owl post arrived.
Letters and parcels rained down over students, some landing neatly on the tables, others dropping with a plop into breakfast dishes.
A few unlucky ones even got a stray feather to the face.
Ted, on instinct, flicked his wand and muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
He was so quick about it that Ron barely registered the spell before seeing his family's old owl, Errol, suddenly hovering a foot above a steaming bowl of corn soup.
"Whoa! That was fast," Ron said, blinking.
Errol, the Weasleys' aging, battle-worn owl, had been delivering letters since before Bill was born.
Now, well past his prime, he was barely keeping himself aloft. Had it not been for Ted's intervention, he would've gone headfirst into the soup.
Ted made a face. "Yeah, I really didn't want to start my day with owl-flavored chicken broth."
Hermione carefully took Errol and set him on the table, pouring a little pumpkin juice into a dish for him.
"Ron, your family really should retire him. One of these days, he's going to go out on a delivery and just… not come back."
Ron sighed dramatically. "Oh sure, easy for you to say! You think we have the Galleons just lying around for a brand-new owl?"
The Weasley family's financial struggles weren't a secret. With so many kids and only Mr. Weasley's income to support them, luxuries like a fresh, young owl weren't exactly high on the priority list.
Shaking his head, Ron untied the letter from Errol's leg and scanned it quickly. "Well, looks like I'm stuck here for Christmas. Mum and Dad are going to visit Bill in Egypt, and George and I have to stay at school."
Though Christmas was still weeks away, the Weasleys had already planned their holiday. The news sparked a discussion among their friends.
"I'm staying, obviously," Ted said with a shrug. "Nowhere else to go."
Jerry nodded. "Same here. Staying at school means one less thing for my mum to worry about."
"And since Ron's here, that means mischief levels at Hogwarts are going to skyrocket," Ted added, nudging Ron with a grin.
Ron smirked. "Well, I do what I can."
Hermione, Harry, and Neville, however, were all planning to head home for the holidays. Christmas was a big deal, and for many of them, it would be their first time away from home for so long. Their families were eager to have them back.
...
Later that morning, as Hermione and Ted walked together after breakfast, she hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"You know… if you wanted, you could come to my house for Christmas. My dad really likes you. He's been wanting to thank you properly!"
She tried to sound casual, worried that Ted might feel awkward about the offer.
Ted smiled warmly. "Thanks, Hermione. I really appreciate it, but I think I want to stay here this year. I want to see what Christmas in the wizarding world is like. Besides, Ron and Jerry will be here too!"
Hermione nodded, though she still looked a little concerned. "Alright, but you better write to me, okay?"
"Of course! Wouldn't want you thinking I'd been eaten by the Giant Squid or anything."
She rolled her eyes but laughed. "Three more weeks to the holidays."
"Yep!" Ted said with a grin.
"Oh! Right!" Hermione suddenly remembered something and hurried ahead, leaving Ted chuckling as he watched her go.
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Ted's Spellbook Notes
[Cantrips (Level 0)]:
Mage Hand
Mending
Light
Prestidigitation
Detect Magic
Message
Ray of Frost
[Level 1 Spells:
Arcane Lock
Comprehend Languages
Detect Secret Doors
Detect Magical Creatures
Protection from Evil
Shield
Mage Armor
Grease
Feather Fall
Floating Disk
Expeditious Retreat
Enlarge/Reduce
Magic Missile
Burning Hands
Thunderwave
[Level 2 Spells]:
See Invisibility
Enhance Familiar
Spider Climb
Water Walk
Mirror Image
Darkness
Invisibility
Web
[Level 3 Spells]:
Dispel Magic
Arcane Sight
Fly
Stone Skin
Wall of Fire
Ice Wall
Summon Swarm
Conjure Animals
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Word count: 1634
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