Whether in the East or the West, if we look back, we will find that the spells in their myths and legends have many similarities.
There is a fundamental law in the wizarding world's magic: nothing can be conjured out of thin air.
Transfiguration can increase volume or change form, but it cannot create something from nothing.
Even at Ivan's current level, he can only make one thing permanently change into another.
Magic materials and magical creatures can be transformed, and Ivan has mastered some advanced techniques in this regard.
However, creating something from absolutely nothing remains impossible.
Even with 6 points of magical power, Ivan still cannot achieve such a feat.
This highlights the immense value of magical powers.
"In the myths and legends of the East, there is a goddess called Nuwa," Ivan explained.
"She creates seventy things that do not exist in the world every day and even created humans from mud and water."
If the characters in these myths were all wizards in this world, then Nuwa would be no exception.
Not surprisingly, Nuwa would likely be considered the oldest and most powerful witch in the East among ancient wizards.
After all, the Mediation of Fate is said to originate from her.
"If we could truly create something out of nothing, then there would be no difference between us and actual gods, would there?" Penelope remarked thoughtfully.
Ivan nodded in agreement. "In the future, we should collect more magic from the East. Magic knows no borders. As long as it can improve our strength, it is worth learning and studying."
This summer vacation, Ivan had many tasks to accomplish.
On the Muggle side, he planned to continue using his wealth to expand his industries and make them bigger and stronger.
With the memories of his previous life and the ability to foresee the future, the Muggle world in front of Ivan seemed like a malleable entity, open to his every influence.
This did not violate the rules of the Ministry of Magic.
Using Muggle financial systems to make money from Muggles had no loopholes and was not a responsibility that fell under the jurisdiction of wizards.
The company's affairs are all managed by the team.
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ivan had seized the opportunity and made a fortune. Now, with no shortage of funds, he planned to acquire numerous physical industries.
In addition, the 1990s marked the beginning of the information technology boom, and Ivan knew he needed to prepare early to capitalize on this emerging field.
I'm clearly a wizard, but I'm following the path of urban entrepreneurship, Ivan thought wryly to himself before turning to Penelope. "Penelope, do you still remember your tasks?"
"Of course!"
"Stand by your side and arrange your time and schedule!" Penelope replied confidently.
Penelope had an impressive talent for secretarial work. Like Hermione, she had a photographic memory and paid close attention to detail.
Often, Penelope could remind Ivan of small issues he had overlooked.
"Good. And don't worry too much about Muggle matters," Ivan said reassuringly. "With such a solid foundation, no matter how much we spend, it won't collapse."
"In the next two months, I'll focus on developing spells suited to your magical characteristics."
"The training for your Animagus form and the subsequent magical transformations will also continue."
"Especially the latter—I want you to complete the final steps in the best possible condition."
Since Christmas, Ivan had been refining the potion required for magical transformation.
The preparation of the potion was divided into many steps. Not only was it extremely tedious, but every step required complete concentration—there could be no room for error.
To be honest, Ivan hadn't realized that magical transformation would be this challenging.
Potions had little to do with the strength of one's magic.
While a high level of magical control could improve the efficiency of potion-making and reduce the likelihood of mistakes, the actual method of refining potions still required meticulous study.
Ivan could analyze potion formulas and determine which materials would create the most optimal magical circuit.
However, with so many ingredients involved, even knowing their precise ratios wasn't enough—he still had to grind and brew them individually.
Magic was of no use at this stage.
Don't underestimate the importance of hands-on preparation. Potion refining was part of a specific ritual.
Using spells to process ingredients would introduce external magic, disrupting the balance of the ritual and potentially ruining the potion.
This is why potion-making required true talent.
Even Ivan had experienced numerous failures while refining potions.
It became clear that knowing the data wasn't enough—hands-on ability mattered greatly. Some wizards with less dexterous hands simply weren't suited for potion-making.
This time, only Penelope would undergo the magical transformation.
In fact, Ivan himself planned to complete a magical transformation during the summer holiday.
At present, Ivan's attributes stood at, magic 6, soul 5, and physique 2.
The other three attributes—will, thinking, and mind—were generally maintained at around 3 points.
According to Ivan's understanding of the system's attributes, 1 point represented the average, where most individuals resided.
Among Muggles, 1 point of an attribute indicated an ordinary person without any special skills.
At 2 points, a person could be considered to possess relatively exceptional abilities.
For example, in an academic setting, someone with 2 points in thinking would perform in the upper range of their group.
Among wizards, such a level would make an excellent graduate.
When an attribute reached 3 points, the individual would be an elite in any context. For instance, Hermione, with her intellect, would eventually reach the heights of the Minister of Magic in the future.
Generally speaking, attributes ranging from 1 to 3 points allowed someone to be considered a leader within the system.
Once an attribute reached 4 points, however, wizards transcended their national boundaries and became truly exceptional on a global scale.
Such individuals only appeared once every few decades and were destined to be recorded in history.
Theoretically, achieving 4 points in an attribute represented the pinnacle of the wizarding profession.
To grow stronger beyond this, one would cease to be a simple wizard.
Figures like Dumbledore, Ivan, Grindelwald, and Voldemort had either awakened inherited family bloodlines or undergone magical transformations to surpass these natural limits.
As previously stated, ordinary wizards and archmages were like two completely different beings.
This comparison was entirely accurate. Wizards were one category, while archmages were another entirely.
The four aforementioned individuals had already stepped beyond the realm of wizards, ascending the ladder toward godhood.
Here, "godhood" did not refer to literal gods but to ancient wizards who reached unparalleled heights.
By this analogy, 6 points in an attribute marked the dividing line between humans and gods.
Ivan could clearly feel that after his magical power broke through 6 points, he was no longer confined by the limitations of mortal life.
His frame of reference was now the entire world.
With this perspective, Ivan continued to grow stronger by studying the laws and concepts that governed existence.