Chapter 3: The Wider World I

Simon took back what he said earlier. He did not mind staying a few more months in the family manor of his "mother".

He was learning a lot about the Chinese and Asian Wizarding World. For that, he had his "grandmother" to thank. The third wife of the late Lord Yang, she was apparently the last and only wife to have outlived the old man. Simon was told that Lord Yang was cursed in his youth by a dark wizard who was an enemy to the Honglong Yang Clan and his wives all had short lives. Sze Lin was the only woman to survive this curse. Hence, even though she was not the mother to five of the late Lord Yang's eight children, her decisions were still highly respected within the Clan.

Since Xiao's grandson, Zeren, did almost kill Simon, a compromise was reached when Old Lady Yang gave Simon the privilege to join En-han, the Yang family heir, in his private lessons during his stay at the manor. Private tutoring was a privilege only reserved for the heirs through agnatic descent of prominent Chinese wizarding families, thus, even the more unorthodox couple of Jane and Dirk knew to accept this olive branch from the Clan to end the fight with Xiao. It did help that Xiao looked like she was slapped when Old Lady Yang announced the decision after consulting her stepson, the current Lord Yang. After all, the son of the sister she so despised was now getting an heir-like education.

With this, Simon found himself joining his cousin in a variety of private lessons. Heirs through agnatic descent started learning magical history, theory and politics at the age of three, as well as etiquette and some basic Chinese magical martial arts at the same time. So, it appeared some of the fanfic ideas about how pure-blood families trained their children rang true across the wizarding world.

However, what fascinated Simon the most was magical theory and history lessons with En-han's tutor.

"En-han is familiar with this but I am sure he would not mind me repeating this briefly for his cousin. After all, it would be a good review," Master Lian began, earning a nod from En-han who had his notebook and brush at the ready for this class. While Lord Yang was not especially close to Jane due to their huge age gap, his only son was only two years older than Simon. It appeared that Lord Yang enjoyed his bachelor days as the heir to a prominent wizarding family well into his late forties. En-han, while quiet, had been respectful to Simon (unlike Zeren) and Simon was starting to think he could perhaps grow closer with this bookish cousin.

"Wonderful, so let us begin discussing the basics of magic theory and history!" the wizened old master said enthusiastically as he wordlessly flicked his wand to show ink-drawn diagrams of the human body appear on the rice paper pinned to the wall.

"Unlike the wiccans of the West, the non-magical and magical people of the East are all familiar with pressure points," Master Lian gestured at the dots drawn across the human body, "This, of course, is thanks to the involvement of wizards in Asian governments for centuries!"

Simon had learned about this at some point during his stay at the manor. The Honglong Yang Clan and Xiao's husband's Zhu Clan were all descended from former ruling noble houses of various Chinese dynasties. It appeared that unlike the wizards of the West who retreated into the shadows, Chinese wizards used their magical abilities to rise as emperors of various dynasties. The whole myth of Chinese emperors being chosen by the heavens, able to bring rain during droughts and do all these inhuman deeds appeared to hold some magical truth. Each dynasty was just the triumph of another major wiccan clan. And with the first Chinese emperor, the wizard Huang Di, teaching herbology, potion-making and astronomy to his subjects, Chinese wizards were able to hide in plain sight by mixing the truth of magic with layers of superstition and myth. This seemed to be the similar approach taken by many Asian wizarding populations. Now that Simon thought about it, the Chinese herbal tea his mother gave him in his previous life was awfully similar to the potions discussed in Harry Potter…

"While non-magical peoples thought of these pressure points as the pathways of Qi, the intangible movement of well-being and health…which may indeed be true for non-magical bodies…these are the pathways of magic for wiccans."

Simon noticed En-han flipping through his meticulous notes on this topic and decided he should probably detail this insight too. After all, J.K. Rowling did not seem to have really explained how magic truly manifested in her texts or later works. She was, after all, too preoccupied with being a terrible human being on Twitter these days. And this Qi sounded a lot more interesting than whatever weird shit it was in the Mulan live-action!

"I am sure you kids have seen those pressure points being discussed in Hong Kong kung-fu movies and dramas on the television," the master continued, which reminded Simon of another oddity in the Chinese wizarding world – the wizarding population actually used and knew how to use muggle technology. There was even a television at the manor, an ancestral home of a powerful wizarding family. Likely due to their intermingling with muggles for centuries by being emperors and nobles, Chinese wiccans were not repulsed by the idea of using muggle technology. While they were no longer "emperors", many of them still lived as successful businessmen working in both the wiccan and muggle world. Their willingness to adapt and coexist with the muggle population was probably what allowed Chinese wizards to be politically influential well after the International Statute of Secrecy appeared to have taken effect in the West.

"Well, in these shows, we see kung-fu masters reach new heights when they open up more pressure points and reign in their Qi. This is, of course, just purely an entertaining myth for non-magical people, but it holds some truth for us wiccans. Since birth, you all have magic and will always have magic. But how much of it you can use depends on how many of your pressure points have opened up to allow magic to flow through freely," Master Lian explained and glowing lines starting to appear on the diagram of the human body, as if magic was actually circulating through the painted body's veins, "Usually the core pressure points of even the weakest wiccans should open up by the age of 11, which is why in the West, magic schools begin tutelage at that age and wands are bought. However, pressure points may start opening up at age 7. This is why the Japanese school of Mahoutokoro accepts day students starting at the age of 7 – basically a program for elite students developing beyond their normal age. The Academy also has a special program for children starting at the age of 9. Just in case the sudden development in ages 7 and 8 was a fluke!"

Although the wizarding school attended by Chinese wizards was one of the Eleven Schools registered with the International Confederation of Wizards, it appeared to be protected by an ancient and complex Fidelus Charm that prevented its name and location from being revealed to non-students. Everyone simply referred to it as 'the Academy' in Chinese wizarding circles. From what Simon was able to piece together from conversations and previous Simon's memories, both his parents attended the Academy.

"With greater practice of spell casting, a wiccan may open up more pressure points, allowing a speedier flow of magic and much more efficient recovery from strain of using magic. This was discovered by eminent alchemist and polymath Dzou Yen. Thus, while some may be born with greater natural talent by having more pressure points that open up on their own, hard work will never fail a wizard! The more you practice, the more powerful you will become! Just focus on the pressure points you want to open up one by one!"

So, the whole magical core thing and sudden strain causing one to lose magic in fanfics were definitely bullshit. Simon made a mental note to focus on opening up more pressure points whenever the day comes for him to practice spellcasting.

"And what is that I am using right now," Master Lian suddenly turned to face Simon, twirling the wand in his hands.

"A wand?"

"Indeed, but is it the only way to channel magic?"

"No master, one could do magic wandlessly, as many African wizards do."

The old master chuckled at Simon's comment. "Impressive, a 3-year-old already aware of the ways people of other regions cast spells…" En-han also looked curiously at Simon after his answer.

Simon gulped at this comment. Maybe he needed to tone down his Harry Potter trivia knowledge from his years of reading while bedridden before someone realized he did not have the mind of a 3-year-old.

"I like to read," Simon muttered, making sure not to meet the eyes of the old master in case he suddenly tried to delve into his mind.

The master did not look at Simon for too long, seeming to believe in his lie. The previous Simon was often reading in the manor when trying to avoid Aunt Xiao, so it did seem plausible.

"So, the wand is merely an instrument to better channel one's magic, and a powerful wizard does not need it at all. But also, do you not think wands are quite a Western object? After all, you do not see old wizards and witches brandishing wands in Chinese paintings."

En-han suddenly grinned mischievously, which caused Simon to shudder. What was getting the usual poker face and studious boy to seem so excited?

"Back in the day, Chinese wizards used this."

With a snap of his fingers, the older Master conjured a double-edged straight sword with a golden hilt out of thin air.

"Of course, we could no longer use it once even non-magical people stopped carrying swords around in public…and magically forged guns just never worked as well as swords…so we moved on to use wands. Unfortunate, as the swords had so many additional uses."

Eh-han suddenly raised his hand.

"Master, may I try its other use this time? I am not three anymore," the boy said, somewhat puffing out his chest when he commented on his age.

"Maybe when you are even older," the master said, earning a groan from the boy as he expertly manoeuvred the sword to go below his feet.

Simon gaped as the old man began surfing around the air with the sword under his feet. He wondered how he would find quidditch exciting ever again after seeing this display.