chp2
Five Years Later
A young girl sat by the window of a lavish study, a large book resting in her small hands. The sunlight streamed through the towering glass panes, illuminating the elegant gold embroidery on her velvet dress. Though her emerald-green eyes appeared to be scanning the words on the page, her mind was elsewhere, caught in deep thought.
Selena's POV:
My name is Eleanora Donovan Vale.
That was the name given to me in this life. A name that held power, wealth, and responsibility.
My mother, Helena Donovan, was a Muggle-born witch—a woman who defied pure-blood expectations by excelling in both the magical and non-magical worlds. Born to a prominent business family in the Muggle world, she had inherited the Donovan Group, a vast corporate empire spanning multiple industries. From real estate to pharmaceuticals, from technology to manufacturing, the Donovans had their hands in everything. My mother had not only embraced her magical heritage but had also found ways to blend both worlds for mutual benefit.
My father, Jonathan Vale, came from an old, noble pure-blood family. The Vales were different from the traditionalist aristocrats who clung to outdated ideals of magical supremacy. Instead, they had always been a family of merchants, traders, and negotiators, believing that true power came from wealth and influence rather than blood purity.
Throughout history, the wizarding world had been plagued by instability—wars, blood feuds, and prejudices. Unlike most pure-blood families that chose to engage in these conflicts, the Vales took a different approach. They sought stability through wealth and trade, ensuring that no matter which faction held power, the Vale family remained untouchable.
When my father met my mother, he was initially resistant to the idea of mixing business with the Muggle world. But my mother, ever the strategist, showed him the untapped potential that lay beyond the magical community. She explained that while the wizarding world had its own economy, it was small, outdated, and heavily regulated by the Ministry of Magic. Meanwhile, the Muggle world was vast, full of competition, but also teeming with opportunities for those who knew how to play the game.
And so, my father made a bold decision.
He sold off most of the family's outdated and underutilized properties in the magical world, keeping only the essential ones—the ancestral estate, the high-value real estate in Diagon Alley and other magical trade hubs. With the gold from these sales, he began investing heavily in the Muggle world, using the Donovan family's existing connections as a bridge.
But my father wasn't just a businessman—he was a master strategist. While he saw the value in the Muggle economy, he also recognized an even greater opportunity hidden within the wizarding world—the black market.
The magical economy was riddled with inefficiencies. The Ministry of Magic imposed strict regulations on trade, making it difficult for lower-class wizards to afford even basic necessities. Pure-blood families hoarded wealth, while struggling magical communities barely scraped by. Many of them couldn't afford potions, proper robes, or even books for their children's education.
My father found the perfect loophole.
Instead of dealing in illegal goods like cursed artifacts or dangerous potions, he focused on basic, everyday commodities—things that the wizarding poor desperately needed but were too expensive to obtain through magical means.
Fabric & Clothing – While wizarding robes were traditionally woven with enchanted threads, most common folk couldn't afford them. My father imported high-quality Muggle fabrics at a fraction of the cost and sold them discreetly in magical marketplaces.
Art & Decorations – Many magical homes desired fine artwork and tapestries, but the ones created with magic were overpriced. Muggle-made art was sold under the guise of "antique wizarding craftsmanship."
Basic Medicine – Not everything required a potion. Many minor ailments in the wizarding world could be treated with Muggle pharmaceuticals, which were cheaper and more accessible than most healing potions.
The biggest advantage?
The currency exchange.
A single Galleon was worth far more than a British Pound in the Muggle world. What wizards considered "cheap" in their own economy translated into massive profits when converted into Muggle currency. The Donovans and the Vales were buying goods at dirt-cheap Muggle prices and selling them for premium rates in the wizarding black market.
Of course, this had to be done discreetly. The Ministry of Magic frowned upon mixing Muggle and wizarding economies, and any direct link to my father could raise suspicion.
Thus, he built an elaborate network of intermediaries—business partners, underground traders, and even a few corrupt Ministry officials willing to look the other way for the right price. While the Vale family name remained clean, the influence of their wealth spread far beyond what most could imagine.
With my mother's influence in the Muggle world and my father's connections in the wizarding underworld, the two families created a self-sustaining cycle of wealth.
1. The Donovan Group used Muggle currency to purchase high-demand goods at cheap rates.
2. These goods were discreetly transported into the wizarding world, using Vale intermediaries to avoid detection.
3. The items were then sold to low-income wizards at "affordable" prices—which were still high by Muggle standards but cheap compared to magical alternatives.
4. The earnings in Galleons were laundered through a network of small businesses before being converted into Muggle currency.
5. The profits were then reinvested back into the Muggle world, repeating the cycle.
The result?
The Vale-Donovan alliance had limitless access to both economies, amassing wealth far beyond what any traditional pure-blood family could achieve.
The Ministry of Magic suspected something, but without direct evidence, they could do nothing. To the public, the Vale family remained a respectable pure-blood lineage, while the Donovans continued to be a dominant force in the Muggle corporate world.
And me?
I was born into this empire of power and secrecy.
I might have been only five years old, but I already understood the delicate balance my family had created.
Magic, money, influence.
In my past life, I had struggled for financial security. But in this life…
I was born into wealth and power.
And I would not waste it.
Selena's POV
Oh, I forgot to mention—apparently, I'm in the Harry Potter world. Crazy, right?
And the best part? I'm a Squib. Or at least, that's what everyone around me thinks.
Previously…
When I was just a baby—before I even knew my name or what I looked like—I had a dream. No, it was more than that. It felt too real.
One moment, I was sleeping in my crib, the next, I felt a pull. It was like something had yanked my very soul out of my tiny body, dragging me into an endless expanse of purple mist.
It was mesmerizing—glittering, shifting, alive. The air was thick with an unexplainable energy, neither warm nor cold, but something entirely foreign. It was neither suffocating nor empty, simply... there.
And then, a panel appeared before me.
Like a game.
A translucent screen, softly glowing, filled with words written in a language I had never seen before but instinctively understood.
> [Customize Your Dream Domain]
Beneath the words, something appeared—a massive, floating bubble large enough to fit a small house. It was completely empty.
Then, a list of selectable options emerged.
> [Beginner Package]
I wasn't sure how, but I understood what I had to do. I was supposed to build something. Shape something.
Three choices appeared:
> ● Earth (average)
● Sea (average)
● Cloud (average)
I didn't know why, but Earth felt like the safest bet.
The moment I selected it, the ground inside the bubble transformed—what was once an empty void turned into soft, green grass sprinkled with tiny flowers. A rich, earthy scent filled the air.
Excited, I continued customizing. More options appeared.
I clicked on:
> ● Tree
A large oak tree sprouted instantly, its thick branches stretching toward the skyless void above.
> ● Small Lake (Normal)
A shimmering lake emerged beside the tree, its water crystal clear, reflecting the soft glow of the purple mist surrounding me.
> ● Small Shed (Crude, Wooden, Single-Person)
A simple wooden shed appeared—a tiny structure barely big enough to shelter one person. It looked fragile, but it was the only housing option available, so I had no choice but to accept it.
The whole place was simple but strangely… comforting.
Then, before I could explore further, another panel appeared.
> [Customize Avatar]
For the first time, I realized something—I had no idea what I looked like.
I was just… a presence. A floating consciousness without a body.
And if I didn't know what I actually looked like, then… I might as well make myself how I wanted.
Excitement bubbled inside me as I customized my avatar.
> ● Hourglass Body – Because why not? If I had to exist in a dream space, I wanted to be stunning.
● Golden Eyes – Mysterious and striking.
● Blue Hair – Not just any blue, but a deep sapphire, like the twilight sky.
● Slightly Pointy Ears – A touch of fantasy, adding an ethereal charm.
When I was done, I looked… breathtaking.
For my clothing, I chose a white, dreamy dress—light, flowing, elegant.
Then, as a final touch, I added a veil to cover the upper half of my face, leaving only my golden eyes visible. It gave an air of mystery, something that felt… right.
The moment I finished, I felt the pull again.
The Birth of a Dream Walker
The moment I finished customizing my dream domain, the bubble containing it began to float upward, as if being anchored in place within the purple mist. A strange force pulled me inside, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself standing within my newly created world.
The landscape was exactly as I had built it—simple yet beautiful.
A majestic oak tree stood proudly atop a small hill, its thick branches swaying gently as if touched by a breeze that didn't exist. The greenery was lush, soft underfoot, and spread across the ground in an almost perfect harmony. To the side of the tree, a small lake shimmered under the soft, purple glow of the dream realm, its surface eerily still yet crystal clear. And then, there was the tiny wooden shed—humble, rough, barely big enough for a single person to stand inside, but it was mine.
Just as I was about to take it all in, a familiar panel appeared before me.
---
[Status Window]
> Name: Eleanor Donovan Vale
Level: 1
Job: Dream Walker
Coins: 100 (Starter Pack)
Innate Abilities:
● Form Change: Once inside someone's dream, the Dream Walker can appear as someone the target trusts or anything the Dream Walker wishes.
● Dream Sense: As long as you have a clear understanding of your target, the Dream Walker can enter their dream.
● Meta-Pull: You can pull the target into the Dream Domain. (Not recommended until the host is 100% sure that the target won't harm the domain from the inside.)
Skills: — (None currently acquired)
[Shop] [Inventory] [Q&A]
---
Interacting with the System
I stared at the glowing text floating before me.
So, I'm really not dreaming, huh?
This was real—or at least as real as a dream realm could be. I needed more information, so I tapped on [Q&A], and immediately, a new screen appeared.
> "Where am I?"
[You're in the realm where dreams meet.
As a Dream Walker, you're able to enter others' dreams and you have your own Dream Domain.
The more you upgrade your domain, the more powerful you'll become both in the dream world and outside.
However, innate abilities are restricted to work only in the dream world.
You can purchase skills, items, and enhancements using the shop function.]
My eyes widened. So this was a world of dreams… and I was somehow given the ability to control it.
> "Are there more like me?"
[No. Dream Walkers are extremely rare. According to the available information, it's exceptionally uncommon for an individual to gain access to this realm.
However, as this realm is the land of dreams, there are hundreds of millions of dream domains and nightmares.]
So, I was one of a kind. A rare existence.
> "Do they pose any danger?"
[Yes. Some dreams grow stronger by devouring weaker ones.
However, the host is under system protection until the Dream Domain reaches Level 10.]
That was a relief. At least I wouldn't have to worry about something attacking me just yet.
> "How do I get stronger?"
[Earning coins by defeating other dreams or garnering emotions from the dreams of targets, which transform into coins.]
I frowned slightly. Defeating dreams? Did that mean I had to fight other dream constructs? And what did "garnering emotions" mean exactly? Did I just have to watch someone's dreams, or did I have to influence them?
> "What happens if I get hurt in this place?"
[Depending on the severity of the injury.
The worst-case scenario: an indefinite coma.]
I froze.
A coma.
So if I wasn't careful, I could get trapped here forever.
That was a terrifying thought.
I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to stay calm. First things first—I needed to get stronger.
And for that, I needed skills.
---
Exploring the Shop
I tapped on [Shop], and suddenly, a new panel appeared.
Unlike the previous system windows, this one had a visual component—a silhouette of a man wearing loose robes, his face hidden by a hood. His form shimmered, almost as if he weren't entirely stable.
Then, to my surprise, he spoke.
> "
His voice was hesitant, almost confused.
> "
I raised a brow. He doesn't seem to know who I am.
That was interesting. It meant that whatever this place was, I wasn't supposed to be here yet—or at least, not expected.
Still, I didn't have time to waste.
> "Show me the shopping list."
The merchant quickly recovered from his surprise and nodded.
> "
I nearly choked. Dream Lord?
Did he think I was some kind of big-shot figure in this realm?
For now, I decided to play along. If it got me more information, then I wasn't going to correct him.
A large list appeared before me.
The innate abilities I had weren't for sale—probably because they were unique to me and could only be upgraded as I improved my Dream Domain.
However, skills and items were available for purchase.
I clicked on [Skills], and another list unfolded.
---
[Skills List]
> ● Luck Dust (Passive) — S Rank
Sees golden dust whenever the target is beneficial to the holder of the skill.
> ● Nimble Paws — B Rank
Enhances agility, making leg movements as fluid as a cat's.
> ● Minor Healing — C +Rank
Heals minor injuries.
> ● Wind's Blessing — A Rank
Grants wind manipulation abilities.
> ● Notice Me, Senpai (Passive) — C- Rank
Easily catches the attention of others.
the list went on and on , the weakest rank was a C- while the highest was not visible, replaced by ?????? question marks.
I carefully analyzed the list.
The Luck Dust skill caught my attention immediately—being able to see beneficial people would be extremely useful in both the dream world and reality. However, it was S Rank, meaning it was probably expensive as hell.
Nimble Paws sounded useful for mobility, but I wasn't sure if I needed it right away.
Minor Healing was always good to have in case of emergencies.
Wind's Blessing… wind manipulation sounded incredibly strong, but I doubted I had enough coins for it yet.
And then there was Notice Me, Senpai.
I grimaced at the name. What kind of weird ability is this?
I had no idea if it was useful or annoying.
There were more skills hidden, but I probably needed a higher shop rank to unlock them.
I looked at my 100 starter coins.
Not a lot.
I needed to choose wisely
Eleanor maintained her calm, unreadable expression, her gaze unwavering as she examined the merchant. She could sense his growing nervousness, the slight tremble in his posture, the way his ethereal form flickered ever so slightly—subtle signs of someone under stress.
She had no intention of correcting his misunderstanding. If he believed she was a powerful Dream Lord, then so be it. She wasn't about to ruin this golden opportunity.
> "Show me the items," she commanded smoothly, her tone firm yet composed.
The merchant, still sweating proverbial bullets, felt his anxiety skyrocket. He was used to dealing with powerful Dream Lords, but they were all established figures—people who had spent years building their dream domains, conquering others, and acquiring formidable abilities.
Yet this seemingly young and powerless woman had somehow managed to contact their exclusive Deep Sea Line.
> This is bad. If she's truly that powerful and I fail to impress her, management will have my head!
The Deep Sea was known for only interacting with high-tier Dream Lords, those whose influence stretched across countless dreams and nightmares. If she had reached them, then she was someone not to be messed with.
Worse, if word got out that he had failed to satisfy a big shot like her, his standing within the organization could plummet.
The merchant was now desperate.
> "
""
Eleanor flinched internally.
Plucked from dreams and nightmares?
So these skills and items were essentially harvested from other dream constructs. That was… unsettling. She made a mental note to investigate this further later.
However, she didn't let her composure break. Instead, she simply hummed, tilting her head slightly.
> "Hmm, I didn't find anything that piqued my interest yet," she said, as if mildly unimpressed.
That single sentence was enough to send the merchant into full-blown panic mode.
> What if she contacts another merchant?! What if she finds better products elsewhere?!
He could already picture his downfall—being demoted, his authority within the organization slipping away, losing the lucrative clients he had worked so hard to gain. He could not let that happen.
> I have to win her over. No matter what.
The solution? Flattery and gifts.
If he could curry favor with this mysterious Dream Lord, she might choose to exclusively trade with him. That would secure his standing in the Deep Sea organization, and maybe even boost his rank.
Still maintaining his subservient posture, the merchant hurriedly brought up the items list, making sure to display some of the finest goods he had in stock.
A glowing panel materialized before Eleanor, filled with an assortment of fantastical objects.
[Items List]
> ● Sundrope Flower Brew (A+): Once consumed, grants the ability to heal wounds and retains youth.
● Rift Chalk (B+): 3D painting—draw on air, making it solid.
● Umbrella (C+): At night, produces light under the umbrella-shaped sunbrella.
● Butterfly Flute (C): Summons and controls butterflies.
● Sturdy Sword (C)
● Sturdy Sword (C+)
● Sturdy Sword (B)
● Sturdy Sword (B+)
● Sturdy Dagger (B)
The list continued downward, filled with more weapons, trinkets, and arcane artifacts.
However, Eleanor quickly noticed one odd thing—there were no prices listed.
Meaning, she had to ask directly for each item's cost.
---
Eleanor carefully examined the selection.
The Sundrope Flower Brew immediately caught her attention. An A+ rank item that granted healing and youth preservation? That sounded like an incredibly valuable and potentially life-saving resource.
Then there was the Rift Chalk. 3D painting that becomes solid? That seemed like a versatile tool with many creative applications.
The Umbrella was… odd, but could be useful in dark environments.
The Butterfly Flute seemed strange but intriguing. What exactly could "controlling butterflies" achieve? Were they just aesthetic, or did they have some hidden function?
And then, of course, there were the weapons.
Most of them were "Sturdy Swords" ranked from C to B+. There was also a B-rank dagger.
Eleanor immediately understood something—this shop catered to all kinds of dream combatants. Whether someone was an artistic manipulator (Rift Chalk), a healer (Sundrope Flower Brew), or a straightforward warrior (weapons), there was something for everyone.
However…
She still didn't know how much any of these cost.
And she wasn't about to let the merchant dictate the price based on her perceived wealth.
> "These are quite… interesting," Eleanor finally said, keeping her tone neutral yet slightly intrigued.
The merchant visibly relaxed at her words, taking them as a positive sign.
> "Ah! I am pleased to hear that, esteemed Dream Lord! Please, if you have any questions regarding the items, I would be honored to provide detailed explanations!"
Eleanor nodded slightly, pretending to deliberate.
> "Yes… but first, tell me—why are there no listed prices?"
The merchant flinched before quickly composing himself.
> "
Eleanor immediately saw through the ploy.
> Translation: He wants to gauge how much I'm willing to pay before setting a price.
If she acted too eager, he'd inflate the prices. If she pretended to be indifferent, he might offer discounts or even freebies.
> Hah. Amateur tactics.
Eleanor let out a thoughtful hum.
> "I see. Then tell me…" she let her golden eyes narrow ever so slightly, her voice laced with mild disinterest.
"How much for the Sundrope Flower Brew? Or… are you offering gifts to important clients?"
The merchant choked.
His entire soul flickered for a moment, as if his dream essence had just glitched.
Eleanor could already see the calculations racing through his mind.
> If I charge her too high, she might be offended and leave. But if I offer it as a gift, I could win favor and potentially gain a powerful exclusive client…
She waited.
The merchant swallowed hard before finally making his decision.
> "
Bingo.
Eleanor smiled internally.
Her poker face had won the first battle.