"Yes! That's it!"
The idea hit Cedric like a bolt of lightning.
Health preservation… plus Kung Fu?
It sounded ridiculous at first—but the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.
He knew this stuff.
Back in his previous life, middle-aged people would joke that once you started carrying goji berries in a thermos, it meant you were aging. But behind the humor was a whole world of knowledge—regimens, techniques, and breathing exercises designed to cultivate the body.
Most importantly, Cedric remembered something very specific: Baduanjin.
Eight Pieces of Brocade—a traditional set of Chougain exercises focused on breathing, posture, and energy flow. In his past life, Cedric had practiced it in his twenties to help with stress and fatigue. The results had been remarkable. Now, with a magically receptive body, it might do even more.
If it could improve circulation and bodily vitality… what about magical flow?
"I won't know unless I try," Cedric muttered.
The moment Astronomy class ended, he rushed back to his dormitory. The moonlight filtered through the castle windows as he pushed aside his trunk and cleared a space on the stone floor. Then, closing his eyes, he began to move.
---
Baduanjin was more than stretching.
Each posture had a precise purpose: lifting the heavens with both hands, drawing the bow to shoot a hawk, separating heaven and earth. Cedric remembered every move perfectly after just two or three tries. Muscle memory from his previous life returned smoothly.
As he practiced, his breathing deepened, his focus sharpened, and warmth began to spread through his limbs. His blood seemed to flow faster. Even the magic in his core pulsed rhythmically, syncing with each breath and stretch.
It was working.
He could feel it.
Just as Cedric was about to wonder how he might confirm the effects, a chime echoed faintly in his head.
> [Magic-enhancing activity detected. Please complete the sequence ten times for system analysis.]
Cedric's eyes widened. That was all the confirmation he needed.
Magic boost action.
He grinned and jumped right back into practice. For half an hour, he repeated the set over and over. Sweat poured down his back, and steam curled from the crown of his head. His muscles trembled—but not from fatigue. From something else. Something deeper.
Then another notification came.
> [Sequence complete.]
[Skill acquired: Baduanjin.]
A health regimen that strengthens the body and aids magical circulation.
Grants +10 magic power (max 70), +1 strength, +1 vitality.
Ten points of magic!
That was huge.
Cedric remembered clearly—after his first magical outburst as a child, he had gained just ten magic points. It was barely enough to rattle a bell or light a candle. But it had marked the beginning—the transition from being an ordinary boy to a wizard.
And now… he had a method to replicate that.
"Ten points is all it takes," Cedric whispered. "Enough to escape the fate of a Squib."
With this, and a bit of magical guidance, he might be able to help Filch. Maybe even others.
And then another thought came.
What if he combined this with Eastern medicinal materials?
A string of traditional herbs floated into his mind. Angelica sinensis. Astragalus. Goji berries. Ginseng. Real ones—not the powdered stuff sold in supermarkets.
He needed help getting them.
---
Early the next morning, Cedric climbed up to the Owlery and tied a carefully written letter to the leg of a large tawny owl. He'd addressed it to his parents, listing the names of the herbs in both English and their original characters—just in case.
He explained that it was for a school research project. Hopefully, that would avoid too many questions.
With that done, he headed to class.
---
Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts filled the morning.
Cedric stayed sharp, offering observations, helping classmates, and actively participating in spell drills. Professor Rowan—a tall, broad-shouldered wizard with a booming voice—gave him a high score: 8 out of 10.
But there was no system notification.
Cedric frowned slightly. Could it be that the system only responded to characters from the original story?
He filed that theory away to test later.
---
After lunch, Cedric made his way to Professor Flitwick's office again.
This time, he came not as a student seeking knowledge—but as someone who had knowledge to offer.
"You're saying this exercise method can enhance magic?" Flitwick asked, peering over his spectacles.
Cedric nodded. "Yes, Professor. I've tested it myself. I think it stimulates the flow of magic within the body. I'd like to show you."
The two moved to a quiet courtyard, and Cedric demonstrated the Baduanjin sequence.
At first, Flitwick merely observed with curiosity.
But after repeating the set with Cedric twice, he froze. His expression changed—eyes widening as he stood in the final posture, breathing deeply.
"Incredible…" he whispered.
He raised his wand slowly and performed a simple Lumos.
The tip flared brighter than usual.
"I can feel the acceleration," he muttered. "Magic flow... circulation... this technique actually enhances the inner channels!"
He turned to Cedric, astonished. "You invented this overnight?!"
Cedric laughed awkwardly and shook his head. "Not exactly, Professor. It's from an Eastern book I read a long time ago. I just adapted it."
"Mysterious Eastern traditions…" Flitwick said with awe. "Their civilization is ancient, and some of their magic lore is practically lost to time. But the language! So difficult to study."
He looked at Cedric with new admiration.
"You learned Chinese as well? Cedric, I rarely use this word—but you're brilliant."
Cedric chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I studied it from when I was five. Mostly self-taught."
Flitwick beamed. "Modest, too."
"But Professor," Cedric added more seriously, "I actually came here to ask for your help. This method might be able to help Mr. Filch… I want to teach it to him."
The professor blinked. "You want to… help Filch?"
"Not just him. If this works, maybe it can help other Squibs too."
Flitwick's eyes shimmered. "You really are one of a kind. Of course I'll help you."
Cedric smiled. "I'll be teaching the other Hufflepuffs anyway. I can teach Filch in a one-on-one session so he won't feel embarrassed."
"Wonderful. I'll inform you when I've prepared the space."
That evening at dinner, Flitwick gave him an approving nod and a thumbs-up. The plan was in motion.
---
The next morning, Cedric led a small group out to the courtyard.
He stood at the front—calm, composed, and focused. Behind him were several curious Hufflepuffs, Filch, and even Professor Flitwick himself. Filch looked unsure but followed Cedric's movements, mimicking the stretches and postures with surprising effort.
Cedric took it slow, offering words of encouragement.
"Focus on your breath. Keep your spine straight. Let the energy rise."
Sweat beaded on Filch's brow, but the old caretaker didn't complain. In fact, for the first time in Hogwarts history, Filch looked… motivated.
Nobody thought much of it that morning.
Just some early fitness fanatics getting fresh air.
But then came Thursday.
---
In Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class, a curious event took place.
Filch, who had stopped by the classroom to deliver a scroll, paused briefly in the doorway.
As he turned to leave, McGonagall did a double take.
The man was standing straighter.
There was a glow to his cheeks. A spark—subtle, but undeniable.
And as he walked away, several students stared after him, murmuring.
"Was that… Filch?"
"He looks different."
"He's not limping!"
McGonagall said nothing at first.
But her sharp eyes didn't miss a thing.
Later that evening, she summoned Profess
or Flitwick to her office.
And the transformation of Argus Filch—Squib, loner, caretaker—had officially begun.
-----------------
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