Thick Of It

Chapter 51: Gacha



The Headmaster's office was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, its many whirring instruments casting dancing shadows on the walls. Dumbledore, perched serenely in his high-backed chair, looked thoughtfully at Professor Flitwick, who was seated opposite him, legs dangling off the oversized chair, sipping a cup of spiced tea. The topic of their discussion was none other than Jason Bourne.

Dumbledore: [stroking his beard] "Filius, I've had an interesting conversation with Alastor. He seems to have... suspicions about young Jason."

Flitwick: [tilting his head in confusion] "Jason? Suspicious? Albus, I daresay he's one of the more well-behaved boys in my house. Always eager to learn, courteous to his peers—well, except during duels. Then, he's quite, let's say, 'focused.'"

Dumbledore: [raising an eyebrow] "Focused, you say? Alastor mentioned a certain... precision about him. A sharpness. He wonders if it might be too sharp for a fourth-year. Did you train him, Filius?"

Flitwick hesitated, carefully setting his teacup down on the table.

Flitwick: "I did, Albus. After the events of his second year... the Chamber of Secrets incident... Jason came to me. He felt... powerless, helpless even, when he found himself in danger. I think it shook him deeply."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses.

Dumbledore: "I see. And so you decided to help him regain that sense of control?"

Flitwick: [nodding emphatically] "Precisely. He didn't just want to learn; he wanted to master. Albus, he devours knowledge. I began with basics, of course, but Jason's aptitude quickly outpaced the curriculum. Within months, he was dueling at a level comparable to upper-year students. And not just dueling—he incorporates transfiguration, charms. ."

Dumbledore: [chuckling softly] "Remarkable. He sounds like a prodigy in the making. But what of his temperament? Moody described him as... calculating."

Flitwick leaned forward, a stern but caring expression on his face.

Flitwick: "Jason is driven, yes. Perhaps too much at times. But I've seen no malice in him, Albus. He's not scheming or cold. If anything, he's quite protective—of his friends, of his housemates. And as his teacher, I've made sure to instill a sense of responsibility alongside his skills. He knows that with power comes accountability."

Dumbledore: [smiling warmly] "Spoken like a true mentor, Filius. You've always had an eye for potential, and it seems you've guided Jason well. Still, I believe it would be prudent to keep an eye on him. Not out of mistrust, of course, but simply to ensure he doesn't find himself lost on a darker path."

Flitwick sat back in his chair, thoughtful.

Flitwick: "Jason isn't the type to seek darkness, Albus. But he is the type to face it head-on, no matter the cost. That's why I'll keep mentoring him. He's a good boy—fiercely intelligent and loyal. If there's any concern, I'm certain it comes from his desire to be prepared for anything."

Dumbledore's gaze turned contemplative, the flickering candlelight reflecting in his wise, weary eyes.

Dumbledore: [softly] "Preparation is a noble pursuit, but it can lead to isolation if one is not careful. Thank you, Filius. Your insight is invaluable, as always. Let us hope Jason's path remains one of light, even if the shadows around him grow darker."

Flitwick gave a small bow, finishing his tea and hopping off the chair.

Flitwick: "He'll be fine, Albus. With a Headmaster like you, and a teacher like me, what could possibly go wrong?"

Dumbledore: [smiling with a hint of mischief] "In this castle, Filius? Practically everything. But that's what makes it so... enchanting."

The two professors shared a chuckle as Flitwick made his way out of the office, the portrait of an old Headmaster muttering something about "boys these days" as the door creaked shut. Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, staring thoughtfully at the intricate designs of the ceiling .

=====

Jason sat alone in the Room of Requirement, the air thick with anticipation as the Gacha rolled in front of him, glowing with an ethereal light. A mischievous smile danced on his lips, his fingers hovering over the window.

1. Deadman Powers:

Jason's face contorted in horror at the description.

Jason: "No, absolutely not. Wandering the mortal world after death, haunting the living? What am I, some kind of supernatural tax collector? Hard pass."

He waved it away with a shudder, mentally cataloging it under 'things I'd rather not summon.'

2. Thread Manipulation:

He leaned in closer, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Jason: "Hmm, controlling thread. That's... neat. But let's be real, I'd end up knitting scarves instead of ensnaring enemies. Not exactly my style. Hard pass."

He flicked this one away with a half-hearted shrug.

3. Shadow Camouflage:

The room seemed to darken as Jason read through this option, his grin widening.

Jason: "Now, this is more like it. Disappearing in shadows, slipping through the cracks like a wizarding Batman? Yes, please. Practical and stylish."

With a dramatic flourish, he summoned the ability, feeling a cold shiver as the shadows seemed to welcome him into their embrace.

Jason: [grinning to himself] "Time to strike fear into the hearts of... well, probably just Ron for now."

4. Pink Panther Tune:

A jazzy melody began playing out of nowhere, filling the room. Jason couldn't help but chuckle, tapping his foot to the rhythm.

Jason: " Oh, this one's just for vibes. Approved."

5. Midnight Flying Kiss:

Jason barely let the description settle before he summoned it.

Jason: "A midnight flying kiss? How romantic. Accept. Because why not?"

He paused for a moment, realizing how utterly useless this was in combat.

Jason: "Unless I can weaponize affection. Hmm..."

6. Cypher Ability:

His eyes lit up as the details appeared.

Jason: "The ability to read and speak any language? Like All Speak? That's amazing! Finally, no more guessing what those ancient runes mean. Accept!"

He flexed his newfound power by muttering phrases in languages he didn't even know existed.

Jason: [grinning] "Bonjour, world domination!"

7. Boku no Pico:

Jason's face fell into an expression of sheer panic as the description popped up.

Jason: [horrified] "NO! Burn it! Burn it with fire! Never again! It's like the internet's cursed artifact."

He swiped it away, summoning fire with a dramatic flair to ensure it never returned.

8. Sharingan:

Jason blinked as the description faded into view. The blood-red Sharingan appeared before him, its intricate tomoe pattern spinning ominously.

Jason: "Cool... and deeply tragic. Let's just hope I awaken this with love and not some heartbreaking backstory. Accept."

As the ability imprinted itself on him, he winced as pain lanced through his eyes. A single drop of blood trickled down his cheek.

9. Quincy Cross:

Jason tilted his head, reading the description with mild annoyance.

Jason: "What am I supposed to do with a Quincy artifact? I'm not even a Quincy! Pass."

He sighed, shoving it aside without a second thought.

10. Gon Technique:

Jason squinted at the explanation, his frustration palpable.

Jason: "Okay, so I can't use this because I don't have Nen. Wonderful. Let's just pretend I learned something new and move on."

He dismissed it, though he kept the idea of using it as a study material in the back of his mind.

Jason leaned back against the wall, surveying the room and his new abilities. The shadows danced playfully around him, his Sharingan faintly glowing as it adjusted to the dim light.

Jason: [to himself, smirking] "Not a bad haul. If I keep this up, I might just become unstoppable. ."


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