Thane Astris: The Starborn Wizard

As the final bits of conversation faded, the sound of the doorbell rang through the house, signaling the arrival of their guests.

"'They are here. Let's go welcome them," Amelia said, taking Thane's hand, her voice steady with the comfort of familiar routine.

Opening the door, they were greeted by a smiling blonde woman, a man with dark hair, and two young girls, each radiating warmth and excitement.

"Apolline! It's been so long! How have you been?" Amelia exclaimed, embracing her cousin with a traditional la bise.

Amelia's striking beauty was undeniable, even by Veela standards. Her silvery-blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight, cascading in soft waves past her shoulders, perfectly framing her elegantly sculpted face. Her piercing blue eyes sparkled with warmth and a touch of mischief, a reflection of her charismatic and vibrant personality. Her poise and grace, honed through years as a Hollywood star, exuded an effortless charm that captivated anyone who met her.

Standing beside her, James radiated a powerful yet approachable presence. His tall frame and broad shoulders spoke of quiet confidence, while his jet-black hair, perfectly styled, added a touch of sophistication. His chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes mirrored his wife's, giving him a magnetic allure that suited his reputation as both a renowned director and a successful business magnate. The couple, with their stunning looks and dynamic aura, appeared as if they had stepped straight out of a magazine cover.

"Amelia!" Apolline smiled, pulling back slightly. "We've been good, thank you! And look at you, you're still as gorgeous as ever," she added before turning her attention to Thane, who stood beside her. "My, my, this little one is growing up so quickly! Happy Birthday, you handsome boy," Apolline said, bending down to wrap Thane in a warm hug.

"Thank you, Aunt Apolline," Thane beamed, accepting the embrace.

"Haha, yes, he's definitely growing faster than most his age," Amelia laughed, standing back up. Her gaze shifted warmly to the rest of the family. "Hello, Sebastian! Fleur! And our little cutie Gaby."

Sebastian stood tall and composed, his dark hair neatly combed and his tailored suit fitting perfectly, exuding an air of quiet strength. His deep-set brown eyes carried a welcoming warmth, complementing his sharp yet kind features. Beside him, Apolline radiated elegance, her silvery-blonde hair cascading down her shoulders in soft waves, framing her delicate face. Her blue eyes sparkled with both intelligence and affection, adding to her ethereal presence.

Fleur, standing close to her mother, was the image of youthful grace. Her silvery-blonde hair shimmered in the light, cascading in soft curls down her back, and her blue eyes glimmered with a proud and curious expression. Though only eleven, she carried herself with a poise beyond her years, her natural Veela charm evident in her every movement.

Peeking out from behind Apolline, little Gabrielle clutched a stuffed animal in her tiny hands. Her round cheeks flushed with excitement, and her wide, sparkling blue eyes darted around the room with curiosity. Her silvery-blonde hair, slightly darker than Fleur's, framed her cherubic face, giving her an innocent and mischievous charm.

The group exchanged smiles and handshakes, and with warm greetings, they stepped inside, the atmosphere instantly filled with the joy of family reunited.

"Thane, why don't you take Fleur on a little tour of the house while we catch up?" James suggested with a smile.

"Of course! Come on, Fleur, let me show you around," Thane said, his voice filled with enthusiasm as he led the way.

As they walked, Thane couldn't help but notice Fleur's attempt to hide her shyness with a proud, almost aloof expression. "Fleur, you must be excited to start attending school next year," he remarked, eager to start a conversation.

"That's right!" Fleur replied with a hint of pride. "Grandmother even gave me some of her hair for the core of my wand!" She smiled, clearly proud of her family's legacy.

"Wow! I'm so envious," Thane said, his eyes widening as if in admiration. "Can you tell me about the different schools we can choose from? I only recently learned about magic, and I haven't had a chance to learn much about the options."

"Of course! I know everything," Fleur said. "Beauxbatons, the school I'll be attending, is the most beautiful school in the world. Even the famous alchemist, Mr. Nicolas Flamel, and his wife studied there!" She added, her face glowing with excitement. Thane couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, feeling her pride radiate like the sun.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Thane replied, clearly impressed. "And what about other schools?"

Fleur seemed eager to share more. "Well, there are other schools too. Like Hogwarts in Britain and Ilvermorny in America. But Beauxbatons is still the best. You must join this one too!"

"Sure! Sure..." Thane nodded, smiling as their conversation drifted to other topics, both of them sharing their thoughts and excitement for the future.

Thane knew that convincing his mother to allow him to join Hogwarts instead of Beauxbatons or Ilvermorny would be a challenge. He had to come up with a convincing reason, but for now, he was content to enjoy the birthday celebration with his family.

When they returned to the living room, the decorations were up, and the atmosphere was full of warmth and joy. Thane cut the cake and received heartfelt gifts from everyone. After a few rounds of photos together, the Delacours made their departure back to France.

As the door closed behind them, Amelia turned to Thane with a thoughtful expression. "Thane, your Aunt Apolline reminded me... I haven't felt your allure for a few days. Is everything alright?" Her concern was evident in her voice.

Thane shrugged casually. "Oh, that! Well, you can't feel it because I can control it now."

Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… What did you just say?" she asked incredulously.

"I said, I controlled it so no one can feel it," Thane repeated, nonchalantly.

"Thane! Oh my god!" Amelia's face lit up with disbelief. "You don't know how incredible that is! Just how much better it is for you to have control over it!"

Thane smiled, proud of himself, but Amelia's expression softened as she continued. "Baby, there's discrimination in the magical world too. I was discriminated against in my childhood because I'm part Veela. If you can control your allure, it will stop people from associating you with Veelas."

Thane's expression hardened, his gaze serious. "Then I'm definitely not hiding my allure. It doesn't matter what people think or say. I won't hide anything from you and Dad. As for discrimination… well, at most, I'll just leave the magical world. It's not like I can't find a place in the non-magical world."

Amelia looked at Thane, her worry lingering. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I just don't want the world's prejudice to weigh you down, sweetheart." She began to respond, her voice softening as she spoke

"And baby, learning magic is necessary—"

But Thane cut her off, his voice firm. "Then you can teach me. It's not like you can't..."

Amelia's eyes softened as she looked at him, her heart swelling with pride. Without another word, she enveloped him in a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you, Thane."

That night, as he lay in bed, his thoughts drifted to the limitless potential within him. The allure, his talents, and his vision of a future that balanced both worlds. "If I can master this, what else can I do?" The thought lingered in his mind as he resolved to explore his potential further.

The following day, Thane and Amelia began writing the script for Home Alone. Thane also started using his system to learn acting and scriptwriting, eager to further develop his skills.

The virtual space of Thane's system felt like stepping into another world. A grand, futuristic amphitheater stretched out before him, with rows of floating seats that circled a glowing stage. The ceiling above shimmered with stars, and everywhere Thane looked, holographic screens displayed scripts, scenes, and acting techniques. Standing in the center, his small figure felt minuscule against the enormity of the environment, yet his eyes gleamed with curiosity and determination.

[Welcome, Thane Astris. Today's session: Scriptwriting and Acting.]

A holographic figure materialized beside him. It was serene and gender-neutral, dressed in timeless robes, exuding an aura of wisdom.

[Thane, let's begin with the fundamentals of scriptwriting. A great story begins with a compelling what if question. For example, What if a young boy accidentally gets left behind by his family during Christmas? Let's explore this idea and expand it into a story structure.]

Thane thought for a moment. "Hmm… The boy, Kevin, gets left behind, but he outsmarts two burglars with his traps and wit. It's funny and heartwarming at the same time!"

[That's a solid foundation. Now, let's break it into acts. Act One introduces the characters and the inciting incident—Kevin being left alone. Act Two explores the challenges he faces and how he grows from them. Act Three resolves the story. Let's flesh out the details.]

A massive holographic outline materialized before him, dividing the story into three acts. Thane waved his hand, and the outline zoomed in on Act One.

"In Act One, we show Kevin feeling ignored by his family. That makes being left behind bittersweet for him—at first, he's happy to be alone!" Thane said, pointing to the holographic screen, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Thane spent two hours immersed in scriptwriting, and as the session drew to a close, he couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly he had grasped the concepts. The guidance provided by Bree, the system's mentor, made the process even more enjoyable and engaging.

[Transitioning to Acting Mode.] Bree's voice echoed, signaling the shift.

The amphitheater transformed. The stage morphed into Kevin's living room, adorned with Christmas decorations. Thane found himself dressed as Kevin—his oversized sweater and tousled hair giving him the perfect look. Bree's holographic figure became a shadowy director behind the camera.

[Imagine you've just realized you're home alone. Channel Kevin's mix of excitement and disbelief. Action!]

Thane stood in the middle of the living room, eyes wide as he gasped. "I… I made my family disappear!" He grinned mischievously, a wave of joy flooding over him. Without hesitation, he leapt onto the couch and shouted, "I am free!" His energy was infectious.

[Great energy, Thane! Now, try showing a hint of fear when you hear a noise from outside. Action!]

Thane froze mid-jump, his expression shifting from joy to worry. His eyes darted toward the door as the room seemed to grow quieter. His voice quivered as he spoke. "Is… is someone there?" He slowly stepped down from the couch, his small frame tense, yet his curiosity outweighed the fear creeping in.

As the scene concluded, the system paused, and the virtual environment dissolved, returning Thane to the grand amphitheater.

[Session complete. Progress: Scriptwriting 20%, Acting 15%. Excellent work, Thane.]

Thane couldn't believe how much he had learned in just a few hours. The system had unlocked his potential in ways he hadn't even imagined. Bree had meticulously guided him, sharpening his camera presence, teaching him how to naturally command attention in any scene. His emotional depth had improved, allowing him to transition seamlessly between emotions, adding layers to his performance that made it feel real. The system had also focused on his body language, making him more aware of how every movement and gesture could tell a story. His facial expressions were becoming more dynamic, adjusting to the emotional beats of each scene without feeling forced. And his line delivery had become increasingly sharp and authentic, with Bree's guidance helping him master pacing, timing, and tone. He was eager to use it to its fullest extent.

Meanwhile, Amelia was once again astounded by how quickly Thane had grasped the concepts of scriptwriting and acting. In just two days, he was no longer simply learning—he was producing results. Now, instead of teaching him, Amelia found herself assisting him with his scriptwriting, her role having shifted as Thane's skills grew.

At times, Thane would showcase his acting skills in front of her, performing scenes from the script they were writing. Each time, Amelia was blown away by his talent. She couldn't stop praising him during her calls with James, marveling at how her son seemed to be a prodigy in every way.

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Word Count - 2050+