Chapter 162: British vs the Americans
*Narrator pov*
Losing was a foreign feeling for Evan, he beat kids years above him, he beat his peers, and he beat his competition at schools.
Yet, today he lost and he didn't know how. He was focused, determined, and at the top of his game.
But, he lost.
It was an odd feeling being humbled in a sense. Evan rejoined his team and didn't say much just sitting down as everyone else told him he did good.
"You wouldn't have known to look for it if you have never seen it before," The voice of Severus beside hum cut Evan from his thoughts
Evan chuckled dryly, "Come to cheer me up? I don't need the pity Severus I lost its part of life it was bound to happen at some point," he spoke as if he was over it but someone who was observant could tell he was still upset
Severus let out the rarest of chuckles, "Merlin no why would I come over here to pity you? I have lost to remember and I know how the pity felt. Just came over to say it was outside of your control I think if you dueld again the outcome would be different."
Evan nodded, "Yeah maybe," his eyes wandering over to the figure of Stiles making his way onto the platform
"You think he's going to win?" Evan asked nodding his head over to Stiles
"Yeah," Severus said shortly, "He is going to win,"
***
It was an odd sensation that Stiles was feeling. Stepping onto the platform he scanned the area around him, it was weird being here in America. He knows and grew up with some of these people and more specifically he knew his opponent, "Joseph," Stiles uttered with a small nod
Joseph grinned, "Stiles," he nodded back, "Haven't seen you in a while. I'm surprised you're on the dueling team for Hogwarts you never were the most gifted," the way he stretched the word gifted grated Stiles's ears
"I wasn't even in school yet you buffoon how much of my talents could I really show?" Stiles quipped
Joseph shrugged uncaringly, "Whatever I'm going to end this fast anyway," he was full of hubris it was almost disgusting to hear him speak
"Enough chatter are you both ready?" The judge asked stopping their banter
"I am ready," Stiles replied calmly holding his wand loosely in his hand but if one looked closely one could see the burning anger behind Stiles's eyes
Joseph Houndsworth was not someone he ever wanted to see again.
"So am I," Joseph said his grip on his wand his firmer as if he was scared it was going to run from him
With a fierce cry, Stiles unleashed his first spell, "Glacius!" A blast of icy cold air erupted from his wand, hurtling towards Joseph with chilling intensity. But Joseph was ready, his eyes alight with concentration as he countered with a swift incantation, "Transmutare!"
Stiles watched in frustration as his ice transformed into a flurry of delicate snowflakes, dissolving harmlessly around Joseph. Anger flared within him, fueling his next attack as he shouted, "Frigus Excidium!" Ice crystals formed at his command, hurtling toward Joseph with lethal precision.
But Joseph's knowledge of Transfiguration was apparent as he swiftly countered, "Mutatio!" His wand traced intricate patterns in the air, transforming the incoming ice into delicate petals that floated harmlessly to the ground. Stiles gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting with each failed attack.
With a fierce tenacity, Stiles launched another spell, "Gelum Infernalis!" A wave of freezing cold energy surged from his wand, encasing the ground beneath Joseph's feet in a slick layer of ice. But Joseph remained unfazed, his expression determined as he braced himself for Stiles' onslaught.
In a attempt to gain the upper hand, Stiles unleashed a deadly spell, "Glacius Maximus!" Channeling all his anger and exhaustion into the incantation, he sent a devastating blast of ice hurtling toward Joseph.
But Joseph's response was swift and unexpected. With a flick of his wand, he cast, "Transfiguro!" The air shimmered with magic as the incoming ice transformed before Stiles' eyes. Instead of colliding with Joseph, the ice twisted and contorted, reshaping itself into a massive, snarling ice wolf.
Stiles stumbled backward in shock, his breath catching in his throat as the ice wolf lunged towards him with menacing fangs. Pain shot through his body as the wolf's icy claws raked across his arm, leaving behind deep gashes.
Despite his exhaustion and injuries, Stiles refused to back down. With a defiant cry, he summoned the last of his strength and unleashed a final spell, "Glacius Ultima!" A blinding burst of icy energy erupted from his wand, enveloping the ice wolf and Joseph in a whirlwind of frost.
The wolf froze in place and Joseph stumbled backward gasping in pain as frost burns etched into his skin his wand clattered to the ground.
He could only look up as a stunner was hurtled through the frosty mist just as the spell was about to hit him it turned into butterflies, "Duels over Stiles Marr of Hogwarts wins,"
When the Hogwarts section erupted in applause the Judge called over the healers, "Help these two down and heal them up," he said gruffly
Over at the Hogwarts side, the students were grinning ear to ear, they got one on the board hoping to avalanche from there. The professors were calm while watching the scene play out, "Rather vicious for a school duel don't you think?" Albus voiced
"Happens in real duels all the time I think this will help them in the long run," Abara replied
Morpheus rolled his eyes, "This was vicious, and Evan vs the Slytherins wasn't?"
Albus frowned not willing to speak to the crafty professor any longer.
This was good because if anyone had mage sight right about now they would have noticed the rune carved on the chair Morpheus sat on. And if they paid really close attention they would realize the man sitting next to them was nothing more than a highly advanced illusion.
*Morpheus pov*
I walked calmly through the woods below the American wizarding school. I slipped away shortly after we sat down to watch the duels. Replacing myself with an illusion was rudimentary no one was looking for an illusion in a setting like this.
My pace was steadfast as I approached the clearly demonic magical signal wondering how my map missed this location. It was perfect for them to create a portal here as these forests are never used because of the dangerous beasts lurking around. A perfect place to start a raid on the school I'd say.
Walking into the clearing I noticed the wards and frowned they weren't nearly as strong as the ones in Brazil.
Easily sneaking through I paused at the sight before me, I understand now why there were hardly any masking wards.
"What are you doing here in a cage?" I asked trying to keep the laughter from my voice
The animal before me perked up and narrowed it's eyes, "Morpheus is that you?"
"Yes, what are you doing next to a demon portal?" I asked in amusement
A low growl escaped his lips, "Bastards caught me on my hibernating cycle, come free me bastard,"
The beast stood now on all four legs revealing its form.
A jackal with golden eyes.
Weekly Power Status
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