Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Rules of Magic Manipulation
Inside the Room of Requirement's dueling arena, Loki, panting heavily, stared at the impassive Augustus. He couldn't comprehend why, despite Augustus lowering his level to match his own, he was still in such a miserable state. Theoretically, ice-based spells should counter fire-based ones. Yet every move Augustus made seemed meticulously calculated—precise in distance and angle—always depleting Loki's strongest defenses without wasting a single bit of his own magical energy.
In the sky above, another fireball rose into the air. By now, Augustus had already cast Fireball twice. The first had been detonated mid-air with an Explosion Charm just as it neared Loki, catching him off guard and forcing him to waste a basic Ice Armor spell. The interruption caused by the Explosion Charm left Loki unable to switch to other defensive spells in time. The second fireball had been paired with a Level 2 spell, Magic Bomb. When Loki thought he could counter the fireball with Ice Storm—even pose a threat to Augustus—the invisible Magic Bomb caught him unprepared. If not for the instant casting of Ice Ring to avoid a direct hit, Loki might have been forced out of the duel by the second fireball.
Now came the third fireball. Loki's strained focus was faltering, and even the sight of the familiar spell made him feel a tinge of nausea. This wasn't just a simple spell combination; Augustus's unpredictable and seamless execution left Loki no room to breathe. Watching the massive fireball rolling in the sky, Loki chose to ignore it entirely. Instead, he kept his amber eyes locked on Augustus, wary of any hidden moves.
Unfortunately for Loki, Augustus's secondary attack wasn't aimed directly at him this time. With a flick of his wand, a flaming whip flickered into existence. Just as the fireball reached its peak velocity, Augustus cast the Level 2 spell Flaming Lash. The blazing whip struck the fireball mid-air, accelerating it to an astonishing speed. Before Loki could react, the fireball crashed into his basic Ice Armor with overwhelming force, propelling him out of the arena.
"You lost," Augustus said indifferently.
Loki's expression was complicated. In every duel so far, he felt like a puppet manipulated by Augustus's invisible strings, effortlessly toyed with. Worse, Augustus exclusively used fire-based spells, which were supposed to be countered by Loki's ice-based magic. This undeniable defeat left Loki stunned; he couldn't even offer himself an excuse. It was a clear suppression of skill.
In the past, Loki could claim Augustus's superiority came from his immense natural magical reserves and foresight in mastering a new system of magic. But now, Augustus had restricted himself to the same level as Loki, using only simple spells within the bounds of Level 3 magic. Loki had no choice but to bow to Augustus's exquisite technique. He had to admit that Augustus had far surpassed him on the path of magic.
Lilian's eyes sparkled. The duel had deeply inspired her. Augustus's effortless precision in spell combinations, his profound understanding of fire magic, and his calm, unflustered execution—all of it embodied the state she long aspired to achieve. His demonstration of fire magic at a lower level felt like a revelation, opening a new horizon before her. He was a guiding light, a beacon on the sea, setting an unmistakable goal for her. She believed that if she continued to follow closely in Augustus's footsteps, she too could reach such heights—and perhaps sooner than she imagined.
Meanwhile, Malfoy's face lit up with a smug grin as he watched Loki in such a disheveled state. Nothing pleased him more. From the moment Augustus began instructing Loki, Malfoy had eagerly awaited a spectacle. Loki's swift advancement to Level 3 magician had initially been a blow to him. After all, they had all been training together, yet while he and Lilian had only just reached the rank of certified magicians, Loki had already broken through to Level 3. But now, seeing the once-arrogant Loki looking so dejected and silent was as refreshing to Malfoy as downing a dozen butterbeers on a sweltering summer day.
"You've all just entered your new levels, and your foundations are still unstable. You must remain humble and patient. Rushing will only hinder your progress," Augustus advised, his eyes glinting faintly. "The path of magic lies in understanding. Every spell you cast should aim to achieve the greatest effect with the least energy. Never underestimate any spell, no matter how minor—it has its purpose. A true magician maximizes the potential of every incantation. Only when you master the laws governing each spell, wielding them with absolute confidence and skill, will you truly control magic."
As Augustus spoke, the sun began to cast a faint light over Hogwarts once again. Optimism returned to the castle. Since the incidents with Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, no further attacks had occurred. Madam Pomfrey reported with satisfaction that the Mandrakes were becoming temperamental and withdrawn—a clear sign they were maturing rapidly.
"Once their acne clears up, we can replant them," she told Filch one afternoon as Harry overheard. "Then it won't be long before we can stew them, and your Mrs. Norris will soon be back to normal."
Gilderoy Lockhart, meanwhile, seemed convinced he had single-handedly stopped the attacks. One day, as Slytherin students were lining up for Transfiguration, Augustus overheard him speaking to Professor McGonagall.
"I daresay we won't have any more trouble, Minerva," he said knowingly, tapping the side of his nose and winking. "I'm confident the Chamber of Secrets won't be opened again. The culprits must know it's only a matter of time before I catch them. Better to back down now before I take action."
The mystery of the Chamber of Secrets loomed like a great black hole, drawing endless speculation. Now that no more attacks had occurred, people grew bolder in their discussions. Augustus listened silently to the chatter around him, remaining aloof and indifferent.
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