Chapitre 62: Dueling Stage
Alby took him to the Wampus dormitories where a large statue of the cat was present.
"Since the Wampus house is known for warriors, there is a dueling rings in the dorm. Of course it is just to practice and any permanent harm to a student will be investigated." Alby said, showing him the five dueling stages.
Students were gathered around watching a couple students duel.
"Incredible." Art said, his eyes wide with admiration. Hogwarts didn't allow dueling between students and gave punishments for it instead.
"You are in room 177 so it is on ground level." Alby said, pulling him away from the stages.
"Alby! Come back for another ass kicking?"
A few students crowded around Alby and Art. Some cast wary glances at Art, deciding if they should cause trouble or not.
They looked to be all first years so Art ignored them and gave Alby a slight push, trying to break out from the encirclement.
"What is the rush there limey, don't you want to see how you match up to us?" a tall black man asked, a cocky smirk on his face. His body looked built, even from under his robes.
"He is Jacob Carreire, 5th year. He is said to be unmatched in dueling in his year." Alby muttered, his eyes filled with warriness.
"I'm just finding my room." Art replied calmly, a smile on his face.
"Just a little spar, no one will get hurt." Jacob insisted, not backing down.
Art looked around and saw that the students all had anticipation on their faces. Alby gave Art a nudge and slowly shook his head.
"Well why not? Dueling is a great way to make new friends." Art said cheerfully. "Alby can you watch my bag?"
Alby looked at him in shock and nodded, taking his bag but he quickly ran out of the dormitories.
"Good man! Now let's just wait until a stage is free, okay?" Jacob was slightly taken back as well but was happy that Art accepted.
Art nodded, his anticipation building as he looked forward to see what a house built from warrior's would amount to.
---
"You know that was uncalled for? On his first day, you unload on him like that?" Shelby said in a whisper to Natasha as they sat in the library.
"I know, I know but he brought up your grandma and my family name. I thought he just wanted to flatter us. It irked me, okay?" Natasha replied, opening a book.
"His teacher knows my grandma! Of course he will bring it up!" Shelby threw her hands up.
Shelby opened her own book, clearly frustrated with her friend.
Alby ran into the library and up to their table, out of breath.
"You have to stop him. Jacob challenged Art to a duel and he accepted it!" he said, trying to steady himself.
"Good, maybe he will learn that he isn't the only genius." Natasha said, not looking up from her book.
Shelby gave her a glare and stood up, "Come on Alby."
The two of them left Natasha sitting there alone.
"Well I do want to see him knocked on his ass." Natasha muttered, running after them.
The news spread very quickly and students were piling into the Wampus dorms.
"Can anyone enter your house?" Art asked Jacob.
"Yes but they can't enter the rooms without permission of the owner." Jacob answered.
"Cool." Art answered with a smile, loving the differences in schools.
Soon a duel wrapped up and Art and Jacob took the stage.
"Jacob Carriere, 5th year, Wampus." Jacob said, giving a slight bow.
"Artland Cason, 5th year, Gryffindor and Wampus." Art returned the gesture.
Jacob frowned, "Aren't you going to take out your wand?"
"Only if you can force me." Art answered with confidence.
The students started mocking him and calling him arrogant.
"Don't be upset when you don't have the chance." Jacob said.
Art only smiled in reply, lightning danced between his fingers.
Jacob's eyes narrowed as he felt danger coming from this person. He didn't waste anymore time and immediately casted his first spell.
"Stupefy!"
Art easily blocked it and sent his own stunning charm at Jacob who narrowly avoided it. Jacob continued to attack, using many different spells.
'He is quite skilled and even throws in a nonverbal spell now and again.'
Art didn't return any spells and simply blocked or avoided the spells.
Jacob became frustrated and Art saw an opening, he threw a bolt of lightning, hitting Jacob square in the chest. Jacob was knocked down and the front of his robes were smoking.
"You are very skilled duelist and your nonverbal spells are impressive." Art said, walking over to Jacob and offering him a hand.
Jacob had an incredulous look on his face but soon he gave a bitter smile and accepted Art's hand, helping him up.
"Looks like I kicked an iron board. I couldn't even get you to draw your wand, how shameful." Jacob said bitterly.
"Not at all. This is very refreshing to me. Hogwarts doesn't allow unsupervised dueling like this. No wonder Ilvermorny has such a strong reputation." Art praised.
The spectators were silent as they all looked at each other, not believing what they saw.
"We should duel again soon! I have to beat you by the end of the year!" Jacob said.
"Of course! Anytime you like." Art laughed and jumped down from the stage.
---
"Looks like you had nothing to worry about Alby." Shelby said, still stunned at what happened.
Alby looked at Art with worship, "He is a genius!"
"Told you he was a hot blooded idiot like them." Natasha said behind them.
"Oh, you came? Thought you didn't care?" Shelby teased.
"I don't but I thought he would lose much to my disappointment."
"Lose!? He didn't even draw his wand!" Alby said loudly.
---
Art walked over to Alby who was talking to the girls from earlier.
"Can you show me my room now Alby?"
"Of course!"
"Are all students from Hogwarts like you?" Shelby asked curiously.
"No, I am a freak." Art laughed, following Alby.
Watching them walk away, Shelby blue eyes glittered. "He must be a freak. I wonder how strong he truly is."
Shelby was determined to find out more about this boy and decided to ask her mother to investigate him.
"You aren't going to do a background check on him, are you?" Natasha asked, knowing that look in Shelby's eyes.
"He is interesting, why wouldn't I?"
Natasha rolled her eyes and left the dormitory.
---
Alby opened a door, letting Art enter his room. The room was tiny but cozy with a desk and twin bed. A picture of a Wampus was on the wall with the crest of Ilvermorny beside it.
"It might be small but all the bedrooms are like this." Alby said nervously.
"It's perfect." Art said with a smile. He put his bag in the closet and sat on the bed.
"Why were those guys from before picking a fight with you?" Art asked curiously.
"Headmaster's grandson. Plus my personality annoys people." Alby said not bothered by it.
"I find you funny." Art said with a laugh.
"Thanks. How are you so strong?" Alby asked curiously.
"Practice, lots of practice." Art said with a smile. "And maybe a bit of talent."
"Why are your eyes gold?"
"Family genes."
"Why were you raised by muggles?"
"Parents were murdered, they adopted me."
Alby's eyes went mad but continued to ask him a hundred more questions.
"Finally he left." Art muttered, shutting the door. He crashed onto his bed and fell asleep.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone