manynovel Chapter 89 Professor Flitwick's Duel Memories
Chapter 89 Professor Flitwick's Duel Memories
Chapter 89 Professor Flitwick's Duel Memories (6)
Karen pushed open the door to "Eagle's Nest," and her three roommates were inside.
"Hey! Karen! You're finally back!" Wesley was the first to look up, slumped over the table, wrestling with a Charms paper. "Merlin's beard, if you hadn't come back soon, Professor Flitwick's paper would have turned me into a desperate groundhog!" He waved his quill exaggeratedly, nearly splattering ink onto the parchment.
Fabian was squatting in a corner of the room, diligently watering the plants with a small spray bottle. Hearing the noise, he adjusted his glasses.
A gentle smile appeared on her face: "Welcome back, Karen. Did your visits to the professors go well?"
Ernesto, with his back to everyone, stood before an exquisite brass telescope, intently observing the starry sky. Hearing their words, he replied without turning his head, "It's obvious that, given Cullen's popularity, I can't imagine any professor, apart from that old bat Snape, making things difficult for her."
Karen closed the door and placed the notes Professor Castor had given her in the bookcase under the alchemy table. Then she took off her slightly heavy school robe and draped it over the back of her chair. The Eagle's Nest was much warmer now that there was a fireplace, so she didn't need to wear thick clothes anymore.
Karen nodded and took something out of her small dragon-skin pouch: "Yes, I've successfully delivered all the cookies Mom baked. Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor Victor, and George, Fred, and Cedric."
Oh, I haven't delivered Professor Dumbledore's letter yet. Going to the Headmaster's office is a bit of a hassle; I'll see if I have a chance to go later.
"What were the professors' reactions?" Wesley's gossip instincts were burning, and he leaned even closer.
"Thankfully, the professors were all quite pleased." Karen smiled. "Professor McGonagall gave me a very valuable set of her research notes on Animagus from her younger days. Professor Sprout—" He carefully took out a fern wrapped in damp moss, curled up in a ball and emitting a soft glow, from his small bag. "She gave me this."
"Wow!" Fabian was immediately drawn over, his eyes behind his glasses filled with surprise and curiosity. "This is: 'Whispering Fern'?"
I've seen illustrations of it in the "Atlas of Rare Magical Plants"! It's said that it can sense the emotions of its cultivator? He reached out a finger and touched the curled-up bud very gently. The bud seemed to tremble slightly, and the light flickered softly.
“Yes,” Karen carefully handed the plant to Fabian. “Professor Sprout said to give it to us to keep in the Eagle’s Nest.”
She was very interested in the Asian seeds I gave her, especially the Moon Shadow Orchid. She said it was thriving with morning dew water and even showed me the seedlings, which had pale blue spots on them.
Fabian accepted the "Whispering Fern" with the joy of receiving a precious treasure, his face beaming with pure happiness and a sense of responsibility: "Fantastic! Leave it to me!"
"Karen! I'll give it the best care." He immediately began looking around, searching for the best spot to place the plant, muttering to himself, "It needs some diffused light, enough humidity, and a calm and stable environment."
"Alright, botanist, your new treasure isn't going anywhere." Ernesto interrupted Fabian's mutterings, his gaze shifting to the several thick notebooks Karen had placed on the shelf. He raised an eyebrow. "So, what are these? They look like they were taken directly from the restricted section?"
Karen followed his gaze: "Oh, those were given to me by Professor Victor. Research notes on protective alchemical artifacts and records of some failed samples."
He walked over and picked up the top notebook. "Didn't I tell you yesterday that I wanted to try making a trigger-activated Ironclad Shield Prototype Watch? Professor Victor thought the direction was feasible, but warned me that I must deeply understand the lessons of previous failures—these are the 'lessons'." He patted the heavy notebook, making a dull sound.
Fabian also temporarily shifted his attention from "Whispering Fern" and said in surprise, "It sounds like Professor Victor agrees with your idea, but he also meant to warn you to be careful."
"That's why Professor Victor gave me these," Karen said, putting the notebook back on the shelf. "It records many failed cases. I glanced through it on the way back, and it was shocking. Of course, there are also successful examples, with ingenious structures." He recalled the black arm armor Castor had shown him. "I need to study these carefully, to understand those energy diversion nodes and buffer structures. This isn't something I can figure out in a short time."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Wesley pointed eagerly at the notes. "Let's start studying it now! Maybe we can be of help?"
Ernesto chuckled. "Wesley, get your Quidditch and Muggle football brain working. Cullen just said it's not going to happen anytime soon. And," he pointed to Wesley's Charms paper, which was only partially written on his desk, "your paper seems to be in much more need of your 'help'."
Wesley deflated like a punctured balloon: "Oh! Don't mention that, my dear Ernesto."
Karen looked at her roommates, a smile spreading across her face. The slight fatigue from a day's travels and in-depth conversations with the professors dissipated considerably in the warmth of "Eagle's Nest" and the lively chatter of her companions. "Ernesto is right, studying those notes requires time and absolute focus. I am indeed a bit tired today."
Then he took out his bag and pulled out a delicate crystal bottle, its surface radiating a soft, pearly white luster, containing a wisp of ever-changing silver light. "However, I have something even more interesting here, which we can share now."
"What is this?" Fabian asked curiously, even stopping his actions of finding a place for the "Whispering Fern".
"Professor Flitwick sent it to me around Christmas," Karen said, holding up the crystal bottle. The silver light within seemed to sense her gaze, flickering even faster. "His memory of a duel in 1978! And from a first-person perspective!"
"What?!" Wesley and Fabian exclaimed in unison, and even Ernesto put down his binoculars, his gray eyes lighting up instantly as he stared intently at the crystal bottle.
"Professor Flitwick? A duel? First-person perspective?" Wesley was so excited he was almost incoherent. "Quick, quick! Cullen! What are you waiting for? Show it to us!"
Fabian excitedly pushed up his glasses: "My God, this is invaluable! To see a dueling master's combat perspective firsthand is the best teaching material for learning how to use spells!"
Ernesto didn't speak, but he strode to the fireplace, waved his wand to make the fire burn brighter, and extinguished some of the light sources in the room, leaving only the fireplace and a magic lamp to provide soft lighting, creating an atmosphere more suitable for viewing memories.
Then he took a few cushions out of the cabinet and threw them on the floor, indicating that everyone could sit more comfortably. He slightly raised his chin, as if to say, "I'm just doing this on the side," but his expectant eyes betrayed him.
Karen, seeing his roommates' eager expressions, smiled and walked to a more open area in the center of the room. He carefully placed the crystal bottle on the floor, then took out the memory construct from his inner pocket.
"Ready?" Karen looked around.
"Alright!" Wesley was already sitting cross-legged on the cushion, like a child waiting for the show to begin.
Fabian sat down, took out his notebook and quill pen, and prepared to take notes.
Ernesto, meanwhile, sat with his arms crossed, leaning against a high-backed chair.
Karen nodded, gently touching the tip of her wand to the core runes of the memory construct, and softly chanted the activation incantation. One by one, the silver runes lit up, flowing with thread-like light that connected to the crystal bottle on the ground. The stopper popped open automatically, and the wisp of silver mist surged out like a living thing, quickly being absorbed into the construct.
The Yu Yi construct emitted a soft hum, and a clear, stable, almost tangible beam of light was projected out, forming a three-dimensional, slightly trembling light screen above the carpet in front of everyone.
Then, my vision suddenly became clear!
The first thing you feel isn't the visuals, but a strong sense of presence: the deafening cheers assault your eardrums as if they were real, filled with fervor and anticipation.
Karen could even smell the lingering scent of the spell in the air, the aroma of food wafting from the stands, and a tense, imminent atmosphere of battle.
My gaze swept quickly across the entire arena: a circular dueling ring surrounded by tiered, packed stands, with countless waving arms and excited faces forming a blurred backdrop. My eyes finally focused on the opposite side of the arena.
A tall male wizard stood there, dressed in a deep purple dueling robe, his eyes sharp as knives, a confident smile playing on his lips.
His wand flashed a dangerous red light—Edgar, the "Silver Hand"! A legendary figure in the world of duels, renowned for his powerful and destructive spells. His oppressive aura could be clearly transmitted even through the barrier of memory.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" A booming voice resounded throughout the arena via magical amplification (this was the voice from memory, not the one Karen and the others heard), "Welcome to the 1978 All England Wizarding Tournament! Standing to your left is the defending champion, 'Silver Hand' Edgar! And to your right is our biggest dark horse of this tournament, Mr. Felius Flitwick! Let us look forward to this spectacular duel! The duel begins!"
The moment the word "begin" fell, Edgar barely paused! He swung his arm violently, and a thick, red beam of light, accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through the air, hurtled straight towards them like a battering ram! The speed was astonishing!
"This is the Shattering Curse!" Karen introduced to those around him.
The four people in the Eagle's Nest, especially Wesley and Fabian, instinctively gasped and leaned back, as if the curse was aimed at them! Ernesto also tensed up.
However, the perspective from memory reveals an astonishingly fast reaction speed!
There was no panic, no retreat. The view suddenly shifted to the left with an extremely smooth, minimally sized slide, while the wrist flicked at an unimaginable angle!
"Armor for protection!"
boom!
A blinding red light collided violently with the shield! The shockwave from the intense magical explosion caused the view to sway. The shield flickered wildly, but did not shatter! The view even used the force of the explosion to glide lightly a few steps to the side and back, perfectly dissipating the impact.
"Beautiful!" Fabian couldn't help but exclaim, his quill pen flying across his notebook. "Perfect prediction and precise local Ironclad Charm! No wonder it's Professor Flitwick!"
"His steps are as smooth as gliding on ice!" Wesley exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Edgar clearly wasn't expecting to defeat his opponent in one move. The instant the Shattering Charm was blocked, he drew his wand in several sharp arcs!
"Smoke billowing everywhere!"
"Legs stiffen and he dies!"
A thick cloud of smoke, thick enough to interfere with magical perception, instantly billowed out, while an invisible binding spell, like a venomous snake, slithered along the ground, silently coiling around Flitwick's lower body! A classic combination technique: obstructing vision and locking down movement!
From the perspective of memory, Flitwick seemed to have anticipated this. The instant the smoke rose, he didn't try to dispel it, but instead pointed his wand downwards, silently casting a spell!
The ground beneath their feet instantly became as smooth as grease, and the light of the binding spell grazed past their feet, missing its mark!
At the same time, the person in the viewpoint, using the smooth ground, retreated rapidly in an illogical manner, instantly creating distance.
We have left the area with the densest smoke.
"A silent spell! The timing was impeccable!" Ernesto's eyes gleamed as he whispered his assessment. "Utilizing the environment, avoiding direct confrontation, and creating a displacement advantage. Moreover, Professor Flitwick also skillfully employed his physical advantages."
Just as they emerged from the smoke, Edgar's attack arrived again! Three blazing fire rays hurtled in a triangular formation, blocking any room for evasion!
The viewpoint shifted rapidly, judging the trajectory of the flames. The wand didn't point directly at the flames, but instead quickly drew an inverted triangle in front of the user!
"The ground is frozen and the weather is freezing!"
Instead of attacking the fireball directly, it was shot at a small area in front of it! Extremely cold air burst forth instantly, and the moisture in the air was rapidly frozen, forming a dense cloud of ice crystals!
Boom boom boom!
The three fire rays collided with the ice crystal cloud, resulting in a violent reaction. The flames from the explosion were mostly neutralized by the cold air, leaving only scorching air currents and billowing water vapor.
Karen watched intently. Professor Flitwick had explained this idea to him in his office: using environmental elements for indirect defense and energy neutralization! Seeing it firsthand from a real-world perspective was a completely different experience!
Edgar seemed enraged by Flitwick's flexible and skillful fighting style. He growled, raised his wand high above his head, and the tip of the wand burst forth with piercing blue and white lightning!
"Thunderous explosion!"
A thick spell tore through the air, crashing down with devastating power! Its range was enormous, and its speed was almost impossible to react to!
Danger!
From the perspective of memory, Flitwick didn't hesitate for a moment. The instant the lightning flashed, his body reacted—not by retreating, but by charging forward! Charging towards Edgar!
This choice sent the four in the Eagle's Nest into their throats! Charge into the face of the attack curse?!
Just as the spell was about to strike, the forward-moving perspective suddenly shifted to the side with an extreme, almost ground-hugging roll! The wand traced an arc during the roll, pointing diagonally upwards!
"Obstacles are numerous!"
An invisible magical field with a powerful rotational force was instantly formed, not blocking it head-on, but cleverly grazing the edge of the attacking spell.
Sizzle—boom!
The massive bolt of lightning was abruptly deflected by the ingenious deflection field, narrowly missing Flitwick's tumbling body before striking the spot where he had just stood, blasting a deep, charred crater! Debris flew everywhere!
Using the momentum of his roll and the recoil from the Obstacle Charm, Flitwick not only dodged the fatal blow but also instantly closed the distance between himself and Edgar! The two were now less than five meters apart!
"This is so... so exciting!" Wesley clutched his chest, feeling like his heart was about to jump out of his chest.
"Calculation! Every step is calculated! Distance, angle, spell power, reaction force, one's own body—it's a perfect combination!" Ernesto exclaimed excitedly, leaning forward slightly. Fabian, standing beside him, was also stunned and stopped recording.
Edgar's face showed a hint of surprise at being so close to his opponent! He reacted quickly, swinging his wand horizontally, trying to cast an area-of-effect shock spell to force his opponent back.
But Professor Flitwick was faster!
Before the body could even fully straighten, the wand shot out like a viper's tongue! It wasn't a spell, but rather the wrist vibrating rapidly at an unbelievable frequency!
"Look! Here it comes!" Karen shouted. This was the very technique that Flitwick had emphasized to him in his office!
hum!hum!hum!hum!
Four beams of enchanted light, each a different color and shape, shot towards Edgar from different angles almost simultaneously, like an enraged swarm of bees! One aimed straight for his face (Stunning Charm), one blocked his left side (Barrier Charm), one wrapped around his lower body along the ground (Binding Charm), and the last one followed a strange arc, circling around Edgar's side and rear (Disarming Charm)!
Ernesto gasped, "Four spells stacked! Activated simultaneously! How is this possible?!"
Within the light screen, Edgar's pupils constricted sharply! In his haste, he only had time to swing his wand to block the attacks from the front and left!
boom!boom!
The two spells were barely deflected, and light scattered everywhere!
*Poof!* The binding spell on his feet took effect, and Ernesto's ankles were bound by invisible ropes!
Whoosh! The eerie arc of light struck Edgar's wrist, which was holding the wand, with pinpoint accuracy!
Professor Flitwick then cast a disarming spell, "Disarmament!"
A flash of red light! Edgar's wand flew out of his hand, spinning high into the sky!
The entire venue fell silent for a moment! Then erupted a deafening roar of cheers and applause!
The perspective of memory stands firmly in place, the wand pointing at the weaponless opponent. The scene freezes on Edgar's mistake, in disbelief.
Ultimately, it turned into a helpless, bitter smile on his face.
The light curtain gradually dimmed, and the silver mist flowed back into the crystal bottle like weary birds returning to their nests. The light of the memory construct went out, and only the crackling of the fireplace and the heavy breathing of the four people remained in the "Eagle's Nest".
The silence lasted for several seconds.
"Merlin's briefs!" Wesley was the first to break the silence, his voice hoarse with utter shock. "Is this the power of a dueling champion? Professor Flitwick, he's practically a god of war!"
"It's not just power," Fabian's voice trembled slightly, "it's wisdom! It's foresight! It's control down to the millimeter! The choice of every spell, the timing of its casting, the angle of its placement, even the utilization of the environment—all are executed to perfection! Especially that simultaneous multi-spell casting technique, it's simply divine!"
Ernesto let out a long breath, his eyes still gleaming with the shock of the experience. He remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.
His tone was more serious than ever before: "This isn't just technique; it's a dance on the battlefield, an art of life and death. No wonder he became the dueling champion." He paused, looking at Karen, "You said before that he explained this move to you privately?"
Karen nodded, equally thrilled. Experiencing this kind of epic duel firsthand (even if it was someone else's experience) was far more direct and impactful than any explanation. "Yes, in the office. But it's completely different from watching from a first-person perspective. The sense of oppression, the lightning-fast judgments and reactions." He savored the moment he charged towards the curse, still feeling the scorching heat of that destructive energy brushing against his back.
"That's amazing! Karen, you absolutely have to learn that multicast technique!" Wesley excitedly grabbed Karen's arm. "Then our 'Eagle's Nest' will be invincible!"
Karen shrugged helplessly. "It's not that easy. Professor Flitwick said it was a technique he perfected over many years, and the requirements for magic control, casting speed, and multi-threaded thinking are incredibly high. I'm already doing well if I can understand just one combination." He pointed to Fabian's notebook. "Fabian, can I borrow your notes? Your observations are very detailed."
"Of course!" Fabian immediately handed over the notebook, his face still flushed with excitement. "I've recorded a few key points, especially how he used his opponent's spells to move and counterattack, and the idea of using ice crystal clouds to defend against fireballs."
Ernesto also came over, looking at the notebook in Karen's hand, and pointed to a passage: "Here, when he rolled to dodge the spell, the trajectory of the spell was very special. It seems that he not only cast a barrier spell, but also applied a slight push to himself at the same time? Otherwise, it would be impossible to get close so quickly by just rolling."
Karen and Fabian leaned closer to examine the notes, and the three of them began a lively discussion, analyzing the magical techniques and tactical concepts behind each brilliant moment, based on the notes and details from their memories. Wesley, though only vaguely understanding, listened with great interest, occasionally interjecting with comments like, "That move was so cool!" or "I would have been pulverized!"
Time flew by in the focused and enthusiastic discussion.
"Alright, gentlemen," Ernesto said, glancing at a self-rotating planetarium clock on the wall, breaking the lively discussion. "While Professor Flitwick's dashing figure is unforgettable, there's Professor Sprout's herbalism class tomorrow morning. If you want to face those potentially biting plants with full energy, I suggest we end tonight's academic seminar now."
Wesley yawned widely. "Ugh, Herbology class. Hopefully they won't scream when I yawn."
Fabian carefully put away his notebook, then glanced at the "Whispering Fern," which he had placed in the best spot on the windowsill, radiating a soft glow in the moonlight. The curled-up buds seemed to have stretched slightly as it sensed the warm atmosphere in the room. "It seems to be adapting well," he nodded in satisfaction.
Karen also felt a wave of weariness wash over him. He carefully put away Flitwick's memory crystal bottle and his own memory construct. His gaze swept over the several thick alchemical notebooks from Professor Castor on the shelf.
Fabian gave his plants one last check, and then they all left the Eagle's Nest.
Back in the dormitory, everyone quickly washed up and went to bed to rest.
"Goodnight, guys," Karen said softly.
"Good night!" Three soft replies echoed in the warm dormitory room, followed by silence.