Ryan, having relaxed a little, suddenly recalled something and turned to Principal Fernande.
"I want to know what Aunt Betty went through back then. She never told me anything."
"I can tell you," Principal Fernande said gently. "Back then, a murderous dark lord rose in your country, advocating pure-blood supremacy. The situation for non-human intelligent beings became extremely dangerous. In those times, the centaurs urged those among them with the rare ability to communicate with the Emerald Dream to seek refuge elsewhere. That's how your Aunt Betty came to me."
At this point, Principal Fernande's eyes softened with nostalgia.
"She was about your age at the time—lively, cheerful, just like a young pony. She lived here for ten years and only returned after the villain was finally defeated."
"I see. No wonder Aunt Betty looks different from the other centaurs."
"Yes. But there's more. I feel sorry for her," Fernande said, his voice tinged with sadness. "In her final year here, during a jungle field trip, she accidentally uncovered a dark wizard's plot against the school. Although the teachers and students managed to act in time and severely cripple the organization behind it, Betty was cursed by its leader. The curse robbed her of her fertility. And as you know, fertility is incredibly important for centaurs."
Ryan now understood why Aunt Betty had such a complex expression at the tribe's coming-of-age ceremony. She had endured so much pain in silence.
"Then… is there a way to lift the curse?" Ryan asked.
"There are only two methods I know of," Fernande replied. "One is to gain a deep understanding of nature and use that power to expel the curse. The other is to kill the one who cast it—doing so will automatically lift it. Sadly, I can do neither."
Ryan nodded, taking mental note to keep an eye out for other solutions in his journeys through different worlds. Maybe he would find another way.
The two sat in silence for a while, until Principal Fernande cleared his throat.
"Since you're Betty's apprentice, many forms of knowledge will now be available to you. But I hope you can help me with something in return."
"Of course. Please, tell me how I can help."
"There are six students here who can enter the Emerald Dream, but only with the help of masks—not on their own. That worries me. I was hoping you could share with them how you managed to enter the Emerald Dream through your own power."
"Aunt Betty told me I was recognized by nature itself," Ryan said thoughtfully. "After she brought me in a few times, I learned how to enter it on my own. But… I honestly don't know how to explain it to others."
"Recognition by nature? I always believed that was just a legend," Fernande said with surprise. "It supposedly requires a great contribution to the balance of nature. If that's truly the case, then you may choose how to share your knowledge. I suspect those students haven't progressed much because of their arrogance. Coming from a peer, your guidance may help them better understand themselves."
Ryan understood the principal's good intentions. Besides, as a practitioner of natural magic, he followed the principle of equivalent exchange. Receiving knowledge without offering something in return would sit uneasily with him.
So, over the following week, Ryan went to school during the day and, at night, shared his experience with the Castrobrushuo seniors in the Emerald Dream. Time flew by, and soon Friday arrived.
During lunch, a student Ryan didn't know approached him and relayed a message: the combat class professor wanted to see him in the afternoon to teach the Patronus Spell. Ryan immediately remembered and made his way there after lunch.
When he arrived at the professor's office on the third floor, he found David and another boy already waiting.
These must be the top two competitors from the last practical exam.
David greeted Ryan warmly, and the three began chatting quietly outside the door. Ryan learned that the champion of the last combat competition, Peter, was actually a very shy person despite his fighting prowess. Peter hailed from an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest, which explained his natural, beast-like instincts in battle.
At exactly 1:30 PM, the combat professor arrived from down the hallway, carrying a book. He nodded to the students waiting by the door and gestured for them to enter the office.
The interior was simple—just a large open space, one desk, and a chair. The only indication that this was a combat professor's office was the wall, adorned with the remains of various dark creatures and an array of weapons. Ryan's eyes were drawn to an assault rifle mounted on the wall.
Noticing Ryan's curiosity, the professor—Jason, as Ryan had learned from David—offered an explanation.
"That's a rifle. A No-Maj weapon. Defensive enchantments on adult wizards often block bullets, but it's still deadly to younger or less cautious wizards."
After this brief introduction, Professor Jason conjured a blackboard and began explaining the Patronus Charm.
"Magic isn't just about knowing the incantation," he said. "You can't cast a spell effectively without the right technique. That includes pronunciation, breath control, wand movement—even the emotions behind the spell."
Even basic spells like Leviosa require precision. For advanced spells like the Patronus, inner emotion plays a crucial role.
"Take Avada Kedavra," the professor said. "Anyone can say the words, but without sufficient magical power and intent, it won't do more than cause a nosebleed."
The "magical power" he referred to wasn't just raw strength. It included knowledge, control, and emotional intensity.
Thus, for most of the class, Professor Jason focused on theory, ensuring everyone understood the concepts clearly. Only when he was satisfied did he let them take out their wands and attempt the spell.
Fortunately, the Patronus Charm required positive emotions. Mistakes were harmless. That's why students were allowed to practice it earlier than more dangerous spells.
Spells powered by negative emotions—like black magic—posed a far greater risk. Those required extensive theoretical groundwork and carefully monitored simulations before live casting could begin.
It made perfect sense why younger students were forbidden from learning dark spells. Without experience, knowledge, or a strong magical foundation, they could easily fall prey to the emotions fueling black magic. Worse, failed castings often had violent backlashes, sometimes even fatal.
With that in mind, Ryan carefully followed the steps. He recalled his happiest memories and tried to channel them through his wand, just as instructed.
Professor Jason paced around, correcting posture, wand movements, and incantation rhythm. Despite the simplicity of the spell's wording—Expecto Patronum—its true challenge lay in drawing out a memory powerful enough to manifest a Patronus.
David struggled at first, unable to focus on a single memory. Peter, quiet as ever, was better off—his connection to nature helped stabilize his thoughts. Ryan, however, was surprised at how naturally the energy flowed. A faint silvery mist swirled at the tip of his wand before vanishing.
Jason noticed and nodded approvingly.
"You're close. You've already formed the emotional resonance required. Keep practicing."
The rest of the class focused on refining that resonance. Ryan helped David a little, giving him a few tips on centering his breathing and visualizing the memory more vividly.
When the class ended, everyone looked exhausted, but also excited. The Patronus Charm, though hard to master, felt more attainable now.
On his way back, Ryan thought about what the spell truly represented. The Patronus wasn't just a defensive charm—it was a reflection of the caster's inner strength. To summon one was to affirm hope, even in the darkest times.
And for Ryan, hope wasn't just a concept. It was a promise—to Aunt Betty, to himself, and to the natural world that had accepted him.
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