Tver wasn't surprised by the students' change in attitude. The school had other clubs, after all. They were merely curious because the Defense Against the Dark Arts class had its first club. That curiosity would fade over time.
"Given that you're preparing for exams..."
The students immediately wore worried expressions.
They weren't worried about the exams themselves, but rather that the course wouldn't include dueling!
"Therefore, Professor Lupin and I have agreed—he will handle the exam material."
"As for me, I intend to teach you some life-saving skills before you leave this school!"
Tver suddenly raised his voice, startling the students.
"I don't know what careers you'll choose after graduation—whether you'll seek comfort or embrace danger."
"But regardless, I want you to remember what you learned in this classroom when you face danger out in the world."
"May these lessons help you escape peril—especially threats from fellow wizards."
"Not just to pass exams or win tournaments. This is the skill I want you to master in your final year."
"Understood?"
"Understood, Professor!" The students immediately shouted excitedly.
They didn't know if they would face danger in the future, but as the professor said, as seventh-years, they would indeed have to step into the unknown world. After seven years of study, they gradually realized that the wizarding world wasn't as peaceful as they had imagined.
Considering last year's Basilisk and Black, who was still on the run outside.
If they were honest with themselves, none of them could guarantee they would survive if they faced the Basilisk alone.
Therefore, enhancing their combat prowess—at the very least learning how to protect themselves—had become an urgent necessity!
Tver was pleased with the resolute look in their eyes. Compared to the complacent students of other years, the seventh-years already possessed a sense of impending crisis. Whether it was for self-preservation or to better fulfill their future duties, this awareness would make them more diligent.
"Very well. In this lesson, I will teach you how to engage in wizard combat."
"Not the kind performed on stage, but real combat—where tactics are ever-changing and a single lapse means defeat!"
"First, I need two teams to demonstrate. Naturally, after the demonstration, all teams must pair up."
"Professor, will we still operate in teams? But after graduation, we might not stay together—or rather, it's highly unlikely we'll remain together." Crystal asked immediately.
"Good question," Tver nodded approvingly. "That is precisely the focus of your studies this academic year."
"How to grow within a team, learn the abilities of your two teammates, and thus demonstrate the full capabilities of a team when fighting alone."
"And how, when danger arises, to proactively cooperate and coordinate even with strangers, achieving a strength greater than the sum of its parts."
"If I may be so bold, many in the magical world should attend my lectures—it would make teamwork far easier for everyone."
The students chuckled at the professor's self-praise. Yet a quiet pride swelled within them. They were privileged to study under him!
But Tver faced a dilemma when selecting demonstration teams. Percy's squad was an obvious choice—they met every requirement flawlessly. But finding opponents proved difficult. Teams capable of matching Percy's squad were practically nonexistent. It seemed he'd have to select from slightly weaker contenders.
Just then, a boy stepped forward with his team.
"Professor, let us be the opponents for the Weasley!"
Bulstrode declared, enunciating each word. His teammates hesitated but stood firmly behind him.
Tver was somewhat surprised. Bulstrode hailed from Slytherin, yet his two teammates were both Ravenclaw—a rather unusual combination within the House.
The team was undeniably strong, though their extreme focus on offense came at the cost of stability. Simply put, they were academic prodigies with a glaring weakness.
But as opponents for the duel... Tver suddenly felt they were unexpectedly suitable.
"Very good. That courage alone is worthy of encouragement."
He surveyed the arena, then positioned himself before the remaining students, directing the two teams to stand at the center of the dueling grounds, one on the left and one on the right. This arrangement allowed the students to observe easily while also facilitating his explanations.
With everything set, he addressed the six on the field:
"This demonstration will take the form of a duel. I'll offer guidance during your battle, and you may adjust your approach based on the situation at any time."
"However, since this focuses on combat technique, you may only use three spells: Disarming Charm, Impediment Jinx, and Shield Charm."
"This prevents overly complex spells that even the professor might not understand."
Tver playfully poked fun at himself, but the students didn't take it seriously, understanding it was said to accommodate them. After a burst of laughter and nods of agreement from the six, he drew his wand and cast a black curtain between the two teams, blocking their view.
"On the count of three, the black cloth will fall, and the battle will begin."
"On the count of three... two... one!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the black curtain instantly lost its support, collapsing to the ground and shrinking into a thin black line. Simultaneously, Percy and Bulstrode's Disarming Charms flew toward each other without a second thought.
They had both precisely timed the curtain's descent, casting their spells before the battle began. The moment the curtain fell, the spells passed through the black line.
"Excellent timing prediction. Even in real combat, you can estimate the flight time of your spells."
"Use the time poor in arrival to make additional preparations."
"For instance, launch slower spells first and faster ones later, forcing your opponent to face two or more spells simultaneously."
"Or use slower spells to predict your opponent's movements, while faster ones deliver immediate attacks, making your spells appear more precise."
The students widened their eyes, scrutinizing every detail, unwilling to miss a single nuance. Without the professor's insights, they never would have realized such profound strategy lay within such a simple opening move!
After both sides blocked the Disarming Charm, their teammates promptly cast new spells.
Strangely, Percy's side deployed two Obstructing Charms and one Disarming Charm, while Bulstrode used three Disarming Charms.
"Though I assigned roles to help you grasp the concept, that doesn't mean you should rigidly stick only to your assigned tasks."
Tver's explanatory voice rang out at the perfect moment, but the students' attention remained elsewhere. A tense moment had unfolded on the field!
The differing outcomes stemmed directly from their divergent approaches to magic.
Percy's trio all cast Shield Charm, effortlessly deflecting the three Disarming Charms. Yet when Bulstrode's group similarly cast Shield Charm, they failed to fully contain the spells' power!
To be precise, the Disarming Charms were repelled, but the Impediment Jinxes didn't strike the Shield Charm as expected. Instead, they collided with each other just in front of them.
A mistake?
No!
The two Impediment Jinxes erupted in a shower of Red Sparks, engulfing their vision!
By the time the sparks dispersed, the three Disarming Charms had already reached them!
...
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