Personal Magic System

Chapter 357 Personal Magic System (4.1K) (2/2)

He didn't start lecturing immediately. Instead, he stood behind the podium, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces below, a faint smile playing on his lips that made many students' hearts tighten slightly.

"When I walked in," Lynch's voice rang out, as casually as if in conversation, "I think I heard you discussing—the Unforgivable Curse?"

The classroom fell silent as students exchanged glances. Finally, someone answered, "Yes, Professor."

"Don't be nervous." Lynch tapped his fingers lightly on the podium. "Professor Moody showed you these, which is good. Knowing your enemy and the weapons they might use is the first step to protecting yourself. The Imperius Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, the Killing Curse—" He pronounced the names of these three spells clearly. "They are indeed the most common and often the most intimidating offensive spells in the hands of dark wizards. For many dark wizards with even a little ability, these are practically their trump cards."

He paused for a moment, as if asking a question, or perhaps guiding the thought process.

"So, now that we know what the enemy might use, the next question is natural: if one day you unfortunately come face-to-face with a dark wizard who uses these spells—what do you plan to do?"

There was a moment of blank silence in the classroom, then whispers resumed.

A Hufflepuff girl timidly raised her hand and whispered, "—Run? Professor? Get as far away as possible?"

"Hide!" another Ravenclaw boy immediately added, "Find cover, or use a Disillusionment Charm?"

Lynch gave a clear, approving smile and nodded. "Run, or hide. Good. It seems you didn't heed my repeated emphasis on survival first, avoidance as the priority. When faced with danger beyond your control or of unknown nature, creating distance or hiding immediately is the wisest and often most effective choice. Accurate judgment."

The students, feeling somewhat relieved after receiving positive feedback, relaxed a little, and the classroom atmosphere became less tense.

But Lin Qi's smile quickly faded, and he posed the next question, his tone still calm but now tinged with seriousness: "So, the next question: what if—you can't escape? The terrain doesn't allow it, your retreat is blocked, or there's someone or something you absolutely cannot abandon, something you must protect, behind you, preventing you from turning around and running away. What will you do then?"

This question plunged the classroom back into a silent contemplation.

A few seconds later, a burly Gryffindor boy sitting in the back row jumped to his feet, his face flushed red, and he practically yelled, "Then let's fight them! We can't just wait to die!"

His voice was exceptionally loud in the quiet classroom, carrying the typical youthful vigor of Gryffindor, and it caused a low commotion and a few echoes.

"How do you spell it?" Lin Qi asked calmly.

"Fight back with all the spells we know! Use whatever you have!" the boy shouted.

"Well said." Lin Qi nodded slightly. "In a desperate situation, mobilizing all available means to fight back is a necessary determination."

Five points for Gryffindor. Now please sit down.

The boy paused for a moment, then sat down with some excitement.

Lynch's gaze swept across the class, his voice clear and steady: "Fight back with every spell you know"—this statement pinpointed the key, but how? Randomly unleashing a bunch of spells, or a clear battle strategy?

He paused for a moment, giving the students time to think.

"This is precisely the core issue that our magic research course this academic year aims to address—the construction and research of personal magic systems," Lynch said with a clear focus.

“Last school year, I asked each of you to find one or two basic magic types that you are most comfortable with through repeated practice and magical awareness.” Lynch walked to the front of the class. “Someone told me they are good at binding and controlling—” He looked at a Slytherin girl, who instinctively straightened her back. “Someone found themselves particularly adept at quick and precise strikes.” Several Gryffindors’ eyes lit up. “Someone has an outstanding talent for protective magic—” Cedric Diggory nodded seriously. “And some might feel more comfortable with movement or disruption spells.”

As he described it, many students recalled the exercises and forms they had filled out. Some looked enlightened, while others were still trying to recall their feelings.

"That wasn't a wasted effort." Lynch walked to the front of the podium. "That was the first cornerstone for building your individual magical combat systems. The type of magic each of you is most proficient in and most instinctive is the 'core' of your magical style."

He looked around the classroom, his gaze sweeping over the young faces.

Starting with this core concept: For those skilled in control, your combat strategy should focus on effectively limiting your opponent and creating advantages for yourself. For those skilled in rapid strikes, your style should involve overwhelming your opponent with continuous and precise spells.

For those skilled in self-defense, the key is to consider how to protect yourself or others while simultaneously seeking opportunities to retaliate.

Hermione scribbled rapidly on the parchment, the quill whirring as it went. Ron beside her frowned, seemingly trying to understand. Neville bit his lip, his hands nervously twisting together under the table.

"Then," Lynch's voice became clearer, "we need to select, learn, and refine other spells that complement this core. Controllers need decisive finishing moves, fast attackers need better mobility and evasion, and defenders may need techniques for interference or counterattack. This isn't a random combination, but a conscious system building process."

Uncontrollable murmurs filled the classroom.

A Ravenclaw boy whispered excitedly to his companion, "It's like an extension of Charms!" A Hufflepuff girl said worriedly, "But it sounds so difficult—"

"The other courses at Hogwarts teach you about a wealth of magical materials." Lynch raised his voice slightly, drawing your attention back, "but the purpose of this course is to teach you how to use those materials to build your own..."

"A sturdy and suitable magical fortress for you. Facing the extreme heavy weaponry of dark wizards, what you need is not a haphazard pile of bricks, but a well-structured defensive fortification that provides you with a tactical foothold."

He looked at the Gryffindor boy who had just stood up, the boy's eyes wide with rapt attention: "So, when you say 'retaliate with all the spells you know,' I want you to think not of a chaotic barrage of spells, but of a layered, coordinated combat system based on your personal magical core. That's what truly makes using all the spells you know effective."

The boy nodded emphatically, his previous impulsiveness replaced by a serious expression of thought.

Harry sat in his seat, his fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the notebook.

He vividly remembered that after his individual tutoring session last school year, Uncle Lynch, after repeated magical resonance exercises and comparisons of spell casting records, clearly told him: "Harry, your situation is rather special. Most people's 'affinity' points to a particular type of magic, but you—your magic—have an unusually strong, almost instinctive resonance with the specific spell 'Disarming Charm.' It's not just as simple as the 'Disarming Charm'; for you, it seems to be the most natural and direct outlet for your magic."

Harry was confused at the time and didn't understand what this meant.

But now, listening to Professor Lynch's explanation on the podium, that memory suddenly became clear.

While others are still searching for "categories," he already has a clear and specific "core mantra."

This realization left Harry with mixed feelings.

On one hand, this seemed like an advantage—he didn't need to fumble through broad categories; his goal was very clear. But on the other hand, he also felt a bit of pressure. Building the entire combat system around a specific spell?

This sounds both unusual and difficult.

His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the podium, where the crow on Lynch's shoulder was tilting its head, its dark eyes seemingly watching him as well.

"System building is a long-term process that requires thought, practice, and testing in real or simulated combat," Lynch's voice drew everyone's attention back. "This academic year, we will delve deeper step by step. From consolidating and deepening your core affinity," to how to choose and combine spells, and then to the application of basic tactical combinations. Today, we'll cover "7..."

He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Since we started with Professor Moody's class, let's begin here. Everyone, think about this: If you were facing an enemy using the Unforgivable Curse, based on your current Core Affinity ability, and forced into combat, what would your first reaction be? Would you try to control them, quickly suppress them, or solidify your defenses and look for an opportunity? Don't rush to answer; think carefully. In five minutes, I need to hear your initial thoughts."

A focused silence fell over the classroom.

The rustling sound of quills gliding across parchment filled the air. Students frowned, some biting their quills, some drawing simple diagrams on the paper, and others closing their eyes, seemingly feeling the flow of their own magic.

Harry took a deep breath, wrote "Expelliarmus" on the parchment, and fell into deep thought.

If forced to face an enemy wielding the Unforgivable Curse—Harry stared at the words "Expelliarmus" he had written on the parchment. Using this spell as the core, how would he fight? It was, after all, a disarming spell, its primary function being to disarm the opponent. Against an opponent who might instantly unleash a killing curse, would simply disarm their wand be enough? And what after that? What if the first hit missed? What spell would he need to combine it with? Movement? Protection? Or control?

A series of questions churned in his mind.

He looked up at Uncle Lynch on the podium.

The other person seemed to notice his gaze, and met his eyes for a moment with a calm look. There was no hint in those deep black eyes, only a calm waiting for him to think for himself.

Harry took another deep breath and lowered his head again.

The tip of the quill pen hovered on the parchment, trembling slightly.

He needed to think things through. If "the weapon that eliminates you" was truly his core strength, then what should his fighting style be? Fast, precise, and capable of eliminating threats in one strike? But what if there was more than one opponent? What if the environment was complex? What if—

The rustling sound of writing around us seemed to gradually fade away.

Harry was completely absorbed in his thoughts, examining for the first time so seriously his "special" magical core and the path of battle it might pave. The path seemed clear—because the core was well-defined; yet it was shrouded in mist—because there was no precedent to follow.

Lin Qi stood calmly in front of the podium, his light slowly sweeping over the students who were deep in thought.

He saw that Hermione had already filled a short section with analysis, Ron was scratching his head in distress, Neville was carefully writing down a word and then crossing it out, while Draco Malfoy was writing something on a piece of paper with an air of confidence.

The crow on the shoulder tilted its head, its dark eyes reflecting the flickering torchlight in the classroom, taking in the struggles, thoughts, excitement, and unease on every young face.

Building a magical combat system that belongs to everyone—this academic year's curriculum truly begins from this moment.

Meanwhile, in a slightly tense meeting room at the Ministry of Magic, a brief meeting was drawing to a close.

Only Lucius Malfoy sat on one side of the long table.

His attire today was slightly more understated than usual, but the exquisitely crafted dark green robe and the silver snake-head cane in his hand still silently revealed his identity as the plenipotentiary representative of the Stone Tower Merchant Guild in this matter. His face carried his usual, just-right indifference and aloofness, his gray eyes calmly sweeping across the person opposite him.

Sitting opposite me was Professor Minerva McGonagall, her back straight, her expression serious, her gaze behind her glasses as sharp as ever, attending as the Vice-Headmistress of Hogwarts and a representative of the school.

Beside her stood Barty Crouch, the Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. He looked meticulous, his brow slightly furrowed, seemingly a little displeased with this "extra" meeting, as he professionally pushed a document to the center of the table.

As a representative of the Stone Tower Merchant Guild, Lucius formally proposed to Professor McGonagall, Vice-Headmaster of Hogwarts, and Barty Crouch, Director of International Magical Cooperation, the guild's proposal to provide a new type of "remote viewing" broadcast service for the Triwizard Tournament.

Professor McGonagall was initially cautious, expressing clear concerns about the security and privacy issues that might arise from setting up magical observation equipment on campus and transmitting images.

However, with Lucius Malfoy guaranteeing that the equipment would be completely under the control of the university and undergo rigorous safety testing, and with Barty Crouch expressing cautious support from the perspective of the event's international impact and technological advancement, Professor McGonagall ultimately made concessions.

On behalf of Hogwarts, she agreed to allow the Stone Tower Merchant Guild to enter Hogwarts during the Games, subject to a series of strict security conditions and full supervision by the school.

Specific details are yet to be finalized, but fundamental obstacles have been removed.

The meeting ended quickly.

Professor McGonagall left with her decision to discuss in detail with Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy put away his documents, and Barty Crouch meticulously tidied his desk as if he were dealing with a routine official business.