Soul and Magic Power

Professor Flitwick groped his way to sit on the stone bench. His short, clumsy body contrasted sharply with the huge, twisted stone, and an unusual feeling settled in the young wizards' hearts, causing them to quiet down unconsciously.

Because of his fairy lineage, Professor Flitwick's voice was somewhat high-pitched. "We are gathered here today not to describe the concept of spells with convoluted and complicated grammar, nor do I intend to analyze the differences between the various versions of spell concepts in the books."

After being blessed with Amplifying Voice, Flitwick's voice could reach every corner of the classroom. His powerful control over the spell made his sermons ring in the ears of every young wizard, but it did not sound deafening or noisy.

"The origin of spells is lost to history, but any wizard knows very well that their function is to alter or increase specific properties of an object or creature. Spells focus on what an object 'dos' rather than what it 'is,' such as making a pineapple dance, making a stone twist itself into a bar stool, making an object levitate, or making an object burn..."

Levitation Charm, Unlocking Charm, Mending Charm, Fire-Starting Charm...

Professor Flitwick connected the many basic spells learned in first grade with real-world applications, providing easy-to-understand explanations. The vague concepts of spells that the young wizards had previously held in their minds, and the difficult words they had memorized from books, were transformed into a clearer understanding of real-world imagery.

The young wizards in the audience took some time to process what they had learned. Apart from the first-year students who were still a little confused, the second and third-year students whispered among themselves, confirming what they had learned.

Hermione looked at Professor Flitwick with sparkling eyes, leaned slightly to the side, and said in a voice only Loren could hear, "I thought I had grasped the concept of spells and could distinguish between Transfiguration and regular spells. But after listening to the professor, I realized that I was judging them by the definitions in the book, without connecting them to the actual understanding of the essence of spells."

"Me too. After understanding the essence, I feel that making a few adjustments when casting many spells can make them more effective." Loren turned his head and blew into Hermione's ear.

Hermione couldn't help but shrink her neck when she felt an itch in her ear, and then gave him a hard slap on the thigh. "Listen carefully to the professor's lecture!"

"Oh!"

The young wizards around them were also gaining something; Seamus and Dean were discussing, while Harry and Ron were exchanging ideas. Neville seemed to understand, but was somewhat confused. He didn't grasp the concept of essence or non-essence, but after listening to several examples given by the professors, he seemed to be starting to understand.

The insights gained were accompanied by questions, questions that Neville would never have dared to ask of any other professor. But this was Professor Flitwick, the Professor Flitwick who would Trevor on his beard and smile at him.

Neville raised his hand and asked, "Professor, I'd like to know how to properly learn spells?"

Professor Flitwick looked at him gently. "Oh, excellent question! Your choice of words is very appropriate—to learn spells correctly."

Seeing Neville's face growing increasingly red, he looked up at the other young wizards. "In a typical lesson, I would tell you about the invention, evolution, and function of spells. Then I would explain the phonetics of spells, the hand gestures for casting spells, the key points of casting spells, and demonstrate them with you."

"But today, I want to talk about something deeper, something you might not understand now and it won't offer you any immediate or effective improvement. However, I believe it will be helpful to you in the long years to come!"

The young wizards straightened their backs a bit, understanding that what was about to happen was important. Hermione and some of the Ravenclaw wizards even pulled out their notebooks, quills in hand, ready to jot down important information at any moment.

Professor Flitwick waited a moment before beginning his explanation. "I believe that behind every spell there is a model. The spell's pronunciation and the casting action are just the surface of the model; the more essential characteristics are the operation of Magic Power and the manipulation of the mind, or rather, the soul."

"At the same time, we need to understand that the operation of Magic Power and the manipulation of the soul are not static or unchanging. The same wizard will have different states of Magic Power and soul at different ages. And the differences in soul and Magic Power between different wizards are even more significant."

"Even the same spell will have a significantly different effect when cast by two different wizards. This is because their Magic Power systems are different, and their souls are even more different."

Dean chuckled as he sidled up to the group, saying, "Professor Flitwick was talking about Seamus. No matter what spell it is, Seamus uses it differently than we do."

Ron laughed maliciously, "Haha, Seamus's soul is full of explosions."

The voice was a bit loud, and the young wizards around couldn't help but lower their heads and laugh, clearly indicating that Seamus's deeds were widely known.

Seamus said angrily, "Dean! Ron! You wait, after this event I'll fill your bodies with explosions!"

Hehehe.

"Ha ha..."

Professor Flitwick, oblivious to the commotion, continued explaining his point, "I believe that our Magic Power and soul are not isolated; they exist within the same body, connected in ways we cannot observe. The soul acts upon the Magic Power, and the Magic Power, in turn, acts upon the soul."

"Dark Arts influences wizards in this way!"

The young wizards stared wide-eyed, and a few even let out quiet gasps. Such taboo matters always attract attention and are more likely to stir people's emotions.

Harry felt a slight burning sensation on the scar on his forehead. Dark Arts —it reminded him of a book he'd seen in the Restricted Section the library during a nighttime stroll through the Library— "The Advanced Dark Magic."

Although he didn't know why he suddenly remembered that book, Harry silently memorized the name "The Advanced Dark Magic".

"Yes, Dark Arts." Professor Flitwick nodded, his expression serious. "Some Dark Arts requires the wizard to cast spells while harboring negative emotions. Anger, slander, and hatred for the target are common emotions in Dark Arts. These negative emotions can affect the Magic Power, making Dark Arts difficult to control and causing terrible consequences."

"At the same time, the long-term distortion of Magic Power will in turn twist the souls of dark wizards, making them withdrawn, eccentric, and irritable..."

Loren listened very attentively because he really did practice Dark Arts.

Upon careful examination, he discovered that the Sectumsempra did not seem to have any adverse effects. He did not need to be in a negative mood when casting the spell, and he did not experience any psychological fluctuations after the spell ended.

It seems that the Sectumsempra is still too low-end and doesn't qualify as top-tier Dark Arts... Loren muttered under his breath, slandering a certain Half-Blood Prince, the inventor of the Sectumsempra.

Snape, who was watching from the edge of the classroom, suddenly felt a tickle in his nose. He took a deep breath and couldn't help but sneeze softly.

Professor Sprout Herbology, quietly moved a few steps to the side, and when he looked up, he saw Snape a dark expression.

Despite his embarrassment, Sprout asked with concern, "Professor Snape, have you caught a cold? It's autumn now, so you should wear more clothes. I have some herbs that can cure colds, I'll get you some later."

Snape, his face stern, said coldly, "Thank you, but no need."

Do I, a Potions Master, really need a mind-clearing potion?

Flitwick, realizing that the audience consisted of young wizards, quickly changed the subject of Dark Arts: "Also, I think some of you may have noticed that a pleasant mood makes casting spells easier. Many people have had this experience: after a good night's sleep, every part of your body and mind exudes a pleasant aura, and any spell you practice at this time is very smooth and easy to execute."

"That's how it is. Emotions belong to the soul, Magic Power influences spellcasting. It's hard for us to figure out exactly who influences whom. However, we must remember—the soul and Magic Power are the core."

Seeing the young wizards deep in thought, Professor Flitwick smiled with satisfaction, "That's a bit of a tangent. We'll discuss more advanced topics after you pass the OWLs exams and take my Advanced Class. Let's continue with how to properly learn spells."

"The key point lies in the appearances I just mentioned—the incantation sounds and casting posture. Here, I need you to discard the correct but mediocre content in textbooks and realize that there is no single best sound or best posture for different wizards. Textbooks can make everyone cast spells successfully, but they are not the optimal spellcasting method."

A sudden uproar erupted from the audience. The textbook being mediocrely correct was, to many young wizards, utterly heretical. But it was the professor who had said it! Their hearts pounded, and they couldn't help but discuss it with those around them.

Hermione, too, was someone who blindly believed in textbooks, and her feelings were somewhat complicated. The few mediocrely correct words on the notebook lying open on her lap glared at her.

She glanced at Loren beside her, her mind racing, and nodded thoughtfully.

Upon closer reflection, Loren beside me is a living example. After learning to cast spells, he would constantly improve his posture and modify his voice.

In the end, his spellcasting process was almost completely different from that of ordinary junior wizards, and his power and effects were also superior.

Hermione had initially thought it was a matter of practice makes perfect, but now she realized that it was Loren who found the most suitable vocal style and spellcasting movements for him during the practice process.

So that's how my talent for correcting course works! Loren looked at Professor Flitwick with his hands folded.

"Think about it, children. You each possess unique souls and unique Magic Power. How can there be a completely uniform standard?" Professor Flitwick paused. "However, I do not recommend that anyone blindly modify spells and casting gestures. The Wizard Baruffio and the bison standing on his chest serve as a warning to everyone at the St. Mungo's Hospital."

"But Professor, how do we choose the standard that best suits us?" a Ravenclaw girl asked.

Now that we've finally gotten to today's main topic, Professor Flitwick cleared his throat. "What you need to do right now is repeat, keep repeating, repeating, and repeating again. Control the accuracy of your spells, the speed of your casting, and the intensity of your magic. In the process of practicing, you will naturally find the method that suits you best."

"Ah?"

The young wizards wailed in disappointment. They had come for powerful and cool spells, but now it had turned into a mechanical and monotonous spell practice.

"When I was young, I would cast hundreds or thousands of Illumination Charm every day, and this is the result," Professor Flitwick said, gesturing for them to look at the orb of light on the ceiling.

A milky-white ball of light swayed gently in the air, and bright yet soft light filled the classroom.

The ability to float away from the wand and release multiple orbs of light at once demonstrates that the Illumination Charm, after repeated practice, is extraordinary.

But the young wizards were still dejected. It wasn't what they had imagined; it wasn't cool enough, nor was it powerful enough.

Just as everyone was feeling down, Professor Flitwick waved his wand.

All the orbs of light from the Illumination Charm danced in the air above the classroom like fireflies in the night. One orb flew in a straight line, leaving a beautiful trail, while several orbs frolicked back and forth, drawing beautiful beams of light, like a grand performance, with the orbs themselves as dancing actors.

"So beautiful!" Neville murmured, completely mesmerized.

Neville, Seamus, and Dean arrived at the activity room together. He eagerly grabbed a front-row seat, also hoping to learn some cool spells. He wanted to impress his classmates, to make those who looked down on him look at him with new eyes, and to learn powerful spells to make his grandmother proud.

He couldn't say whether the idea was good or bad, but he felt a different kind of peace from these pulsating, milky-white orbs of light.

Filius Flitwick also watched the performance of the light ball in mid-air, immersed in the beautiful light and shadow.

In his youth, because of his unusual physique, he was always particularly concerned about how others would look at him. Too many mocking glances can cause one to close themselves off, become insecure, and even normal gazes can feel harsh.

For a long time, he relentlessly pursued great power, even inquiring about the whereabouts of the Diadem of Wisdom from Grey Lady. After graduating, he remained passionate about participating in Dueling Tournament to prove himself. Along the way, he finally discovered that physical strength was merely external; inner strength was his true support.

In the 1970s, he returned to Hogwarts and found inner peace there, where he grew stronger.

For the first public event of the Charms Club, he certainly had countless magnificent and dazzling spells he could have displayed, but in the end he chose the Illumination spell, hoping to convey inner peace to every young wizard.

Hidden within these simple yet beautiful pure white rays of light is the most sincere blessing from the professor of Charms.

At the edge of the classroom, the professors gathered, craning their necks to admire the beautiful view before them. Snape's deep pupils seemed to reflect a shifting light, his recent restlessness calmed by the silent tranquility.

The classroom was quiet as the young wizards watched the spectacular performance of the ball of light come to an end, scattering into tiny specks of light.

"The main activity of the Charms Club's lower-grade division will be guiding everyone to master the accuracy, speed, and intensity of spellcasting. Every student is welcome to join!"

Professor Flitwick gave an elegant bow, and the stones beneath his feet slowly returned to their original positions. The professor then walked slowly away from the right side of the podium.

The classroom, which had been silent for a while, suddenly erupted in deafening applause...