Targeted by the Second Dark Lord

Cypher disappointed Professor Mellors's expectations.

But Professor Mellors was even more satisfied with Cypher in his heart.

Cypher did not volunteer.

He wanted to observe for a while, because he did not know the details of this Bone-Etching Hummingbird.

Recklessly accepting the challenge would not be wise.

"Anyone who succeeds in the challenge: the first person receives twenty points, the second receives ten points, and no points will be awarded after that."

Where there was a great reward, there would be Champions. Besides, Slytherin and Gryffindor students here already disliked each other.

What? Why was Defense Against the Dark Arts class taught to all four Houses together?

Not every professor was the Deputy Headmaster and able to arrange their own classes reasonably.

Mellors had other work outside the school, so the fewer classes he taught, the better.

Even so, he still had to teach seven half-days every week.

One Slytherin student and one Gryffindor student after another rose and stepped forward, glaring at one another without backing down.

The practical session began.

Sure enough, Defense Against the Dark Arts was the most dangerous class.

Not for the young wizards, but for the professor teaching it.

Young wizards always cast strange spells in unexpected ways.

It would have been fine if the spells merely made loud noises or created blinding flashes.

Professor Mellors could easily cast spells such as the Shield Charm to protect himself.

However, when one young wizard silently cast an invisible Cutting Curse—

Looking at the nearly smooth cross-section on the blackboard—

Professor Mellors expressionlessly announced that the young wizards from the four Houses would take turns stepping forward to challenge it one by one.

There had to be at least one Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff student between Slytherin and Gryffindor students.

This was to prevent competition between the two Houses.

He also kept the Shield Charm active the entire time, and he did not think he was doing pointless work.

Even if most of them merely shouted "Impedimenta!"

Although a small number of young wizards successfully cast the spell, they could not do so accurately. Even when the Bone-Etching Hummingbird did not move at all, their spells could not hit it.

A few Slytherin students did manage to cast decent Shield Charms and strike the target.

But the effect was limited. Before their next spell could be cast, the Bone-Etching Hummingbird still wobbled over and landed on their heads.

Finally, it was Tom Riddle's turn. He raised his wand.

The instant the professor called for the start, visible light gathered at the tip of Tom's wand.

"Impedimenta!"

Tom cast the Shield Charm, easily striking the Bone-Etching Hummingbird as it streaked through the air in an afterimage.

The Bone-Etching Hummingbird seemed to have crashed into a wall.

It shot back along its original path at an even greater speed, transforming into a damaged quill in midair.

"Smack!"

In the end, the quill fell to the floor and shattered completely into fragments.

"Excellent spell! Powerful knockback! Precise accuracy!"

Professor Mellors finally stopped looking so grim. His stiff expression shifted as he pulled the corners of his mouth at Tom.

It was almost as if he had smiled.

"Thank you for the praise, Professor. It is all thanks to your excellent teaching."

Tom spoke respectfully.

Behind him, the Slytherin students applauded and cheered loudly.

"Then Slytherin receives twenty points!"

Professor Mellors announced loudly, and the Slytherin cheers grew even louder.

Using the cheers as cover—

He took the opportunity to whisper to Tom.

"If you have time, you may come to my office after class anytime to study more advanced magic."

Tom gave another impassive bow, then turned and returned to his seat amid the cheers.

Before long, it was Cypher's turn.

Cypher had been observing the entire time and had already adapted to the Bone-Etching Hummingbird's speed.

He also used a Shield Charm to knock it back. The Bone-Etching Hummingbird even crashed into the wall, yet still struggled to fly back into the air.

However, all the young wizards present stood frozen in place. Only after Iris and Luna began clapping did applause finally fill the classroom.

The commotion it caused was even greater than Tom's.

Because Tom had only represented his own House, while Cypher had impressed every young wizard present.

"Oh! Silent Spells, which are only taught starting in fifth year!"

Professor Mellors's expression changed dramatically.

He looked at Cypher with delighted eyes and praised him.

"Ravenclaw receives thirty points. Ten points for the reward, twenty points for praise. Of course, I will not award you any more points for using Silent Spells in the future."

He paused, then spoke in front of everyone.

"Cypher, you may come to my office anytime to ask questions or learn other magic."

Tom's invitation had only been whispered, because the other young wizards would have been jealous.

But the gap between them and Cypher was impossible to cross. The young wizards could only look up to him in admiration.

Seeing this, Tom clenched his fists. A vicious expression appeared on his handsome face as he stared at Cypher.

Again? This was the second time he had sensed hostility.

Cypher followed his instincts and looked over.

At a glance, he spotted Tom, who seemed utterly out of place among the others.

He grinned, completely unconcerned.

We started from the same line. I do not care about an arrogant, ignorant child who has nothing but talent.

"Damn it! Damn it! ..."

Provoked by Cypher's mocking attitude—

Tom put away his vicious expression and loosened his fists.

But anyone looking into his eyes would find them full of resentment and jealousy.

It was the calm before the storm.

Cypher's Silent Spell had stunned the entire class.

Even Luna and Iris's loudly chanted perfect spells paled in comparison.

In his good mood, Professor Mellors also promised them that they could learn new spells early and come to his office for answers.

After that came another utterly unremarkable Herbology class.

Then there was the dull and boring History of Magic.

During this class, Cypher saw for the first time that Hogwarts truly had a ghost teaching lessons.

When he heard that Professor Binns had existed for more than a thousand years, Cypher could not help clicking his tongue in amazement.

Compared to a ghost who had personally experienced such long years, probably no one could replace Professor Binns as the History of Magic professor.

Tuesday passed just like that.

On Wednesday, aside from daytime classes—

There was an additional Astronomy class at night.

At first, Cypher, who understood the composition of the universe, did not think observing celestial phenomena could reveal any fate or prophecy.

He still scoffed at such mystical prophecies.

He had studied celestial phenomena at home before, and they had been utterly useless.

Not until he attended the class and saw the magic array inscribed on the Astronomy classroom ceiling—

Did Cypher finally understand.

The Astronomy class did not observe traditional celestial phenomena, but the celestial signs of fate that enshrouded and covered this world.

Put simply, it was fortune.

Cypher also learned that true prophecies could foresee fragments of the future.

He just did not know whether those fragments could be changed.

Cypher's soul came from Blue Star, and he firmly believed that his fate was his own, not Heaven's.

But he also did not want anyone to use divination to predict his whereabouts.

I may not believe that prophecy is predetermined, but I cannot let others deduce and arrange my life.

For that reason, Cypher began taking this mystical course seriously.

At the same time, Cypher felt dissatisfied.

The diviners actually treated the most important knowledge as something to be passed down by word of mouth, rather than recording it in textbooks.

The celestial signs they observed even required magic arrays to interpret.

They were not celestial phenomena that could be observed outside with the naked eye.

Huh? In that case, could those astronomical observatories have been the work of wizards?

There was no point thinking too much. He did not yet have the strength to pursue the truth.

And so, another day passed just like that...