Duel Master

An excellent professor needs to possess many abilities, one of the most important being the ability to understand students' thoughts and know how to get them to pay attention in class.

Professor McGonagall was like that; she simply mentioned the final exam, and she successfully made all the students forget their previous enjoyable holiday and throw themselves into their studies.

As her colleague, Professor Flitwick was clearly also an expert in this field.

"Today we're going to learn the Softening Charm."

Professor Flitwick stood on a platform made of books and said in a shrill voice, "Just like its name, this spell can soften hard things instantly. It is a very practical spell and one of the most commonly used spells by many adult wizards."

For example, in Quidditch, which you all love, you often need to use the Softening Charm to protect players who fall off the broom.

You can also use it to set traps during duels, because the soft ground makes it easier for your opponent to expose weaknesses, and that's when you have the best opportunity to attack.

I may not have told you this, but back in the dueling tournament, I used Softening Charm to make the witch on my opponent's side surrender, thus winning the tournament championship that year."

Quidditch, the most popular game in the Wizarding World, coupled with duels full of heroism, immediately sparked the curiosity of young wizards.

"Professor, have you ever won a dueling tournament?" Katie Bell of Gryffindor asked, raising her hand.

She was somewhat skeptical; Professor Flitwick was so small, not even as tall as her, could he really defeat the other wizards?

"That was all from when I was young."

Professor Flitwick said somewhat playfully, "However, I have indeed won the dueling tournament, and more than once. Interested students can read the book 'Dueling Champions of the 20th Century,' which contains detailed accounts."

Oh, right, the school library has one.

"Wow..."

Professor Flitwick's words immediately drew gasps of surprise.

The young wizards never imagined that the unassuming Professor Flitwick would be so powerful.

"Professor, I want to learn this," a Gryffindor said excitedly.

"Don't worry, I'll teach you," Professor Flitwick said casually, waving his hand. "Besides, practical spells like these are the most common questions on the final exam, so everyone must listen carefully and study hard; it might just be on the exam this year."

"Yes, Professor Flitwick!" everyone replied in unison.

In class, the young wizards all studied very diligently, practicing again and again under Professor Flitwick's guidance, without finding it boring at all.

They seemed to see themselves as the next dueling champions, and the stone in front of them as their opponent.

They reluctantly put down the stones and left the Spells classroom one after another when get out of class ended.

Those who hadn't handed in their homework also left.

Because they had other classes later, their homework time was scheduled for the evening, and it was supervised by the professor himself; they weren't allowed to sleep until they finished.

Kyle didn't leave immediately. He took the book he had borrowed from the library and asked Professor Flitwick some questions.

"I read this book back then, and it taught me a lot."

Professor Flitwick touched the book cover with a nostalgic touch, then answered Kyle's questions in great detail.

Ten minutes later, Kyle closed the book and said, "Thank you, Professor Flitwick. That's all for now. I haven't read the rest yet."

"It's alright, a good book is meant to be read slowly," Professor Flitwick said with a smile. "If you encounter anything you don't understand, you can come to me anytime. My office is on the Seventh Floor."

"Oh, by the way, thank you for the Christmas present. I haven't received a Yamanashi tree amulet with a dueling emblem for thirty years... It really brings back fond memories."

"I'm glad you like it."

After saying goodbye to Professor Flitwick, Kyle left the Charms class classroom.

Meanwhile, around the corner of the corridor outside the classroom, Kyle's two roommates were lurking furtively in the corner.

"Mikel, are you sure Kyle will pass by here?" Ryan peeked out and said, "It's been so long, Kyle might have already left."

"Impossible," Mikel said definitively. "Our next class is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and this is the only way to the second floor, so Kyle will definitely come."

"But..." Ryan seemed to want to say something, but was interrupted by Mikel.

"Don't worry, it definitely won't be wrong."

"No..."

"Be patient... it's for the homework."

"Professor Flitwick is gone!" Ryan quickly covered Mikel's mouth and said, "And he even closed the door!"

Mikel suddenly froze, then quickly ran over and pushed open the door to the Charms classroom.

The place was completely empty.

Mikel: "(Д≡Д)"

"What the hell?" He scratched his head and said, "That corridor is the only way to the second floor, how did Kyle get away!"

Could it be...?

Mikel glanced instinctively at the opposite wall and said, "Ryan, do you think Kyle can use a wall-penetrating spell?"

Today's last lesson Defense Against the Dark Arts, was also very interesting.

Although Professor Oren didn't have much teaching experience, his classes were always among the most anticipated by young wizards.

On the first day of school, he brought a group of Cornish Pixies to everyone and asked the students to use the spells they had learned to fight them.

There are no restrictions; any spell is acceptable.

The little badgers were overjoyed. In their eyes, this was another form of duel, so they rushed forward, eager to experience what it was like to be a "duel master."

Although most of their spells missed, with Professor Oren around, the House-elf couldn't do anything to the students, making them howl angrily in mid-air.

The way these little guys were raging helplessly filled the whole class with a joyful atmosphere.

What made the young wizards even happier was that Professor Oren hadn't checked their homework yet.

When class ended, the little badgers practically raved about Professor Oren.

Keep in mind that more than half of them didn't do their homework.

By this calculation, Hufflepuff essentially gained at least thirty points for free, which naturally made them happy.

However, in Kyle's opinion, whether Professor Oren loses points or not is no longer that important.

After the Charms class, Hufflepuff's House Points were already firmly in second to last place.

They were nearly a hundred points behind the second-place Ravenclaw, and a hundred points Gryffindor.

This position is indeed a bit awkward; it's not easy to move forward, and it's also quite difficult to take a step back.