The Soul's Cup

The new semester has begun.

Skylar's Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration were already far ahead of the curriculum, so this semester he decided to focus on improving the Shield Charm.

The Protego Shield Charm is a spell that can resist a variety of spells. It creates a magical barrier to deflect spells and physical entities. Skilled spellcasters can even deflect incoming spells directly back towards the caster.

What is less known is that there are actually many more advanced uses behind the Shield Charm. For example, "Protego Totalum" is a variant of the Shield Charm. It can summon a barrier to protect a specific area or building, block or repel most spells, and prevent enemies from trying to invade the protected area.

Simply put, it's a magic that combines the functions of a protective barrier and an isolation barrier.

In the original book, when Hermione cast this spell, Harry saw a slight tremor in the surrounding air, as if Hermione had conjured a wisp of heat above the open space. That wisp of air was an invisible barrier.

Another variant of the Shield Charm is "Protego Horribilis." It is an advanced version of "Protego Totalum from Protego Horribilis," and its effect is so powerful that even Voldemort had to spend a lot of effort to break it. It is the strongest of the defensive spells.

This spell has the same effect as "Protego Totalum," but the protective range is larger and wider, and the barrier is harder to break. In the final battle in the original book, when Flitwick cast it on the castle, Harry heard a strange whooshing sound, as if Flitwick was releasing the power of the wind onto the playground, and that wind was the invisible barrier.

It is obvious that the difference in power between the two protective spells can be seen from the strength of the airflow and the accompanying sound effects of the airflow.

These two advanced Protective Charm can also be used in conjunction with "Salvio Hexia" to enhance the barrier's defense against curses; they can also be used with "Fianto Duri" to increase the barrier's strength and durability; and they can also be used with the Muggle-Repelling Charm and the Homorphus Charm to allow the barrier to Muggle-Repelling Charm who accidentally approach, or to identify hostile enemies and prevent them from infiltrating.

(Note: Protego Horribilis literally means "defense against evil," but it was translated by People's Daily as "Protego Maxima protection," resulting in it being used by protagonists in a large number of fan fictions as an enhanced version of the Shield Charm. In fact, this is not a combat spell. In the original work, it is said that Professor Flitwick needs to set up a protective shield in advance without interference, and he must recite a "very complicated incantation.")

(To put it simply, the Shield Charm creates a shield in front of the caster; Protego Totalum creates a small airflow protective shield in a certain area; Protego Horribilis creates a large whirlwind protective shield in a certain area.)

Skylar wanted to do was to master the combination of all the defensive spells and use them tactically in different situations.

During the first week of school, the Herbology focused on Bubotuber. Bubotuber are a very ugly plant; they look like large, black, slimy slugs that emerge straight from the soil. They are all slightly wriggling and have many Winky bulges on their bodies, which seem to be filled with liquid.

The young wizards need to squeeze the pustules with their hands to collect the pus inside. This process must be done carefully to avoid splashing the pus onto their skin. Undiluted Bubotuber Pus can cause unusual damage to the skin.

The process of squeezing out the tubers is disgusting, yet it also produces a strange sense of satisfaction. Each time a bulge is burst, a large amount of viscous, yellowish-green liquid spurts out, emitting a pungent gasoline smell.

Skylar paid close attention to this lesson. The Bubotuber was one of the key ingredients in the Cosmetic Potion he wanted to develop, and understanding its properties and medicinal effects was crucial.

Without exception, under his leadership, even with one member missing, his team once again achieved the highest score.

Skylar glanced sideways at Draco's group and saw Crabbe burst the entire Bubotuber, splattering himself and Goyle all over. Large yellow blisters appeared on their faces and arms. Draco, however, was unharmed; he used a Shield Charm to block the pus with his excellent reflexes, which immediately drew cheers from the Little Snakes.

While loudly complaining about Goyle and Crabbe's incompetence, Draco used Aguamenti to wash the pus off the two. Although the pus was washed away from the two idiots, their exposed skin was covered with thick, painful bumps and sores.

"Oh, Merlin's beard," Professor Sprout said, rushing over at the sight, "I think you two had better get to the Hospital Wing right away and have Madam Pomfrey take a look..."

"It's alright, Professor, don't worry." Draco pulled a bottle of Potions from his pocket. "This is a wound Potions I brewed myself. Just apply this to the affected area and it will be fine."

By this time, Goyle and Crabbe were in unbearable pain. They couldn't wait to take the Potions and apply it to their bodies. The bumps and scars disappeared at a visible speed, leaving no trace, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

Pansy gazed at Draco with a look of utter infatuation, while Audrey and Tracey also stared at Draco with burning eyes. Draco, having stolen the show, wore a smug expression.

Although Draco's actions didn't earn his group any points (in fact, his group scored very low due to the mistakes of both Dazai and Isaac), he was undoubtedly the protagonist of the entire class and the focus of everyone's discussion.

Daphne and Morrie looked at Skylar, who remained expressionless and silent, and a terrible thought simultaneously arose in their minds: Had something happened between the two brothers?

After Herbology, Morrie approached Skylar and said she wanted to speak with him alone, so Daphne went back to the Slytherin Common Room first.

Skylar and Morrie arrived at a secluded corridor in the castle, a place devoid of classrooms and offices, and usually deserted.

"Skylar, are you alright?" Morrie's eyes were filled with worry.

"It's nothing, what could possibly be wrong with me?" Skylar smiled gently as always. "But you, I haven't seen you all summer. Didn't you tell me you went on vacation to France with your family? Did you enjoy your trip?"

Morrie didn't answer, but stared intently at Skylar, as if trying to find something on Skylar's face.

"What's wrong? Did a flower grow on my face?" Skylar said with a smile.

"Don't change the subject!" Morrie, contrary to her usual gentle demeanor, said somewhat irritably, "You've always been like this, always wearing that fake smile—"

Her voice suddenly choked with emotion, "In your heart, am I only fit to have fun with you?" As she spoke, her slightly red eyes welled up with tears, "Could it be that from beginning to end, you've never considered me a trustworthy friend?"

"Morrie..." Since his transmigration, Skylar had long been accustomed to disguising himself, no matter who he was dealing with, even his closest relatives. He had never considered the harm he caused others. A wave of guilt and pity washed over him. He pursed his lips and softly said, "I'm sorry..."

"I don't want your apology!" Morrie rushed forward and hugged Skylar tightly. "I've heard about Meredith... I wasn't even that close to her, but it was enough to keep me feeling upset and uneasy all summer... I kept thinking, I kept worrying, what would you do? This must have been a huge blow to you... And what happened? We finally met, and you acted like nothing happened, asking me how my summer was!"

Morrie raised her head, her face streaked with tears like a pear blossom in the rain. She reached out and gently rubbed Skylar's brow, her voice trembling as she said, "Please don't be like this anymore. You're not alone. You still have me. Whatever makes you unhappy, whatever is hurting you, I'm willing to share it with you..."

A bitter feeling washed over Skylar; he hadn't wanted things to turn out this way either.

Last semester, he was betrayed by Gemma and forced to turn against Hermione. He's also involved with a mysterious student organization called "Ghosts Society." Can he tell us about these things?

After summer vacation, Meredith disappeared, a huge problem arose behind the Shadow of the Magic Dragon, Draco changed, Mad-Eye Moody strangely, the plot collapsed... One thing after another happened, and almost every one of them was beyond his control. He had too many concerns and pressures in his heart, and he didn't even have time to feel sadness.

"Actually, I've always known, I just didn't say it..." Morrie's voice trembled even more violently. She finally mustered the courage to speak her mind, "Occlumency, isn't it? You know Occlumency, and you're highly skilled at it, right? You don't need to hide it from me anymore. Your eyes... I know... those are the eyes of someone who Occlumency... empty, devoid of emotion..."

"Morrie, I..." Skylar hesitated for a long time, and all his words finally turned into a long sigh, "I'm sorry. I do know Occlumency, and I have indeed been using it to hide my true feelings, but it's definitely not that I don't trust you."

"I'm a selfish person," Skylar said bitterly, "I've always known that. I have my own goals, my own purposes, but I don't have the courage to let anyone know. Because I'm afraid, I'm afraid that when you know what I really am, you'll leave me."

Morrie reached out and touched Skylar face. "Do you know that every spell comes with a price? That price can be magic power, physical strength, or even life itself. Occlumency that requires neither a wand nor magic power, what is its price? Do you know?"

"I have no idea..."

Morrie's face was filled with heartache and pity. "Emptying all emotions is just the most basic principle of the Occlumency. At a deeper level, it requires forcibly suppressing emotions, even to the point of completely shutting down the corresponding functions in the brain. When you deny all your emotions, deny pain and sorrow, deny the cracks in your heart, suppress the inner conflicts of your personality... your character, your soul, will be distorted, destroyed, even torn apart..."

Skylar suddenly realized that this was the reason for his recent rapid progress in mental and spiritual magic—he had suppressed his longing and sorrow for Meredith, he had suppressed his unease and fear of Draco, he had suppressed all the pain in his heart...

Does repression damage the soul and increase its power?

So, is that why Dumbledore and Voldemort loved playing the mystery game so much?

"Do you know? Even though your eyes are devoid of emotion, the lines between your brows are deepening. Your heart is breaking; it's crying out for help—" Morrie's voice was heartbreaking. "I beg you, Skylar, please value your own feelings. Stop trying to bear all this pain alone..."

From her gentle words, Skylar felt a deep and pure concern. This warmed his heart, reminding him of Narcissa, and even his nagging parents from his past life. It seemed he was truly lucky, never lacking in "love" around him.

Skylar laughed, a genuine laugh. To hell with Voldemort, Dumbledore, and the Shadow of the Magic Dragon!

No matter how many thorns or troubles lie ahead, if one cannot grasp the happiness of this moment, wouldn't one have wasted a second chance at life?

Skylar lifted the Occlumency.

Meredith and Draco's faces flashed through his mind, and a wave of intense grief washed over him, mixed with fear, unease, helplessness, bitterness, and gloom. His heart seemed unable to bear the weight of these emotions and began to convulse, and Skylar's body trembled uncontrollably.

Morrie's eyes finally brightened. She gently pulled Skylar's head into her arms and said softly, "If you want to cry, just cry. Sometimes a man's tears are quite sexy."

The scent of Morrie wafted into his nostrils, Skylar felt the warmth of the person before him. His eyes welled up, and tears finally streamed down his face uncontrollably. He choked out, "Morrie, I'm so scared. I'm afraid I'll never be able to save May! I'm afraid Draco will really become my enemy! I'm afraid I'm on the wrong path! I'm afraid I'll drag everyone around me into eternal damnation! I'm so scared..."

Morrie gently stroked Skylar's back with her delicate hand, whispering words of comfort, a relieved smile finally appearing on her face.

The two were lost in their own world, but no one noticed that the eerie black aura that originally accompanied Skylar's magic was slowly dissipating from his body. The magic stripped of the black aura flowed merrily through his body like the purest stream, transforming into a dazzling array of colors.