Back in class at last

After frequently skipping classes, Will's days became much more leisurely. Every day after breakfast, he could immerse himself in studying in the High Tower, and occasionally in the evenings he would go with Professor Flitwick to study Ritual Studies and the theory of using Charms to create Potions.

However, leisurely days are not Eternity, or rather, leisurely days only exist within the tolerance range of some professors; beyond that range...

"Grand Wizard Mr. Behrens, come to my Office after class this afternoon," Will, who was cutting steak at the Slytherin table, heard the somber voice behind him. "Oh, I forgot, Mr. Behrens no longer teaches."

Will gave a wry smile, then turned to see Snape's grim face. "Professor, I'll go."

"Oh? Where to? You mean my Defence Against the Dark Arts this afternoon, or my Office?"

"I will go, Professor Snape."

Snape's expression softened slightly. "Hmm."

He then stopped talking and headed towards the professors' chair.

Sylvia swallowed a piece of Cod: "Looks like we're going to meet Hogwarts' most mysterious student in class, the legendary Grand Wizard Behrens."

"Honestly, going to class is basically a waste of my time now," Will said helplessly. "I don't have much time left to waste."

Sylvia took a slice of steak from Will's plate. "It's no use talking to me like that, Will. You have to talk to Professor Snape."

Will neither confirmed nor denied it, but in reality, he had stopped attending classes a long time ago, only showing up in the classroom as a formality, which was actually meaningless.

He's currently studying Soul Studies and more Dark Magic, so it's actually inappropriate for him to go back to the classroom, because these things can't be exposed to light.

That's why he chose to skip class, but he'll still talk to Snape after class this afternoon.

Will did indeed attend the Defense Against the Dark Arts class in the afternoon.

Snape arrived early today and stood at the front of the classroom. When he saw Will, his expression improved considerably.

The students were quite surprised to see Will, especially Harry and the others—they thought Will wasn't coming to class this semester.

Harry was just about to say a few words to Will when Snape spoke up.

"Today, you will engage in Nonverbal Spell battle."

A restless commotion arose in the classroom—these combat courses were the most troublesome, as at least half the students always had to write extended papers.

"Quiet." Snape's gaze swept over them, and the commotion immediately ceased. "Nonverbal Spell are the most basic thing in combat; you've practiced them for a long time. This is just the first test."

He paused, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"The requirements for this lesson are very simple: everyone must fight using Nonverbal Spell throughout, without uttering a single syllable."

Anyone who can't help but shout out the incantation—regardless of whether they win or not—will fail.

Everyone who fails the exam must write an eight-inch-long essay entitled "On the Lethality of Vocal Spellcasting in Combat," and submit it to my Office tomorrow morning.

Ron let out a wail—eight inches, that's over fifty centimeters!

"Now," Snape clapped his hands, "Two people per group, I'll divide them."

He didn't even look at the list, his gaze sweeping across the classroom as he casually pointed. "Ronald Weasley, Draco Malfoy, you two go first."

Ron looked like he'd been shoved in the Slug, while Draco slowly rolled up his sleeves, his eyes gleaming with undisguised pleasure—he really wanted to give Ron a good beating, especially after learning the Origin Spells.

After all, Ron and he had never gotten along.

Soon, Ron and Draco arrived at the center of the classroom, about twenty feet apart.

Ron raised his Wand, his hand trembling slightly; Draco, on the other hand, looked nonchalant, a smile playing on his lips, his Wand hanging loosely at his side.

Snape leaned against the Lectern, arms crossed. "No talking, no dueling salute, get set—begin!"

Ron's lips twitched slightly, but no sound came out. A red light shot out from the tip of his staff—it was Stunning Spell, and it was quite fast.

Draco didn't dodge. He flicked his wrist, his Wand arcing through the air, and a barrier of Shield Charm appeared in front of him, blocking the Charms.

Ron hurriedly cast his second Charms, but he failed—he was too hasty and hadn't mastered the Nonverbal Spell, so this time he naturally failed.

Immediately afterwards, Draco tapped his Wand lightly, and an Exterminator Expelliarmus shot out at incredible speed.

Ron stumbled backward, his Wand flying far away from his hand.

Before he could even get up, the second curse had already struck.

Another Expelliarmus, this time sending Ron sprawling to the ground with a thud.

Ron scrambled to his feet, his face flushed red. "I was careless!"

"Nobody cares about your carelessness on the battlefield," Snape scoffed. "If Draco had used the Killing Curse, you wouldn't be able to get up and say you were careless."

Several Slytherin students chuckled softly.

"Reckless, impulsive, typical Gryffindor," Snape continued, his slow, sarcastic tone revealing his usual tendency to charge headlong into failure, a trait that Mr. Weasley demonstrated very well today.

Mr. Draco did a fantastic job, Slytherin, three points!

Ron's neck was red as he picked up his Wand and walked back to Harry's side with his head down.

Snape's gaze swept around the classroom, glancing at Harry before finally settling on Neville.

"Mr. Longbottom."

Neville froze for a moment.

"You and..." Snape glanced at him, "Mr. Goyle."

Goyle slowly shuffled out from the back row, his face bearing his usual foolish expression. Although he was a full head taller Neville and his arms were as thick as two wooden stakes, he always seemed rather dim-witted.

Neville walked to the center of the classroom, his palms sweaty—he was very nervous, afraid he couldn't beat Goyle.

"Ready—Go!" Snape announced.

Goyle launched the first attack, and it was fierce from the very first strike—a silent Stunning Spell. Neville quickly dodged to the side, and the spell slammed into the bookshelf behind him, sending several books crashing to the ground.

The second blow came right away, and Neville rolled on the ground, nimbly dodging it—he suddenly realized that his parents' training of him during the holidays was very useful.

Dodging the attack, Neville immediately raised his Wand and flicked it upwards with a steady wrist.

There was no sound at all.

But suddenly the heavy Oakwood table at the back of the classroom flew up.