Rather, it was the wizard's own will, emotions, and soul.
The wand was merely a tool, the incantation merely a key. What truly powered magic was the wizard himself.
The same Killing Curse was worlds apart in power when cast by Voldemort and by an ordinary Death Eater.
This was because Voldemort's will to kill was purer and stronger than anyone else's.
In essence, this was the same thing as the Golden Light Mantra's emphasis on making power one's own.
Whether Immortal Arts or magic, it ultimately came down to using one's own power.
Paracelsus had said that Aether was Soul Fire. He had used the power of his soul to create the Philosopher's Stone.
Braid Green had failed not because his alchemical formula was flawed, but because his soul was not powerful enough.
And if he could continue down the path of the Golden Light Mantra in the future, refining the golden light from an external barrier into part of his body, then whether he faced Voldemort's Killing Curse or any Dark Magic, he would no longer have to rely on the Shield Charm and talismans for passive defense.
He himself would be the strongest defense.
At that thought, Gerald glanced at the mechanical watch on his wrist and realized there were only two days left before the new term began.
Gerald quickly made up his mind.
Rather than remain shut away meditating in the attic, he might as well go to London early, spend a day with his family, and then do some shopping in Diagon Alley.
He jumped off the bed, stretched his joints, then went outside and summoned the Knight Bus, enduring a bumpy ride to the Leaky Cauldron.
Uncle Jack and Grandpa Henry were now living in a Muggle neighborhood diagonally opposite Diagon Alley.
Technically