The strictest exam room in history: Moody's 360-degree surveillance with no blind spots! (Defense Against Dark Magic exam included)

The morning run ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Couples leaned against the rocks by the lake, whispering and sharing how much they had missed each other over the summer.

Students practicing spells gathered in twos and threes, quietly discussing how to feel happier when casting the Patronus Charm.

Meanwhile, after a short rest, the first-years who had been tricked into coming curiously gathered around the Swiftwind Sword Club.

They watched the older students draw their longswords.

They began practicing basic slashes and blocks, their blades cutting through the air with soft whooshes.

Neville stood in the center, sweat sliding down his resolute face and dripping onto the grass.

"Form up!"

His command was low, not loud, but carried authority.

The sword club members swiftly lined up, their movements perfectly synchronized, without the slightest delay.

Clang!

Dozens of swords left their sheaths at once, the crisp, ringing sound echoing along the quiet lakeshore.

It made the first-years' hearts tremble.

"Professor Holmes once said that a sword is an extension of your arm, and a wand is an extension of your will."

Neville began demonstrating as he spoke, his voice steady and clear.

"What you need to feel isn't the weight of the sword, but the sensation of power flowing from your shoulders to your wrists, then pouring into the tip of your blade."

"Hah!"

He abruptly stepped forward, bringing his sword down with a distinct whistle of wind.

It wasn't a wild, aimless slash. The blade stopped precisely at a point in midair, its tip less than an inch from a falling leaf.

The gust stirred up by the sword even sent the leaf tumbling.

"The fundamentals: slash, thrust, rising cut, sweep."

"Repeat every movement a thousand times, ten thousand times, until it becomes instinctive to your body! As natural