Chapter 142: The Great Battle Royale 4
Chapter 142: The Great Battle Royale 4
In the bustling vegetable garden, a group of people's screams and laughter had long attracted the attention of countless others.
Many students ran over to watch, perching on the fence and peering through the gaps.
In the fourth round, with the Engorgement Charm prohibited, Wade displayed his true prowess.
He utilized the Disillusionment Charm and Silencing Charm in tandem with sneak attacks.
The Sensory Charm enhanced his perception.
The Summoning Charm unleashed flocks of birds to break traps.
The Duplication Charm created copies of pumpkins and vines, causing those who thought they knew the terrain to stumble.
The Lubricating Charm sent Fred, who was preparing to ambush, sliding and crashing headfirst into a pumpkin.
The Levitation Charm knocked Neville over.
The Binding Charm trapped Theo, hidden in the vines, rendering him unable to break free and leaving him captive.
The Revolving Charm sent Harry spinning in the air for two and a half turns, and when he fell, he was so disoriented that he was immediately taken down by the Petrification Charm.
Stunners, Sleepers, and Disarming Charms—Wade skillfully employed them all. He maintained the Shield Charm throughout, deflecting any spells that struck him.
It was only when the last person was knocked down and Wade remained untouched that they realized the gap between their skills.
Wade's repertoire of spells outnumbered the combined total of everyone else.
Moreover, most people needed to stand still and aim at their targets to cast spells effectively. Once they started running, their success rate dropped to less than half, and whether they could hit their mark was purely down to luck.
It was also during this confrontation that Wade deeply appreciated how invaluable Professor Flitwick's notes and teachings had been.
In their usual practice sessions, the young wizards seemed to be at a similar level. At most, Wade's spells were slightly more powerful, and his beams of light were thicker.
But in combat, out of ten spells cast by others, perhaps only one would be effective, while seven out of ten of Wade's spells produced the desired effect.
With the terrain to his advantage, he made defeating nine opponents look effortless.
However, Wade was not entirely satisfied.
He had been hit several times himself, and there was one instance where his Shield Charm nearly failed against a group attack.
Exhausted, everyone sat on the ground, reflecting on their performance.
Just then, a voice called out from outside the fence, "Hey, Fred, what are you guys doing? Can I join in?"
Fred turned around.
It was Lee Jordan, their dorm mate and good friend.
When they looked again, they were startled to see a large crowd of students gathered outside the fence, some with their faces squished against the wood, all gazing eagerly at them.
"Yeah, let us play too!"
"It looks so fun!"
"Fred, George, don't leave me out, considering our feelings of copying homework together!"
Students who never missed a Quidditch match, even if they couldn't see the action, were now powerless against this confrontational game.
Although Fred was happy to include Lee Jordan, he didn't immediately agree. Instead, he looked to Wade.
Wade didn't mind having more people join the game. The larger the number, the better it would test his magical abilities.
He estimated the size of the venue and asked, "How about we let them queue up... Hagrid, can you maintain order? A maximum of fifty people at a time."
"Sure."
Hagrid readily agreed.
He loved this game and would have joined himself if it weren't inconvenient.
Wade asked the others, "You're not going to ban me from using the Engorgement Charm this time, are you?"
The group paled but soon brightened at the thought of sharing this pain with more people.
"What game are you playing?" Lee Jordan asked excitedly as he entered.
The group exchanged glances and replied in unison, "Battle Royale!"
One of Wade against the rest of them.
...
"Ahhhhhhh!"
A piercing scream rent the air.
Filch searched through the school rules but couldn't find a suitable article, so he stormed off to find Dumbledore.
Filch angrily exclaimed, "Headmaster, this is a serious violation of the rules! They should all be locked up!"
"Calm yourself, Mr. Filch," Dumbledore said leisurely. "Look at the children, so full of vigor! I wonder if they would let me join in..."
"Albus!" Professor McGonagall frowned. "The students could get hurt!"
Dumbledore popped a honeyduke into his mouth and mumbled in response,
"Madame Pomfrey has already prepared potions and bandages. Besides, the children are more sensible than we think... Care for a sweet, Minerva?"
"......Very well, thank you."
Professor McGonagall reluctantly accepted the offer, glad it wasn't a cockroach cluster.
"But I still wish you would prohibit such harmful activities..."
"Minerva."
Dumbledore interrupted her and asked, "Have you ever seen a lion cub?"
Professor McGonagall paused and replied, "Of course."
"Then you should know that young animals learn essential survival skills through play. For instance, hunting, evading, or socializing."
"Our children are no different."
"If they don't learn to wield their wands through games, life will teach them in other, harsher ways."
"I only regret one thing..."
"...Why didn't I think of this game earlier?"
Professor McGonagall fell silent and turned to leave, intending to check with Madame Pomfrey about the stock of medicines in the infirmary.
The white-bearded headmaster narrowed his eyes slightly.
He cast a spell to observe the situation in the vegetable garden from a distance.
He witnessed Harry skillfully fending off several large cockroaches and rescuing a first-year girl who had been scared to tears.
He saw Hufflepuff's Theo leap onto the back of a mantis, joining forces with Ravenclaw's Michael to bring it down.
He observed Slytherin's Zabini and Gryffindor's Ron fighting together against a swarm of spiders.
He saw Pansy screaming and clutching tightly to Hermione's hand, while Hermione shouted and repelled a beetle, dragging Pansy towards a pumpkin.
He also witnessed the courage of Ravenclaw, the wisdom of Hufflepuff, the friendship of Slytherin, and the resilience of Gryffindor.
As the students united against the terrifying insects, their usual conflicts seemed to melt away. They helped each other and even willingly "sacrificed" themselves to protect their peers.
"How wonderful..."
Dumbledore wiped away a tear, touched by the scene.
Snape, with a grim expression, stood by the window, taking note of the poorly performing Slytherin students.
Even in a game, he would not tolerate his students losing so disgracefully.
Next to him, Professor Flitwick mostly kept his eyes on Wade.
"Hmm, nice use of that spell... Oh, the timing was a bit off, but fortunately, the opponent didn't react... Careful, careful, that fellow's trying to ambush from beneath the beetle's belly... Brilliant! He blocked it!"
Professor Flitwick jumped for joy, clapping and cheering, much to Snape's annoyance.
The one who had attempted the failed ambush was none other than Slytherin's Crabbe.
He had the courage to hide beneath the beetle, but his spell was as weak as a few drops of water.
...
Lockhart, on the other hand, felt inspired.
"If I were to win in such a game, I would surely gain the admiration of all the students..."
After watching for a while, he changed his mind.
"No, no, no... It's too dangerous... and it might damage my image..."
"Perhaps I should start a dueling club instead. It would surely be popular and much safer..."
Musing to himself, Lockhart hurried back to his office, determined to write a perfect proposal.
(End of Chapter)
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