Chapter 403: Enhanced Puppet Creatures
Chapter 403: Enhanced Puppet Creatures
It turned out that challenging dangerous magical creatures without mastering the corresponding spells was a terrible idea.
Especially with Voldemort's puppets, which possessed the formidable physique and strength of magical creatures but lacked their weaknesses—
For instance, the stupidity of trolls, the uncontrollability of werewolves, and the aversion and fear of sunlight among vampires.
Michael bravely wanted to challenge a werewolf, but before he could cast a single spell, its sharp claws were already at his throat.
He blinked in confusion, not reacting for a few seconds before finally finding his voice:
"So... fast?"
The werewolf retracted its claws and darted into the forest, as if it had just casually stretched its body.
The sense of crisis from the threat to his life gradually dissipated, and Michael felt his frozen brain thawing as well.
After a few more seconds, he moved his limbs and forced a relaxed smile.
"Phew... That guy scared me when he jumped down from the tree." He turned to Voldemort and said, "I thought you'd shout 'start' or something."
Voldemort leaned against a nearby tree root, smirked, and said, "Sorry, but their simulations are based on real combat. A real werewolf wouldn't greet you before attacking, right?"
Michael thought for a moment, "Hmm... That makes sense."
He wanted to restart the challenge, but as he touched his throat subconsciously, he said, "I've already experienced the werewolf; I want to challenge the troll."
His impression of trolls remained that of the clumsy creature defeated by a few first-year witches and wizards.
Voldemort's expression turned peculiar, "Are you sure?"
"Of course," Michael said confidently. "Flock of Birds, Smooth Path, and Levitation Charm—these spells that were so effective back then are now all mastered by me! The monster that required several of us to fight is now something I can defeat alone!"
Most importantly, trolls, with their massive and heavy bodies, would never have the speed of a werewolf.
"Alright, but it's best if you put this on."
Voldemort raised his hand, and a cloak with golden and silver hues flew over and landed on Michael, transforming into a camouflage pattern that blended with the surrounding trees.
"Wow, this is a bit like an invisibility cloak."
Michael happily lifted the edge of the cloak to examine it and said, "But I prefer how it looked before."
The cloak fluttered lightly in his hands, and for some reason, Michael felt like it was agreeing with him.
He smiled, pulled up the hood, and said seriously, "Come on, troll!"
The boy, cloaked, wand in hand, and sharp-eyed, gave off an unexpectedly powerful aura.
The four troll puppets across from him exchanged glances. Then, the tallest and most robust one stood up, holding a wooden club, crouching low and emitting an intimidating roar.
It stomped the ground and charged forward, dragging the club!
Michael raised his wand and shouted, "Flock of Birds!"
A dozen birds emerged from the tip of his wand, rushing towards the troll puppet.
Michael was certain that the troll puppet would be left dizzy and disoriented, and he had already started preparing his next spell.
However, the plot did not unfold as he had anticipated.
Facing the birds pecking at it, the troll puppet shielded its eyes with its arm and charged forward like a heavy truck, unaffected by any hindrance.
The distance between them quickly closed in.
Michael panicked, quickly casting several Smooth Paths on the ground and waving his wand as he shouted, "Obstacle Spell! Obstacle Spell!"
The castle's smooth stone ground was naturally suited for spells like Smooth Path, even turning staircases into slippery stone slides, but the forest ground, covered in dead branches and leaves, was the complete opposite.
Michael didn't notice any effect from the Smooth Path spell, and the Obstacle Spell only slightly slowed the troll puppet's advance. Michael took the opportunity to run backward a few steps, turned, and shouted, "Stupor Spell!"
A red beam of spell light shot out, grazing the troll puppet's ear and hitting the tree trunk behind it.
A faintly mocking expression appeared on that ugly face.
Michael's face turned desperate—how could he dodge now?
The troll puppet, having caught up from behind, raised its club high, but Michael didn't give up. He quickly cast a Disarming Charm.
"Disarm Spell!"
The spell hit the troll puppet's wrist, and the club flew away. Before Michael could even smile, the troll puppet's other palm slapped towards him!
"That's too much! These guys are so dumb; there's no way they can react this fast!"
Michael, flying in the air, didn't scream but instead protested loudly in anger.
As the cloak was about to collide with the tree, it unfurled, bringing him back.
The Troll puppet had already picked up the wooden stick and returned to its companions.
Michael saw it spreading its hands towards the other Troll puppets and shaking its head, emitting a mocking snort.
Then, the other three Troll puppets also snorted with laughter, causing Michael's face to turn red.
Unable to communicate due to the language barrier, Michael turned to Vold and said resentfully, "You're not a Troll at all... Trolls don't act like this..."
Vold patted his shoulder and said, "This is an enhanced version of a Troll... Every race has unique individuals, right?"
"I understand... You created a Dumbledore among Trolls," Michael said expressionlessly.
Vold: "..."
The cloak patted Michael comfortingly, silently expressing sympathy.
During these days, Vold also took the opportunity to add some magic to this hastily made cloak. Just now, under its protection, Michael's confidence remained intact, and nothing else was harmed.
Vold's gaze drifted, and Michael stared at him with a knowing look.
"Be honest, Vold. Did you bring me here to test the combat power of your puppets?" Michael asked with a cold smile.
"Hahaha... How could that be?" Vold forced a laugh and suddenly remembered something. He coughed into his fist before saying, "Don't you remember? You were the one who wanted to come to the maze first."
"Even if I didn't say it, you would have suggested it, right? But we should change the time, and maybe involve others."
Michael hummed and squinted his eyes.
Vold raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then... do you give up on the challenge, and we go back to class? It's getting late."
Michael hesitated for a moment, still gripping his wand tightly. "Since I'm here... let me see how powerful your vampire is!"
Vold clapped his hands, and the vampire girl emerged from behind the tree with a radiant smile.
Michael: "..."
...
In the History of Magic classroom, Professor Binns had not yet appeared from behind the wall. Most students were prepared for a nap, while a few were busily writing to finish their assignments.
Ravenclaws and Slytherins were taking the class together. Mirison was talking to Pansy and Daphne when Michael walked in with a beaming smile.
Despite the conflicts between the two houses, Michael got along well with most of the girls, so Mirison asked directly, "Michael, why are you smiling like you've taken a Felix Felicis potion?"
Many girls looked towards the door.
"No, no," Michael said with a broad smile. "I just had a little competition with someone."
Seeing Vold enter the classroom after Michael, Pansy couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What? Did you defeat Greg?"
If that were the case, she could completely understand why Michael was so happy.
Almost everyone in the classroom turned to look at them, even waking up a few sleeping students.
Vold: "..."
He didn't say a word. Many students measured the gap between themselves and Michael, eager to challenge Vold.
Vold glanced at the crowd but ignored their speculations and sat in an empty seat.
"Of course... it's not like that!" Michael waved his hands with a giggle. "I challenged... um, someone else."
Daphne was puzzled. "Who did you beat?"
"No, no," Michael continued cheerfully. "I lost... haha... I didn't stand a chance."
Everyone was confused. "Then why are you so happy?"
"Should I be angry after losing?"
Michael spoke with a sense of calm acceptance, "This is just a small step on my journey. Failure is as valuable as success, and I embrace it."
"You're not just accepting it, you're overjoyed!" Terry exclaimed, voicing everyone's thoughts. "Did you accidentally kick him in the head, Vold? You've turned this guy into a fool!"
Vold remained silent.
'It wasn't me who defeated him, so why does it matter?' he thought to himself.
Padma, observing Michael's face closely, understood the situation and hummed in response, turning her back to them.
"Padma..." Lisa watched Michael's unusual behavior with concern and asked, "He seems really off... Did he take a Felix Felicis potion?"
"No," Padma replied calmly, "He probably met a beautiful woman."
Lisa's eyes widened in surprise, and she cautiously glanced at Padma's expression.
Padma pursed her lips, feigning nonchalance, "Why are you looking at me? We broke up; we're just friends now!"
"Oh..." Lisa whispered, closing her book and falling silent.
The bell rang, and Professor Binns, as white as a pearl, walked through the wall to start the class as usual.
A few minutes later, the commotion caused by Michael's unusual behavior gradually subsided, and the sound of steady breathing filled the room.
...
Percy Weasley, now in his seventh year, was preparing for his NEWTs (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).
Although most jobs only valued OWLs (Ordinary Wizarding Level Exams), Percy's ambition was not to find a job to make a living. He aimed higher and needed an impressive graduation score.
While most of his peers spent their time on dating, socializing, and having fun, taking only a few classes, Percy dedicated himself to studying and preparing for the exams in six months.
He set aside over an hour at noon to fulfill his duties as the Student Council President and spent the entire afternoon in the library until the sun set and dinner time approached.
As he left the library, Percy noticed a younger student loitering outside, looking troubled and unusually somber compared to his usually vibrant self.
Percy recognized him as someone who was active and well-liked in the common room.
As he passed by, Percy asked, "Carrel, what are you doing here? It's time for dinner."
Carrel looked up, his eyes shining with emotion, and stared at Percy intently.
"Mr. Weasley, sir..." Carrel's respectful address pleased Percy, who struggled to contain his smile and maintained his Student Council President demeanor. "Do you have any troubles?"
"The underage wizards you mentioned in the meeting... Their parents were hit with the Forgetfulness Charm, right?" Carrel asked cautiously.
Percy frowned, "Of course. It's an extremely evil and despicable act!"
"Then..." Carrel hesitated, "Will that organization find new parents for those young wizards?"
"Absolutely not!" Percy asserted, "How could they be so kind? They even make the children witness their parents forgetting them, ensuring they know they have nowhere to go even if they escape. It's all about control!"
"I see... Thank you so much, Mr. President. I'm truly grateful..." Carrel exhaled in relief, unable to hide a smile.
Percy looked at him curiously, noticing his muttering and loud thanks before turning and running off.
"This guy..." Percy furrowed his brows in confusion, "What's there to be happy about?"
Without further thought, he checked the time and hurried towards the Great Hall, encountering a group of younger students throwing spells at each other in the corridor. Percy immediately intervened, sternly reprimanding them.
"Stop! I'm the Student Council President! You're breaking the rules... No magic in the corridors..."
After scolding the students, Percy completely forgot about Carrel's strange behavior.
(End of Chapter)
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