*Morpheus pov*
I returned to the cafeteria in time to have a short meal and some Sake. The drink wasn't my favorite seeing as wine exists but, it was something I enjoyed from time to time.
Sitting with my fellow professors I poured myself a cup and began to eat my meal, "Where have you been Professor Morpheus?" one of the Japanese professors asked, I think his name was Takeshi Yamamoto
I smiled, "Please Morpheus is just fine as I won't be using any titles with you Takeshi. As for where I was. I was with Kazuki reliving some old memories," I replied politely
Takeshi nodded, "I see, Morpheus then. I hear you teach divination, a subject that is also taught here I heard you went over tea gazing are you familiar with the Japanese methods?" he asked in clear interest
I smiled this time more genuinely, "I am fond of the Japanese style actually, it is the basis of most other variations. The root I guess you could say, the version I taught my students was much like what I'm sure you teach yours,"
His eyes brightened, "Excellent! I was worried the magic would have lost its roots all the way over there; when I visited America they were using bland leaves with no proper technique," he sounded so disappointed it was a little funny
The Americans did develop their own technique but it wasn't worse or better than any other just different.
"But, I must ask while I was talking to your headmaster I learned your class is open to anyone who applies. Here we only offer to those with the sight how do you manage to teach those without the gift?" he asked curiously
Everyone at the table looked at least a little curious after all they had heard me say it's possible with hard work many times over but nothing beyond that.
Thinking for a moment I grinned, "Do you wish to know a little secret?" I asked leaning in
Takeshi leaned In waiting for me to continue, "Everyone has a little bit of the sight, those who we say have the gift are really just more naturally in tune with their sight. Though people aren't wrong in saying without the sight it's hard to learn divination as you are born with a threshold. Unless you use extreme methods it is impossible to unveil more of your natural sight," I answered causing everyone to be stunned
"That's the first I've heard of this," Albus said in disbelief
I chuckled, "Of course, it is not something most people know. I know of this because I've spent my whole life studying divination devoted to understanding all of its limitations and possibilities. Why it's a secret is because some people could be driven to use some of those methods just to gain more of the sight,"
"So anyone can learn divination then?" Takeshi asked in amazement
I shrugged, "Anyone? That depends really if you put in the hard work and practice every day and try to really understand the complex theories then yes anyone can. Even squibs,"
Truly everyone is gifted with a little bit of the sight, it would be harder to believe that it is a special gift. Magic, is well magical. How could wizards even perform half of the rituals and things they do without being able to see and envision it inside their minds?
It was illogical.
Of course, what I told them cannot be confirmed. It's not something tangible that you can physically see. Unless of course, you meet someone with a particularly strong sight.
"Impressing my professors with your knowledge over divination are you?" the aged voice of Kazuki reached our ears
Looking up at him I took a sip of my sake and smirked, "Something like that," I replied
He shook his head, "I see you still have a drinking problem," he nodded at my cup
"Oh do tell, has he had this problem since you saw him at school?" Albus asked laughing
Kazuki laughed, "Morpheus here is a prolific drinker, I hear his wine collection is grand,"
"That it is," I nodded
It really was, just thinking about it makes me want to open a bottle of the good stuff.
Looking around Kazuki nodded, "let's start the duels again before it gets too late,"
*Narrator pov*
The stands were now packed once more, ready for the fourth years to begin their duels.
"FIRST MATCH OF THE FOURTH YEARS IS XENOPHILIUS LOVEGOOD VERSUS RENJIRO ISHIKAWA!" the judge announced
Xenophilius sauntered over to the platform his wand was held loosely in his hand. His opponent wore a cherry wood ring, his smile was large.
He looked just as eccentric as Xenophilius.
The audience buzzed with excitement as the Judge raised his wand. "Ready, duel!" he announced, and the duel began.
Renjiro wasted no time, summoning a shimmering shield of energy with a swift gesture of his ring-bearing hand. "Yūjin no Kekkai!" he declared, his voice steady as the shield formed around him, pulsating with protective magic.
He went to wave more spells under the protection of his barrier, but Xenophilius was not to be outdone. With a flourish of his wand, he cast a spell that seemed to draw energy from the very earth itself. Vines erupted from the ground beneath Renjiro's feet, snaking their way towards him with a life of their own. "Petrificus Tota!" Xenophilius chanted, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as Renjiro found himself ensnared by the magical tendrils.
Renjiro struggled against the vines, his expression a mixture of surprise and determination. With a flick of his ring, he summoned a gust of wind in an attempt to free himself by cutting the vines. "Kaze no Taidō!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the courtyard, but the vines held fast, refusing to yield.
He grimaced, he didn't trust himself to cast a flame spell in an inclosed space and so close to his own body.
Xenophilius chuckled softly, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle unfolding before him. With a wave of his wand, he conjured a swarm of shimmering butterflies that danced around Renjiro, their delicate wings leaving trails of sparkling light in their wake. "Lumināria Papilionis!" he called out, his voice filled with delight as he watched Renjiro's attempts to dispel the enchanting creatures.
The creatures seemed to have a mystifying effect as if they were made to just be captivated by.
Renjiro's eyes widened momenterally as he remembered he was in a duel not supposed to be watching the butterflies approach, their beauty mesmerizing. With a wave of his ring, he attempted to dispel them, muttering an incantation under his breath. "Tsumi no Kumo!" he muttered, but the butterflies simply danced around his outstretched hand, unaffected by his magic.
Getting angry he dispelled his barrier and watched as Xenophilius sent a stunner his way, "Shugo no honō!" he roared flicking his wrist and causing flames to surround him
The butterflies seemed to shatter in the air and the end of the vines were beginning to burn allowing him to forcefully tear himself away. Narrowly avoiding three spells sent his way.
"A bewitching spell!" Renjiro laughed loudly, "Amazing!"
"Thanks!" Xenophilius replied brightly
Renjiro laughed and began to transfigure the loose ground from the vines into compressed spheres, with each thrust of his hand a sphere would be sent flying at Xenophilius.
Xenophilius began dodging displaying his own version of footwork which in all honesty made him look drunk.
Mixed with the rock spheres were other spells, sometimes wind and sometimes a well-placed stunner. Leaving Xenophilius in a tough situation.
Sensing an opportunity when the last sphere was thrown, Xenophilius pressed his advantage. With a flick of his wand, he unleashed a burst of multicolored sparks that swirled around Renjiro, enveloping him in a dazzling display of light. "Spectrālis Ignēs!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with triumph as he watched Renjiro look around frantically.
With another flourish of his wand, the same vines from earlier appeared this time wrapping around Renjiro's hand and Xenophilius was not finished he quickly followed with a quick, "Stupefy, Petrificus Totalus!"
In a display of amazing flexibility, Renjiro used the vine to vault his body upward dodging the spells.
"I admit defeat, He trapped my ring hand!" Renjiro yelled in frustration, "And I'd rather not get stunned?!" he laughed not minding his defeat
"XENOPHILIUS WINS!" the judge announced
Xenophilius dispelled the vines, "That was fun!" he said with a bright smile
Renjiro nodded, "It was, you really didn't give me a break," he chuckled, "What were those spells I've never seen them?" he asked in amazement
"Something a friend of mine created," Xenophilius seemed to be boasting Pandora's skills
"Nice," Renjiro replied with some jealousy
The first round of the fourth-year duels goes to Hogwarts.
—
Tried to make his spells all quirky