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Snape and Lockhart strolled through the crowd, pairing everyone up. Snape ruthlessly split the trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, matching Ron with Seamus. Hermione found herself partnered with Millicent, a tall, robust Slytherin girl, while Harry was paired with Malfoy, as expected.
Unexpectedly, Ron contradicted Snape, hoping to replace Harry and confront Malfoy himself. Since the commencement of the wizarding close-up combat class, Ron and Malfoy had been vying for the top spot in the second grade.
Snape, visibly surprised, stared at Ron, his mouth twitching slightly, and he acquiesced to Ron's request. Malfoy, arrogantly striding over, glared fiercely at Ron, fueled by the lingering resentment from the slug-vomiting incident.
"Face your partner" Lockhart bellowed from the stage.
"Bow"
Ron and Malfoy barely nodded, fixating vicious stares on each other.
"Raise your wand and get ready" Lockhart exclaimed. "When I count to three, I'll cast a spell to disarm—just disarm—we don't want an accident. One—two—three—"
Ignoring Lockhart's countdown, Ron and Malfoy moved simultaneously. Malfoy's wand emitted a silver light, striking Ron forcefully. Ron felt his head thrust into the sky, stumbling momentarily. Sensing an opportunity, Ron pointed his wand at Malfoy and shouted, "Stupefy"
A silver light struck Malfoy's stomach, causing him to double over in pain, gasping for breath, and two comical front teeth swiftly ejected from his mouth.
"I said, just disarm" Lockhart shouted in horror at the tumultuous crowd. Ron's legs twitched uncontrollably, resembling a peculiar trot, while Malfoy retaliated with a tarantella.
Abandoning magical prowess, Ron and Malfoy resorted to the witcher body arts from Ethan's class, colliding fiercely in a heated confrontation.
"Stop! Stop!" screamed Lockhart, but Snape took control.
"Separate" Snape used magic to forcibly part Ron and Malfoy.
Painful moans filled the auditorium. Neville and Justin lay on the floor, panting, and Harry passed out with a blackened face from Seamus' explosion magic.
Hermione and Millicent remained engaged; Millicent executed a forceful backfall, followed by a cross, prompting a soft cry of pain from Hermione. Both wands lay forgotten on the floor. Lockhart hastened forward, struggling to pull Millicent away.
"Good heavens," exclaimed Lockhart, darting around the crowd, surveying the aftermath of their duel. "Stand up, Ernie... Watch out, Miss Fawcett... Hold on, Boot... Easy there, blood... Just stop it!"
Madam Pomfrey was summoned and promptly pushed Lockhart aside, methodically bandaging the wounds of the young wizards. She incessantly grumbled about the unreliability of the dueling lesson, causing Lockhart much embarrassment.
Despite the chaotic situation, Madam Pomfrey's skills shone as she swiftly tended to the injuries. The pained moans in the Great Hall ceased, but the students' mental states were not as robust as before. They all appeared unsteady.
Professor Flitwick opportunistically took the stage, casting a loud voice spell on himself. "Next, I believe I can present a genuine wizard's duel for everyone. Professor Ethan, care for a fair duel with me?"
"Of course," Ethan readily accepted Flitwick's invitation and ascended the stage.
Cheers erupted from the student group, anticipating the day's highlight.
Flitwick announced to the students, "You all know that Professor Ethan is a Witcher. Today, he'll showcase the witcher's fighting style in our duel"
The young wizards screamed in excitement, their eyes fixed on Ethan and Flitwick with anticipation.
Lockhart, looking pale on the side, couldn't fathom why his spotlight was instantly stolen.
Ethan and Flitwick, facing each other, bowed as ordinary wizards would.
Subsequently, Ethan slowly unsheathed his steel sword, the runes lighting up with his every movement, prompting collective exclamations from the young wizards.
Ethan traced an inverted triangle with his right hand, causing an orange-yellow shield to swiftly envelop him. Simultaneously, Ethan closed the distance to Flitwick.
Flitwick met Ethan with several fiery red lights. Ethan's Quen shield absorbed Flitwick's Disarming Curse with a resounding crash, far stronger than the initial seal test.
The shield, struck by the spell, flashed twice before the next spell targeted the same spot. Ethan marveled at the precision required for such control over the spell.
Cracks densely formed on Quen's shield, quickly shattered by the third spell. Ethan drew a triangle in the air, unleashing a potent shockwave at Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick calmly conjured obstacles, and the formidable shockwave appeared to collide with an invisible wall, its impact dissipating continuously.
At this juncture, Ethan had already closed in on Flitwick by a few steps. Close combat held a special allure for witchers, and Professor Flitwick, unyielding, did not retreat. After casting an Protego spell on himself, he swiftly unleashed a series of aggressive spells, mirroring Ethan's movements.
At this proximity, dodging the spells seemed nearly impossible. Those supporting Ethan couldn't bear to close their eyes, envisioning Ethan's potential defeat.
In an instant, Ethan made a decisive move, contorting his figure like a civet cat. Simultaneously, his long sword slashed at Flitwick from an astounding angle – the witcher's distinctive sword dance.
The sword clashed against the Iron Armor Curse, creating a harsh sound. Flitwick encased in the Iron Armor Curse, displayed a hint of surprise. The impact of the sword jolted him, but Flitwick remained vigilant. Ethan shot a spell, deftly evaded by Ethan's graceful movements.
The students observing Ethan were captivated. The duel left a profound impact on them; Professor Ethan's elegant and mesmerizing sword dance dazzled them, etching the battle into their memories.
Flitwick sensed his Iron Armor Spell weakening under Ethan's relentless assault. Despite the onslaught, Ethan's pace only accelerated. Sweat formed on Flitwick's forehead; he understood that Ethan was applying pressure, realizing that he might lose if the onslaught persisted.
Suddenly, Flitwick's Iron Armor Spell erupted in a dazzling white light and shattered. Ethan cautiously stepped back, simultaneously outlining a seal with his right hand. As the white light dissipated, Ethan was astonished to find Flitwick also shaping a seal simultaneously. "Aard"
Two voices resonated on the stage, and two powerful shockwaves collided. A thunderous roar echoed through the auditorium. The airwaves from the collision swept the nearby little wizards in all directions.
Lacking time to complain, the little wizards fixed their gaze on the stage, eager to determine the ultimate victor.
The dust settled, revealing an empty stage – a clear draw. Ethan and Flitwick, sporting disheveled attire, exchanged smiles beneath the stage. Both knew that neither had fully unleashed their strength.
Witnessing this, the students erupted in enthusiastic applause, filling the Great Hall with cheers.