As the day ended, the students were exhausted but satisfied. They had learned invaluable skills in stealth, disguise, and deception, preparing their paths as assassins. Though the rigorous training pushed them to their limits, they grew more confident and capable.
-HP-
Wednesday dawned and the students gathered in the training hall, ready for another day of learning. The day's teachings were both boring and exhilarating, focusing on lethal and non-lethal spells, the ethics of assassination, and advanced infiltration strategies.
The morning began with a lecture on the ethics of assassination. Professor Kageyama's voice was strict, as he explained to the students, "As future assassins and probably at least Hit Wizards, you must have to understand the meaning and implications of killing a human. There will be times when killing is necessary, but it should never be the first option. Always try to consider non-lethal options, if possible."
[A/N: Necessary bla bla.]
He talked about the use of stunning and binding spells, underlining their importance in capturing and overcoming targets, without causing damage. "Stupefy and Incarcerous are your best friends in the field if you are dealing with muggles, weak wizards, or targets that cannot defend themselves. A good stunner can down even the most powerful opponent, while binding spells can restrain them."
Afterwards, the students had to pair up again, to practice these spells, although all could do them chantless and some even wandless. Sebastian and Aiden took turns casting and countering Stunning and Binding spells while practising anticipating each other's moves and reacting rapidly. The room echoed with the sound of spells being deflected, and people throwing themselves to the ground, jumping to the side, or doing a roll.
After lunch, the lesson shifted to infiltration strategies. Professor Kageyama's lecture talked about the planning and execution of infiltration missions, as well as the correct way to write reports. "Successful infiltration requires long planning, and a precise execution if you aren't in the clear about your opponent's strength." he began. "You must know your target inside out, their routines, their defences, and their weaknesses, and even then, the number one rule is constant vigilance!"
The practical exercise involved a simulated infiltration of a magical laboratory. The students were divided into teams and tasked with penetrating the defences to retrieve a mock target. Sebastian and Aiden, by now a well-coordinated team, walked through the simulation with caution, using disillusionment charms and silencing spells to avoid being detected. They encountered various magical traps, and wards, which they dismantled with the spells learned in previous lessons.
Thursday's lesson began in a sterile room, where Professor Kageyama discussed the anatomy for assassins. "Understanding the human body is crucial!", he explained, pointing to a detailed anatomical body, "You need to know where to strike to incapacitate or kill quickly and efficiently."
He demonstrated this on a mannequin, pointing to vital points and explaining the effects of different spells on the human body. "A precise Cutting Curse to the carotid artery will cause death within seconds. But remember, our goal is efficiency, not brutality."
[A/N: Help, this is difficult to write.]
This time, the practical session involved targeting these vital points, but with precision. The students practised on enchanted dummies, that mimicked human responses, practising to strike silently, and effectively.
That day, they continued learning about the complex world of wards. Professor Kageyama's lecture was boring, but informative and had them learn about various types of wards and their functions. "Again, wards are your primary hindrance during infiltration,", he said, "Identifying them correctly and disabling them requires a lot of knowledge, therefore you should brush up on this topic regularly, if you wish to continue down this path.", he reminded them, probably the 20th time.
-HP-
The first week neared its end, and the students were somewhat eager, and scared, as they were promised that Friday was going to be the most challenging day yet, focusing on psychological warfare and gaining in-field experience!
When the students gathered in the hall, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation. Professor Kageyama stood at the front; his expression more serious than usual. "Today, we will talk about the 'darker' aspects of combat: psychological warfare. Understanding, how to manipulate, and intimidate your opponents can give you a large advantage, but not everyone can walk this path."
He began the lecture, by discussing the nature of fear and its effects on the human mind. "Fear is a primal emotion, one that can cloud judgment and weaken resolve. By instilling fear in your enemies, you can gain the upper hand without even drawing your wand."
[A/N: Chat GPT saves my ass with the upper quote. When I wrote it, it just sounded cringe af.]
The professor demonstrated several fear-producing spells. The 'Riddikulus spell', normally used to defeat Boggarts, was used to create a target's strongest fears, by creating life-like illusions. "This spell is simple but effective. When facing a powerful enemy, finding and using their fears can change the entire battle!"
Next, he introduced the 'Boggart-Bane spell', a more advanced technique, which created an area of fear around the caster, and the students watched in awe, as Professor Kageyama cast the Boggart-Bane spell, and an invisible wave of dread washed over them. Even when they knew that it was an illusion, they felt their hearts race, like they just ran a marathon full speed, and their hands trembled.
Each student had to face new, enchanted dummies, designed to react like real humans. While Sebastian found himself struggling at first, as his spells lacked the intended power, he later began using his fears to 'fuel' his spells, and he managed to make several dummies cry out in horror.
After lunch, the students met for the last, real challenge of the week: a field exercise, simulating an assassination mission with living targets. The simulation area, a storage complex, was filled with enchanted puppets, which moved and reacted like real people. The objective was simple: eliminate the target without being detected!
Their professor's instructions were clear: "You will work in small teams; each assigned a specific and differing target. Use all the skills you've learned this week, stealth, infiltration, spells, and psychological tactics. This is not just about reaching the target, it is about how you get there and how you react."
Sebastian was paired with Aiden once again. As they entered, they cast disillusionment charms and blended into the shadows. The corridors were dimly lit, with guards patrolling in set intervals, and wards protecting some areas.
Moving silently, and slowly, they walked through the corridors, avoiding detection with silencing charms, and shadow spells. The first real obstacle was a pair of guards, stationed at a door, they had to pass through. Sebastian cast a stunner, hitting the first guard in the chest. Aiden followed with a Binding Spell, restraining the second guard before he could shout out.
They continued deeper into the complex, dismantling weak wards with 'Disruptum Revelio', and bypassing traps, yet they were tense, as each step brought them closer to their given target. They encountered a magical tripwire, which Aiden skilfully destroyed, and a room filled with pressure-sensitive tiles that they bypassed, by levitating each other across.
Finally, after one and a half hours, they reached their target, a high-ranking official, surrounded by a protective enchantment, cast on his shirt. The room was heavily guarded, with wards, and Sebastian and Aiden observed the guards, writing down the timing and positioning of every single guard.
When the moment was finally right, they acted. Sebastian cast a fear-creation spell, creating an illusion of the guards' worst nightmares. The guards cried, while a few even went into the foetal position, giving Aiden the chance to cast a series of complex countercharms, learned in the upper years, to dismantle the protective enchantment.
With the wards down, Sebastian approached the target and cast a silent cutter, aiming for a vital point with precision. The mannequin crumpled to the ground, dead. They had succeeded, but their mission was not over yet.
Professor Kageyama appeared in a flash, a smile on his face, "Excellent, but remember, the hardest part about assassination is often the escape.". He reset the simulation, his smile broadening, and Sebastian and Aiden had to navigate their way back out, this time facing increased security.
Step by step, they made their way out, and at one point, they were cornered by a particularly alert guard. Aiden cast a Glamour Charm on them, disguising themselves as guards, and they walked by without raising suspicion.
Finally, they exited the complex, breathless, but happy. The professor met them at the exit, another smile on his face. "Well done!", he said, "You have proven yourselves capable of handling a real-world mission! But always remember, the skills you've learned here are tools. Use them wisely and ethically!", he added as his face became strict once again.
As they gathered for a final talk, Professor Kageyama addressed them, "You have all grown this week. The path of an assassin is full of challenges, but I do not doubt that each of you can continue!"
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Please comment of errors or loopholes.
There will be chapters on Saturday/Sunday, depending on the power stones from now on.
50 = 1 Chapter on Saturday
100 = 1 Chapter on Sunday
200 = Additional bonus chapter