A week into the term, the Quidditch Cup was in full swing. The first match featured Slytherin against Ravenclaw. Despite the cold and harsh weather, the Slytherin team remained highly motivated. They faced Ravenclaw's rising stars with calm precision. Even though Cho Chang managed to catch the Golden Snitch first, Slytherin narrowly clinched the victory by a slight points advantage. Afterward, the two team captains shook hands amicably, marking the end of the match, leaving the Gryffindors slightly disappointed.
In the Room of Requirement, Sol, Lillian, Malfoy, and Loki surrounded Augustus, attentively taking notes on his lecture. Given the significant differences in their levels of understanding, Augustus divided his teaching into two tiers: one for Sol, Lillian, and Malfoy, and a separate, more advanced session for Loki.
Over the past six months, through dedicated practice, Loki had broken through the barriers of an Archmage. As far back as the incident in Hogsmeade, he had successfully reached the first stage of Archmage mastery. His sensitivity to elemental forces had vastly improved, symbolizing the significant power gap between levels in the magical world. Though some unique magical systems could allow challenges across ranks, battling two levels above one's own was almost impossible without extraordinary talent and unparalleled elemental affinity. Simply put, an Archmage could easily overpower ten ninth-level basic mages simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Sol's innate affinity for lightning elements, combined with his diligent practice, had brought him to the fourth-level novice stage, only two levels behind Lillian, who had recently advanced to the sixth level. Unfortunately, Malfoy seemed to have squandered the semester, inching forward to the fifth level at a snail's pace. If this trend continued, it wouldn't be long before Sol surpassed both Malfoy and Lillian, becoming their senior. As the saying goes, a master leads you to the door, but cultivation is up to the individual. Maintaining one's position requires more than intermittent effort.
"Unlike the wizarding world, where mastering a spell might mean mastering everything, a true mage's closest companions are the omnipresent elements of the natural world. A mage's growth is determined by their affinity with and control over these elements," Augustus explained as he addressed the four gathered before him.
"The so-called truth of magic is, in essence, a path one discovers for oneself. Each individual's path is an absolute existence. To leave a mark in the annals of history, one must forge their own path and tread an untrodden road. This should be the ultimate goal of every mage seeking the truth of the world."
"Regardless of one's stage, even a novice entering the realm of magic must possess the resolve to adhere to their magical path. The path isn't determined by the strength of one's spells or their rank but by one's most essential principles. Whatever your future holds, remember the words I speak to you today: a mage without a guiding path is merely a juggler. True mages are unwavering in their pursuit of their path, no matter the obstacles."
"Mr. Augustus," Loki interjected, "Can this 'path' be understood as a person's principles?"
"The path," Augustus replied, "encompasses all the laws of existence. At its core, it is the ultimate truth of all rules. While its essence may seem indescribable, its presence is undeniable. When intertwined with an individual, it becomes the culmination of their insights into the world, giving rise to their unique path. In magic, the ultimate truth is about unveiling the meaning behind all rules. The path, being the law of nature's transformations, encapsulates all phenomena. Mastering the path is akin to mastering all magical variations."
"Then does our understanding of the path determine how far we can go in magic?" Sol inquired.
"Magic and the path are interconnected. As I mentioned earlier, their existence defines the laws of the universe. The path is the source of everything. Whether magic, supernatural abilities, or martial arts, all eventually converge into the vast ocean of the path, much like rivers joining the sea. The journey of mastery reflects these underlying laws. All powers eventually unify with the path, merging the essence of existence with its manifestation."
"Does that mean the path is our ultimate goal?" Lillian asked, her wine-red eyes filled with curiosity.
"The path itself is indescribable; we merely assign it a name. If we are the subjects, the path represents the 'One,' the essence of existence. In the magical realm, it symbolizes the convergence of all magic and the unification of all things. The relationship between the self and the One reflects the path's role as a concept that transcends existence. It has always been present in your journey from the moment you first encountered magic. Thus, the path is both the ultimate goal and the starting point."
"The path and magic have been intertwined since their inception. Every historically significant wizard has been a pioneer who achieved profound insight into their path. The moment you began your magical journey, the path etched its mark into your life. Walking your unique path will leave an indelible legacy in any field."
The four students, particularly Sol and Loki, showed hints of comprehension. Despite their exceptional talent, the concept of the path remained shrouded in mystery. However, the seeds had been sown. One day, these seeds would grow into towering trees, and that day might not be far off.
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