Augustus had taken quite a liking to Buckbeak, the Hippogriff. These creatures, akin to griffins, were naturally aggressive and acknowledged only those who could earn their submission entirely.
Encouraged by Augustus' success, the rest of the students cautiously entered the paddock. Hagrid began untying the creatures one by one. Soon, the paddock was filled with nervous students bowing before the Hippogriffs. Neville retreated multiple times from his beast, which seemed unwilling to bend its knees. Ron and Hermione paired up before a chestnut-colored Hippogriff, while both Harry and Malfoy chose Buckbeak.
After much effort and a respectful demeanor, Harry managed to win Buckbeak's approval. Notably, those who gained a Hippogriff's trust could attempt to ride them and experience the exhilaration of flight.
Once Harry stepped back, Malfoy swaggered forward with a nonchalant attitude. Within moments, Buckbeak bowed to him, and Malfoy began patting its beak with an air of disdain.
"This is too easy," Malfoy drawled loudly, ensuring Harry could hear. "If Potter managed it, it must be ridiculously simple. You're not dangerous at all, are you?" he sneered at the beast. "You're just an ugly brute, aren't you?"
A flash of steel-gray claws. Malfoy's scream pierced the air as Buckbeak lashed out. Hagrid immediately restrained the struggling Buckbeak, securing its collar as Malfoy collapsed onto the grass, his robes stained with blood.
"I'm dying!" Malfoy wailed dramatically, causing panic among the students. "It's killed me!"
Augustus sighed and stepped forward, casting a basic Healing Charm. The white glow sealed Malfoy's wound, stopping the bleeding. Augustus then instructed Crabbe and Goyle to carry Malfoy to the Hogwarts infirmary, where Madam Pomfrey would handle the rest.
The incident left the students of Care of Magical Creatures shaken. Slytherins loudly complained about Hagrid's teaching.
"They should sack him immediately!" wailed Pansy Parkinson, tears streaming down her face.
"It was Malfoy's fault!" Dean Thomas retorted sharply.
"Well, this was indeed Malfoy's mistake," Augustus intervened, addressing the Slytherins with a calm wave of his hand. "Hagrid did warn us beforehand. Consider it a lesson for this unlucky boy." His words silenced the Slytherins, while Harry and his friends cast grateful glances at Augustus.
"That Draco is utterly foolish," Lillian remarked with a bemused expression, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "Mocking a dangerous creature right to its face—his sharp tongue clearly spares no one, not even animals. Well, he's learned his lesson now. Let's see how well he uses that mouth in the future."
"Yes, that's a flaw he really needs to work on," Augustus said, rubbing his temple in exasperation. "Words can lead to trouble, and this time, his injury might just be a blessing in disguise. It'll teach him to watch what he says." Augustus shook his head, resigned. As Malfoy's mentor in name, he could only sigh at his pupil's reckless nature.
In the Room of Requirement, Loki, Lillian, and Augustus observed as Sol underwent an aptitude test. Though Sol's powers were associated with lightning, confirmation was necessary to ensure compatibility with magical practices. In magic, even the slightest misalignment could lead to stagnation in future growth, permanently barring one from advancement.
Sol stepped confidently into the rune-engraved magic circle, where mystical sigils flickered erratically. Black energy lines connected to Sol's body, transferring into the circle. Suddenly, a burst of powerful magical energy surged forth, and one of the fourteen monoliths—jet-black in color—erupted with dazzling blue lightning, illuminating the room in radiant flashes.
"It's confirmed—lightning affinity," Augustus remarked, nodding in approval. "This magical type is rare, but its combat effectiveness is formidable. Among mages of the same level, lightning users are often in the top three. Sol's fortune is enviable."
"Even so," Loki interjected with quiet confidence, "a higher level of mastery always trumps affinity. As long as I maintain my lead, he'll never catch up."
"You're awfully smug," Lillian said, shooting Loki a playful glare. "For those of us without your gifts, it's intimidating enough having such a talented junior. At this rate, he'll surpass us in no time. Life's just so unfair."
Augustus then provided Sol with detailed instructions on constructing magical threads and meditating to sense elemental forces. Sol's first attempt at meditation was remarkable—he immediately perceived the abundant lightning elements glowing across the magical plane, a testament to his extraordinary mental strength. Even in other worlds, few could achieve this on their first try.
For Sol, this introduction to a structured magical system was exhilarating. It opened a vast new horizon, filled with untapped potential. Compared to this, his previous abilities felt rudimentary, almost childish. The depth and power of this complete magical framework left him awestruck. To Sol, following Augustus was the most prudent decision he'd ever made.
After setting Sol on his path, Augustus turned his attention to evaluating Loki and Lillian's progress. Remarkably, Loki had reached the eighth level of magic, just a step away from becoming an Archmage. Meanwhile, Lillian had advanced to the fourth level. Though their starting point had been the same, the gap between them had doubled—a testament to innate talent.
Such is the brutal reality of the magical world. A single step can mark the difference between success and mediocrity. The path of magic is infinite; only those who seize every moment can leave their mark on history.
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