HP: Fairy Tale Wizard - 152

Chapter 153: As I See It (Draco)

(Note: Chapters beginning with "As I See It" are special episodes narrated in first person, serving supplementary roles to the main storyline. If there's key plot information, it will be summarized in the next chapter.)

I've thought about the first time I saw that guy countless times. It was one-sided, an accidental glance through the train compartment window.

The Transfiguration he performed was beyond comprehension. The precision of that transformation, even compared to Father, was... I'm unwilling to admit it, but the fact is, superior to my father's.

I knew then this person wasn't someone to mock. Unlike the Savior, who didn't deserve his fame —at least not back then —Sterling was truly capable. A real wizard. That's why, even after learning he came from a Muggle family, I never dared say "Mudblood" in front of him.

Of course, his coming from a Muggle family made him more terrifying.

I regret not befriending him then. Just because a pure-blood disgrace and a Muggle sat beside him, I passed up that opportunity.

If Father knew his genius level and what I'd done, he'd definitely shake his head in disappointment.

That was my closest chance at becoming "Sterling's friend." My closest chance at being the center of attention.

Look at that smug redheaded rat across from me now!

He's the most ordinary person possible. Magical talent? Average.

But now the wand he raises surges with a Disarming Charm, magic that should be impossible for first years to learn.

Is this the result of "diligent study"? No. Or rather, not entirely.

I desperately dodged that Disarming Charm. I don't even dare trade spells with him now because I know he'll definitely win.

The Disarming Charm is advanced magic. I haven't even mastered any advanced spells yet.

Moreover, his magic reserves are vastly different from the start.

Why? I don't understand the principle, but it ultimately can't escape one name: Sterling Page.

He seems to have this magical ability. Not just being powerful himself, but making others powerful alongside him.

Alright, I admit I'm somewhat jealous. Yearning. However, you want to put it.

This Weasley at the term start was almost no different from a Muggle. I at least knew some minor hexes back then.

But now?

The redheaded rat threw out a Stunning Spell. This time, I countered with the same spell. Though I ultimately canceled his spell, he got closer to me.

Clearly showing his superiority.

The Stunning Spell was already my most offensive magic. Oh, also the Blasting Curse, but I can't fully master this spell yet. If I actually used it, who knows if it'd blast me or the rat.

What about him?

A mass of red flames shot toward me. Incendio. But from his performance, he could apparently make the flames change and follow his thoughts.

In other words, not beginner level.

Also, not a normal first-year level.

I tried raising a Shield Charm, but unfortunately, I failed.

This was originally a spell the Slytherin prefects taught to strengthen first years' combat power. But regrettably, they only taught how to cast, not why casting this way worked.

Being hit-or-miss was normal.

I gave up and lowered my wand. Professor Flitwick came before me in nearly an eye-blink. He patted my shoulder. Fine, after all, he's a professor.

If that rat's big family touched my clothes, I might immediately demand compensation, then secretly laugh watching them unable to afford it.

The flames in his hands became golden-red light points. I hate this color. Same as Gryffindor's scheme.

"Ron Weasley wins! Next contestants, enter!"

I walked off stage with no extra emotions.

This was within my expectations. If it were others, I'd naturally strive to defend Slytherin's honor, the Malfoy family's honor.

But those several in Utopia were special.

They shouldn't be measured by "first-year student" standards. Forget that most over-the-top monster. Just take his inseparable best friend.

Between the third and fourth year level.

A Slytherin third-year returning from the Hospital Wing had said as much.

Whoever faces him should expect complete domination.

"This match is Ravenclaw's Hermione Granger and Padma Patil."

Granger. That Mudb... no, that Muggle.

That Muggle has fairly exceptional talent. Miss Know-It-All, at least in book learning, is capable. I can't deny it.

As for that Patil, I have no impression. She and Longbottom both have a small presence in Utopia. Unlike Weasley and Potter, once they're missing, people say "went to their little club."

Patil has even lower visibility than Neville. Longbottom at least showed amazing dueling ability during those terrible months. But this Patil, for unknown reasons, seemingly had no rumors about her that leaked out.

Even Slytherin's biggest gossip only remembered that she likes carrying various newspapers and finding places to read. I think this might be a very quick duel.

Miss Know-It-All versus the girl who reads newspapers?

The duel started. Unexpectedly, Patil actually released spells faster than Granger. Her mouth was like a machine gun, not one pause or mispronunciation.

However, Granger wasn't much slower. It could almost count as simultaneous magic.

Incendio and Aguamenti collided mid-air, mutually canceling.

They'd coincidentally used elemental spells. This was actually quite difficult, at least more than Knockback Jinx or Stunning Spell, which are hard to apply in duels.

They seemed to chat as they leisurely duelled. Besides the first round's mutual probing, every spell came slowly, like old ladies chatting.

Made me drowsy just watching.

Of course, they actually performed well. Forget other things. So far, they hadn't repeated any spells yet.

After dawdling like this for ages, after Patil used the first repeated spell, Granger decisively used several combination spells to put her to sleep.

Professor Flitwick happily announced the victor.

Then he called out a name I couldn't ignore.

"Next match: Gryffindor's Harry Potter and Ravenclaw's Terry Boot."

Here it comes. The matchup I'd been anticipating.