HP: Fairy Tale Wizard - 151

Chapter 151: Boil, My Blood

"Professor, I thought you knew my level."

Sterling drew his wand and performed a standard respectful bow.

Though he'd never formally studied dueling, Professor Flitwick's dueling notes in Ravenclaw's library contained detailed instructions.

"Of course. That's precisely why I separated you from the other students. Otherwise, whether for them or you, this duel would be worthless."

Professor Vitam also drew her wand. This one differed from her usual wand. A deep red holster sheathed its base, inlaid with several moonstones.

An alchemy-enhanced wand?

Sterling secretly raised his guard. Nicolas's notes mentioned this technique. Maleficent's wand had also been specially modified to human height.

Moonstone. What does it symbolize?

Purity, gentleness, stability. And of course, "moon."

"Then, Professor, what should I do?"

"Oh, Sterling, I think you overestimate yourself and underestimate me too much. Naturally, this excludes that terrifying magic of yours. That one's truly unreasonable."

"But Sterling, you can't use such magic against everyone. That magic is too terrifying. Perhaps there's no price now, but Sterling, equivalent exchange."

"You're also an alchemist. You naturally know this law is the foundation of all things. Alchemy's entire structure is built upon this rule. In other words, since alchemy hasn't been disproven until now, equivalent exchange remains an iron law."

"I know you might not entirely believe me. But Sterling, I also know about Avalon. Though I haven't qualified for the pilgrimage, from Teacher Nicolas's teachings, I can sense it."

"Perhaps it's truly a realm beyond our world. But fire is still extinguished by water. The sun grants life to all things. Even if something's unkillable, its lifespan still ends. Its underlying logic should be the same as ours."

"Then, equivalent exchange. Every use of that magic must have a price awaiting you in the future."

"You should try not to depend on it. Shelving such magic is undoubtedly foolish, but not treasuring such miracles is also unwise. While treating it as your trump card, Sterling, what level are your regular spells?"

"You once invited me to watch your dueling practice in Utopia. Sterling, I don't doubt any ordinary spell of yours could defeat an excellent fifth-year student. Those magics operating completely differently from ours could easily defeat seventh-year prodigies."

"Combined with your manifestation abilities, yes, elite Aurors are no match for you. Even by the most critical standards, your current level differs little from ours."

"So try it. The feeling of fighting equally matched opponents. I'll make you aware of your shortcomings."

"Show me everything you have besides that magic. No need for hesitation. I'm Nicolas Flamel's disciple, currently one of the world's top alchemists!"

Sterling nodded.

His wand-holding hand tightened. Thinking about it now, I rarely use Hogwarts-learned magic anymore. Even later, I rarely use the life flames Maleficent taught before the term started.

Equivalent exchange.

When she mentioned "price," my first thought was the censored text that appeared during the time reversal day, and the "reality" that was later automatically constructed for me.

"All right, we can see Professor Vitam and Sterling have completed their pre-battle communication. In official competition arenas, this segment generally exists, but rarely lasts as long as it has just now."

"I think you know what contestants usually say during this. Oh, but you'd better not do this during your duels. Remember? Professors are watching."

Mentioning dueling, Professor Flitwick's back straightened. His legs energized, his body seemingly inexhaustible.

"All right, now both sides retreat three steps, stand back-to-back, then turn. After I count down from three, you may fire the first spell!"

"Will he win?" Hermione nervously asked Padma.

"He'll definitely win."

Hermione turned back, surprised. A male voice had just answered her, and it didn't sound like Ron.

Then she locked eyes with Draco.

Draco's face reddened. He'd instinctively answered just now. Now caught, steam seemed to rise from his face.

Hermione turned back, ignoring him.

Terry was closing his eyes.

Three.

Vitam is an alchemy-specialized witch. Her magic should revolve around assisting her use of alchemical creations. Then, the moonstone's purity, gentleness, and stability. Stability!

Why emphasize "stability" on the wand? Alchemists' best direct attack method is just that one!

"Confringo!"

"Protego!"

Vitam chanted first. Sterling was a beat slower. Though after determining Vitam's spell, he deliberately used Dragon Magic to strengthen the Shield Charm's defense, the massive impact still destabilized him.

Simultaneously, Seamus's eyes lit up below.

Vitam seemed to anticipate Sterling's reaction. She thrust her wand like a rapier. A series of explosions poured from her wand tip. While these explosions flew toward Sterling, she drew powder from her waist and threw it in.

Like scalding oil meeting water, the explosions' intensity instantly escalated dramatically, producing tremendous roaring.

The Shield Charm absolutely can't withstand this. Sterling quickly concluded. Then he pulled out his pen and began manifesting.

What Vitam advised against was merely "Witness of the Author," not other Thirteen Magics.

Explosions mean flames and impact force. In that case, it can be solved this way. Thanks to Andrew for subscribing me to science magazines.

"Vacuum Zone"

The instant Sterling's pen fell, the imminent explosions all seemed to misfire, vanishing without a trace. Only unburnt residue remained.

All alchemical materials cause violent repulsion reactions leading to explosions.

Also Erumpent and werewolf blood? Merlin, no wonder such massive explosions. If this exploded during alchemy, it would splatter alchemist remains across every wall. Sterling shook his head. He raised his wand. A fire serpent flew at ground level toward Vitam. As it approached, it rapidly split from one snake head into three. Fangs extended to strike Vitam.

But Vitam calmly moved her fingers. From her sleeve mechanism dropped a tube of silver fluid.

The fluid instantly swallowed the fire serpent. It boiled, its surface churning with bubbles, then settled, floating above Vitam's palm.

"Fervor, meis sanguis. (Boil, my blood)."