The creation of the duelling association was complete. Professor Flitwick had submitted the application, and the Mind's Edge Duelling Club was now officially established at Hogwarts.
Professor Flitwick encouraged Aiden to start recruiting members right away, but Aiden already had a few candidates in mind.
"Mind's Edge Duelling Club?" Edmund echoed, sounding a bit surprised.
"Are we actually going to learn how to duel?" Oliver asked, curiosity lighting up his face.
"Wait, is this some sort of secret society? Or is it illegal?" Ethan wondered, glancing around conspiratorially.
Aiden grinned. "No, nothing shady. Professor Flitwick and I set it up together. It's registered with Professor McGonagall and is an official club under the school's name."
He leaned in a little. "Besides, it won't take up much of your time, and you'll actually get better at duelling. Want to give it a try?"
"Yes!" all three replied in unison.
"Alright, sign this invitation. The rules are all written here. Signing this is the same as making an Unbreakable Vow, so you must not break it."
"Unbreakable Vow?" Oliver echoed, wide-eyed. For a first-year, this was advanced magic.
"It's a powerful magical oath. If you break it, the consequences are very serious," Edmund explained, drawing on his family's knowledge.
"Then as long as we don't break the rules, it's fine. I see the club doesn't have many restrictions, just confidentiality," Ethan said.
"So isn't that a secret society?" Oliver's interest was piqued again.
"I'm not asking you to keep the club itself a secret, just don't reveal what happens inside or share other members' information," Aiden clarified.
"So, are you in?"
"Agreed," the three said together.
As each of them signed the invitation, a red-hot magical thread wrapped around their hands.
"Alright, the contract is set," Aiden said, smiling on the outside, but secretly thinking, tool men, tool men, tool men.
Since the club was just starting out, Aiden decided not to invite too many people right away. He wanted to test the waters with his three roommates first. After all, that's what roommates are for.
Had they known what Aiden was really thinking, all three would have rolled their eyes and muttered, "Thanks a lot."
***
Thursday soon arrived. That night, after Astronomy class, the four of them returned to the dormitory to rest.
"You three get ready. The club activity is about to start," Aiden reminded them.
"Ah, we just finished Astronomy," Oliver groaned.
"Yeah, I'm exhausted," Ethan agreed.
"And if we go out now, isn't that night wandering?" Edmund asked, puzzled.
"No, you don't need to go out or even leave your bed. Just wash up, get under your blankets, and go to sleep."
The three hurried through their routines, got into bed, pulled up their blankets, and soon drifted off.
Inside the Distorted Illusion, Oliver, Ethan, and Edmund found themselves pulled into a duelling room. Professor Flitwick was already waiting for them.
"Professor Flitwick," they greeted together.
"Welcome. Tonight's focus is the application of basic spells in actual combat," Professor Flitwick announced.
"Before we start, let me be clear. What we're teaching is unregulated duelling—in other words, real combat."
He waved his wand, conjuring four practice dummies. "First, the Levitation Charm. It makes objects float."
He demonstrated, and the dummy floated gently upwards.
"But simply making something float doesn't help much in a real duel."
He flicked his wand upwards, raising the dummy higher, then suddenly cancelled the spell. The dummy crashed to the ground.
"See? Sometimes you can use gravity to your advantage, using little energy to disable your opponent."
"But Professor, it's hard to use the Levitation Charm on a wizard's body, especially if they have a Shield Charm," Aiden pointed out.
"Good question, Aiden. Let's try it," Professor Flitwick said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Oh no, he's going to make me the test subject, Aiden thought, stepping forward.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Professor Flitwick cast.
Aiden quickly raised his wand. "Protego."
As the Shield Charm unfolded, Aiden didn't feel the spell on his body, but suddenly the ground beneath his feet lifted him up rapidly instead.
Professor Flitwick flicked his wand again, cancelling the spell, and Aiden dropped back down—fortunately not from too high.
"Understand now?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Yes, Professor," Aiden replied.
"Duelling isn't about powerful spells. A true wizard must control their environment precisely," Professor Flitwick explained.
Next was the Lighting Charm. The professor cast the spell, and a small light appeared at the tip of his wand.
"What's the use of that?" Edmund asked.
"Want to try?" Professor Flitwick raised an eyebrow.
Ethan and Oliver snickered nearby.
Edmund stepped up and tried to use the Levitation Charm to lift the ground under Professor Flitwick's feet, copying the earlier trick.
But Professor Flitwick simply flipped over and dodged the attack.
"Footwork, gentlemen. In a duel, movement is crucial. And, of course, spells," Professor Flitwick said.
He flicked his wand. "Lumos Solem."
A beam of light shot from his wand, arcing through the air to Edmund's eyes. Then Professor Flitwick hooked his wand, and the light flared, blinding Edmund.
Flashbang, you sly old fox, Aiden thought, watching as Edmund covered his eyes and rolled on the ground.
"This is my own casting technique. Memorise the spell first. Once you can cast it, I'll teach you how to boost its power. Aiden, you can try it," Professor Flitwick said, then let the others practise.
Ethan and the others watched carefully, then took turns casting the spells. Under Professor Flitwick's guidance, they gradually mastered the new techniques.
After practising for a while, Aiden figured out Professor Flitwick's trick.
First, suppress the spell's power. Then, launch the spell. When it reaches the enemy, release the suppression. It will explode with greater force, like a compressed spring.
"Yes, Aiden, you've got it," Professor Flitwick praised.
"But I hope you learn this way of thinking. No matter how clever your routine, if it's fixed, it can be studied and countered. Only by broadening your mind can you become unbeatable."
Magic is freedom, Aiden thought silently.
After the training, Professor Flitwick encouraged them. "Well done, children. Practise more, and your real combat skills will keep improving."
They all thanked the professor and withdrew from the Distorted Illusion, returning to reality with a sense of accomplishment.
***********
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