Malfoy looked utterly confused.
“Young Master Adrian Ambrosius, you…”
Adrian Ambrosius glanced at him.
There was no emotion in those golden eyes, yet the single look made Malfoy feel as though he had fallen into an ice cave.
“We’ll settle this after we get back.”
That was Adrian Ambrosius’s only thought before he raised his voice.
“Harry, Draco, this duel began because of the conflict between the two of you.
Whether for the dignity of a wizard or the honor of your Houses, the two of you must see it through.”
“But if this conflict continues to escalate, it will definitely attract the professors’ attention.
At that point, not only will we be punished, but our Houses will suffer as well.
This concerns everyone’s interests, so I hope you’ll all stay calm.”
At that moment, an upper-year Gryffindor student sneered.
“Since when have those despicable Slytherins become so generous and reasonable?
You’re obviously plotting something.
And who are you to lecture Gryffindor?
Just because you’re an Ambrosius?”
“That’s right!”
“Exactly!”
His words immediately earned the approval of many of the upper-year Gryffindors.
Brave—or perhaps reckless—lions had never been afraid of anything.
Besides, Gryffindor had never liked Slytherin to begin with.
On top of that, Adrian Ambrosius was only a first-year.
Even though many fourth- and fifth-years had heard of his reputation, they weren’t particularly impressed.
Some even believed he was nothing more than an overrated prodigy.
The first-year Gryffindors, on the other hand, admired Adrian Ambrosius greatly.
Unfortunately, they didn’t dare contradict their seniors, leaving Gryffindor divided.
“That’s a very good question, Senior.”
Adrian Ambrosius smiled faintly.
“I imagine your opinion reflects what many of the upper-years are thinking.”
He slowly walked toward the Gryffindor side, closing the distance between himself and the upper-year students hidden among the crowd.
“What are you trying to do?”
Although Adrian Ambrosius’s pace was elegant and unhurried, the upper-year student suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
Still smiling, Adrian Ambrosius said, “If I remember correctly, your name is Jick Fernandez.”
“That’s right.”
Jick looked surprised.
He hadn’t expected Adrian Ambrosius to know his name.
“I’ve seen you in Professor McGonagall’s office before.
Your…
bold and unforgettable performances at school certainly left a lasting impression.”
The little snakes burst into laughter.
So this guy was just a famous hothead.
The little lions all lowered their heads.
Sigh…
this notorious musclehead is embarrassing us again.
“You…”
Jick’s face flushed crimson.
“How rude!
How arrogant! Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Is this the kind of person the Ambrosius family raises?”
The smile never left Adrian Ambrosius’s face.
“I already said that I won’t participate in this inter-House duel.”
“But that doesn’t mean I can’t challenge you in my own name.”
With that, his slender, fair fingers slowly drew his wand and pointed it directly at Jick.
The meaning was obvious.
“Good.
Very good.”
Jick laughed in fury.
“So first-years are all this arrogant now?
Even if you’re an Ambrosius, I’m not afraid of you.
I accept your challenge.”
The Slytherins and Gryffindors behind them immediately became anxious.
” Adrian Ambrosius, calm down!”
Adrian Ambrosius’s forehead twitched.
What’s with those worried expressions?
Do you really think something’s going to happen to me?
Jick stepped into the open space.
He was, after all, one of Gryffindor’s most notorious duel fanatics.
He had been fighting duels for years.
Looking at Adrian Ambrosius with disdain, he took his place opposite him.
“If you’re scared, crawl back now and stop making a fool of yourself.”
Damn it.
This guy really has a filthy mouth.
Still, Adrian Ambrosius had no intention of arguing with an idiot.
“First, let me make one thing clear.”
“I can accept your contempt if it’s directed at me, because the person standing before you isn’t the Ambrosius family.”
“It’s me.”
” Adrian Ambrosius.”
“This is a personal duel.
It has nothing to do with our families.”
“Second…”
“I’ll remember your contempt toward House Ambrosius.”
“I sincerely hope, Senior Jick…”
“…that you’ll still be this confident in a moment.”
Jick was far too fired up to pay attention to what Adrian Ambrosius was saying.
Every cell in his body seemed to be cheering.
“I’m going to crush an Ambrosius!
Everyone will see how powerful I am!
Then they’ll know that so-called geniuses are nothing special!”
Unfortunately, Jick never considered what would happen if he lost.
The words he’d spoken earlier would bring consequences not only upon himself, but upon his family as well.
Holding his wand in his right hand, Jick said coldly,
“I won’t bully a kid.
I’ll let you make the first move.”
Adrian Ambrosius simply shook his head.
“Please don’t hold back, Senior.”
“Otherwise you’ll only have excuses later.”
Don’t regret this.”
Believing himself both gentlemanly and magnanimous, Jick wasted no more words.
His wand traced a graceful arc through the air as he chanted an unusual incantation.
“Blasting Curse!”
Anxiously watching from the crowd, Hermione’s face filled with anger.
“Has he lost his mind?
That’s an extremely dangerous spell!
Does he know it can leave someone permanently disabled?”
Harry’s face turned pale as well.
” Adrian Ambrosius!
Get out of the way!”
The orange-red magical light illuminated Jick’s excited expression.
This was one of his signature spells, and it had always served him well in duels.
Even students in his own year rarely managed to withstand it.
Victory already seemed within his grasp.
Facing the orange-red sphere of magic flying from Jick’s wand, Adrian Ambrosius merely raised his sandalwood wand and tapped lightly into the air.
The Blasting Curse slowed more and more.
As its speed dropped, the glowing sphere dimmed rapidly before collapsing into countless tiny specks of ash that drifted helplessly to the floor before ever reaching him.
“A powerful spell.”
“Its composite magical network, combining a vortex structure with a parabolic guidance pattern, significantly amplifies its destructive force.”
“But this caster’s control over his magic is far too crude.
The casting process wastes an enormous amount of magical power.
On top of that, his immature magic can’t provide sufficient energy to sustain the spell.”
“From my perspective…
this spell is riddled with flaws.”
After studying the Chapter of Spellcraft for an entire month, Adrian Ambrosius analyzed the spell in the blink of an eye.
Against a spell of this level, there wasn’t even a need for a Shield Charm.
A simple reverse-dispelling technique was enough to unravel it completely.
“How is this possible?”
Jick stared in disbelief.
“Where did my spell go?
It must’ve been a mistake!”
He immediately cast the Blasting Curse again, pouring even more magic into it than before.
Adrian Ambrosius remained silent.
Another casual tap of his wand.
The Blasting Curse fizzled out halfway once again.
This time, everyone present understood.
Adrian Ambrosius hadn’t blocked the spell.
He had effortlessly dismantled it.
Silence fell over the room.
Hermione covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes overflowing with shock and admiration.
“So…”
“You know the counter to that spell.”
Jick’s thoughts raced.
He instantly realized why his spell had failed.
Taking a deep breath, he gathered his magic and unleashed another incantation.
“Reductor Curse!”