Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 540, Episode 538: New Dark Magic (4k)

Faculty and staff lounge.

This is a large house with wooden planks on all sides, and it is filled with black wooden chairs.

Flitwick was pacing back and forth inside, too excited to sit down.

"The Wizarding Chronicles? You've given it a magnificent name. Grimm, my excellent student, you will become a legend!"

Professor Flitwick opened a parchment scroll covered in writing, his eyes shining.

"Professor, do you think my idea is feasible?"

Sheen's eyes were also sparkling.

"Of course! What an accurate description—chaos and blindness gave rise to order and wisdom..."

If ancient wizards could create ancient magic, then… oh, a whole new realm!

Professor Flitwick walked along, watching the young wizard with obvious delight.
"But this will be very, very difficult, child."

Professor Flitwick pulled out a few old books from the bottom of the drawer, glanced at them intently, and then handed them to Sheehan.

Sheen curiously took the book and looked at the name on the black background with gold lettering on the cover:

Nineteen ways to die after a curse goes wrong.

"Look, child."

Professor Flitwick said with a smile.

Sheen then looked at the book below "Nineteen Ways to Die After a Spell Got Wrong," whose title was equally unsettling:
The Guide to Cursed Items.

Under Professor Flitwick's meaningful gaze, Sheehan began to peruse the books.

At the same time, he gradually remembered the purpose of his visit.

He had been learning various spells from Professor Flitwick for a long time, and he had only recently learned the Ironclad Charm.

But now, he is going to discuss with Professor Flitwick the feasibility of creating his own spell system, a leap that is like jumping from one plus one to how to master controlled nuclear fusion.

However, Professor Flitwick showed no disdain whatsoever, and instead engaged him in conversation, handing him the books.

"The wizard Balfeo mispronounced the levitation spell, saying 's' instead of 'f,' and found himself lying on the floor with a bison standing on his chest..."

The witch Ula, using the copying spell incorrectly, copied two of her nose hairs, which then floated up into the air…

The first example was very familiar to Sheehan; it was the one Professor Flitwick taught them in their first lesson.

I never expected that the source would be this privately held book. No wonder Sheen had never read about this case in the library.

"What have you figured out, Green, my excellent student?"

Professor Flitwick squinted and asked kindly.

"Wizards who use magic indiscriminately are prone to failure and being harmed by the magic itself."

Sheen said thoughtfully.

"Oh, then, darling, do you understand why they failed?"

Professor Flitwick smiled.

"them……"

Creating magic is certainly difficult, and failure is inevitable. So why do wizards fail?
What is the key to the success of magic?
Since most of a wizard's magic is based on the mind, the mistakes in the ritual are probably not so serious as to be unforgivable.

Or perhaps, these failed wizards simply lacked unwavering faith?
"They...don't believe in their own magic."

Sheen said so.

"I like this word!"

Professor Flitwick clapped softly.
"No matter what kind of magic it is, the wizard must believe it will succeed in order for it to change reality."

The wizard Balufeo didn't even know what the levitation spell was, nor had he ever actually used it. Therefore, he not only mispronounced the spell but also summoned a bull.

Professor Flitwick approached slowly, a blush creeping across his face.
"Belief is a gift, dear Mr. Green, the only gift for learning magic."

You mean...?

Sheen fell into thought.

Professor Flitwick's ideas seem to deviate somewhat from his belief system of magic.

Sheen believed that magic was determined by one's mental state, including emotions and willpower.

But now, Professor Flitwick tells him that belief is the only essential element in learning magic.

"But what is there to believe, Mr. Green? That's the question we have to face."

Professor Flitwick smiled, but his gaze was incredibly profound.
"In your description, the blind wizard used the power of emotions to manipulate magic, but how can the power of emotions manipulate magic?"

Sheen sat up straight, not wanting to miss a single word the professor said.

"Let us set the tone for wizarding magic during the Age of Blindness. Please forgive me for making some unauthorized modifications..."

The writing on the parchment gradually changed as Professor Flitwick described it.

"During the period of blindness, wizards found themselves able to use magic under certain special circumstances, which is now known as magical riots."

These are the magical laws that were first discovered by wizards, just like how wizard Harry can shatter glass when he's angry, or how wizard Neville can teleport himself when he's panicked.

At this time, wizards discovered that magic could occur under extreme circumstances, and they blindly pursued extreme emotions, unleashing magic...

The wizards of this time went mad, and their deaths took all sorts of forms.

Up to this point, it's all Sheehan's description. Now, Professor Flitwick adds a field at the end:

"The wizards began to believe in their own magic; they believed they could do extraordinary things:"

Some wizards believed they could light sticks, and so torches appeared; some wizards believed they could illuminate the darkness, and so fireflies appeared; some wizards believed they could summon lightning, and so they were struck down and killed…

As Sheen listened, his face twitched slightly involuntarily.

It seems that the wizard's dry humor is always present.

"But the wizards discovered that believing in definite things prevented them from reaching the limits of magic. The wizards themselves struggled to grasp the boundaries of magic, and then..."

Professor Flitwick's voice became hoarse and deep, and the fire in the faculty lounge crackled, causing his shadow to leap.

"They began to believe that this magic would be... cruel."

The answer exploded in Sheen's mind like a thunderclap.

Is this the power of emotions?

Wizards used emotions to define the attributes of magic.

If a wizard believes his magic is cruel, then it will naturally have cruel consequences.

In other words, when Sheen uses dark magic like Fiendfire, he doesn't believe he can summon flames, but rather that he can destroy everything in front of him.

This is the true source of the power of spells like Fiery Blaze.

It's not precise, but rather represents a concept.

"Now you understand, child? The reason why black magic cannot be erased is because it represents a kind of desire of the wizard."

Professor Flitwick sighed.

“But wizards have more than one desire, Professor. As you said, the blade also depends on how the wizard uses it.”

Sheen said in a low voice.

"Oh, I knew it, little Green, you don't seem like the kind of wizard who would give up."

Of course, of course, if you have a simple belief to replace the cruelty of black magic, that is certainly feasible.

But I must remind you, child. The darkness of human nature is difficult to erase; the cruelest black magic conceals the most sordid thoughts deep within the wizard's heart.

Professor Flitwick offered a serious reminder.

Sheen naturally thought of the three Unforgivable Curses. What did they represent?

To kill...to control...to torture.

That's why they are so powerful; after all, every wizard with mature magical abilities can easily unleash the malice within human nature.

After leaving the faculty lounge, Sheen returned to Hope Hut.

He began to ponder: if he didn't believe in the cruel effects of this black magic, why had his black magic progressed so rapidly?

Professor Flitwick's words kept replaying in Sheen's mind, and soon Sheen discovered the key.

[The wizards discovered that believing in definite things could not unleash the full potential of magic...] Emotions can naturally help a wizard's magic become stronger, but at the same time, wizards can also choose another path.

Believe in order.

Sheen picked up his pen and wrote it down.

Believe in wisdom.

Sheen made his judgment.

A wizard can believe in the cruelty of magic, and thus also believe in its exact uses, his own magical abilities, and the experience of his ancient ancestors.

Magic can not only carry the malice of a wizard, but it can also carry the pure commands of a wizard.

Therefore, if a wizard has progressed far enough in terms of order and wisdom, then they do not need to use blind emotions.

Sheen inexplicably thought of Headmaster Dumbledore and Voldemort.

Dumbledore's mastery of magic meant he no longer needed extra emotional motivation, but what about Voldemort?

Sheen believes that his dark magic has always been accompanied by his cruel beliefs.

So, could this explain how Voldemort grew to the point of being able to rival Headmaster Dumbledore in such a short time?
For several weeks, Sheen was immersed in recreating dark magic.

He chose the Obstacle Charm, the first dark magic he learned.

Through the revelations of more than a dozen spellbooks, Sheen rediscovered "order" for it and recorded its "wisdom".

The entire magical ritual, and the exact things that a wizard needs to believe, were reshaped by Sheen.

That day, Sheehan and Hermione walked together up the marble staircase, through the empty corridor, and into the Great Hall.

Loris playfully jumped on his shoulder, knocking over a candle. Sheehan silently waved his wand.

"An obstacle has appeared—"

At this moment, Sheen no longer wanted the magic to trip anyone up, but simply to catch something.

Then, something magical happened: the candle didn't fall to the ground; instead, it seemed to be lifted up by a pair of gentle hands and returned to the candlestick.

"What kind of curse is this? A redesign fraught with obstacles?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she asked curiously.

As for Sheen, he gave a soft "hmm," admitting that he had been daydreaming.

Because he heard a broadcast that the panel had never done before.

[You have practiced the Obstacle Charm to legendary standards, Master-level proficiency +300]

[The Obstacle Spell has been upgraded]

[Barrier Charm: Beginner Level (270/300)]

legend?!
Above epics, is it truly just legend?
What are the standards for legends?
Sheen unconsciously began to ponder this question.

Yes……

Can magic restore order and allow the wizard's will to change the world?
Sheen guessed so.

But why did his previous powerful light spell fail to meet the standard?

Is it that the order is not stable enough, or that wisdom has not been accumulated enough?
But that doesn't matter anymore.

300 proficiency points!

This was the first time Sheen had gained so much proficiency at the Master level.

Just think about it, even in the master realm, an expert-level spell only has a mere 9000!
Sheen seemed to already see the legendary title beckoning to him.

What will that bring?

Thinking this way, Sheen couldn't help but feel hopeful.

In the corridor, Sheehan and Hermione followed their usual route toward the Gryffindor Tower.

The two would often discuss magical techniques, so they would often part ways near the portrait of the Fat Lady.

However, when they reached the corridor leading to the portrait of the fat lady, they found it crowded with students.

Why isn't anyone going in?

Hermione said, frowning.

Sheen looked over the heads of the students in front of him. The portrait-shaped opening appeared to be closed.

"Excuse me, let me through."

They heard Percy's voice; he hurried through the crowd with an air of importance.
"Why are you all stuck here? You couldn't have all forgotten the password, could you? —Excuse me, I'm the student council president—"

Suddenly, the crowd fell silent, and a chill seemed to spread down the corridor, starting from the front row.

They heard Percy say in a sharp, shrill voice:

"Someone go and call Professor Dumbledore. Quickly."

People turned their heads away.

The person standing behind tiptoed.

"What happened?"

Ginny, who had just walked over, asked.

Then Professor Dumbledore appeared and strode toward the portrait.

The Gryffindor students jostled to let him through, and Hermione pulled a blank-faced, somewhat helpless Sheen closer to see what was going on.

"Oh my God—"

Hermione cried out and grabbed Sheehan's arm.

The fat lady has vanished from her portrait, which has been brutally hacked, with fragments of the canvas scattered on the floor, and a large piece of the canvas has simply been torn off.

Dumbledore glanced quickly at the damaged portrait, then turned around, his gaze grave, and watched as Professor McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape strode toward him.

"We need to find her."

Dumbledore said,
“Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch immediately and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady.”

"Good luck!"

A voice chuckled as it spoke.

He was a mischievous prankster who jumped around on everyone's heads. Seeing this unfortunate and troublesome scene, he was as happy as ever.

"What did you say, you little devil?"

Dumbledore asked calmly, and Peeves' smile faded somewhat.

He wouldn't dare mock Dumbledore.

He switched to a fawning and ingratiating tone, but it wasn't much better than his previous snickering.

“He chased after him, Headmaster. He was in a terrible state… He ran past the landscape painting on the fifth floor, but he couldn’t catch up, sir. He fell in the bushes and can’t get up.”

He said happily.

"Poor man."

He added another sentence, feigning sincerity.

"Who is he? Did he say who did it?"

Dumbledore paused, then asked softly.

"Oh, I told you, Professor."

Pipi Ghost said that his expression was like he was holding a huge bomb.

“Our knight, you see, he just won’t let him in, and so he’s very angry.”

Peeves suddenly somersaulted and grinned at Dumbledore from between his legs.

"His temper is really scary—that Sirius Black."

Sirius!

Hermione gasped.

(End of this chapter)