Diamond-level Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery! Ciel's eyes flickered with delighted surprise, his heart racing with anticipation. Though he'd previously estimated that dozens of reward orbs between Platinum and Diamond levels might directly advance this reward to Diamond level, witnessing it firsthand still made him breathe a sigh of profound relief.
After all, he'd deeply experienced the vast difference between Diamond and Platinum levels through countless magical encounters. The gap was like comparing a candle flame to a blazing bonfire.
But looking at the Defence Against the Dark Arts text glowing on his system panel, he couldn't help feeling confused. He didn't sense what changes this reward had brought him. The various abilities displayed showed no changes in their radiance either.
So how would this Diamond-level reward manifest itself?
Just then, an information prompt materialised on the system panel:
[Begin receiving Defence Against the Dark Arts Mastery (Diamond Level)?]
He frowned, studying the unusual notification. He'd previously obtained insights into various magic types, even ancient weather magic, but had never seen such prompts appear before.
Why was Defence Against the Dark Arts different from other magical knowledge?
But after brief hesitation, he chose to accept. After all, this was a Diamond-level reward. He couldn't abandon it due to slight differences in presentation.
The moment he made his choice, his vision spun wildly like being caught in a hurricane. When he came to his senses, he found himself standing in a dense, shadowy forest.
His pupils contracted slightly, nearly thinking he'd been transferred by Portkey or Apparition-like means. But soon, he noticed something fundamentally wrong.
Though the forest scenery was vivid and lifelike, every detail perfectly rendered, the time corresponding to the sky's colour was obviously incorrect. Moreover, this strange change occurred immediately after choosing to accept Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery.
The system had never glitched before. And now he couldn't see the system panel at all, something that had never happened in his experience.
Only one explanation remained: "This is... a virtual reality-like illusion?"
Then, from the surrounding forest shadows came magic filled with malice that made his skin crawl. Eyes lit up in dark places like glowing coals, staring fixedly at him with predatory hunger.
When he saw clearly what was hidden in the shadows, his expression became even stranger. An Acromantula colony?!
Now he was completely certain he was in a virtual reality-like scene created by the system. After all, these Acromantulas numbered at least twenty or thirty, their massive forms stirring in the underbrush.
Looking across the magical world, such numbers of Acromantula colonies should only appear in Hogwarts' Forbidden Forest. But they'd already been subdued by him. How dare they look at him like this?
"So this is how the system has me receive Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery?"
After momentary surprise and doubt, he gradually understood the brilliant logic behind it. Defence Against the Dark Arts wasn't some special spell but a collective term for skills defending against Dark wizards, Dark creatures, and various Dark Magic.
It encompassed targeted knowledge and, more importantly, rich practical combat experience that couldn't be taught from books alone. Unlike magical knowledge, practical experience was ever-changing without standard answers.
Direct transmission might actually cause disadvantageous situations in real combat due to excessive rigidity. Instead, self-summarised and experienced insights would be more flexibly applicable.
Perhaps for this reason, the system adopted this method to instill Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery?
Then he noticed something else that made his breath catch. His physical body seemed greatly weakened here, like falling from soaring heights. His life and strength were completely different from their previously ocean-like magnificent levels.
Roughly equivalent to barely reaching Diamond level?
He frowned slightly: "Besides strength and life being suppressed to Diamond level, other aspects are retained. Even Serpensortia, temporarily enhanced to Diamond level by cursed jewellery, remains at this level."
"So this is the limitation of Diamond-level Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery. Only using abilities up to Diamond level for practical combat?"
Soon, his furrowed brow relaxed, showing eager anticipation instead of concern. This kind of physical limitation in combat was truly his first experience.
He'd possessed Legendary Life and Legendary Strength abilities for quite some time. Though these two abilities were undoubtedly his strongest trump cards, providing tremendous benefits in all aspects, they weren't without significant drawbacks.
He had indeed become overly dependent on these abilities, often subconsciously using his powerful physique to solve problems. Like wearing extremely secure armour, no matter how hard he practised combat, he couldn't experience that life-or-death tension.
Dangers that made ordinary people's scalps tingle couldn't stir any waves in his heart. This might be fine normally, but in truly life-or-death moments, it might make him react a beat slower.
Now, with his physique limited to Diamond level and formidable vitality and strength greatly weakened, he felt like shedding heavy, sturdy armour. His skin was exposed to crisis-filled air after a long absence.
Such physique indeed far exceeded ordinary people's capabilities, but easily crushing Acromantulas like before was absolutely impossible. Even letting Acromantulas get close would drastically increase risk.
Looking at those bloodthirsty eyes glowing in the shadows, even knowing this was a system-arranged illusion, his breathing inevitably quickened. Death's scent churned in his nostrils like metallic copper.
Even his scalp tingled, skin on his arms showing goosebumps. He took a deep breath, gripping his wand tighter until his knuckles went white.
"So this is how ordinary wizards feel facing danger? Fragile bodies that could suffer serious injury from any contact. Slight carelessness, reaction delays, or momentary misjudgements of magic could cost lives."
"Without such powerful bodies or vitality that could pull me back from death's edge in any situation. The body's fear of death seems much more intense."
"But magical reactions have also become more intense..."
Light flashed in his eyes like lightning splitting darkness. He seemed to hear his internal magic crying out before the life-and-death crisis: Don't want to die!
Because he didn't want to die, he needed sharper judgement and faster reactions! Now, his internal magic became unprecedentedly active, surging through his veins like liquid fire!
The next second, his magic spontaneously reacted, driving his body to instinctively leap aside. Moments later, a web passed by his original position from behind with a wet thwip sound.
An Acromantula had quietly circled behind, shooting webbing at him with predatory cunning. He instinctively felt chilled to the bone.
If he'd maintained post-sublimation strength, even extremely tough webbing would be fragile before him. But with strength suppressed to Diamond level, being caught in webbing would be serious trouble.
Even though this was an illusion, he didn't want such a pathetic death!
Steadying himself slightly, he swung his wand like a sword without looking back: "Sectumsempra!"
Platinum-level Sectumsempra responded instantly. Invisible sharpness struck the ambushing Acromantula behind him. Immediately, flesh split as if cut by invisible blades, opening massive wounds that spurted dark ichor.
The Acromantula writhed painfully on the ground, but its fierce eyes still stared at him. As if given slight respite, it would ignore pain and continue attacking him relentlessly.
Other Acromantulas showed no retreat despite his powerful Sectumsempra. Only endless killing intent filled their multifaceted eyes like black diamonds.
He took a deep breath. His tense spirit couldn't relax for a moment. This wasn't practice; it was life-or-death combat.
These Acromantulas would fight until he killed them all. And unlike usual, he had no room for error. One mistake meant total failure!
Gripping his wand tighter, he forgot everything, investing body and spirit completely in this life-or-death battle. Spell after spell poured forth in rapid succession.
Minutes later, his vision again showed the greenhouse scene. But he looked pale, groaning and half-kneeling, instinctively clutching his chest.
Previously in battle, a careless moment let an Acromantula's poisonous stinger pierce his chest. That sensation of intense pain, paralysis, and internal organs melting seemed to echo in his mind.
He could even recall the remaining Acromantulas surrounding him, about to devour his flesh, with that death-shrouded fear.
Long moments later, he recovered from this extremely realistic death experience. He exhaled lengthily, his breath shaking.
Inevitable frustration arose in his heart. Previously, casually handling Acromantulas and subduing Acromantula colonies was like taming stray dogs.
He'd even subdued so many trolls and troll priests, directly confronting the North Sea Kraken. This made him think his practical combat ability was quite good.
But this time, merely suppressing his Legendary Life and Legendary Strength to Diamond level, Acromantula colonies made him experience utterly realistic death in life-or-death combat.
Ordinary wizards wouldn't even have Diamond-level life and strength. He showed a bitter smile, murmuring: "That makes sense too."
"In my previous life, I attended school so long without even fighting. This life, how many battles have I truly experienced? Relying on Legendary Life and Legendary Strength, those battles weren't really life-or-death crises. I could leave whenever I wanted."
"At most, some practical training with Snape, who said I'd reached practical combat basics. Nothing more."
"How could I think my practical combat ability was truly sufficient? Things went too smoothly. I got cocky."
He became alert. He was fortunate not to have encountered enemies who could counter Legendary Life and Legendary Strength. Otherwise, without this warning, he'd suffer greatly.
The North Sea Kraken's physical strength was formidable, but he had previously concocted Giant Slayer toxin that made it suffer. Who could guarantee his enemies couldn't prepare similar things effective against him?
Frequently relying on physique in battle, no matter how well-concealed, would definitely be analysed once truly entering enemy attention. Then former trump cards would no longer be trump cards but exposed hands.
The original's Voldemort had already clearly demonstrated such consequences. Before his multiple Horcrux secret was exposed, even Dumbledore couldn't handle Voldemort.
But once this intelligence was confirmed, even dying Dumbledore could arrange for Harry's trio. Three not-yet-graduated students could destroy most of Voldemort's Horcruxes.
His Legendary Life was indeed formidable, but still mortal. If he never maintained vigilance in this regard, perhaps, like Voldemort, he'd stumble over obstacles he never imagined!
His thoughts became increasingly clear: "Legendary Life and Legendary Strength are indeed useful. Of course I won't abandon these powerful methods and cripple my martial arts."
"I just must reduce dependence on them and not always rely on them for combat. Only unexposed trump cards count as trump cards."
"More often, I must learn to fight as a wizard."
Now, his gaze fell again on the system panel. The Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery text was slightly more blurred than before, imperceptibly so.
His eyes lit up. He'd thought that previous death experience was the entirety of this Diamond-level Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery reward. Unexpectedly, it seemed he could enter multiple times?
That made sense. After all, this was a Diamond-level reward. He'd only stayed in the illusion for minutes total. Ending there would be too hasty.
He could feel that previous life-or-death combat experience had brought some indescribable influences to his internal magic. Even after leaving the illusion, his magic remained more sensitive and active.
This greatly benefited his combat, making his reactions faster in practice. Multiple entries should make reactions even faster, perhaps approaching truly battle-hardened wizards like Mad-Eye Moody and Snape.
Just as he prepared to again receive Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery and enter that illusion for life-or-death combat, the extremely realistic previous sensations surged up. Being pierced by poisonous stingers, internal organs melting, flesh being consumed, along with death's fear inevitably echoed in his mind.
Thoughts of retreat quietly whispered in his consciousness. Why seek suffering? His Legendary Strength and Legendary Life wouldn't be stripped in reality. What was wrong with relying more on physique? Why experience this fear brought by fragility and weakness?
Such thoughts grew louder in his mind like a chorus of doubt.
Soon after, he exhaled softly, shaking his head with flickering eyes: "Seems my previously self-perceived firm will isn't as unshakeable as I thought."
"Willpower's firmness often stems from physical strength. When this strength is stripped away, covered by fragility and weakness, Will's weak points are exposed."
He recalled the original Harry Potter's Voldemort facing death, his ugly behaviour. Voldemort, possessing Horcruxes and incredibly powerful magic, was also shrouded by this strength.
Usually appearing cold and decisive, when Horcruxes were destroyed one by one, that fragility and madness increasingly showed. Even his Death Eaters could sense Voldemort's hidden unease and anger.
But truly strong individuals like Dumbledore could calmly face death, even using death for strategic planning. Though he didn't particularly like Dumbledore's methods, he had to admit the gap was enormous.
As long as Dumbledore lived, Voldemort would never have the courage to face him directly. He didn't want to leave himself such a weakness.
After all, unknowingly, he'd undertaken many responsibilities: The Sprout family's burden, Snape's fate, fellow Hufflepuffs' trust and following, and Hufflepuff founder Lady Hufflepuff's sacrifice and cultivation.
These truly couldn't be disappointed.
"System. Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery. Continue receiving!"
The next moment, the previously experienced illusion struck again. He reappeared in that forest. Around him in shadows, murderous eyes again looked toward him.
This time, adaptation time was nearly zero. Almost the moment he stood firm, flying webs and snapping poisonous stingers all entered his vision. Death's shadow loomed.
His response was to leap and dodge. Dancing on death's knife edge. Facing death directly.
Then, from his wand tip, lightning surged: "Fehu. Thurisaz. Dagaz. F, Þ, D..."
Silver-level ancient weather magic transformed into surging lightning at his wand tip. Even drawing down thunder from the sky with thunderous crashes. Tearing apart death's shadows!
But minutes later, he returned to the greenhouse. He shook his head vigorously, recovering from death's sensations.
"Hiding under companions' corpses for sneak attacks? Just after casting ancient weather magic, my spirit relaxed slightly, and I was got. Bloody lesson: pay attention to corpses on battlefields."
"Most crucially, can't relax after casting spells. The more powerful the magic, the more so."
After calming slightly, his eyes again showed eager anticipation. Just two death experiences made him feel his magic had undergone baptism.
Magic perception unchanged, magic strength unchanged but increasingly active, faster reactions, more intimate connection with himself, increasingly becoming instinct.
"Life-or-death combat indeed greatly helps wizards' strength."
He remembered that in the original story, Harry's trio's strength improved extremely quickly during their fugitive period. Especially Harry, who already had considerable combat talent.
Except when facing the most core Death Eaters, he could win one-on-one against most others. During this period, Harry hadn't mastered many more spells.
Now it seemed similar to his current experience that enabled Harry's trio's dramatic strength increases. Moreover, during the First Wizarding War, some wizards showed extremely strong abilities.
Even requiring Voldemort's personal action to kill them. This was vastly different from the Second Wizarding War, where Death Eaters nearly dominated the magical world one-sidedly.
Perhaps this was because the First Wizarding War lasted over ten years. Protracted warfare let many wizards improve strength through repeated life-or-death crises.
But given the choice, probably no one hoped to repeatedly experience life-or-death crises. After all, though strength improved extremely quickly this way, slight carelessness might make one a corpse.
"But I'm different. Through the system's Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery reward, I can experience such combat multiple times without risk."
"Two life-or-death combats have already given me a somewhat renewed feeling. Judging by the Defence Against the Dark Arts mastery text's blurriness, I can undergo at least ten more life-or-death combats."
He showed anticipation. He had a premonition. Completely digesting this reward would definitely bring transformative improvements to his combat ability!
But now, he took a deep breath, temporarily abandoning plans to continue entering illusions. Partly because he'd already experienced it twice consecutively. Many insights hadn't been digested.
After all, such opportunities were quite precious. After digesting these life-or-death combat insights and re-entering, gains would definitely be greater. Otherwise, it would be like wolfing down food, too wasteful of hard-won rewards.
Secondly, because of the current time. He showed a strange expression. If he remembered correctly, with Lady Hufflepuff's help, condensing the World Tree Patronus had already taken nearly five or six days.
Calculating, the Defence Against the Dark Arts Forbidden Forest exam was today?! Now, he could already hear particularly noisy commotion from the Forbidden Forest's direction.
"Already starting?"
He took a deep breath, quickly leaving the greenhouse toward the Forbidden Forest's exterior. Now, outside the Forbidden Forest, students from all four houses had anxiously gathered in the assembly area.
Facing the dark Forbidden Forest before them, even the supposedly bravest little lions couldn't help trembling with pale faces. As if man-eating beasts awaited them inside.
In another direction, Harry's trio also waited before a Forbidden Forest entrance. Due to previously "falsely accusing" him, they'd received punishment patrolling the Forbidden Forest.
This made them enter far from the main group through this entrance during the exam. Looking at the Forbidden Forest, Harry and Hermione couldn't help shuddering.
Others at least had many companions nearby. With just these few people, they seemed about to be swallowed by the Forbidden Forest's darkness before even entering.
Instead, Ron showed some fear looking at the Forbidden Forest, but more flickering excitement and eagerness, seemingly wanting to have a big fight.
Ron's confidence wasn't unfounded. Recently, he'd gotten closer to that temple in dreams. Each awakening brought considerable improvements to Ron's magical mastery.
Just yesterday, Ron had even obtained a powerful spell from the temple. This made Ron's confidence explode; he was determined to show off in this Forbidden Forest trial.
He'd heard that excellent performance in this Forbidden Forest trial could earn substantial House Cup points, possibly making up for points he'd previously lost Gryffindor.
Moreover, reportedly the Daily Prophet was also paying attention here. Good performance might make front page news. For Ron, this was a tremendous attraction.
Moreover, this time he'd enter with Ciel, making Ron even more anticipatory. His mind was full of previous scenes where Ciel had humiliated him. Unknowingly, his fists had clenched.
This time, he'd completely trample Ciel underfoot!
Thinking of Ciel and seeing his still-absent figure, Ron couldn't help complaining: "He wouldn't be scared, would he? Not daring to come?"
"I knew Hufflepuffs are all cowards. Did you see them during assembly? I bet once they enter the Forbidden Forest, half those little badgers will start crying."
"Look at Ciel. He's no different..."
Just then, Hermione suddenly said to Ron: "Ron? Stop talking."
Ron looked completely unconvinced: "Why? Did I say anything wrong? Huh? Hermione, what are you trying to signal with those eyes?"
The next moment, Ron sensed something and suddenly turned around. What met his eyes was Ciel's figure. And Ciel's gaze toward him.
Cold as blade-sharp steel.