"Bang—"
Just before the iron stick and forehead made intimate contact, Neville forcibly changed the direction of the bat, and the attack that could have knocked out Malfoy's two teeth... or even been fatal, veered off quite a bit, and finally smashed hard on Malfoy's shoulder—
The reason was simple: Although Malfoy often publicly mocked Neville and set traps for him in various places, in Neville's eyes, their relationship was not a matter of life and death enemies. They just had very poor relations, and his kind nature couldn't bring him to strike a fatal blow on a classmate...
Even if this might be a dream... but it might not be, right?
But if it were someone else, and he were dueling... someone who was a follower of that person, would he really dare to strike fatally?
Is he really ready to avenge his parents?
At the moment the iron stick touched Malfoy's shoulder, countless thoughts flashed through Neville's mind. His doubts about his own resolve led him to begin to wander mentally. But Malfoy, who was intimately acquainted with the baseball bat, didn't have as many thoughts—
Pain!
All other thoughts were nonsense. Malfoy felt as if his shoulder might shatter, and the intense pain made him lose control and fall flat on his face. The charm he had prepared vanished completely.
Just then, an excited electronic voice suddenly sounded—
"The result is decided, KO!"
The next moment, the dueling platform that had risen vanished, and the original light screen disappeared as well. With a blink of an eye, the two returned to their positions before using the Duel Card, and even Malfoy's shoulder and the terrifying scars on his face caused by the Bubo Bulb fluid were restored to their original state. Everything seemed to return to before the duel began.
Neville instinctively felt his bulging pocket, and his expression inadvertently turned a bit joyful.
Looks like he won't need to risk being caught by the "vigilant" Professor Sprout refilling stocks anytime soon; that's a good thing.
It's said that a senior who was caught stealing cabbage in the greenhouse cleaned toilets for three full days, not because Professor Sprout was kind-hearted and only punished him for three days, but because only three days had passed since he was caught—it's said the sentence lasts until before the Christmas holidays; the consequences are truly severe.
And opposite him, Malfoy was equally overjoyed, originally in so much pain he thought he was going to die, but unexpectedly after using the Duel Card it was so magical that he as the initiator received no punishment despite losing, looking at the three eyeing him—no, it's time to slip away!
Since witnessing his father and those usually arrogant uncles kneeling in a row before "William", Malfoy had stopped caring much about the honor of pure-blood wizards. Since then, he began to change his views—
Screw lineage, if you are not strong enough, you still have to be someone else's dog!
Is his honor just proving he is a purebred canine, does that make him more valuable?
Pure nonsense, only strength is the capital for arrogance.
Malfoy deeply understood this point; he realized why his father, despite being so rich, still had to be a dog to the Dark Lord—it's because he's not strong enough! Why his father, despite being so intriguing, still has to flatter Fudge in many matters—it's because his power is not strong enough!
Wealth! Power! Authority!
Young Malfoy felt he had realized the essence of the world; he decided to abandon the nonsense of pure-blood honor. Although years of habits still led him to often use terms like Mudblood, his concept had shifted considerably, though changing many habits would take time, especially since there were certain habits he didn't intend to change—
Oh yes, this doesn't mean he now respects those "Mudbloods" and "fools"—
Lineage may not have honor, but it brings wealth.
Malfoy swept his pitying gaze over Harry and his companions standing in the clearing, their vigilant eyes fixed on him, finally resting on the blue ring encircling Harry's index finger...
Heh, poor Potter, still unaware his father's killer is nearby, even roaming daily in front of the "Dark Lord" and soon will be branded with the "Dark Lord's" mark without realizing—poor, pathetic, lamentable... wait, why does Potter have a ring on his hand?
Malfoy's expression faltered slightly; he suddenly realized a blind spot.
When he had just seen Harry and his two companions, he had confirmed only Neville had a ring, the other two's hands were empty, otherwise he wouldn't have chosen to duel Neville, right? Only stepping on a former foe personally would be satisfying enough—
Unfortunately, the Duel Card doesn't have the function of locking onto those without rings, but now...
Unless a ring-wearing statue suddenly appeared and Harry subdued it in seconds, there's only one possibility left—
Malfoy silently turned back to look at the two standing behind him, his eyes carrying a question.
"...Yes, Boss, it was that damn Potter who sneak-attacked!"
Goyle coughed with some guilt at first, then his tone became indignant, pointing at Harry intending to start cursing.
"Shut up, let's go."
Malfoy interrupted the impending baseless cursing, choosing to turn and leave with a gloomy face. He knew clearly that with these two gluttonous Fog by his side, there was no way to beat Harry and Neville. Didn't they see that little fatty already planning to "garden" on the spot?