The Great Hall went completely silent.
On the dueling platform, Alexander stood calmly with his wand in hand, while Lockhart stood on the opposite side, maintaining his usual confident smile.
In the middle of the stage, Flitwick stepped forward to act as referee.
"Duelists, are you ready?" Flitwick asked.
Alexander nodded casually.
"Of course, Professor."
Lockhart raised his chin proudly.
"Yes, Flitwick."
Flitwick lifted his wand.
"Duel… Start!"
He quickly stepped back.
Alexander slowly raised his wand but didn't cast anything. Instead, he smiled lightly.
"Professor… are you not going to cast a spell?"
Lockhart waved his hand dismissively.
"I will allow you the honor of attacking first."
Alexander tilted his head slightly.
"Professor… are you sure?"
"Of course!" Lockhart said confidently.
Alexander chuckled.
"Professor… the duel already started."
Lockhart frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The entire student body had gone completely quiet. No one whispered. No one moved.
Lockhart looked around nervously.
"Why is everyone silent?"
Then he looked back at Alexander.
"Well? When are you going to attack?"
Before Alexander could answer, Flitwick suddenly raised his hand.
"Winner… Mr. Chen."
Lockhart blinked.
"What? Why did he win? He didn't even attack!"
Flitwick calmly pointed behind him.
"Turn around, Lockhart."
Lockhart slowly turned.
The moment he did, his face lost all color.
Behind him stood two stone soldiers, perfectly sculpted, their spears pointed directly at his back.
"Ah—!"
Lockhart stumbled backward in fright and tripped over his own feet, falling onto the platform.
Laughter erupted from the students.
Alexander smiled lightly.
"Well, Professor, I didn't want to hurt you, so I never officially attacked."
He flicked his wand.
The stone soldiers immediately melted into the platform as if they had never existed.
The students began whispering excitedly.
"Did you see that?"
"That was amazing!"
"Was that Transfiguration?"
"Did he learn that from Professor McGonagall?"
Standing nearby, McGonagall allowed herself a proud smile.
In some of her personal notes, she had written theories about stone-shaping transfiguration. However, she never expected a student to improve the concept and silently cast it.
Especially not this quickly.
Lockhart quickly stood up, brushing dust off his robes.
"Let's have a proper duel this time!" he said loudly. "I will attack first!"
Alexander smiled.
"Are you sure, Professor?"
Lockhart ignored the comment and turned to Flitwick.
"Flitwick, start it again."
The two returned to their positions.
Flitwick raised his wand again.
"Duelists ready?"
Alexander nodded calmly.
"Of course, Professor."
Lockhart lifted his wand dramatically.
"Let's begin."
"Ready… Start!"
Flitwick backed away again.
Lockhart immediately shouted,
"Expelliarmus!"
A bright red spell shot forward.
Alexander simply pointed his wand.
"Protego."
The spell struck the shield and instantly bounced back.
CRACK!
Lockhart's own disarming spell hit his wand.
His wand flew straight at Alexander.
Alexander caught it effortlessly and smiled.
"I win, Professor."
Flitwick nodded.
"Winner… Mr. Chen."
The Great Hall erupted into cheers again.
Lockhart stood frozen in shock.
Alexander casually tossed the wand back.
"Here, catch."
Lockhart caught it automatically.
Alexander then turned his back toward Lockhar to address the students.
Lockhart's face twisted with anger and embarrassment.
Seeing Alexander's back exposed, he quickly raised his wand.
"Stupefy!"
A red beam shot forward.
Gasps filled the hall.
No one expected it.
No one reacted in time.
Alexander didn't even turn around.
He simply pointed his wand backward.
A massive translucent blue barrier exploded into existence.
Lockhart's spell slammed into it and rebounded.
At the same time, the enormous barrier surged forward like a crashing wave.
BOOM!
The stunning spell struck Lockhart.
The barrier smashed into him a split second later.
Lockhart flew backward and collapsed onto the platform, unconscious.
The Great Hall fell completely silent.
Alexander slowly lowered his wand.
He looked around at the stunned students.
"Remember this lesson."
His voice was calm.
"Always stay vigilant."
He looked toward Lockhart's unconscious body.
"Never turn your back on your opponent."
He paused.
"Even if you think you've already won."
Alexander flicked his wand.
The giant barrier vanished instantly.
He looked back at the students.
"You never know what your opponent is thinking."
No cheers followed.
No laughter.
Only silence.
Every student simply nodded in agreement.