Sagres did not stop their discussion. He simply waited calmly for the noise to die down before speaking again.
"Apparition and Disapparition are like opening and closing a door. Disapparition is stepping through it, while Apparition is stopping at the other side. The essence of the magic is 'passing through this door.'"
"It is one of the most efficient, and also one of the most dangerous, forms of travel in the Wizarding world. It allows a wizard to instantly vanish from one location and immediately appear at another designated spot."
As he spoke, he casually pointed into the air, and the duelling platform silently sank into the ground.
"Its value is self-evident. Whether it's rapidly crossing obstacles, escaping danger at a critical moment, or simply travelling conveniently in daily life, once you master it, the scale of the world will completely change for you."
He listed the examples in a steady tone, his voice devoid of excitement, merely stating facts.
"Aurors from the Ministry of Magic rely on it to pursue Dark Wizards. Healers at St Mungo's use it to urgently transport the injured, and adventurers use it to escape danger... In my opinion, every adult wizard should master it in order to deal with various emergencies."
But at this point, his tone changed, and a clear warning entered his voice.
"However, the other side of efficiency is equally great risk. This is not a simple spatial jump, but the disintegration of your body in one location and its instant reassembly somewhere else."
Sagres's voice echoed clearly throughout the arena.
"The entire process requires the caster to possess extreme focus and absolute control over their magic. Even a moment of hesitation, fear, or distraction..."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the tense faces before him.
"...can lead to catastrophic consequences. Which is what you commonly call 'Splinching.'"
The students swallowed almost in unison, exchanging nervous glances.
They had heard far too many horrifying rumours about Splinching accidents during Apparition examinations.
Sagres stood in the centre of the arena, his gaze sweeping over the young and inexperienced faces before him.
"Apparition is normally forbidden within Hogwarts Castle, but this place is an exception."
He gently tapped the ground with his wand as he explained. A faint white glow spread out from him, and the arena's protective magic instantly activated.
"The arena's protective enchantments can greatly suppress Splinching and minimise the impact of accidents. But you must understand that this protection only exists here."
He paused for a moment, making sure everyone fully understood the risks and seriousness of the lesson.
"Now, put away your wands. The first step of learning Apparition does not require them."
Sagres pointed his wand into the air, ensuring everyone was covered by the "Mechanical Mind."
"Before learning Apparition, the first thing you need to understand is the principle of the Three Ds."
"The first is Destination."
He spoke clearly as he stepped forward. His figure vanished instantly, only to reappear in the centre of the crowd the next second.
"You must clearly and unwaveringly determine the place you wish to reach in your mind. The more precise, the better. Not simply 'that room' or 'that corner,' but 'the centre of that floor tile.'"
The students looked thoughtful, but Sagres did not stop.
"Second is Determination!"
He raised his voice and continued, his figure vanishing and reappearing once again.
"Let your desire to reach your destination fill every part of your body, even your hair. Imagine yourself already standing there."
"You must eliminate all distractions. Yes, all of them. Fear, doubt, even anticipation, must give way to unwavering determination."
"Finally, Deliberation!"
He looked over the wide-eyed students as he continued flickering through the crowd with Apparition.
"Not hurried, not reckless, but calm and steady, allowing your magic to naturally envelop your entire body and carry you away from your original position."
This time, he did not vanish. Instead, he merely demonstrated the standard turning movement fluently and elegantly, unhurried and effortless.
"Throughout the entire process, your mind must remain clear, your will firm, and your mindset deliberate. If even one of these is lacking, or if any part goes wrong..."
He swept his gaze across the students.
"At best, Splinching, leaving part of your body behind. At worst... death."
"Now, attempt the first step. Choose a spot three paces in front of you. Picture it clearly in your mind and feel it. Then gather your determination and try to... move."
The students nervously copied him. Most of their movements were awkward and hesitant, their faces tense with concentration.
Subtle magical fluctuations began appearing around the arena. Occasionally, someone would let out a short gasp after feeling as though they had "slid" slightly, but most remained rooted where they stood.
Sagres walked calmly among them, observing in silence and occasionally offering concise guidance.
"Your determination isn't firm enough, Miss Wilkes. You're afraid. Don't worry, I won't allow you to Splinch under my supervision."
"Your target needs to be clearer, Mr Og. It cannot be 'roughly there.' Your destination must be precise and specific."
"Relax, but don't become careless, Mr Abbott. It's 'deliberation,' not 'casualness.'"
Sagres's voice echoed throughout the arena, carrying a reassuring sense of authority and calm.
He slowly checked each student's progress before finally stopping beside Ravenclaw's Cho Chang.
She had her eyes tightly shut, her brows furrowed, trembling from exertion.
Yet apart from a faint breeze rustling her robes, she remained firmly rooted to the spot.
"Think. Your body doesn't need to exert force."
Sagres's calm voice sounded beside her.
"Your will is the guide, not brute force. Understand?"
"Understood!"
"Where is your target?"
"The small dent in that floor tile!" Cho Chang answered hurriedly, her cheeks slightly flushed from the strain.
"Very good. Now, it's not about 'wanting' to get there, but 'deciding' that you are already there."
On the other side, a Hufflepuff boy cautiously turned halfway around, his movements stiff like a wind-up toy.
"Fear comes from the unknown, and for beginners, the process of disintegration and reassembly is indeed unknown."
Sagres spoke calmly.
"But the purpose of protective magic is to keep that unknown risk within an acceptable range. Trust it, and trust your own will."
He walked back towards the centre of the arena, his voice carrying clearly to every corner.
"Keep trying. All of you. This time, don't think about 'moving.' Think about 'arriving.'"
The students tried once more.
This time, the signs of magical fluctuations became noticeably stronger.
Several students gasped softly as they felt a powerful pulling sensation and a wave of dizziness. Their bodies seemed to become momentarily weightless, but in the end, their feet still landed back on their original stone slabs.
"Professor!" a Gryffindor student shouted excitedly. "I just... slid a little!"
"That is your magic responding to you," Sagres nodded. "Remember that feeling. Once you can fully control it, you'll be close to succeeding."
"Yes! Sir!"
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