The charms classroom was quiet when Aarav arrived at sunrise.
Professor Filius Flitwick, the tiny part-goblin master of dueling and charms, was already waiting—standing atop a stack of books to reach the blackboard, his wand flicking through shimmering runes in the air.
"You're early," Flitwick chirped. "That's a good sign. Most students avoid advanced Occlumency like bubotuber pus."
"I'm not most students," Aarav said.
Flitwick chuckled. "Oh, I know. You're the Gaunt boy who walks like he's lived a thousand years."
System ping:
▶ Encounter Initiated: Flitwick's Trial – Charms & Mental Arts
▶ Objective: Pass Custom Practical and Mental Dueling Exam
▶ Reward: Echo Spell (Rare) | +1500 EXP | Occlumency Boost
▶ Optional: Impress Flitwick for Mentorship Offer
Flitwick waved his wand, and the room transformed.
Desks vanished. Candles floated into formation. A shimmering circle appeared in the center—filled with ancient runes and dueling markings.
"Step in," Flitwick said. "This is a Mind Mirror Field. Every spell you cast will be countered by a mirrored version of yourself—exact power, speed, and will."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "A self-duel?"
"Not quite," Flitwick said. "A duel against who you could become… if you fail to learn control."
Aarav stepped forward. The circle pulsed. A glowing, transparent version of himself formed opposite him—same wand, same stance.
"Mind Mirror Activated."
Round 1: Reflex Test
The mirror Aarav attacked first.
"Stupefy!"
Aarav rolled aside and countered.
"Protego! Flipendo!"
The shield absorbed the blast, and his return spell hit—but the mirror dissipated and reformed behind him instantly.
"It's adapting. It learns my patterns."
Aarav's system kicked in:
▶ Reflex Boost Activated
▶ Observation Skill: Tactical Vision [+15% Predictive Accuracy]
▶ Suggestion: Nonlinear Pattern – Cast While Moving, Use Off-Angle Combos
He zigzagged, casting while sliding behind a floating candle:
"Expelliarmus! Lumos Maxima! Obscuro!"
The light flashed blindingly. The mirror staggered.
Aarav followed up: "Locomotor Wreckus!"
The floating desks slammed into the clone. It shattered in a pulse of arcane light.
Round 2: Mental Fortitude
The chamber turned black.
Suddenly, Aarav stood inside his own mind.
Dark, warped voices surrounded him:
"You're not real."
"You're just a glitch in this world."
"You'll be caught. Destroyed."
Mental Duel Initiated: Internal Fear Projection
Aarav gritted his teeth. "I'm more than a visitor. I'm the storm this world wasn't ready for."
He focused. The thoughts sharpened, became clearer.
He conjured a spell he had seen in the old Slytherin Archive.
"Veritas Mentalis!"
A brilliant blue sphere formed around his mindscape—shielding his core memories.
System update:
▶ Occlumency Level Increased → [Level 3]
▶ Mental Resistance Boosted
▶ Emotion Suppression Gained (Limited)
▶ Trait: "Inner Fortress" Activated
The fear was gone.
Final Round: Charm Mastery – Create a New Spell
The room returned to normal. Flitwick clapped his hands in excitement.
"Last test," he said. "Impress me. Create a charm based on what you've learned. Something original."
Aarav thought fast.
He recalled the sound-dampening from Muffliato, the memory-sealing from Occlumency, and the mirror-based combat pattern.
He whispered:
"Let's forge something new…"
He combined hand motions—twisted, subtle—and infused his wand with intent.
"Echo Somnus!"
A pulse of white light fired into the room—and an after-image of Aarav remained for three seconds, mimicking his last few steps, then faded.
Flitwick's eyes went wide. "A temporal illusion?"
Aarav nodded. "It replays a few seconds of your last movement—confusing the enemy, especially in duels."
System notification:
▶ New Spell Created: Echo Somnus (Rare)
▶ Effect: Temporal Afterimage illusion, 3-second loop
▶ Uses: Confusion, Misdirection in Combat
▶ Spell Memory Stored in Grimoire
▶ EXP +1800
▶ Flitwick Affinity Increased: [Mild Interest → Deep Approval]
▶ Mentorship Invite Received
Flitwick stepped down from his platform, beaming.
"Brilliant, Mr. Gaunt. Very few students can invent spells in first year. Even fewer do so under pressure. I'm offering you access to my private charms vault, and a monthly mentorship session—if you're interested."
Aarav bowed slightly. "I'd be honored, Professor."
Later, in the Slytherin dorm, Aarav checked his system panel:
Occlumency [LVL 3]
Echo Somnus (Rare Spell)
Flitwick's Vault Access (Locked, Needs Special Key)
New Main Objective: Unlock the Vault of Forgotten Wands
He looked into the mirror, the reflection flickering for a brief moment—as if the person staring back wasn't quite him anymore.
Not just a Gaunt. Not just a visitor.
But a creator of magic.