Professor Sprout guided the glow at her wand's tip, shaping it into a broad, radiant shield. She stood tall—a knight in shining robes—wielding her shield of light to drive the Devil's Snare back into its pitch-black box.
The students were still frozen in shock. The Devil's Snare's sudden attack had left them reeling.
"Children, fortunately, our only casualty today was a tissue," Sprout said, her cheerful warmth returning as she waved the crumpled tissue in the air, trying to lighten the mood.
Once the class had settled, she cleared her throat and continued, "Did you see that? Just as I warned you, Devil's Snare is both cunning and incredibly dangerous."
"Its strangling power is formidable—enough to injure even a troll. But its weaknesses are clear: warmth and light will always force it back."
"You should all know the Fire-Making Spell and the Light Charm by now. If not, don't worry. We'll be practicing both today."
…
Wyzett drifted off, perhaps for the first time ever in class. His mind replayed the scene he'd just witnessed—especially the moment the Devil's Snare revealed its true form. The memory was vivid, almost electric.
When the transfigured sheepdog drew near, the plant's blurred magical circuitry shifted—the whole structure seemed to expand, grow more intricate.
But with his current Oculus Magicae, he still couldn't make out the finer details. There was a nagging sense that understanding this magical transformation would unlock a deeper comprehension of Transfiguration.
After a moment's thought, Wyzett channeled Ancient Magic into his Eye of Magic, willing it to evolve.
Just like when he'd first awakened the ability, the world around him began to shift. Cracks spiderwebbed through reality, spilling out dazzling threads and splashes of color.
Lines and shapes swirled and converged, forming and reforming into ever more complex patterns. They multiplied, layered, intertwined—until, overwhelmed, he lost sight of them altogether.
In a blink, the familiar greenhouse snapped back into focus.
His classmates were lined up, Sprout at the front overseeing their practice with the Devil's Snare.
Wyzett let out a slow breath, savoring the afterimage of that experience.
The first time he'd unlocked the Oculus Magicae, it was as if he'd stood atop the river of history, seeing the world from a grand, sweeping distance. Now, with this new breakthrough, his perspective had flipped—from the macro to the micro, peering into the very machinery of magic itself.
The pages of The Wizard's Practical Combat Guide shimmered and shifted.
Intermediate Eye of Magic: Bring more of the world into focus, revealing the magical circuits within. Discover the ancient magic nourished by time… Absorb it, and let your Eye of Magic continue to grow…
"Wyzett! Get over here!" Anthony called, waving him over.
Wyzett nodded and joined the end of the line behind Anthony.
"You were out of it for ages," Anthony said, concern in his eyes. "Is this some leftover shock from fighting the troll last night?"
"Not really…" Wyzett shook his head gently. "I just didn't get enough sleep. I only went to bed at sunrise."
Michael leaned in, grinning. "Stayed up late because you were too excited about defeating a troll?"
"No, I was writing a letter," Wyzett replied. "By the way, do you lot want some of the toffees Luna sent me?"
Michael recoiled, waving his hands. "No thanks… The filling's always some weird, stinky flavor!"
"Actually," Wyzett corrected him, "it's more of a scallion taste—Gurdyroot, to be precise. Once you get used to it, it's not bad at all."
Chris joined in, eyes wide. "That's still toffee? Your sister's got some… unique tastes."
Wyzett shook his head, smiling. "It was Mr. Lovegood's idea. He wanted to surprise me."
Anthony hummed thoughtfully. "Sounds like you and Mr. Lovegood get on well. My relatives always say he's a tough nut to crack."
Wyzett grew serious. "He's a fascinating man, and one I deeply respect."
He meant it. After Luna's mother passed, it was Xenophilius who'd raised her alone. The Lovegoods weren't well off, and Luna's bright optimism owed as much to her own wisdom as to her father's unwavering support.
Happy people are healed by their childhood; the unhappy spend a lifetime healing from it.
Clearly, Xenophilius had done everything he could so Luna would never need to spend her life healing her past.
"Stop it, you lot," Michael moaned, clutching his chest in mock agony. "I swear, I can smell that sour stench already…"
A smile tugged at Wyzett's lips as he glanced at the nearby Christmas cactus.
With his newly advanced Oculus Magicae, the magical circuits within the plant were suddenly clear—intricate, whirring, more complex than anything he'd seen in potion ingredients. They meshed and spun like the gears of a clock, each movement rippling through the whole, animating the cactus with uncanny liveliness.
He stared, utterly absorbed.
Sprout's voice cut through his reverie. "Mr. Lovegood, are you ready? Please draw your wand."
"Wyzett! Wyzett!" Michael nudged his shoulder.
"Sorry, Professor Sprout—I was… distracted."
Sprout gave him a gentle, worried look. "You mustn't have slept well, after such a frightening night. But please, do your best to focus. In the wrong circumstances, Devil's Snare can be every bit as deadly as a troll."
"That's why I want you all to learn how to protect yourselves with your wands—to face Devil's Snare calmly and confidently."
"Thank you, Professor. I'll do my best." Wyzett nodded, gripping his wand tightly.
Sprout instructed, "I'll open the box. You'll have about ten seconds to react—don't push yourself. You can use either the Light Charm or the Fire-Making Spell."
She placed one hand on the box's handle, the other ready on her wand, prepared to intervene if needed.
"Ready?"
"Yes!"
The box swung open. This time, the Devil's Snare wasn't even bothering to disguise itself—its vines were a deep, inky green. Wyzett felt a twinge of regret; seeing its transformation again would have been invaluable for his study of Transfiguration.
Sensing a living presence ahead, the plant's vines shot out like snakes, reaching for Wyzett from every direction.
"Lumos Solem!"
Wyzett swept his wand in a sharp arc. A blinding burst of light exploded forth—like a magical flashbang.
The Devil's Snare recoiled instantly, shrinking back into the box in a blink, its vines trembling, too afraid to move even a fraction closer.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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