"Volaris!"
Seeing Professor Flitwick completely misunderstand him, Rock had no choice but to raise his wand and give it a quick flick.
Magic burst from the wand tip and formed a translucent hand, which floated across the room and neatly retrieved his backpack.
"Professor, this is what I managed to create by studying magical rhythm," Rock explained, placing the bag by his feet and bowing slightly toward Professor Flitwick.
"Oh, Merlin's beard! Rock… you're absolutely a genius!"
Professor Flitwick grabbed Rock's shoulder, grounding himself so he wouldn't topple over from excitement. "This is a composite spell, isn't it? Rock! This is a composite spell!"
"That's right, Professor."
Rock quickly lifted the wildly gesticulating Professor Flitwick and set him back on the lectern—he was genuinely afraid the tiny Charms Master might fall.
"A genius idea—truly genius!"
Still buzzing with excitement, Professor Flitwick finally looked up at him. "Come on, Rock—show me the spell's full power."
"I know what you did just now wasn't its complete effect."
Since Professor Flitwick insisted, Rock had no reason to refuse. He lifted his wand again.
This time the translucent hand he summoned didn't merely grab something—it reached across the room and snapped the training dummy's joint cleanly in two with a sharp twist.
"A perfect combination of the Levitation Charm and another spell, yes?" Professor Flitwick clapped furiously, already analyzing the weave and structure.
"Waddiwasi, Professor," Rock said with a grin.
"A wonderful pairing! You've merged two spells of completely different natures into a single, cohesive effect."
Professor Flitwick burst into delighted laughter. From his perspective, Rock's composite spell was practically flawless.
"Thank you, Professor. It's just a little experiment I tried using rhythm." Rock cleared his throat and asked tentatively, "Then… could I keep Gremold's Whimsical Variations for a bit longer?"
Professor Flitwick hesitated, then turned to him.
"To be honest, Rock, my suggestion is: you shouldn't cling to that book." His voice softened. "I truly admire your spirit of exploration."
"But remember—magic is alive. It responds. It's tied closely to a wizard's inner world."
Rock listened quietly, and Professor Flitwick looked pleased with his thoughtful expression.
"When Gremold wrote that book, he was already an exceptionally skilled charms expert. Only someone like that could afford to creatively alter existing spells—it was his path."
"For beginners, the most important thing is a solid foundation. Only then can you master the advanced techniques later."
Rock blinked and ventured, "Professor… you mean wandless magic and silent casting?"
"Very sharp, Rock."
Professor Flitwick snapped his fingers, and every book in the classroom lifted gracefully into the air. With another small gesture, they sorted themselves into precise stacks.
"This is the simplest form—Floating Charm combined with the Sorting Charm, performed silently and without a wand."
"Tone, gesture—these are the foundations of spellcasting."
He stepped down from the lectern, and the stack of books reshaped itself into a staircase for him to stand on.
"You have great talent, but right now that talent should be used to reinforce your basics." He looked at Rock calmly.
"Thank you, Professor. I understand."
Rock nodded firmly. He understood the message clearly:
A towering structure stands only on a solid foundation.
Only once the base is strong is it time to explore new territory.
Seeing Rock finally give up the idea of pushing ahead too fast, Professor Flitwick clapped his hands gently. "All right, young Rock—show me the spells from first year."
"You should have mastered them by now."
Rock nodded and demonstrated everything he'd learned recently, including several minor charms he'd found useful in Whimsical Variations.
"Perfect. Every spell is already at the level of a higher-year student."
With a satisfied smile, Professor Flitwick summoned a slim notebook into his hand.
"These are some insights from my own early charm practice. Study them—find your own rhythm."
"Thank you, Professor!" Rock accepted it, delighted at the unexpected gift.
He tucked the notebook safely into his bag, feeling the trip was well worth it.
"A shame the Dueling Club was canceled," Flitwick sighed. "It would've been a wonderful place for you to practice. I was the dueling champion in my day—I know better than anyone that true growth comes not only from study, but from use."
Rock agreed. Defeating the troll had granted him far more experience than any practice session.
But… this was Hogwarts.
"However," Flitwick said with a conspiratorial wink, "I've established a Spellcraft Club here at the school. It's made up of upper-year students."
"You may join, Rock."
"Thank you, Professor!"
Rock's eyes lit up. If Flitwick had founded it, the purpose was obvious:
A club for spell discussion and spell practice.
After saying goodbye, Rock left the classroom with an unusually light step. He had just gained a new place to earn experience.
As he descended the stairs, he heard loud voices from around the corner. Curious, he moved toward the noise.
A pale-blond head disappeared toward the hallway.
Rock frowned. Malfoy? What's that guy up to this time?
Then he heard Neville's voice—shaken and distressed.
Rock didn't hesitate. He dashed for the corner.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
In the hallway, Malfoy raised his wand and fired a spell straight at Neville.
Cornered by Crabbe and Goyle, Neville's legs snapped together as if welded, and he pitched forward, crashing face-first onto the floor. Crabbe and Goyle burst out laughing.
"What's wrong, Longbottom? Weren't you talking back to me a moment ago?" Malfoy swaggered over, sneering. "I thought you had some courage."
Neville lifted his head, nose bleeding from the fall, face red with humiliation as he struggled to move.
"Don't bother fighting it. That Ravenclaw bookworm showed me this spell himself. Pretty perfect, isn't it?"
"Volaris!"