Explanation of the Magical System (AU) – Read carefully
Some readers may have forgotten that this story is an AU (Alternative Universe), and therefore many things have been altered—especially regarding magical combat. In the films, for instance, we saw very few people actually vocalizing spells; it was simply a pretty beam of light that made something crumble upon impact. However, if I were to write only about someone casting a "red beam," when multiple spells share the same color, how would the reader know what is actually happening?
Difficulty and Dark Arts
Another point: in the films, we saw various Hogwarts students using spells like Confringo and Reducto, even though according to J.K. Rowling's canon, these are lethal curses. Reducto essentially erases you from existence, and Confringo acts as if a grenade has detonated on your person. In our story, these are exceptionally demanding spells that most certainly fall under the category of Dark Arts.
If I write that someone cast Reducto, we immediately know they attempted to kill their target. If it were just a "blue beam," it could just as easily be Stupefy. Do you see the difference? If opponents only exchanged anonymous colored bolts, the reader would lose track of the combat dynamics.
The Magical Core and Epic Scale
From the beginning, I have built this story on the principle that a wizard possesses a Magical Core, which expands through training and genetic predisposition. To some, sending a tornado that can wipe out an entire army and half a small town doesn't feel "personally" epic enough... but take the fire serpent Voldemort summoned in the film—that was magnificent. (With books, you must engage your own imagination; if tornadoes, tsunamis, or lightning bolts aren't epic enough for you, your imagination needs a restart.)
Non-Verbal Spellcasting
Non-verbal casting in my story works on the principle of "the grind." A wizard must know a spell perfectly from A to Z, cast it thousands of times, and have the mental intent mastered 100%. Only then can they discard the need for an incantation (e.g., Dumbledore and his universal transfiguration).
However, I am curious about your opinion: if a spell were flying at you and you couldn't dodge it or conjure a shield, would it help you to at least know what was about to kill you? If I wrote strictly according to the books, we would have 30-second power struggles between red and green beams or nonsensical "blind" firing from point-blank range, which feels unrealistic.
Combat Realism
I don't know how many of you have experienced real physical conflict, but in a fight, one rule applies: if I have a chance to land a "high kick," I simply kick. I don't perform unnecessary spinning pirouettes if the result would be the same. If Reducto reliably kills a person, why on earth would anyone use 30 different killing curses? A wizard may know them all, but in combat, they seek efficiency.
Our main protagonist (MC) is nowhere near the level of Grindelwald, Dumbledore, or Voldemort(Right now!). He cannot cast Reducto or Confringo even at an average level; his magical core is tiny compared to theirs. He doesn't even know spells like Spatha Cutis, and Protego Horribilis (a higher version of the shield) is beyond his strength. Elemental magic? Our MC collapsed when he tried to save himself with wind magic during a fall from a height. His water magic is currently just a weak ripple compared to Dumbledore's tsunami. Not to mention transfiguration.
Legendary Wizards vs. Born Warriors
Grindelwald and Dumbledore were primarily academics, not soldiers. Despite this, they were the most powerful because their magical cores were gargantuan compared to others. All they need is a bit of proper elemental magic, which an ordinary wizard cannot handle, and they can erase an entire army. Anyone can manage a basic Protego or Expelliarmus, but two average Confringo spells would utterly exhaust a common wizard—if they could even manifest them at all.
On the other hand, Voldemort was a pure-blooded warrior. From a young age, he sought to dominate and conquer. He genuinely enjoyed duels and the subsequent torture, which gave him a ferocity and aggressiveness in battle that the academics lacked.
Characteristics of the Unforgivable Curses
The Avada Kedavra curse is extremely demanding on both magical power and strength of will and intent. Certainly, not just any Death Eater can cast it. Cruciatus is a powerful curse that only above-average wizards can master, where the psychological intent to cause pain is key. Imperius, meanwhile, is a mix of magic and mental fortitude; it requires a specific talent for dominating another's will.
Conclusion and Duel Dynamics
Will we encounter other fighting styles and different spells in the story? Absolutely, but gradually. The rule remains: if I master Reducto and it kills my target, I will not cast another 30 curses with the same effect. In a fight, only one thing matters: defending oneself and attacking. The difference between curses and regular spells lies in magical demand, concentration, and training.
Even a simple Diffindo aimed at the neck—a low-demand spell—will kill you. However, it lacks power, so a shield will easily deflect it, whereas a mighty Reducto can destroy the shield itself. If we master a spell perfectly, we can infuse it with a precise amount of magic or increase its power through raw force to break through defenses. If it passes through a shield, the spell will be weakened by the energy it had to expend to shatter the protection.
Harry Potter was not originally conceived as "combat fantasy." We have perhaps 10–20 combat spells, and in the films, we mostly saw duels where two beams pushed against each other, which didn't make much sense(We will get many more).
Spell Spamming: It is impossible to use Reducto three times in a row. Even if you have enough power, you need a strong mental intent, which may fail during repetition. There will be exceptions in the form of titan-level wizards, but even for them, it will not be an infinite process.
A Few Final Words
This is everything that occurs to me for now. I try to write realistically—in a way that I like and that makes sense to me. I understand that some people will prefer the classic clash of two beams pushing against each other for a minute while the screen cracks and the wind blows. That is perfectly fine. Similarly, it is fine if someone prefers a snap of the fingers that erases kilometers of territory without the need for magical energy, or a single ordinary punch to destroy the most powerful enemy (One Punch Man is great!).
However, I have been setting up this magical system consistently since the very first chapter. It is therefore strange if it shocks someone only at chapter thirty-five, as if they hadn't even read the previous parts. My final advice is this: please read with comprehension and a little more slowly.