"Boy, it's not too late to regret this!"
"Hmph, you're so talkative, Flint. I hope your dueling skills are as sharp as your tongue."
Noah looked at Marcus calmly, raised his wand to his face, and bowed slightly. Marcus followed suit, and then both retreated to a proper distance at the same time.
It had to be said—duels in the wizarding world were full of unnecessary formalities. Proper wizard duels followed strict etiquette, not just for tradition but to clarify one important fact: this was a contest of skill, not a battle to the death.
Noah was furious, but he had no intention of harming a fellow Hogwarts student. That would make this an illegal duel, something strictly forbidden.
His goal was simple: to make Draco Malfoy step forward and apologize properly.
He could ignore the rest, but Hermione was part of his Mage Union. If he couldn't even protect the members of his own group, then he had no business leading it.
"Maybe I sound childish, but isn't this exactly the kind of thing students our age care about?"
He smirked at himself. A Mage Union was supposed to stand together.
Noah could have handled this differently, but leading by example meant following the rules, not breaking them. And if he wanted his organization to be recognized, he had to display overwhelming power—something both impressive and mysterious—to attract the best students to join.
As for the professors?
Noah didn't bother thinking about it. He doubted they would interfere in a formal duel.
"It looks like I'll have to put on a good show. Not that it matters—Marcus isn't my opponent even if I go easy on him."
He silently gathered his magic.
Marcus, on the other hand, was seething. This arrogant second-year had outright disrespected him. Did Noah seriously believe he could challenge a sixth-year and get away with it?
It wasn't just an insult. It was unheard of in Hogwarts history.
To Marcus, it was clear: Noah was looking down on him.
And if Noah had heard his thoughts, he would have smirked and answered bluntly, Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing.
"Expelliarmus!"
Silver light flashed from Marcus's wand. He might have looked down on second-years, but he wasn't an idiot. He knew Noah's reputation, so he started with a standard disarming spell.
Noah didn't even blink. Without hesitation, he casually cast Protego Maxima, conjuring a shimmering golden shield. Then, raising his wand, a golden glow pulsed from its tip.
The watching students murmured in confusion. Few spells emitted a golden light—most magic radiated silver or blue.
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"This isn't Hogwarts magic. Who are you?"
"You're only realizing that now? I have to say, you're not very bright. As for who I am?" Noah's eyes glinted mischievously. "I'm Noah Finniel."
He had no interest in wasting time with Marcus.
He flicked his wand, and the golden aura around it twisted into a glowing ring of runes. Black symbols shimmered against the gold, spinning faster and faster.
All around him, dozens of glowing blue wind blades materialized, sharp as knives.
Marcus swallowed hard. He quickly cast Protego Totalum, layering his defenses with a reinforced barrier.
"I hope this holds…"
He had never seen magic like this before. The professors and seventh-year dueling elites might have recognized it, but they weren't here.
Noah watched Marcus reinforce his shields and simply shrugged.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, the golden rune circle pulsed, and his wind blades shot forward.
The result was immediate.
Marcus's Protego Totalum shattered like glass.
A second-year breaking a sixth-year's defenses?
The spectators were stunned.
Marcus stood frozen in disbelief. He had no real dueling experience. Though his magic was strong, he had never been tested in real combat.
A veteran duelist would have immediately dodged and countered. But Marcus?
He stood there, frozen.
The wind blades slashed past him, neatly severing his wand in half.
A deep silence fell over the crowd.
Marcus looked at his broken wand, then at the shredded edges of his robes. A cold chill ran down his spine.
For the first time, he truly understood.
Noah wasn't just some arrogant second-year.
He was a monster.
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