#173 - Flitwick's training program

On Tuesday morning, even though Moon was very sleepy, his body clock woke him up at five o'clock.

Arriving at the common room, Moon discovered that he wasn't the only one who insisted on waking up early.

Hermione's face showed obvious signs of fatigue, but the little witch was still trying to put on a brave face.

She would read for a while, then pat her face to prevent herself from falling asleep.

"Actually, there's no need to work so hard."

Moon noticed Hermione's eyelids were about to droop again, so he walked over and gently reminded her.

"No, I can't, I can't waste any more time."

Hermione shook her head in refusal, while trying hard to open her eyes.

"Alright."

Moon noticed that Hermione hadn't turned the page of her Transfiguration textbook for a long time.

But seeing the little witch still persevering, he simply responded and sat on the other sofa, beginning to read the alchemy books he had borrowed from the library last week.

Yesterday, because everything was concentrated into one block of time, Moon simply didn't have the time to go to the library to look up books about ancient magic.

So he could only continue to study alchemical runes.

In the book "The Most Obscure Writings: An Introduction to Alchemical Runes," a large amount of basic rune knowledge was recorded.

Among them, the most important section was on ancient Runes.

This course could actually be taken as an elective in the third year at Hogwarts, but for Moon, it wasn't too difficult to learn now.

After roughly reading the book's introduction to ancient Runes, Moon had a basic understanding of this writing system.

The letter forms of Runes are very unique, usually composed of straight lines and simple curves, with a simple and powerful shape.

The first hurdle to overcome in learning it is the difficulty of writing.

The writing direction of this ancient script is usually from right to left, completely opposite to ordinary writing.

The second difficulty is the greater difficulty in memorization.

Runes are ancient Nordic magical runes, each with a specific shape, name, and meaning.

For example, the rune: Fehu: represents wealth, livestock, and material resources, symbolizing prosperity and success.

And if you want to express every small meaning of this rune, the rune's graphic will change.

In addition, there are others, Uruz: meaning wild ox, symbolizing strength, courage, and vitality.

Ansuz: is related to wisdom, revelation, and communication, and is used to enhance thinking ability and understanding of mysterious knowledge.

As long as each rune undergoes a slight change, its meaning will change accordingly.

This is very difficult for those who want to study it.

However, these are actually within Moon's acceptable range.

But what Moon wants to learn is more than just understanding the meaning.

He also has to compare these ancient runes with the characters in alchemy from another world, and then find the common points.

This task is relatively more troublesome.

Over the course of the morning, Moon only found three common runes.

One of them came from the [Enhancement Rune] of the Alchemy Key, and the other two came from the Magical Talent Detector's [Transmission Rune] and [Induction Rune].

"Should we go again tonight!"

After waking up in the morning, Harry still couldn't forget everything in the Mirror of Erised.

However, Ron had already passed that excitement.

After a night of careful consideration, he finally recognized reality and felt that he was unlikely to become the head boy.

"Let's not, unless Moon agrees to go."

After the experience of fleeing back like a wolf last night, Ron was very clear that if Moon wasn't there, their night tour plan would have already failed.

"Forget it, Harry, we might be able to avoid Filch, but it won't be easy if we encounter Snape."

Hermione meant the same thing.

It's just that the reason she didn't want to go was more because she was ashamed of everything presented in the mirror.

Hermione also thought about it for a long time after returning last night.

She believes that everything displayed in the magic mirror is actually the deepest secret in a person's heart, and she regrets having revealed the secret last night.

Hearing Snape's name, Harry didn't continue to insist.

However, Moon still saw a hint of determination in Harry's eyes.

After Herbology class on Tuesday morning, Moon finally had time to go to the library.

This time, he was looking for books about ancient magic.

Whether it is learning alchemy, Runes, or modifying [Mirror Light Reverse Tide], it is inseparable from learning from ancient magic materials.

However, Moon searched all the library areas open to first-year little wizards, and only found two reference books that mentioned ancient magic in small amounts.

"The Source of Magic: Essentials of Basic Magic Principles", "The Complete Book of Magic Questions".

After asking Madam Pince, the librarian, Moon knew the reason.

"Ancient magic? These materials are already very rare, and they are all in the restricted section."

After hearing Moon's question, Madam Pince looked at the little wizard in front of her with surprise.

She actually had a very deep impression of Moon.

As a first-year little wizard, he has repeatedly obtained permission from the professor to consult restricted books, which is absolutely unique at Hogwarts.

Especially since she knew that Professor Snape had even written a book specifically for this little wizard.

"It seems I have to ask the professor for a borrowing slip again."

Moon said helplessly.

Madam Pince smiled and shook her head after hearing Moon's words.

"This time is different, child, ancient magic is very different from the books you read before, no professor will allow an 11-year-old student to study it."

"Why?"

Moon asked curiously.

"Although ancient magic is outdated, its power is exceptionally strong and difficult to control, and carelessness may lead to serious consequences."

Madam Pince didn't explain it in detail, not only because the school rules didn't allow it, but she herself didn't actually know much about ancient magic.

However, as an old employee of Hogwarts, Madam Pince also knew very well that ancient magic is actually one of the sources of dark magic.

Moon didn't give up studying ancient magic because of Madam Pince's words.

In his opinion, even if it is difficult, he must try.

After Charms class on Tuesday afternoon, Professor Flitwick left Moon alone and talked about the incantation competition again.

"It's the Barnabus Finkley Exceptional Spell-Casting Competition."

After Flitwick explained the name of the competition again, he took out a roll of parchment.

"Mr. Scarlett, this is the training plan I have formulated for you to participate in the competition."

"Professor, isn't this competition held during the summer vacation?"

Moon took the scroll blankly and asked subconsciously.

"Yes, but I think if you can get in touch with these in advance, the chances of winning will increase a lot."

It seemed that he noticed that Moon didn't value the results of the competition, so Flitwick quickly added.

"Of course, the plan I have formulated can very well make up for your current shortcomings in spellcasting, and it will be of great help to improving your combat strength."

Hearing that there were such practical benefits, Moon instantly felt that the value of the scroll in his hand had increased several times.

The scroll brought by Professor Flitwick was very long, and the content inside was also very detailed.

Professor Flitwick spent a week just to write this scroll.

Of course, for Moon, the greatest benefit of this advice is that it came in a timely manner.

After all, Moon is going to deal with Montoya the Unbeliever next week. The arrival of this advice at this time is equivalent to making up for all his shortcomings in casting spells.

Of course, Professor Flitwick's training advice was originally formulated according to the Spell Casting Competition.

It contains four points in total.

The first point is the accuracy of the spell.

This includes the accuracy of pronunciation and the precision of hand gesture coordination.

This is the most basic requirement for wizards in the Spell Casting Competition. Only those who master these two items are eligible to sign up for this competition.

Because the Spell Casting Competition has age restrictions for contestants, most of the students who can meet this requirement are in the sixth or seventh grade.

However, compared to the upperclassmen at Hogwarts, Professor Flitwick is obviously more confident in Moon.

"You actually don't need to look at the first item at all. I know you're already doing very well, especially your spell pronunciation."

After seeing Moon cast a spell, Professor Flitwick knew that the little wizard in front of him pronounced spells far more accurately than other students.

Even when hearing Moon chanting spells, Flitwick thought that the "Spell Pronunciation Magic Book" had been moved to the classroom.

Whether it's timbre, pitch, or tone, Moon does it exactly like the book.

It's as if Moon was a blank sheet of paper before learning magic, unaffected by any dialects from various regions of England.

And after entering Hogwarts, this blank sheet of paper began to draw using the most formal and correct methods for the accuracy of spell casting.

The same is true for the accuracy of Moon's spell casting.

Each time Moon casts a spell, he is completely replicating the gestures of the school's professors and the standard tutorials in the spell books.

"Although I don't know how you did it, you have indeed met the standards for signing up for this competition after only studying spells for three months."

It was also after discovering that Moon's pronunciation and gestures were very accurate that Professor Flitwick thought of the Spell Casting Competition, which only upperclassmen usually participate in.

Moon is very clear about the reason for Professor Flitwick's suspicion.

That is, before he came into contact with Hogwarts' magic, he was indeed not influenced by any language or other magicians in this world.

Professor Flitwick's second piece of advice is the speed of casting spells.

This includes rapid reaction ability, and the speed and rhythm of continuous spell casting.

"Regarding the second point, Mr. Scarlett, you have actually only mastered a quarter of it, which is that you are able to cast spells continuously better than others."

Moon did not refute Professor Flitwick's evaluation.

Especially after seeing this professor's breakdown of spell casting speed, he knew that his previous understanding was indeed somewhat biased.

Moon used to think that the speed of casting spells was just to release spells continuously, so that others couldn't react, and that was considered fast!

However, Professor Flitwick's summary of "spell casting speed" is obviously more detailed.

"In fact, for continuous spell casting, in addition to ensuring speed, you must also master the rhythm, which means you should know who your next quickly cast spell should hit and where it should hit."

"So, before I cast a spell, I should immediately know what to do next?"

Hearing Professor Flitwick's words, Moon couldn't help but recall his few combat experiences.

"Very well understood, especially when we are facing many enemies, or when the enemy has many means of attack, this ability becomes particularly important."

When Professor Flitwick said this, Moon thought of one of his exclusive sparring partners.

The giant squid in the Black Lake.

This huge magical creature is not only very powerful in attack, but also has eight arms that can attack and defend at the same time.

Moon is often made miserable by the water arrows fired at him from all directions.

In fact, this is the reason why Moon has not mastered the rhythm of spell casting.

If he could master the rhythm, then Moon's [Obstruction Charm] should be able to accurately block each of the opponent's attacks, instead of being flustered.

After listening to Professor Flitwick's explanation that rhythm is very beneficial in dealing with multiple enemies, Moon knew that he must master this ability as soon as possible.

In another world, Moon has already had considerable conflicts with the Unbeliever organization.

According to the information he currently has, there are at least twenty magicians from the Unbelievers on the Vena Islands.

He must consider the possibility of fighting multiple wizards at the same time one day.

Another aspect of spell casting speed is the ability to react and cast quickly.

Looking at Professor Flitwick's detailed introduction of this ability, Moon knew after studying it that he was actually very weak in this area as well.

"Rapid reaction and casting ability determines a wizard's ability to deal with emergencies. At critical moments, this ability is particularly important."

When Professor Flitwick explained this ability, he was originally worried that Moon, who had not experienced actual combat, would not be able to understand.

After all, it is difficult to make a little wizard understand the importance of this ability based on words alone.

However, Moon is obviously different from others.

While Professor Flitwick was explaining, he thought of the most suitable reference he had encountered.

When ambushing [Night Owl] at Sirona Farm.

This powerful killer in black relied on this ability to dodge the two rounds of arrows fired by Zalan.

At the time, Moon was very surprised why an ordinary person could master this ability.

Now it seems that mastering this ability is actually more important for wizards.

After all, spells are faster and less noticeable than arrows.

"Professor, I think this ability can save lives at critical moments!"

"That's right, you understand very well!"

Professor Flitwick was very surprised. He was originally worried that he would have to talk to Moon for a long time.

After all, in his opinion, Moon is just an 11-year-old first-year wizard.

However, he was also very curious as to why Moon could think of using this method to save his life.

But this is not the point. Seeing that Moon could understand, he immediately explained again.

"Mr. Scarlett, once you have mastered this ability, you will first be able to ensure that you will not lose, and then you will be able to defeat your opponent with the speed of continuous spell casting, but mastering this ability is not that simple."

After knowing the importance of this ability, Moon could understand that mastering it must be difficult.

However, now that Professor Flitwick's advice has pointed him in the right direction, he will naturally pay more attention to practicing this ability.

Especially since Moon now has a very suitable sparring partner.

The giant squid's eight arms are much faster and stronger than those of ordinary wizards. If Moon can hold on in its hands.

Then it is not difficult to obtain super-fast reaction ability.