The class on Runes remained challenging, and the pace was incredibly fast. Just as Lys grasped the material, the course would move forward swiftly.
In the entire classroom, only Lys and a Ravenclaw student could keep up with Professor Babbling's pace.
Many ancient spells were cast through Runes, but sometimes those with strong magic couldn't learn Runes, and those who delved deeply into Runes lacked powerful magic, leading to many spells being buried in old parchments, forgotten.
The faster Lys learned, the faster the professor taught; the faster the professor taught, the more Lys had to pre-study.
This led the class's learning progress to surpass that of the seventh year, even touching on some extracurricular knowledge.
Students who couldn't keep up were sent to lower-year classes by Professor Babbling, leaving this session for Lys and the Ravenclaw student.
However, Professor Babbling's magic level was poor; as a Ravenclaw who was severely unbalanced in her studies, she even graduated with a 'T' (Troll) in Charms. She often had unconventional ideas but couldn't implement them.
"So, according to the directions or ideas on the parchment, experiment regardless of the outcome, you will receive an 'O' (Outstanding) at the end of the term."
An 'O' was an irresistible temptation for Lys.
By the weekend, she was standing by the lake with the Ravenclaw student, working on a water-related spell. To avoid excessive demand for precision in summoning water flow and releasing the operation, the Ravenclaw suggested experimenting right by the Black Lake.
Lys agreed, thinking it reasonable. The Ravenclaw girl also laughed, considering Lys a sensible and smart person.
But then the Ravenclaw stopped laughing. Their understanding of the spell was not as profound as they thought; the part after the Runes didn't mean "water gathered here" but "water gathered to this place."
The difference was huge!
It meant the target of the spell wasn't just a portion of the water but the entire Black Lake!
As the wand was raised and the spell was halfway through, the Ravenclaw realized the problem and was nearly scared to death.
If that were the case, draining both their magic and life force wouldn't be enough!
The Black Lake wasn't stagnant; it connected to countless waterways below, destinations unknown.
But the spell was already halfway released, and she couldn't sever the connection. She didn't want to risk her life for just an 'O' on her report card.
Her distraction further caused a loss of control over her magic, visibly paling her complexion.
Lys, although unaware of the specifics, hadn't realized the spell differed from their predictions.
But she knew she needed to sever the connection between the girl and the wand to prevent excessive magic drain or magical disarray.
Yet Lys was also at a critical moment in controlling the spell, so she could only kick the girl away, forcibly breaking her connection with the wand.
Finally able to focus on the magical fluctuations, Lys realized what the girl was panicking about, but now the girl was unconscious.
Lys had to rely on herself, trying to find a solution, as it was better than direct death.
She stepped onto a nearby boat, unable to move much but needing to avoid the girl being affected.
The lake's surface trembled, waves rising as the boat carried Lys towards the center of the Black Lake.
Thinking of the finite nature of a wizard's magic, Lys changed the distribution of her magic from the previously decided spherical shape to a line, focusing on controlling the nearest area rather than evenly controlling all directions.
The previous idea was to be both defensive and controlling, but now the goal was simply to successfully end the spell.
Feeling the endless replenishment of water, Lys decisively stopped following the direction of magic flow. She stood straight on the boat, covering her head with her left hand, and from her right rear to the top of her head, she drew with her right hand, a silver light shining at the wand's tip, cutting off more magic diffusion.
Her face whitened slightly; the transformation of magic was abrupt but manageable, no major issues.
On the lake's turbulent surface, a water column rose beside the boat, shooting skyward. Lys struggled to maintain her balance, avoiding being thrown into the water by the rocking boat.
Then, she clearly articulated the spell, "Water gathered to this place, follow the power's command, churn." Each Rune uttered drained a portion of Lys's magic, and the water snake spiraled from the lake surface, making Lys's small stature seem insignificant, yet her magical fluctuations made her impossible to ignore.
Students playing by the lake watched the spectacle, and older students, recognizing the spell's formidable energy, ran to fetch teachers.
These were beyond Lys's control; the water guided by magic flowed like wolves herding sheep within the water column, rushing in all directions, refracting different lights, shimmering, with surface ripples resembling scales.
In a brief moment, the fish caught in the water flow were shredded into blood and flesh by the blender-like currents, staining the water snake with a hint of red.
Feeling the long-repressed magic, stabilized by magic stabilizers and her own restraint, being freely unleashed, Lys's lips curled into a smile. The wand swung, and the unyielding killing intent raged around Lys.
At that moment, on the vast lake surface, a small swaying boat seemed to hold the surrounding world at her fingertips. With a flick of the wand, everything could be torn apart, including...
Lys forced herself to restrain the illusion of controlling everything, waving her wand for the final closure. The water snake occupying much of the Black Lake gradually ceased its internal churning, returning to silence, then scattered from the sky, the lake surface, and above the boat.
Feeling the spell's conclusion, Lys slowly lowered her wand, exhaling the breath she'd held in her chest.
"Cough, cough... cough," Lys suddenly realized the rapid flow of magic had destabilized her breathing, like running while chanting a spell and knitting a sweater, but...
Lying on the boat, head tilted, Lys decided never to drink magic stabilizers again, opting for such a release when control was lost.
Exhilarating, utterly exhilarating. Now she felt everything wasn't so difficult, and the weight within her body wasn't as heavy.
Her cloak dipped in the water, Gaben lay on her chest, Lys resting her head on her arm against the boat's side, gazing at the clouds in the sky, their ebb and flow.
Until Professor Flitwick's head appeared beside her and Professor McGonagall's voice asked, "Child, are you alright?"
"Professor, never better," Lys replied. "There's a Ravenclaw student by the shore; she might be severely drained of magic and fainted."
Professor Flitwick quickly maneuvered two boats ashore, taking Lys and the unconscious girl straight to the infirmary.
Lys had no issues, even feeling refreshed, but the girl wasn't well, needing two weeks of hospital stay to recuperate.
"I'll explain to Professor Babbling; you devised the main idea, and I executed it. I believe we'll both get an 'O'," Lys earnestly assured the Ravenclaw girl about the grade plan.
Though there were some flaws, no matter how big, the professor had said, regardless of the outcome, an 'O' (Outstanding)!
Lys counted on her fingers; now there were three courses guaranteed to receive an 'O': Transfiguration, Runes, and Astronomy.
With more effort, she could achieve it in Charms too. If Potions were possible, it would be even better. She planned to have the Ravenclaw girl inquire about last year's fourth-year exam questions.
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