Alex hadn't slowed down his casting for a while, instinctively demonstrating skills beyond level two.
Judging from the reactions of the young wizards present, they seemed to understand.
"Now, let's move on to the third level of spellcasting," he said.
"At this stage, you should be able to cast the relevant spells quite proficiently, even without relying on the usual wand movements or incantations."
"You can perform spells with or without words, and it's normal to easily earn an Outstanding rating in spell tests."
"Most students at Hogwarts focus on raising their spell level to level 3 as their main goal."
After explaining this, Alex casually raised his wand, effortlessly levitating several objects into the air without any gestures or even speaking aloud.
"At this level, you can also start practicing various spell-casting techniques to enhance the effectiveness of your magic."
"The most well-known and practical techniques come from Barnabus Finkley, who devised seven major spell-casting methods: accumulating spells, hiding spells, pulling spells, fast and slow casting, cursing spells, multiple casting, and the Curse to the Ground."
"And of course," Alex added, "I'll be teaching you these techniques in upcoming lessons. But keep in mind, you can only begin learning them once your spell level reaches level 3, that's the minimum threshold."
Hearing this, the group of young wizards exchanged excited glances.
Spell-casting techniques sounded way more interesting than just regular charm lessons.
But none of them knew how long it would take to reach that third-level spell proficiency the professor mentioned.
Curious, they took out their wilson's arcane alchemica amulets to check their own spell levels.
Soon, they noticed just how many spells there were, and since Alex said the levels only improve by practicing the specific spell frequently, it seemed like a huge challenge to bring all their spells up to level 3.
"Professor, we've learned so many spells already. Isn't it really hard to improve them all? Should we focus on specializing in just a few spells instead," a Ravenclaw student raised his hand and asked.
"That's a very good question," Alex replied with a nod.
"It's true that a typical third-year student can know dozens of spells, and raising every single one to level 3 would be extremely difficult. But that doesn't mean there's no way to manage it."
Everyone fell silent, eager to hear his advice.
"The simplest approach is"
"To work on improving your intelligence attribute," he explained.
"The higher your 'magic sensitivity,' the easier it becomes to understand and grasp spells. So, boosting your intelligence will naturally help you learn more efficiently."
"And there's another thing: different wizards go through different stages in their magical journey. Have you noticed that some spells come to you easily, while others feel really obscure and hard to learn?" Alex chuckled softly as he asked.
The younger, less experienced wizards shrugged it off, but the older, more seasoned ones nodded knowingly.
They had already realized they were picking up certain types of magic surprisingly quickly, almost as if they were born to master them.
At the same time, other spells took much longer and more effort to cast successfully.
"In my book 'Tactical Training,' I discuss the concept of 'magic adaptability theory,' which highlights how different wizards respond uniquely to various types of magic. Some find Transfiguration easier to master, while others pick up Guardian Charms more naturally."
"Essentially, everyone has their own magical strengths and personality traits. Although this theory is still under study, we currently have no way to predict which spells will suit you best; you have to find out through experience."
"To improve your spellcasting, I suggest starting with simpler spells and gradually working your way up. Increasing your magical sensitivity can also help balance your adaptability."
"In short, if you want to level up quickly in spellcasting, boosting your intelligence is key."
"Today, I gathered all the students not only to introduce this system but also to spark their interest in tactical training."
"This course can be tough, and without motivation, many might give up. That's why I've prepared several work-rest plans aimed at helping students enjoy learning, even when it gets challenging."
"I'm realistic; I know not everyone can be as disciplined as I am."
As I spoke, I noticed the young witches and wizards beginning to shift their mindset.
Their eagerness to improve their attributes and levels started to outweigh their initial fear of tactical training.
Suddenly, Hermione, sitting in the front row, raised her hand eagerly.
"Professor, you haven't explained the last two levels yet! Is there anything special about the fourth and fifth level spells?"
I smiled.
"The fourth and fifth levels are still quite distant for most of you. Advancing from level three to four is much harder than moving from two to three. But I'll give you a brief demonstration."
"Reaching the fourth level means your spellcasting becomes almost instinctive. The entire process flows naturally, without conscious effort."
"The most striking difference is that you're no longer tied to your wand or even the incantation when casting spells. You can perform magic silently and without using a wand at all."
"Secondly, reaching a level 4 spell requires a strong spirit; it needs the support of your willpower to give it enough power. Take the levitation spell as an example: it works like this..."
Alex raised his left hand slightly and gave a small nod toward the Slytherin table on the left.
Instantly, the dozen or so wizards sitting there felt light as air.
Slowly, everyone in the hall began to float upward, as if they were in zero gravity.
Watching this, not only the young wizards in front but also the four deans behind Alex were stunned.
They hadn't expected him to have mastered even such a simple spell like levitation to this degree.
It's worth noting that levitating living creatures takes significantly more magic power, several times more, than just moving objects.
At first, the dozen wizards floating in the air were a bit startled, but as they got used to the sensation, they started enjoying it, playfully swimming through the air.
However, Alex didn't give them much time to have fun.
After his demonstration, he gently lowered everyone back down.
"When you reach level 4 spells, casting magic feels like doing whatever you want. Mastering this level also sharpens your overall spellcasting skills."
"So, wizards who can handle level 4 spells aren't just decent, they're quite skilled adults, especially if they can master one or two level 4 spells."
"That's so cool!"
Everyone watched Alex effortlessly cast spells, feeling a mix of admiration and longing.
They wondered when they'd be able to wield such power.
"What about level 5 spells?" Hermione, clearly impressed and eager, couldn't wait to ask.
Alex smiled, noticing how intense Hermione's curiosity was.
'How does such a sharp mind end up in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw?'
"Level 5 spells," he began, "mean the magic undergoes a real, qualitative change."
"First, the 'magic power conversion rate' would exceed 0.8, meaning the efficiency of casting spells would be incredibly high."
"Second, the spell's intensity would be above level 4, causing the effects of the super curse to multiply several times over."
"And in the end," Alex continued, "the spell will display abilities that ordinary magic simply can't achieve."
Gently raising his hand again, Alex suddenly floated into the air right before everyone's eyes.
At the same time, all the young wizards in the auditorium felt their bodies lighten and slowly lifted off the ground, as if they were light as feathers.
"This... this can't be real!"
The students gasped in amazement.
Flitwick, standing behind Alex, suddenly widened his eyes in surprise.
"Levitation spells aren't supposed to affect the caster!" he exclaimed.
Alex nodded approvingly.
"That's true for ordinary levitation spells," he explained, "but when a levitation spell reaches level 5, it breaks that limit. Basically, any spell, even a simple levitation charm, once mastered at level 5, becomes something extraordinary."
"Extraordinary spells?"
Flitwick's expression shifted thoughtfully.
Although he was a Charms professor and familiar with many spells like Alex's so-called level 4 ones, he had never encountered a level 5 spell before.
"This is incredible!" Flitwick admitted, clearly impressed by Alex's demonstration. "You've already surpassed me in exploring Charms at this level. Level 5 spells, it looks like I have a new goal now!"
Professor McGonagall, standing nearby, finally spoke up, curious since she had never heard of this concept before.
"How does a spell even reach level 5?" she asked.
Alex smiled sheepishly.
"To be honest, I haven't fully figured out the path to mastering fifth-level spells," he admitted. "The few level 5 spells I know came from accidents or sudden insights."
He wasn't exaggerating. Right now, he had only four level 5 spells: the levitation spell, an obstacle spell, a wild mine spell, and a fitness spell.
All of them had been discovered unintentionally.