Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe, as Ravenclaw students, found it deeply embarrassing to be caught slacking off in class by their own Head of House.
The two quickly turned back around, pretending to be diligent, studious pupils, and began practicing the Cutting Charm on their wooden sticks.
Kyle, on the other hand, showed no trace of embarrassment. He boldly approached Professor Flitwick to ask about the principles behind the Cutting Charm.
"Professor, I don't quite understand. Why is it that just reciting the incantation and waving the wand can produce the Cutting Charm?"
As he spoke, Kyle glanced at the wooden stick in Cho Chang's hand beside him—it had already been neatly sliced in two.
Meanwhile, the stick in Kyle's hand remained exactly as it had been when it was handed out.
Before Professor Flitwick could respond, Kyle hurriedly continued, "From a literal perspective, the Cutting Charm is about splitting an object apart. From a physical standpoint, it's as if you're using a sharp object, like a knife, to cut it."
Professor Flitwick listened with a smile.
"But when I watched you and Cho perform the Cutting Charm, I didn't sense anything like a knife cutting through. It's as if the object splits apart on its own from within."
Professor Flitwick's smile widened.
"So, does that mean the true principle of the Cutting Charm is to use magical energy to act on the molecules of the stick, disrupting the attractive forces between them or pushing them beyond their binding range, thus achieving the cutting effect?"
Professor Flitwick's smile froze.
"How should I control my magical energy to achieve this effect?"
Professor Flitwick: ???
What in the world is this kid asking?
Every word, every letter Kyle said made sense individually, but strung together, Flitwick had no idea what Kyle was talking about.
Did a basic spell like the Cutting Charm really require this much overthinking?
Wasn't it just a matter of waving your wand, chanting the spell, and—bam—the thing gets cut?
Professor Flitwick was indeed a Charms master, but his research into spells certainly didn't involve analyzing them from the perspective of Muggle physics.
Still, for the sake of his dignity as a professor, he couldn't let himself be stumped by a student.
Flitwick put on a serious expression, which, to Kyle, looked like he was deep in thought, carefully choosing his words.
After a futile internal struggle, Flitwick gave up.
He forced a dry smile. "That's the power of magic. You simply need to channel your intent into your wand and command it to cast the spell."
Kyle stared at Flitwick: Are you serious?
Flitwick stared back at Kyle: Why is this kid looking at me like that? Is he questioning my expertise as a Charms master?
A crow flew past the window, cawing twice, amplifying the awkward atmosphere surrounding them.
A few black lines seemed to slide down Kyle's forehead. This magic is way too idealistic, isn't it?
When he performed Water Release ninjutsu, there was a clear process to follow: his magical energy transformed into water elements, which he then shaped into, say, a shark. That was the so-called "big spit"—no, the Great Shark Bullet.
Whether that process adhered to the law of conservation of energy or other physical principles, Kyle wasn't sure, but at least it was traceable.
The Cutting Charm, though… it was just inexplicable.
Kyle carefully chose his words before finally asking the crux of the matter: "So, Professor, is the essence of magic just… making your wishes come true?"
Professor Flitwick's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, exactly! You've summed it up perfectly."
If that's the case…
Kyle picked up his wand again, aiming it at the wooden stick on the table in front of him. He slowly channeled his magical energy into the wand.
At the same time, he sent a powerful intention to his wand: Cut it!
Kyle felt the magic within him surge wildly into the wand, as if it were about to drain him dry. Thankfully, the drain stopped quickly.
A dazzling beam of light shot from the tip of his wand, striking the stick. Its momentum didn't stop there—it continued onto the wooden table beneath.
A brilliant red glow enveloped the entire table.
Crack!
The table, now split in two, crashed to the floor.
Thud…
The sound of books hitting the ground followed.
Kyle stared blankly at the desk. What just happened?
Snapping out of it, he scrambled to prop up the table while quietly asking Professor Flitwick, "Professor, does this mean my Cutting Charm was a success?"
A success?
It was beyond a success—this Cutting Charm rivaled Snape's Sectumsempra!
Flitwick wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow. "I think you might not have controlled your magical output properly. Don't be discouraged—let's try again. Reparo!"
The desk Kyle was holding reassembled itself under the Reparo spell, fitting back together seamlessly, as if it hadn't just been cleaved in half.
Kyle couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of magic.
After summoning another wooden stick, with Flitwick's encouragement, Kyle began his second casting attempt.
He reflected on the mistake he'd made during his first try.
When he had channeled his intent into the wand, he felt his magical energy mobilize on its own, much like the sensation he'd experienced earlier that day at the wand shop.
Judging by Ollivander's reaction—the professional wandmaker—Kyle's magical reserves seemed far larger than most.
In other words, while others had chakra, he had kilograms or even tons of chakra.
That must be why his spell was so much more powerful than others'.
If that was the case, he needed to rein in his magical energy when casting spells, ensuring it didn't pour out uncontrollably.
Otherwise, with a Cutting Charm like the one he'd just cast, if it hit a person, the whole school might be holding a feast… for the wrong reasons.
With this realization, Kyle tried the Cutting Charm again.
After three or four more attempts, he finally managed to control the spell's power to a level comparable to that of an average wizard.
Professor Flitwick nodded in approval.
To master the Cutting Charm in a single class period, without any prior training in wand movements or incantation techniques, was an astonishing feat.
What terrifying talent.
Having grasped the Cutting Charm, Kyle began to ponder Flitwick's earlier words.
If the essence of magic was making wishes come true, could he define the Cutting Charm's effect differently by altering the intent he sent to his wand? Could he make it manifest in a new way?
An idea struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Kyle switched from holding his wand with one hand to both hands. As he infused it with magic and intent, an invisible blade of magical energy extended from the wand's tip.
Death is like the wind—always by my side!
The path is long, with only my sword as my companion!
Grabbing the wooden stick and tossing it upward, Kyle closed his eyes, sensing the flow of air as the stick fell.
In that moment, he felt like the Wind Swordsman himself!
In that moment, he was Hogwarts' Joyful Wind Man!
As the stick, in free fall, descended before him—he moved!
Face the wind!
Draw! Slash! Sheathe!
"Hassake!"
The falling stick was sliced cleanly in two by the wind-like flash of his strike, landing powerlessly on the table.
Thud…
Flitwick looked at the stick, its cut surface smooth and precise, then at the invisible blade extending from Kyle's wand. His face twitched.
Is this the Cutting Charm?
IS THIS THE CUTTING CHARM?!
Even Snape's Sectumsempra wasn't this outrageous!
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