Arriving in the entrance hall, Karl found Nina and Cho already waiting by the marble staircase.
Perhaps because he was late, Cho was squatting on the ground studying the marble's patterns, while Nina was leaning against the railing, twirling her wand.
"Good morning!"
"I don't think it's morning anymore!"
Ignoring Cho's complaint, Karl quickly introduced them.
"Nina Goldstein, Cho Chang, Ravenclaw first-years; Cedric Diggory, Summers Patridge, Hufflepuff second-years."
After they got to know each other, they decided to first locate the classrooms for the seven compulsory subjects.
Naturally, Summers led the way, Cedric and Cho walked in the middle, and Karl and Nina followed at the end.
Summers: (￣_,￣)
He didn't know why, but even though there were five of them together, he always felt a bit superfluous.
...
"You seem a bit different compared to yesterday."
Nina carefully observed Karl, her eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.
"You can tell that?"
Karl patted his chest and brought out Fire Treasure for her to see, "Let me introduce you to a new friend, my companion."
"Chirp?"
Fire Treasure looked at Karl blankly. He was sleeping, why was he called out?
"Oh my goodness! This is simply a miracle! How did you do it?"
Nina's eyes instantly widened, and she froze in place.
"Is it really that surprising?"
"Is this a Nature Spirit? No, it's not just nature power, there's something else…"
Nina reached out and poked Fire Treasure, which made Fire Treasure giggle.
Then, a scene that surprised Karl occurred: Fire Treasurevoluntarily jumped into Nina's palm, happily waving its hands.
"Chirp~"
Karl understood Fire Treasure's meaning; it sensed a strong natural aura from Nina.
"You…"
"Shh~"
Nina winked at him and handed over a Chocolate Frog card.
Karl took the card and saw that the character on it was Cliodna. He remembered Harry getting this card on the Hogwarts Express.
Cliodna was a famous Irish female Druid in the Middle Ages and an Animagus who could transform into a seabird.
Wait a minute! Natural aura… Druid…
Friend, do you have to be so mysterious!
"Nina, Karl, what are you doing?" Cho, who had walked far ahead, called out to them.
"Coming, let me introduce you to a lovely little friend."
Nina held Fire Treasure in one hand and pulled Karl with the other, chasing after them.
So, for the rest of the time, Karl, Cedric, and Summerswalked in front, while Nina and Cho played with Fire Treasure in the back.
Cedric occasionally looked back at Cho, wanting to say something but unable to, only looking at Karl speechlessly.
Karl: …
Don't look at me!
I don't want this either, big brother!
...
On Monday, Hufflepuff first-years had classes in the morning, but not until after eleven o'clock.
So Karl slept until half past ten, then dragged his two roommates to the Great Hall.
Except for weekends and evenings, Hufflepuff students did not go to the kitchens at other times.
Although it was convenient, the House-elves' enthusiasm was always overwhelming.
Karl also met Cedric and Summers in the Great Hall; they were covered in dirt and didn't look like they had just woken up.
"What have you two been up to?"
"Just finished Herbology Class, and then helped the Deantidy up the classroom."
Summers looked at Cedric with disdain and directly exposed his lie.
"We finished class ages ago, he insisted on dragging me along to wait until the Ravenclaw and Slytherin first-years finished their classes."
Karl: (¬_¬)
Cedric's face immediately turned red, and he stammered something about respecting teachers and loving labor, which made everyone burst into laughter, and the Great Hall was instantly filled with joyful air.
After breakfast, Karl, Shabi, and Stebbins rushed out of the Great Hall and headed straight for the Charms Classclassroom on the fourth floor of the Castle.
This class only had Hufflepuff first-year students, and most of them had already arrived.
Professor Flitwick, standing on a stack of books, warmly greeted them and soon began the class.
After calling roll, he led everyone in reading the definition and classification of spells, and then began teaching the Softening Charm.
This was a very simple spell, and many Young Wizards who had practiced during the holidays successfully cast it.
After class, Karl stayed in the classroom, looking at Professor Flitwick expectantly.
"Mr. Karl Olin, is there something you need?"
"Professor, I have some questions I'd like to ask you."
"I'd be delighted!"
Karl turned his notebook to a dog-eared page, "Professor, what is the effect of nonverbal casting and wandless casting on spellcasting?"
Professor Flitwick immediately smiled; too many Young Wizards had asked him this question.
"You want to know what effect it has on dueling, right?"
Karl scratched his head awkwardly, "Exactly, after all, you are the Dueling Champion!"
Upon hearing this, Professor Flitwick immediately perked up, liking Karl more and more with each glance.
"Hahaha! Those were things from my younger days!"
He looked at Karl with some emotion, recalling his youth, when he too was eleven…
"Nonverbal casting and wandless casting both represent a Wizard's mastery of spells reaching a very high level."
"However, for dueling, nonverbal casting is more helpful; it will give you an advantage."
"Of course, except for certain… spells that have a high demand for emotion and intent."
Karl instantly understood: spells like Avada Kedavra, Expecto Patronum, and Finite Incantatem felt more powerful the louder they were shouted.
"Wandless casting, on the other hand, is mostly used in situations where it's inconvenient in daily life, or in special circumstances where the wand is not present."
"After all, under normal circumstances, even a powerful Wizard like Headmaster Dumbledore would not choose to fight an enemy empty-handed."
"Karl, do you know the significance of a wand to a Wizard?"
After careful consideration, Karl replied, "Better communication and control of magic, and casting more stable and powerful spells."
Professor Flitwick clapped the table happily, "Exactly! That's right!"
"When a Wizard uses a suitable wand or certain special wands, it will make the spell even more powerful."
Like the Elder Wand? Karl remembered that thing seemed to give a great boost to a Wizard.
Recalling Professor Flitwick's teaching, Karl summarized: "Practicing nonverbal and wandless casting normally can improve proficiency in spells, but in a duel, it's still best to use nonverbal casting with a wand."
"Karl, there's another very important point."
Professor Flitwick asked again, "Do you know the four main conditions for a spell to be successfully cast?"
Karl remembered this question very clearly: "Wand movement, incantation, concentration, and intent."
"Correct. In a duel, not only must your intent be firm and your concentration maintained, but simplifying wand movements is also crucial."
Professor Flitwick flicked his wand, and the table next to Karl instantly split into Diffindo.
Then he lightly tapped it, and the scattered pieces of wood restored themselves into a table.
"See? Simplifying and nonverbal casting can speed up casting time and improve dueling ability."
Karl immediately leaned back in tactical retreat. Is this the true value of a Dueling Champion and Charms Master?
"Thank you, Professor!"
"You're welcome, you're welcome!"
Flitwick smiled and waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject, his tone somewhat expectant.
"I can also tell you about my experiences participating in the Dueling Championship back then, do you want to hear it?"
Karl: …
Alright then! This is valuable experience from a master!