The news spread like wildfire.
"Enter at your own risk if you have a weak mind." This brief warning only stirred even more curiosity.
There are always those who are not afraid of hardship, and always those eager to prove themselves.
The first student to step into the new arena was Percy Weasley. Just as he had said, the Head Boy should set an example.
Behind him followed a nervous Hufflepuff and two curious Ravenclaws.
The arena was no longer a familiar scene.
It simulated a dim, filthy alley. The walls were covered in graffiti, and the air carried the pungent smell of rotting garbage and some kind of inferior potion.
Cold rain silently fell from the illusory night sky, instantly soaking the hems of their robes.
The next second, a figure slowly formed at the end of the alley.
It was a middle-aged wizard in tattered black robes and a hood. His eyes were cloudy and fierce, his wand crookedly pointed at Percy, and a malicious grin stretched across his lips.
This was a typical vagrant Dark Wizard, a scumbag lingering on the fringes of the black market who specialized in ambushes, and one of the lowest-level "materials" Sagres used for his Memory Projections.
"You lot," the Dark Wizard said, jerking his chin toward the students, "what are you doing here?"
The question came abruptly.
They froze, not expecting the other party to speak or question them.
"Uh… Professor told us to come." A Ravenclaw behind Percy answered hesitantly.
"This is part of the curriculum," Percy added with a frown.
"Curriculum?"
A strange distortion flashed across the face of the Memory Projection when he heard this answer, as if he had just heard the greatest joke in the world.
Then he swaggered toward them, craning his neck to look them over.
The students stiffened. They did not understand this so-called practical exercise, and they knew nothing about what a Memory Projection was.
Was this hooded man their target for the exercise?
But he had not attacked them.
Just as the four of them exchanged uncertain glances, the Memory Projection spoke again.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A dazzling green light burst forth without warning, instantly striking Percy, who was still trying to understand the situation.
He did not even have time to raise his wand.
The attack came so suddenly that while the others were still stunned, a white light appeared, instantly enveloping Percy and pulling him away from where he stood.
"Reducto!"
Another swift red light shot forward, aimed directly at the Hufflepuff.
There was no warning, no bow, and no clearly announced spell.
Only a pure and despicable sneak attack.
"Protego!"
The leading seventh-year Ravenclaw reacted extremely quickly. A glowing shield from the Protego spell flashed in front of him, but the Mirror Dark Wizard's attack was not aimed at him.
Another white light flashed, and the Hufflepuff also vanished.
The remaining two let out short screams.
"Don't just stand there! Like Professor said! Move!"
The only girl in the group was the first to shake off the shock. She rolled to the side, dodging another whistling spell, and raised her wand to counterattack at the same time.
"Stupefy!"
Only then did the battle unfold in the ugliest way possible.
The Mirror Dark Wizard's attacks were erratic but extremely vicious. He cast the Killing Curse, Cruciatus Curse, and blasting curses with ease. He even tried using Transfiguration to turn the sewage on the ground into venomous snakes that coiled around their ankles.
At the same time, profanity and crude taunts constantly poured from his mouth, trying to disrupt the two students' concentration.
This was completely different from any duel or dungeon challenge the students had experienced.
There were no puzzles, no fixed patterns, only a determined enemy using dirty tactics and doing everything possible to "kill" them.
Although they knew it was not real, the shriek of spells cutting through the air, the debris from explosions striking obstacles, and the emotionless cruelty in the Mirror's eyes placed immense psychological pressure on them.
The remaining boy, panicking, was a moment too slow with his Protego and was grazed on the arm by a Diffindo.
The simulated surge of pain made him cry out, and his wand nearly slipped from his hand.
"Haha! Two little brats who can only hide and run. Go join your companions in hell!"
The Mirror Dark Wizard's insults were somewhat limited. At least in Sagres's opinion, there was still plenty of room for improvement. But that was fine; it could be adjusted later according to actual situations.
"Stay steady! Attack together!"
The girl became the temporary commander. She cast several Impedimenta spells in succession to restrict the Mirror's movement, while constantly urging her only teammate to seize the chance to attack.
Finally, after several clumsy dodges and scattered counterattacks, a Stupefy struck its target.
The Memory Projection twisted and dissipated into the cold rain.
The battle was over.
The two survivors collapsed onto the cold, wet ground, gasping for breath. Their robes were completely soaked with cold sweat and rain, and their faces still carried lingering fear.
"Haah.. huff.. haa.."
Although they had won, there was no joy of victory, only a bewildered sense of having survived a disaster.
The simulated rain instantly vanished, and their robes became dry again.
Sagres's figure silently appeared at the edge of the arena.
"How do you feel?" His voice carried no emotion.
"…Completely different." The girl wiped the water from her face, her voice still slightly breathless. "He… he didn't follow any rules at all. Much harder to deal with than a troll."
"Trolls rely only on instinct, but he…" Sagres's gaze swept over the still-shaken students, "he enjoys your fear, and he will use it. Remember this feeling, because it is very likely what you will face in the future."
The news spread quickly.
The experience of the four-person team made all the students realize the terror of this so-called "practical exercise."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were discussing it animatedly by the fireplace in the common room.
"We have to try it." Harry's eyes were bright, his tone firm. "Lower years can participate. I heard even Ginny, Luna, and Astoria have already been there…"
"But, Harry," Ron said, his face pale, "it doesn't sound good. Everyone who's participated has been tight-lipped about this so-called 'Memory Projection'…"
"That's exactly why we should go see it!" Harry insisted.
Hermione closed the Introduction to Magic in her hand, her expression serious. "If we encounter the real thing next time, at least we won't be like… the prefects…"
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Ron's objections, and he fell silent.
On the other side, Malfoy leaned lazily against the sofa in the common room, raising an eyebrow at the burly Goyle.
"If they can handle it, I can definitely do it better."
He looked eager to try.
"But we haven't even passed the Magic Ruins Exploration yet," Goyle grumbled. "Those people don't want to team up with us."
"No one wants to? Then go find Potter and Weasley," Malfoy said indifferently. "And it would be best to add Granger. That makes five people."
"Potter? Why?" Goyle was stunned. "Will they agree?"
"Why wouldn't they agree?" Malfoy sat up straight, speaking as if it were obvious. "Didn't I save him on the Quidditch pitch last time? Isn't that worth a little… interest? This is called venture capital, understand? A Muggle term."
Goyle struggled to process the word, his face twisting in confusion. "You call that… that… what's it called… repaying kindness with hostility!"
"Repaying kindness with hostility?" Malfoy was taken aback. Then he frowned and tentatively corrected him, "You mean taking advantage of a favor?"
"Yes, that's the word."
"Ha, you're right!" Malfoy snapped his fingers, looking quite self-satisfied. "I am taking advantage of a favor. He owes me. What's the problem?"
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