That was the person Allen had only recently learned about from Zongze, the Dark Arts Defense professor at Mahoutokoro, a wizard named Professor Xue Ba.
The young wizards of Mahoutokoro described him as… indescribable, yet undeniably a highly competent professor.
And now, this guy was standing right in front of Lockhart, wearing a grin that practically begged to be punched. Even after almost sending Lockhart to the hospital a moment ago, there wasn't a trace of embarrassment on his face. Instead, his expression radiated the confident arrogance of youth, like he was silently saying, "I see you, young man." Maybe it was the lingering stiffness from his failed attempt to appear serious, which made him even more likely to attract trouble wherever he went.
But Allen was determined not to let that happen. From the magical traps set on the dummy earlier, it was clear this guy was not just powerful, he was a master of malicious cunning, lacking the noble restraint of a true expert.
Damn it, the magical world is getting harder and harder to survive in, weren't we supposed to live simply and use our spells only for disarming?
The moral standards are gone; the magical world is doomed!
This professor didn't even seem aware that his sneak attack had failed. He casually patted the still-shocked Lockhart on the shoulder.
"Keep it up, young man. You've earned my recognition, though your strength is still lacking a bit."
With that, he assumed a satisfied old-man expression and walked back toward the camp, hands behind his back.
"Phew…" Allen let out a long sigh, barely restraining himself.
God, I so badly wanted to strike him from behind just now. That swagger was more obnoxious than a walking ember, that smile more infuriating than Teemo, that expression… worse than facing a bottom lane under fire!
So, without the professor noticing, Allen silently made a decision: Damn it, from now on, every Dark Arts Defense class will be aimed at him. Cause chaos, flip tables, this guy cannot be allowed to steal the spotlight!!!
Yes.
SMACK!
Allen leapt down from the tree, and Lockhart, still stunned, didn't even react before hitting the ground. Simple as that.
Allen was far stronger, and combined with the element of surprise, even Voldemort would have felt that hit. Targeting Lockhart like this was basically cheating.
Since you performed so well earlier, I won't slap your face just yet, Allen thought, pulling several small vials from his pocket, transparent bottles filled with various potions, clearly the type no one liked.
"Oh, sorry, Professor. I know you tried your best, but Felix Felicis doesn't always work. Compared to failing all at once, I'm sure you'd prefer this," Allen muttered, pouring all the potions into the mix.
Then, with a flick of his wand, a bonfire appeared on the ground, roasting the poisonous mushrooms he'd taken a tiny bite of. Food poisoning? Well, what can you do?
He planned to stir a little commotion here, have someone discover a poisoned Lockhart, and let events unfold naturally.
However, after completing everything, Allen's wand emitted a rushing sound as he cast:
"Collapse!"
The red spell struck a watery shield, causing ripples before dissipating entirely.
"Young man, you shouldn't act with such rage, resorting to magic so quickly is very impolite," came a calm voice.
"You dare say that? Professor Xue Ba?" Allen retorted bluntly, indeed, the Dark Arts Defense professor of Mahoutokoro had been provoked into action.
At this moment, Allen lost his urge to continue attacking. The time, place, and circumstances weren't ideal, Lockhart was still lying there, and an unexpected arrival could ruin everything.
"Cough, cough… do young people today have no respect for their elders?" the professor said, stroking his wand with a seemingly harmless smile. But with a THUD, Allen felt a faint energy impact on his Iron Armor spell, hardly powerful, but almost imperceptible.
"Oh, dear professor, could you explain what that spell just was?" Allen asked, smiling outwardly, while inside, countless alpacas were running wild in his brain.
This was the most shameless opponent he had ever met. A masterful wizard, capable of overwhelming ordinary students, yet relying on silent, invisible, spiteful magic instead of raw force. You're basically playing your top-tier hero account with voice chat muted, how cheap can you be?
Allen reacted loudly:
"Incendio!"
A massive blaze hurled toward the professor, while several vines stealthily slithered from the undergrowth under the cover of flickering firelight. Allen hadn't intended to escalate, but the professor forced his hand.
Yet his opponent was a veteran of subtlety. After a flurry of chaotic maneuvers, Allen's attack failed entirely.
"Hey, little one, skilled indeed, lurking in a tree for so long! Honestly, if it weren't for your heavy breathing, I might not have even noticed you. But you've forgotten your place. As a student, your magical technique may exceed your peers, but your raw magical power is far less than an adult wizard's.
So, as a professor, I feel obligated to explain why wizards value magical power so much, and why English wizards under eleven can't even enter wizarding school, it's because your magic is too weak to control your spells."
…Allen's mind went completely blank. You can't be this sleazy.
A professor, openly clashing with a student, and yet the message is clear: I won't fight properly; I'll just drain you with raw magical power.
Allen had to admit, the professor's magic level was among the top he'd seen, even including Dumbledore, but instead of directly hurting others with refined spells or overwhelming force, he relied solely on his magical capacity to dominate a student. Does your conscience not ache?
Of course, Allen ignored the fact that this professor's magical power could easily crush adult wizards and his combat skills outclassed ordinary wizards.
But Allen still couldn't use high-level magic, if he went all out, it might summon Dumbledore and the others to watch the fight. Suicide without backup. Hence, the professor hadn't resorted to high-level spells either.