I didn't go back to my lab.
Didn't open Herpo's notes.
Didn't touch the cloak.
For once…
Research could wait.
The training hall was already filled when I arrived.
My students stood in uneven lines—some nervous, some curious, some clearly excited.
Luna stood near the front.
Of course she did.
I didn't ease into it.
Didn't soften my tone.
"Wands up."
The room snapped into motion.
"Today," I said, pacing slowly in front of them, "we stop pretending magic is a game."
Silence.
Good.
They were listening.
"You've learned theory. You've learned basic spells."
I stopped, turning to face them fully.
"That's not enough."
A few of them shifted nervously.
"It won't save you," I continued.
"It won't protect you."
My voice lowered slightly.
"And it definitely won't keep you alive."
That landed.
I could see it in their faces.
Luna's expression sharpened.
Focused.
Determined.
Good.
I raised my wand.
"Shield charm."
A shimmering barrier snapped into place in front of me—dense, layered, far more refined than the basic version they'd been taught.
"This," I said, tapping the shield lightly, "is the difference between walking away…"
I flicked my wand—
A bolt of magic slammed into the barrier and dispersed harmlessly.
"…and not."
I dropped the shield.
"You are all learning this properly."
A student near the back raised a hand hesitantly.
"…Professor, we already know the Shield Charm."
I looked at him.
"No," I said flatly.
"You know how to cast a weak barrier that will shatter the moment it's tested."
A flick of my wand—
A training dummy animated in the center of the room.
"Watch."
I pointed at one of the students.
"You. Cast your shield."
They stepped forward nervously and raised their wand.
"Protego!"
A thin barrier formed.
I nodded once.
"Good."
Then I flicked my wand.
A simple, controlled blast of magic—nothing impressive.
The shield shattered instantly.
The student stumbled back, eyes wide.
I turned to the class.
"That's what happens," I said calmly.
Silence.
I stepped forward again.
"We're fixing that."
The next few hours were… intense.
I didn't go easy on them.
Didn't lower my standards.
"Again."
"Stronger."
"Control your output."
"Feel the magic—don't just throw it."
I moved between them constantly—correcting stances, adjusting wand angles, refining their control.
When someone's shield failed—
I made them do it again.
And again.
And again.
Until it didn't.
Luna was different.
Of course she was.
She picked it up faster than the others.
Her control was already better—thanks to my training.
Still…
I didn't go easy on her either.
"Too slow," I said, deflecting her shield with a quick spell.
She frowned slightly, adjusting immediately.
"Again."
Her next attempt was stronger.
Cleaner.
Better.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
"Good," I said quietly.
She straightened slightly at that.
Cute.
I turned away before I got distracted.
Focus.
Hours passed.
By the end of it, every student in the room was exhausted.
Sweating.Breathing heavily.
But their shields?
Stronger.
More stable.
Actually usable.
I lowered my wand, looking over them.
"This is just the beginning," I said.
A few of them groaned quietly.
I ignored it.
"You're going to learn combat magic."
"Defense."
"Survival."
My voice hardened.
"Because out there?"
I gestured vaguely beyond the castle walls.
"No one is going to protect you."
Silence.
I let that sit for a moment.
Then—
"You're dismissed."
The room practically collapsed into movement as they staggered out.
Luna lingered.
Of course she did.
I didn't look at her immediately.
I could feel her watching me.
"…You're pushing them hard," she said softly.
I exhaled slowly.
"Not hard enough," I replied.
A pause.
"…Something happened," she said.
Not a question.
I glanced at her.
She was looking at me carefully.
Concerned.
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then I looked away.
"…Yeah."
Silence stretched between us.
"I'm fine," I added quickly.
She didn't look convinced.
But she didn't push.
"…Your shield improved," I said, changing the subject.
Her expression softened slightly.
"Because of you," she said.
I smirked faintly.
"Obviously."
She smiled a little at that.
For a moment…
Things felt normal again.
Then—
From the nearby corridors—
A scream.
Followed by laughter.
Low.
Cold.
I didn't even need to look.
"…Salazar," I muttered.
Luna blinked. "Is that—?"
"Yes," I said flatly.
Another scream echoed faintly.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"…He's teaching."
Luna looked slightly concerned.
"…Is that normal?"
I thought about it for a second.
"…For him?"
I shrugged.
"Yeah."
She didn't look reassured.
I glanced toward the direction of the noise… then back at her.
"…Different methods," I said simply.
Another scream.
I grimaced slightly.
"…Very different methods."
Luna was quiet for a moment.
"…I'm glad you're my teacher," she said softly.
I blinked.
Then smirked faintly.
"Yeah," I said.
"You should be."
But as I looked toward Salazar's side of the castle again…
I knew one thing for certain.
Whatever was coming next—
My students would be ready for it.