205- Rhys, Fight Me!

    "Scourgify!"

    "Ventus!"

    "Tergeo!"

    The three professors cast spells one after another, clearing the dust in the Great Hall.

    The young wizards and witches in the audience wiped the dirt off their faces, straining their eyes to make out the scene on the platform.

    Gemma emerged from within the platform, the soil sliding off her robes like water. In no time, her robes were spotless. The person who had just been burrowing through the earth now appeared even cleaner than Daphne, who was hovering in midair.

    Seeing this, Daphne couldn''t help but recall the scene in the underground room last year. Back then, the mud on the ground had slid off her feet in the same way.

    If Gemma had truly transformed the platform into that same substance, Daphne realized she would have no chance of winning.

    She looked down at Gemma, who stood amidst the ruins of the platform, head raised as she stared back at her.

    Gemma''s face was pale, and Daphne noticed her hand clutching the wand was trembling uncontrollably.

    It seemed that Gemma, like Daphne, could no longer sustain the same level of performance as before.

    As Daphne had anticipated, Gemma had indeed reached her limit. While the strain of controlling the soil was significant, the more critical issue was that she had underestimated the power of Daphne''s spell—or perhaps overestimated the defensive capability of the soil. In the previous explosion, it seemed her leg had been fractured.

    The intense pain made it impossible for her to focus, let alone continue attacking. Even casting a Shield Charm to block Daphne''s spells was out of reach—she couldn''t move and was left standing there, defenseless.

    "I''ve lost."

    "You win."

    "Eh?"x2

    The two declared forfeits simultaneously. Gemma knew she could no longer fight, while Daphne felt that continuing the battle was pointless. Besides, using the necklace to secure victory felt somewhat unsportsmanlike.

    If Gemma had encountered Rhys earlier, Daphne was certain she would have been the one thoroughly defeated tonight.

    With both participants forfeiting, Professor Flitwick declared the match a draw.

    Daphne descended to the ground and walked off the platform alongside Gemma, who had temporarily mended her fractured leg.

    "Haah~ Truly remarkable. I thought I was one of the best among the students, but you''ve taught me a lesson," Gemma said, unable to hide her awe at the strength of the new generation.

    "I just relied on external help. If we kept going, I definitely would''ve lost," Daphne replied, attributing her victory entirely to the necklace.

    "Rhys Lint?" Someone''s gaze landed on the quiet Rhys, who was casually observing the matches.

    "The guy whose exam scores were just a few points lower than Daphne''s?"

    "Yes."

    "Not really, though. Do you think everyone can be like that Greengrass?"

    "But hasn''t that Lint guy been hanging out with her in the library all the time? Maybe Daphne''s taught him a bunch of useful spells!"

    Ugh...

    Rhys heard every word of the conversation behind him, but he remained as still as a log.

    What a joke—who would want to go up there?

    Forget breaking Rowena''s seal, even being spotted by Barrow or Helena would be humiliating enough!

    The gathering became increasingly lively. Fred and George even went up together for an exhibition match, showing off all kinds of prank gadgets they had developed. They turned the event into a perfect stage for advertising their inventions.

    Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, the evening''s Dueling Club gathering came to an end.

    "Miss Greengrass, your grand prize will be mailed to you later," Professor Flitwick reminded Daphne in his sharp voice.

    After the event, the students began leaving the Great Hall, heading back to their respective common rooms.

    Rhys was slightly delayed as he stopped by the dueling platform to dig out some of the soil used for its construction. By the time he left the Great Hall, satisfied with his collection, it was almost completely empty.

    "Rhys."

    As he stepped out of the hall, Daphne emerged from the shadows, calling out to him. Astoria followed closely behind her, clearly also wanting to speak with him.

    "Is there something you need?" Rhys turned to look at Daphne. "It''s late—it''s time to sleep."

    "Fight me!" Daphne drew her wand, her gaze fixed intently on Rhys. "I know you''re strong... Please, let me see how big the gap is between us!"

    At Daphne''s request, Rhys responded with a smile.

    _______

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