Chapter 12: Schuyler

Compared to other schools within the entire wizarding world, Schuyler resembles more of a military house. It not only teaches what other houses do but also imparts unique knowledge that sets it apart. In terms of courses, Schuyler offers lessons in spells, potions, transfiguration, history, combat, defense, alchemy, and survival. Unlike Hogwarts, there is no dedicated Defense Against the Dark Arts class at Schuyler. Instead, Dark Arts and Defense are covered under the umbrella of Charms, Combat, and Defense.

The herbal class at Schuyler delves into a variety of plants, except those that are hallucinogenic, poisonous, or pose certain risks when burned. These are integrated into the study of spells, with many falling under the categories of potions and alchemy. For Schuyler students encountering obstructive plants in the wild, a common approach is to burn them with fire or, if necessary, use Fiendfyre. Students are educated about a limited set of plants that should never be burned.

The focus at Schuyler shifts heavily towards practical instruction in combat and defense. Students learn how to fight, defend themselves, and handle different adversaries, aiming to either defeat them or avoid being overcome.

Schuyler's students face challenges beyond other wizards; they encounter not only other wizards but also various magical creatures and races. While vampires and werewolves are noteworthy, more significant concerns arise from races that have historically clashed with wizards, such as elves. Schuyler subjects students above the age of seven to the Cruciatus Curse and Imperius Curse monthly, particularly targeting elves.

Veela, a captivating magical creature, has a profound effect on adult male wizards. Their singing and dancing induce longing and elation, making male wizards eager to please and gain the attention of Veela. However, most male wizards, save for those with exceptional willpower, find themselves powerless against Veela's influence.

Veela's abilities draw parallels from elves, who possess even stronger enchantments. Elves can achieve what Veela does but to a more potent extent. Breaking an elf's influence on a wizard's soul requires a more potent stimulus than a mere slap; the Cruciatus Curse is needed. While this invention was designed to counteract elves' hold on wizard souls, the excruciating effects of the curse limit its practicality.

Schuyler is dedicated to producing elite wizards, essentially a wizarding army committed to combat. Maintaining vigilance against former adversaries and adhering to ancient traditions, Schuyler subjects students to the Cruciatus Curse to develop resistance and endurance. Although the process is harsh, it ultimately benefits the wizards, honing their magical fortitude.

Precise control is necessary when using the Cruciatus Curse and the Imperius Curse, striking a balance between potency and harm. Casting these curses on Schuyler's students requires adept wizards proficient in manipulating magical power.

Schuyler exclusively admits young wizards who've experienced magical surges before the age of seven, ensuring a high standard of students. From the age of seven until graduation, the regimen includes monthly sessions of the Cruciatus and Imperius Curses—twenty-four Unforgivable Curses annually, with only a fifteen-day Christmas break. Mistakes incur additional "meals," as Schuyler's students call them, involving extra sessions of the curses.

"When do you feel you're losing your mind?"

"Any second now."

or

"Already gone."

This serves as a daily greeting among Schuyler students.

Isn't it chilling? Though the recovery under the Cruciatus Curse accelerates, the unbearable agony remains constant. The perplexity from the Imperius Curse and the unpreventable monthly occurrence of the Cruciatus Curse foster an exceptionally oppressive atmosphere, causing Schuyler's students to exhibit varying degrees of abnormality.

"Yes, that's it," Salim chimed in, "If you come across a seemingly 'normal' Schuyler student, it's best to steer clear. They're either teetering on the brink of madness or possess a volatile disposition that's best avoided."

(⊙⊙)

"When did you return?" The three exclaimed in unison, completely oblivious to Salim's arrival.

"During the time you were intently studying Neville's face."

...

Salim's demeanor shifted to a more relaxed expression. "In a nutshell, Schuyler is a house that places significant emphasis on practical combat skills. I can say without exaggeration that five Schuyler students about to graduate could easily outmatch this entire school in terms of combat prowess." He chuckled briefly. "Of course, excluding the professors. However, Schuyler isn't solely focused on cultivating combat wizards; even those without inherent combat talent can excel in potions or alchemy."

The caliber of Schuyler's students surpasses that of Hogwarts in several aspects—talent, awareness, and the quality of education. Yet, the educational objectives of Schuyler and Hogwarts diverge entirely. One concentrates on honing combat abilities, while the other... well, you get the idea.

"To be honest," Salim sighed, "Sigule's teaching is exceptional in terms of depth and quality. They carefully impart magic knowledge, theories, and skills that remain inaccessible to the outside world. Whether or not you grasp it is a different matter." Salim crossed his arms and gazed at the ceiling. Another sigh followed. "Truthfully, if it weren't for the Cruciatus Curse and the Imperius Curse, I might never have set foot in Hogwarts."

"Is it... really challenging?" Draco inquired.

"I probably managed to cast the Cruciatus Curse when I was in third grade," Salim replied, glancing at Draco. "Why don't you give it a shot sometime?"

Draco hesitated before responding, "I think I'll pass. Experiencing the Cruciatus Curse isn't high on my to-do list."

"Alright, let's steer clear of that topic," Salim declared, rising from his seat. "Assuming nothing else..."

Wait, am I inadvertently setting the stage for something?

"Bah! You're going to have ties with that school for the rest of your life. Anyway, get up! Today, I'm going to teach you some battle spells." Salim promptly wrapped up the conversation.

In an adjacent room furnished with cushions...

"For an introduction to combat spells, there's nothing more fitting than the Disarming Curse," Salim stated, brandishing his wand to face the trio.

As the three retrieved their wands, Salim nodded. "First things first, you need to establish a comfortable wand-holding technique."

A skilled combatant can assess an opponent's prowess by observing their wand grip. Most wizards grasp their wands entirely with their palms. Though this might not be conspicuous in everyday situations, it becomes a glaring disadvantage during duels. The full grip restricts wrist mobility and provides little room for rotation. When aiming at an adversary, the wrist naturally bends downward, an awkward and unnatural posture. In combat, this inhibits smooth adjustments as opponents shift positions.

While an ordinary wizard employs a "holding" grip, those adept in combat opt for "pinching" or "clamping." "Pinching" entails gripping the wand body between the thumb, index, and middle fingers. "Clamping" involves using two fingers—index and middle, or middle and ring—to secure the wand. Both techniques liberate the wrist and facilitate greater movement range, significantly aiding combat.

Salim

's explanation left the three in mutual astonishment. They hadn't realized the intricate nuances of wand-holding.

"Careful observation will reveal that Professor Flitwick uses the 'pinching' technique, while Professor McGonagall opts for 'holding'," Salim revealed.

"Does that mean Professor Flitwick is skilled in combat, while Professor McGonagall isn't?" Draco questioned.

Salim nodded affirmatively. "If you're familiar with Professor Flitwick's background, you'd know he was once the national dueling champion. As for Professor McGonagall, no offense to her intellect, but an academic wizard like her might falter after just a couple of moves in an unprepared duel."

"Alright, before I delve into teaching the Disarming Charm, let me ask: does anyone among you have dragon heartstring cores in their wands?" Salim inquired, directing his gaze at Draco and Hermione. "Neville gave me his wand, so I don't need to ask him." Salim acknowledged the question's abruptness but stressed the importance of clarifying this detail before practicing the disarming spell.

"My wand does have a dragon heartstring core," Hermione replied, her confusion evident. "How does that relate to wand technique?"

Distinct woods and cores confer unique qualities to wands. Dragon heartstring cores lean towards dark magic, diminishing the potency of spells fueled by positive emotions. Dragon-core wands can also become less loyal to their masters over time. Salim examined Hermione's wand attentively. "Vinewood? Then there shouldn't be an issue. It's an intriguing combination."

"Salim, you know a lot about wands?" Draco expressed his surprise. While he considered Salim knowledgeable, Draco hadn't expected him to delve into the enigmatic field of wand lore.

"I dabble, to some extent, more than you guys," Salim admitted, returning Hermione's wand. "Vinewood, also known as ivy, yields a wand exceptionally loyal and unwavering to its owner. However, given its dragon core's potential disloyalty... that's why I find the combination intriguing. Your nature seems to be a contradiction, Hermione."

"Alright, since everything's in order, let's proceed with learning the Disarming Curse," Salim gestured, inviting the three to gather closer.

"The Disarming Curse falls within the category of spells so streamlined that they can't be further simplified. I'd wager you'll master it after a couple of tries. The incantation is 'Expelliarmus.' It's as straightforward as it gets. Go ahead and give it a shot."

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