17 Chapter 17: Time-skip: Swordsmanship, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, and Light Magic.

Years of Training - Ages 5 - 7

That morning after Solomon had breakfast, Solomon asked Jooby to take him to Gringotts and they met with Grimsnarl once more.

Solomon and Jooby made their way through Gringotts, their footsteps echoing in the grand hall as they approached Grimsnarl's office. The goblin account manager looked up from his work as they entered.

"Well, well, Solomon and Jooby. What brings you back to Gringotts this early?" Grimsnarl inquired, his sharp eyes glinting with curiosity.

"We've come to seek your expertise in improving the wards around the Mansa Manor," Solomon replied, taking a seat across from Grimsnarl.

"We want to ensure the safety and security of the estate," he continued.

Grimsnarl nodded approvingly. "Wise decision, lad. Wards are a powerful tool in protecting your property and loved ones. Let's get started then."

He opened a large tome on his desk, flipping through the pages until he found the section on advanced wards.

"Here are ten different wards with powerful abilities that you can consider," Grimsnarl said as he began listing them:

Sentinel Ward: A ward that detects and alerts the inhabitants of any unauthorized presence within the boundaries of the estate.

Fortress Ward: A ward that reinforces the physical defenses of the estate, making it resistant to magical and physical attacks.

Concealment Ward: A ward that shrouds the estate from prying eyes, making it invisible to those who are not invited.

Ward of Abundance: A ward that ensures the continuous flow of magical energy throughout the estate, enhancing spellcasting and rituals.

Binding Ward: This ward immobilizes any unauthorized person who attempts to breach the estate's boundaries, rendering them unable to move or cast spells.

Disorienting Ward: When activated, this ward causes confusion and disorientation among intruders, making it difficult for them to navigate the estate and find their way around.

Illusionary Ward: This ward creates convincing illusions to deceive and mislead intruders, making them believe they are encountering various obstacles and threats.

Disruption Ward: This ward disrupts an intruder's magical abilities, making it difficult for them to cast spells or perform any magical attacks within the protected area.

Expulsion Ward: When triggered, this ward forcibly ejects any intruders from the protected area, propelling them away with a burst of magical force.

Reflection Ward: A ward that reflects malevolent spells or curses back to their source.

Temporal Ward: A ward that manipulates time, slowing down or speeding up intruders to give the inhabitants an advantage.

Solomon listened attentively, taking mental notes of each ward, "These are impressive options. I can see how they would greatly improve the security of the Manor."

Grimsnarl nodded, "Indeed, they are potent wards, but they require skilled goblin warders to be properly cast and maintained. I'll send a team of our finest warders to the Manor and your other estates to apply these enhancements. They'll also oversee any necessary renovations to reinforce the structures".

Grimsnarl continued, "The more wards on a house the more expensive the service is. But, I do not think that should be a problem with all the galleons the Mansa estate holds".

Solomon expressed his understanding, "That should not be a problem at all, please take out what is needed for the service and an extra thousand galleons to be split between the warders as a tip. And thank you, Grimsnarl. Your assistance is a lot of help".

"It is my duty to ensure the safety of the account holders under my care," Grimsnarl replied with a rare hint of warmth, "You are a valued client, and we take the protection of your assets seriously".

With their business concluded, Solomon and Jooby bid farewell to Grimsnarl and made their way back to the Mansa Manor, eager to see the enhancements that would be made. The next few hours were busy with preparations and renovations as the goblin warders arrived to implement the advanced wards.

During this time, Grimsnarl visited the Manor to oversee the process and ensure everything was in order. Solomon was impressed by the dedication and skill of the goblin warders as they meticulously cast the protective enchantments.

As the wards were activated, the Manor seemed to come alive with newfound magic. A sense of security and serenity settled over the estate, and Solomon knew that he and Jooby were in good hands.

With the improvements in place, the Mansa Manor became a true fortress, safeguarding not only Solomon's heritage but also his future.

* * *

After the wards were set, Solomon and Jooby began their rigorous training within the protective walls of the Mansa Manor.

Solomon's mornings were spent with his grandfather Hugo, learning the art of swordsmanship. The imposing warrior taught him the importance of precision, agility, and discipline in wielding a blade.

Solomon stood in the spacious training room of the Mansa Manor, gripping a wooden practice sword tightly in his hand. Beside him, his grandfather Hugo Milstral Ravenclaw's portrait smiled warmly, his hazel eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Ready, Solomon?" Hugo asked, his voice emanating from the portrait, "Let's get started. Remember, it's not just about brute strength, but finesse and strategy as well."

Solomon nodded eagerly, positioning himself in a defensive stance. The room was equipped, with enchantments that allowed Hugo's portrait to temporarily inhabit the dummy for their training sessions.

As the hour struck, the magical dummy in the corner of the room began to shimmer and glow, it stood tall, its features magically animated to mimic human movements. Hugo's ethereal figure materialized within it. The dummy took on his grandfather's appearance, complete with silverish-blond hair and purple-hazelish eyes.

"Come at me, lad! Show me what you've got!" Hugo called out, his voice reverberating with enthusiasm.

Solomon lunged forward, engaging in a mock sword fight with the animated dummy. He parried and struck with all his might, putting the techniques he had learned from his grandfather earlier to use. Hugo's guidance and wisdom echoed in his mind as he gracefully maneuvered through the motions.

"Good form, Solomon!" Hugo praised, "Remember, it's not always about overpowering your opponent. Sometimes, a well-timed strike and strategic movement can be just as effective".

As the training session progressed, Solomon found himself immersed in the art of swordsmanship. He honed his reflexes, improved his footwork, and learned to anticipate his opponent's moves. Each minute, he felt himself growing stronger, not only physically but also mentally, as he absorbed the lessons from his wise grandfather.

"You're doing great, lad," Hugo encouraged, "but don't forget to breathe and stay focused. The key to being a skilled swordsman lies in maintaining a calm mind amidst the chaos of battle".

Solomon nodded, catching his breath, and resumed the mock fight with renewed determination. He felt a connection with his great-grandfather as he sparred with the animated dummy as if the legacy of the Ravenclaw lineage was flowing through him.

After an hour of intense training, the magical dummy returned to its inert state, and Hugo's portrait in the corner of the room resumed its liveliness. Solomon wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"That was excellent, Solomon," Hugo praised, "You have the potential to be a skilled swordsman and a credit to both the Ravenclaw and Mansa legacies".

"Thank you, Grandfather," Solomon replied, a mix of gratitude and determination in his voice, "I want to make both houses proud".

"You will, lad," Hugo assured him, his portrait beaming with pride, "Keep up the hard work, and your skills will only continue to grow, now go take a shower and have lunch. You still have lessons in the afternoon with Kwame".

Solomon nodded and went off to complete the tasks assigned.

* * *

After lunch, Solomon made his way into the Potion Room.

"Ah, Solomon, my boy, come in," Kwame greeted him with a warm smile, his portrait hanging proudly on the wall, "Today, we shall delve into the intricacies of transfiguration and the art of potion-making".

Solomon took a seat opposite the portrait, eager to absorb the wisdom of his great-grandfather. Kwame's knowledge of magic was vast, and he had witnessed decades of magical advancements.

"Transfiguration is the art of changing the form or appearance of an object," Kwame explained, "It requires a keen understanding of the object's essence and a delicate balance of intention and focus. To master this, we shall start with simple transformations".

The portrait's eyes glowed as he demonstrated a transfiguration spell, turning a feather into a flower. Solomon watched closely, analyzing the precise wand movements and incantations. Then, he took out his own wand and attempted the spell under Kwame's watchful gaze.

"Excellent, my boy. You have a natural talent for this," Kwame praised as Solomon successfully transformed the feather into a flower, "Remember, transfiguration requires both skill and imagination. Let your mind be open to the possibilities".

As the hours passed, Solomon's proficiency in transfiguration grew. He learned to transform objects of varying complexity, from simple shapes. With Kwame's guidance, he transfigured teacups into different shapes and other items such as plates and bowls.

With transfiguration done for the day, they moved on to Potion Making - Solomon followed along, taking note of every detail. He measured ingredients and followed Kwame's instructions with unwavering focus. It wasn't long before the potion began to take shape, emitting a soothing aura.

"Well done, my boy. You have a raw aptitude for potion-making as well," Kwame praised a hint of pride in his voice, "Potions can be powerful tools for healing, protection, and more. Use this knowledge wisely and responsibly". With his session in the afternoon done around 5, he made his way to his grandmother Edith.

* * *

In the evening, as the sun began its descent, Solomon would find himself in a cozy room with his Grandmother Edith's portrait. The room was adorned with warm tapestries and comfortable chairs, creating an inviting ambiance for learning.

"Ah, my dear Solomon, come and join me," Edith's portrait greeted him with a gentle smile, "Today, we shall delve into the realm of charms and light magic".

Solomon took a seat, feeling a sense of comfort and tranquility in his grandmother's presence. Edith had a soothing aura that seemed to envelop him, putting him at ease.

"Charms are spells that add certain properties to an object or creature," Edith began, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, "They can be used for various purposes, from everyday conveniences to protective enchantments".

She demonstrated a few simple charms, like the Feather-Light Charm(Locomotor Pluma) and the Mending Charm(Reparo), using small objects in the portrait as examples. Solomon watched attentively and practiced the incantations, under Edith's encouraging guidance.

"Good, my dear. You have the finesse that is needed with charms," Edith praised as Solomon successfully performed the charms, "Keep in mind, the key to effective charm work lies in concentration and intent. Let the magic flow from your heart to your wand".

As time went by, Solomon's charm repertoire expanded by as many as 10 charms that day. With Edith's guidance, he learned to charm objects to glow, change colors, levitate, and complete different sets of functions.

"Now, let's move on to light magic," Edith said, her eyes twinkling, "Light magic is a pure and powerful form of magic, harnessed from positive emotions and intentions".

She taught Solomon spells that radiated light, illuminating the room with a warm glow coming from the portrait. These spells were often used for protection and healing, spreading hope and dispelling darkness.

With Edith's guidance, Solomon learned to channel his emotions into light magic, allowing him to perform spells with more potency and clarity.

"Your heart is your greatest source of light, my dear," Edith said, her voice soft. She continued, "In moments of darkness, let your light shine brightly, and it will guide you through".

Edith not only taught him spells but also shared her knowledge of magical theory and history. She recounted stories of past Ravenclaws and the wisdom they imparted.

As the first rays of moonlight gently kissed the walls of the training chamber, Solomon found himself sitting with his great-grandmother's portrait, Edith Ravenclaw. The room was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, and the gentle whispers of magic surrounded them.

Edith's warm smile and wise eyes looked upon Solomon with affection. "You did exceptionally well in today's training, my dear," she said, her voice like a soothing melody, "You have the heart of a true Ravenclaw, always seeking knowledge and eager to learn".

Solomon blushed, feeling a mix of pride and humility, "Thank you, Grandmother Edith. Your guidance means the world to me".

"Your heart is pure, and your intentions are noble," Edith said.

"Embrace your curiosity and thirst for knowledge, for it will lead you to great heights. But always remember to be compassionate and kind, for true wisdom lies not only in knowing but in understanding and empathizing with others," Edith educated.

Solomon nodded, absorbing her wisdom like a sponge, "I promise to be mindful of my actions, Grandmother Edith. I want to use my magic for the betterment of others and the world". As the evening wore on, Solomon bid his great-grandmother goodnight.

As the weeks and months passed, Solomon continued his daily training with his grandparents. With each session, he gained more confidence in his swordsmanship, mastering various techniques and developing a unique style of his own. Acquired many skills in transfiguration and potion-making. Achieved much finesse in both charms and light magic.

And with that two years flew by...