I Heard You Can Instakill Me?

Ivan and Snape's use of powerful charms and exquisite fighting skills was an eye-opener for the assembled wizards.

A few of the more courageous Gryffindor students wanted nothing more than to get closer so that they could get a better look, but under Professor Flitwick's constant berating, they had no choice but to give up on the idea.

"I didn't know magic could be used like this!" Hermione exclaimed as she watched Ivan and Snape re-use the aftermath of each other's magic more than once, infusing it with new magic before returning to attack the other.

"Yeah, I didn't know Professor Lockhart was that good!" Ron's eyes were wide as he stared at the stage where Lockhart was fighting Snape.

"But it looks like Snape is better and Lockhart is losing," Harry added.

The young wizards around him nodded in agreement, as did Professor Flitwick, who thought Lockhart was on the brink of defeat.

Lockhart, who had used Polyjuice Potion to change into Ivan, scowled in displeasure. He felt that Ivan-Hals had gone too easy on him during the battle and was letting him down for spending three thousand Galleons!

Hearing the whispers of the young wizards, Lockhart said loudly and disdainfully, "You think too little of him. Snape would be dead by now!"

Lockhart's high-pitched voice echoed through the hall and everyone turned to look at him strangely, even the two professors.

"Ivan, how did you know that Professor Lockhart wasn't using his full strength?"

Lockhart cleared his throat and was about to come up with an excuse when Hermione grabbed his right wrist and stared at him.

"Wait, where's the bracelet you've been wearing?"

How should I know? Lockhart panicked. Ivan had not given him that thing, so he had to make it up.

"Well… I've temporarily loaned it to someone…"

"Who did you lend it to?" Hermione was even more suspicious.

Lockhart avoided looking at Ivan in the duelling ring, but Ivan, who was fighting Snape, did not have a bracelet or anything of the sort.

Lockhart's lack of response, coupled with Hermione's persistent questioning, made the two professors acutely aware that something was amiss.

At any other time, it would not be a big deal for a young wizard to act strangely.

However, things were different now. After the attack at the school yesterday and the fact that the killer had not been found, Lockhart's unusual behaviour attracted their attention.

Fortunately, a disembodied voice came from the crowd.

"He lent me his bracelet."

Luna struggled to get out of the crowd, and when Hermione and the others turned to look at her, she waved the Aura of Magic in her right hand, causing the bone to rattle against each other.

Hermione pursed her lips and fell silent.

Flitwick and Professor Sprout noticed the change in Hermione's expression, and their eyes lingered on Luna for a moment longer before they finally dismissed their suspicions of Lockhart.

During this time, the situation in the duelling arena changed again.

Ivan, who had managed to hold his own against Snape for a while, was on the brink of collapse, as the young wizards in the audience speculated.

As the attacker, Snape had no intention of holding back. He took advantage of Ivan's mistake in not reacting in time and cast several spells in quick succession, tearing through the layers of Armor Charms and the defensive cloak…

Finally, Snape flicked his wand and a red light flashed.

"Expelliarmus!"

The Disarming Charm hit its mark, and Ivan was forced to take a dozen steps back, almost falling off the platform. The runes on his protective cape dimmed, and he was unable to use it for some time.

Most crucially, Ivan's wand fell out of his hand and into Snape's.

Ivan frowned. He had a much more powerful wand in his sleeve, but it was obviously inconvenient to take it out.

At this point, he has lost…

However, to Ivan's surprise, Snape threw the wand back at him.

Ivan reached out and took it, looking at Snape doubtfully, not quite sure what he meant…

"You gave me a chance before, and I'm giving you a chance now…" Snape said slowly, glancing at Lockhart before turning to Ivan.

"I heard from Hars that you can kill me easily, but without using your full strength? I'd like to see that!"

Yvonne's mouth twitched. She had heard Lockhart's loud speech, but she had not expected Snape to take it seriously.

"Professor Snape, are we trying to show the children a wizard's duel? It would be best if we restrained ourselves," Ivan said tactfully, knowing that it would be beneath him to admit defeat.

"Restraint? No, that won't be necessary. I think we'd all rather see something bloody." Snape's face darkened, believing Ivan to be agreeing with Lockhart.

Snape snapped his head around and addressed the crowd of young wizards.

"Everyone, get back twenty meters!"

"In case your Professor Lockhart's magic is so shocking that it reaches you…" Snape added mockingly.

"Stand back and do as Professor Snape says!" Flitwick commanded loudly, ordering everyone to retreat to a safe distance from Lockhart's super-magic.

Several mischievous young wizards, as well as Lockhart's die-hard fans, shouted.

"Professor Lockhart, we support you!"

"Professor Lockhart, you're the best!"

…

Ivan, who was standing on the duelling stage, did not know how to get off the stage when he saw everyone looking at him expectantly.

If he had his own modified unicorn wand, which could also be activated to cast an enhanced version of the Thunderbolt Explosion, Snape would have been able to block it.

'But I can't do that now. I can't expose my blood magic, can I?'

Yvonne wanted to strangle Lockhart for speaking out of turn.

Snape grew impatient and raised his wand to strike first.

The doors of the exhibition hall were slammed open.

The sudden noise ruined the mood, and everyone turned around to see Filch barging into the room, looking flustered and frightened.

"Attacked! More children attacked! In the third-floor corridor!"