In the Room of Requirement was James alone. It had been several days since the incident where he knocked Anastasia out.
He had to serve a one-hour punishment for his bad luck. Very annoying since he couldn't use that time for anything useful. The marauders these days were very understanding.
When James needed people to practice with they would volunteer and train until James was satisfied. If he wanted to study alone they would leave the room without him having to say a word.
'They are good friends...' thought James with a slight smile.
The room of requirement had a circular area to train with magical dummies and another area to study comfortably. On the floor of the training area were eight swords resting.
James had been practicing his telekinetic ability. Currently, the maximum number of swords he could control was eight. Each sword weighs 4kg. A total of 32kg.
When he entered the vault for the first time, he could only control five swords, after that first battle and fighting to exhaustion, he was able to control two more swords. In the last battle against the Ice Golem, he was able to raise his limit from seven swords to eight.
From that day on he could not raise one more sword no matter how hard he practiced. It is as if there is a limit that he cannot go beyond.
He kept practicing to improve control and to be able to be more precise when you move eight swords with your mind. His goal was to be able to use all eight swords and at the same time use his wand without limitations.
'In the end, Wingardium Leviosa was much easier,' thought James.
When he discovered his telekinetic ability, he compared it to Wingardium Leviosa. He thought that the weight he could move with the levitating charm was the same as with his telekinesis, but that was not the case.
First of all, his telekinesis has nothing to do with Wingardium Leviosa. When he moves an object with his mind without a wand and non-verbally they don't think of the levitatory charm theory.
Secondly, it is easier to increase weight with Wingardium Leviosa. With this charm, you can already lift objects of 80kg. A higher weight, although it is not as useful, and fast as telekinesis.
'Should I put myself in critical situations to push my limit and expand the weight I can handle?' thought James, and it seemed logical to him.
If he trained normally it would take longer to see a result so he had to be patient and keep training until he managed to add yet another sword to his arsenal and so on.
Moving on to another topic James picked up a sword and looked at the blade. Specifically, the engraving of ancient runes on the blade.
'The blade is already wearing out,' James thought with a frown. Although the sword could cut spells it didn't seem to have great endurance after the battle in the ice vault.
James got three swords with ancient runes that could cut spells. He then got an axe, a spear, and a mace that also had the same ancient runes.
All three swords he had used in his battle against the ice golem and they were already worn out. It seemed that in a couple of fights, they would self-destruct.
'Looks like it's not so easy to cut spells,' James thought ruefully. It would be very useful if they had the durability of a normal sword and could also cut spells.
James' telekinetic ability in a death match against a mage is very useful and gives him a great advantage, but add to that sword that cuts spells, and the advantage he will have will be much greater.
Normal swords can be destroyed without much difficulty. A Reducto, a Depulso, a Diminuendo, or a Diffindo and problem solved. There are many useful spells to get rid of normal swords.
However, this does not detract from the fact that James would have a huge advantage if, in addition to his wand, he could control eight swords while fighting an opponent. Since the latter will have to pay attention to the swords trying to cut his head off and James' spells.
If the strength of both is equal James' victory is assured thanks to his telekinetic ability.
'I'd better train until I can use all eight swords and the wand at the same time' thought James. So, far he could only use five swords and his wand.
He put that issue aside and headed for the study area. From his wallet, he pulled out the dark arts book he had gotten to learn what his enemies would use.
He opened it to a specific page and read the subtitle with a frown. It was about a dark spell. Specifically, a dark defensive spell called: Protego Diabolica.
This is a powerful spell that allows the user to create a protective ring of black fire around him that completely incinerates the enemies of the caster who came into physical contact with the fire.
The curious thing was that the black fire left the caster's allies unharmed. The black fire followed the will and intentions of the caster so it would not harm his allies no matter how much they were hit by the fire.
'A defensive and offensive spell at the same time,' thought James with a hard expression. He was debating whether to learn this dark charm or not.
His preconceived thinking had him rejecting dark magic. He was prejudiced against dark wizards who used these charms to perform evil deeds. Such as the Death Eaters who murdered innocent wizards and Muggles.
But thinking about it carefully a question was formulated in James' mind which was the following: Is magic to blame?
No. It is the fault of the people who use that magic for malevolent purposes. That was the answer he came to.
Dark magic is generally considered to be any type of magic that is used primarily to cause harm, exert control, and kill people.
In the books he read they categorized dark spells into three groups: Jinxes, Hexes, and Curses.
Jinxes were irritating, but fun. A minor type of dark magic. They had the least severe effects of the three.
The Flipendo is considered a Jinx. Does that mean that James and almost the entirety of the students at Hogwarts are dark wizards? No.
There are many jinxes used by all Hogwarts students whether they are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin.
The same with hexes. There are many of the hexes that are used in duels. Following the same logic, all wizards who dueled once must have used some sort of these spells so they should be considered dark wizards. It did not make sense.
James would be considered a dark wizard from the age of eight. He even used Redoubt which was considered a curse. The most heinous of the three groups.
This doesn't make sense. Who was the person who made the classification? The entire magical world would be considered a dark wizard.
For James, this type of magic does not make you a dark wizard. You are a dark wizard depending on how you use it. If you murder innocents and you're a psychopath you're a dark wizard.
'I guess they did that so people wouldn't try to learn it...' thought James with a thoughtful expression. This way they could avoid conflict, though it didn't work at all.
Even in the DADA subject, they were taught combat spells that were considered dark magic like Flipendo.
Although come to think of it if it were up to the Ministry or different pacifist authors at Hogwarts they would teach pure garbage that would be useless in a life-and-death situation. Like the books taught to them by Professor Eustace.
In a world where there is no conflict, there would be no need to learn this type of magic, but that scenario is impossible. So one way or another people will learn how to defend themselves and attack their enemy, as they will not stand idly by while they try to murder them.
However, James felt no dislike against charms such as Flipendo, Redoubt, etc. He knew that although they were considered Jinx, Hex, or Curse they were useful for deathmatches against psychopathic enemies.
The dislike he felt was for more advanced dark magic such as the three unforgivable curses. Specifically with Crucio and Imperius. Since one was a spell to torture and cause agonizing pain to the victim. Very unpleasant. Imperius didn't look favorably on it, as it leaves the victim without free will, and you could control them like a puppet.
As for the Avada Kedavra spell in a normal context, James would not learn this type of magic, but in a war that was getting closer and closer, he wasn't so sure.
In the war that Grindelwald waged there came a point where Aurors began to use Avada Kedavra, and not for that they were considered criminals and the same kind of evil people that started the war.
Why could his enemies murder without a second thought? By casting a spell that kills instantly and is impossible to defend against with magical methods.
James has to rack his brains to find a way to stop the curse, and his enemies can rest easy because they did not expect someone on the side of good to use such a curse.
James if he could avoid deaths would not cast Avada Kedavra without thinking, but if he finds himself on a battlefield facing multiple enemies who want to assassinate him the most effective thing to do is to assassinate in one hit, so that no accidents happen.
'Fine... I'll learn Protego Diabolica,' thought James determined. It will be difficult as it is advanced magic and needs great power, talent, and control, but he will add it to his study plan.
Defensive spells for a battle were few. Protego Diabolica served to protect his loved ones in a large area and at the same time wipe out his enemies. Or you could even use it to imprison your enemies or burn them and then remove the fire so they wouldn't die.
The use was up to each person. Learning it wouldn't put him in the same category as crazy Death Eaters who murder innocents for fun or stupid nonsensical ideals.
As for the Avada Kedavra, he has no time and prefers to leave it aside for now. Since a spell just for murder, he still views it with prejudice. Although the flames of the Protego Diabolica can burn you to ashes at least protect your allies. Even Diffindo can be used to quickly kill a person.
Usually, when you use a powerful spell in addition to powerful magic and talent you need intent. So for James, it would be easier to learn Protego Diabolica, as his intention to protect his loved ones is much greater than murdering a person.
One more ridiculous thing was that Occlumency was considered a dark branch of magic. Who was the idiot that classified it that way?
For wanting to protect yourself from perverted mind-readers would you be considered a dark magician? In any case, only Legilimency should be considered dark magic.
What do you want to read other people's minds and browse through their memories for? You are violating a person's privacy, and it is an unethical action.
'Stupid preconceived ideas and powerful people wanting to read your mind and have no way to protect yourself,' James complained as he began to study more emphatically the Protego Diabolica theory which was extensive.
Time passed, and James immersed himself in his study. Keeping his mind occupied with complicated things made him forget to some extent his state of sadness.