Shield Charm!

{Slytherin Common Room, Hogwarts, Somewhere in Scotland}

{09:31 PM, 1st Sept, 1988}

Rigel looked through his stats, he wasn't that far off from grinding another level, so at the very least he could start learning Year 3 level spells soon.

'Let's try it out right now, I need to focus on learning the shield charm as soon as possible.'

The Charms were taught in Hogwarts from the book, Standard Book of Spells, written by Miranda Goshawk. While there were some charms that were in the grade 2 book, like the flippendo, which is taught in Hogwarts in year 1. The distinction between the Grade 3 book is quite clear.

Rigel moved towards his trunk, his trunk wasn't a fancy one, but it still had 3 compartments, one for potions, one for clothes, and one for books. The Grade 3 book was on top of the pile so he quickly grabbed it and settled down on the bed again. Like every time he read through the description again, even though he could almost recite it word for word, after reading it a dozen times by now.

...

'''...In the enchanting world of magic, where spells and charms intertwine, one of the most crucial defensive tools at a wizard's disposal is the Shield Charm. Renowned for its protective properties, this spell acts as a magical shield, safeguarding the caster from various forms of magical attacks and some physical projectiles.

The Shield Charm, also known as the Protego Charm, forms an invisible, semi-permeable barrier in front of the caster. Its primary function is to deflect or block incoming spells, curses, jinxes, and other magical projectiles aimed at the caster. When properly cast, the Shield Charm creates a magical force field that intercepts and disperses the incoming magical energy and projectiles, preventing harm to the caster.

The Shield Charm requires precise wand movement, and incantation, along with a clear focus of intent. Typically, the incantation "Protego" is used, although variations of the charm exist, such as "Protego Horribilis" for stronger protection against dark magic or "Protego Maxima" for an amplified shield. Mastery of wand control and concentration greatly influences the effectiveness and strength of the shield.

While the Shield Charm is an essential defensive technique, it is not without limitations. It can be overcome or penetrated by particularly powerful or specialized spells called shield breakers. Additionally, sustained attacks or overwhelming force can gradually weaken the shield, eventually breaking through. The Shield Charm also requires constant concentration from the caster, making it challenging to maintain during extended battles or when under intense pressure...'''

...

He read through the introduction one more time before focusing on the wand movements listed under the description of the spell.

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'''...successfully cast the Shield Charm, or Protego Charm, the wand movement is an important aspect. While the exact wand movement may vary slightly depending on personal style and interpretation, the following general guideline can be used:

-Begin with your wand held firmly in your dominant hand.

-Raise your wand to about chest level, pointing it slightly upward at a 45-degree angle.

-Move your wand in a swift, diagonal motion from the lower left side to the upper right side (if you are right-handed) or from the lower right side to the upper left side (if you are left-handed).

-As you perform the diagonal movement, imagine drawing an invisible line in the air with your wand.

-Keep your wrist firm but flexible, allowing the energy to flow smoothly through your arm and into the wand.

-Maintain focus and concentration on your intent to create a strong shield.

Remember, wand movements are often combined with the incantation "Protego" to cast the Shield Charm effectively. Practice and experimentation can help refine your wand movements to suit your personal style and enhance the potency of your spellcasting abilities...'''

...

'I'm right handed so a diagonal upward slash would do, the incantation is protego, the shield should only be used against spells, and it is generally not used to defend against transfiguration and other physical attacks as it is a little weak to physical damage.'

Rigel opened his stats once again and dumped another 5 points in WIS, he lifted his wand and focused on protecting himself, after stabilizing his thoughts he slashed his wand upwards diagonally and incanted, "~Protego~"

A semi-translucent barrier flickered in front of him as he concentrated, the shield stabilized because of his intent. After a brief moment, Rigel let go as a new notification appeared in front of him.

...

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[Spell Learned {Shield Charm}]

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[Shield Charm(Active) Lv-1 (0/10)]

[The Shield Charm, also called the Protego Charm, is an essential defensive enchantment frequently employed in the wizarding realm. This spell manifests an imperceptible protective barrier encircling the spell caster, serving as a bulwark against the onslaught of magical assaults. By redirecting and obstructing incoming spells, curses, hexes, and other enchanted projectiles, the Shield Charm functions as a safeguard, shielding the user from harm.

-10 Mana/min.

25% success rate.]

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...

Rigel read through the description and looked at the Mana cost, he gained 25 Exp from that cast, he did some mental gymnast and calculated that he could get 600 EXP in one sitting if he leveled up using the shield charm compared to 480 he would get if he used any other grade 2 spell, and just 240 if he used a grade 1 spell.

'Alright at least I am progressing, I should learn the other grade 3 spells before focusing on leveling up my shield charm to level 3.'

The problem came when he thought about mastering the shield charm, Rigel had leveled up the Levitation charm to Max level before and it took him a long time since every cast only gave 1 EXP towards the spell. While he gained 3 exp for every cast of the shield charm, the spell also cost 10 times more than the levitation charm.

'Even without much calculation, I can figure out that the shield charm would be 3 times more difficult to master. Though its cost should go down after it levels up so that's a plus.'

Rigel sat comfortably on the bed and opened the book toward his next target, the freezing Charm.

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'''...Glacius is a freezing charm commonly used in the wizarding world to create a sudden, localized drop in temperature and conjure ice or frost. This spell is particularly handy for freezing or solidifying liquids, extinguishing fires, or creating icy surfaces for various purposes.

To cast the Glacius charm:

-Grasp your wand firmly in your dominant hand.

-Visualize the area or object you want to freeze or cover with ice.

-Concentrate your focus on the sensation of cold and the desired outcome.

-Utter the incantation "Glacius" clearly and with intent.

-Direct your wand toward the target, aiming to channel mana through your wand.

The Freezing Spell would be successful when a burst of icy-cold air would be created from the tip of the caster's wand...'''

...

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AN- Another day another chap!