Chapter 7: Lv. 2

{ August 4. 1991, Backyard of the Black Manor }

The morning sun peeked over the horizon, its rays filtering through the few gossamer clouds. Mordred stood alone in the stone courtyard, utterly focused. His eyes were closed as he extended his wand, feeling the flow of mana course through him.

"Incendio," he commanded, his voice steady and sure.

An explosive torrent of orange flames burst forth, more potent than any he had previously conjured. The fire roared from his outstretched wand, a massive churning inferno that filled the entire courtyard. The scorching heat made the air shimmer as the stones beneath began to glow red.

Mordred held the spell for a long minute, muscles tensed from the exertion of maintaining such an immense conflagration through sheer force of will. Finally, he dropped his arm, allowing the flames to dissipate in a swirling tendril of smoke.

[ Fire-Making Charm has reached Level 2! The spell can now be cast without wand movements ]

A small smile played across Mordred's lips as the notification appeared. He had pushed past the limits, achieving a new level of mastery over the Fire-Making Charm through relentless practice. No wand movement was required any longer - he could direct the mana itself into roaring life.

His smile widened as he considered the advantages of such an ability, both in combat and more general applications. Truly, the potential was -

A light applause broke him from his thoughts. Mordred turned to see Narcissa standing at the courtyard entrance, observing with plain approval on her face.

"Exceptional work, Mordred," she praised. "You've achieved an impressive degree of skill in remarkably short time. However, you mustn't neglect the Counter-Charm."

This was true, he had only practiced the Incendio Spell and had completely neglected the Water-Making Charm. It wasn't even on the level for the system to register it. And he needed a counter, since what should he do if he was met with an Incendio Charm against himself. Burn the other party to crisps before he would die on the burns himself?

Leaving him alone to practice The Water-Making Spell, "Later I'll show you ways how you can still further improve your Fire-Making Charm."

...

What had started as a cool morning had gradually given way to the baking afternoon sun. The long shadows stretching across the courtyard, had shrunk and wandered, the bright rays beating down from directly above. The unrelenting heat hazed the air, making the very act of breathing feeling like drawing in an oven's blast.

But Mordred was rather unbothered by the heat, why would he? He was casting the Aguamenti Spell the whole morning and noon. The cool water had lessened the temperature around him making it neither to cold nor to warm. By now the water jet was pretty consistent, not erratic like before. The system had given him the notification that he learned the spell around a hour ago.

[[ Spells ]]

[ Charms ]

[ Fire-Making Charm Lv. 2 ( 1,5% ), Wand-Lighting Charm Lv. 1 ( 45% ), Water-Making Charm Lv. 1 ( 12% ) ]

[[ --- ]]

"Mordred", the crisp voice of Narcissa sliced through the muted atmosphere as she reappeared in the courtyard entrance. "I see, you have made the Augmenti Spell yours as well. Excellent."

Her gaze drifted over the soaked stone and puddles briefly, before locking on her nephew once more ...

"Earlier when you practiced Incendio, I said you have still room to improve". Chanting the incarnation, she moved her wand and the flames to the figure of a crow that flew through the air, no longer connected with the tip of the wand. "With control over the spell, any spell will become exponentially more powerful. Lack of control leads to unwanted destructive consequences, like you can see", letting loose of the spell, the crow began to erratically expand until it exploded, igniting a tree in near where the bird had been. "True power comes from precise application, not mindless force, if you concentrate the flames the result is multiple times as devastating as when you just let it go", Narcissa lectured. "Your power grows, but so must your control in wielding them. For your next task...".

She pointed to a small cloth target dummy standing nearby. With a flick of her wand, it transfigured into a snarling ape, all gnashing fangs and raking claws. "Subdue this construct using only your Incendio. Cauterize and restrain it, without allowing the flames to extend beyond its form. Prove you can both summon and control your fire." Mordred eye the magically animated beast, warily as it turned its hate-filled gaze his way...