The crowd stirred upon hearing Seamus's name.
Everyone knew that no matter what magic spell Seamus used, he could always add a bit of explosive effect.
They were all very curious, eager to know what Seamus's Protective Shield would look like—would it be an Explosive Shield?
Neville took a deep breath, the tip of his magic wand trembled slightly, aiming at Seamus ten paces away.
Tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, as he struggled to remember the key points Harry emphasized in class—determined will, clear magical power, a protective intention like a shield.
"Alright, so... let's have Seamus attack first—" Harry raised his magic wand, speaking to Neville and Seamus, "Get ready—three, two, one!"
"Stupefy!"
Seamus's magic spell came at once, but Neville didn't practice in the Dueling House for nothing; his movements were quick, lifting his magic wand promptly to erect a hemispherical shield.
"Protego!"
Protego blocked Seamus's magic spell, and a pleased smile appeared on Neville's chubby face.
The students watching around showed surprised expressions; they didn't expect Neville would so effortlessly fend off Seamus's attack.
Isn't it?
Is this really Neville?
"I blocked it, Seamus!" he said happily.
"It's too early to be happy now!" Seamus said decisively, waving his magic wand again: "Expelliarmus!"
Just when everyone thought Neville wouldn't withstand it, Neville unexpectedly waved his magic wand again, deftly deflecting the spell.
The crowd watching gasped in surprise again.
Deflecting a spell with a magic wand, that was indeed a very advanced skill!
Is this still the Neville Longbottom we know?
"Well done, Neville!" Seamus praised enthusiastically, "Try this—Reducto!"
Neville awkwardly raised his magic wand, struggling to block Seamus's attack.
He panted heavily, hands on his knees, breathing deeply.
Blocking three spells just now wasn't too difficult, but he was truly stressed out moments ago.
"Catch your breath." Harry spoke up, "Next, you will switch attack roles—now it's Mr. Longbottom's turn to attack, with Mr. Finigan defending—starting in one minute!"
"Well done, Neville!" Gryffindor students called out, "You're amazing as we knew, we've always believed in you!"
Neville turned around, beaming at his classmates cheering him on.
A minute flew by, and Neville had caught his breath; he raised his magic wand, aiming at Seamus.
"Ready, Seamus? I'm about to attack!"
"Bring it on!" Seamus prepared his stance, waiting.
"Stupefy!"
Neville cast a decisive blow, a red spell with a sharp whistling sound surged straight toward Seamus.
Seamus was unfazed, lifting his magic wand, concentrating on imagining completing a two-hundred-percent protection—
But not worried, a far brighter and dazzling blue-white light suddenly erupted from the tip of Seamus's magic wand, forming a rapidly rotating, dazzling whirlpool-like barrier, positioned between him and the spell.
The surface of the barrier was not smoothly flowing like water; it violently churned and twisted, as if tumultuous energy inside sought exit aggressively.
On the edge of the barrier, even tiny golden-red sparks leapt, emitting a sizzling, disconcerting crackling sound.
Neville's Stunning Spell hit against this turbulent magical barrier.
Time seemed to freeze for a moment.
And then—
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion abruptly burst open in the empty arena.
Afterward, the shockwave from the explosion, centered on Seamus's barrier, swept violently in all directions, instantly engulfing the nearest Neville.
Poor Neville could only let out a shout of surprise before being tossed by the shockwave, his body flying backward.
Luckily, Harry intervened promptly, saving Neville.
The students watching also felt the impact, as the shockwave pushed them back several paces.
"Merlin's beard!" Ron shouted loudly, "Seamus! How did you do that! Is it really Protective Shield, or is it a bomb shield!"
"I—I was just thinking about putting up a barrier with a two-hundred-percent effect." Seamus sighed helplessly, "Sorry, everyone—I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
"It's really astonishing." Harry clapped his hands, saying, "I didn't expect, Seamus you could achieve this level, Merlin's trousers, your explosive barrier really leaves a strong impression—I'm saying, indeed it leaves a strong impression."
Just at this moment, a small puff of sulfur-scented smoke suddenly emitted from Seamus's magic wand tip.
"What more can I say?" Ron shrugged, saying, "Anyway, I absolutely refuse to duel Seamus in the future, goodness, I'm really afraid one of his spells will carry an explosive effect that might kill me..."
"Perhaps you can look at it more positively." Hermione, beside him, said, "Considering his and Neville's great friendship, they'll likely team up always, not someone else—unless some Dark Wizard encounters Seamus."
"Oh." Ron thought for a moment, lowered his head, saying, "Then I will mourn for that Dark Wizard for three seconds, hoping Merlin blesses his poor soul."
"Amen." Hermione too lowered her head in mourning.
"It seems your learning outcomes are quite good." Harry clapped, saying, "Besides the fifth graders, you should realize learning the Iron Armor Spell isn't difficult for you, right? Look, at least the current four here, all performed the Iron Armor Spell perfectly and excellently, do any of you sixth or seventh graders still think you're inferior to those in fifth grade?"