"You want to have a magical duel with me?"
Lockhart stared at Liam in complete disbelief.
After all, Liam looked like a child, while he himself was a famous adult wizard known throughout Britain.
"If you insist on forcing me into a photograph," Liam said calmly, "then I'd like to ask for a duel instead."
He gave a graceful bow and performed a proper dueling salute.
Lockhart paused to think.
The more he considered it, the more attractive the idea became.
If he defeated Liam here in front of an entire classroom, his reputation would soar even higher.
Liam Hale was currently recognized as a young hero throughout the wizarding world.
His exposure of Voldemort's plot had caused many witches and wizards to unconsciously overlook his age. Most adults felt ashamed when comparing themselves to him. At nine years old, Liam had already accomplished things they could never dream of achieving.
Many grown wizards still trembled at the thought of speaking Voldemort's name aloud.
Liam had exposed him.
Defeating such a famous young wizard would be an incredible boost to Lockhart's prestige.
More importantly, he never once considered the possibility of losing.
Liam was only nine years old.
If Lockhart had known Liam's actual record, he would probably have packed his bags and fled Hogwarts immediately.
Unfortunately, Lockhart was a deeply narcissistic man.
His practical magical ability was mediocre at best, and he had almost no experience dealing with genuine Dark Wizards.
Because of that, he had never heard the name whispered throughout Knockturn Alley.
The Black-Haired Reaper.
The Silver-Eyed Death God.
"Hahaha! Very well!" Lockhart declared grandly. "Let us have a friendly duel for educational purposes!"
He flourished his wand dramatically.
"Students, please don't worry. As a responsible and accomplished adult wizard, I certainly won't harm your beloved young hero. And if he happens to suffer any injuries, I shall personally heal them afterward with my extensive medical expertise."
Lockhart drew his wand with an exaggerated flourish.
"L-Liam!"
Hermione suddenly called out from the side.
Her face was filled with concern.
"Professor Lockhart is extremely powerful. He's defeated werewolves, vampires, trolls, and all kinds of dangerous creatures. Don't be impulsive."
Honestly, Hermione couldn't understand Liam's reaction.
If Lockhart had asked her for a photograph, she would have happily agreed.
No, she might even have paid for the opportunity.
After all, Lockhart was one of the most famous heroes in the wizarding world.
Still, after their time together in the library, she considered Liam a friend.
That was why she felt obligated to warn him.
"Then I'll have the opportunity to experience Professor Lockhart's strength for myself."
Liam smiled reassuringly at her before turning back toward Lockhart.
"Excellent!" Lockhart laughed. "That's exactly the spirit young people should have!"
As he spoke, he flashed another dazzling smile toward the girls surrounding him.
"Then we can begin, Professor?"
Liam asked.
"Of course, of course."
Lockhart waved his hand.
The girls quickly stepped back to create space, while many of the boys looked toward Liam with open support.
To be honest, Lockhart's endless attempts to charm every female student had already begun irritating them.
Of course, a few students were also secretly hoping to watch Liam embarrass himself.
Nearby, Cassandra calmly found herself a seat.
"Liam."
"Hm?"
"Do you intend to win?"
A faint frown appeared on her face.
"I refuse to allow you to lose to him."
She clearly disliked frivolous men like Lockhart.
The idea of Liam losing to someone like that made her uncomfortable.
Liam smiled.
"As you command."
Lockhart's expression immediately darkened.
An eleven-year-old girl asking a nine-year-old boy whether he planned to win against him?
And Liam accepting so casually?
The blatant disrespect nearly made him choke.
At that moment, Lockhart silently decided he would deduct points from Slytherin later.
Around them, excitement spread through the classroom.
Many students still remembered Liam's previous duel against Marcus Flint.
Unfortunately, that duel had ended before they could truly enjoy it.
Marcus had lost both his magical construct and his confidence, bringing the match to an abrupt conclusion.
Most spectators had been left unsatisfied.
This time was different.
Liam's opponent was Gilderoy Lockhart.
A world-famous wizard.
The anticipation in the room grew rapidly.
"Then let's begin with the salute."
Lockhart stepped forward and raised his wand in the traditional dueling stance.
Liam bowed gracefully once more.
The two stepped backward.
One step.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three!"
The instant the count ended—
"Expelliarmus."
A flash of red light shot across the room.
Before anyone could react, Lockhart's wand flew from his hand.
It spun through the air.
Liam casually caught it with his free hand.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Every student stared with wide eyes.
Nobody had expected the duel to end before it had properly begun.
Lockhart had been disarmed instantly.
For a wizard, losing their wand was almost equivalent to defeat.
Only exceptionally powerful individuals could cast magic wandlessly.
Lockhart certainly wasn't one of them.
Several students looked as though their brains had stopped functioning.
Even Hermione sat frozen in shock.
The famous Professor Lockhart had been defeated with a single spell.
A single spell.
"Ahem."
Lockhart coughed awkwardly.
His face had become noticeably stiff.
"With all due respect," he began, "I believe Mr. Hale's actions were somewhat inappropriate."
Liam blinked.
"Inappropriate?"
"Indeed." Lockhart nodded seriously. "A duel should embody fairness, honor, and sportsmanship. Launching an attack the moment the countdown ends is rather... unsophisticated."
Several students stared at him.
Even the Gryffindors looked confused.
That was literally how duels worked.
Lockhart continued speaking without the slightest shame.
"The truth is, I was preparing a countercurse specifically for Mr. Hale. However, I was concerned about accidentally injuring him."
He sighed dramatically.
"As a responsible adult, I chose to grant him the first move. Unfortunately, Mr. Hale is still young and unfamiliar with proper dueling etiquette."
Lockhart spread his hands.
"Perfectly understandable, of course."
The classroom became deathly quiet.
Many students looked increasingly bewildered.
A few Slytherins looked as though they were struggling not to laugh.
Liam could actually feel the corner of his eye twitching.
The shamelessness on display was honestly impressive.
Lockhart had somehow managed to transform a humiliating defeat into an act of generosity.
"Therefore," Lockhart continued confidently, "I believe we should simply end the duel here."
Liam stared at him for several seconds.
Then he slowly raised the wand in his hand.
"Here."
Using a Levitation Charm, he floated Lockhart's wand back toward its owner.
The wand hovered directly in front of Lockhart's face.
"Your wand."
Lockhart instinctively caught it.
Liam smiled.
"Consider that your first move."
Lockhart froze.
"Come on, Professor."
Liam pointed his wand toward the floor.
"You go first."
His smile widened slightly.
"Don't worry. I'll stand right here."
The provocative challenge immediately made Lockhart's expression change.
But after hearing Liam voluntarily give him the first move, he felt considerably more relieved.
At least he still had a chance to recover some dignity.
After all, he was a famous public figure.
If he suffered a complete defeat in front of an entire classroom and failed to regain any face at all, the damage to his reputation would be significant.
....
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