Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 476, Section 474: Magic Built Inward
"I want you to understand it and learn how to use it."

Snape said.

He waved his wand, making slashing, snake-like movements.

A small flame burst forth from the tip of his wand, but it seemed to have a mind of its own, constantly seeking out and devouring the surrounding objects. As the discarded materials in the cellar were ignited, the flame grew larger and larger.

As it grew larger, some wild beasts also rushed out from it.

"Fiendfire can summon cursed, self-aware flames."

These flames will actively seek out and devour everything in their path, especially... life.

As the devouring progresses, the flames will transform into a gigantic monster.

It is extremely hot and incredibly destructive, one of the few substances capable of destroying anything.

Snape explained the Fiendfyre spell in a calm manner.

Amidst the flames, Sheehan could clearly sense that Professor Snape's control over Fiendfire was a level above that of Professor Quirrell.

Professor Quirrell was already struggling when the fire beast was fully formed.

Professor Snape, however, remained calm and composed.

"This is an extremely profound curse, and only a very few powerful and... well, those so-called wicked wizards dare to attempt it..."

But I tell you, do fools fear the blade itself?

Snape chuckled, his gaze fixed intently on Sheehan.
"What they fear is themselves, the fear of their inability to control power or authority."

So Professor Snape stopped, and when he waved his wand again, the flames subsided instantly.

Sheen guessed that the professor had used a silent spell.

"Remember this: once the Fiery Flame is released, it is extremely difficult to extinguish or control."

Conventional fire-extinguishing spells are completely ineffective against it. The only way to counter it is to suppress and alter it with magical power far exceeding that of the caster.

Snape glanced casually at the chair that had been burned to ashes, then waved his wand again, and a wooden plank in the corner bounced and transformed into a chair.

"As for facing the out-of-control Fiery Blaze, Green, I want to see you run at the fastest speed you've ever run in your life."

Professor Snape concluded.

The days spent learning how to use the Fire Spirit were exceptionally dangerous.

When Sheen first summoned Fiendfyre, the flames roared and filled half the room, destroying a significant portion of Professor Snape's private storeroom.

That was the first time Professor Snape showed fear. He didn't hesitate to use his spell to control the flames, and then looked at the exhausted little wizard with a strange gaze.

"You're being controlled by it! Stupid... Green!"

He rebuked them angrily with a gloomy face.

"Professor... how do I control it?"

Sheen asked with difficulty and caution.

"I bet your monstrous head is filled with images of what Fiendfire would look like in its entirety. If you imagine it to be that powerful, you're destined to be unable to control it."

You are much better than it, Green.

Snape explained coldly.

So Sheen’s second practice began, and when he imagined the Fiendfire to be utterly weak, a thin wisp of flame gradually rose.

Unfortunately, due to Sheen's poor control, Fiend was able to materialize into a fire beast just a few seconds later.

Fire-breathing serpents, chimeras, and fire dragons searched for and devoured everything in their path, and another third of Professor Snape's collection disappeared.

Just like Professor Snape, Sheen, who hadn't expected this, stared blankly at the locker. It was empty, with only some swirling ashes.

"Professor, perhaps we should go outside and practice..."

Sheen slumped in his chair and spoke cautiously.

"Right here!" Snape suddenly roared.

His face was very pale, but his stubbornness was more like obstinacy.

Only here, in the cellar, in the place where he had redesigned the magical barrier, would they be free from the harassment of some meddlesome wizard.

He agreed with Dumbledore's view.

But he was more convinced that the fool could control himself.

Time is running out, and the Dark Lord's power is weakening to a certain extent...

No one knows what he might do.

The practice continued for a long time, and Sheen's Fiendfire spell was unlocked after the third practice session.

We are now making steady progress toward becoming a beginner.

At the same time, he also discovered a strange pattern in the Fiendish Curse.

The panel only rated his powerful Fiendfire spell as "Apprentice," but his Fiendfire spell, which was under strict control, was rated as "Master."

This goes against the usual pattern. For example, with the Fluorescent Spell, the brighter the light, the higher the proficiency rating.

“If your intelligence hasn’t been destroyed along with the cupboard, you’d better take out a piece of paper and write it down now;”

In the realm of dark magic, control far outweighs destruction.

I know far too many examples of foolish wizards who have been killed by their own dark magic, so you better remember that, Sheehan Green.

True power lies in building within, not in taking from without.

After Snape finished speaking coldly, the cellar door slammed shut.

If this can still be considered a gate—it has been half burned away by raging fire.

Facing the shop window, which was mostly burned down, Snape's expression was neither good nor bad.

He couldn't help but think of the enormous flames that flowed naturally, and the fire beast that had been awakened in such a short time.

His eyes revealed complexity, which was ultimately replaced by determination.

Outside the cellar.

Sheehan was still pondering Professor Snape's last words.

In the realm of Dark Magic, Professor Snape was undoubtedly a rare genius. According to Sirius Black:
When Snape first entered the school, he knew more spells than half of the seventh-grade students.

If Professor Snape believed that wizards' control over dark magic was more important than enhancing it.

Does this mean that, in the realm of black magic, it is more important for wizards to control and shape their own beliefs than to firmly uphold them?

Ravenclaw said: When magic was in its primordial stage, the ancient wizards embarked on a path that led directly to the origin of magic.

They explored the essence of magic and built an unbreakable faith for themselves with knowledge and wisdom.

Wizards explore magic, strengthen their faith, and then unleash even more powerful magic, only to then explore even more powerful magic in turn...

This is what the ancient shamans experienced.

But before all that, before wizards explored magic, wizards were pure.

They do not use wands or chant spells.

In Ravenclaw's memory, the wizards' duels were sometimes more like a contest of who was angrier.

Whoever angrily unleashes their magic first will be victorious.

Therefore, back then, wizards had no chance of surviving, let alone challenging dragons.

Later, however, the wizards stood at the pinnacle of the entire magical world.

What happened during this process?
(End of this chapter)