I won my first fight in the second round of bouts via ring out. When I should have lost, Arnold Finnegan was only lightly bruised from the force of the wind blade I hit him with that knocked him out of the ring.
While I, on the other hand, was utterly disembowelled by his own attack, which I took to knock him out of the ring. There was... Only a difference in 'skil' that I had over him, which was entirely due to the Heaven's Library cheat I had.
His magical energy depth was greater than mine after having an entire year or more of dedicated cultivation time to control and learn magic. No matter the fact that my magical energy was denser and of much greater quality with the astral system of cultivation I was using.
So when I got up to the ring, to fight my next opponent... I would have liked to have said I fought well. I would have liked to have said I stood victorious over them. But my opponent Clorinde Finna was another speed fighter, a lightning user in particular.
The moment Proffessor McGonagell called the start of the match I went to sweep across the blinding bolt of lightning that slammed into me as the duelist using a rapier shot towards me.
And her sword, an actual enchanted rapier that had her wand inlaid in its hilt stabbed through the unenchanted borrowed large spear sword I was using and I lost.
As her rapier stabbed through and broke the shaft of the sword spear. In one swift motion, impaling me through the heart and flooding my body with lightning that made my entire body lock up.
And I basically lost consciousness for that couple of moments of being fried by that lightning. Before Clorinde pulled out her rapier with a flicker and spoke softly in a slightly French-accented tone.
"You did well for a freshman, Jake. But your body refinement can't stand up at all to too someone who haz had a Spirit Beast's natural life force enhancing their own for more than a year."
I grimaced as this truly was just a case of me not having the right tools. As she was right. As much as Batman was awesome with his mastery of martial arts... If he went toe to toe with Superman, he was going to get creamed.
And I didn't have the physical stats to match them, my magic, as in actual wand magic, also struggled to get past their innate magic resistance. And my own weapon was of much lower quality than their own.
I sighed before I chuckled and said with a grin to Clorinde. "Heh! And even after cutting my weapon in half, you still impaled me in the heart... Just wait another two months. I will have my own weapon, and my own spirit beast partner! And I am going to come back to you!"
Clorinde chuckled in amusement before she said teasingly as she sheathed her thin rapier at her side as she followed me off the dueling ring. "Very well. I will await your challenge. At the very least, I shall have something to look forward to."
Then her voice became colder as she said. "And also Jake. I expect to see you on the Hogwarts dueling team for this Summer break... If you go soft, I WILL beat you into shape as I refuse to let Mahoutakoru's team beat mine again!"
Mahoutokaro... From the books I had read about the other major magical schools, Hogwarts was marked as one of the five schools by all metrics across the world. Mahoutokaro was bluntly THE best school in the world.
As the main school of Japan had the backing of hundreds of gods in the Shinto Pantheon, as well as an insane number of youkai and spirit beasts that, like Hogwarts, would form partnerships with the wizards of that school.
While Hogwarts did have a massive population of Spirit Beasts that lived in the Beast King Forest and it's sub-demensional area. Hogwarts' reputation has only been built on the backs of Dumbledore being a murderhobo who went out of his way to slaughter monsters at every chance and gathered resources for his school.
And otherwise, the rest of the teachers are generally top-tier teachers who have achieved immortality with their own magic.
"Mahoutokaro... Think I could steamroll their first year students?" I asked curiously.
And Clorinde literally just laughed before she said with finality. "As you are right now compared to their best right now? Hell no, demigods are running around everywhere in there. Hogwarts does lack divine favor, but it is also free of the hands and machinations of the gods as well."
Which was fair. The very first thing I was told in entering the magical world was NOT to fucking call out a divine name, as it would gain their attention. And here at Hogwarts, I didn't need to worry about some god or goddess getting pissed for cultivating within their domain.
After all... With my astral cultivation style, if I were going to a more southern European school like Bauxbatons or something, where the Greek gods' spawn were running around.
It could get really ugly if some of Apollo's children decided to tell him I was trying to suppress them with my general astral cultivation style.
But as for Clorinde's words... I just smiled thinly before I said firmly. "I won't bow my head to some god's brat who inherited their power. Don't worry about me, I won't lose my drive."
And with that, Clorinde gave me a simple nod before she moved to head back over to her second-year friends. While I gave my broken spear sword a helpless look.
As getting a powerful enchanted weapon, I could slot my wand into to cast spells through. And to enhance my elemental martial arts was going to be a major pain.
In that vein, I took a breath as I made my way over to Professor McGonagall, who smiled, seeing my back still straight after my loss. With her words confirming my thoughts of what made her smile.
"I am glad you aren't disheartened at your loss Mr. Bariss. And losing based on your weapon breaking isn't a bad way to accept a loss, either. Though it was highly unlikely for you to beat Clorinde, either as she practises her dueling every day and has been dueling since before she even entered Hogwarts."
I exhaled and shook my head before I said with finality.
"I got practise to be done for the future. I understand that... But, Professor, I was hoping that I could convert my winnings and my previous House Points into getting me a better weapon. A spear sword like this that I can slot my own wand into specifically."
McGonagall gave a small smile before she nodded and said easily. "Of course, Jake. I was going to approach you later tommorrow, after the second year finals to get some measurements and details. It's clear that you deserve a better weapon. A weapon you need to get used to if you plan to take part in the Summer International Tournament."
Then McGonagall said more firmly. "Also on that topic Jake. I understand very well that you haven't had much luck in finding a Spirit Beast partner. And I had some thoughts if you woudn't mind, but this discussion will have to happen later tommorrow."
I understood what she meant, as Mavuika and Professor Snape were still running matches for the second years. She still had stuff to take care of, obviously.
And so with a respectful 'excuse me' I just made my way back to my friends with Ron giving me a light punch to the shoulder as he teased. "So how's it feel being mortal like the rest of us? Getting stabbed fucking sucks doesn't it?"
I gave Ron a dry look before I said thoughtfully. "Actually... I didn't really even feel the 'pain' from being stabbed. I was too busy being fried alive by lightning?"
And as Ron teased me for getting close to the purple-haired beauty that was Clorinde. I noticed Hermione Granger was sitting with some other Ravenclaw's, including my 'arch enemy' in Cho Chang as they watched their own second year housemates fighting.
'Wonder how Hermione is doing, actually? She has her own house of fellow book nerds, so there shoudn't be too much bullying or anything.' I mused to myself with a shrug.
With Voldemort having been sundered down with soul destruction in particular. I wasn't too worried about his wraith causing issues... Particularly because monster's and the very gods themselves were so much of a bigger threat then some dude who thought themselves immortal.
When they very much weren't.
"Anyway, I am going to need to do some more dueling practise... As well as find a Spirit Beast partner if I don't want to get steamrolled again in the next tournament in three months."
Even if my fellow first years did get a Spirit Beast partner like Dorea loved to brag about her having an Ashwinder who was going to sign a contract with her. I knew I could still roll her with the difference in skill and power we had.
But as for the second years? Yeah until I got the simple boost to close the gap in pure stats I was going to get my ass kicked for now.
"I think I got something going on with a unicorn that's been flitting around in the fog. But you never know with higher-grade spirit beasts." Rosaria said with a shrug.
And that reminded me... I should probably check in with that Chimera I found. It did have a very weak divine bloodline ties to the Greek Pantheon with it's divine ram, serpent, and lion bloodlines that fused to make up it's form.
If I could form a spirit beast pact with it. It's potential, it's power, and its bloodline was certainly good enough for me, especially right now.
Then Ginny gave me a nudge with her elbow as she teased me. "Oh and by the way. Look over, Susan Bones is waving at you."
I looked over towards the Hufflepuff side with the redhead quickly waving with a flush before she looked away and seemingly forced her friend Marietta and Hannah Abbot into a new conversation.
And I say 'forced' as both brunets were giving Susan a weird look and glancing at me with knowing smiles.
But after that and sharing a watching the rest of the second years finish their own fights with Clorinde winning the second years tournament for Griffindor anyway. I decided it was time for me to go get washed up.
As even though the arena timelocked us so we didn't get sweaty or covered in blood from the fight... After getting a rapier through my heart and almost 'dying' I needed to go relax fully for a bit.
So I made my way back up to the Gryffindor tower with several of my guy friends following with me as Fred and George called out that they would be breaking out the Butterbeers and other party supplies to celebrate my win.
-
Did you know Butterbeer came in a bunch of different flavors? I sure as hell didn't know as 'hot, cold, and frozen' Butterbeer all had separate different flavors. As hot butterbeer had a heated cinnamon flavor.
Cold was fairly 'stock' standard while icy butterbeer had a thicker pumpkin spice added to it. Along with the frozen cream on top being a frozen shredded milky marshmallow-like mix that was just delightful.
But Butterbeer here in this world DID in fact have alcohol in it. And after five huge flagons of the frozen butterbeer that I had completely fallen in love with. I fucking passed out in bed after using a half-hazard cleaning charm before I passed out.
I awoke with a heavy yawn where I sat at the edge of the bed and just stared into the void for a good long minute.
Then with a thick voice I said to myself as I brushed both my hands down my face. "Alright... Time to lock the fuck in. I am going to beat the second years at the next tournament."
With that as my next major plan I quickly got a shower and seeing as it was already late in the morning seeing as I slept in on this long weekend that would have the following monday off for the rest of the year's to do their own tournaments as well.
I headed straight for Professor McGonagall's office and wing that was attached to the Gryffindor tower. And after speaking with the painting's spirit that acted as the guardian of her apartment.
McGonagall came out of her private apartment with a hum as she gave me a small smile. "So I see you are getting into the swing of things bright and early Mr Bariss."
I nodded firmly before I said. "I thought that I might even beat the Second Years as well. But, I was over-confident. Many of them have more than just a year of experience over me after all."
McGonagall gave a small nod in turn.
Then she cleared her throat and said with a wave into her apartment. "It is good you understand that Mr Bariss. Come into my office, we have some details to go over as I help you order a weapon. And we may discuss any thoughts you have for a Spirit Beast partner."
Following McGonagall into the side office that was just off from the entrance I realized that this place probably also acted as something of a therapy/guidance room. As we teenager's were living in a fairly high-stress environment here in Hogwarts, what with live combat and such.
"So, first thing you should understand with custom weapons you can slot your wand into... Is that they are very expensive Mr. Bariss. Expensive enough that your winnings and your house points will not cover the cost of it."
My face pinched at that, with McGonagall raising a hand before she said more softly.
"You must understand Mr Bariss, that a weapon with a Wand Slot requires the weapon to not only be made primarily out of the same enchanted and rune-engraved wood as your own wand. But it also must be forged out of Goblin Silver, or Dwarven Mythril, so that your magic can pass through it just as easily as it passes through your own wand."
"Only a craftsman who is both a master forger and a master wand crafter can create such weapons Mr Bariss... And to say the least, such craftsman are in VERY short supply."
I exhaled softly as I realized that not even Rosaria had such an enchanted weapon. Hell, not even Dorea with her 'daddys' fuck you level of money had given her such a weapon either. Hell not even Daphne had one either.
Clearly, it was something beyond the value of like a high-value racing broomstick or something like that.
"But... It's a good thing that Hogwarts has an allowance on ordering weapons from craftsmen who have been sponsored by Hogwarts in the past." McGonagall spoke before she clasped her hand together and then said more sternly.
"However, Mr. Bariss... This scholarship for a weapon that will easily serve as an inheritance for your lineage isn't free or without strings. You will be expected to represent Hogwarts at your year level as you clearly have shown your desire to take part in international dueling, as we agreed previously."
There was a heavy moment of silence before I said quietly but firmly. "Once I have such a weapon. I will keep training my magic and dueling skills so that I can meet those demi-gods on equal grounds."
I then looked at McGonagall before I took a breath and said with a frown. "And speaking of demigods... What kind of spirit beast partners do the students of Mahoutokaru get? Aren't their own spirit beast partners also blessed with divine bloodlines as well?"
McGonagall actually chuckled before she said with what I realized was a cruel smile. "Jake... Wizard's and witches are NOT the god's playthings. Normal mortal human's who never form their own magical core through martial arts are. But wizards and witches? We are bound by our own will and fate."
She leaned in and said with finality. "Remember what the Headmaster said at the start of term Mr. Bariss. Whether you want to become ageless by the time you leave Hogwarts isn't something that is out of the ordinary. It is entirely up to the amount of effort you are willing to put in."
Because our magic bent the rules of reality around us. That was all to clear.
And McGonagall cleared her throat before she said with a more natural smile. "Now as for what you asked previously. Don't get so hung up on divine bloodlines in a spirit beast you may or may not face in the future. Because many such divine spirit beasts are also very susceptible to being cursed due to their divine bloodlines, giving them certain weaknesses."
There was a pause as McGonagall let me absorb that information, and after a moment. I slowly nodded in agreement as she was right.
Then, after she took a sip of tea, I likewise took a sip to wet my throat. I almost choked on the tea as she said with a slight cough. "On the topic of divine bloodlines in spirit beasts, however. There happens to be a brood of Gorgons who are searching for their own wizards to soul bond with. Would you be interested in meeting them?"