Nero strode confidently through the corridors of Hogwarts, his destination clear.
Professor Flitwick's office.
Ever since he started dueling with Lilith, Ember and Alaric, he had been trying to assess his own magical progress.
He knew he was strong for his age, far beyond what most second-years could even comprehend. But how far, exactly?
That was the question.
And there was one person who could give him an honest, precise answer.
As he reached the Charms classroom, he knocked twice.
A high-pitched voice responded almost immediately.
"Come in!"
Nero stepped inside to find Professor Flitwick seated behind his desk, scribbling on a parchment.
The tiny professor looked up and adjusted his spectacles, surprised to see him.
"Ah, Nero! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Nero took a breath. "Professor, I'd like you to evaluate my combat abilities."
Flitwick blinked, lowering his quill. "Your combat abilities?"
"Yes. I want to know where I stand. Not just against other students, but in the broader magical world."
The professor leaned back, folding his hands. "My, my… I must say, I don't believe I've ever had a second-year request for something like this before."
Nero remained silent, waiting for his response.
Flitwick chuckled. "Still, given your exceptional grades and your… well, unusual progress, I suppose I can make an exception. Follow me."
Flitwick led Nero through a series of winding hallways, eventually stopping at an empty, reinforced training room.
"This room is a sacred haven that I use for advanced spell practice," Flitwick explained, flicking his wand to activate protective enchantments along the walls. "Now, let's set some ground rules: no Dark magic, and nothing life-threatening."
Nero nodded. "Understood."
Flitwick smiled. "Excellent. We'll follow standard dueling etiquette. Bow."
They bowed.
"Wands at the ready."
Nero held his wand firm, feeling the steady pulse of magic flowing through him.
"Begin!"
The duel exploded into action.
Nero was fast, far faster than most students.
He flicked his wand, launching a barrage of silent, precise spells. Expelliarmus! Stupefy! Glacius!
Each flowed seamlessly into the next, giving Flitwick no room to breathe.
But the professor was unfazed.
With a quick twist of his wand, he deflected every attack with near-effortless efficiency.
Nero adjusted immediately.
He feinted left with a Blasting Curse before pivoting into a Transformation of the very ground beneath Flitwick, pulling it upward to disrupt his footing.
Flitwick merely hopped back, grinning. "Clever!"
But Nero wasn't done. He reinforced his attacks with his barrier manipulation, shaping a transparent forcefield midair to use as an impromptu platform.
He sprang off of it, twisting midair to fire a precision Stunner at Flitwick.
For a moment, it looked like he might actually land the hit, until Flitwick blurred.
A streak of motion, impossibly fast.
And then he was gone.
Nero's spell hit nothing but air.
Before he could react, Flitwick reappeared behind him, wand raised.
"Swift Step," Nero breathed, eyes wide with admiration.
He had seen about it before, in his previous life, in a famous game.
It was an advanced movement spell that allowed wizards to shift instantaneously across short distances, faster than the eye could track.
Nero barely had time to Shield himself before Flitwick retaliated.
Unlike before, the professor was now pressing the offensive.
His movements were impossibly refined, each flick of his wand a masterful display of control.
He wasn't just overwhelming Nero with power, he was outmaneuvering him.
Nero did his best to keep up, but as the duel wore on, his casting became less precise.
His spells lacked the same refined efficiency as Flitwick's.
His stamina, his ability to maintain this level of combat, was faltering.
In the end, he knew the outcome was inevitable.
He could feel his current limit.
With a final deep breath, he lowered his wand.
"I concede."
Flitwick smiled, lowering his own wand. "Smart decision. Knowing when to retreat is just as valuable as knowing when to fight."
They took a moment to catch their breath, the tension of the duel dissipating.
Nero rolled his shoulders, feeling the strain in his muscles from the prolonged magical exertion.
"I must say, Nero," Flitwick began, voice warm but measured, "you are remarkably skilled for your age. I've dueled fully trained wizards who would struggle to match your creativity, adaptability, and your mastery of barrier magic."
Nero stood straighter, eyes sharp and attentive.
"Now, as for where you stand in terms of combat abilities…" Flitwick conjured an illusionary diagram midair, detailing the standard Wizarding Ranks:
Novice
Adept
Wizard
Magus
Archmagus
Warlock
Grand Warlock
Grandmaster
Legend
Supreme Sorcerer
"This is the standard ranking system used by most professional dueling circuits," Flitwick explained. "It is imitating the wizard ranking system".
"Hogwarts graduates typically fall between Adept and Magus, in terms of pure battle prowess" Flitwick explained. "A rare few, truly exceptional students, might touch upon Archmagus by the time they leave."
Nero waited slitently.
Flitwick's eyes twinkled. "As for you, I would place you… solidly in the Magus category."
Nero exhaled slowly, absorbing that information.
"But, you have flashes of brilliance that go beyond Magus level," Flitwick added. "Your tactical ingenuity and barrier magic applications are remarkably advanced. That said" he held up a finger, "your execution hasn't yet caught up to your ideas. Your transitions between techniques, while creative, can be rough around the edges. And your magic density lacks the refinement and depth that comes naturally with age and experience. But these are not flaws. They're simply the signs of someone racing far ahead of the curve."
Nero nodded, thoughtful. It was exactly what he wanted, an honest evaluation.
His mind raced with thoughts of potential training adjustments.
He had gone quite far in 2 years.
And yet, the path ahead stretched even farther. He welcomed it.
For he was still extremely far from his goal.
Flitwick's smile widened. "If you continue on this trajectory, Nero, I fully expect you'll reach Warlock, perhaps even Grand Warlock, before you graduate."
He chuckled softly. "After all, I know you love surprising us professors."
Nero gave a sharp nod.
Warlock wasn't enough. He'd need to go much further.
He clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest.
His target was the apex of magic.. And he wouldn't stop until he got there.
Flitwick then tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Now, about your reaction earlier… you noticed Swift Step, didn't you?"
Nero's eyes lit up. "Yes! That was incredible. I want to learn it. I didn't have time to observe it in details, but this must be derived from a different principle than Space, as Hogwarts prevents Apparition, unless specific cases"
Flitwick laughed. "Eager, aren't you? Unfortunately, it's an advanced movement spell, far too difficult for a second-year."
Nero opened his mouth to argue, but Flitwick cut him off with a raised hand.
"However… I will teach it to you next year, if you continue to impress me."
A grin spread across Nero's face. "Deal."
Flitwick chuckled again, then placed a reassuring hand on Nero's shoulder.
"You have a bright future ahead of you, my boy. Keep pushing forward."
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