King of Lightning [HP FANFIC]

Anduin observed the topics appearing on the whiteboard, and his strong interest was immediately awakened.

At first, Anduin had thought this Club would be like a Charms class—just with more advanced content—and that the so-called "research" would simply consist of the professor guiding students to replicate existing discoveries.

However, it turned out to be more like a research institute, directly engaged in the exploration of unknown subjects. He realized this when he saw the seventh topic listed as "Magical Sensitivity," clearly a new addition from the professor, which meant that the results of such research could potentially impact the entire wizarding world.

"Magical sensitivity? Can such an abstract concept really be researched?" said Vanessa, the senior student beside him, frowning in confusion as she looked at the newly listed topic on the board. It was clear she had no intention of choosing that one for her own research.

Anduin knew why the professor was interested in that subject, but he didn't explain it to anyone else.

"These are the research topics for this academic year. As always, topics that yield results will be removed from the whiteboard, while those without practical outcomes will remain. I'll also be adding new research directions as they arise. Now, everyone, please begin selecting your research topics. You must choose at least one, and you may choose more if you wish. Find your own materials and report your findings weekly." said Professor Flitwick, abandoning the usual patience he displayed in first-year classrooms and assigning the tasks with impressive efficiency.

The young wizards around him took out parchment and began jotting down the topics that caught their interest. Anduin did the same, although he copied down every topic, planning to narrow them down later.

At the same time, Anduin noticed that Professor Flitwick had instructed everyone to conduct independent research.

To Anduin, such an approach seemed highly inefficient. If it were up to him, he would divide students into topic-based research groups, since breakthroughs in collective research would clearly be achieved more quickly. But as a first-year student, he wouldn't make such bold suggestions before first familiarizing himself with the environment.

"Alright, I assume everyone has finished copying them down. Among these, items 1, 2, 5, and 6 are long-term studies that have been ongoing for years. Achieving breakthroughs may be difficult, but findings that enrich the material database are still highly valuable. Items 3, 4, and 7 are newly added this year, especially item 7, which came from a recent inspiration. I hope some of you will manage to make progress in these areas". Professor Flitwick glanced at Anduin—perhaps intentionally, perhaps not—before continuing.

"That concludes this year's topic selection. Next, let's congratulate Vanessa Greengrass for successfully publishing an article in the journal Century Charms. From what I've heard, her article has received praise from numerous scholars." said Professor Flitwick, looking at Vanessa with genuine delight.

Everyone broke into warm applause.

Century Charms is currently the most prestigious international magical academic journal, and along with Transfiguration Today, which represents the field of Transfiguration, and Potions of Many Forms, which focuses on potion-making, it is highly respected by magical scholars across many countries. Having an article published in one of them is a truly rare achievement, and everyone around looked at Vanessa with envy.

Vanessa, her cheeks lightly flushed, stood and nodded toward both the class and the professor.

Anduin had not expected his senior classmate to be such an academic authority.

At the same time, it was the first he had ever heard of a publication like Century Charms, and he wondered whether he ought to subscribe to one or two.

"Alright, next we will be studying this article: Multifunctional Applications of the Extraction Curse. In her paper, Vanessa describes how the Extraction Curse can be combined with alchemical tools enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm, enabling large-scale engineering operations. She also presents techniques for casting the Extraction Curse precisely on specific targets, such as independently extracting moisture from the air, which, when performed on a larger scale, could even influence weather patterns".

Professor Flitwick then pulled down a screen behind him, similar to a projector screen, and magically projected the contents of the article onto it.

He thoroughly analyzed the casting techniques and possible applications with the class, and also asked Vanessa to assist in explaining.

Vanessa stood at the front, as though giving a thesis defense, and explained both the original intention behind her research and the difficulties she encountered along the way. She also demonstrated the relevant casting techniques.

Professor Flitwick began by casting a spell in the center of the classroom, releasing a cloud of white smoke. Then he tapped an ink bottle with his wand, producing a thick, dark mist from the ink. He mixed both mists together, and to increase the level of difficulty, he continuously stirred the resulting thick fog, making it hard to distinguish between the two.

At that point, Vanessa stepped forward and, with precise casting, struck the center of the darkened mist with an Extraction Curse. Soon, the mist began to change, the black tint began to fade gradually, and before long, the mist returned to its original white hue. Floating at the tip of Vanessa's wand was a dense, inky mass, unmistakably the ink that had been extracted from the fog.

Vanessa, showing a hint of shyness and a trace of pride, completed the operation, and once again received enthusiastic applause from everyone around her.

Anduin, impressed by the excellent display of spellcasting, also clapped for Vanessa. He hadn't expected his senior to possess such outstanding magical technique.

This directional extraction spell, capable of working even on ink transformed into mist, would undoubtedly be even easier to use on larger objects.

"That was an excellent performance, absolutely brilliant, senior," said Anduin as Vanessa stepped down, offering her a sincere congratulations.

Vanessa, with a modest smile and a touch of pride, replied, "Thank you, Anduin. Study hard here, and I believe you'll catch up to me someday."

Anduin gave a reserved smile. It was undeniable that the spellcasting technique held great value and potential. He immediately began thinking of practical applications. Simply put, it could be used like a water pump for engineering tasks. In medicine, it could aid in surgeries, such as removing foreign objects from the body, and more. Even in combat, the potential was staggering, if someone could extract an opponent's blood or bones during a duel, it would be utterly devastating.

Next came free study time. Anduin focused intently on the screen, studying the Extraction Curse and the directional extraction technique that Vanessa had developed.

However, he soon dismissed his earlier ideas about combat usage. Through his research, he realized that the Extraction Curse was far more practical when cast on static, inanimate objects. When used on living beings, such as humans, it would only work if the target had already lost the ability to move. Otherwise, even a slight twitch from the opponent would cause the spell to fail.