allendalepharm Chapter 119 Manipulating Lightning
Chapter 119 Manipulating Lightning
Chapter 119 Manipulating Lightning
"Weather spell?"
Dumbledore chewed on the pile of cockroaches with a strange expression. "You actually think it's magic belonging to the Dark Cube's defense domain?"
Lockhart thought so too: "There are phenomena, there is non-existence, there is magical influence on a wide range of environments—this fits so perfectly with the characteristics of the realm of dark magic creatures, how can it not be Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"An interesting perspective."
Dumbledore stood up, went to the side, opened a cabinet, and took out a hand-bound book. "In fact, I have discussed this with a friend, and I think it should be classified as Transfiguration, while he insists that it belongs to the realm of Charms."
He smiled slightly, "In the end, neither of us could convince the other, but at the time, we probably never imagined that someone would classify it as Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Gidero, your perspective on things is always so interesting."
As he spoke, he placed the book in front of Lockhart. The book cover read "Manipulating Lightning".
There are two authors: Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. "We have recorded our respective views and look forward to someone making a judgment in the future. I think it will be of some inspiration to you."
Seeing Lockhart curiously examining the two signatures on the book cover, and noticing that the young man, who seemed to know many secrets, was clearly hesitant to accept the book due to his taboo, he smiled and explained, "These are my magic notes that I donated to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After my death, they will be placed in the restricted section of the school library, awaiting future generations to consult."
"You can borrow it to read, and when you return it, just give it to Mrs. Pince for me. She'll know what to do with it."
Mrs. Pince, the Hogwarts librarian, is a witch who is so rule-abiding as to be somewhat rigid.
Lockhart quickly became fascinated by the handwritten magic notebook.
For the next few days, he carried it with him everywhere he went and took it out to look at whenever he had a spare moment, to the point that he completely forgot about Tom.
This is a genuine magic notebook. Unlike typical magic books that systematically explain the origins, effects, and variations of magic, this notebook simply records the conversations between two friends as they researched magic.
The two experts in the notes have their own interesting insights into weather spells.
Dumbledore said, "I can control the laws of the world, and by following those laws I can make it change according to my will. And when I impose my will upon it, the changes become more rapid and violent, and are filled with power."
Grindelwald countered, "Yes, you therefore possess great power, but you are still within the framework of rules."
Trapped here, their will was not truly given a chance to flourish.
He believes that "change is not the essence of the world; it is the involvement of a powerful will that brings about change. Therefore, the participation of will should bring about changes in the laws of the world, and the world demonstrates its power through the will."
The discussion between these two experts regarding weather spells went beyond just the discussion of weather spells.
It could even be said that Lockhart could learn advanced ideas for in-depth exploration of the fields of Transfiguration and Charms from these conversations, and could even extend them to many other areas.
Ultimately, all of this content is grounded in the content of weather incantations, returning from theory to practice.
Dumbledore said, "The will cannot determine everything. Things have their own evolution and development. The clouds and rain in the sky, the wind and air in the forest, the torrents and magma on the earth are all natural evolutions and transformations. If we push these transformations and extend our will, it will take only a small amount of force to cause great changes in the entire natural environment."
Grindelwald countered again, "Yes, nature has its own system of change, but these are merely the most appropriate changes for nature, not necessarily the ones that best suit human desires. We want magic to produce the effects we crave, to turn clouds into rain..."
To make the wind become air, the torrents become magma, and nature accomplish our purpose, our will must supersede nature, ensuring that this change no longer serves nature, but rather serves humanity.
The discussion, after a flash of lightning during a downpour outside the window, eventually focused on the topic of "manipulating lightning."
Dumbledore demonstrated his understanding of controlling lightning as he and his friend pushed his sister, who was in a wheelchair, through the door and into the downpour.
The torrential rain swept across the sky, daring not to wet their clothes. The puddles on the ground were quickly absorbed by the earth, drying out and clearing a path for them. The howling wind, carrying the rain, danced around them like sprites.
The three arrived at a high point in the valley. Dumbledore looked at his friend and sister with a smug expression, waving his wand in the face of the lightning and thunder.
In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder roared.
Nearly a dozen bolts of lightning descended from the sky, branching and splitting again in mid-air, transforming into a terrifying ocean of electric light that crashed down around them. Bright yet not dazzling, they extended like tree roots, sprouting countless tiny sparks of electricity that bloomed in mid-air, tearing the surroundings apart in a dreamlike and enchanting way.
The younger sister, who had been overhearing their argument, immediately sided with her brother, admiringly refuting her friend's point of view, saying, "My brother is right!"
Grindelwald didn't argue, but simply lazily drew his wand and gently raised his hand.
He didn't even raise his wand towards the dark clouds in the sky, but no matter how the lightning bolts extending from the clouds split or twisted their paths in the sky, they all eventually converged at the tip of his wand.
"This is true control!" he said, waving his hand lightly towards the sky.
A burst of intense white light erupted from the lightning at the tip of his wand, surging upwards with terrifying force, instantly tearing apart the clouds in the sky and dispersing the dark clouds.
The dark clouds dispersed, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the gaps, turning into beams of light that shone warmly on the three people high in the valley.
Such a drill was dreamlike and powerful for the younger sister watching from the sidelines.
But for Dumbledore and Grindelwald, it was merely the beginning of an interesting discussion about "manipulating lightning."
As their exploration deepened, they moved beyond discussions on the level of "the relationship between self-will and nature" and delved into the essence of the magical means of manipulating lightning.
Dumbledore believed that "lightning is a combination of life and destruction, a part of nature's control over the life activities of all living things, and the manipulation of lightning signifies the wizard's authority over life and death."
Grindelwald, however, believed that "lightning is merely a trace of the unfolding of natural magic. Wizards have deviated from the traces of nature, and the underlying logic of nature's inner workings is also subtly changing. From this perspective, wizards are no longer individuals within a group, but rather influencers of equal status to nature."
Later in "Manipulating Lightning," the book even begins to discuss the fusion of different magical properties, which Lockhart finds increasingly difficult to understand.
That was about two great wizards' explanations of their own magical paths, which may have been powerful and profound, but were no longer their own magical paths.
Just like Lockhart's saying that "magic is the ultimate romance in fairy tales," such a principle can bring students a certain improvement in their abilities, but deeper content is no longer able to influence most students.
Because they also have their own magical paths, forcibly trying to understand such a concept will only shake or even confuse their own paths.
Digest knowledge, but do not succumb to it; instead, forge your own path.
Lockhart had been practicing this principle all along and began to ponder the applicability of "manipulating lightning" to himself.
His thinking yielded no results.
Since "manipulating lightning" is unrelated to his past fairytale adventures, there is naturally no basis for the magic to bloom.
Lockhart nowadays will not deliberately change his mindset or prepare for the arrival of magic just to master the two great masters' ability to control lightning.
He knew perfectly well that magic was in life, all around him, and he had to look for it from that perspective—this was undoubtedly the most suitable way for him.
"Magic is ever-changing; it should submit to its own will." "Nature is eternally unchanging; it is our will that brings about change." "The participation of our own will means that the power of nature can not only be the power of nature, but also the power of our minds—"
"The control over destruction and life, the interference with appearances affecting the complex internal workings—."
"Magic comes from life, and 'I' am the core of it all—"
Lately, he's started to act a bit neurotic, muttering these words to himself, and sometimes he'll stand in a daze for a long time while walking through the corridors of Hogwarts Castle.
It was easy for him to digest the fairytale adventures of others, allowing him to easily master many extraordinary spells.
But to forge one's own path based on the fairytale adventures of others, and to let magic shine in one's own hands in a completely different way, is a long and complicated journey.
With no more references available, he had to continue on his own.
Unless he is only obsessed with the wisdom of others, then he doesn't need to rack his brains so much to secretly steal the wisdom of all kinds of wizards, and then become them, constantly mastering one spell after another.
Lockhart clearly didn't want to limit himself to this.
He was so obsessed with magic, how could he not yearn for magic to reveal its true "me" side?
That day, he stood on a large rock by the Black Lake, squinting as he felt the breath of nature, hoping to find the answer in the power of the forest he knew best.
Several young wizards approached him hurriedly, their faces grave, interrupting his thoughts.
"Professor, something's wrong! Many students are affected by the wailing of the banshee, and they seem to be acting strangely!" Hermione's expression was extremely serious.
She had to be serious, as Lockhart's book "Breaking Free from the Ghost" clearly states that the wailing of the female ghost (the banshee) represents a prophecy of death, and the witch who is affected will die in various ways after nightfall.
This is not a joke.
If dark magic creatures weren't so terrifying, they wouldn't be called "dark magic," and there wouldn't be any research into defenses specifically targeting banshees.
Hermione was clearly very anxious. "Professor, please go and see!"