King of Lightning [HP FANFIC]

Anduin nodded, then raised his wand and exclaimed, "Protego".

As Anduin chanted the spell, the magic within him stirred, and a protective shield shaped like a dome began to form at the tip of his wand. However, the shield appeared weak and unstable; it failed to solidify for long and dissipated like foam after just a few seconds.

Lily was astonished that Anduin could even manage to cast a Shield Charm. She realized that her young apprentice's control over magic was incredibly precise. She recalled how, when she had first tried using the Shield Charm herself, absolutely nothing happened when she uttered the incantation.

After that, Lily had Anduin repeat the Shield Charm several times. Anduin complied obediently, but each time, the shield he produced either flickered briefly before vanishing or felt just as flimsy and weak as in his first attempt.

However, Lily quickly pinpointed the core of the problem and said to Anduin, "I think I understand now. Your spellwork is sound, and your control over magic is impeccable, but in your current state, it's still difficult for you to succeed. This is actually perfectly normal."

Anduin tilted his head slightly in confusion. The spell was fine, yet he still couldn't cast it properly, and that was considered normal? Was this somehow tied to his condition?

Lily didn't let him dwell on it for too long and continued, "Let me give you an example. You'll understand. You're Muggle-born, so you should know about water pipes and valves. When we cast spells, chanting the incantation is like opening a valve in our bodies, and our magic is like water flowing through an invisible pipe. This pipe isn't rigid like iron; it's more like a living, flexible conduit.

Our ability to control magic ensures that this pipe channels the flow to the right place, preventing the water from going astray. With strong control, we can even regulate the speed and density of the flow. But if our control is insufficient, we can't manage it properly. The more powerful the magic, the faster the water flows—and the harder it becomes to handle. But that isn't your issue; your control over magic is extraordinary".

Lily paused briefly before continuing, "However, aside from good control, there's another crucial factor that determines whether a spell is successfully cast: whether your 'pipe' is large enough. Even if a small pipe is full of water, the output will still be limited. That's your situation right now. Protego is an energy-intensive defensive spell. It can block most curses and Dark Arts, even the Unforgivable Curses. To conjure a shield strong enough, you not only need excellent control but also sufficient and potent magic flowing into the spell".

Hearing Lily's analogy, Anduin immediately grasped the concept: his magic output per unit of time was too low to sustain such a powerful spell. With a puzzled expression, he asked, "So how do I make my 'pipe' bigger? Or rather, how can I output enough magic?"

Lily smiled at his question and replied, "It seems you still don't quite understand. The 'pipe' is your body. You're still young, and your body hasn't fully matured yet, so naturally, it's difficult for you to cast high-powered spells. As you grow and your physical strength improves, casting spells with your current level of control will become much easier.

Besides enlarging the 'pipe' within you, you could also increase the speed and pressure of the flow so that more magic is infused at once. But I wouldn't recommend that. The difficulty you're experiencing is your body's way of warning you. If you force an accelerated infusion of magic, it could be very damaging. If your body isn't strong enough, the 'pipe' might rupture, causing you physical harm."

"I see." Anduin finally understood. So, he couldn't cast those spells because he was still too young? According to Lily, to increase magic output per unit of time, one method was to wait for his body to grow and allow more magic to flow at once. The other option was 'pressurization,' like a water pump increasing pressure, but that came with the risk of his body breaking down under the strain.

At the same time, he recalled Sectumsempra. That spell wasn't lacking in power, but it also hadn't been particularly difficult for him to cast. It seemed its magic requirements weren't overly demanding. This realization made Anduin raise the danger level of Sectumsempra in his mind. Powerful yet not requiring high casting standards—it might be even more dangerous than the forbidden curses.

As for forcibly practicing Protego, he decided against such a reckless endeavor. He didn't want to flirt with death; even getting injured was an unacceptable outcome. It seemed he wouldn't be able to practice magic that required a massive amount of magical support in the short term. However, since magic output was tied to physical constitution, exercising and eating physique-enhancing foods should prove effective.

Anduin completed his calculations. Clearly, his long-term persistence with exercise and meditation was essential. As for physique-enhancing foods, he would have to visit Hagrid more often. He had eaten plenty of magical creature meat in the past —even dragon liver— and it had indeed strengthened his body. If he continued down this path, he might be able to cast such spells successfully before long.

Since he couldn't yet practice spells that demanded high magic output, he decided to shift his focus. He planned to start with Ancient Runes, study rune theory, and learn how to craft alchemical tools. Simultaneously, during his magic practice time, Anduin intended to begin learning Occlumency and Legilimency. It was said that Salazar Slytherin, the founder of Slytherin House, had been a master of Legilimency, and many renowned practitioners of the art had come from that house. Would the same prove true for Anduin?

Having made up his mind, Anduin explained to Lily that he wanted to delve deeper into runes and learn from her how to craft alchemical tools.

"I'm relieved to see you're not stubbornly pursuing Protego; that would have been far too risky. Still, I'm not particularly skilled in Ancient Runes or Alchemy myself. I can only teach you what I know. Actually, if Alchemy truly interests you, you could learn from Professor Dumbledore. I recall that Edgar Bones has impressive accomplishments in that field as well," Lily said in a gentle tone.

"I don't think you need to be so modest. That amulet you created is incredibly practical; I'd be more than satisfied just learning how to make a magical item like that," Anduin replied, unwilling to believe Lily's skills were as limited as she claimed. In the research notes and manuals she had left behind, he could clearly sense her deep insight into Runology.

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