This was another spell from the Magical Knight's Handbook, one only accessible at the second tier: the Ring of Blades.
A spell designed for a knight charging alone into enemy ranks, it created a protective array of magical blades to expand their combat range.
The higher your mastery of breathing techniques and magical control, the more blades you could summon—and the sharper they became. With enough skill, you could even send them flying to strike foes.
Edward could only manage four blades for now, but that was enough.
Using his spells as a distraction, he closed in on the shadowy figure at lightning speed.
He knew who this was: Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, a master of dark magic and a servant of Voldemort, colluding with the Dark Knight. Perhaps Voldemort himself was here, in some form.
From the moment Edward saw Ramleh's wounds last time, he knew the magic behind them was far beyond his current abilities.
Quirrell, who had hidden his true nature for so long, wasn't someone Edward could face alone.
On his mad dash to the Forbidden Forest, fear had crept into his heart, bit by bit.
But so what?
Neither Voldemort nor the Dark Knight would harm what he held dear!
This conviction filled him with courage and resolve. A warm surge coursed through his veins, and he raised his sword, slashing at the shadowy figure.
[Blessing of Valor (Level 1) Activated]
[A hero isn't fearless but moves forward despite fear. Courage is both flame and fuel.]
[Your valor becomes a beacon for your allies, granting courage to those within a certain radius. The effect and range grow with your courage and the blessing's level.]
Edward's eyes gleamed like emeralds in the night.
The Blessing of Valor!
He activated its power, and his sword came down with fierce determination.
An invisible shield blocked the blade, and the four magical blades circling him struck the barrier, ringing out with a chorus of clinks and clangs.
But it wasn't enough to break through Quirrell's Protego.
"RAAARGH!"
A furious dragon roar echoed through the sky.
Norbert, lying on the ground, suddenly felt a surge of immense power flood her body.
Her blood boiled, as if a fiery rage was about to burst from her chest and throat.
She had never felt such an urgent need to unleash her fury.
Opening her jaws, Norbert directed her hatred and anger at the figure before her.
WHOOSH!
A torrent of wind and furious flames erupted from her throat, a pure dragon's breath engulfing the area in front of her, swallowing the shadowy figure whole.
Edward, sensing the dragonfire through his Blessing of Mercy, had already used the recoil from Quirrell's shield to leap several meters back.
The roaring flames scorched the earth, igniting nearby trees with a ferocity that seemed ready to melt everything in its path.
With a piercing scream, the shadowy figure transformed into a plume of burning black smoke and fled deep into the Forbidden Forest, vanishing from sight.
THUNK!
A crossbow bolt whistled through the air, embedding itself in a nearby tree.
"Coward! Coward! Only good for hurting helpless creatures! Come back here, or I'll make ya regret it!" Hagrid's furious bellow echoed through the forest.
He'd seen Edward's battle with the figure from a distance and witnessed Norbert's fiery outburst.
He'd meant to join the fight sooner, but a patch of Devil's Snare had tripped him up, leaving him to vent his frustration with a few crossbow shots into the distance.
"Oh, Norbert! My sweet little darling, you're hurt!" Hagrid's attention snapped to the bloodied wound on Norbert's back.
Panicked, he tossed his crossbow aside and rummaged through his bag for Essence of Dittany.
"Use this, Hagrid. I used it on Ramleh last time. My mum made it—it works against dark magic too." Edward handed him a small vial but kept his wand at the ready.
Quirrell was unlikely to return, but Edward couldn't let his guard down until other staff arrived.
They'd be here soon, he was sure.
Edward first patted Norbert's head, urging her to bear the pain, then knelt beside Ramleh to check for other injuries.
"Rennervate."
The Stunning Spell had hit her squarely in the abdomen—Edward had seen it clearly. He was just grateful it wasn't the Cruciatus Curse.
"You came! I knew you would!" Ramleh nuzzled Edward's face happily.
"I heard your call in my dream. Rest now—that creep's probably not coming back." Edward stroked her white mane and stood, peering into the darkness. He could hear footsteps approaching.
Daphne was the first to burst onto the scene, wand raised, scanning the chaos. Her eyes lingered on Norbert before turning to Edward with a questioning look.
"I'm fine. He got away. Ramleh's got some minor injuries—nothing serious. Go check on her." Edward pointed to the unicorn.
Daphne nodded firmly and hurried over.
"Bedivere, explain yourself. What happened here?" A cold, furious voice cut through the air.
Snape glided out of the shadows like a bat, his black robes billowing, followed by a nervous Malfoy and Pansy.
All three gasped at the sight of the dragon beside Hagrid.
Edward opened his mouth to explain, but a tabby cat leapt from a tree branch, transforming mid-air into Professor McGonagall in her nightgown.
"Good heavens! An injured dragon? In the Forbidden Forest? Can someone explain?" She clutched her collar, steadying herself against a tree as if she might faint.
"My, what a lively evening. Quite the gathering." Dumbledore's voice came last.
Everyone turned to see him, accompanied by three small figures: Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
McGonagall nearly swooned at the sight of three Gryffindors out of bed.
"Three rule-breaking Gryffindors? Potter, I suppose the headmaster caught you sneaking out? I think Gryffindor deserves—" Snape's lips twisted into a sneer.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked terrified.
"Now, Severus, I don't think any students should lose points tonight. A dragon's roar would pique anyone's curiosity," Dumbledore interrupted calmly. "More importantly, Mr. Bedivere, as the first on the scene, can you tell us what happened?"
His sharp gaze pierced through his half-moon spectacles, locking onto Edward.
All eyes turned to him.
"I was asleep in the dormitory when I dreamt of this unicorn—Ramleh—calling for help. Then I heard Norbert's roars," Edward said quickly. "Professor, it's the one attacking unicorns. Hagrid must've told you. I think they're after Norbert now. You know the uses of dragon's blood, don't you?"
"Dragon's blood has twelve uses, my clever boy. I understand," Dumbledore replied. "Minerva, please escort these curious young witches and wizards—except Edward—back to their common rooms and calm the other students."
"If anyone asks, say my dragon was a bit restless."
"Severus, could you patrol the forest? The attacker might return, though dragonfire makes that unlikely. Still, we must be vigilant."
"Keeping a dragon is illegal! And naming a unicorn and a dragon? That's sheer folly. Does anyone truly believe they can tame such dangerous creatures?" Snape's icy gaze swept over Edward, then Hagrid.
As if understanding, the two creatures stirred. Ramleh left Daphne's side, pawing the ground aggressively at Snape, while Norbert raised her head, puffing sparks at him, as if to say, Keep talking, and I'll roast you like that other guy.
Snape's face remained impassive, but he took an involuntary half-step back.
"Easy, you two. Professor Snape's just got a sharp tongue," Edward said, waving them down. They settled reluctantly.
"Naming magical creatures isn't such a bad idea. My phoenix is called Fawkes, after all. Now, let's get moving," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands.
McGonagall rounded up Daphne, Malfoy, Pansy, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, leading the reluctant group—still stealing glances at the dragon and unicorn—out of the forest.
"You're lucky tonight! That's a dragon, not a circus for you to gawk at! I bet you three knew about this, didn't you? Potter, Weasley, Granger?" McGonagall's scolding echoed, along with Malfoy's smug snicker.
Snape swept past the creatures, wand drawn, and headed deeper into the forest.
"Hagrid, perhaps move Norbert to the Quidditch pitch? It's not safe here. Silvanus should arrive soon—I sent Fawkes to fetch him," Dumbledore said calmly.
Hagrid nodded, tears streaming as he knelt beside Norbert, soothing her.
"As for you, Mr. Bedivere, you're coming with me to the hospital wing."
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