Sorcerer Supreme at Hogwarts (English Versión)

Virtual Gladiators Part 8

The next day, Stephen and Wanda were sitting next to Lee Jordan. Both had been invited by him as special commentators, since "for some mysterious reason," the audience loved hearing them talk… even when they said nothing useful.

Before the tournament began, while Jordan was going through some magical papers he clearly didn't understand, Stephen sat quietly next to Wanda.

"So? How did it go? "Wanda asked bluntly, as if they were talking about lunch and not something serious involving his love life.

"Better than expected. Though now I have a worried girlfriend who thinks I might explode at any moment… "Stephen replied with a forced smile". Thanks to our lovely habit of "if we're going down, we're taking everyone with us."

"Hahaha. Well, Daphne was crying like it was a tragic movie when she heard my story. She said she's going to do everything she can to make me happy in this new life… "Wanda said with a smile so sweet the air practically turned romantic.

"We've got good girlfriends… "Stephen nodded". We should make them our wives before they realize they can escape.

"We're already adults. We don't need to wait to graduate. Technically, we could just walk out of here with our diplomas if we wanted. Even the mini twins took their O.W.L.s early on the professors' recommendation! "Wanda replied quickly.

"Right… "Stephen muttered, though before he could fall into an existential spiral, Jordan casually walked into the commentator's box.

"What are you guys talking about? "Jordan asked, eyes full of curiosity.

"That we're going to propose to our girlfriends "Wanda said with a radiant smile.

"Ugh! I wish I hadn't asked! Now I feel like a lonely mutt "Jordan said dramatically, throwing himself into his chair as if he'd been stabbed in the heart.

"Oh, and Katie? I thought things were moving forward with her "Stephen raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, what are you talking about?! "Jordan shot up straight in surprise.

"You haven't noticed? "Stephen replied with a face that screamed "you adorable idiot." "She's always looking for an excuse to train with you, moron. How haven't you realized it yet?

"I don't think you're the best person to talk "Wanda chimed in with a teasing grin". Took you like ten years to start dating your childhood crush.

"Hey! I was being considerate! We were so young! "Stephen protested, clearly offended.

"Yeah, yeah, sure… "Wanda rolled her eyes.

"Hold on, back to Katie! Are you sure she's into me? I don't care if you're my best friend or stronger than me… I'll challenge you to a magical duel if you're lying! "Jordan shouted dramatically, leaning dangerously close to Stephen.

"You're way too close. I have zero interest in lying… or smelling your breath "Stephen said, pushing him back with a disgusted look.

"Not to interrupt the romantic moment, but… it's time to begin "Metis suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wearing a serious expression.

"Thanks, Metis "Wanda said as the woman vanished just as quickly as she came.

"Alright, let's continue this conversation later "Jordan said, grabbing the mic.

"There's nothing left to talk about. Just go talk to her "Stephen pointed at Katie in the stands.

"Don't be like Stephen "Wanda added.

Before Stephen could reply, Jordan turned on the mic.

"Welcome everyone to this wonderful, majestic, and magically explosive Dueling Tournament! "he shouted with excitement, earning a roar of cheers from the crowd.

"Today we have two exciting duels… and a special exhibition match that we're all dying to see. Especially the ones fighting. But I won't say who just yet… suspense, suspense! "he added, as the crowd booed him between laughs.

"Hahaha! Let's start with our first combatant. In the left corner, we have a witch who broke prank records before the twins were even a thing. She should be working right now, but she escaped to join the fight. Give it up for the incomparable Nymphadora Tonks!

Tonks stepped onto the field with firm steps… and a very grumpy face.

"I told you not to call me Nymphadora! "she shouted directly at Jordan, but immediately froze when she noticed Stephen watching her closely.

"Shit… what's the instructor doing here? "she muttered, suddenly uneasy.

"Once you're done playing around, get ready for a week of non-stop training "Stephen said with a smile Tonks instantly interpreted as a direct threat from hell.

"Uh-oh… looks like Nymphadora's in trouble with her boss for skipping work. Let's hope she puts on a good show to calm the wrath of the demon instructor "Jordan joked.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME NYMPHADORA! "Tonks yelled again, raising her wand.

"Alright, alright! "Jordan raised his hands in surrender". And now… in the right corner, someone we all know and love. One who's sure to make a certain commentator smile! Welcome the lovely Fleur Delacour!

Fleur stepped in with a playful smile and blew Stephen a kiss from afar. He simply nodded like it was nothing… but was clearly dying of pride inside.

Tonks, on the other hand, stared at her wide-eyed.

"Wait, I have to fight the instructor's wife?! Are you all insane!?

Fleur, who occasionally helped train the girls and was something of an unofficial instructor, gave her a calm smile.

"That's what you get for skipping work "Stephen said, clearly enjoying the moment a bit too much.

"Come on, Tonks. Don't worry. We're just going to have some fun! "Fleur said sweetly.

"BOOO! We don't want friendship! WE WANT BLOOD! "Wanda shouted from her seat, raising a makeshift sign.

Stephen facepalmed.

"Alright, enough stalling. Let the countdown begin! "Jordan shouted.

Tonks and Fleur took their positions, each with her wand ready and eyes sharp.

"3… 2… 1… BEGIN!

Fleur moved first. With a subtle flick of her wrist, her wand "with an elegant handle engraved with ancient runes" emitted a golden flash. The runes lit up as her lips pronounced a spell in French.

In reality, the magic she used was a blend of eldritch magic and common spells. Technically, she didn't need incantations "not anymore" but for many, they still helped.

They're like gestures in eldritch magic "eventually, you don't need them, but people keep using them anyway because they help channel the energy.

"Lames du Ciel."

Dozens of golden swords emerged around her, as if the very air had solidified into shining metal. They floated with lethal elegance, and with a single gesture, they all launched toward Tonks.

Tonks didn't answer with words. She pushed herself to the side, rolling across the ground as her wand moved with precision. With each motion, she deflected a blade, conjuring brief waves of defensive magic. Despite her agility, the swords kept chasing her, as if they had a will of their own.

"Accio metal!" she called out forcefully, and five of the swords were ripped from their path, halted mid-air.

Wasting no time, Tonks turned them into her defense. Her wand glowed purple, and the swords spun in the air before positioning themselves in front of her, forming an improvised barrier that trembled with each impact from the remaining golden blades.

"Clever," Fleur whispered from the opposite side, maintaining her composure.

She raised her wand and spun it in a complex pattern. The remaining swords began to merge into a single spear, its tip sparking with pure magical energy.

"Lance du Soleil."

The spear tore through the air like a lightning bolt. Tonks raised both hands and murmured a more advanced protective spell"one she rarely used due to its complexity.

"Murum Reflectum."

A magical crystal wall emerged in front of her, reinforced with layers of defensive runes. The spear struck it with brutal force, creating a burst of light that engulfed the entire arena.

Silence reigned for a moment. When the dust settled, Tonks was still standing, though the wall showed a massive crack. She was breathing heavily, but her gaze remained firm.

"Didn't expect you to be this aggressive. Weren't we supposed to be having fun?" Tonks said, raising her wand.

"It wouldn't be fun if we held back," Fleur replied with a slight tilt of her head.

"Ugh, you're picking up the evil instructor's personality," Tonks added quickly, with mock sadness.

But Fleur struck again in an instant.

Both rushed toward the center of the field at the same time. Spell after spell clashed in the air: lightning bolts, gusts of cutting wind, bluish flames, and bursts of pure magic. The ground trembled beneath their feet.

Fleur summoned a magic circle around her. It was a summoning spell, but different from Luna's, which brought forth animals or living creatures: six swords floated around her, moving as if they were an extension of her will.

Tonks changed her focus. She murmured a sequence of words under her breath, and her wand shone with a dark aura. She was about to use the magic her grandfather Arcturus had taught her.

"Gravitas Arcanum."

The air between the two witches grew denser, heavier. Fleur's swords began to slow slightly, and her movements became harder to track. Fleur frowned, recognizing the spell.

"Gravitational pressure magic… quite ancient and hard to control," Fleur said quickly and seriously.

"Well, thanks to that idiot Sirius who refuses to train with Grandpa, I got stuck with him and had to train just as ruthlessly as with the instructor," Tonks replied, advancing with steady steps and a confident smile.

Both raised their wands at the same time.

"Fulmen Sanctum!" Fleur shouted.

"Dispersio Umbra!" Tonks responded.

Two torrents of magic"one bright as the sun and the other dark as the void"clashed in the middle of the field. The impact raised a column of energy that shot into the sky, shaking the stands and forcing the crowd to shield their eyes.

When the light faded, both witches were still standing. Exhausted, wounded, but determined.

"Hey… they seem to be taking this fight really seriously, don't you think?" Wanda said, her eyes glowing with excitement as she watched the field closely.

Stephen nodded, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the two combatants.

"They both want to prove they're more than an image or a label," he said calmly, but firmly.

He paused, as if recalling things only he truly understood.

"Fleur wants to prove that her relationship with me doesn't define her. That she's not by my side just because of her beauty or some romantic whim. She wants everyone to see she has power, control, elegance… that she's capable of winning even without relying on her Veela heritage."

He looked toward Tonks, who was wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead without taking her eyes off Fleur.

"And Tonks… Tonks wants to get rid of that image of a clumsy, mischievous girl. To many, she's still 'the rebellious apprentice' or 'Sirius's funny niece'. But she wants them to see her for what she truly is: a formidable witch, a real Auror. She's tired of being underestimated. This fight isn't just for the audience… it's for themselves. To prove they deserve the respect they've been chasing for a long time."

The ground between them was scorched, with fragments floating slightly due to the lingering magical distortion. Tonks was breathing heavily, her left arm trembling slightly, but her smile remained. Fleur, on the other hand, was silent, her expression now that of a focused warrior.

"Don't underestimate yourself, Tonks. But don't underestimate me either."

With a barely audible whisper, Fleur once again spoke in French. Her wand spun three times, and the air around her trembled.

"Éveil de l'Esprit."

An ethereal aura surrounded Fleur. Her hair floated as if underwater, and her eyes glowed with a supernatural intensity.

Tonks frowned. She didn't recognize that technique, but it felt as though Fleur's power grew with every passing second.

"Tch… you're playing for real."

Tonks prepared to counterattack, but she wasn't fast enough. Fleur vanished in a golden flash and appeared right behind her.

"Fractura Celeste."

A shockwave burst from Fleur's wand, hitting Tonks in the back. The young witch was thrown forward, crashing into the ground with brutal force.

Before she could rise, three more golden swords struck the ground around her, sealing the area with a magical prison. Tonks tried to move, but the floating containment runes tightened around her with invisible force.

"Liberatio!" she shouted, trying to break the seal. A burst of shadows enveloped her, partially shattering the prison, but it wasn't enough.

Fleur was already ready with the final spell.

"Lumière Absolue."

A beam of pure light descended upon Tonks. It wasn't a lethal spell, but its power was overwhelming"an intense surge of energy that saturated every magical channel in her body. Then, with a blinding flash, it exploded.

"The battle is over! And the winner is Fleur Delacour!" Jordan announced quickly.

Tonks reappeared on the field moments later, resurrected from the simulated death. She let out a sigh, quickly composed herself, and smiled.

Fleur walked toward her slowly, her expression one of respect. She stopped in front of Tonks and extended her hand.

"You fought well."

Tonks smiled, still mentally exhausted.

"It was an awesome battle, even if you did make me explode... but thanks," Tonks replied quickly.

Both of them chuckled softly as they began walking toward the exit together.

"Please help me convince the instructor not to punish me," Tonks asked in a rush.

"Don't worry, leave it to me," Fleur replied just as quickly.

Stephen had heard their conversation but simply smiled… and said nothing.

...…

Next battle: Sirius vs. Snape.