## Chapter 229: Offense is the Best Defense
The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom had undergone a major transformation. Thick, soft mats covered the floor, and the clutter along the walls had been cleared away, leaving only one shelf filled with bandages and potions.
"I heard… these were only added after Madam Pomfrey strongly protested."
Daphne reached out and touched a thick mat, a sense of relief washing over her.
"You all saw Potter's nose, right? I certainly don't want a crooked nose like Professor Dumbledore's in the future."
"I heard Potter challenged the professor many times, which is why he got beaten up so badly," Theodore Nott said. "If he'd just given up in time, he would've only gotten minor injuries."
Malfoy's pale face improved slightly, and a defiant expression returned.
Everyone comforted each other, finally regaining a bit of confidence. Some students even picked out nearby mats in advance, just in case they ended up hitting the floor.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a *bang*, and the new professor strode in.
She walked to the very front, gave her Wand a forceful flick, and all the mats suddenly flew up. The students scrambled out of the way, then watched as the mats landed and piled up against the wall.
Professor Abigail turned to face everyone, her face devoid of any smile.
"Madam Pomfrey believes you need these to avoid injury. But in my class, only cowards and faint-hearted individuals can apply for a bed."
"Does anyone need one? Raise your hand!"
No one was willing to admit they were a coward or faint-hearted. Even though some were trembling with fear, they stubbornly kept their hands down.
After waiting for a moment, Professor Abigail tapped her palm with her Wand and said, "Very good, you've finally shown a bit of courage."
Some subtly puffed out their chests.
"I'm from Ilvermorny in America, and I've also been to Uagadou School of Magic in Africa. Many say Hogwarts is the best, so I proactively sought out Dumbledore and applied to be your substitute teacher."
She scanned the crowd, saying, "But after arriving here, I'm very disappointed! Most of you are weak—"
She looked at the pale-skinned Daphne.
"—cowardly—"
Her sharp gaze lingered on Lisa's face.
"—clumsy—"
Goyle and Crabbe stared blankly back at the new professor.
"—hypocritical—"
Draco's face flushed red.
"Your Spells are a mess, and you're as unfamiliar with your Wand as if it were a dog from the next town over…"
Professor Abigail laughed mockingly. "Seriously, are you really Wizards? Or a bunch of baboons holding Wands?"
She stopped casually in front of Anthony, tilting her head to ask, "Do you think you're a Wizard?"
Fury blazed in Anthony's eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "Of course I am!"
"What's your name?" Professor Abigail asked.
"Anthony Goldstein!" Anthony said loudly.
"Alright, Goldstein." Professor Abigail gestured with her hand. "Then take out your Wand and let me see what you can do!"
After a pause, she added, "If you're scared, just give up and go find a mat to sleep on over there."
Anthony's lips were pressed tightly together. He pulled out his Wand and walked to the front, the surrounding students making way for them.
"Expelliarmus—"
The boy had barely lifted his Wand halfway when he was sent flying with a *whoosh*.
"Too slow!" Abigail said dismissively. "Will the enemy wait for you to be ready?"
She pointed at a student at random. "What's your name?"
Michael took a deep breath and stepped forward, saying, "Michael Corner."
Ten seconds later, Michael followed in Anthony's footsteps.
"Next," Abigail said languidly.
Students went up one after another, only to be sent flying in various bizarre ways, most unable to even complete their Spell. Because of Abigail's earlier words, they gritted their teeth and endured, unable to even admit defeat.
Some students had their Wands fly out of their hands and were harshly mocked by the new professor, who said that in a real fight, they would already be dead.
"But I'm not going to be an Auror in the future—"
Blaise Zabini muttered, clearly finding the professor's constant talk of combat inappropriate.
"You know what?" Abigail pressed down on his head, sneering, "The vast majority of those killed by Dark Wizards are ordinary, incompetent Wizards like you."
Seeing her dark green, beast-like eyes up close, Zabini was momentarily too stunned to speak.
Professor Abigail released him, raising her voice. "Next!"
Wade walked out.
At this moment, he was the only student in the classroom who hadn't been called upon. Others, like Malfoy, had already been hit by Spells and sent flying at least two or three times.
Seeing him, Professor Abigail showed a faint smile and asked, "What's your name?"
"Wade Grey."
"Oh... so you invented the Book of Friends." A smile also appeared in Professor Abigail's eyes as she said, "I like your look—are you ready?"
Wade didn't waste words; he raised his hand and cast a Disarming Charm, while simultaneously dodging to the side.
He had seen it many times: this professor completely disregarded dueling etiquette. Several times, she had used words to distract her opponent, then unexpectedly struck them down.
Even when facing second-year students whose magical abilities were far inferior to hers, she showed no mercy, even resorting to sneak attacks and trickery.
When students accused her, she didn't feel any embarrassment. Instead, she would say, "That's what a real duel is like! Gentlemen are dead; only ruthlessness will keep you alive!"
Sure enough, as soon as Wade dodged, a red beam of light swept past where he had just stood and hit Goyle, who was not far away.
The boy, who had been sitting on the ground clutching his forehead, suddenly opened his eyes wide, then fainted without a sound.
Professor Abigail wasn't hit by the Disarming Charm. She opened her eyes in surprise and said, "Are you kidding? A Nonverbal Spell? Or did you secretly cast it?"
Wade naturally didn't answer. He blocked an incoming beam with an Shield Charm, then flung out a Stunning Spell, watching as it too was bounced back by an invisible shield.
With a "thump," an eye-sized hole appeared in the wall.
At the same time, another rebounding spell hit Pansy. The girl fell backward onto Malfoy, and the students scattered, clutching their heads and fleeing.
The two in the center of the classroom continuously attacked each other, the light of spells flying in all directions. Even they themselves weren't sure which way the spells would rebound, let alone the other students, who couldn't even dodge.
Terry, who had been hit by the Disarming Charm for the third time, scrambled to pick up his Wand, crying out in despair, "They're the ones fighting, so why are we the unlucky ones?!"
"Run!"
Someone shouted, and everyone felt as if a great burden had been lifted. The student closest to the door yanked open the classroom door, only to be bound by a Leg-Locker Curse and fall with a thump.
Malfoy pushed him aside and dragged Pansy out first. The entire classroom of students followed, fleeing. Besides those who had fainted, in the blink of an eye, only Wade and the new professor remained.
"Your spells are quite good... but I heard your previous two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors weren't very skilled?"
Professor Abigail seemed to ignore the fleeing students, circling and looking for an opportunity to attack as she asked.
"I have a very dedicated private tutor," Wade said.
"If there's an opportunity, I'd like to meet them."
Professor Abigail said, flicking her Wand quickly. Wade immediately blocked the incoming spell, but his foot suddenly tripped.
One of Goyle's arms had stretched out, becoming an unexpected obstacle. Wade stumbled and hadn't yet regained his balance when his abdomen felt as if it had been struck by a hammer. He flew sideways and slammed heavily onto the floor.
"In a duel, even a momentary lapse of attention can be fatal," Professor Abigail said with a smile. "It seems your private tutor forgot to teach you to pay attention to your surroundings during a fight."
"You too!" Wade said through the pain.
A willow branch, which had appeared from who knew where, swayed, then lashed out. The professor, who was holding her Wand, was knocked forward, rolling twice on the ground before stopping.
"Clever boy!"
Professor Abigail took advantage of the momentum, kneeling on one knee, and threw another spell with a dashing posture. But then, a furious roar suddenly exploded in her ear—
"Stop it!"
She looked up to see Madam Pomfrey standing in the open doorway, panting with anger, her hand clutching her Wand trembling slightly.
Her rage was almost tangible, making even the arrogantly smiling Professor Abigail instinctively avert her gaze.
Several students peeked out from behind the school nurse, looking into the classroom with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
Immediately afterward, the furious roar exploded!
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