"Protego! Damn it, Floyd, can't you aim better! Your Impediment Jinx hit me!"
"Who told you to keep running around in front of me! Just stand there and tank it! Don't move around!"
"Follow orders, don't use overly aggressive spells, you're going to anger it!"
Listening to the chaotic shouting nearby and watching the students' absolutely terrible coordination, Evans helplessly pursed his lips.
Although they had discussed tactics before the battle began, the actual execution was still a complete mess.
These young wizards' practical combat level was truly beyond words, and at least half the credit belonged to Hogwarts's disastrous Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.
Although Senior Tina should be able to change this situation somewhat, she could only teach for half a semester at most. Any longer and she'd probably encounter all sorts of dangers.
By then, this class would probably return to its former state. Changing professors every year, never having a clear teaching curriculum.
The curse of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Shaking his head in frustration, Evans pressed his wand to his throat and spoke softly.
"Sonorus."
Standing at the edge of the battlefield, watching his pig teammates who had long since abandoned his tactics, Zalan felt anxious but had no effective remedial measures.
He could only pray that these people would remember their previously agreed tactics after they finished going crazy.
Just as Zalan was praying desperately, a booming voice suddenly rang out nearby.
"Eight Gryffindors stand on the outside of the formation in a square, maintain Shield Charms, and don't do anything else."
"Everyone else stand inside the square formation, split into two groups, alternate casting Stunning Spells, ignore the Acromantula's charges, and trust your teammates."
After arranging everything and watching the young wizards somewhat frantically get into formation, Evans withdrew his wand and leaned back against the nearby tree.
A not-quite-standard hollow square formation used by line infantry to defend against cavalry. Though ancient, it was just right for young wizards at this stage.
He hoped they could remember this battle, since these were tactics passed down by their ancestors.
Wait, could the British Muggles from Napoleon's era actually count as these young wizards' ancestors?
Probably, right? After all, there were quite a few Muggle-born students these days, so they should share some bloodline connections.
Facts proved that while the tactics were ancient, they were still very effective against this Acromantula, which was equivalent to oversized cavalry.
After getting through the initial panic phase, with wave after wave of precisely timed Stunning Spells, the Acromantula's movement speed became slower and slower, until after a certain round of spells ended, the entire spider toppled to one side, eight legs pointing skyward, no longer moving.
The young wizards were panting heavily as they crouched down, some even lying flat on the forest floor. They had never experienced this kind of prolonged team combat, and the intense battle made them feel like their bodies weren't their own.
But the joy of victory filled their hearts completely. Even with team combat, they hadn't expected to defeat a Class XXXXX dark creature.
"We... won?"
Recovering from their exhausted state, the young wizards looked at the Acromantula lying motionless on the ground over there and excitedly discussed details from the previous battle. Their pre-class nervousness about exams quietly disappeared.
After all, combat was one of the best ways to relax one's mindset. Defeating a very powerful opponent while mentally tense would release all the pressure in their hearts.
Walking back among the young wizards, Evans spoke with genuine approval.
"The battle process was too chaotic. If any of you want to become Aurors in the future, you need to strengthen your role in team cooperation."
"However, everyone's magical level is still commendable. The spells were all used skillfully, with no one falling behind the team."
"Don't be too nervous about the upcoming exams. Based on today's performance, you won't have any problems with your Charms exams or Magical Creatures exams. Just do your best."
After praising the students, Evans kicked the Acromantula lying there.
"Stop pretending, I know you're not unconscious, just a bit dizzy at most."
If an adult Acromantula could be knocked out by this level of Stunning Spells, this species couldn't possibly be rated Class XXXXX.
However, after enduring those several rounds of Stunning Spells, it also couldn't dodge incoming spells as quickly as before and wasn't far from truly being unconscious.
After receiving two solid kicks, the furious Acromantula righted itself and fixed all eight of its eyes on Evans with unmistakable menace.
"Aren't you afraid of revenge from the Acromantula clan?"
The Acromantula clan ranked among the most formidable of sentient magical creatures, and they were one of the rare Class XXXXX species capable of human speech.
Such blatant disrespect toward their kind—did these wizards truly believe there would be no consequences?
Hearing this, Evans laughed heartily.
He looked at the Acromantula with genuine interest for a long time, until it felt somewhat uncomfortable being stared at, before smiling and saying.
"Go mention this to Aragog, tell him you attacked Evans Kahn first and then were captured by me as a sparring partner for a day. See if he dares come for revenge."
Those cowardly Acromantulas, revenge against him?
Setting aside that he was the one who had been attacked, even if he actively hunted an Acromantula, the Acromantula colony in the Forbidden Forest wouldn't dare say anything.
Just a bunch of cowards who only caught rabbits. If it weren't for the fact they hadn't eaten humans yet, he wouldn't spare their lives at all.
Well, he still needed to keep one or two for future classes as sparring partners.
Seeing the human before it acting so confident and hearing that name just now, something suddenly occurred to Maloney's not-too-large brain.
A few years ago, Aragog and several elder Acromantulas had suddenly returned to the nest with heavy injuries. Several of the strongest fighters being severely wounded had directly caused a rebellion in the nest, nearly overthrowing Aragog's rule.
But after finally quelling the rebellion, Aragog said nothing, only very solemnly repeated the rule about absolutely not harming humans before returning to his den to sleep.
Logically, when a leader was harmed, he would definitely bring his people to get revenge. Previously, creatures in the forest that had provoked Acromantulas were all bitten to death by them working together.
But that time, there was no follow-up at all.
Could it be...
Looking at the human wizard standing there with a confident smile, all eight of Maloney's eyes showed fear simultaneously.
It carefully backed away a few steps, then rapidly scrambled with its eight long legs and disappeared into the woods in a flash.
Too terrifying, humans were too terrifying!
No matter how delicious they were, it never wanted to encounter humans again!
Watching the Acromantula disappear into the jungle, Evans paid no more attention to this small matter and led the young wizards back to school.
After assigning homework to all the young wizards and comforting their pre-exam nerves, Evans returned to his comfortable hut.
Just arriving at the door, he discovered a piece of paper that looked like it had been torn from a diary lying quietly by the entrance. Picking up the note, a line of crooked handwriting came into view.
[About to hatch.]