"Yes, in Defense Against the Dark Arts, there's nothing specific. Use any means you can to counter danger, even using dark arts to counter dark arts isn't a problem." Gilderoy Lockhart's words caused an uproar, and some of the little wizards even showed expressions of horror.
For children of this age, Gilderoy Lockhart's statement was indeed somewhat frightening.
After all, it was dark arts!
Could it be that a professor is telling them they can use dark arts to fight dark arts? For little wizards who have been brought up with family teachings against dark arts, this concept is really hard to accept.
If it weren't for the fact that the person on the podium was a famous figure, perhaps someone would have stood up to refute. Of course, compared to these little wizards' somewhat resistant reactions, Ian was only a bit surprised. He didn't have much regard for Lockhart, but he had to admit that what Gilderoy Lockhart said made sense.
Defense Against the Dark Arts; dying certainly doesn't count as successful defense. If dark arts can be used to defeat someone else's dark arts, how is that not a successful defense against dark arts?
"Take your time digesting, take your time understanding. Once you've had as rich an experience as I have, I think you'll naturally agree with what I told you today."
Gilderoy Lockhart boastfully praised himself. His wand seemed to be carved from high-grade wood, and the gemstone embedded in the handle sparkled brightly.
"Professor, can you show us some dark arts?" After coming back to their senses, a bold little wizard raised his hand, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
However, his inquiry was met with a shaking of the head from Gilderoy Lockhart.
"For children your age, it's indeed a bit too early to be exposed to dark arts. I'm sure your headmaster would absolutely not allow me to teach you dark arts."
Clearly, the student only wanted to see it, but Gilderoy Lockhart had effortlessly shifted the concept, looking as if he was used to such maneuvers.
Quite a reasonable excuse.
To avoid having to demonstrate magic... Ian finally gave up on his Defense Against the Dark Arts class, wondering if Gilderoy Lockhart planned to spend the class bragging.
"Professor, you just said Defense Against the Dark Arts class was a practical course, so will you let us practice with Irish Little Demons? Forgive me for seeing such creatures in your office by accident yesterday." No wonder William had been reviewing related knowledge all the way here; he was using 'cheating' methods just like in Herbology Class.
The first-year little wizards couldn't hold it in. Seeing the empty classroom and Gilderoy Lockhart not bringing anything made them panic a bit. After all, multiple failed attempts to 'cheat' in Herbology Class had significantly affected William's mindset.
"Hmm?"
Gilderoy Lockhart looked at William, "You don't need to apologize, after all, what you saw was something left over by the previous professor. I won't plagiarize someone else's preparations for my teaching content."
With that.
Gilderoy Lockhart looked around again, his gaze finally resting on Ian, making Ian feel a bit bewildered under the scrutiny.
"Huh? Professor, are you planning to use me for your lesson?"
His eyes widened.
"Hahaha, of course not." Gilderoy Lockhart laughed, "I'm just a bit disappointed that even you, often mentioned by Dumbledore, didn't notice some of the little tricks I've set up. Child, remember, staying vigilant is very important for a wizard."
"Don't think that just because this is Hogwarts, potential threats don't exist... Danger is everywhere, and this is the profound truth I want to convey to you in this first class!"
As soon as he finished speaking.
Gilderoy Lockhart gently tapped the podium with his wand, then the wooden podium seemed to turn into liquid, boiling and falling away into a pool of dark brown liquid.
The object it had enclosed was revealed—a gigantic cage.
"No!"
"We're going to die!"
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
...
Fear and horror instantly filled the entire classroom, and the temperature in the air plummeted with the appearance of the giant cage, even the air exhaled by many had a frosty feel. An indescribable heaviness filled the classroom, as if an invisible pressure weighed on everyone's mind.
Dim and chilly.
Making it hard to breathe.
Fear, like an unseen chain, tightly bound the hearts and spirits of all the little wizards.
"No way! How can it be this ghost thing!"
William turned around to pull Ian and Michael to run away.
Only to find that the classroom door had been closed at some point.
Not just him.
Brother Xiao Hei Michael's face was pale from fright, and many students were scrambling on the ground in panic, even Ian showed an expression of disbelief.
No way.
Ian never expected to see such a creature in a Defense Against the Dark Arts class—a tall figure, covered in a cloak, with its face completely hidden beneath a hood, curled up in the cage. Its hands were bare and appeared gaunt and gray, like a corpse dead for God knows how many years.