Chapter 126

Regarding the news about John in the Daily Prophet, it still sparked quite a bit of discussion in the school.

Some people truly believed there was a connection between John and Dumbledore, and that he became a warrior through nepotism, while others thought it was just Rita's usual rumor-mongering.

But this didn't stop John from becoming a target; regardless of whether it was true or false, his name was already firmly linked to the words "special treatment".

Walking in the corridors, one could always hear whispers following him like shadows, with suspicion and jealousy mixed into every glance.

Of course, this had no impact on John, and his best friends always stood by his side.

It was a new week, and it was finally time for the second-year students' Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Professor Moody stood before the podium with his hands behind his back, his magical eye slowly rotating to scan the entire class.

His cane was planted straight into the ground.

"I am Alastor Moody, former Auror, invited by Dumbledore to serve as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"I have already learned about your progress from your previous professor, and I believe you have already learned and mastered quite a bit of knowledge on dealing with Dark creatures."

"So this year, I will teach you how to deal with Dark magic, and how to deal with Dark wizards."

Moody's hoarse voice echoed slowly in the classroom, and paired with his hideous scars and his constantly rotating magical eye, it gave off a strong sense of oppression.

"According to the normal procedure, I should be teaching you various counter-curses, defensive spells, and even counter-attack spells now."

"But there's no rush for that; we have a whole year to learn slowly."

"So, for the first lesson!" Moody suddenly raised his voice, scanning the room.

"I want to teach you to recognize the three great curses defined by the wizarding world as the most dangerous and unforgivable."

As Moody's words fell, the students below swallowed hard.

For no other reason than that Moody's aura was too terrifying.

"John Merrick."

Suddenly, Professor Moody called John's name, his magical eye fixed on his face.

John was slightly startled, not understanding why Moody had suddenly called him.

"Professor Lupin asked me to take special care of you, saying that the normal teaching pace might be too slow for you."

"I suppose you must have knowledge far beyond your peers, right?"

Professor Moody grabbed his cane, stepped with heavy strides to John's front, and grinned.

That smile looked sinister no matter how you looked at it.

John was left speechless after hearing this.

Professor Lupin, you should have just handed over your work properly; why did you have to put me on the spot while you were at it...

"Now, tell me, what are the three Unforgivable Curses?"

Hearing Professor Moody's question, John had no choice but to slowly stand up.

"They are the Imperius Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and the Killing Curse."

Professor Moody nodded slowly, pacing the classroom again while leaning on his cane.

"Correct, it is these three—the spells that make one wish for death but unable to die."

"Then, Merrick, tell me, how should an ordinary young wizard respond when encountering these three spells?"

Moody's questions weren't over, and he continued to ask John.

"Run."

However, John just silently spat out one word.

Moody was slightly stunned, and the classmates were also stunned.

But immediately, Professor Moody felt it was very interesting and began to laugh.

"Heh, hehehaha, very good, very good... that's right!"

"It's to run!"

"Before you have the strength to fight back, running! That is the most correct choice!"

After Professor Moody laughed heartily, he shouted loudly at the young wizards.

But just after shouting, he paced back to John's front in a few steps, his magical eye staring straight at him.

"However, Merrick, there will always be times when you can't run, right?"

"Uh... then beg for mercy?"

"......"

Hearing John's second answer, Moody was instantly speechless.

Titus, who was sitting next to John, couldn't hold it in anymore and snorted with laughter, then hurriedly covered his mouth.

"Titus Claur!" Moody shouted loudly without even looking at Titus.

"Uh sh... yes!!"

Titus was so scared he stood up instantly!

"Although I really don't want to say this, Merrick's answer is indeed correct; running away, or begging for mercy, are both means of self-preservation."

"But now, what I want to know is how to face these three Unforgivable Curses head-on."

"Claur, do you know the answer?"

Professor Moody spoke slowly.

"Uh... this, that... I only know that the Imperius Curse can be resisted by willpower?"

"Very good!"

Professor Moody shouted, scaring Titus into a shiver again.

"The Imperius Curse can completely control a person's behavior, making them act like a puppet driven by the caster."

"Back in the day, this caused a lot of trouble for the Ministry of Magic, because they had to distinguish whether those servants of the Dark Lord were following him voluntarily or were forced by the Imperius Curse."

Professor Moody finally got into the zone and began to loudly teach knowledge regarding the Imperius Curse.

"Of course, there are ways to distinguish this, such as whether their behavior is completely mechanical and devoid of any trace of self-consciousness."

"And the most direct method is to look at their eyes."

"Except for a few powerful Dark wizards, when the vast majority of Dark wizards cast the Imperius Curse, the victim's eyes will be covered with a strange grayish-white luster."

"And this luster is the direct manifestation of the soul being controlled by external forces."

Professor Moody walked back to the podium leaning on his cane, picked up a piece of chalk, and wrote the method for resisting the Imperius Curse on the blackboard.

He wrote while he spoke.

"And the only orthodox method to resist it is strong willpower!"

"You must build a wall in your heart, a spiritual barrier that does not allow any external force to erode it!"

After writing, he threw the chalk aside, put his hands behind his back again, scanned the class with that eerie magical eye, and then spoke slowly.

"Later, I will apply to Dumbledore to arrange a practical lesson, letting you experience the feeling of being controlled by the Imperius Curse firsthand."

Speaking to the end, Professor Moody looked coldly at John, and then said with a smile.

"Except for you, Merrick, the Hogwarts warrior; there is no need to apply to use the Imperius Curse on you."

"Don't worry, I will control the intensity to ensure safety..."