Harry Potter: Bloodraven

Located 183 miles west-northwest of Nunivak Island, St. Matthew Island is a remote, uninhabited island in the Bering Sea, Alaska, under the administration of the United States.

Two figures suddenly appeared in a grassy area a few miles from the coast. Although the landscape was green with grass, the temperature hovered just a few degrees above freezing.

-Cough, Cough Cough.

Maverick couldn't help but cough, overwhelmed by the unpleasant sensation he'd just experienced. He had read about Apparition and its side effects, but feeling it firsthand was, without a doubt, one of the most unpleasant experiences he had ever had.

But within moments, he managed to pull himself together and look around at where his uncle had brought him.

"Where are we?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Not bad… Most people would spill their guts after experiencing Apparition for the first time," Edward remarked, impressed by Maverick's toughness.

"We're in a place very far from any prying eyes. But just in case…" Edward said, his eyes widening and glowing gold.

Maverick felt a wave—no, a tsunami—of energy surge through him. Even if only for a moment, the intensity reminded him that the man in front of him was one of the most powerful individuals in the world.

"Good. Not a soul in sight," Edward said after a moment of silence, and Maverick was certain that his uncle had just completed a wide-range scan of the area.

He waited for his uncle's instructions, still unsure why he had been brought to such a remote place, somewhere so distant he didn't even know where they were.

"All right, little Rick. First, I want you to demonstrate what you've learned. Show me a few spells you're confident in..."

Maverick thought it over. It seemed his uncle simply wanted to verify his claims.

Maverick raised his hand, and his wand slipped from the holder strapped to his arm and into his grasp.

He didn't hesitate or overthink; the list of spells was already infront, displayed by the system.

Just as he prepared to begin, Edward called out, "You can start with some offensive ones—direct them at me."

Maverick paused, then nodded. He wasn't worried; he knew his uncle would be unharmed.

He began with an Exploding Charm. "Bombarda!" The spell shot forward and hit, something. The ground in front of his uncle, scattered dirt, creating a small cloud of dust.

Edward stood relaxed, hands tucked into his pockets, his thick, wavy golden hair fluttering like a majestic lion's mane. To Maverick's astonishment, his uncle did not cast any defensive spells; he blocked it effortlessly with raw energy alone.

"Flipendo!" he followed up with a knockback jinx, but the result was the same.

"Incendio!"

"Diffindo!"

"Bombarda Maxima!"

He unleashed several spells, each he knew with intermediate proficiency, ending with a more powerful version of the Exploding Charm. Yet his uncle remained in place, calm as if the spells were nothing more than light gusts of wind. The final spell made him raise an eyebrow, but that was it.

Maverick took a deep breath, preparing to cast the spells he knew best, at the advanced proficiency.

First, he fired a Binding Spell, chanting "Petrificus Totalus," then immediately followed up with a powerful Stunner. "Stupefy!"

Both spells crashed against the invisible energy barrier in rapid succession, scattering rocks and creating a far greater impact than before. Still, the barrier held firm, and his uncle remained unfazed, as nonchalant as ever.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Edward showed a satisfied expression, clapping three times in praise.

"All right, now show me the defensive spells. I'll attack, and you defend."

Maverick was speechless, hoping his uncle was only joking. But seeing Maverick's face, Edward only grinned and added, "Don't worry, I know how to measure my own strength. But don't slack off—you did make a bold claim."

Maverick didn't get a chance to respond; he saw his lion-like uncle withdraw one hand from his pocket and point a finger at him.

"Protego!"

A transparent, spherical shield formed around him as Maverick prepared for the impact. But nothing happened—Edward simply stood there, pointing.

"A very solid Shield Charm. Impressive," he commented before a ball of energy formed at the tip of his finger and shot toward Maverick.

Boom!

Maverick's Shield Charm held strong, scattering dust and soil in a half-circle away from him.

'A spell? No! The force was definitely at the level of my strongest offensive spells,' Maverick analyzed, feeling a weight from the feedback of the impact.

"Truly… very impressive, little Rick. Now, try holding on as long as you can," Edward said, launching more energy beam like things at him in quick succession.

"Uncle, wai—"

Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After the fourth hit, Maverick felt heavy and fatigued. His shield was still intact, but each impact seemed to reverberate through his body, as though gravity intensified with each strike before releasing again.

He looked visibly drained, panting, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Edward halted his onslaught and took a good look at Maverick.

"Tell me, little Rick, what do you lack at this moment?"

His uncle asked a strange question. He made the Shield Charm disappear and gave it some thought. Some of my hypotheses may need further analysis, he pondered.

"Stamina? Or magical energy?" he replied after careful consideration.

Edward nodded. "Yes. Your understanding of some of the spells you demonstrated has clearly reached a profound level, but you lack the fuel to back it up."

"I can say with certainty that your Shield Charm is at a very high level, even compared to some veteran wizards I know. However, what you lack compared to them is power and stamina."

Maverick listened carefully, comparing Edward's words with the theories he had already formed. What his uncle explained was something he had suspected, and now it was confirmed. Still, he wasn't worried or discouraged. With time on his side, he knew he would only grow stronger.

"Uncle, I've only been a wizard for less than a year, and you're comparing me to seasoned Great-Magus…"

Edward blinked, realizing his oversight. "Haha… That's true. I was only trying to teach you a lesson and make sure you don't become too proud…" He explained, trying to hide a hint of embarrassment.

He had indeed overlooked that point after witnessing Maverick's deep understanding of spells.

"Hmmm…" Edward stood with a hand on his chin, seemingly deep in thought.

"Right… Show me your Patronus," he said suddenly.

Maverick nodded and flipped his wand, chanting, "Expecto Patronum." A raven made of white, foggy energy took shape in front of him, flapping its wings before slowly landing on his shoulder.

"Incredible!" Edward exclaimed. "A very solid Patronus!"

"Alright, the first half of my test is done, and you've passed with high marks," Edward said, walking toward Maverick.

He placed a hand on Maverick's shoulder, and Maverick felt a rush of energy pour into him, like the refreshing sensation of cold water after a long run.

Edward maintained the connection for a few seconds before stopping. Then he snapped his fingers, and the scattered ground, soil, and debris began to move as if time were reversing, returning to the way it looked before they started firing spells.

Maverick observed everything, feeling his fatigue nearly vanish. The ease with which his uncle performed the Reverte spell indicated advanced or master-level proficiency.

This time, he knew it was a spell and not just raw energy, because one, he knows the spell, and two, there were no visible signs of magical energy being physically displayed.

"Are you good, or do you want to go back?" Edward asked, his wand appearing in his grip.

"No, uncle… Let's continue…" Maverick responded. He was genuinely enjoying himself. It was the first time in the last six months that he had used spells without any worry, and the feeling exhilarated him.

"Good. Now, this is my last test for you. If you pass, I will take you on as my apprentice," Edward said expectantly, crossing his arms over his chest while holding his wand in one hand.

"Uh… I thought you had already decided to take me in as your student, uncle…" Maverick said, showing a shy and slightly confused expression as he scratched his head with the tip of his wand.

"True… That's me taking you as a student. I have nine at the moment, and only one of them is my direct apprentice. For my students, I won't be teaching them personally much—only some selected courses. Instead, I have my close confidants as their teachers.

But make no mistake, they are all extremely knowledgeable, at least at the Marquis level. So don't be disheartened just because you may not become my apprentice, little Rick. It's still much better than learning from any school in the world." Edward grinned and gave a thumbs-up.

Maverick carefully considered his uncle's words. He resolved to do everything he could to become Edward Garling's apprentice because he believed that with his uncle as a backer, he would have a much easier time accomplishing his future plans. But if not, that was fine as well.

After all, his relationship with Edward would be more than just that of a student; he was also a good friend of his father.

He knew he was being a bit shameless for thinking like that, but it was just a fleeting thought. Either way, it was a win-win situation.

"I understand, uncle. Let's get started," Maverick said, nodding solemnly with a determined expression.

Edward raised his wand. "Pay close attention to my wand movements and listen carefully to the incantation. This is a spell I developed myself, and only my students and apprentices have had the opportunity to learn it."

"Illusio Lunam Lectorem!"