Harry Potter: The Legend of Nero Ravenclaw-Chapter 118: Shikigami Arts

Nero slumped against the lunch table, his breath coming in slow, measured gasps as the last remnants of adrenaline drained from his body.

His uniform clung to his damp skin, a testament to the relentless sparring session under Zen's ever-watchful eye.

His muscles ached, his arms felt leaden, and even the refreshing afternoon breeze felt like a cruel taunt against his exhaustion.

"Look at you," Mio teased, crossing her arms with a smirk. "You look like you're about to pass out."

Nero groaned, rolling his shoulders with a wince. "You didn't have to spar eight times with Zen in one hour."

Mio chuckled, her amusement evident. "Next time, remember not to make fun of Uncle Zen."

Nero leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm, and shot her a lopsided grin.

"You know, you look much prettier when you smile. You should do it more often."

Mio's smirk faltered for a moment, a faint shade of pink dusting her cheeks before she quickly turned away, arms still crossed. "Idiot," she muttered, but there was no real bite behind it.

Nero chuckled but winced as a muscle in his side protested.

"Anyway, one last class for today, Shikigami Arts. Honestly, I've been looking forward to this one the most.

The concept is so different from Western magic, and if I can grasp it properly, I bet I could find a ton of new applications."

Mio raised an eyebrow. "I was going to say you should wait to see if you even have talent for it, but at this point, nothing surprises me anymore."

"Look forward to it." Nero flashed a playful grin before they gathered their things and made their way to class.

As they stepped into the Shikigami Arts classroom, the usual chatter of students quieted, replaced by hushed whispers and knowing glances.

The rumors surrounding Nero and Mio had clearly gained traction, especially after Zen's intense lesson. He sighed inwardly but ignored them.

At the front of the room stood a man of small stature, his presence exuding a quiet yet undeniable confidence.

He adjusted his glasses, his keen eyes scanning the students before landing on Nero.

A small, knowing smile played on his lips.

"Ah, if you are with Mio, you must be Mr. Nero Ravenclaw, the Hogwarts exchange student. Welcome." His voice was smooth, refined.

"My name is Kurogane Tatsumi, and I will be your instructor in Shikigami Arts this year. Please, take a seat."

Nero bowed slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Kurogane Sensei."

Kurogane nodded approvingly before turning to address the class.

"Shikigami Arts is one of Mahoutokoro's oldest disciplines," Professor Kurogane began, his voice calm but carried by a precise authority.

"To many of you, this is familiar ground. But today, we begin anew, because theory must evolve with experience."

With a subtle flick of his sleeve, a blank sheet of paper floated upward. In a breath, it folded into a crane.

The paper shimmered faintly, reacting not just to Kurogane's magic, but to his will.

The crane darted forward, dodged a spell, then retaliated with a pinpoint flash of magical force at a second paper construct in the air.

It landed, wings folding gently, like it had simply done what it was meant to.

"Shikigami are not brute extensions of magic," Kurogane said, facing the class. "They are forms of intent given shape. Flexible, reactive, and precise."

He turned, meeting Nero's gaze for a moment. "Western magic often focuses on casting, incantation, effect, result. But here, we externalize the self. A Shikigami is a mirror of your will, made manifest."

With a smooth swirl of chalk, Kurogane drew three graceful kanji behind him: 紙 (Paper), 意 (Intent), and 気 (Energy).

"These are the pillars of the Shikigami Arts," he said, his voice calm but cutting through the quiet like a blade. "Paper is the vessel. Intent is the directive. Energy is the breath of life."

He turned again toward Nero. "For our guest from Hogwarts, you might find it useful to compare a Shikigami to your Patronus Charm. Though there is a crucial distinction."

Nero leaned forward. "A Patronus is bound to an emotion. Born from a strong, happy memory."

"Exactly," Kurogane said with a faint smile. "That's where the comparison ends. A Patronus is pure emotion, cast from light and joy. A Shikigami is clarity given shape. You don't pour your heart into it, you carve your will into it. Not emotion, but precision."

Nero leaned forward, thoughtful. "So it's not about feeling, but instruction. The intent shapes its form, and the energy powers its function."

"Well put," Kurogane nodded. "Think of it this way: the paper is your extension, but it won't move unless your intent is crystal clear to it. A Shikigami doesn't follow emotion. It follows instructions. Clarity is everything."

He snapped his fingers.

A sheet of paper floated up from his desk and, without a sound, began folding itself.

In seconds, it became a slender fox, graceful and alert. It circled the air, then snapped into a protective stance beside a previously summoned paper crane.

"You will learn to craft these," he continued. "From scratch. Not just in shape, but in purpose. Messenger, scout, shield, blade. The form is just the beginning. The Shikigami's true strength lies in how sharply your intent flows through it."

The two constructs hovered together in tight, fluid formation, shifting with uncanny synchronicity. A few students gasped.

"Raw magic is useless without direction," Kurogane said, his tone firm now.

"A wizard without focus will waste their strength trying to force the paper into shape," Kurogane said, voice like cut stone.

"But someone with clear intent can fold that same paper into something sharp, fast, and alive."

"Now, let's put theory into practice."

"With a flick of his wrist, several sheets of enchanted paper floated down to each student."

Professor Kurogane's voice carried calmly over the quiet classroom. "For today's lesson, you will attempt to craft a basic Shikigami. Imbue it with a single command, flight or simple movement will suffice. Again, what matters most is not strength, but clarity."

The papers shimmered faintly as they landed on each desk, humming with restrained potential.

Nero tilted his head, examining the one that had drifted before him.

He touched it lightly with his fingertips, sensing the latent magic woven within its fibers.

He then closed his eyes briefly.

In his mind, he pictured a crane, while channeling his magic.

The paper stirred, then creased itself, lines snapping into place with elegant precision.

In seconds, a crane sat perched on the wood.

Then, with the softest flick of his fingers, the Shikigami took flight.

It soared gently into the air, wings flapping with lifelike rhythm, circling above the students in a graceful arc before gliding back to Nero's desk and settling without a sound.

Silence.

Gasps echoed through the room.

Kurogane stepped forward slowly, eyes fixed on the crane.

Nero blinked. "Oh? Was that not the assignment?"

The professor exhaled, an incredulous smile tugging at his lips.

"Quite the opposite. In all my years of teaching, I've never seen such refined manifestation on a first attempt. It moved as if it were alive."

He raised his hand again. A second sheet of parchment floated toward Nero's desk.

"Since that was clearly no challenge for you..." Kurogane's eyes glinted with something between curiosity and anticipation, "let's raise the stakes. This time, give it a hint of awareness. Let your Shikigami respond to its environment without needing your constant guidance."

Nero's smile sharpened,intrigued by the challenge.

His fingers touched the new paper. A fox this time. Nimble. Watchful.

He didn't force it.

He let the image rise from his mind, shaping itself as the magic flowed through the paper like ink down a brushstroke.

The parchment curled and folded, not into stiff angles, but fluid curves.

A paper fox emerged, ear twitching, tail sweeping behind it, eyes narrow and alert.

It stepped down from the desk, carefully, almost cautiously, and began circling the room.

When a student dropped a pencil, the fox snapped its head toward the sound.

It approached, sniffed once, then tilted its head and trotted away with deliberate grace, weaving through chairs and pausing only to observe the shifting movement of others.

Someone sneezed.

The fox darted to the far end of the room and perched beside the window, tail curling as it sat, gaze vigilant.

The students gawked. One girl covered her mouth.

Another boy mouthed, "Is it really thinking?"

Even Kurogane-sensei was frozen for a moment, his eyes tracing the fox's every subtle movement.

Then, at Nero's light whistle, the Shikigami turned and bounded back to him, climbing onto his desk before laying down, tail wrapped around its legs.

Only then did the silence break.

Kurogane stepped forward slowly, looking down at the fox, then at Nero.

His composed face held a rare trace of disbelief, which slowly transformed into admiration.

"...Extraordinary."

He turned to the class.

"For a third-year student to execute not one, but two high-level Shikigami manifestations in a single lesson... this is beyond rare."

He met Nero's eyes with renewed respect.

"Mr. Ravenclaw, you have a natural affinity for this art. Have you considered joining the Fūshikiden?"

Mio raised an eyebrow. "The Path of Seals and Constructs? That's a rare specialization."

Kurogane nodded. "Indeed. All third-years must choose a path, and the Fūshikiden is reserved for those demonstrating exceptional skill in Shikigami and Seals. Mr. Ravenclaw, I would personally guide you should you choose this path."

Nero ran a hand through his hair, considering it.

The potential applications of Shikigami Arts were immense, and he had already been brainstorming ways to integrate it with his barrier magic.

A smile spread across his lips.

"Sensei, I would be honored to learn under your guidance."

Kurogane-sensei's grin widened. "Excellent. Let's see how far your talents can take you."

"You really are popular with older people" whispered Mio to him with a slight grin.

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