The Impediment Jinx is also described in some texts as a variation of the Shield Charm. The textbook defines it as follows: a rapidly cast Impediment Jinx can delay an opponent or stop a magical creature for a short while. This spell is a crucial part of a dueling wizard's repertoire.
However, when Alan actually cast the spell, he found that it essentially created an invisible obstruction in the direction the caster was looking, like a wall of magic. Its duration ranged from a dozen seconds to over a minute.
If the magic output was adjusted, this wall might not even be solid; an opponent could pass through it, but their speed would slow down accordingly. The degree of slowing was related to the density of the manifested obstruction. If a weakened jinx was cast horizontally on the ground, walking on it would feel like sinking into a quagmire. But if the spell was manifested as a solid entity, it could even be used as a defensive shield. Similarly, if pushed toward an opponent with enough force, it could become an offensive strike.
Impedimenta, Alan whispered, immediately casting the spell in the open space of his room.
First, I need to understand the nature of this spell. Alan walked toward the barrier he had cast and touched it with his hand. What Alan had manifested was a solid, invisible wall. It feels very hard, less than an inch thick, and impassable from both sides, he noted, bringing his hands together to measure its width against the resistance.
Let's test its physical defensive strength first.
Alan picked up a dumbbell from his luggage and tapped it against the invisible wall, creating a series of thuds. The sound doesn't feel like metal or stone; it's more like tapping on water, he observed. He found it fascinating that the spell produced a sound so different from what he had imagined.
After tapping it forcefully several times, Alan put down the weight and used his bare hands, testing the wall with his fists. Thud, thud, thud. After several continuous punches, the invisible wall began to change.
The hardness is comparable to an ordinary stone wall, and the force feedback to my fist confirms this. But why does it soften after too many hits? It didn't shatter like glass but began to soften. Is it because the magic within the wall is being consumed? Alan thought, looking at his slightly reddened knuckles.
After hitting it a dozen more times, he punched directly through the softened barrier. However, Alan found that even then, the spell still had an effect; it could no longer block solids from passing, but it retained a buffering quality. Alan crashed into it with his whole body and began to slowly push through the resistance.
It's like passing through a non-Newtonian fluid, except without the viscosity. What a remarkable spell. Alan felt the magic resisting him until the spell's time was up, and the entire wall vanished into thin air.
Alan took out his notebook, recorded his data and sensations, and then cast another Impediment Jinx at the empty space. Next, let's test its magical defense.
Alan stood about two meters away from the invisible wall and cast an offensive spell, Expelliarmus. As expected, the invisible wall blocked the bolt. The spell's light shattered and scattered upon hitting the barrier, moving along the transparent surface until it lost its energy and dissipated.
Let's try different angles. Next, Alan tried casting spells at the wall from various directions, even running to the other side to try different angles until the spell failed.
Hmm, there's a lot of information here. If a spell hitting head-on isn't strong enough, it will directly shatter. If there's a certain angle, it can rebound. And spells from both sides cannot penetrate, meaning I can't just cast an obstruction and then safely stand on the other side to counterattack.
Alan repeated the casting several times, testing its effect as an attack.
The Impediment Jinx feels very much like a magical hand. It can be solidified in place or guided by magic to hit people directly. When ethereal, it can also slow down enemies. Calling it an obstruction is a bit narrow; it's clearly more like magic shaping. Alan summarized the characteristics of the spell while beginning to construct the scope of its application in his mind.
Overall, Alan was very satisfied; the spell had great potential.
The next phase of training will be divided into several parts: casting speed, positioning, strength control, and the speed of pushing the obstruction. I also need to see if I can freely shape it. It seems I'll need a period of high-intensity special training.
Alan arranged a new plan and recorded his ideas, preparing to test them individually.
Over the next ten days, Alan spent every morning reading textbooks and learning new spells. His afternoons were dedicated to practicing the Impediment Jinx. He also made time to go to Flourish and Blotts to buy several books related to spellwork.
He originally wanted to buy more, but books in the magical world were incredibly expensive. The cheaper ones were a few Galleons, while the more specialized texts could cost twenty Galleons each—more than many enchanted tools or potions. Consequently, Alan selected only three: Barnabas Finkley's Seven Spells, The Origin of Spells—An Introduction to Ancient Runes, and Elegant Steps in Dueling Competitions. This cost him twenty-two Galleons. Many books he had his eye on were left behind due to the price.
Alan was now like a sponge, rapidly absorbing magical knowledge. His soul was stronger than those of his peers, and coupled with years of targeted mental training, both his magical strength and total capacity far exceeded typical levels.
One evening in early August.
Bang! In the small courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron, a target made of several old chairs was smashed into pieces by a transparent projectile. Alan slowly approached, raised his wand, and chanted Reparo at the fragments. The shattered wood flew up and returned to its original state.
It seems to work well. The projectile shaped by the jinx can now be shrunk to the size of a washbasin, and the trajectory speed has increased. The casting wind-up is getting faster too. Next, I'll see if I can shape the launched magical projectile even smaller. Alan imagined that if the projectile could be shrunk to the size of a fist, he could name the move Air Cannon.