HP: The Arcane Thief

Only after he had the whole Mahoutokoro team lying on the ground did Axel came out of his zone of extreme focus.

!!!!!!!

And he nearly covered his ears when he heard the extreme chaos that had spread around the stadium. The crowd had achieved a new level of loudness right now. It seemed that without the presence of wards, people would have simply rushed into the ground to get him.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I—CAN'T—BELIEVE—IT!!" Lee Jordan was screaming lungs out.

"THIS... THIS IS BEYOND HUMAN!" Exclaimed Travis, banging the table.

Right now, everyone who was watching the match live, whether they were in the stadium or anywhere in the world, all were left with goosebumps upon watching the epic showdown just now.

"HUNT…. HUNT HAS SINGLE-HANDEDLY TAKEN OUT THE WHOLE TEAM MAHOUTOKORO! WHATEVER THE HELL JUST HAPPENED, I DID NOT WATCH IT ENOUGH!" Yelled Jordan.

"Me neither! And I couldn't understand how he pulled it off either!" admited Travis, watching the replay that showed him avoiding the first volley of Jutsus. "Just what was that spell he was using to pull off those sharp maneuvers?! Holy Morgana did he use it well!!

"I have no idea! It's something like a dispulso, but he blew himself back with it. But what about the other spell?! The Lightning one!"

"Whatever spells he used, they were used to perfection. And that broom throw in the end?! He was like a Wizard Ninja out there! I am still getting goosebumps remembering it!"

The commentators couldn't stop gushing over the moves Axel used just now. The scene had been recorded, and it was definitely to be played many, many times over. Experts would analyse it, Quidditch geeks would speculate and argue over it, and fans would just watch it because it was too cool.

….

*Ba dump*

*Ba dump*

*Ba dump*

Rose Potter watched Axel's performance with widened eyes. Being a skilled player of Quidditch herself, she felt her blood boiling and her breathing laboured upon seeing amazing amalgamation of skills, timing, planning and execution . It was like watching art.

She recalled what he had told her. 'I'll show you how to really 'fly'.'

Rose understood what he meant now. This completely changed her understanding of flying. Axel just now was not just a wizard. He was like an unstoppable force of nature, ready to punish whoever comes in his way.

"Rose, are you okay?" Asked Jamie, her younger brother, who was sitting beside her in the vip box.

Rose jerked, coming out of her thoughts. She touched her cheeks which still felt hot and calmed her breathing. "I'm fine," she answered, looking at Axel flying.

'Will I ever be able to reach that level?'

Rose Potter now had a new goal in mind.

….

With his ears still ringing with the cheering of the audience, Axel looked down at the players of Team Mahoutokoro lying on the grounds, looking for 'survivors'.

Out of the six players who were left, Takeshi got a clean hit to the face by his broomstick and a fall at a tremendous speed. Even though the ground was enchanted to lessen the impact, it is safe to say that Takeshi is going to be out of Quidditch for a long time.

As for the rest, two players (Fire affinity ninja and Endo, the seeker), got the special treatment of Electrica Impulsa charged 5 times. Even though Axel didn't put much power in each charge, the lightning stacked up was still powerful enough to leave the players in no condition to play for at least for a while.

About the rest, one had been severely injured due to friendly fire when Axel used him as a shield. With the power the Mahotokoro players were using, the guy is probably worse off than even his teammates. That leaves two players: Keeper whom he put under body bind, and the water affinity ninja, who was hit in the face with a launching boom.

Axel landed in front of the girl who had been hit by the Launching Boom. Megumi was her name, a water affinity ninja. Megumi was lying on the ground, trying to play dead. But Axel knew she couldn't be out yet. Launching Boom didn't have much offensive power, and falling to ground is also nothing, what with the ground being enchanted to lessen the impact.

Sure enough, when Axel landed in front of her, she suddenly swept her foot across the ground, trying to trip him while her hands made hand seals.

Axel pinned her leg down with the broomstick in his hand. Her hand seals were almost complete, but Axel only looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. The girl the launched Jutsu, and—

Nothing happened.

Axel shook his head in disappointment. Trying water magic on HIM? If lightning is his bitch, then water is like his personal sex slave. It's like trying to use dark magic on Voldemort.

*smack*

Axel casually swung the broom, hitting her across the cheek.

"Stay down this time," he muttered, also giving her the shock treatment of Electrica Impulsa. He then walked over to the keeper under body bind and did the same. No discrimination.

Madam Hooch gave him a look which bordered between proud and disapproval. She checked the players condition and consulted the healer, after which she blew the whistle, signaling the end of the match.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A WINNER! THIS EPIC MATCH FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS IS FINALLY OVER! TEAM HOGWARTS WINS THE MATCH BY THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION!" (Jordan)

*CHEERS*

"What a phenomenal match this has been. I am sure I have never seen what I saw today in my whole career!" (Travis)

"It was… an eye opening experience. I am grateful for having the opportunity to commentate on it." (Jin)

Fireworks were launched into the sky, as the Hogwarts students celebrated their victory. But actually, even the Mahoutokoro players were low key impressed upon watching the showdown just now. What Axel did just now, it was too awe-spiring for them to feel anything else. And it's not like their side performed bad either. They had almost won… if that monster wasn't playing.

That is why, Axel found himself receiving a thunderous applause by the whole stadium as he discarded the broom. Looking at their fervor, Axel felt like if the wards weren't present, he might have had to worry about being mobbed.

The commentators came down to the pitch to greet him, mics in hand.

Travis and Jin shook hands with him while Jordan tackled into a bear hug.

"Congratulations on your victory, Axel. How do you feel right now?" Asked Travis, offering him another mic.

Axel shook his head. "Just tired. I'm never playing this format again."

The commentators laughed it off, thinking of it as a joke.

"How were you able to continue after the Lightning Spell?" Asked Jin. "Even if you had resistance due to your affinity, you shouldn't have been able to move."

"Well, I don't like losing so…" he shrugged.

The commentators were a bit speechless at that answer. You don't like losing so you were able to move? If only it were that easy!

"We saw you using some unique spells out there. Can you tell us anything about them? I could have sworn I saw you chant "Launching Boom."

"Well, "Launching Boom" IS the incantation. It's a custom spell," he answered, making their eyes widen.

"Custom spell?! How can you get a custom spel— Oh, of course." Lee Jordan was baffled at first but then nodded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Custom spells are spells that are designed by an expert to specifically suit a particular individual's casting. For that individual, these spells will be easy to cast and will bring maximum results. Others might or might not be able to imitate it, but the effectiveness will never be on par with the owner's.

Just now, Lee Jordan was so surprised because custom spells are just a fantasy for most people. They are awfully difficult to make. Even more difficult than making normal spells. Only after a lot of time, effort, and luck is a spellmaker able to make a custom spell, so it's not something even money can buy. You need connections too.

That's why everyone who knew about the matter was surprised to find that Axel had one. But, it was momentary. Because Axel had a genius fake fiancee who is known for having hundreds of custom spells, and who also happens to owe him a lot.

"So, looks like everyone underestimated you, Axel. But I still can't understand. You went up against the whole team alone, and still managed to win. How were you able to fight like that? How did you train for it?"

Axel paused as that. He knew had shown a bit much. So, he tried to downplay it.

"Well, it was mostly luck. Team Mahoutokoro was pretty tired due to my team's effort, and they also underestimated me. But yes, I received some training from Akiko and Martina which helped out a lot. I just tried to give it my all and thankfully succeeded."

"You received training from Akiko Matsushima and Martina Valentino?!" Asked Lee, unable to hide his awe.

Axel nodded humbly. "Yeah, just some tips and tricks. You know how talented they are. I am far too lacking compared to them."

Lee Jordan nodded. "That, I can't disagree with. You must feel extremely lucky to be well acquainted with them."

Axel grinned. "Oh, you have no idea."

With this, he had successfully shifted most of the attention to those two. Anyone would think he did exactly what the girls had taught him and that's why he won.

Meanwhile, Akiko and Martina: "....."

Both the girls happened to be sitting near each other in the VIP box. Exchanging glances, they saw the irony in the other's eyes.

Axel Hunt, you bloody liar!

You say you gave it your all in the match just now?! If you really gave it your all, the players would have been six feet under before anyone could even notice.

You are lacking?! If you are lacking, then all the other wizards are muggles!

You feel grateful to have met us?! Is it not the other way around?

The guy is simply using them as shields after showing off a bit too much.

"Axel, our questions are endless, but we understand that you must be tired after your game. So, let's get you the trophy already so that you can rest!" Said Jordan, as the Trophy arrived, being carried by witches in Hogwarts uniform.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME TO AWARD THE WINNER! LET'S INVITE THE HEADMASTERS OF BOTH THE SCHOOLS HERE!"

Applause rained down from everywhere, as the Headmasters Dumbledore and Yujiro arrived on the pitch.

….

During this time, two individuals, who were currently under disguise, looked at Axel with close scrutiny. One was short and bulky, while the other was tall, with a slender build.

"Are you sure it's him?" Asked the bulky guy.

The other person nodded as he began to chuckle. "There's no mistake. His surname is Hunt. And he looks just like Tristan. It has to be him."

"Well, we did hear that the princess was pregnant when she ran away. What do we do now? We came here for Gorski."

The tall guy scoffed. "Forget Gorski. Tristan hid the second key before he died. The kid is more important if we can get any clues."

The objective Axel had so desperately tried to get, had finally been achieved. The Organisation, had finally noticed him.

The question is, is he ready for it?