That was interesting stuff about Mr Black's duels, though. The father's, I mean. And about all the stuff they did to prepare, like brushing his robes to remove any kind of what did he call it? like extra magical leftover stuff--residue? so his opponent's spells wouldn't be attracted by that. I didn't know that could happen.

And I know there was stuff we read for duelling club about oiling a wand so the magic passes through it better and resonates more as it collects the spell and sends it out, but I'd never heard of anyone actually doing that. I mean, I guess I thought it was just sort of theory--y'know, book stuff that you don't actually ever do.

And the Rites of Fair Fortune, I mean, everybody's heard of them, but I thought it was just something in adventure stories. I didn't know they were actual, real things people do before a duel. Or maybe Mr Black thought he was like a knight from the old times, riding out to fight for his good name and the honour of wizard kind.