Precisely. Smiling back and nodding when the Professor also further went into the response that Archie gave, that was another point which he didn't initially think of but was entirely true. Given the circumstances of what the third year's personal strong suits in magical abilities were, that was also most likely the route he'd ever go if that scenario ever happened for himself. More than less likely going on the great fallback plan of just disarming whoever he would in theory be facing via expelliarmus.
Nonetheless, it seemed it was time for the class to move on to learning what they would be. A fire whip...? Now that was a slight problem for Archie. Although the display from Professor Carton was certainly a sight to behold, the whip-like motion of the spell being cast in particular sticking out to the youngin' in a similar manner that a dance would; he still couldn't help but draw back in his bench even though the flaming whip that was conjured down the center of the room was nowhere within his general proximity. The O'Brien had a fear of open flames. Caused by something from his past, a memory which he tried to block out. Long story short, his home had nearly caught ablaze once upon a time. Ever since, the element was the only one of the 4 basic ones which he strayed away from, especially in casting. This very fear also slightly registered in his body language until the Professor ended the spell. Still though, he'd try not to draw attention to this fact. Moments of fear, while he knew were human, were ones that he didn't like to have others see him experience. Hence why his demeanor was almost always emblazoned in its own degree with sparks of confidence.
Having jotted everything that was revealed on the board within his notebook, it was now time for Archer to reluctantly move on to the portion of practicing the spell. The saving grace within the moment that allowed him to do so with slightly less hesitation was that they needn't cast the spell...yet that was. His grasp around the Elm wand was still tense to say the least. As if clinging desperately for dear life. But silently, he'd trudge through the directed wand motion first. Brandishing it as if it were a whip, but being done so on a slightly less showy scale than what he'd typically do when casting spells. Once this had been done four or five times until Archie felt like he got the hang of it, the Slytherin would then move towards practicing the incantation. Even quieter, to himself, as if the words were barely even being uttered under his breath, he'd go "Ig-NEE-see-o FOO-nem." Slight pause. Then the words would be repeated, still as hushed as before "Ig-NEE-see-o FOO-nem." Another momentary pause, until it all now had to be pieced together. Albeit, this time, he'd sigh slightly and hesitantly say it at his normal speaking volume "Ignisio Funem!"
There...Archibold had done the task. While normally, this would be the part where he would continue forward with actually trying to cast the spell, he'd hold off on doing so.
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