"Maybe," Jade acknowledges, his mind hard at work. It's not that he's incapable of wandless magic; he had managed that Accio earlier, and other simple charms besides.

It just doesn't work as well as it should. His spells lack the strength they usually have, and casting them requires immense focus. He simply can't react to the projectiles quickly enough to deflect them.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Professor Rammsteiner has much advice for him beyond keep trying.

He thinks about walking out, but the slingshot has started up again and he decides that he might as well stay. He needs practice; whether he practices on his own or with someone else doesn't make much of a difference. The first projectile hits his shield while he's busy thinking. The air in front of him seems to ripple and shatter into shards of light as the shield collapses.

With a sigh, he tries to block out the pain of the projectiles hitting his skin, falling into a deep concentration. "Protego," he says again, determined, and is rewarded with the appearance of another weak shield.

He's not satisfied. "It shouldn't be this hard," he mutters.