Ethan looked forward. He could see a pine forest standing quietly in the mist-shrouded land. The evergreen needles showed a grayish-green color, like knights who had endured long years, emanating a sense of solemnity and tranquility. Occasionally, bird calls came from within.
The other three schools had already arrived: Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Ilvermorny.
Durmstrang was all male students, each burly and wrapped in thick brown coats, looking like a group of bears from a distance. Leading them was a young man who appeared to be in his twenties. He had a sturdy build, crew cut, and thick black eyebrows. His stern, unsmiling face showed a kind of unintelligent toughness and recklessness.
"That's Durmstrang's ace, Viktor Krum," Senior Penelope whispered beside him. "If you're interested in Quidditch, you definitely know him. Not only is he strong in the air, but his magical prowess is also very formidable. Especially at Durmstrang, which has an open attitude toward Dark Magic."
Ah, one of the champions from the original story.
Ethan nodded. Since two champions were already gathered, then the other one...
Sure enough, among the French Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Ethan spotted a tall figure. Actually, he didn't need to look specifically, because most of the boys around were staring at that girl as if bewitched.
Silver hair tied high behind her head like silk and a pair of rippling blue eyes. Her palm-sized face was like a finely carved doll, radiating with proud and confident brilliance like a royal flower.
When she met Ethan's gaze, she was obviously surprised for a moment. Then she turned her head to chat with her companions.
"That's Fleur Delacour," Penelope said. "She has quarter-Veela blood and often appears in magazines. Although she's beautiful, she's also very skilled at magic."
Ethan looked at Fleur carefully for several moments. Indeed, very beautiful... Her bone structure was also very attractive, but Ethan didn't feel any "crazy attraction."
At this moment, Fleur turned her head again, smiling and waving at him. Ethan was about to respond when he heard a small "tsk" from beside him.
Looking over, he saw Slytherin's prefect, Gemma Farley, impatiently frowning. Her cold, proud eyes were full of disdain and disgust. Without even glancing that way, she murmured softly: "Veela..."
It seemed the pure-blood "noble princess" looked down even more on intermarriage with magical beings.
"The other side is Ilvermorny from America," Penelope dutifully introduced. "They excel at flame magic. Although they don't have particularly outstanding individuals, each one has considerable strength."
She sighed, biting her lower lip lightly, a hint of gravity appearing in her eyes. "This time, each school coincidentally brought out their top seed players... We can expect the competition to be extremely fierce."
"Getting a ranking will probably be quite difficult."
She looked at Ethan with worry and said: "Ethan, are you really not teaming up with us? Although we have Sean in our team, he's... already reformed."
Sean trembled as he averted his gaze, his hand adjusting his glasses almost poking into his eye socket.
"No need, thank you, Senior." Ethan chuckled and shook his head.
At this moment, a loud voice rang out: "Excellent students from various schools, our challenge is about to begin! Now, I, Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, will explain the rules of this competition."
"In this Secret Realm Tracking Challenge, contestants must pass through the perilous Great Rotting Swamp to reach Herpo's old residence located in the due north direction."
Ethan checked the map in his mind. Indeed. Their current position was directly south of Herpo's mansion. Probably to reduce the difficulty. Otherwise, finding a single mansion in the vast forest would probably take a month.
"Upon successful arrival, you need to find the item we've magically marked in the mansion. It's a Portkey. After injecting magic power into it, it will bring you back to the starting point. This constitutes successful completion of the challenge."
"Rankings will be determined by the order of return. Note that when the top ten finishers are determined, we will directly end the competition. The Aurors protecting you throughout will bring you back."
After Ludo Bagman finished speaking, he took out an exquisite water bottle and sipped some water. Then, smiling as he looked around, he said: "Any questions?"
Viktor Krum raised his hand and said in a rough voice: "Why does Hogwarts have a child? Is Hogwarts out of people?"
"Ah?" Ludo Bagman was stunned, laughing awkwardly: "Uh, there's no rule that first-year wizards can't participate..."
"But he's not on the same level as us at all," Krum frowned, glancing at Ethan. "He has no qualifications to participate in the competition."
Ethan smiled without responding. He turned his head, carefully examined this Quidditch hero, and memorized his appearance.
However, obviously Krum wasn't the only one who thought this way. He just voiced it. Other contestants looked at him like a group of swans with a small chick mixed in.
Only Hogwarts contestants remained silent.
Gemma Farley kept a cold face, completely ignoring those curious, examining gazes. Penelope patted Ethan's shoulder, saying softly: "Do your best. But also show them your strength, Ethan!"
Ethan looked up, seeing the encouragement on his senior's face, and nodded with a smile: "Yes, of course."
He guaranteed this would be the most interesting Secret Realm Tracking Challenge ever.
The competition officially began. According to the pre-competition school lottery rankings, Hogwarts would depart second. But when their turn came, Ethan indicated he wanted to go last.
Everyone was extremely astonished. Not understanding what Ethan was trying to do!
Penelope wanted to say something but ultimately just pursed her lips and entered the forest with her teammates. Their figures quickly disappeared into the thick fog.
"Heh, wants to flee at the last moment, I bet. What a coward!" The two Slytherins mocked. But under Gemma's stern reprimand, they finally shut up and reluctantly followed.
Even the organizer Ludo Bagman came over to persuade him: "Student, the earlier you leave, the more advantageous it is. You're departing last and alone... isn't this just adding difficulty for yourself?"
Departing late?
Ethan smiled at Ludo Bagman. You really don't know I have the full map unlocked.
Seeing Ethan's mind was made up, Ludo Bagman shook his head. Muttering "Young people these days are really individualistic," he walked to a nearby lounge chair.
After the last school, Beauxbatons, also entered the forest, Ethan waited another ten minutes or so. He nodded and said softly: "About time. Time to begin."
As he spoke, he flicked his wrist and took out that large purple-grade card: Corrupted Hell Cerberus!
Instantly, the thick fog churned, and birds fluttered up from the forest in alarm. An incredibly scorching and terrifying aura spread in all directions with Ethan as the center, instantly melting and vaporizing the surrounding frozen snow!
The surrounding judges and Aurors all looked at Ethan in surprise. Even Ludo Bagman, who had already lain down on the lounge chair, sat up straight.
The next second...
"ROAR!"
Accompanied by an earth-shaking roar, earth and stone crumbled. A massive, pitch-black figure, as if breaking through the barriers of this world, violently leaped out from beside Ethan! Looming over all of them!
[Chapter Complete]
***
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