Thunderbird.
Because it can summon lightning and storms in flight, and because of its eagle-like head, wizards also call it the Stormbird...
Classified by the Ministry of Magic as a danger-level XXXXX Magical Creatures, most wizards go their entire lives without ever seeing such a deadly being.
Thunderbirds possess tremendous power, and their tail feathers are considered rare magical materials. Highly sensitive to supernatural danger, wands made with Thunderbird tail feathers are said to fire spells a fraction of a second faster than their opponent's—making them some of the finest, most coveted wands in existence.
However, although Thunderbird feathers can be used as wand cores, wands made from them are notoriously difficult to control. Wizards compatible with such wands are exceptionally rare.
And obtaining a Thunderbird tail feather is both dangerous and nearly impossible...
Should you attempt to capture a Thunderbird, the moment it senses a threat, it will beat its multiple wings and conjure a violent storm, disappearing into the raging thunderclouds. Tracking it becomes nearly impossible—capturing it, even more so.
Worse, if you anger it, it will use the storm as perfect cover, darting with blinding speed to distort your senses before striking with its razor-sharp talons to decide your fate. This assassin-like attack pattern is the bane of any wizard…
Thus, aside from their rarity, their ability to fly and create an environment that favors them is precisely why Thunderbirds are ranked XXXXX in danger.
And now, Draco's first task was to face such a terrifying creature...
...
Inside the champions' tent.
The moment Ludo Bagman announced that the upcoming challenge involved a Thunderbird, he deliberately watched the expressions of the four champions, eager to see their reactions.
In truth, the test of courage had already begun at that moment…
As one of the Ministry's department heads, he was no amateur. Naturally, he didn't let Draco and the others sense anything unusual.
After letting his gaze sweep over their reactions, Ludo Bagman continued.
"Ahem… Now that you know, I need to explain the rules for the task before you go out there."
Only then did Harry Potter and the others finally react. Draco, who had been examining the dragon model on the table, set it down and looked up.
They had known for some time that they would face a dangerous creature like the Thunderbird, but how the competition would actually work—what they were expected to do—Draco still had no idea.
Surely they wouldn't be expected to defeat a danger-level XXXXX Thunderbird?
Right?
"The rules… you want us to defeat a Thunderbird? That's completely impossible!"
"Defeat it? But that's a danger-level XXXXX Magical Creatures, I think…"
The first to question the rules was Fleur Delacour, visibly unsettled. Harry Potter, equally tense beside her, echoed her concerns.
Even with the early warning they'd received and the time spent preparing, now that they were actually facing a legendary creature like a Thunderbird, fear and insecurity surged uncontrollably.
Instinctively, they voiced their worries.
Though their reactions seemed weak, this was exactly how ordinary underage wizards should react—nothing surprising at all.
Draco, completely unaware of his own abnormal calmness, glanced toward Viktor Krum, who remained utterly unmoved. That level of composure made even Draco do a double take…
Just as Harry and Fleur voiced their fear-driven doubts, Ludo Bagman's eyes flickered, and he gave them a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, you won't actually have to confront the Thunderbird head-on. Your task is to retrieve the mission item from beneath its feet—by any means necessary. We'll score your performance on the field."
Draco tilted his head slightly, doubtful that this explanation would ease Fleur or the others.
He noticed Harry Potter's complexion turning faintly green, as though he might vomit the moment he opened his mouth.
At that moment, the sound of hundreds of footsteps echoed outside the tent. Their owners were chatting excitedly, their voices loud enough to drown out even the thunder. Not even the pouring rain could quench their enthusiasm.
Seeing this, Harry Potter's face grew even more strained...
"Alright. You'll each enter from one of the four corners of the field. Aside from your wands, you may carry no other items. You must complete the task within the allotted time—that's the nature of this challenge. Before we begin, Harry, may I speak with you? Come outside."
"Um… alright."
After Harry rose, looking dazed, and followed Ludo Bagman out of the tent, Draco finally withdrew his gaze from them.
Because he had noticed Fleur Delacour watching him with a hesitant, conflicted expression...
...
"Do you need something?"
"Before coming here, you already knew the nature of the task, didn't you?"
"Of course. If anything, you were the one who tipped me off."
"…Anyway, seeing how confident you look, I assume you have a solid plan for dealing with the Thunderbird."
"You're asking for my strategy?"
"No." Facing Draco's cool, unreadable gaze, Fleur bit her lip and shook her head with firm resolve.
From the very beginning, Fleur had never intended to beg Draco for help. In truth, her pride wouldn't allow her to believe she was any weaker than he was.
"Let's cooperate."
"…"
"Just for this match. After that, I won't hold back."
Meeting those beautiful silver-lit eyes, Draco froze for a moment, then a look of amused interest crossed his face.
Indeed, nothing in the rules prohibited cooperation.
Use the rules—and then break the limits.
More than her beauty, this was the trait Draco admired.
He still wasn't sure about her magical strength, but one thing was obvious: she was a clever witch.
A witch unbound by rules...
...