——As for Ron, he had already been selectively ignored.
The immediate priority now is to take advantage of the remaining time and try to get one or two more rings. Bringing both of them into the Duel Club might not be hopeful, but I definitely have to get in!
Although Lucius had warned him not to approach William because the "Dark Lord's" character and temper, including the next plan, couldn't be guessed—Draco didn't think so, as a Malfoy himself, he already had wealth, so power and influence needed to be fought for by himself.
The "Dark Lord" is definitely an opportunity!
Although he is a Pure-Blood, Malfoy is not stupid. He has seen that the "Dark Lord" chose to hide his identity. Staying at Hogwarts must have some scheme, so if he wants to connect with this line and become stronger, he must seize this opportunity now—
Someday, he will step over everyone's shoulders to rise to power. He firmly believes that even the "Dark Lord" can be defeated!
...
"...Did they just leave like that?"
Watching Malfoy and the other two hurry away, Ron tossed the magic wand, which was already soaked with sweat, into his left hand, and relaxed his tense back a lot—though he didn't want to admit it, from the fight between Neville and Malfoy earlier, though Neville had Malfoy suppressed the whole time, Malfoy's performance…
Absolutely, definitely stronger than the duel with Harry before summer vacation.
Now, it seems he can't beat him?
No, it's actually not unwillingness to admit, it's that Ron simply didn't think of it, perhaps he thought of it, but his adolescent stubbornness made it impossible for him to admit this fact, he even instinctively ignored this point, even though Neville beat Malfoy seemingly effortlessly.
So, in his heart, Ron still stubbornly believes he and Malfoy are on the same level.
Maybe, if it really comes down to it, I might be stronger?
"If you can't beat them, why not run? Wait for a beating?"
Harry chuckled and took off the ring from his finger, tossing it to Ron.
"Wait, you're giving it to me? Then what about you?"
Ron instinctively raised his hand to catch the ring, watching the blue "flame" seemingly still flowing in his palm. He instinctively asked.
"Oh, are you asking about that?"
Saying so, Harry reached into his pocket and took out an identical ring, placing it on his index finger.
"?"
No way, he's cheating! How can this even be played?
"How did you…"
Even aside from the dumbfounded Ron, Neville was wide-eyed and looked at Harry's ring with a face full of confusion. He paused for a bit, speaking in a tone with some advice, "Harry, counterfeit things are sure to be found out. Let's go help you find another ring now, I can help you."
"...Cough cough cough!"
After arduously trying to imitate William's cool demeanor, Harry couldn't help but cough twice and closed his eyes.
Failing to act cool, now completely speechless.
"No, Neville, it's not fake, I actually have…"
Looking at Neville's earnest face, Harry didn't know what to say, so he could only honestly open his mouth to explain—the fact that Harry was receiving private tutoring from William wasn't widely known. After all, Harry didn't plan to spread it everywhere.
Since Neville had been diligently improving himself after being motivated by William's talk, he naturally fell into the category of the uninformed.
After Harry concisely explained briefly, Neville finally nodded, looking at Harry's head where the green flame was still burning fiercely, he understood and nodded knowingly.
"Then what should we do now?"
Ron looked at the three with a ring each, blinking blankly.
"Probably...we should go back, many people probably have returned already?"
Harry frowned and turned to look in the direction the three had come from.
...
...
As Harry had guessed, when they returned to the starting lawn, many people were already gathered there, except…
"...Why are they all lying down?"
Looking at the people lying in scattered patterns at the lawn's edge, Ron confusingly took a few steps forward and then stumbled directly and fainted.
"Ro..."
Neville moved forward intending to help, then followed suit.
"..."
Harry was silent for a moment, then tentatively moved forward as well, followed by a strong dizziness hitting him, the next moment, the loud buzzing noise re-entered his ears, the boy opened his eyes confusedly, only to find he was lying on a very familiar wooden deck chair.
"You're awake."
Cedric stood in front of him with a tired expression, rummaging through his pocket and handing a registration form to Harry, "Alright, sign here——Oh, by the way, no one stolen your ring, right?"
"Uh, of course not."
Harry instinctively shook his head, upon seeing this Cedric also nodded satisfactorily, then he noticed Harry's curious gaze and could only speak with slight annoyance——
"You insisted on personally testing the selection content, so William didn't tell you about those settings. Like the mandatory Duel Card, which forces someone with a ring to duel, or the Stone Pillar Movement Card, which summons two golems for help in a fight, oh, and there's a card with only one copy throughout the whole map—"
"Only one? What card?"
At this moment, Ron lying beside Harry also overheard the conversation between the two, curiously leaning in.
"Called Nimble Thief, locks onto someone and forcefully steals the ring they have."
"...Isn't that too unfair?"
"But William said, luck is also part of one's strength——Okay, you also have a ring? Then fill out the form."
Cedric didn't intend to drag on further, but instead grabbed Ron's sleeve for a look, then handed him a registration form as well, indicating he should quickly fill it out as he was waiting to collect.
"..."
Ron wasn't in a hurry and looked down at his sleeve. Just a small deep blue mark meandered on his wrist.
"This is a mark proving you brought a ring out, you can soon enter the second round——By the way, can you hurry up? There are people waiting behind!"
Having collected Harry's registration form, Cedric turned back and saw Ron still dawdling, couldn't help but slap the boy's head urging him quietly.
"Oh oh——Wait, second round?"
Fill out the obvious form quickly, Ron swiftly caught Cedric's critical words.
"Oh, yes, don't know the specifics, William said it's confidential."
Taking Ron's form in hand, Cedric turned to leave, but couldn't help sighing as he went, "I just hope the next stage doesn't involve collecting forms!"
Having been tortured by forms for two and a half days, Cedric was very close to striking——
"What do you think the second round will be?"
Harry and the other two had now gathered together again, strangely, even though they left together, their positions were far apart—in a way, it was normal, the two now realized Harry was right, they had just been involved in a dream.
"Don't know, since it's the Duel Club, maybe one-on-one combat? After all, there are forty rings…oh, forty-one rings."
Glancing at Harry, Neville made an honest guess.
"I think, William…might be planning to solo all of us?"
Harry's guess was quite bold.
And facts proved they were both correct.
After all forty ring owners gathered except Harry, and others were cleared from the field, a disappeared William finally reappeared, he waved his magic wand, heavy floor tiles rose beneath him, placing him above the crowd——
"Very good, so, winners, now the game has started, it's time to make it more interesting——now, make your choice."
Saying so, two boxes appeared in front of William, he gestured to the left one, "Choose this team, you will draw lots under Professor Flitwick and engage in one-on-one duels, winners will advance."
After saying this, William raised his magic wand pointing to the other box, "And if you choose this one, then your opponent——
"Is me."