"This is a very complex magical configuration." "It will test your magical skills." The Prewett Brothers replied.
If they were alive, they certainly wouldn't have been able to figure out the principle so quickly.
But everything in the Magic Immortal World has already transformed them.
Unlike Krum and the other fairies whose physical bodies haven't been perfectly modified by the "Path," this, in a sense, actually limits the fairies' power and senses. To perfectly master it, they either need to become Great Magic Immortal or modify their physical bodies to adapt, but both require time.
The spirits of the Magic Immortal Artifact, such as those who have died, are closer to magic itself than the deceased.
Magic seemed to have become part of their bodies; they were now truly Magical Creatures —creatures made of magic.
This enormous, interconnected, spiderweb-like magic array, with its varying energy requirements at each node, as well as the magnitude of that energy and the rate required for input cancellation, was presented to them in a more intuitive and straightforward way.
"Let us do it." "It will just take a little time," the Prewett Brothers said.
So, in the eyes of all the spectators, Krum was silent for a moment before his body began to glow with various colors, and he moved slowly but steadily through the pipe walls toward the Headmaster's Office.
The shimmering barrier in front of me seemed like a phantom projection.
("They actually used this method?" Dumbledore surprise.)
(Breaking through a magically constructed fortification is not particularly surprising, even if it was constructed by someone else.)
(A magical trap is typically used to deflect, bounce, or even absorb forces applied by magic or individuals that are trying to break through it, making them part of the overall structure.)
(But having a wizard presiding over the ceremony and not having one are two completely different concepts.)
(Even the most perfectly designed place will have vulnerabilities if there is no wizard overseeing it.)
(But 'Krum' had no intention of finding a loophole; instead, he transformed himself into the magic he touched, becoming part of the magical trap.)
(This is like calculating 1+2+3++100. You can summarize the pattern and then multiply by 50 after adding 1+100, but he insists on calculating the answer by rigidly going from 1+2 to +3.)
(Yes, but there's absolutely no need.)
(Thinking of this, Dumbledore frowned. "Perhaps... for fairies, calculating 1+2 to +3 is simpler. This is just one manifestation of how fairies have essentially surpassed wizards.")
Just as Dumbledore thought, Cedric and his companions had indeed transcended the level of wizards in essence.
Krum and the Prewett Brothers were too careless.
Their infiltration was indeed undetectable to the wizards of this world.
Because the individual [Path] is the most adept at concealing himself among the four, this is also true even for Harry and his friends.
However, when one fully immerses oneself in the magical barrier, transforming what was originally non-existent into existence, one inevitably reveals one's true nature.
Therefore, despite the changes and fluctuations in the Magic Field within the castle walls being undetectable to the entire Wizarding World and the wizards around them, Phoebe, the one among the four Champion with the best senses (the Path), was the first to discover Krum's actions.
As she turned the Cedric, she lightly flicked her sleeve, and a pure white owl fell from it and flew out of the window.
As Cedric got closer to the Headmaster's Office, he also sensed an aura that shouldn't have been there from inside the wall.
His mood was unpredictable, so he loosened his blockade of Riddle, and a Niffler fell into the shadows.
Meanwhile, Krum, who was being taken advantage of by the witches and moving through the pipes in the wall, was unaware that he had been discovered. Then he broke through the outer edge of the magical barrier, and his aura began to stabilize and subside.
Surrounded by Harley, Roan, Draco, and with Harry, who was relaxing and looking at her son's 'daughter' with a maternal smile, Lily completely missed the opportunity to notice Krum's actions.
(The audience was unaware that Harry hadn't noticed Krum's actions.)
(After Cedric and Phoebe were surprised and made subtle movements that clearly indicated they had been discovered, the audience, following their usual thought process, assumed that Harry, the most 'cunning' one and the first to think of stealing the Sorting Hat, must have also noticed.)
(This audience even included Snape, who knew Lily well and how astonishing her senses were after exchanging four [Magical Power Refinement]. He couldn't fathom that the leak of Krum's aura was fleeting, and Lily had just missed the opportunity.)
(As for Dumbledore, his attention was now entirely focused on Ariana, who had turned into an owl.)
(The animals that Animagus transformed into were perfect. The marks of glasses on the tabby cat that Minerva Transfiguration were marks she deliberately made by wearing glasses Transfiguration. Without such marks, they would be indistinguishable from real animals in appearance and aura.)
(Even if the Revealing Charm is cast on the Marauder's Map, it will have no effect on the Animagus, who is completely driven by his bestial instincts.)
So the snow-white owl flew smoothly to the windowsill, turning its head to look around at everything inside.
"That woman isn't here. And I can't go any further."
Ariana spoke to Phoebe through a spiritual connection.
She suddenly realized that, as Heroic Spirits, she could not stray too far from the Champion.
If Phoebe hadn't followed the crowd and kept moving forward, almost reaching the dripping stone beast at the entrance of the Headmaster's Office, she probably wouldn't have been able to even get close to the window.
"Ah, not here? What a perfect opportunity! But... I can't move forward, Anna, there are people everywhere ahead."
Phoebe was very distressed.
In fact, this has nothing to do with the people before her; she has already reached her limit.
Without knowing the command for the Dripping Stone Beast, she could only walk up to it, and even then, Ariana couldn't enter the office.
"How about we try the Summoning Charm?" Phoebe suggested.
Generally, precious magical items are protected by anti- Summoning Charm, but with the high-quality magic of a fairy, it's possible for a powerful flying brick to Accio.
"No, this place is full of magic. I can only get close because I'm currently an ordinary owl." Ariana shook her head.
Having now shared the fruits of Cedric's "Path," Riddle, who transformed into Niffler and then into Diricawl, faces the same problem—distance limitations prevent him from physically entering the office.
And the white owl on the windowsill— Ariana Dumbledore —also indirectly prevented him from getting any closer.
It wasn't that she revealed any flaws, but Dumbledore's sister Ariana's Animagus form had already been exposed throughout the entire Wizarding World.
"Diggory, I spotted Dumbledore's sister by the window in her office, and Delacour also noticed Krum's movements."
"Is that so?" Cedric smiled at Phoebe beside him, as if nothing had happened.
(Riddle's transformation, and his discovery of Ariana, are also revealed to the audience.)
("Could it be Cedric getting first place again?!" Ron was furious. He couldn't hear the conversation between the Heroic Spirits and the Champion, and naturally didn't know that in this world Heroic Spirits couldn't stray too far from their Champion.)
(Therefore, in his view, Ariana and Riddle, who could no longer advance, were the strong contenders to obtain the Sorting Hat.)
(Riddle, who discovered Ariana and hid behind her, transforming into Diricawl capable of teleporting, is the most likely winner.)
(He could only turn his gaze to Harry, who had also 'noticed' Krum's actions, hoping that Harry would do something to hinder Cedric's victory.)
("Why is he so anxious? Wasn't there Prophecy?" asked a spectator at the Hufflepuff table next to him, somewhat puzzled.)
("The Prophecy didn't explicitly state who the Champion was, but now they've all betrayed the group. While the 'invisible elf' is most likely Harry and Krum, transforming into an owl and Fantastic Beasts is still a form of invisibility. Considering the current situation, Cedric is the most likely victor," analyzed a brilliant strategist who was also a Hufflepuff student and Cedric supporter.)
("What about midnight? It's only 4 p. m. there, so it's still about 8 hours away.")
("Before midnight, right now is also before midnight.")
Meanwhile, the crowd lingering at the entrance to the Headmaster's Office also attracted the attention of Vice Principal Minerva McGonagall.
The crowd parted like Moses parting the sea, and a witch in a green robe and veil walked through it to Trelawney.
"Why did you decide to come out today?" McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her disdain undisguised. "I remember this is during class time, and don't you know how exaggerated the charm of witches our age is? Why aren't you wearing a veil?"
(Professor McGonagall blushed; the reason she had always looked down on Trelawney was because she thought she was a fraud.)
(Seeing her expression, Dumbledore awkwardly scratched his nose. Trelawney's terrible reputation was actually partly due to his influence, for the same reason as Harry's tragic childhood—to protect her and cover up her identity as Seer Prophecy the Chosen One.)
Trelawney's ears turned red as she remembered Harry shivering.
Harry felt the same way, but this made him think to himself, "As expected of Professor McGonagall, she's always so strict, no matter which world she's in."
In fact, professors only wear face coverings or masks during holidays such as opening banquets.
During regular classes, professors don't wear these things to attract students' attention and get them to listen attentively, or simply for convenience.
Only someone as charming as Dumbledore, who is considered incredibly charismatic even among older witches, and someone as strict with herself and others as Professor McGonagall, would wear such attire.
"I made a Prophecy," Trelawney said, barely suppressing her embarrassment.
"Prophecy?" Professor McGonagall frowned in displeasure. "No matter who you choose as the victim in your Prophecy this year, can you please keep your tricks to the classroom and not make such a fuss and disrupt the order of the academy?"
"Please remember, Minerva McGonagall," Professor Trelawney said firmly. "Don't forget that it was Dumbledore who invited me to join her. There's a reason for that. Believe it or not, I need to contact Dumbledore herself immediately and tell her about the Prophecy."
"Time is of the essence, and Prophecy is of utmost importance. I do not want you to become a sinner in the Wizarding World because of your prejudice against me!"
Professor McGonagall was clearly angry; her icy rage materialized from her eyes.
She said coldly, "Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago."
"She received an urgent letter from the Ministry of Magic delivered by an owl and immediately flew to London."
"He's gone?" Trelawney said anxiously. "At this time?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very remarkable wizard, extremely busy, and his time is of utmost importance—"
"But this matter is very important."
"Is what you have to say more important than the Ministry of Magic, Sybill Trelawney?"
"I'm sure."
"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow. If it's really urgent, you can write to him immediately, instead of bringing a bunch of students to block the Headmaster's Office door."
"But--"
"I am the vice principal."
You'll regret this!
Professor Trelawney stormed off toward the North Tower, back toward her little room.
Professor McGonagall looked at the students gathered around her and said, "You can disperse now, don't block the office doorway."
"In the current situation, both male and female wizards are better off staying in the lounge."
"There are people eyeing us from outside the school."
"I hope you will prioritize your own safety instead of being led astray by ridiculous Prophecy and causing trouble for the faculty and staff."
(Professor McGonagall closed her eyes at another of her own brainless actions, for a slap in the face was about to unfold.)
Rumble!
A red-haired girl floats outside the window, her small, white hand gently waving.
The Headmaster's Office was blown open, and the rolling stones turned to dust, darkening the eyes of the students who were sunbathing on the lawn.
The swirling gust of wind swept the Sorting Hat off the partition, sending it flying toward the girl.
Phoenix Fawkes, who had just Rebirth from Fire on the golden branch and was still a wrinkled little bird, did not hinder the girl's actions, either physically or mentally.
The sense of closeness derived from blood ties left it unmoved; its fledgling body was left with only the power to protect itself.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the same time, a rumbling sound coming from outside the window alerted Professor McGonagall to the commotion in her office.
Not only her, Krum was also surprised to directly unmask another body, with only the head still invisible, and violently broke through the barriers one by one, flying straight over the spiral staircase towards the office door.
The castle began to shake after the magic barrier was triggered.
"Everyone back off!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
She crouched down and placed her hands on the ground.
A vast amount of magic erupted from the point where she touched the ground.
The stone floor and walls softened under the influence of the Transfiguration.
Sunlight, accompanied by a gentle breeze, streamed into the corridor, and the ceiling disappeared, replaced by a clear blue sky.
The softened gray waves swept Professor McGonagall's body away and carried her toward her office.
"Mom," Harry called out to his mother in his heart as he protected Draco and the other two.
Lily detached from Harry's body and flew towards the rooftop office.
At that moment, the Sorting Hat had already landed in that small, white hand.
The Riddle Diricawl remained hidden.
Krum burst into the office and met Ariana's gaze.
Ignoring the need to break through the magical barrier, Lily followed the path Krum had taken and overtook him, merging into the ceiling with her Heroic Spirits heroic spirit body, waiting for her chance to strike.
Professor McGonagall, piloting the Gray Ocean, appeared not far away with a roar.
A battle is about to break out.