The Master Actor

Albert was determined to win the Magical School Potion Championship. After secretly sabotaging Guy Bernard, he felt no pressure at all. Humming the theme from Harry Potter, he strolled along the forest path, occasionally stopping to inspect and collect magical plants by the roadside, or finding somewhere to sit and rest for a while.

What had the organizers been thinking, believing that contestants could last ten hours in a place like this without supplies?

The hills were not particularly steep, but climbing still took strength. On top of that, they had to watch their surroundings for poisonous, dangerous, or deadly magical plants and dangerous magical creatures, while also searching for the potion ingredients they needed. The physical strain was immense, and if they ventured too deeply into the Magical Gardens, Albert doubted the contestants would have enough strength left to walk back.

Suddenly, Albert seemed to realize something and looked up toward the distant forest. Red sparks rose nearby. One of the contestants had run into trouble and had no choice but to abandon the competition and seek help from the patrol.

"Something seems to have happened over there?"

A voice came from the bushes ahead. A girl from Castelobruxo, speaking fluent Spanish, parted the branches and appeared before Albert.

"The patrol should already be on its way. He'll be fine." Albert took out his wand and motioned for the girl to stop.

"I thought you'd say we had one less competitor." The girl from Castelobruxo spread her hands to show she meant no harm. "My name is Daniela, Daniela Gonzalez. I'm from Peru."

"Albert Anderson. From England."

"I know. Everyone says you're a genius." Daniela studied Albert. "I'm more curious about how many languages you actually know."

"I've dabbled in most widely spoken languages," Albert said.

"That's impressive." Daniela