The first round of the Top 100 Tournament was an intense elimination trial. Only those who made it through could qualify for the next round.
Everyone thought that simply passing this round had already earned these young wizards an enormous amount of recognition in the Wizarding World!
Even if they were eliminated in the next round, they would have every reason to be proud and could tell people about their achievement with their heads held high: I was one of the winners of the Top 100 Tournament's qualifying trial.
It would be an extremely valuable credential for the rest of their lives.
For one thing, the Auror Offices of the various Ministries of Magic would probably be fighting to recruit them.
With everyone caught up in these thoughts, naturally, no one considered what other rewards the young wizards might receive.
But Anton wanted to say: of course there was more!
His main purpose in organizing the Top 100 Tournament was to influence more people. Selling the Wizards as Gods textbook and teaching at Azkaban Academy both had their limitations. What better way could there be than gathering all the outstanding young wizards in one place and teaching them together?
"Quack, quack, quack..."
Anthony laughed. "Are you ready for your lesson?"
"Get ready to experience the Azkaban Academy headmaster's hammer-and-anvil corrosion method!"
As he spoke, he twisted his long bill and plunged into the sea. His round body wriggled across the surface, drawing a streak of white through the water as he raced beneath the boats carrying the remaining thousand contestants.
As Anthony swam, all the Platypus Puffskeins that had dived beneath the surface fell in behind him, racing through the shifting currents under the boats.
Gradually, all the Platypus Puffskeins gathered into a huge gray-black shadow beneath the surface. They