Confirming the Champions

This spell could not restrict Illya, whose true age had long since passed seventeen. But Illya knew the spots in the tournament had already been decided, so even if she wanted to take part, she had no chance.

"Can't Professor Dumbledore add a few more spots?"

"There were only supposed to be three champions to begin with, and Harry Potter already made it four. If we add more... what, turn it into a free-for-all?"

Yinsen rubbed his chin, thinking that sounded rather interesting. A magical version of the Hunger Games? But Dumbledore obviously would not agree—once the number of contestants increased, the chances of an accident would rise dramatically.

If adding one more person, with Yinsen as another contestant who did not meet the age requirement besides Harry, was still within what the Ministry of Magic could accept, then turning a contest meant for a handful of elites into a chaotic brawl was something they could never accept.

Even if they wanted to, they could not. The tournament procedures had already been set, and the preparations were progressing in an orderly fashion. How could they adjust everything for a sudden free-for-all? Would all the previous preparations not have been wasted?

"What a shame. It's rare to find something this interesting."

To Illya, the Triwizard Tournament was something interesting, even though she did not know what the competition involved.

The registration period soon passed. On the day entries closed, Dumbledore, the other professors, and Barty Crouch all appeared beside the Triwizard Tournament.

The students also gathered there of their own accord. Even the students from the other two schools found places for themselves and quietly waited for the Triwizard Tournament to announce the champions selected for this tournament.

Just like in the original story, Dumbledore first said a few simple words.