"The Cunning Old Immortal"

"Every student who wants to run for Champion must write their name and school on a piece of parchment and drop it into this goblet," Dumbledore said. "Aspiring Champion can register within twenty-four hours. Tomorrow night, Halloween night, the goblet will select the names of the twelve students it deems most representative of the four schools. Tonight, the goblet is in the Entrance Hall, and all students who wish to run can touch it."

"To prevent underage students from succumbing to temptation," Dumbledore said, "After the goblet is placed in the Entrance Hall, I will draw an Age Line around it. No one under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to cross that Age Line."

When Dumbledore said this, Sean clearly heard many voices of regret and dissatisfaction, such as Harry, who had been frantically searching through various books for the past month trying to find a way to bypass the age limit—although Neville had tried to dissuade his good friend many times, Harry seemed very eager to participate in this competition.

Later, Sean learned from Daisy that Harry's father, James, had also participated in the Triwizard Cup, but ultimately failed to lead his teammates to victory, which was a great pity.

So Harry really wanted to be one of the Champion of the Triwizard Cup, but unfortunately, his age was just at an awkward threshold. If he didn't qualify this time, he would graduate next time.

"Finally, I want to remind everyone running for the title that this Triwizard Tournament is no joke, so please don't participate rashly. Once Champion is chosen by the Triwizard Cup, they must persevere to the end. Whoever casts their name into the goblet forms a magical covenant that must be followed. Once you become Champion, you cannot change your mind. Therefore, please think carefully and make sure you are truly determined to participate before casting your name into the goblet. Alright, I think everyone should go to sleep now. Goodnight."

Dumbledore glanced at everyone, smiled, clapped his hands, and signaled that they could go back.

A noisy commotion filled the Great Hall as the Weasley twins each put their arms around Harry's shoulders.

"Hey buddy," Fred said with a sly grin, putting his arm around Harry, "George and I have heard about your fervent desire."

George chimed in from the other side, "Our brave, tragic, desperate, and clueless little Harry, why don't you ask the amazing Weasley brothers for help? — That Ronald one doesn't count."

"Hey, I'm your little brother," Ron said grumbling from the side.

"George and I haven't decided whether to acknowledge you yet—" Fred teased Ron, then whispered under Harry's questioning gaze, "Buddy, I have a way to get you registered."

Harry's eyes lit up immediately. "What?"

"Ageing Potion, my friend—" George secretly slipped a small bottle into Harry's pocket, looking mysterious. "It will make you grow up a little bit, enough to meet the enrollment requirements."

Harry touched his pocket uncertainly. "Does this thing even work? And Professor Dumbledore..."

Fred pursed his lips. "This is just what we can do to help, and George and I are old enough."

Sean happened to be walking by, saw what was happening. He went over and nudged the group. "Hey guys, I have to warn you, that line—"

He pointed to the gold lines that Dumbledore had drawn next to the Triwizard Cup.

"That was planted by Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards of this century—and the Ageing Potion currently costs three Silver Sickle."

George laughed and punched Sean: "Come on, man, we didn't take any money from Harry! Besides, who says a cheap price can't be great?"

Sean shrugged and looked at Harry, who was both tempted and hesitant. "Buddy, my advice is not to do anything reckless."

Harry hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Sean, I think you're right."

Having finally convinced Harry, Sean glanced back at the long table in the classroom and noticed that Grindelwald was still standing there, seemingly waiting for Dumbledore.

I wonder which Saints drank the Polyjuice Potion and impersonated him...

Just as Sean was thinking this, Grindelwald noticed his gaze and then made a move.

Sean's pupils contracted in surprise. The other person's gesture was the same calling gesture that Grindelwald often used when teaching him—snapping his fingers while hooking them with his index finger.

These were moves they had just become familiar with; this one in front of them must be a fake...

Could it be that Grindelwald had something to tell me, and that's why he instructed the subordinate pretending to be him to do this?

With these questions in mind, Sean looked around, then quietly walked out of the Entrance Hall and to the side.

Turning the corner through the side door, sure enough, Grindelwald was already waiting there.

"Sir?" Sean asked uncertainly.

Grindelwald flashed a wild smile that Sean knew all too well.

"Long time no see, Sean."

The way he spoke, the tone of his voice... Sean was a little stunned.

"Sir, aren't you?"

Grindelwald snapped his fingers, ensuring that their conversation could not be overheard by anyone else.

"In fact, what you see is me, but it is not me."

"Hmm?" Sean looked him up and down.

"Alright, stop foolishly searching for your answers," Grindelwald smiled slightly. "The man did drink the Polyjuice Potion, but my loyal subordinate doesn't mind letting me take his soul."

"Hiss—" Sean gasped.

The Saints is indeed Saints, willingly letting Grindelwald take his soul... No wonder the Grindelwald in front of me sometimes acts unnaturally, and sometimes has the same movements and habits as the original.

The next moment, Sean became puzzled again.

What could possibly warrant Grindelwald sending the Soul Saints all the way to Hogwarts?

The Four-School Tournament? They're not that important...

Could it be very important information?

With this question in mind, Sean looked at the other person, waiting for an answer.

"Don't look at me like that. Can't I just want to get some fresh air?" Grindelwald said casually.

Sean choked for a moment; this really did seem to be Grindelwald's style.

"But can the Imperius Curse allow you to remotely control other people?" Sean had another question.

Grindelwald shrugged easily. "I've improved the Imperius Curse."

Sean: "..."

The Imperius Curse, one of the Three Unforgivable Curses, can be changed so easily...

"Of course, there are other things too—" Grindelwald said casually.

"Um?"

Grindelwald looked past Sean and behind him. "You were planning to cause some trouble, tch, here comes the real troublemaker."

Sean turned his head and saw an elderly man with white hair and beard walking quietly towards him.

It's Dumbledore.

"You shouldn't have done that. It's dishonorable to use the Imperius Curse on your subordinates, even if they did it willingly—and there are still eyes watching you." Dumbledore ignored the barrier Grindelwald had set up and walked right in.

Grindelwald's expression immediately became lively, and he chuckled, "None of your concern, Dumbledore."

Dumbledore glanced at Sean, who was pretending to count ants, and sighed softly, "I don't even know why you have all this resentment."

Sean's alarm bells were ringing. Were these two old men about to have a heart-to-heart talk?

Is this something I should be listening to?! Huh?! I'm still a child, how can I overhear these adult secrets?!

He pricked up his ears.

Grindelwald licked his lips and said slowly, "We can discuss our grudges later, but I came here specifically to talk about one thing."

He moved closer and looked directly at Dumbledore.

"I founded Newmontgard, and I traveled far and wide to revive the Goblet of Triwizard Cup, all for the sake of fair competition—" Grindelwald narrowed his eyes, "and when the age rules were established, all the universities agreed, including you—"

He shoved Sean on the Sean and looked at Dumbledore: "How old is this brat?"

Sean blinked, trying to appear as innocent as possible. "Sixteen, sir..."

"Shut up, you underage kid!" Grindelwald shoved Sean down hard.

Dumbledore crossed his arms at his hips: "But Sean has proof—"

"Ha, you actually agreed to give Beauxbatons and Durmstrang extra places to stay at the university just to get that certificate? Three to one, ignoring Newmontgard's advice, huh?" Grindelwald said with dissatisfaction.

Sean suppressed a laugh; he finally understood why this obviously fabricated proof was recognized by other schools.

An agreement has been reached...

Exceptional students like Phoebe and Krum, who should have graduated, also studied for an extra year to compete for the Triwizard Cup of Fire—other schools agreed to Hogwarts ' special permission, and Hogwarts also agreed to extra study slots for other schools...

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Newmontgard is fine too, you also have extra places to stay at the school."

"Ha—" Grindelwald gave a forced, insincere laugh, "Sean was my student."

The implication was clear: I know Sean's strength; even with an "eighth-grade student," he might not be able to beat him.

Dumbledore remained unmoved. "Sean is an outstanding student of Ravenclaw, one of the Four Houses of Hogwarts."

"You'd better not let Sean compete."

"Sean is an outstanding student of Ravenclaw, one of the Four Houses of Hogwarts."

"Haven't beaten Newmontgard in so long, are you resorting to such underhanded tactics?"

"Sean is an outstanding student of Ravenclaw, one of the Four Houses of Hogwarts."

"Let the children fight and interact openly and honestly—fight and interact among themselves at the same level. Do you understand this principle, Dumbledore?"

"Sean is an outstanding student of Ravenclaw, one of the Four Houses of Hogwarts."

Sean, who was being held down with increasing force, suppressed a laugh and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

When did Professor Dumbledore become so... well, so shameless...?

Moreover, he now finally knew what the Howler Dumbledore received during the summer vacation was...

Grindelwald took a deep breath, released Sean, and walked up to Dumbledore, looking him straight in the eye.

Then, he raised one hand.

Raise one middle finger.

"Albus Dumbledore, you treacherous old bastard."

After saying that, he turned around and stormed off.

Once Grindelwald was out of sight, Dumbledore glanced at Sean and then burst into laughter.

"Sean, remember to do your best in the game."

Sean: "..."

What kind of strange competitive spirit is this between old men!

The next day was Saturday, and usually the students ate breakfast quite late. However, when Sean and his friends arrived at the Great Hall, a large group of students were already there discussing something.

When Sean walked in, cheers erupted, but they were for someone else.

Amidst the roars of a group of tough guys, led by Krum, a group of Durmstrang students threw slips of paper with their names on them into the Triwizard Cup.

Following in Phoebe's footsteps, the students of Beauxbatons entered their names one by one.

Hermione turned to the girl beside her and asked, "Just beginning?"

The girl nodded. "I guess so. The people from Newmontgard all submitted their names before. My goodness, almost everyone wrote their names. They looked so scary—it seems like only the people from Hogwarts haven't shown up yet... Hey, Sean!"

Sean greeted the excited girl and shrugged as she excitedly asked, "Will you sign up?"

"No rush, we still have most of the day."

"But I can't wait, Sean— " a voice rang out from behind.

Sean turned his head and saw Cedric.

"Hey, man, good morning," Sean greeted with a smile.

Cedric shrugged nervously. "To be honest, it wasn't good. I was nervous all night."

"Hey, it's you, buddy!" a large group of students exclaimed excitedly behind him.

Cedric is the male president of the Hogwarts Student Council this year. He has a very high reputation among the students and is considered one of the three Champion of Hogwarts this year.

Sean's reputation is slightly different from Cedric's, probably because he is a teaching assistant and has been involved in various major events. Even students who are not very familiar with him admire him, but this admiration is always tinged with awe.

The newly issued certificate from Hogwarts practically told everyone that it was specifically created for Sean, so everyone agreed before the tournament even started that Sean and Cedric were destined to be the two Champion.

The twin brothers, who are quite clever in this regard, even started a betting pool to predict the three Champion of Hogwarts this time. Sean's ratio is currently 1:1, Cedric's is 1:1.05, leaving the others far behind.

Incidentally, the two brothers also wrote their names on the paper and even secretly changed the ratio to 1:100, but unfortunately no one paid any attention to it, which annoyed them for quite a while.

Cedric gave Sean a high five, then, surrounded by his friends, threw his name into the Triwizard Cup.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, someone gently tugged at Sean's clothes.

He turned his head and saw a head of long silver hair.

Stephanie was looking at him.

"Sean, are you going?"