Showdown

Because of the targeting by the other three School of Magic, Durmstrang students haven't had an easy time lately, and the ship has fallen into a slump. However, there's a party tonight to welcome their Champion back from their recovery.

Reinhardt Nott has finally finished his treatment in the Hospital Wing.

It is said that, to celebrate Reinhardt Nott's return, Karkaroff ordered a great deal of delicious food from the Hogwarts Kitchens. Obviously, it was not possible to celebrate properly in the Great Hall of the castle, so Karkaroff moved the main event of the party to Durmstrang's ship.

The Durmstrang students weren't particularly enthusiastic about Reinhardt Nott's return. When the Champion arrived on deck, there was only a lukewarm round of applause—the students were more concerned with enjoying a comfortable meal without being mocked by the Hogwarts bastards at the next table.

Reinhardt Nott had lost a lot of weight since he first arrived at Hogwarts, and his chest was even wrapped in bandages. The Thunderbird's claws and beak were not poisonous, but its innate lightning ability caused the wound to be burned by the high temperature and paralyzed by static electricity. Even with magical healing, it would take much longer to fully heal. At least his bandages would need to be on for another half month.

On the deck, several students assigned tasks by Karkaroff were reluctantly singing with toads. Amid the not-so-pleasant music, Reinhardt Nott was talking to Karkaroff.

"My child, it's so good to see you back safe and sound." Karkaroff gave him a light hug.

Reinhardt Nott simply nodded slightly. "Thank you for your help all this time, Headmaster."

"You're too kind, Reinhardt— " Karkaroff laughed exaggeratedly, his smile almost fawning. "As Champion of Durmstrang, you are naturally my focus!"

"Champion— " Reinhardt Nott slowly revealed a sinister smile, his eyes filled with endless hatred and gloom.

Being so humiliated by Sean not only caused him serious physical injuries, but more seriously, it dealt him a severe blow to his mental health.

Confidence, popularity, pride—all these things were trampled underfoot by that person.

Noticing Reinhardt Nott's expression, Karkaroff pulled him aside and whispered in his ear, "Reinhardt, now is not the time. When the time comes, you can take revenge on that guy however you want. What we need to do now is stay calm."

"Sir, I'm very calm." He downed his beer in one gulp.

As he watched the other person walk away, a hint of impatience and annoyance flashed in Karkaroff's eyes.

Reinhardt Nott stopped at the corner as he stepped off the deck. He looked to one side and saw a figure appear in the shadows.

Leon Schneider, one of Champion Durmstrang Three, received the least attention.

"Leon— " Reinhardt Nott gave a strange smile. "Aren't you going up on deck to get something to eat? Today is my welcome party."

The thin, dark-haired boy merely raised his head slightly and twitched the corner of his mouth. "I've already enjoyed a delicious dinner."

"Really?" Reinhardt licked his lips. "I thought you were always starving..."

"A month of treatment seems to have taught you to speak in riddles—Does the Hogwarts Hospital Wing also treat muscle-headed people?" Leon Schneider scoffed.

In the past, such provocations would have elicited a sinister grin from Reinhardt, followed by a violent attack. His temper was notorious throughout the school; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to provoke Sean Wallerup so recklessly this time.

To Leon Schneider's surprise, the other party did not show any anger or violence; instead, he flicked his tongue like a venomous snake.

"Leon, you were the one who went to inform Professor Karkaroff that day, right?"

"Are you going to thank me? After all, I can't just watch my classmate get beaten to death by students from another school, can I?" Leon Schneider laughed sarcastically.

The two seemed to have switched personalities; one began to provoke, and the other became gloomy.

Reinhardt Nott gave a strange smile and leaned closer to the other man's ear, "Buddy, word has spread that Daisy Potter was attacked at the bottom of the Black Lake. Wallerup's anger is also related to that incident—he thinks I did it."

Leon Schneider's expression remained unchanged. "Frankly, Reinhardt, you should have done this kind of thing more elegantly."

"Oh? You also think I did it?" The latter smiled excitedly. "Unfortunately, Wallerup doesn't seem to think so?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Although this admission makes me very uncomfortable, I have to say that the kid is very smart—he came to cause trouble that day, but also to test the waters. He's looking for someone, the person who attacked Daisy Potter that day... If I'm not mistaken, his main suspect has shifted to you."

Leon Schneider simply chuckled, "I don't think so... and are you scared? The fearless Reinhardt Nott, actually becoming so... like a scheming schemer because of a fifth-grader? That's quite interesting, my friend."

Reinhardt didn't show any displeasure; he simply narrowed his eyes. "Leon, I know what you're thinking... but don't you think we should make some changes? Sean Wallerup, he's been investigating Durmstrang with an almost authoritarian air, just to find out who attacked his girlfriend. He has the means, the power, and a large following—"

"And what about us? We can't do anything but mock and ridicule each other—it's shameful, Leon... I've already lost face once, I've completely humiliated myself on the Hogwarts playground... and Sean Wallerup hasn't found the murderer yet. Who do you think will be the next person he tramples under his feet?"

He gave an exaggerated smile and suddenly raised his arms as if to embrace his best friend.

"While we're happily fighting amongst ourselves, he's uniting the forces around him. He's like a brilliant leader, a great wizard, even... that idol of yours, Mr. Grindelwald. Gellert Grindelwald—and we'll be the stepping stones to his fame and power?"

Leon Schneider shifted his heel, the rough sole of his standard-issue boot scraping against the wooden floor of the cabin with an irritating sound.

His voice remained calm, but it wasn't as relaxed as before.

"Reinhardt, did you finally realize this after you were trampled underfoot?" he said.

Reinhardt took a step back, then bowed slightly, burying his face to hide a contemptuous smile that was unseen by the person opposite him.

"I apologize for the stupid things I did when I was young, Leon —oh, I regret it so much. I shouldn't have done those things back then. It's really... regrettable."

Leon Schneider gave a mocking smile, "What a pity, my friend, when I saw him do those things to you... the things you did to me, I only felt pleasure—but you should thank me, at least I called Professor Karkaroff and saved your life."

"Oh? Is that so?" Reinhardt didn't raise his head. "Did you call out to them on purpose, or were you two just together at the time?"

"Ha, is there any difference?"

"Of course, my friend..." Reinhardt kept his head down, his voice devoid of emotion. "They all think I'm Karkaroff's favorite student, while the gloomy, introverted Leon Schneider isn't liked by the headmaster... I perfectly played the role of an arrogant, attention-grabbing target, so that our Mr. Schneider would have more space to do things unnoticed... What are you and Karkaroff discussing? What does the forbidden area in the ship's hold have to do with you?"

He finally raised his head, his smile sinister.

"Mr. Schneider? Or Mr. Obscurial?"

Leon Schneider's pupils contracted slightly; he seemed to want to quickly regain his composure, but then abandoned the idea after a moment.

He knew Reinhardt Nott; the man was irritable, short-tempered, and arrogant, but not a brainless fool. Since he dared to confront him, it meant that he must have some clues.

However, this was within his expectations— Durmstrang had too many secrets, making it seem bloated and straightforward. Sean Wallerup from another school was gradually getting closer to the secrets, so there was no reason why the top students in his own school hadn't discovered anything.

"Reinhardt— " Leon Schneider slowly straightened the other's collar, "You're much better than your foolish appearance suggests..."

He seemed like a completely different person, arrogant and conceited to the extreme.

Reinhardt's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised that the other party admitted it so readily.

"And then, what are you going to do?" Leon Schneider continued, "Tell people at other schools? Go find Sean Wallerup, the guy who just trampled you underfoot? Become a Durmstrang traitor?"

Reinhardt Nott's expression shifted, and he narrowed his eyes. "What exactly are you and Karkaroff planning? And what about those professors who joined the school in the last few years, and those suddenly designated restricted areas?"

"This is not something you are qualified to know right now—" Leon Schneider said calmly, "However, your outstanding performance has earned you the opportunity to join us, of course, just an opportunity."

"Interesting... Besides me, other students have joined you? Viktor?"

Leon Schneider remained noncommittal. "You've only seen the tip of the iceberg, and your Durmstrang student status gives you a key to open the door, otherwise..."

Black particles suddenly spread out from his body and then enveloped Reinhardt's body.

"Otherwise, you would already be a corpse..."

"So you really are Obscurial ..." Reinhardt, bound by black particles, blushed, and the sudden suffocation made his voice sound like a leaky bellows. "Is Durmstrang still the same Durmstrang? Ha."

Leon Schneider casually tossed the other man to the ground. "This isn't something you need to worry about. You have two choices. First, accept a small test, join us, and reap unimaginable rewards. Second, I'll pluck your hair out and make enough Polyjuice Potion to make someone the new Reinhardt Nott until this Triwizard Cup ends—and then the infamous Reinhardt Nott might die from Dark Wizard's attack, Potions accident, or something."

Reinhardt grinned maliciously, rubbing his throat. "Did I have any other choice?"

"It seems you've made your decision. Very good, you're getting smarter and smarter—but I suspect you probably already had it all planned out when you decided to come to me? Of course, someone as arrogant as you would be resentful of being excluded from a grand plan."

Reinhardt Nott didn't respond to the other person's assessment of him. Instead, he lay half-reclined on the ground as if he didn't care and asked, "So what am I supposed to do?"

"Your task is simple, but of course, before that, I need to leave you some insurance..." Leon Schneider narrowed his eyes, "Turn off your Occlumency, Nott."

Reinhardt's expression shifted, then he closed his eyes resignedly, his mental defenses crumbling.

"Ha, powerful Occlumency. If you hadn't met Wallerup, you might have been the most famous genius after Dumbledore and Grindelwald."

Leon Schneider gave a laugh that was both admiring and mocking. Then, a black particle slowly floated out from his temple, the Obscurus magic enveloped by another strange magic.

Then, the black particles, like spreading fungi, crawled toward Reinhardt's temples.

In the dimly lit ship's corridor, a magical ritual resembling an evil religious ceremony was being performed, and Reinhardt, kneeling on one knee, wore a pained expression.

Leon Schneider, on the other hand, looked at the other calmly, a satisfied and smug smile playing on his lips.

The black particles suddenly vibrated, and then the spreading process briefly stopped.

Leon Schneider frowned. "Keep your Occlumency, or you'll be dead right here."

After his reminder, the black particles continued to spread into the other person's head.

After a moment, Leon Schneider put away the black particles. "I think if you're going to try to betray us, you should be able to guess what will happen to you?"

Reinhardt grinned. "It's easy to guess... But I'm quite curious now about where your power comes from. Forgive me for being blunt, but your talent isn't outstanding, and it's impossible for a wizard to become Obscurial after entering school."

"Once you complete your assessment, you can join us. You'll find out then."

Reinhardt Nott gave a strange smile, "I'm looking forward to that day..."