The stands were quiet, but the referee's box was filled with tension.
Karkaroff glared at Dumbledore. "I need an explanation, Dumbledore. Why are your Champion able to use magical artifacts?"
Madame Maxime also showed a rare display of anger.
Her hands were clenched tightly together, and her tone was icy. "Also, Director Crouch, Director Bagman, I would like you to explain why the usually docile Welsh Green Dragon is more easily provoked than the ferocious Hungarian Horntail?"
Bagman rubbed his hands together and said with a smile, "Madame Maxime, this may just be an individual difference. All four fire dragons were officially rented from the Romania Magic Government, and the ones in charge of looking after them before the competition were professional Dragon Tamer."
This argument failed to convince Madame Maxime. Her broad shoulders trembled slightly, and her voice became shrill. "Director Bagman, can you guarantee that no one has tampered with the fire dragon? Don't forget, you still haven't caught the person who tampered with the Goblet of Fire."
Bagman looked embarrassed and turned to Barty Crouch on the other side for help.
However, Karkaroff's question left Karkaroff speechless. After all, the rules did not explicitly prohibit magical items, but Draco's magical items were indeed excessive. Not only could they make him immune to Fire Dragon Breath, but they could also defend against physical attacks.
"Let's just end this Triwizard Tournament right now! If you allow the Champion to bring in something that seriously undermines the fairness of the competition, Durmstrang will withdraw from the tournament immediately!"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Barty Crouch was particularly sincere in his attitude. "Principal Karkaroff, it was our dereliction of duty not to anticipate this, but the Viktor Krum Champion have already reached Contract with the Goblet of Fire, so I'm afraid they can't withdraw from the tournament."
Karkaroff's face was grim as he slammed his hand heavily on the long table in front of him. "Viktor is seriously injured and is still unconscious. Does the British Ministry of Magic want him to die on the field?"
Barty Crouch was momentarily speechless, Dumbledore's face was full of apology. "Headmaster Karkaroff, Barty certainly didn't mean that. The Triwizard Tournament has been over two hundred years old, and there are bound to be some loopholes in the rules. However, we can improve them in the upcoming matches."
"What about the First Task? How will the Champion's scores be calculated?"
Dumbledore frowned, his eyes flickering, as if he were in a deep dilemma.
While cheating has always been a tradition in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry's successful acquisition of the Golden Egg can be explained by luck, but what about Phoebe and Viktor Krum, who were injured after being provoked by the dragon? And what about Draco, who exploited loopholes in the rules?
It's no wonder that Madame Maxime and Karkaroff reacted so strongly. If Harry or Draco had been injured, Dumbledore would have done the same to seek justice.
Barty Crouch, who had remained silent, had an unpredictable expression on his face, as if he were struggling with something.
"If a similar situation occurs in the Second Task, will you continue to refine the rules?"
After Karkaroff raised his question again, Barty Crouch looked up at the field.
Before Draco could get his hands on them Hungarian Horntail grabbed the dragon egg and the Golden Egg and held them protectively in its arms, constantly letting out threatening growls at him.
Draco panicked for a moment, but he quickly raised his wand.
Barty Crouch's expression changed subtly, as if he was expecting something. "Principal Karkaroff, please calm down. The game is not over yet. I think we should make a decision after considering the Champion's performance."
Karkaroff slammed his hand on the long table in front of him again, his face tense, and he pointed angrily at Draco, "Is there any need to continue this kind of match!"
Even the most ferocious Hungarian Horntail couldn't do anything to him. Even if the fire dragon's scales were incredibly thick, surely dozens or even hundreds of spells would have some effect?
Faced with his aggressive questioning, Barty Crouch remained remarkably calm. "Principal Karkaroff, the fire dragon possesses extremely strong anti-magic properties. The Malfoy Champion is only 14 years old; it's impossible for him to have cast dozens or even hundreds of spells, let alone have any substantial impact on the fire dragon."
Although this is somewhat disparaging of Draco, judging from his initial lack of confidence, his magic is unlikely to be very effective.
Indeed, that was the case. Draco cast more than a dozen spells in a row, but to no avail. Exhausted, he could only stand there panting and confront the fire dragon once again.
This time, Karkaroff was speechless. He snorted indignantly, "Ha—a waste of time."
On the other hand, Madame Maxime's anger had subsided considerably.
Phoebe's injuries are relatively minor, and she should be able to recover after a few days of rest, unlike Viktor Krum, who was carried out on a stretcher with his body wrapped in bandages, which might have ended his career.
The referee's table returned to calm, but the stands became lively.
The first three matches were thrilling and dangerous, but this last one was completely uninteresting.
What's so interesting about a standoff between people? It would be better to broadcast the referees arguing earlier.
Gerry reluctantly turned the camera back on the dragon and Draco.
He'd already aired four commercials for the Nobili Magic Appliances brand, and the audience was booing loudly. He really didn't know what to broadcast anymore.
It's estimated that the top headlines in the global Wizarding World right now are "The Most Boring Competition." With this kind of live broadcast quality, it's unlikely that any wizards will look forward to the upcoming competitions.
"Sigh—" Gerry sighed helplessly.
He could already imagine how Fudge would hold Barty Crouch and Bagman accountable. As for himself, he didn't think Barty Crouch would make him take the blame; he was more worried about whether the head of the Magical News Department would be replaced.
If it were Umbridge instead...
The scene was so beautiful that he couldn't even imagine it.
On the field,
Draco, after casting more than a dozen spells in a row, was once again panting heavily.
He rudely wiped the sweat from his forehead and glared fiercely at the Hungarian Horntail in front of him, which was twisting its neck as if to express disdain.
The mountain-sized fire dragon couldn't do anything to him, and he was also helpless against the fire dragon.
If the stalemate continues, he will be the first to collapse from exhaustion.
But what could he do with his defense maxed out? The fire dragon didn't attack proactively; it just kept its eyes on him, protecting what he was holding, giving him no chance whatsoever.
Wait a minute, since magic isn't working, why not try hand-to-hand combat?
It's unrealistic to knock down a fire dragon with one punch, but he can climb onto its body.
If you just seize the opportunity to take the Golden Egg, you can achieve a high score by clearing the level without taking any damage.
Draco's breathing gradually calmed down.
Even if he was unwilling, he had to admit that Vincent's "barbarian methods" were still very useful.