Fortunately, the two masters did not end up arguing, but only discussed their different ideas about wands.
Ollivander values the connection between wands and wizards; in his eyes, there are no "weak" wands, only unsuitable ones.
Gregorovitch prioritized the practicality of wands, believing that a good wand should possess excellent performance, and any fancy design was superfluous.
Vincent quietly slipped behind the two of them and approached Dumbledore. "Professor, I've set up the equipment. I should go back to continue my lecture."
"Wait a minute." Dumbledore moment. "Vincent, I think you'd better stay a little longer, so you won't have to run around if anything goes wrong with the equipment."
Well, if you're going to provide the equipment and then have to handle after-sales service, you might as well just edit out the promotional video.
Vincent looked reluctant. "Professor Dumbledore, can something as simple as pressing a button really cause a problem?"
"It's inevitable that some minor problems will occur since it's Ludo and Barty's first time operating the equipment."
That makes sense. After all, they haven't even figured out the simplest equipment placement. Who knows what other bizarre problems these two directors might come up with?
"Fine." Vincent shrugged. "I should have asked the Ministry of Magic for some rental fees back then, so they would have memorized the entire instruction manual as quickly as possible."
Dumbledore was speechless.
One second Bagman said he had memorized it, and the next second he was just staring blankly at the recording equipment.
If there's a rental fee, he'll at least definitely carry the instruction manual with him.
"Hmph—" Draco sneered, his face full of disdain.
Perhaps in his eyes, asking the Ministry of Magic for rent would be a complete failure, and that he was just bragging.
Vincent gave him a meaningful look, then walked to the equipment and waited quietly.
Soon, Merovingian returned and joined the two masters in their regular academic exchanges.
His philosophy emphasizes the wand's appearance and comfort; a good wand should first and foremost be something wizards love to use, while performance and stability are secondary.
With the three great scoundrels of Europe gathered at Hogwarts, Vincent immediately perked up.
The British Ministry of Magic could at most invite Ollivander from within the country; even if Fudge himself were to personally intervene, he probably couldn't invite the other two masters.
Therefore, Merovingian and Gregorovitch could only have been invited by Madame Maxime and Karkaroff.
That's true. There was already an accident during the Goblet of Fire selection for the Champion, and the British Ministry of Magic can't be relied on. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have no choice but to find a way to prevent another accident from happening.
Vincent was thinking this, Madame Maxime and Karkaroff led their respective school's Champion into the classroom.
Now all that's missing is Bagman and Barty Crouch.
They'd been in the restroom for way too long; Karkaroff and Viktor Krum, sitting on chairs by the door, were getting impatient.
"Dumbledore, did they fall into the toilet?"
"Professor Karkaroff, please wait a moment, I'll go outside and take a look."
Dumbledore walked out of the classroom and saw Bagman running towards him.
"Sorry, Barty and I got lost."
Barty Crouch walked slowly from behind with a blank expression, looking rather unhappy, probably because he felt ashamed.
Bagman, however, cheerfully pulled Dumbledore into the classroom.
"Everyone's here! Let's not waste any more time. We'll start with the wand testing and then interview the Champion individually later!"
You can't hit a smiling face, so Karkaroff had to swallow his resentment no matter how much he grumbled.
The three wand-making masters finished their discussion and quietly watched as the five judges walked to the five chairs behind the long table.
When Barty Crouch saw Vincent next to the recording equipment, his face instantly turned extremely ugly.
First, the equipment couldn't be fixed, then he got lost while going to the restroom, and then the equipment manufacturer was still there, clearly showing that he didn't trust him and Bagman and was worried that something else might go wrong.
Bagman's expression wasn't good either, but he quickly smiled at Vincent and said, "Mr. Wayne, thank you for your hard work."
Vincent returned a polite smile. "It's not hard, it's what I should do."
Bagman nodded somewhat awkwardly, then turned and sat down in the chair on the far right.
Dumbledore, sitting in the middle, cleared his throat. "Please allow me to introduce the three gentlemen in charge of testing wands."
He raised his hand to each of the three wand-making masters, saying, "They are Mr. Ollivander, Merovingian, and Mr. Gregorovitch."
He then turned to the Champion sitting in the chairs by the door, saying, "These three will be testing your wands to make sure they are in good condition before the match."
The three masters arrived at the open space in the center of the classroom. After exchanging a few words in hushed tones, Ollivander looked at the Champion with his silvery-white eyes. "Miss Delacour, would you like to go first?"
Phoebe smiled and stood up, walking lightly to the three masters and handing them her wand.
Merovingian watched with a smug look as Ollivander carefully took her wand.
Gregorovitch, standing to the side, seemed somewhat listless; the beautifully designed wand did not appear to interest him.
Ollivander, on the other hand, showed great curiosity. He twirled the wand between his slender fingers as if he were conducting a conductor's baton, causing the tip of the wand to spew out many pink and gold sparks.
Then he brought the wand close to his eyes and examined it carefully. "A very good wand. The weight is well balanced between the handle and the tip."
He slowly twirled the wand, bringing out the intricate patterns on its surface. "Not bad, nine and a half inches... just the right amount of elasticity... made of ebony... it contains... oh my god!"
Merovingian unconsciously straightened his chest. "It contains a Veela's hair, Miss Delacour's grandmother's hair."
"What?" Gregorovitch's eyes widened. "Veela hair, such a sensitive and capricious material, can actually be used to make wands?"
He snatched the wand back from Ollivander's hand, his eyes gleaming as if he wanted to see right through it.
"Unbelievable... This is not a wand that can be easily wielded!"
Gregorovitch held the wand with obvious delight, gently waving it a few times to test its feel.
"Orchideous— " he murmured the incantation, and a vibrant Orchideous on the tip of the staff.
He turned to look at the proud Merovingian. "I take back what I just said, Master Merovingian. The appearance and comfort of a wand are indeed points that wand makers need to seriously consider."
Barring unforeseen circumstances, a wand typically accompanies a wizard throughout their life.
While a beautiful and comfortable wand may not increase combat power, it can make a wizard happy, thus bringing hidden improvements in various aspects.
Merovingian smiled and waved his hand, "Master Gregorovitch, actually our ideas are not wrong, but there is no such thing as a perfect wand in the world. No matter how hard we try, we can only get infinitely close to this goal."
Ollivander nodded in agreement.
Gregorovitch gathered the flowers from the tip of the cane and handed it back to Phoebe. "Miss Delacour, you and it are a perfect match. I look forward to your wonderful performance."
Phoebe smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Mr. Gregorovitch."
She took the wand and walked back with light steps.