The Academy Team Veterans

Seven o'clock in the evening, Quidditch pitch.

Today, Slytherin had secured use of the pitch. All seven members of the academy team were waiting there, and Seeker Terence looked slightly displeased.

His position had been challenged by a somewhat famous first-year student.

But since Snape had personally recommended him, Terence could not exactly refuse. They could only let their abilities do the talking.

He refused to believe that an eleven-year-old boy who had never touched Quidditch could defeat an experienced Seeker like him without any training.

A few minutes later, Aaron arrived. Abei obediently walked beside him, and Snape had come along as well.

Seeing this, the academy team members all looked somewhat uneasy. If it had only been Aaron, they could have given him a little show of force.

But with Headmaster Snape present, they could only cooperate obediently and did not dare make any petty moves.

"Hi! Good evening, everyone!" Aaron greeted them, then stepped forward to shake each person's hand, looking extremely excited.

Although they did not want this first-year newcomer who had "come in through the back door" to join the academy team, you did not slap a smiling face.

Since he was being so polite, they had no choice but to respond, no matter how unwilling they were. After all, the Headmaster was standing right there, and Snape held immense authority in Slytherin.

"That should be enough, shouldn't it? Don't tell me you specifically called me here just to watch you exchange friendly pleasantries with them," Snape said coldly.

"Of course not!" Aaron turned around. "I asked you to come only to avoid trouble.

"I may be a new Slytherin student, but I've still been at school for two weeks. There are some things I know.

"Some Slytherin students are very arrogant, and the academy team members are even more conceited. Breaking match rules is practically routine for them. I don't think they would be particularly friendly toward a first-year like me.

"If I hadn't brought someone with enough status to back me up, I probably would have spent half an hour dealing with their attempts to make things difficult for me.

"I don't really care, but it's better to avoid trouble when possible!"

Hearing this, Snape looked at the seven of them and saw their teeth-clenched, furious yet silent expressions. His face immediately darkened, and he snapped, "Look at yourselves. You're a disgrace to Slytherin.

"Can Slytherin truly not withstand a challenge? I'm not asking him to directly take Terence's place. The capable rise, and the incompetent fall. If you do not even have that much confidence, then put down your Magic Broom and leave the academy team now.

"Otherwise, prove that you are better than him."

The seven of them were left utterly embarrassed. In truth, it was not as serious as Snape made it sound. They were not incapable of accepting a challenge; they were simply a little unconvinced.

But facing an enraged Snape, they did not dare say another word.

"Cough, cough! Professor Snape, that's enough," Aaron said. "They didn't do it on purpose."

As he spoke, Aaron looked at the seven "seniors" on the academy team, his expression full of apology. "You don't need to worry, either. I'm only participating in Quidditch for this one match against Gryffindor. I'm not actually replacing Senior Terence.

"It's just that Headmaster Snape felt that since Gryffindor had replaced their Seeker with a first-year, Slytherin could not bully them. So he could only find a first-year student like me to compete fairly against Harry Potter.

"I solemnly promise all of you that I will leave the academy team after this match. I absolutely will not affect the friendship between the seniors, and I will never participate in any Quidditch matches organized by the school again."

The seven academy team members looked at one another, unable to process it for a moment.

They had thought Aaron had gotten in through the back door, but they had not expected there to be such a reason.

And he was showing such sincerity! He was even giving up Quidditch altogether after this. What determination that took! In comparison, they felt somewhat ashamed of themselves.

However, none of them noticed the extra dark lines on Snape's face. If he did not want to compete, then he did not want to compete. Did he have to make it sound so righteous?

Still, this kid was truly no pushover. In just a few words, he had changed the minds of these proud Slytherins and even earned a bit of their goodwill.

Tsk, tsk. The Gaius Family truly had a worthy successor.

With his skill at spinning such blatant lies, he could keep that family flourishing for decades at least.

"Hmph! Stop talking nonsense," Snape said. He then looked at Aaron. "You have certainly mastered the art of borrowing another's authority, but the outcome will only be known after you compete."

"Professor Snape, I completely understand what you mean," Aaron said humbly. "My ability may not necessarily surpass Senior Terence's, but I must at least earn the academy team's recognition. Otherwise, I would not be qualified to represent Slytherin in the match."

"As long as you understand."

"Thank you for understanding, Professor. But before we officially begin, I need to make one thing clear.

"I usually have quite a lot to do, so I may not have much time to participate in training before the official match."

The moment he said that, neither Snape nor the academy team looked pleased.

Even with talent, he could not waste it so recklessly! No training before a match? Did he think Quidditch was a joke?

"Do not push your luck," Snape said coldly.

"Professor, please let me finish. What I mean is that I will compete against the seniors in three rounds.

"A Seeker only needs to focus on the Golden Snitch during a match, so whether I participate in training is not that important.

"So I suggest that in the first round, only the Golden Snitch will be on the pitch. Whoever between Senior Terence and me catches it first wins. If I happen to win, that will prove I have the ability to take part in this Quidditch match.

"The second round will also be a contest to see who catches the Golden Snitch first, but it will be slightly more difficult than the first. We will add two Bludgers to interfere. If I happen to win under those circumstances as well, that will prove I did not win the first round through luck, and all of you seniors will be fully convinced.

"As for the third round, it will still be a contest to see who catches the Golden Snitch first. Aside from adding Bludgers and the Quaffle, I will also ask the academy team seniors to take the field together and intercept me, though you cannot use bats.

"If this eleven-year-old first-year can still win under those conditions, then..." Aaron paused and smiled at everyone on the academy team. "Then do not disturb my studies before the match, and also..."

"Are you trying to challenge our entire team by yourself?" Captain Marcus interrupted unhappily. This was practically a naked provocation.

"Eh? Of course not. How could you put it that way?

"I just want to simulate a match situation as closely as possible."

"You..."

Marcus was about to say something when Snape stopped him with a glance. He looked at Aaron. "What else?"

"And during the official match, no one can commit fouls," Aaron said very seriously. "After all, there is no point in winning through fouls.

"I will not foul, but I do not want to hear people saying that Slytherin's victory came from fouls.

"Of course, you seniors may also refuse the third round. The first two rounds will be enough, but you still must not call me over for training before the official match."

"Agreed. Of course we agree. Why would we not?" Marcus said with a cold laugh. "But I guarantee that you will regret this."

"Very well. Then please have Professor Snape serve as witness."

Everyone turned to look at Snape in his black robes. He stared darkly at Aaron. "Are you certain you want to do this? They may not show you any mercy."

"I'm certain, but..."

"But what?"

"But when I cry for help, Professor, you must save me," Aaron said righteously.

The corner of Snape's mouth twitched. "So you do know fear after all?"

"Of course. Why else would I have called you here? Did you really think merely putting on a show was enough? Then your value as Headmaster would be far too low."

Hearing Aaron's righteous tone, Snape's face darkened, yet he nodded blankly. He then looked at the academy team beside them, fully prepared to teach Aaron an unforgettable lesson, and said calmly, "I agree to these three rounds. But do not hold back. When it comes to the critical moment, I will cover for you."

The seven academy team members exchanged glances and nodded in unison.