The aroma seemed to carry a magic that could pierce the soul, making all three dragons stop roaring at once and turn their gazes toward it in unison.
Charlie's eyes instantly widened to the size of saucers.
He sniffed hard, an incredulous expression appearing on his face.
He recognized that smell.
"Flameheart Crystal-Scaled Beast meat?!"
His voice warped with shock.
"Doug, which active volcano have you gone exploring in this time?!"
Douglas shrugged casually, as though discussing something as trivial as buying a new wand in Diagon Alley.
"I went to Italy on business a while ago, climbed an active volcano while I was there, and happened to run into a few."
His expression was so relaxed that Charlie almost began to wonder whether Flameheart Crystal-Scaled Beasts were as common as gnomes in the cracks of Italy's volcanic rocks.
Well, the system's universal exchange list always had just the right surprise.
Since he had entered his second year, the system's presence had grown increasingly faint, but it remained like the most reliable quartermaster, always providing unexpected help at crucial moments.
Charlie looked at him, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
He had long since grown accustomed to such humblebragging answers.
He lowered his voice and leaned close to Douglas's ear, his expression turning serious.
"The Ministry of Magic's requirements for transporting and quarantining the dragons this time are absurdly strict."
"That fellow Crouch is terrified that the slightest slipup will affect his career."
"Even giving them some extra food requires approval at every level. Whatever you do, don't let them see this stuff."
Just then, an irrepressible frenzy erupted from deep within the enclosure.
It was the Hungarian Horntail, the huge creature Douglas called "Old Black."
It violently broke free of its chains with a deafening crash.
Yet its