Mr. Schemes and Miss Likewise

As William said, "Champion" is a very special word for students.

Bringing honor to the school is secondary; the key is that opportunity to be in the spotlight, which not everyone can refuse.

Just look at those underage students who want to break the Age Line; they're like the students stuck in school during the pandemic.

As long as there's a way out, even if it's by climbing over a wall or crawling through a dog hole... I'll do it! (I witnessed it firsthand)

If I told you right now that it's not that dangerous, and you can buy an exit pass for a little money, even a fake one... you'd buy it! (I've tried it myself)

So let's switch to the quota...

"It's only two thousand Galleon, I'll buy it!!" Malfoy's face lit up with ecstasy.

Cedric was about to agree when Cho beat him to it, shaking her finger.

No, you're mistaken!

So decisive, not even bothering to haggle over the price... well, then we'll have to say something.

Qiu chuckled and said, "Two thousand Galleon is the price for an adult wizard."

We can help adult wizards secure a spot as Champion.

Since you are a minor, this operation will require a lot of magic power.

Think about it, that's the Age Line set by Dumbledore; most people can't exceed it, right?

Malfoy nodded.

Qiu paused for a moment, then continued her charade, "Most importantly, we're risking expulsion; the principal might find out..."

"That makes sense." Malfoy asked, "Just tell me straight, how much money do you want to guarantee I'll be Champion?"

"This is the price for an underage wizard," Qiu said, holding up five fingers.

"Five thousand?!" Malfoy's eyes widened.

Cedric also stared in shock at Merlin's wide-open mouth.

William didn't say any of that!

"However," Qiu said with a troubled expression, "You're a regular customer, so I'll take the liberty of giving you a discount: three thousand five hundred Galleon!"

Qiu gave Cedric a look, and he immediately understood, changing his expression to one of embarrassment:

"This isn't good, Qiu. Giving such a large discount all at once will be difficult to explain to William."

Breaking through Dumbledore's Age Line is difficult for him... and he can still get injured.

Cedric said this, but in his heart he was filled with emotion.

Sure enough... I was too honest. Look at Qiu, she's gotten darker after knowing William for so long.

Malfoy rubbed his hands together and paced back and forth a few steps.

To be honest, he also thought Cho Chang was right. That was Dumbledore's magic; it wasn't something that could be easily broken through.

I didn't hear Diggory mention that he might get injured again.

Three thousand five hundred Galleon per spot... that's a really good deal, the price for regular customers.

However, during summer vacation, his father lost several hundred thousand Galleon betting on football, which cut off most of his allowance.

The embarrassment of being broke.

Seeing Malfoy hesitate, Cho pressed on, saying:

We're only selling one Slytherin spot.

If you don't want it, we'll sell it to someone else. What's the name of that Quidditch captain who repeated a year...?

"Marcus Flint!" Cedric reminded Qiu in the ear.

"Yes, I'm really interested in the guy who looks a lot like Troll. I even said I'd definitely save a spot for him," Qiu remarked.

He acted like he had plenty of money.

Cedric looked at Qiu with admiration in his eyes.

They didn't even go to see Marcus Flint! Cho is talking nonsense!

Malfoy is still struggling.

"Let's go, Ced. It seems the Malfoy family can't afford this spot."

Qiu tossed her hair, turned and left without hesitation.

"Wait! I bought it!!" Malfoy's expression gradually turned ferocious.

How dare they look down on the Malfoy family's wealth!

It's only three thousand five hundred Galleon, isn't it?

Purchase!

"I'm writing home now to ask for money, please wait..."

"There's no rush. You can pay after you become Champion."

"Inspect the goods before you pay; this is a service that Akali's Mystery Shop consistently upholds."

As Cedric spoke, he pulled out a piece of parchment.

"But you must sign this agreement. If you become Champion and then breach the contract by not paying, or tell others that we helped you become Champion, you will be punished."

"Punishment?" Malfoy was startled.

"Yes, signing is equivalent to signing a contract... Breaching the contract will be severely punished," Qiu said with a smile.

"It's not that we don't trust you, but... this is for everyone's safety, right?"

Malfoy quickly took the parchment and examined the agreement to see if there were any flaws.

Fortunately, there were no major issues. The agreement was quite standard.

To become Champion, you must pay the full amount before your First Task begins;

You can't tell anyone about how they helped them become Champion.

Malfoy signed quickly. As long as he became Champion, his father would be so happy that he could ask for as many Galleon as he wanted.

Besides, Malfoy would love for everyone to think that he became Champion through his own strength.

Why would I tell anyone?

Potter... wait until I become Champion, then I'll stand before you again...

After Malfoy had gone far away, Autumn put away the parchment.

Cedric stared at the parchment, somewhat frightened.

The contract above was made by Hermione and it carries a curse!

William had warned him: if Qiu gives you parchment or anything else to sign, never sign it.

Cedric was a little worried.

Cho and Hermione are such good friends, who knows, one day she might ask him for a piece of parchment full of unequal agreements and make him sign it.

William... can't you control your Hermione?

What kind of curse should she study?

This kind of scourge shouldn't be released; it's best to keep it locked up at home.

Qiu didn't think much of it, simply clapped her hands and laughed, "Alright, we can go find that Slytherin one..."

Marcus Flint.

"Yes, Chimpanzee Captain."

"..."

William and Hermione walked across the meadow toward Hagrid's cabin.

Hermione, acting as his personal secretary, was also carrying a thick notebook.

The notebook's pages have been Transfiguration Charm, allowing them to receive messages from others in a timely manner.

She glanced at him and immediately reported, "William, Anne has sent a message."

Students at Beauxbatons asked if it was possible to do group buying.

"Group purchase?" William raised an eyebrow.

Selling a Champion spot... and they're even doing a group buy?

Are they asking for a discount because so many people are buying them? No way, we don't have to worry about selling them!

"Three students don't have enough money, and they want to pool their resources to buy a spot. They hope the Champion will choose from among the three of them."

"..."

The poor have their own way of doing things. Indeed, the wisdom of the working people is not to be underestimated.

"Agree to their offer," William said after a moment's thought. "We can also get Anne to offer a discount."

Hermione nodded, then quickly looked up and said:

"George's message... He asked if more places could be added for Durmstrang students; there are too many people wanting to buy!"

"Are they all that rich?" William said in surprise.

Beauxbatons ' poverty is on a completely different level.

However, it's understandable.

Durmstrang Institute and Wizardry is different from other schools.

It does not accept Muggle-born students. Karkaroff also dislikes Half-blood wizards and prefers Pure-blood families.

Most of the people he can bring are Pure-blood wizard, the wealthy kind.

Since that's the case...

"We can't give it to them!" William said immediately.

Tell George that there are only seven spots available, but they can be auctioned off to the highest bidder!

Hermione nodded, immediately understanding William's meaning.

Scarcity drives up value; the fewer spots available, the higher the price.

"I also told George that after the seven spots are auctioned off, we can meet with him separately and release one or two more spots to Durmstrang," William added.

"In that case, Durmstrang would have more Champion than other schools," Hermione asked doubtfully.

"We need more than us." William patted Hermione's head and laughed, "The more Champion someone has, the more targets they'll become."

Instead, nobody cared who had created so many Champion.

William's a knack for diverting attention!

I learned it all from Fudge.

Hermione covered her mouth and laughed, "You're so naughty... always coming up with all sorts of bad ideas."

William pinched Hermione's cheek and said seriously, "Please call me Resourceful."

"Yes, Mr. Intrigue."

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss. We're in the same boat."

(Please vote for this post, everyone!)

Thanks to Mr. "Trance Xiaobai" for the tip)