The Xwizard Tournament Begins!

The Xwizard Tournament is finally about to begin.

A lively atmosphere filled the school. Everyone was excited and looking forward to the First Task, hoping it would be spectacular.

Something more exciting would be best.

It's an exaggeration to say a few people will die, but it must be dangerous!

The Champion should endure hardship, face near-death experiences during the game, and use every means to entertain everyone.

After all, I'm not participating!

Some timid witches even bought sunglasses.

They're squeamish about blood and can't bear to see the gruesome sight of gushing blood. But as long as they wear sunglasses, even when the Champion is bleeding profusely... it won't stop them from applauding!!

The audience didn't know the details of the game, but most of the Champion did.

Why the majority? Professor Snape wasn't a fool; he didn't buy any information at all.

Cedric and Cho went to contact Chimpanzee Captain, but Marcus Flint thought the price was too high and refused to pay.

He spent several thousand Galleon to buy Champion, and the content of this First Task is actually more expensive than the price of the spot?

Isn't this just luring people into a trap first, and then demanding exorbitant prices?

Besides, he only became Champion to save face; he didn't really think he could win.

Now that the goal has been achieved, what does it matter what place we get?

Even last place is enough!

This mindset isn't necessarily wrong; at least it shows self-awareness.

Like Karkaroff, he had self-awareness regarding his students.

So, six slots were more expensive than the package deal, and he insisted on only buying five intelligence packages.

As for the remaining four... well, they had no chance of making way anyway, so consider them sacrifices to make way for the other Champion.

William didn't know whether to say he was too stingy, or to save costs, or if he really had... self-awareness.

It's outrageous that someone like that can be a school principal!

With the competition approaching, all classes have been suspended.

Led by the deans, the students went to the dragon-themed areas according to their respective college assignments.

"Good luck, Hermione." Anne was massaging Hermione's shoulders to help her relax.

"Okay, okay, stop squeezing... You've practically broken my arm. I'm relaxed now."

"That's what you said. If you win the championship, I deserve at least a third of the credit," Anne said with a sly smile.

"Yes, at least half of it is thanks to you." Hermione rolled her eyes at her.

The competition was about to begin, and she just wanted to get rid of this annoying little girl as soon as possible so she could have some time to talk to William.

Anne seemed oblivious to the fact that she was a huge third wheel, continuing her incessant chatter.

"If your hair really gets burned, it's none of my business!"

Anne wrote Prophecy, one of which involved Hermione's hair being burned.

Hermione took a deep breath, stretched out her hands, and playfully stretched Anne's pretty face.

The girl wasn't angry, and said vaguely, "You need to be careful."

"I understand!"

William simply smiled, watching the two playfully bickering with amusement.

Anne broke free from Hermione's grasp and quickly left, not wanting to disturb her brother and Hermione's time together.

Just before leaving the corridor, she glanced back at Hermione, remembering Hagrid saying the first challenge was a dragon, which made her incredibly anxious.

Anne left, leaving Hermione and William alone as they walked side by side down the corridor.

"They're finally gone. Do you think Anne did it on purpose?" the girl asked.

"It was definitely intentional."

"Then why aren't you doing anything about it?" Hermione said reproachfully.

"How could I possibly control her? Besides, haven't you been the one keeping an eye on her?" William laughed. "She says privately that you're even more nagging Lyanna."

"What?"

Hermione, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly raised her eyebrows. "Am I being long-winded?"

No, I didn't say that.

Did you refute her?

"She refuted me, and I even gave her a good beating!" William had a very strong survival instinct.

Hermione snorted and said decisively:

"You're lying... I can tell from your expression that you're not. You two are probably sitting together, saying I'm being long-winded!"

William's lips twitched; he had suspected more than once that Hermione was secretly learning Legilimency.

Otherwise, how could they have guessed the truth so quickly?

William's expression confirmed the girl's suspicions. She widened her eyes and stepped on the boy's instep.

William was about to bare his teeth when Hermione, instead of using force, lunged forward and suddenly hugged him.

William hugged the girl tighter, rested his chin on her head, and said softly, "I love how talkative you are."

"Yes, I know." Hermione nestled against his chest.

The two remained silent for a long time.

Following Anne's directions, Professor McGonagall hurried down the corridor.

The match is about to begin, and Hermione has disappeared.

Where have you been? What's more important than the competition?

She turned a corner and saw the young couple embracing.

Professor McGonagall opened her mouth, but for a moment she couldn't say a word.

She didn't know whether she should wait for them to finish or interrupt them.

It seems... neither approach is quite good.

Fortunately, William had already heard the footsteps. He released Hermione and smiled:

"Hello, Professor McGonagall."

"Oh, cough cough... um... Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said awkwardly.

"Now the Champion need to move to the area below... You must be ready to complete the First Task."

"Okay, I'll go now."

Hermione kept her head down, not wanting Professor McGonagall to see her face, which was so red it looked like it could bleed.

Hermione walked away quickly.

Professor McGonagall took a couple of steps, then couldn't help turning back to tease, "William, I don't object to puppy love, but we have to be mindful of the timing, don't we?"

"Goodbye, Professor!" William said with a shameless grin. "You're going to be late."

Professor McGonagall caught up with Hermione and whispered, "Hermione, you should be less nervous now. However, I still have something to tell you:

Stay calm... We've positioned some wizards nearby; they'll step in and take control if things get out of hand... Most importantly, make the most of your abilities; nobody will think you're inferior to anyone else."

"Hmm." Hermione's face wasn't as red anymore, and she said confidently, "Professor, I will help Gryffindor win the Triwizard Tournament."

"Then I will be proud of you for the rest of my life." Professor McGonagall smiled and patted her head.

The two walked toward a tent, and Professor McGonagall said, "Bagman and the other Champion are already inside... He will tell you the steps... Good luck."

Hermione nodded and went inside.

Phoebe sat on a low wooden stool in the corner, looking a little nervous and pale.

Seeing Hermione arrive, she stood up and walked over.

Krum lowered his head, took a few deep breaths, and then exhaled. He looked more somber than usual.

Cedric was chatting with Cho, and the two of them laughed from time to time.

This was a bit jarring in the crowd. Many Champion glared at them.

George was teasing Ron. Ron's hands were shaking violently, his lips were trembling, and he kept pacing back and forth.

"Shut up, Fred!" he snapped.

"I'm George. Has your head gotten this messed up?" George shrugged.

Many other wizards who knew the inside story were either afraid or devastated... very few were not nervous.

Malfoy stopped mocking Ron and sat trembling in his chair.

"Alright!" Ludo Bagman clapped his hands. "Now that everyone's here—it's time for a briefing!"

Ludo Bagman, wearing his Wimbourne Wasps jersey again, said excitedly:

"Before the competition begins, I will pass this bag to each of you in turn."

He held up a purple silk bag and shook it at them.

"You will be divided into five groups according to your school for the competition, and you will choose your group number from among them."

The types of challenges each group will face will differ, but we will strive to ensure fairness and avoid having any group that is particularly formidable.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you... Oh, right... Your mission is... to protect the Golden Egg!"

Protect them from being destroyed by the giants you'll be facing!

(Please vote with your recommendation tickets and monthly passes, everyone!)