At that moment, Yusei was already leading a group of students from Russia's Koldovstoretz toward Wentworth and his companions.
Seeing Wentworth and the others standing there, Yusei paused for a second, then broke into a broad smile as he began introducing the group.
Upon learning that the three before them were the participants from the other schools in the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship, one of the Koldovstoretz students stepped forward from the crowd.
Calling him a brute would be no exaggeration. Although everyone knew that participants in the Potions Championship were all, at most, in their teens, this boy stood well over six feet tall, his body packed with muscle, radiating an intimidating presence.
Even Yukina instinctively moved closer to Wentworth when the boy approached.
Yet the young man extended a hand courteously and said with a warm tone,
"Hello. I'm Vitaly Vladasovich Grachev, from Koldovstoretz. You can just call me Vitaly."
At that, Wentworth and the others introduced themselves in turn.
After the brief exchange, Yusei led the Koldovstoretz delegation away to arrange their accommodations.
Later that afternoon, Wentworth received a message from Yusei: the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship would officially begin the next day.
After seeing Yusei off with a smile, Wentworth's expression quickly darkened. He now knew it was no longer possible to help Yukina rid herself of the Obscurus before the tournament began.
Without delay, Wentworth turned and made his way straight to Professor Dumbledore's office.
When he arrived, however, he found Dumbledore already waiting for him, as though he had known Wentworth would come.
Before Wentworth could even speak, Dumbledore looked up and asked gently,
"Wentworth, are you prepared? Do you feel confident about tomorrow's competition?"
Wentworth was momentarily taken aback, then responded anxiously,
"Professor, you already knew the Potions Championship was starting tomorrow?"
Dumbledore replied as though it were the most natural thing in the world,
"Of course. I'm the one who set the date! Minamoto originally suggested we begin in three days, but I declined. I noticed tomorrow's forecast looks promising, so I moved it up."
Hearing this, Wentworth's calm cracked, and he exclaimed in frustration,
"But Professor! Mr. Newt Scamander hasn't arrived yet, and Yukina still hasn't been freed from the Obscurus! Wouldn't it be better if we waited?"
Dumbledore raised a hand, motioning for Wentworth to settle down. Only after the boy's breathing steadied did he continue,
"Wentworth, do you know how an Obscurus forms?"
Caught off guard by the question, Wentworth blurted out,
"I thought you said it's something you're born with?"
Dumbledore nodded, then slowly shook his head. Just as confusion crept across Wentworth's face, the headmaster explained:
"An Obscurus is innate, yes. But its formation follows a known path. It takes root when a young witch or wizard, burdened by fear or shame, begins to loathe their magic, and consciously tries to suppress it."
At those words, Wentworth suddenly remembered what Yukina had told him, back on the giant albatross:
"I wish I were a Muggle…"
Dumbledore went on, his tone heavy with memory.
"A long time ago, before the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, Muggles often hunted down witches and wizards. In those days, magical children, terrified of discovery, would go to great lengths to suppress their powers."
"But that repression bred emotional agony, pain so intense that it gave rise to a dark parasitic force: the Obscurus."
"Yet after the Secrecy Statute was enacted, wizards and Muggles gradually parted ways. Children no longer needed to hide what they were. And as magical education became more widespread, the Obscurus and those afflicted, Obscurials, vanished into near legend."
Dumbledore's words sank deep into Wentworth's mind. He understood now that the headmaster wasn't speaking idly.
Moments later, Wentworth's eyes widened in horror as a terrifying realization dawned on him.
"Professor Dumbledore... are you saying... someone intentionally groomed Yukina into becoming an Obscurial?! That they deliberately cultivated an Obscurus inside her?"
Dumbledore remained silent for some time, but at last he nodded solemnly.
"That's right. As a member of the Uesugi family, one of Japan's Hachiya, such a thing should have been impossible."
Wentworth trembled with fury, his voice low and tight.
"Who would be so heartless?"
Dumbledore's eyes glinted behind his half-moon spectacles.
"I believe you already know the answer."
Wentworth clenched his fists, teeth grinding as he growled,
"Of course I do. Who else could've done something so monstrous to Yukina, their own daughter, except the Uesugi family?! They're utterly inhuman!"
Dumbledore added quietly,
"Not just the Uesugi family. It's likely all eight families of the Hachiya were involved. But the Uesugi clan led the operation, and Yukina was the one they chose."
Wentworth was silent, contemplating that for a moment. Then he asked:
"But why? Why would they do this to her?"
Dumbledore cast him a long look and said meaningfully,
"Because the Obscurus is far too powerful. Even your grandfather once coveted it. Imagine what the Hachiya must have seen in it."
"That's why, if we're to help Yukina, we must act in complete secrecy. The Uesugi family must not suspect a thing."
Wentworth nodded slowly, understanding. Yet concern still creased his brow.
"But Professor... the tournament will end soon, and we'll be leaving. When will we have the chance? Even on her way to class, Yukina is surrounded by Uesugi bodyguards. We'll never get close!"
Dumbledore gave a calm smile and said lightly,
"You're absolutely right. Yukina is under constant watch, by the Uesugi, and by spies from the other clans as well."
"But there is one time, and one place, where their surveillance weakens, almost to nothing. That will be our chance."
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]