When Juma spoke, Minamoto couldn't hide his shock. He raised his voice, demanding:
"Juma, I agreed to see you today out of respect for the past cooperation between our school and your Kalembo Tribe. What are you trying to do?!"
Juma slowly rose from his seat, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
"I told you, I've come for revenge."
At his words, Minamoto couldn't help but cast a sharp, dangerous glance over Juma, scrutinizing him from head to toe. But Juma remained unfazed, saying calmly:
"Don't look at me like that. I never intended to leave here alive. The real question is: Headmaster Minamoto, are you ready to die? Or will you simply hand Mahoutokoro, and all of the Hachiya, over to the Alliance?"
Minamoto hesitated, unwilling to believe what he was hearing.
"Maybe... maybe he truly is just here to represent Hogwarts in the Championship?"
Juma gave a bitter laugh.
"You know better than I do how terrifying the Alliance is. I've come today bearing two small gifts, for you, and for the entire Hachiya."
Minamoto's expression only grew darker at the word "gifts."
But Juma seemed unconcerned. He continued evenly:
"The first gift is the wealth our Kalembo Tribe has amassed over many generations. Admittedly, much of it has been plundered by the Alliance from our vaults. But some was hidden, scattered across several branches of Gringotts. And now, I'm giving it to you."
"The second gift is our web of contacts across Europe. Many high-ranking officials in various Ministries of Magic have... complicated ties to us. And we have enough leverage on them to ensure they'll cooperate, with you."
"Well? A gift of present wealth, and one of future influence. Together, they could place the Hachiya where they truly belong, on the world stage."
Minamoto was silent for a long time before speaking slowly.
"The offer is tempting. But I... we at Mahoutokoro... we of the Hachiya... and indeed, all of Japan's magical community, we cannot survive the Alliance's retaliation."
To that, Juma simply smiled and replied lightly:
"Tomorrow is the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship, isn't it? While rare, it's not unheard of for fatal accidents to occur during these events."
Later that night, after Juma had departed, Minamoto summoned Yusei to his chambers.
The moment Yusei entered, he instinctively began to undress, only for Minamoto to wave him off. It was only then that Yusei noticed how grim and shadowed the headmaster's face looked.
Minamoto spoke in a low, sinister voice:
"Tomorrow, no matter what happens, your task is to keep a close eye on Juma. If necessary, do it."
He drew a finger across his throat in a slicing motion.
Yusei gave a coy laugh, unbothered, and replied casually:
"Of course, Headmaster. Do you want the body intact? Or would you prefer it... fresh?"
Minamoto considered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"No. No unnecessary complications. Just eliminate him."
That night, many across the magical world would find sleep elusive.
The next morning, as Uagadou's headmistress Lakayla Adisa arrived, the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship commenced as scheduled.
By unanimous decision, it was Albus Dumbledore who took the podium to explain the rules.
"This year's Potions Championship," he announced, "will take place on a dormant volcanic island in the Sea of Japan. Four contestants will each ride a giant storm petrel to one of the island's four cardinal points. From there, they must make their way to the center, the summit of the volcano."
"At the summit, four broomsticks have been placed in advance. The first contestant to reach the summit and fly back on a broom will be declared the winner."
The four contestants exchanged confused glances at this unusual format.
Vitaly Vladasovich Grachev, the Russian contestant, spoke up without hesitation:
"With all due respect, Headmaster Dumbledore, I fail to see what this has to do with potions at all."
And it wasn't just the contestants, Adisa, having just arrived, also stood up and said bluntly:
"Forgive me, but who approved this format? This is clearly targeted at Uagadou! Everyone knows our student has a vision impairment. This essentially disqualifies us from victory! If this format remains, we will withdraw."
Her bluntness toward Dumbledore drew startled looks from the crowd.
But Dumbledore merely glanced toward Wentworth before replying calmly:
"Headmistress Adisa, I believe there's been a misunderstanding. Your student might actually have the greatest advantage here."
Adisa scoffed, about to respond again, when Minamoto stepped forward.
"Please, Headmistress Adisa, hear me out. The volcanic island is perpetually shrouded in thick fog. To say you can't see your own hand in front of your face would be an understatement, beyond ten meters, you can't tell a human from a hippogriff."
"Even the other three contestants, once on the island, will quickly lose their bearings. In that environment, your student may in fact be the best suited."
Slightly embarrassed, Adisa asked again:
"Then how are they expected to find the path to the summit?"
"By scent, of course," Minamoto replied. "Although dormant, the volcano still emits sulfur from the crater. Follow the scent, and you'll reach the top."
At this, Adisa had no more objections, given that Nala from Uagadou was indeed most comfortable navigating by scent.
As for Vitaly's original question, Dumbledore responded:
"To survive on that island and reach the summit, that will prove your aptitude in potion-making. Only the most skilled will prevail."
He then turned to the four contestants.
"For this challenge, you may each bring only three items: first, your wand. Second, a standard-issue cauldron provided to each of you, identical in every way."
He then pulled a small vial from his robes and held it up.
"And third, this."
——————————
TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]