Wentworth glanced around cautiously, then said quietly,
"This spot isn't ideal. Let's find somewhere else first."
As the trio moved away, a figure slowly stepped out from behind a curtain of vines. It was none other than Vitaly Vladasovich Grachev, a student from Koldovstoretz.
Watching the direction Wentworth and the others had gone, a sly smile tugged at Vitaly's lips as he muttered to himself,
"So that's what this is about... I hadn't expected a bonus like this."
Meanwhile, in a secluded area they'd found, the three students began examining the potion in their possession without delay.
Nala uncorked the glass bottle and gently fanned its opening toward herself. A moment later, she closed her eyes slowly.
After a brief pause, Nala suddenly spoke,
"I'll need dungstone… Devil's Vine tendrils…"
She continued, listing over a dozen magical ingredients before finally stopping. Wentworth carefully memorized each one, then said,
"Alright. Nala, stay here and begin prepping. Yukina, keep watch and protect Nala. Most of the ingredients she listed, I saw along the route we took while escaping the insect swarm, I'll be back soon."
Just as Wentworth turned to leave, a voice unexpectedly rang out behind them.
"What is it you're looking for? I've got it all."
Startled by the sudden voice, Wentworth instinctively drew his wand and pointed it behind him. At that moment, a shadowy figure stepped out from the darkness.
When the figure came into view, Wentworth's expression turned to one of delight.
"Mr. Scamander?!"
It was none other than Newt Scamander, who had been waiting in advance on the island.
Newt began walking slowly toward the group.
Yukina, her eyes wide with excitement, stepped forward.
"Mr. Newt Scamander! You're my hero! Fantastic Beasts is my absolute favorite book!"
Newt gave a modest smile at her enthusiasm. Wentworth quickly moved up to him as well, eager to speak.
"Mr. Scamander, this is the person I mentioned—"
But before Wentworth could finish his sentence, Newt Scamander suddenly lashed out, drawing his wand and aiming it directly at Wentworth.
"Cruciatus!"
Wentworth collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony, screams tearing from his throat.
The sudden betrayal left Yukina and Nala frozen in shock.
Clenching his jaw through the pain, Wentworth managed to croak out,
"You're not Newt Scamander… Who are you?!"
Reacting swiftly, both Yukina and Nala reached for their wands, but Newt Scamander moved faster, he disarmed Yukina with a Disarming Charm, sending her wand flying. At the same time, a brilliantly colored, serpentine magical creature sprang forth, coiling tightly around Nala and binding her completely.
Yukina's face turned pale as she watched Nala helplessly trapped, and Wentworth continued to cry out in agony at her side. Scamander advanced slowly toward her, and Yukina's expression darkened.
As her face fell into a cold stillness, something began to stir within her. Wisps of black smoke rose faintly around her shoulders, pulsing with an ominous energy, something was clawing to break free from inside her.
Newt Scamander frowned deeply at the sight.
"That's enough," he said calmly.
As soon as he spoke, Wentworth abruptly stopped screaming and scrambled upright, rushing to Yukina's side.
"Yukina, please, you have to hold on. That was just a performance, Mr. Scamander needed to trigger a reaction so he could assess your condition. He needed to see how your body would respond. You mustn't let that thing take control."
Yukina shot Wentworth a cold glare, but after a tense pause, she slowly closed her eyes. Gradually, her breathing steadied, and the black mist began to dissipate.
Both Wentworth and Newt Scamander sighed in relief.
Newt waved a hand, and the colorful serpentine creature uncoiled from Nala, releasing her unharmed.
When Yukina finally opened her eyes again, Newt stepped forward, concern etched across his face.
"I'm terribly sorry, young lady, just now I—"
Before he could finish, Yukina gave him a soft smile.
"I understand, Mr. Scamander. If Wentworth says it's alright, then I trust him. Thank you… and sorry for the trouble."
With those words, she bowed deeply to him.
Newt watched her with quiet admiration.
"What a thoughtful girl… So composed it hurts to see."
But despite his words, a troubled shadow lingered on his face.
Yukina noticed, and the smile faded from her lips. She turned uncertainly toward Wentworth.
Wentworth took a step toward Newt Scamander, about to speak, but Newt raised a hand to stop him.
Just then, a small green blur leapt from Newt's shoulder, scampering over to Wentworth's ankle. Wentworth scooped it up with delight.
"Greenbud! I knew you'd pull through!"
He made a playful attempt to kiss the creature, but Greenbud pushed his face away with exaggerated distaste.
Unbothered, Wentworth chuckled and handed Greenbud a vial of flower elixir. Then he turned back to Scamander, voice solemn.
"Mr. Scamander, I'm entrusting this to you."
Newt gave a small wave of his hand.
"No need for formalities. Consider it a bit of fieldwork."
He crouched down and opened the worn leather case he always carried, rummaging through its contents.
Soon, the area beside the suitcase was piled with herbs and the exact ingredients Nala had requested earlier.
After carefully checking everything once more, Newt straightened and addressed Nala.
"Everything you asked for is here. I can give you the materials, but the brewing itself? That's on you."
"After all, you're still in the middle of the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship."
Nala nodded firmly. Just as she opened her mouth to thank him, Newt had already turned and walked toward Yukina.
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