After finally signing the papers, Umbridge pulled out another list.
"Second rule: Regarding the dueling venue. Ministry of Magic Safety Regulations, Article 7, Clause 6, clearly states that any public magical arena must be equipped with an independent protective barrier generator certified by the Ministry of Magic."
"Hogwarts' original venue protection… hmm… lacks Ministry certification and regular safety inspection reports. Therefore, I have already arranged for professional personnel from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes to install the Ministry's latest model of 'Absolute Safety Shield' before the exhibition match begins."
"Install?" Karkaroff nearly roared, "This arena itself is a masterpiece of modern magic, and it was just completed! Last night, we, the three Headmasters already tested it; its protection is ten thousand times more reliable than your scrap metal!"
"Headmaster Karkaroff, please mind your words."
Umbridge's smile faltered for a moment but quickly recovered. "It was indeed just completed and has passed your inspection, but modern magical engineering requires a more detailed assessment by the Ministry of Magic in terms of safety and controllability. Only the Ministry's standards are unified, scientific, and repeatedly verified. For the safety of our international friends—that is, your schools' Professors—this is an indispensable step. The installation process is expected to take… hmm… about two hours. Please remain patient."
As soon as she finished speaking, several expressionless Wizards in Ministry of Magic work robes carried heavy equipment toward the large stone slab at the center of the arena and began installing it with clanking sounds.
Whispers and murmurs of dissatisfaction from the students were already rising in the stands.
Just as everyone was suppressing their anger and waiting for the so-called "safety shield" to be installed, Umbridge's gaze swept toward the six participating Professors in the waiting area.
"Third rule!"
Umbridge's voice rang out again, laced with blatant scrutiny, "Regarding the content of the duel. To ensure a safe demonstration and avoid adverse effects or dangerous imitation by underage students, the Ministry of Magic suggests that the exhibition match be limited to the application of basic Shield Charms and Expelliarmus. Any aggressive, destructive, or potentially uncontrollable spells, such as certain… hmm… more intense magic, should be prohibited."
She deliberately looked toward Durmstrang's Professor Baffeuros: "I've noticed that Durmstrang's approach to magic may lean toward a more… direct style? So, for safety's sake, Professor Baffeuros, please strictly adhere to this guideline."
"What?!"
Karkaroff erupted completely, his thin, trembling finger pointing at Umbridge. "You're telling a Durmstrang dueling master, in a highly anticipated exhibition match, that he can only use 'Shield Charm' and 'Expelliarmus'?! This is an insult! A trampling on Durmstrang's centuries-old dueling tradition! Professor Baffeuros excels in practical combat! In suppression! In effective techniques that render opponents unable to fight back! Not your childish games!"
Although Professor Baffeuros himself said nothing, the tightly pressed line of his lips and the burning anger in his eyes said everything.
He stood with his arms crossed, chest heaving, as if ready to draw his wand at any moment.
Umbridge, however, simply placed a hand over her chest in a deliberately theatrical gesture of surprise. "Oh, my goodness, Headmaster Karkaroff, how agitated you are! Safety! Everything is for safety! You see, Beauxbatons' Professor Nightingale seems to understand perfectly."
She looked at the elegant witch with long silver-white hair, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. "Graceful defense can also showcase the subtlety of magic, can't it? Excessive aggression only causes unnecessary panic, especially in front of so many children. The Ministry of Magic's guiding principles are 'harmony, safety, and control.' Please strictly adhere to them."
Nightingale remained expressionless and silent, though a flicker of coldness passed through her eyes.
In the audience, the Hogwarts students could no longer hold back.
"Who does she think she is?"
Ron spoke indignantly to Harry and Hermione, "Professor McGonagall told us that arena couldn't be breached even by a dragon! What's the point of that ugly shield she's putting up? And now she wants the Professors to only use Expelliarmus? What's the point of watching, then?"
"Typical bureaucracy!"
Hermione frowned, pulling out a copy of the Ministry of Magic Current Regulations Compendium from her bag and flipping through it quickly. "The clauses she's quoting are either taken out of context or they're newly issued, vaguely applicable 'guidance opinions'—not mandatory regulations at all. She's just abusing the word 'safety' to interfere however she wants."
"Look at her pink outfit and that fake smile," Ginny said in disgust. "She's like a toad with lipstick."
Luna and Astoria didn't refute her. They only sighed and tried to comfort the enraged Ginny.
"Hey, guys," George Weasley deliberately raised his voice so everyone nearby could hear, "I'll bet a Galleon that Umbridge's next step will be to mandate that duels must be fought with pink wands—and before casting each spell, you'll have to recite the 'Ministry of Magic Safety Conduct Code'!"
Fred immediately chimed in, "And also mandate that the criterion for victory is whose smile best conforms to the Ministry of Magic's 'harmony' standard!"
"I'm just waiting for her to announce a reward for winning, and that will be licking Fudge's behind."
"Hahaha, why, brother?"
"Because it should be the greatest honor, according to her, what else!?"
A wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the crowd.
Although the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students didn't catch every word, they fully sensed the irritation from the Hogwarts students' disgusted expressions and Umbridge's behavior.
The three Headmasters stood together, their faces grim.
Dumbledore remained composed, but the look behind his glasses was no longer gentle. Madam Maxime straightened her back, her chin raised even higher, as if enduring a deep insult. Karkaroff trembled with rage, his thin hand gripping his wand tightly, clearly itching to cast a curse then and there.
This woman was using petty authority, wrapping the words "safety" and "regulations" around the neck of this grand event and slowly choking it of life.
A suffocating sense of disdain filled the air, directed squarely at the pink figure.
But Umbridge seemed completely oblivious—or perhaps, she relished the feeling of "being in control."
She wore that sickly sweet smile, her eyes continuously sweeping across her "territory," ready to issue her next "for everyone's good" command at any moment.
However, when a Ministry of Magic official handed a thick stack of safety responsibility forms to Sagres, the dangerous Professor's patience finally snapped.
He found it impressive that the three Headmasters could endure this pink toad hopping around so brazenly, sickening everyone without a care. No wonder they held their positions—such patience was truly extraordinary.
However, he had no intention of "indulging" anyone.
With an expressionless snap of his fingers, the thick stack of parchment was engulfed in a pale white flame. The paper shriveled and twisted, disintegrating into ash with a soft "crackle".
"W-What are yo—"
"Did the Professor just—"
Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he pointed his wand at the "Absolute Safety Shield" at the center of the arena.
The world seemed to stop.
A deafening "BOOM!" rang through the air as a surge of energy. It cracked and groaned as if the very fabric of magic itself was breaking apart.
WOOSH!
Amidst the terrified screams of several Ministry of Magic employees, the shield melted—no, exploded—into a searing mass of molten iron. Then, it was violently swept away by an invisible force, flung like a wad of snot toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
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