Watching girls fight was one of Wayne's favourite pastimes.
Though he was quite protective of his own, if Cassandra had been an enemy, Wayne would've waved his hand and obliterated her without hesitation.
But since they were all friends and this was just a friendly match, what was there to worry about?
Enjoying the spectacle was naturally the priority.
When Hermione stepped forward first, the others saw no need to challenge her and stepped aside. Astoria ran over to Wayne's side, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds, her pretty face alight with excitement.
"Wayne, who do you think will win?"
"Hard to say," Wayne shook his head. "I've never seen Cassandra in action, though she boasted quite impressively in her letters."
Cassandra, overhearing their whispered exchange, shot Wayne a glare.
'Boasted' indeed – she was genuinely skilled, thank you very much.
"Let's take this outside – there's not enough space here to properly demonstrate," Cassandra suggested, to which Hermione readily agreed.
As the pair headed out, Wayne and the others followed behind.
...
In the first-floor parlour, Malfoy and Harry had begun another round of duelling.
On the massive projection screen, their virtual avatars cast spells and summoned creatures while spectators from both houses cheered loudly.
Alongside them, numerous Ilvermorny and Uagadou students watched the floating projections with fresh curiosity.
This was no longer just a game, but a microcosm of the rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Since actual fighting would cost house points and potentially land them in detention, conflicts were now settled through these virtual matches.
Today was no exception.
Seeing Harry and Ron laughing like fools grated on Malfoy's nerves. He deliberately bumped Harry's shoulder and snarled:
"What're you staring at? Can't you watch where you're going?"
Harry fired back instinctively: "Staring at you – got a problem with that?"
And so another duel commenced.
These two were the game's biggest spenders – one with an indulgent mother, the other with an even more doting godfather, both with galleons to burn.
Whenever new cards were released, Harry and Malfoy would each drop dozens of galleons on card packs.
Truthfully, Harry had more pocket money than Malfoy, but he was also more responsible with Sirius's gifts. Had he spent as recklessly as Malfoy, the blond wouldn't stand a chance financially.
Yet this was precisely the game's appeal.
Wayne had implemented balancing adjustments – while higher-level cards provided advantages, these only improved error tolerance and attack power. Skill remained the decisive factor in matches.
In real combat, Malfoy was no match for Harry. But in the gaming arena, the Slytherin surprisingly held the upper hand.
Soon, Harry's character health was nearly depleted, while Malfoy still had half left.
Just as the game was about to conclude, commotion erupted outside. Someone curiously opened the door to investigate and returned excitedly with news:
"They're fighting! That Ilvermorny girl wants to duel Granger! The pretty one who stopped Wayne yesterday!"
Whoosh!
Who cared about games now? Everyone immediately rushed outside.
Harry seized the chance to retrieve his gaming console, the projection vanishing instantly. "Let's call it a day—we'll finish this another time!"
With that, he dragged Ron away, leaving Malfoy fuming.
Two more hits and Potter would've lost—this was outright cheating!
Potter, you absolute wanker!
Though seething internally, Malfoy hastily packed his own console and hurried out to spectate.
...
On the open ground by the Black Lake, Wayne's group happened upon several professors returning from the Three Broomsticks, along with both schools' Headmasters.
Upon learning that Cassandra and Hermione were about to engage in a "friendly exchange," Professor McGonagall frowned.
"Miss Worley is your school's champion candidate, while Granger is merely a fourth-year. This hardly seems appropriate."
Cassandra was at least seventeen, Hermione fourteen—a three-year gap.
It was practically pitting a high school senior against a freshman in the same exam.
"If it's an exchange you want, I can arrange more age-appropriate opponents."
"Professor, I can handle this," Hermione insisted stubbornly, meeting McGonagall's gaze with defiance.
"This..."
"Come now, no need for such severity, Professor McGonagall." Fontaine offered a faint smile. "I trust Worley will exercise restraint. We'll supervise—there'll be no danger."
No, I'm worried for your student's safety.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout simultaneously lowered their heads. Knowing Wayne, if Hermione got hurt, he'd ensure no Ilvermorny student left unscathed.
Though...
McGonagall recalled this morning's gossip.
Ahem—not that she indulged in rumours, of course. She was simply concerned for her students.
Apparently, Wayne and this Ilvermorny girl were acquainted...
"Very well, do as you please." McGonagall conceded.
Being Saturday, many had chosen to stroll in the rare good weather. More and more students noticed the gathering and crowded around.
Their eyes fixed on Hermione and Cassandra at the centre, minds conjuring all manner of outlandish scenarios.
"Hermione, you've got this!" Astoria cheered. Hermione flashed the wealthy young girl a smile before turning back to Cassandra, expression hardening.
Professor McGonagall raised her wand, firing a firework into the air—the duel had officially begun.
Whoosh!
A silent Disarming Charm shot forth as Hermione struck first. Cassandra nimbly sidestepped, barely evading the spell.
"Quite skilled, opening with a silent cast?" she remarked, impressed.
Wayne assessed the situation, replaying the angle in his mind, and sighed.
Had it been Penelope, that sidestep wouldn't have sufficed.
Poor Cassandra.
Hermione scowled. "Just nonverbal spells, is that really so surprising?"
As she spoke, her wand moved again, sending out streams of spells in various colours. Cassandra could no longer rely solely on footwork to dodge and had to erect a sturdy barrier to deflect them all.
"Brilliant offence!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed in delight. "Miss Granger's nonverbal spells are already remarkably proficient. Many graduated wizards can't achieve this level."
As an avid duel enthusiast, Flitwick appreciated powerful spells but valued skilled combat techniques even more, believing this to be the true essence of duelling.
Suppressive fire was simply dishonourable!
Hermione's performance perfectly matched his tastes. She used common combat spells, but with such high proficiency that they were not only silent, but some could even curve, making her attack patterns flexible and unpredictable.
Fontaine looked astonished. "Is she really a fourth-year?"
"Of course," Professor McGonagall replied, snapping out of her daze with pride. "Miss Granger is an outstanding Gryffindor."
She, too, was surprised. She hadn't expected Hermione's combat ability to be this formidable. Probably...
McGonagall glanced at Wayne and roughly understood.
Fontaine and Zaka from Uagadou felt their scalps tingle. If fourth-years were already this capable, how much stronger must the tournament champions be?
However, seeing the equally shocked expressions of the surrounding Hogwarts students reassured them slightly.
Clearly, this was an exception rather than the standard.
The crowd grew larger, but the circle of spectators expanded even more as everyone feared being hit by stray spells, with nowhere to complain.
After her initial fierce assault failed to defeat Cassandra, Hermione realised her opponent wasn't simple and adopted a more measured approach.
"Obscuro!"
Clumps of white mist enveloped her half of the arena, obscuring visibility and cutting off Cassandra's line of attack.
"What's Granger doing?" someone asked in confusion. "This isn't a game where mist spells restore health. If others can't see her, she can't see out either."
"It's a special mist spell!" Professor Flitwick's high-pitched voice served as commentary. "The mist carries Miss Granger's magical power. While her vision is impaired, it's certainly better than Miss Worley's situation."
Upon closer inspection, the crowd noticed faint sky-blue threads woven through the white mist, nearly imperceptible.
The mist continued spreading until Cassandra sensed something amiss and summoned gales to disperse it.
But the fog was dense, layer upon layer, until it completely shrouded the entire arena.
Unable to see inside, many young wizards scratched their heads in frustration while the professors grew concerned about potential accidents they couldn't prevent in time.
Professor McGonagall observed Wayne's calm expression before deciding against stopping the duel.
Occasional flashes of spell light still erupted from the mist.
"Ahh!!"
Suddenly, Cassandra screamed. Fontaine tensed, but before he could speak, the mist gradually dissipated. Hermione was panting heavily, while Cassandra had fallen to the ground, unharmed but with a strange expression.
"What spell did you use?"
She stood up, confused, and asked, "Why didn't it have any effect on me?"
Hermione smiled. "Look in a mirror, and you'll see the effect."
Hearing this, Cassandra felt a surge of unease. She quickly transfigured a shard of stone into a mirror and held it up.
Upon seeing her reflection, she let out another shriek!
"Freckling Hex," Hermione said with a triumphant grin. "I haven't mastered it yet, so it'll fade in a couple of days even if left untreated."
The surrounding girls caught sight of the tiny freckles now dotting Cassandra's face and paled, stepping back in horror.
What a vicious spell!
Even worse than the Unforgivable Curses!
Wayne was stunned. "When did Hermione research this...?"
"Um..." Cho fidgeted and whispered, "That spell was actually my invention."
"Huh?" The boy stared at the girl with utter bewilderment.
Astoria, meanwhile, hid fearfully behind Wayne and asked, "Cho, why would you research such a spell? It's terrifying."
If her face were covered in freckles, Wayne would definitely stop liking her.
How horrifying!
Cho explained sheepishly, "I wanted to test the effectiveness of skincare products, but it wasn't convenient to ask others, so I tinkered with a few minor spells."
"Besides the freckling one, there's also the Blackhead Hex, the Pimple Jinx, and the Acne Curse. It made testing much easier. Hermione happened to see them that day and asked me for the spells."
By the time she finished speaking, not a single girl remained within a thirty-metre radius. Everyone stared at Cho with sheer terror.
In that moment, she was the Dark Lord in every girl's heart.
Wayne's eyelids twitched violently. These spells might not be lethal, but their capacity for humiliation was limitless.
Yet he felt... this could be a path to riches.
If he could modify these spells into area-of-effect attacks, ensuring every girl in school suffered from blackheads, acne and pimples, just how many points could he earn?
The more he thought about it, the more tempted Wayne became.
"Later, give me those spells. I'll research them and see if they can be optimised."
"Alright."
As the two whispered, Cassandra on the field had reached boiling point, her wand movements leaving afterimages.
Initially, she'd held back, wary of hurting Hermione and upsetting Wayne.
But now that she'd been 'disfigured', such considerations were forgotten.
Hermione's pressure increased dramatically. Every spell Cassandra cast packed tremendous power, the damp grass catching fire as scorching heat penetrated the protective barrier, flushing Hermione's face.
The earlier mist spell had drained much of her magical power, leaving Hermione barely able to defend herself.
Suddenly, the clouds darkened overhead with faint rumbling. Wayne straightened slightly.
Ready to intervene if things turned dangerous.
Though Hermione's talent had been elevated to S-rank by the Round Table Contract, Cassandra's Defence Against the Dark Arts was naturally S-rank. Their years of difference still created a gap in raw ability.
With Cassandra fighting seriously, Hermione wouldn't last long.
Yet to Wayne's surprise, just as the thunder was about to strike, Hermione decisively raised her hand: "I concede!"
Silence fell across the grounds.
Cassandra was left hanging, thoroughly frustrated.
"I wasn't even going all out! How can you concede?"
Hermione blinked innocently: "I'm out of magical power. Continuing would just delay the inevitable. Better to end it now."
"You win. Truly worthy of Ilvermorny's genius."
Cassandra: "..."
Victory had never felt so hollow.
But her mood improved slightly with Hermione's next words.
"Come here, let me remove those freckles."
Cassandra hurried over.
After Hermione cast the counter-spell, restoring her flawless complexion, she returned to Wayne's side.
Cassandra remained, her willow-leaf eyes scanning the students.
"Anyone else care to spar?"
She needed to vent this pent-up frustration.
Astoria's eyes gleamed as she suddenly stepped forward.
"I'll go!"
"Miss Greengrass?" Cassandra frowned, instinctively looking at Wayne.
Wayne quickly deflected: "Don't look at me. This was her idea."
"Hermione lost, but that doesn't mean I will." Instead of drawing her wand, Astoria produced a silver whistle and blew hard.
Wayne facepalmed, immediately understanding her plan.
Hearing the whistle, Diana abandoned her frolicking and charged from the Forbidden Forest at full speed. Before anyone could react, the unicorn leapt gracefully to land beside Astoria.
"A unicorn? How adorable!"
"And pink! How rare!"
"So soft and pink! I want to hug her!"The girls from Ilvermorny let out excited shrieks, while the Hogwarts students took it in stride, having witnessed Astoria playing with the Unicorn on numerous occasions before.
"Let's begin," Astoria declared eagerly, extending her hand forward.
Diana leaned forward, adopting a charging stance, the horn on her forehead glowing faintly.
"Wait!" Cassandra hastily called for a pause. "If it's just the two of us sparring, you can't have the Unicorn assist. That's a foul!"
"It's not a foul," the wealthy little girl retorted seriously. "Wayne said this is the beast-tamer profession inherited from Mr. Scamander. Relying on magical creatures in battle is perfectly justified."
Cassandra: "..."