"No, it's just me here," Antoine said with a smile. "Whether Mr. Grindelwald will come, or when he'll come, is classified information, even I don't know. Perhaps you should ask Günther Drayne… Oh, I almost forgot, you're on quite good terms with Drayne now, aren't you?"
"Not bad, why do you ask?" Wade asked, finding Antoine's tone a bit sarcastic.
"Need you ask? Of course, I'm jealous." Antoine put on an accusing expression. "We met first, didn't we, Wade? But what are you and Drayne now… Inseparable pen pals? Hmm?"
"Give me a break, are you a primary schooler? Just because I'm friends with you doesn't mean I can't be friends with other people?"
Wade said, speechless, rolling his eyes and casually changing the subject. "I didn't expect you to be interested in the Quidditch World Cup too."
"Who wouldn't want to be part of such a grand event?"
Antoine said, pulling back the tent flap and inviting Wade in, adding, "However, we do have other objectives for coming here this time."
Wade asked, "I suppose that's also classified?"
"Not really, you've probably already heard about it."
Antoine poured Wade a cup of Earl Grey tea and sat down beside him.
"The competition Hogwarts is organizing this time has quite a buzz around it. The British Ministry of Magic is full of confidence, as if you've already secured the championship. Mr. Grindelwald also wants to take this opportunity to understand the capabilities of magical schools from various countries."
—Various countries?
Wade raised an eyebrow. It sounded like the Triwizard Tournament was no longer just an internal event between three European magical schools.
"Which countries are participating?" Wade asked.
"Huh? You don't know?" Antoine asked in surprise. "Hogwarts didn't give you any crash courses or anything? Does Dumbledore have a better option?"
Wade: "…"
He looked at the other person, blinked, and said nothing.
But his silence was the most direct answer.
Antoine let out a snort of laughter. "Haha, you actually don't know! What kind of… 'saving the surprise for the last minute' twisted humor is this? The students from the schools I know have been in special training all summer!"
Wade slowly said, "I know there used to be a Triwizard Tournament, where Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang would each select one student every five years to compete."
"But because there were too many deaths, the Triwizard Tournament was suspended and hasn't been revived for centuries."
"From what you're saying, has this event been revived? And has it expanded the number of participating schools?"
Antoine rested his chin on his hand, smiling. "Minister Fudge did indeed want to revive the Triwizard Tournament at first, and due to the relationship between Britain and America, he specifically invited the Ilvermorny School from the US."
Wade remembered the ship carrying Umbridge and many Ministry officials, sailing from Britain to America.
Antoine continued, "And then, Castelobruxo and Uagadou heard about it from somewhere and also wanted to participate to prove their strength."
"Especially Uagadou… You know they claim to be the largest magical school with the most students, with a long history and excellent reputation, so they've always wanted to challenge Hogwarts, since your school is called the best magical school in the world."
"Ilvermorny received an invitation, so Japan's Mahoutokoro naturally got the news—they said they wanted to see European wizards. But as far as I know, the students from that school had the toughest summer training."
"At this point, the news couldn't be kept secret at all. So Koldovstoretz, Salem, Mando, and Akatim also sent people to say they hoped to participate."
"It's said that professors from these schools even visited Hogwarts to inspect the environment, so why are you, the closest ones, unaware?"
Faced with Antoine's question, Wade was momentarily speechless, unable to understand why British wizards were so consistently secretive about this particular matter.
It was like the Hogwarts sorting ceremony; everyone had been through it, but the children only found out at the very last moment that sorting only required wearing a dirty old hat.
"Isn't this just the Olympics for magical schools?" Wade sighed, imagining the chaos that would ensue, and said, "So, will they all come to Hogwarts then?"
"Absolutely," Antoine said enthusiastically. "Because historically, it was Hogwarts' turn to host the Triwizard Tournament, so the main venue for this competition will be at Hogwarts—how about it, Wade, are you confident?"
Wade: "…That sounds like a lot of trouble. Can I not participate?"
"Of course, I'd say 'yes,' since Hogwarts' honor has nothing to do with me." Antoine asked, "But if your school loses, can you tolerate being shamed because of it?"
Wade: "…"
Antoine patted his shoulder and said, "Since you used the Olympics as a metaphor, you must understand that this is a stage beyond war and politics where everyone wants to showcase their strength."
"Leaving aside how much benefit the winning school and country will gain, at least for five years, the champion themselves will be the biggest star in the entire Wizarding World—even decades later, just by saying their name, wizards in foreign lands will know who you are!"
Wade tilted his head, uncomfortably saying, "Don't talk as if the champion will be me… Even at Hogwarts, there are many excellent students, not to mention wizards from other countries."
Setting everything else aside, even with Cedric, Wade didn't think he would lose to him.
Only Harry, even if that kid only knew Expelliarmus, Wade wasn't sure who would ultimately win or lose.
The Savior, favored by destiny, with the world seeming to conspire to help him, regardless of friend or foe.
"Have more confidence in yourself, my friend," Antoine said. "Mr. Grindelwald thinks highly of you. During the competition, I'll also be at Hogwarts, and if you need any help, I'll assist you with all my might!"
Wade unconsciously frowned and said, "If I can only win with your help, then what's the point of that victory?"
Antoine laughed heartily. "Silly boy, do you think everyone else participates in the competition fairly and openly? Besides Dumbledore, who will insist on fairness and abide by the rules, other schools will spare no effort to help their students win!"
"Wade." Antoine stopped smiling, looking deeply at Wade, and said, "You should know Mr. Grindelwald's expectations for you. He's never been so lenient with anyone else. So…"
"Consider it a favor… Don't disappoint him, and don't disappoint us, okay?"
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