Herpo's Mansion stood like a monument to decay in the center of the treacherous swamp. This grayish-white vintage building rose from the murky waters, surrounded by unfathomable bog where no solid footing could be found. Like a gaping maw, it devoured any creature unfortunate enough to fall into its depths.
Figuring out how to safely enter the mansion was supposed to be one of the major challenges. But this obviously couldn't stump Ethan.
"Rip."
A soft tearing sound split the air. A pitch-black rectangular portal materialized beside the mansion's weathered walls. Ethan strolled leisurely through it, emerging as if he were simply visiting his own backyard.
His gaze swept carefully over the eerie windows boarded up with rotting planks, the decrepit cracks spider-webbing through the brick walls, and the withered ivy that wrapped around the structure like funeral shrouds. After his thorough inspection, he nodded with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, hidden in the dense forest, Auror John Dawlish watched Ethan's casual arrival with growing disbelief. What was this sense of a master returning home...
He had been assigned to monitor Ethan and simultaneously clean up whatever mess the boy left behind. The scattered Ilvermorny contestants lying unconscious throughout the forest, the Slytherin student who had accidentally fallen off a cliff. Tonight, St. Mungo's would definitely be operating at full capacity.
Initially, everyone had assumed this child was sent as cannon fodder. Had Hogwarts really run out of qualified students? How could they send a first-year wizard to compete?
But after witnessing that otherworldly monster, their perspective had changed dramatically. Hogwarts, you crafty devils! Who would have thought you were this underhanded! To secure top rankings, you've abandoned all pretense and sent a naturally gifted, super-powered brat who's turned this challenge into something completely different!
A twisted battle royale where whoever survives claims the victory, right?!
That magical power defied all conventional understanding. It seemed like a completely different system from normal spellwork! Beyond anything in their textbooks! As if he were recreating the legendary golden age of magic from ancient history.
Following Ethan's trail here had nearly killed Dawlish with exhaustion from repeated Apparition. And this cursed weather didn't help. The torrential downpour felt like nature itself was building toward some climactic confrontation.
So miserable...
But fortunately, this torture was almost over. As long as Ethan entered the mansion and retrieved the Portkey, the competition would end!
Dawlish watched hopefully as Ethan approached the entrance. Then he witnessed something that made his blood run cold.
Ethan raised his hand and very politely knocked on the empty doorframe.
"Knock knock."
The worm-eaten door panels produced hollow echoes that reverberated eerily across the swamp. Naturally, no one answered.
Dawlish shivered involuntarily. This brat was way too unsettling...
He watched Ethan disappear through the doorway, finally allowing his tense nerves to relax slightly. Finally over... Once that demon child teleports away with the Portkey, everything can return to normal, right?
But the real show was just beginning.
Standing in the entrance hall, Ethan squinted his eyes and took a deep, appreciative breath, savoring the rich aroma of dust and mold permeating the air. Atmospheric, but lacking.
Ethan transformed his umbrella back into a wand and cast a quick Drying Charm on himself. With obvious curiosity, he began exploring the corridor step by careful step.
The rotten floorboards groaned ominously under his weight. Wall plaster peeled away like diseased skin, revealing the brick and stone beneath, which was carved intermittently with magical symbols that emanated an unsettling chill.
The mansion's interior was impressively spacious, with ceilings that soared dozens of meters high. Ethan estimated it had three floors total. Broken cabinets displayed various abandoned artifacts and vessels. In one glass jar, he spotted a humanoid skull sporting three empty eye sockets.
Ethan casually picked up a stone mortar and sniffed the dried, dark red residue coating its interior. After a moment, he curled his lips in distaste and dropped it with a sharp "clatter."
Too obvious. Too lacking in artistic subtlety!
The whole place had the aesthetic appeal of a cheap carnival haunted house. Everything was so blatantly staged that it insulted the intelligence of anyone who entered.
That potion residue in the mortar? Ethan could identify from one whiff that it contained rhodiola root stems, known for their mind-clearing properties. Completely unprofessional!
They're disrespecting these excellent contestants with such amateur theatrics!
Ethan frowned, genuinely offended by the poor craftsmanship. "If other students saw this pathetic attempt at atmosphere, they'd be greatly disappointed. The organizers clearly don't respect the participants' intelligence."
"Fortunately, I arrived first, so there's still time to fix this travesty." His expression brightened with inspiration. "I'll redecorate the mansion with my own artwork. Give everyone the truly immersive experience they deserve."
Ethan's smile turned purely innocent as he reached for the Extension Charm bag tucked against his chest.
Deep in the night, through the relentless downpour, Viktor Krum's sharp eyes pierced the rain like knives.
"Found it," he announced grimly.
His gaze locked onto the model-like white house emerging from the gloom ahead.
"Excellent! Viktor! We must be the first to arrive!" His teammate shouted with barely contained excitement.
They had been fortunate to draw the first departure slot from the starting point. Combined with Viktor's exceptional directional sense and keen eyesight, honed from years of professional Quidditch, they had navigated the treacherous terrain with minimal detours and reached Herpo's mansion in record time.
Krum had led from the front throughout their journey, his imposing, bear-like physique physically intimidating the aggressive swamp creatures into keeping their distance. His eyes remained fixed on the white house, burning with fierce determination to claim victory.
Magical barriers spread overhead like an umbrella, deflecting the torrential rain that would have made their approach impossible.
Upon reaching the swamp's edge, Krum raised his hand to halt the team. He lifted his wand and spoke in his characteristically deep voice: "Execute the plan exactly as we practiced. Rear members freeze the swamp surface to create stable footing. Front members handle creature control and path clearing!"
"Understood!"
Spell light flickered through the hazy rain curtain like deadly fireflies.
Crack, crack.
With the rain providing ample moisture, the swamp water froze rapidly into a solid platform.
"Buzzz!"
Dog-sized mosquitoes swarmed upward in an angry cloud, their needle-sharp proboscises stabbing toward the intruders!
"Reducto!"
Krum's wand blazed with red light, and the targeted mosquito exploded instantly into bloody fragments.
Spells flew from all directions, creating a continuous barrage of explosive bangs. Mosquito remains scattered down like grotesque snow.
The team's coordination was flawless, their movements precise from months of intensive training. They successfully crossed the frozen swamp and reached the mansion's entrance.
The door stood directly before them, promising victory!
"Quickly, open it! Viktor! You're about to claim first place!" his teammate urged, voice tight with nervous excitement.
The five-person squad led by Viktor Krum represented Durmstrang's absolute elite. Although they had unfortunately lost one member during the journey, four still remained. They would claim the top four positions in this competition!
Krum nodded curtly, though his heart hammered against his ribs beneath his calm exterior. He stepped forward confidently, reaching out to push open the door...
The next second, he plummeted into absolute darkness.
"Viktor, what are you... AHHH!"
"Don't drag me down with you!"
"What's happening?!"
Krum's eyes went wide with shock as he watched his elite teammates tumble into the pit like stones thrown down a well.
The trap was positioned with cruel precision. He had anticipated potential dangers inside the building and prepared accordingly. But who could have predicted the trap would be placed directly in front of the entrance?! Right beneath the ground where anyone would naturally stand to open the door?!
How was anyone supposed to defend against that?!
Organizers, you absolute bastards!
For the first time since the competition began, Viktor Krum couldn't contain his outrage and cursed aloud.
(TL NOTE: Unfortunately, my LOTR: Playing Minecraft in Middle-earth book was mistakenly flagged as spam on Webnovel and removed. I'll re-upload it under a different title by tomorrow at the latest. Thank you for your patience!)