Ethan looked ahead.
Through the thick fog, a pine forest loomed in silence.
Its evergreen needles were a muted gray-green, like knights who had weathered countless years, radiating an air of solemnity and peace.
From time to time, a bird's call echoed from within.
The other three schools—Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Ilvermorny—had already arrived.
Durmstrang consisted entirely of male students, each one burly and bundled in thick brown cloaks, resembling a pack of bears from a distance.
Leading them was a young man who looked to be in his twenties.
He was sturdy, with a buzz cut and thick black eyebrows.
His stern face conveyed a dull-witted strength and recklessness.
"That's Durmstrang's ace, Viktor Krum," Penelope whispered beside Ethan, introducing him.
"If you're into Quidditch, you definitely know him. He's not just strong in the air but on the ground too, especially at Durmstrang, where they have an open attitude toward the Dark Arts."
Ah, one of the champions from the Triwizard Tournament in the original story.
Ethan nodded.
Since two champions were already here, then the other one...
Sure enough, among the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic from France, Ethan spotted a tall figure.
—In fact, he didn't even need to search for her.
Because most of the boys around were staring at the girl as if entranced.
Long, silken silver hair tied high behind her head, and a pair of shimmering blue-green eyes.
Her small, delicate face was like a finely carved doll, exuding an aura of pride and confidence, like a royal flower.
When her eyes met Ethan's, she was clearly surprised.
Then she turned her head and chatted with her companion.
"That's Fleur Delacour," Penelope said. "She's one-quarter Veela and often appears in magazines. Although beautiful, she's also very skilled in magic."
Ethan studied Fleur carefully for a few moments.
Hmm, she was indeed very beautiful...
Her bone structure was also quite appealing, but Ethan didn't feel any "crazy attraction."
At that moment, Fleur turned her head again and waved at him with a smile.
Just as Ethan was about to respond, he heard a not-too-loud "tsk" beside him.
He turned his head to look.
He saw Gemma Farley, the Slytherin Prefect, frowning impatiently.
Her cold, proud eyes were filled with disdain and disgust, not even glancing in that direction, as she softly murmured:
"Goblin..."
It seemed that the "noble princess" who championed pure-blood supremacy found marrying into Goblin-kind even more distasteful.
"The other side is Ilvermorny from the United States," Penelope dutifully introduced. "They specialize in Fire magic. While they don't have any particularly outstanding individuals, each of them is quite strong."
She sighed, biting her lower lip, a look of seriousness in her eyes.
"This time, all the schools have, by coincidence, brought out their top contenders... One can imagine that the competition will definitely be quite fierce."
"It will probably be quite difficult to get a good ranking."
With that, she looked at Ethan worriedly again and said:
"Ethan, are you really not going to team up with us? Although we have Sean on our team, he has already turned over a new leaf."
"..."
Sean trembled as he averted his gaze, his hand almost poking his eye socket as he adjusted his glasses.
"No, thank you, Prefect."
Ethan chuckled and shook his head.
Just then, a loud voice rang out:
"Excellent students from all schools, our Challenge is about to begin!"
"Next, I, Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic, will explain the rules of this competition to everyone."
"In this Treasure Hunt Challenge, contestants must pass through the treacherous Corrupted Great Swamp and proceed to Herpo the Foul's abandoned mansion located directly to the north."
Ethan checked the map in his mind.
Indeed.
Their current location was directly south of Herpo the Foul's mansion.
Presumably, this was to reduce the difficulty.
Otherwise, finding a mansion in the vast forest would probably take more than a month.
"Upon successful arrival, you need to find the item we've marked with magic within the mansion."
"It is a Portkey. After injecting magic into it, it will take you back to the starting point."
"That will complete the Challenge successfully."
"Ranking will be based on the order of return."
"Note: When the top ten in the competition are determined, we will immediately terminate the competition. The Aurors who have been watching over you throughout will bring you back."
After Ludo Bagman finished speaking, he took out an exquisite kettle and took a sip of water.
Then, he smiled and looked around, saying:
"Any other questions?"
Viktor Krum raised his hand and said gruffly:
"Why does Hogwarts have a child? Is Hogwarts out of people?"
"Huh?" Ludo Bagman was startled, then chuckled awkwardly. "Uh, there's no rule that a first-year young wizard can't participate..."
"But he's not even in the same league as us." Krum frowned, glancing at Ethan. "He has no right to participate in the competition."
Ethan smiled and did not reply.
He tilted his head, carefully observing the Quidditch hero, committing his appearance to memory.
However, Krum was clearly not the only one who thought so.
He just said it out loud.
The other contestants looked at him as if a chick had wandered into a flock of swans.
Only the Hogwarts contestants remained silent.
Gemma Farley's face was cold, completely ignoring the curious gazes.
Penelope patted Ethan's shoulder and whispered, "Do your best."
"But you also need to show them your strength, Ethan!"
Ethan looked up, seeing the encouragement on the Prefect's face, and nodded with a smile: "Yes, of course."
He guaranteed that this would be the most interesting Treasure Hunt Challenge ever.
The competition officially began.
According to the pre-competition lottery results for each school, Hogwarts was the second to depart.
But when it was their turn, Ethan stated that he wanted to go last.
Everyone was very surprised.
They didn't understand what Ethan was trying to do with this move!
Penelope wanted to say something, but in the end, she just pursed her lips and walked into the forest with her teammates.
Their figures quickly disappeared into the dense fog.
"Heh, trying to run away, aren't you? What a coward!"
The two Slytherins scoffed.
But under Gemma's stern rebuke, they finally shut their mouths and reluctantly followed.
Even the organizer, Ludo Bagman, came over to persuade him:
"Student, the earlier you go, the more advantageous it is. You're starting last, and you're alone—this... isn't this just making it harder for yourself?"
Starting late?
Ethan smiled at Ludo Bagman.
You really don't know I have a full map.
Seeing Ethan's determined attitude, Ludo Bagman shook his head.
He mumbled, "These young people nowadays are truly unconventional," and walked over to a lounge chair.
After the last school, Beauxbatons, also entered the forest.
Ethan waited for another ten minutes.
He nodded and whispered:
"It's about time."
"It's time to begin."
As he spoke.
He flipped his wrist, taking out that large purple-grade card—
"Corrupted Cerberus of Hell!"
In an instant.
The dense fog churned, and birds fluttered wildly, startled from the trees.
An incredibly hot and terrifying aura, centered on Ethan, swept out in all directions, instantly melting and vaporizing the surrounding frozen snow!
The surrounding judges and Aurors looked at Ethan in astonishment.
Even Ludo Bagman, who had already reclined in his lounge chair, sat up straight.
The next second—
"ROAR!!!"
Accompanied by an earth-shattering roar, dirt and rocks cracked.
A colossal, pitch-black figure, as if breaking through the barriers of this world, violently leaped out from beside Ethan!
Enveloping them, all of them!!!
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