The Durmstrang students took their seats at the fifth long table in the Great Hall. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Next, welcome the students from Kunlun and their accompanying teachers!"
Dumbledore's words had barely faded when, from outside the Great Hall, a series of flying swords soared in. They slowly descended, forming a staircase that led directly to the staff table. The Eastern students slowly descended this staircase formed by the swords.
Sunny Finch walked at the very front. With each step she took, a runic circle slowly materialized beneath her feet, expanding outward. One circle, two circles, three circles. When Sunny Finch reached Dumbledore, she bowed slightly.
A protective ward enveloped the entire Great Hall. Then, golden light appeared on the ward, flowing into everyone present.
An elder from Kunlun arrived, walking through the air. "Professor Dumbledore, this is a gift from our school! This golden light is beneficial to health. Any minor ailments will be healed!"
At the long tables, several young wizards who had caught colds in the past few days felt their symptoms vanish instantly. "Incredible! I was planning to get medicine from the hospital wing!" "It's amazing! Is this Eastern magic?"
The young wizards of Hogwarts were all amazed. The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were equally astonished. It wasn't that they lacked experience—while the magical world had many methods for healing, such a wide-ranging and effective ability was truly remarkable.
The Eastern students gradually took their seats. Sunny Finch glanced at the Slytherin table. She let out a soft sound of surprise. She didn't see Erwin, nor did she see Charlotte. Were they absent for some reason?
At the staff table, Dumbledore said, "Thank you very much for this generous gift, and for the magnificent performances by the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang! As the hosts, Hogwarts naturally wants to show you our own capabilities. Now, let's have our Hogwarts students extend a warm welcome!"
As Dumbledore's words fell, a crisp sound echoed at the entrance of the Great Hall. Some students recognized it as the sound of hooves. Everyone turned to look.
Then, a streak of silver-white light burst into the Great Hall, followed by several more flashes of brilliance.
"Unicorns!" a young wizard exclaimed.
Erwin rode atop the king of the unicorn herd, with seven silver-white unicorns behind him. The Slytherin prefects from each year rode on their backs. Silver instantly became the dominant color of the entire Great Hall. Even the starry sky above the ceiling seemed to fade into the background.
The unicorns gradually slowed their pace. Then, not far from the staff table, the horns on the foreheads of all the unicorns simultaneously lit up. The next moment, beams of silver light surged from their horns. Silver light coalesced in the air into the enormous phantom of a unicorn. Then, the phantom unicorn raised its forelegs high. Willow-like strands of silvery-white mist drifted from its horn, soon filling the entire Great Hall.
The young wizards watched this scene with puzzled expressions. Hermione looked thoughtful. After a moment, her eyes suddenly lit up. "I remember now! I read in a book that this is a unicorn's blessing. Legend has it that unicorns are among the most sacred creatures. They bestow blessings upon wizards, similar to the effect of Felix Felicis, making them luckier! This is extremely rare—a unicorn almost never chooses a wizard in its lifetime!"
Hermione's voice carried throughout the Great Hall. Every young wizard's face showed surprise. Erwin, however, hadn't expected Hermione to know this. Truly well-read.
Yes, this was the Blessing of the Unicorn. Unlike the permanent blessing Erwin had received, this was more of a temporary enhancement. It had effects similar to Felix Felicis, lasting about a month. However, it was indeed precious, as unicorns were very selective about human wizards. Very few wizards were known to have been blessed by one. But if a unicorn was willing, the blessing itself was relatively simple to bestow and caused them no harm.
Erwin dismounted. The other Slytherin prefects also dismounted. Erwin took a few steps forward, and with each step, purple lotus flowers slowly bloomed beneath his feet. Charlotte and the others followed behind Erwin. The eight of them arrived before the staff table.
Then, Erwin drew his wand. He pointed it into the air. A pale green, serpentine silhouette slowly emerged—but it was only an outline. Erwin didn't stop. His wand continued to move. A fiery red lion, a blue eagle, and a yellow badger appeared. These four silhouettes intertwined and coiled in the sky.
Then, Charlotte and the others drew their wands. Streams of magic flowed into the images in the air. As the magic filled them in, they began to solidify. On the Slytherin table, the students stood up, their wands aimed at the serpentine silhouette, pouring magic into it. The serpent grew increasingly solid.
The other three houses also stood up. They found their house crests and poured magic through their wands. As the magic flowed in, the four beast silhouettes in the air became increasingly solid and lifelike. Finally, they took full form. Intertwining, they floated and settled in four directions. A three-dimensional Hogwarts crest appeared in the air.
Erwin nodded slightly toward the visiting students. "Welcome, everyone, to Hogwarts!"
The students from the three visiting schools quickly stood up. Even Krum, who harbored resentment toward Erwin, rose to his feet. Everyone returned the greeting.
Dumbledore smiled broadly. Indeed, entrusting this task to Erwin had been the right decision. Who else but Erwin could have created such an impressive display? Dumbledore felt genuinely pleased.
Igor Karkaroff was displeased, but he dared not say anything. Of course, it was also possible he was growing accustomed to it. After all, the Eastern delegation had already made a strong impression, so another impressive display didn't seem quite so overwhelming. Sometimes, once you've accepted a situation, it becomes easier to bear.
Olympe watched Erwin with intense interest, a smile playing on her lips. She wasn't seeing him for the first time—she had witnessed his abilities before, and even then, she knew Hogwarts had found someone truly exceptional. Now, her certainty was complete.
As for the elders from Kunlun, they remained remarkably composed. Erwin had lived among them, so they understood his capabilities. Therefore, his performance didn't surprise them. Their goal had simply been to maintain a respectable presence. They felt they had accomplished that.
After Erwin's display, the young wizards of Hogwarts, seeing the impressed reactions of the students from other schools, felt a surge of pride. Especially the Slytherins. This was Erwin Cavendish, their Head Prefect.
As Erwin's house, Slytherin already possessed remarkable unity compared to the other houses, and at this moment, that unity reached its peak.
Above the Great Hall, the Hogwarts crest began to slowly dissipate. Until finally, only a wisp of green light remained. Dumbledore looked up at the green light in the sky and shook his head slowly. He knew that after today, the era of Gryffindor dominance was truly over. As long as Erwin was here, Slytherin would undoubtedly be the leading house of Hogwarts.
Dumbledore glanced at Grindelwald beside him. Years of friendship often require only a look. Grindelwald knew what Dumbledore was thinking. Both the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall harbored deep attachment to Gryffindor. Even the most impartial have their preferences. McGonagall, being a Gryffindor herself, still harbored a subtle favoritism she was likely unaware of. Dumbledore was the same.
Grindelwald nodded slightly to Dumbledore, a faint smile on his face. Dumbledore understood the meaning: their era had ultimately passed. Erwin had risen too early, and without anyone noticing, he had acquired the capability to change everything. The future belonged to Erwin.
At that moment, Dumbledore seemed truly at peace.
Erwin returned to the Slytherin table. The students excitedly made way for him, allowing him and the other prefects to take their seats. Just then, outside the Great Hall, several people carried in a large trophy. Argus Filch directed the group to set it down, then stepped aside.
Dumbledore approached the trophy. "Attention, everyone! I have a few more words to say!"
The young wizards turned to look at him. Dumbledore placed his hand on the trophy and said, "Eternal glory awaits the student who wins the Tournament! But to obtain this glory, one must complete the challenges set forth. These trials are extremely dangerous—I am not exaggerating! They are perilous, even potentially fatal!"
The young wizards felt a flutter of anxiety upon hearing this, but they quickly suppressed it. After all, youthful enthusiasm was enough to overcome any hesitation.
Dumbledore continued, "Therefore, the Ministry of Magic has decided to introduce new rules. Now, Mr. Barty Crouch, selected by the Ministry to oversee this competition, will announce them."
Barty Crouch walked over from the side. But for some reason, as he walked, the ceiling above the Great Hall suddenly became overcast, and bolts of lightning struck down. The Great Hall immediately became noisy.
Erwin frowned slightly. As one of the four main authorities over Hogwarts, he strangely noticed that the ceiling seemed to be malfunctioning. Just as he was about to intervene, Grindelwald stood up. The old wizard raised his finger and pointed directly at the ceiling. Instantly, all the wind, rain, and lightning ceased.
This display amazed the young wizards. Erwin smiled as he looked at Grindelwald. It seemed the former Dark Lord was ready to begin formal instruction, which was why he had demonstrated this skill.
So, what was that anomaly with the ceiling? Was it Dumbledore's doing? Perhaps to give Gryffindor a moment to shine? Erwin felt the Great Hall's enchantments were somewhat influenced by their proximity to Gryffindor territory. Although Erwin could forcibly control it, doing so would conflict with Dumbledore's authority. The old Headmaster had executed that quite cleverly.
Barty Crouch took two steps forward. He said, "After research by the Ministry of Magic, and discussions with Hogwarts and the other three schools, the following decision has been made to ensure the safety of younger students: those under the age of seventeen will be prohibited from participating in this year's Tournament. This decision is final!"
Barty Crouch's words had barely faded when the entire Great Hall erupted in protest.
"Ridiculous!"
"This is absurd!"
Old Barty looked utterly helpless. He glanced cautiously at Erwin and saw him eating calmly, head down, offering no comment. Old Barty was relieved. As long as Erwin had no objections, it didn't matter. The other students' complaints wouldn't change anything. Of course, when the Ministry of Magic had made this decision, they had consulted Erwin beforehand, as he was, nominally, influential with the Ministry.
Seeing the commotion in the Great Hall, Dumbledore called out, "Quiet! Quiet down!" His words carried weight, and the noisy group of young wizards gradually calmed.
Dumbledore said, "It seems everyone is quite unhappy with this rule." Then, he waved his wand at the enormous trophy. The outer layer of the trophy slowly peeled away, revealing a smaller version beneath. Then, streaks of eerie blue flame began to burn on the trophy.