As the commanding voice echoed through the trees, Sunny Finch explosively leaped out from behind concealing foliage and launched a devastating punch directly at Charlotte's position.
Following her aggressive lead, the assembled Kunlun students surged forward in coordinated formation, each immediately engaging their nearest opponent in close combat.
Charlotte's expression shifted dramatically with genuine surprise. She instinctively returned the strike, their clenched fists colliding violently in mid-air with an audible impact.
"Impressive combat form, Charlotte," Sunny acknowledged with grudging respect even as they exchanged blows. "You've received formal training in close-quarters fighting techniques?"
Charlotte felt genuinely grateful in that moment for Erwin's insistent foresight. To dramatically boost their team's overall survival probability, he had demanded they practice magical combat while simultaneously hiring specialized close-combat instructors from the non-magical world.
It had seemed an unnecessary precaution initially—conventional magical education completely dismissed physical prowess.
But now, facing opponents with sealed magic, that supposedly wasteful training was proving absolutely invaluable.
According to Erwin's reasoning, wizards relied far too heavily on magic exclusively, never seriously considering that superior physical capabilities could decisively tip the scales when magical resources were exhausted or unavailable.
While Charlotte competently held her own against Sunny's aggressive assault, another Hogwarts student absolutely shone under the intense pressure: Barton Durkheim.
As Erwin's very first personal recruit at Hogwarts, Barton had received exceptional attention and specialized training throughout his years.
Though chronologically younger than most Kunlun students, with the competition's enchantments artificially leveling the playing field, his rigorously developed skill proved undeniable.
The Kunlun practitioners were acknowledged combat specialists with extensive traditional training, yet they struggled unexpectedly to overwhelm him through pure technique.
Gradually, the other Hogwarts students adapted to the brutal close-quarters combat dynamics. Without formal martial training, they relied primarily on raw physical capabilities and desperate determination to drag out the chaotic skirmish.
However, Hogwarts possessed one glaring, exploitable weakness that became increasingly apparent: Harry Potter.
Harry, fundamentally unaccustomed to such visceral brutality and still disadvantaged by his relative youth, began visibly panicking under sustained pressure.
The observant Kunlun students noticed his deteriorating composure immediately.
Seizing the tactical opening ruthlessly, they systematically abandoned their current individual targets and swarmed Harry's position with coordinated aggression.
Cedric desperately attempted to shield Harry from the concentrated assault, but the relentless multi-directional attacks stretched even his considerable abilities to their absolute limit.
Frustrated and recognizing imminent failure, Cedric frantically pulled a pre-prepared charm from his pocket—the Ironclad Defensive Charm he'd acquired earlier.
He activated the artifact without hesitation. Instantly, a shimmering translucent suit of protective armor materialized before their threatened position, creating a temporary barrier.
Sunny Finch, still actively sparring with Charlotte, immediately brightened at witnessing the defensive deployment. She executed a powerful kick that forced Charlotte backward, deliberately creating separation distance.
"Retreat now!" she commanded her team with absolute authority.
Instantly and without question, the Kunlun students disengaged from their individual fights and pulled back in perfect coordinated order.
Sunny locked eyes with Charlotte across the small clearing, mutual respect evident despite their opposition.
"We're back to strategic equilibrium!" Sunny declared clearly. "I'll be waiting for you ahead in the forest depths. Don't disappoint me by allowing Beauxbatons or Durmstrang to eliminate you prematurely!"
With that parting challenge, Sunny and her disciplined squad vanished smoothly into the Forbidden Forest's deeper shadows.
Charlotte stood grimly at the small battlefield's edge, watching their opponents' tactical withdrawal with analytical assessment.
Cedric and the other students quickly regrouped around her position, checking for injuries.
"Are you injured at all, Charlotte?" Penelope asked with obvious concern.
"I'm fine," Charlotte confirmed, shaking her head. "What about the rest of you? Anyone seriously hurt?"
"Negative," the assembled group reported with visible relief.
"Then we continue moving immediately," Charlotte stated with renewed determination. "We still possess one remaining defensive formation item. We need to acquire additional equipment without delay. The map represents our single greatest advantage over the other schools. Sunny Finch is currently slowed by carrying an injured teammate. We need to capitalize on that vulnerability now while it exists."
She indicated a specifically marked location on their enchanted map. "There are confirmed item caches along this designated route. We'll scavenge systematically as we advance. Remember this critical fact: this challenge level isn't fundamentally about raw individual power—it's about fortune, resource acquisition, and coordinated teamwork. Individual strength means essentially nothing under these artificially balanced conditions."
She paused for emphasis. "Even if we encounter Durmstrang or Beauxbatons delegations unexpectedly, maintain absolute vigilance and tactical discipline."
Everyone nodded with renewed focus and understanding.
Without wasting another moment on discussion, Charlotte led them purposefully toward their next strategic objective.
Outside the Forbidden Forest perimeter, the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons delegations finally began their own delayed entries into the competition zone.
Once all four competing schools were confirmed inside the forest boundaries, Erwin smoothly vanished from his observation position. His preliminary preparations were thoroughly complete.
Now I can properly enjoy the developing show, he thought with anticipation.
Inside the forest's depths, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang forces separated immediately upon entry, each team cautiously scanning their immediate terrain for threats and opportunities.
Both groups soon discovered clear evidence of the recent violent skirmish between Hogwarts and the Eastern delegation—disturbed earth, broken branches, scattered footprints.
On the Beauxbatons side, Fleur Delacour paused thoughtfully, analyzing the battlefield remnants.
"Everyone's fundamental strength has been artificially equalized, and our magic remains completely sealed," she observed analytically. "We're entirely dependent on locating and acquiring useful items. That means we genuinely possess a realistic chance despite our disadvantages."
She glanced toward where Durmstrang's group was visible in the distance, conducting their own assessment.
"Priority one: locate items providing either offensive capabilities or defensive protection. Move out in coordinated search patterns."
Fleur led her team decisively in one tactical direction, while Durmstrang—despite their academy's notorious reputation for aggressive recklessness—clearly understood that survival in this challenge absolutely required proper equipment acquisition.
They headed methodically into the forest's depths, intent on thoroughly stocking their inventory before engaging in any direct hunting.
Meanwhile, Sunny Finch had led the Kunlun delegation deep into the forest's interior before finally calling a halt at a strategically advantageous position.
"Spread out and conduct systematic scavenging operations," she ordered with calm authority. "Beauxbatons and Durmstrang won't risk penetrating the deep woods yet—they'll stay in the relatively safer perimeter zones initially. Hogwarts possesses the significant advantage of a detailed map, so they'll likely employ an outside-inward search pattern. We have at minimum three hours before anyone reaches this interior region. Use that time efficiently."
"However," she added with sharp emphasis, "return to this exact position in precisely three hours. We'll consolidate our acquired items and assess our tactical position. Do not become greedy or careless. If you encounter a full ten-person team, you hide immediately. We're prioritizing survival and strategic positioning, not seeking premature glory through reckless confrontation."
The assembled disciples nodded with disciplined understanding.
"Report your observations," Sunny commanded. "What intelligence did we gather from that skirmish with Hogwarts?"