The central area of the arena was the final, decisive battleground.
While Sunny Finch finalized her tactics, matters at Hogwarts were reaching a critical juncture. Charlotte gathered the Hogwarts contestants, their expressions grim but focused.
"Based on the standard distribution of nine stone pillars," Charlotte explained, "securing five guarantees victory. However, that is the ideal scenario. We must account for the progress of the other three schools. Therefore, I propose we aim for four pillars. It may not be enough to win, but it will ensure we remain competitive."
She paused, letting the logic sink in. "We currently possess two pillars. That means we need two more."
The group nodded in agreement. The outer perimeter had been searched thoroughly; the center was the only logical remaining location. If Charlotte's assessment was correct, the other schools were likely converging on the same spot.
"Rest for thirty minutes," she ordered. "Adjust your condition. The central area won't be as forgiving as the periphery."
The students didn't argue. They settled down, mentally and physically preparing for the inevitable clash.
Meanwhile, the delegation from Beauxbatons took a completely different approach. The French students were gathered in a relaxed circle, seemingly unbothered by the high stakes.
Fleur Delacour took a bite of bread, chewing it slowly. "We've already secured two pillars," she reminded her classmates. "That's more than enough to prove our capability in this round."
A girl nearby sighed, stretching her arms. "I feel like I've been camping for weeks. I just want a hot bath."
"Be patient," Fleur said with a smile. "I had my bird allies scout the area, but they didn't find any more items outside the center."
"Should we head there?" another girl asked, though her tone lacked conviction.
"Do you want to fight the exchange students or Hogwarts?" Fleur countered.
The group exchanged glances. Silence followed.
"They are far beyond our current level," Fleur stated simply. "Resting here and waiting for the round to end is the wisest choice. We've already won the second round; that is sufficient."
The girls nodded in unison. It was a pragmatic decision.
Watching from a distance, Headmistress Olympe Maxime smiled approvingly. The girls understood their limits. They had won their victory; there was no need to court injury or defeat by engaging in a battle they couldn't win.
On the Durmstrang side, however, the mood was far from relaxed. The students looked haggard, their expressions bleak.
Krum stood amidst them, his brow furrowed in thought. The two pillars they had passed on their route had already been claimed by others. Their search had yielded nothing.
"Krum," one of the students grumbled, "what do we do? Our luck is terrible."
Krum shook his head. "Luck has little to do with it. I believe our search strategy was flawed."
The others looked at him, surprised. Krum's memories had been tampered with by Voldemort on multiple occasions, but instead of breaking him, the interference seemed to have sharpened his focus.
"The tournament's ultimate goal is victory," Krum reasoned, his voice steady. "Therefore, conflict is inevitable. I suspect there is a crucial item located at the very center of the arena. If there weren't, why would the organizers structure the grounds this way? It is a lure to drive us all into one location."
The eyes of the Durmstrang students lit up. "You're right, Krum! That makes sense!"
Even the spectators watching the monitors were taken aback. The usually straightforward Krum was suddenly displaying tactical insight.
In the observation room, Erwin Cavendish stared at the screen, raising an eyebrow.
Memory modification... increasing intelligence?
Erwin immediately thought of his own house-elf, Rivers. He briefly considered whether altering Rivers' memory a few times might have a similar effect. Then, he remembered the truth: Rivers had been pretending all along.
However, Rivers did seem to possess genuine quirks—perhaps even mental conditions born of a difficult life. Erwin sighed. The comparison was fleeting; Krum's sudden clarity was a far more immediate curiosity.