Erwin leaned back in his chair, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "Everyone has their strengths. It's just that some people's aren't immediately apparent."
Voldemort chuckled, the sound echoing strangely. "I quite like that perspective, young Erwin. Many of your views are refreshingly unique."
"Perhaps," Erwin replied with a shrug. "Maybe my perspective is simply different from everyone else's."
Voldemort nodded approvingly. "I completely agree. You always see things from fascinating angles. So, it seems the competition's outcome is already determined! Britain is first, Hogwarts and Beauxbatons are tied for second, and Durmstrang is third. Although they're still last, at least they're not completely empty-handed."
Erwin glanced at the floating magical display. His expression turned peculiar. "Perhaps there will be new developments? Durmstrang... in some ways, they're truly unlucky."
Voldemort looked at Erwin, puzzled, then turned his gaze to the screen. It showed Krum sprinting wildly through the forest. Voldemort glanced at the boy, then at the area where the Beauxbatons girls were resting. A low chuckle escaped him. "Well, you're right. Durmstrang is genuinely unlucky."
Erwin shook his head helplessly. This wasn't behind-the-scenes manipulation—just a terrible, hilarious coincidence.
Krum was heading straight for Beauxbatons' resting spot. Alone, facing ten well-rested opponents, the outcome was predictable. Erwin almost couldn't bear to watch. How much suffering did poor Durmstrang have to endure to justify this streak of misfortune?
Besides Voldemort and Erwin, other spectators gradually noticed the impending disaster. One moment they were cheering for Durmstrang to finally score, but the next, the crowd realized something was terribly wrong.
"Krum's direction seems off!"
"Off? He's heading straight for the Beauxbatons girls!"
"No way—is he really that unlucky?"
"Who knows? Durmstrang has been unpredictable. Now we just have to see if Krum changes course. Otherwise, he's delivering that item right to their doorstep!"
"These girls, resting peacefully, probably never imagined a gift would be delivered directly to them."
The audience fell silent. Karkaroff was silent too, praying desperately that Krum would change direction. Otherwise, the boy really was just a walking treasure chest.
Meanwhile, the Beauxbatons girls were quietly listening to the distant commotion. After the battle in the center ended, they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Looks like results will be out soon!"
"Finally! I just want to go home and take a hot shower."
"Isn't there a third test?"
"What does that have to do with us? This last test is decisive. I don't think we need to waste more time."
"Just wait patiently. They should tell us to retreat soon."
Fleur stretched, looking forward to the match's end. She really wanted a hot meal. However, just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached. Fleur's expression changed.
"Alert! Someone's coming!"
The girls' relaxed expressions vanished, replaced by serious focus. Even though they'd given up on winning, they wouldn't surrender without a fight. As the footsteps drew closer, they recognized the intruder.
Fleur was startled. "Krum?"
Krum had seen the Beauxbatons group ahead, and his heart sank. No—what is this? How did I run into them so unexpectedly?
Fleur's gaze fell on the wooden box clutched in Krum's arms. Her eyes lit up. "The activation item?"
The other girls looked confused. What was happening? They'd just taken a nap and eaten breakfast. How did someone suddenly appear from the central area carrying a prize?
One girl asked quietly, "Fleur, what do we do?"
Fleur looked at Krum, then glanced behind him, finally settling her gaze on the box. "Never mind. We can't let someone who's delivered himself to our doorstep escape. Two of you, circle around Krum and watch for the rest of Durmstrang. The rest of you, attack Krum with me! Take him down!"
Fleur gave the order, and the girls drew their wands. Yes, Beauxbatons had been taking it easy, but that didn't mean they'd throw away an opportunity literally dropped in their laps. That was impossible. Even if they couldn't claim first place, they could still secure second. Not to mention, if they could activate three pillars, they might even tie for first. Fleur's ambition flared.
Seeing the Beauxbatons girls draw their wands, Krum smiled bitterly. He cursed himself for taking this path. However, even if he could do it all over again, without knowing Beauxbatons was here, he would still choose this route—it was the shortest. Unless he was insane, he wouldn't take the long way around.
Krum even suspected the Beauxbatons girls had deliberately set an ambush here, waiting for an unlucky soul to stumble into it. And he was that soul. What a coincidence.
But he wouldn't surrender. The item in his hand represented all of Durmstrang's efforts. Although he couldn't defeat so many girls, he would still try his utmost. Krum carefully tucked the wooden box into his pocket and drew his wand. The battle was imminent.
The outcome was self-evident. Faced with eight Beauxbatons girls, including Fleur—who was only slightly weaker than Krum—he had no chance of fighting back. Although he managed to stun two girls, he couldn't escape having his item stolen. Finally, Krum collapsed to the ground, looking up at the sky and questioning his very existence.
Fleur caught the item, still feeling somewhat surreal. Wait—I got this so easily?
A girl quickly shouted, "Go activate the stone pillar, Fleur!"
Fleur snapped out of it, apologized to the fallen Krum, and quickly departed with the item.