https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1705-A-War-Without-a-Victor-Part-155-/12938243/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1707-A-War-Without-a-Victor-Part-157-/12938245/
Chapter 1706: A War Without Winners (Part 156)
Chapter 1706: A War Without Winners (Part 156)
For Albert, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, the first-ever Wizard Card Tournament seemed hastily organized, as it could have been held after the completion of Hogsmeade Village.
However, by the time Hogsmeade Village was rebuilt, Albert had already embarked on his world tour. Without him, the Heavenly Path would be in a different state.
Therefore, it was best to hold the tournament while Albert was still in Britain, as he could help resolve any issues that might arise.
As the clock on the wall struck ten, Lee Jordan, well-prepared, took the microphone and stood on the wooden platform. He briefly explained the key rules of the tournament to the participants, emphasizing the prohibition against cheating and the consequences of triggering the anti-cheating magic. After the warning, he officially declared the start of the first Wizard Card Tournament.
With limited spots in the Top Sixteen, most participants quickly engaged in matches with nearby opponents as soon as Lee Jordan announced the beginning of the tournament, wagering their number cards. Losing all their number cards meant immediate elimination.
Albert witnessed an impressive sight; everyone was playing, vying to secure a spot in the Top Sixteen.
Unsurprisingly, in such a large group, there were a few dishonest players.
Amidst the intense duels, a shrill scream pierced the air inside the vast tent. Someone had attempted to use magic to steal a number card from another player, but the magic backfired, painfully ripping off their pinky fingernail. The agonizing scream startled everyone.
The tent fell silent, followed by whispers as participants looked around, trying to understand what had happened.
"I had already warned everyone about the importance of fairness," Lee Jordan said sternly as he approached the screaming man. "Unfortunately, sir, due to your attempt to cheat, you can no longer participate in the rest of the tournament."
Hagrid then appeared behind the man, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder and politely escorting him out of the tournament grounds.
After witnessing this incident, those who had initially harbored thoughts of cheating abandoned their plans.
Within half an hour, the first contestant emerged victorious.
Hermione easily defeated three opponents, becoming the first member of the Top Sixteen.
Former Wizard Card champions from Hogwarts also showcased their exceptional skills, quickly rising to the top.
As expected, most of the Top Sixteen were Hogwarts students.
During the half-hour break that followed, the participants smiled, drank, and discussed the previous matches, showing no signs of competition stress.
Reaching the Top Sixteen alone was already a significant achievement.
Not only were drinks free, but even those eliminated would receive 17 Wizard Card Decks as a consolation prize.
Unlike the previous elimination rounds where participants chose their opponents, the Top Sixteen matches were determined by a draw. Each contestant had one chance, and elimination was immediate upon defeat, making the selection of the Top Eight much faster.
With average luck, most Wizard Card champions advanced to the Top Eight, except for one exception—the one Albert had secretly asked Fred to cheat for.
Indeed, the officials themselves had cheated.
Otherwise, it would have been embarrassing to have all the Top Eight dominated by Hogwarts students, but everyone understood that the lucky "Uncle" with mediocre skills would likely not make it to the Top Four.
"The atmosphere still needs some work!"
Despite his mental preparation, George couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.
"It's understandable, every beginning has its challenges, and things will get better with time."
Albert didn't expect Wizard Cards to become as popular as Quidditch; they were inherently different, but he was optimistic about its future.
After numerous intense elimination rounds, Hermione Granger from Hogwarts emerged as the ultimate victor.
Most people accepted this outcome, as Albert had gone to great lengths to ensure the game's fairness, and everyone had witnessed the consequences of cheating.
However, this fairness was only perceived; the champion had been predetermined.
Unlike those who painstakingly assembled their card decks, Hermione's Wizard Cards were not something she had collected over time. Instead, they were a Christmas gift from Albert two years ago. With her sharp mind, Hermione easily selected the right cards to form a powerful Wizard Card Deck, which she used to defeat her opponents and claim the championship.
It was a victory through connections.
But as long as no one knew the secret, this Wizard Card Tournament was considered fair.
After the tournament, Albert personally awarded the prizes to the top three winners. He invited them for a group photo and took individual shots of each winner. He planned to create unique Wizard Cards for the trio as an additional reward for the first Wizard Card Tournament.
Although the inaugural Wizard Card Tournament had officially concluded, the temporary venue wouldn't be dismantled immediately. Participants could stay until 3 p.m.
Compared to the previous intense competition, the atmosphere now was undoubtedly livelier.
Hermione, the winner of the first Wizard Card Tournament, became the envy of countless students.
A Galleon!
Most students had never had so many Galleons in their pockets.
The news quickly spread throughout Hogwarts, and the entire castle was abuzz with excitement. However, not many were truly jealous of Hermione, as she had also won Wizard Card Tournaments at Hogwarts before.
More importantly, the Wizard Card Tournaments were known for their fairness.
This fairness meant that Hermione's victory was solely due to her abilities, leaving no room for argument.
However, there was a downside.
Having both the champion and runner-up be Hogwarts students somewhat dampened the enthusiasm of other participants.
On the bright side, Hogwarts students became even more enthusiastic about the annual Wizard Card Tournaments. They even fantasized about winning the championship and the beautiful vision of earning a Galleon.
This relieved Cedric; he had, after all, received Albert's Galleon, and if the Wizard Card Tournaments remained unpopular, it would be a bit embarrassing.
Cedric's concerns were unnecessary, though. After the first Wizard Card Tournament, Albert arranged for Lee Jordan to be interviewed by journalists, and during the interview, he mentioned the educational aspect of the Wizard Cards.
"Albert believes that this Wizard Card Game can not only entertain us but also teach us useful knowledge during our leisure time."
"He has always believed that learning shouldn't be painful; otherwise, it's challenging to truly absorb knowledge."
"To play Wizard Cards well, you need both a bit of luck and your wits."
This direct endorsement of Wizard Cards reassured parents, making them less likely to object to their children playing the game.
(End of Chapter)
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