Chapter 1834: Another Loss
Chapter 1834: Another Loss
So, it's no wonder the three Champions overreacted and tossed the judges into the lake to test the severity of Winter's Wrath.
Honestly, the Champions would have preferred facing a dragon.
With their abilities, even if they couldn't defeat the dragon, they could still protect themselves from its flames.
But venturing into the lake was a different story. They would likely suffer frostbite, or worse, lose their lives if they couldn't be rescued in time.
Thus, risking their lives in such treacherous weather was not bravery but sheer stupidity—a blatant disregard for their own safety.
As the top students of their schools, all three had bright futures ahead. They couldn't tolerate their safety being threatened, nor could they allow themselves to be treated like fools.
This was why they retaliated!
Otherwise, who would do something so extreme?
The Ministry of Magic officials who tried to hold them accountable also faced a fierce counterattack, being thrown into the lake to cool off.
Perhaps then they wouldn't have come up with such an unreasonable plan on a whim.
As for the aftermath?
They could just call off the Triwizard Tournament!
After all, the ones who would suffer the consequences wouldn't be them.
Frankly, such a bold move shocked many.
It was cathartic, but what next?
The three Headmasters were particularly vexed. While they were eager to resist such an unreasonable project, the question was how to bypass the Goblet of Fire's magical contract?
The tournament was on hold.
The judges gathered to urgently discuss how to resolve the issue.
The Ministry of Magic was the easiest to deal with.
Who had concocted this "persecution of the Champions" scheme, after all?
The Champions throwing the judges into the lake to test the project's risks was justified.
After all, it had been proven that venturing into the lake was extremely dangerous. If the Champions had really taken the risk, they might have suffered severe injuries.
It was fortunate that no one was hurt; otherwise, who knows what chaos might have ensued!
"The Triwizard Tournament can't be forcibly terminated, but the Champions can voluntarily withdraw or postpone the competition", a judge from the International Confederation of Wizards suggested.
"Let them withdraw. I don't think it's necessary to put the Champions' lives at risk", Headmistress Mcgonagall proposed.
"A bit of risk is normal in the Triwizard Tournament", a Ministry of Magic official, who had rushed to address the issue, protested. "This project can be completed."
"Can you demonstrate it?" Headmaster Karkaroff's gaze was particularly unfriendly.
"The safety measures here are inadequate", Madame Maxime nearly shattered the table with her hand, as if one more word from this man would send him to the lake as well.
"Why don't we let the three Champions share their thoughts on this project, and if they disagree, let them withdraw", the judge from the International Confederation of Wizards suggested.
"Let's hear the Champions' opinions…"
Headmistress Mcgonagall knew further debate was futile.
"If the Champions have no objections, let's settle it this way!"
The tournament couldn't be canceled, but it could be fudged. As for the contract signed to ensure the tournament's fairness, let it go to the winds.
For the three Headmasters, ensuring their Champions' safety was paramount.
As for cheating?
Hasn't it always been a tradition in the Triwizard Tournament?
No exceptions, and this time would be no different.
After learning the solution from their respective Headmasters, the three Champions huddled together, whispered for a few minutes, and agreed immediately. They all understood that since the problem had arisen, solving it was the most important thing.
“I can give it a try, but I don’t think I’ll succeed. You know, venturing into the lake in this weather is a risk, even if I prepare thoroughly. I’ll probably end up like the previous contestants,” Matthew stated. To him, the Triwizard Tournament was just a formality.
“I’ll pass. I know the chances of failure are high, and I don’t want to risk my life. But I can put on a show and then withdraw from the competition.”
Alvard from Durmstrang had initially imagined transforming into a fish like his predecessor, Viktor Krum, but his transfiguration spell was far from perfect. He didn’t feel confident that the magic he knew could ensure his safety, so giving up might be the bravest choice.
“I have an idea, but I’m not sure if it will work,” Alice said calmly when everyone looked at her. She was willing to take the risk and would abandon the attempt if it didn’t work.
The competition, which had been paused for a few hours, miraculously resumed.
The audience returned to the stands, cheering as the first contestant approached.
The champion from Beauxbatons transformed into a seal that could resist Winter’s Wrath and, protected by a Bubble-Head Charm, dove straight into the lake. However, Matthew soon resurfaced through the hole, declaring his withdrawal from the competition.
The reason was simple: he hadn’t fully transformed into a seal and couldn’t fully resist the harsh cold. Moreover, Matthew believed he couldn’t last long enough to find the treasure at the bottom of the lake, so he decided to quit promptly.
As for transforming completely into a seal?
That was a joke, wasn’t it? Did he want to die?
Even the most skilled Animagi wouldn’t risk such a transformation.
The judges, seemingly in agreement, gave him low scores.
No one objected.
Next was Alvard, but the Durmstrang champion had no good strategy. He used a Bubble-Head Charm to completely encase himself, but it didn’t work well. He couldn’t endure the frigid water and quickly withdrew from the competition.
When he was pulled out of the lake, the shivering Alvard was even more convinced of his decision.
Like Matthew, Alvard received only a consolation score for his voluntary withdrawal.
When it was Alice’s turn, everyone expected her to make a brief attempt and then give up like the other champions. But an unexpected turn of events stunned everyone.
Alice seemed to have no intention of using conventional methods from the start. In full view of the crowd, she waved her oversized iron wand, splitting the frozen lake and creating a winding staircase leading downward. She then walked down toward the lake bed, leaving everyone speechless.
It was unimaginable, and people were left speechless by Alice’s actions.
“We lost,” Matthew said calmly.
“How did she do that? Even with transfiguration, it’s just too...”
Alvard couldn’t comprehend it, and he wasn’t the only one. Even the headmasters were baffled by Alice’s feat.
The judges turned to Headmistress Mcgonagall, who, ignoring the others’ resentful gazes, remarked softly, “Truly worthy of being Albert’s child, his most outstanding heir.”
Despite the time limit, Alice successfully retrieved the “treasure” from the lake bed and returned.
This moment also made the headmasters of the other two schools realize that they were likely to lose the Triwizard Tournament again.
(End of Chapter)
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