https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-511-This-Isn-t-What-We-Agreed-On-/12538851/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-513-Golden-Flyer-and-the-Wanderball/12538853/
Chapter 512: The First Task
Chapter 512: The First Task
For the three individuals in the changing room, time seemed to stand still after they received their quills.
Ludovic Bagman, however, was in high spirits and attempted to liven up the atmosphere with jokes... but no one was really listening.
"Well, it seems you folks don't appreciate my humor." Bagman said, not really minding, "I'll be stepping out momentarily to provide commentary for the audience. Remember, do not let go of your quills, understood?
Now... Mr. Krum... may I have a word with you outside?"
"Oh..." Krum looked up, a bit dazed.
Though he didn't know why Bagman wanted to speak with him, the man was one of the judges for the Triwizard Tournament, so he hesitated only briefly before getting up and following Bagman out into the corridor.
"What do they want to talk about?" Hua Rong frowned. "Are there more instructions?"
"Who knows," Kyle said casually.
He noticed the cheers and laughter outside were getting louder, buzzing in his ears.
Then, from somewhere, a whistle blew.
Immediately, Kyle felt the quill in his hand growing hotter, and he felt a tremendous pulling force.
In an instant, Kyle felt like he was sucked into the quill, and by the time he regained his senses, he found himself in the middle of the Quidditch field... amidst deafening cheers.
Kyle looked around. In the vast arena, he was alone... Strange, where were Hua Rong and Krum? Weren't they supposed to be doing this together?
"Welcome to the Triwizard Tournament!"
Bagman's voice rang out from the stands.
"As you can see, the champions have taken their positions, but they are in separate locations and cannot see each other... Of course, we can see them all, and the only question is who to watch... Now that's a tough one."
Bagman made a playful remark, which wasn't particularly funny but did answer Kyle's question.
"First, the first task!" Bagman shouted. "The champions must pass through this door to reach the next task. Let's wish our champions good luck... By the way, the little fellow guarding the key is quite troublesome."
A door?
Kyle paused, then noticed that indeed, where the goal posts used to be, there was now an oak door standing.
But there was nothing else around it, as if someone had forgotten it there.
Kyle walked over immediately.
There was indeed just one door, and he could easily walk around it... But nothing happened, indicating that this obviously didn't count as passing through.
"Alohomora!"
As Kyle attempted the unlocking spell, a flash of blue shadow pounced from somewhere, causing him to dodge instinctively.
"Screeeech!" The oak door now had several noticeable scratches.
At the same time, he saw what it was—a cat, but much larger than a regular one, with equally large eyes that shone like blue pebbles.
A Kneazle!
And hanging from its neck was a large golden key.
No wonder he had seen Professor Lockhart at Hogwarts.
This professor from Beauxbatons was France's most renowned Magizoologist, especially fond of Kneazles, taking them everywhere he went. When they were at the Dragon Reserve, he had one with him.
Thinking of this, Kyle's expression shifted slightly as he said softly, "Mr. Scratches?"
The Kneazle didn't react at all, its bright blue eyes still fixed on him.
Needless to say, he had mistaken the cat.
Though a bit disappointed, it wasn't surprising, or perhaps it was expected.
"Aha, now everyone has encountered the little fellow guarding the key... What will you do now... A friendly reminder, don't use magic on the Kneazle lightly because...
Oh, Victor Krum, this hot-tempered young man. If he had been more patient, he would have known that a Kneazle will split into two if it is harmed by magic... Oops, now there are three of them... What will he do now?"
To be honest, Bagman was revealing a bit too much information, which was technically against the rules, but no one seemed to mind.
Kyle had known about the characteristics of Kneazles long ago, and Hua Rong certainly didn't need any introduction, the only one who didn't know was Krum, and he had already triggered the split before Bagman's hint.
So... it had absolutely no impact, not at all.
There were exclamations of surprise all around the audience.
"Oh, look over there, what a clever young lady..." Bagman continued shouting, "Oh, what a pity, I thought she had it. She should have been more patient."
Kyle listened for a while and then stopped paying attention.
There was no need to guess; this challenge was clearly designed for the Beauxbatons champion, Hua Rong, who would likely pass with ease, while Krum would need to put in some effort as the split Kneazles would become more irritable and harder to deal with.
Of course, this only applied to Krum.
Kyle looked at the Kneazle in front of him. As long as he didn't touch the door, it didn't seem to be aggressive.
Kyle put away his wand, slowly lowered his body, and placed his hands on the ground.
Kneazles were highly vigilant creatures, especially after seeing a wand. In their eyes, Kyle's current posture was the least threatening.
Moreover, there was another benefit to this posture for Kyle; with his body lowered, the spectators in the stands couldn't see his mouth.
"Oh, well done!" came Bagman's surprised voice. "Our youngest champion has also found a solution."
However, Kyle didn't care what he said.
As he placed his hands on the ground, the Kneazle in front of him indeed became less vigilant. It gradually relaxed its arched back and its tail stopped twitching from side to side.
Kyle slowly moved towards the door, at the same time, he pulled up his robe's hood to conceal his face as much as possible.
Just as the Kneazle arched its back again and let out a low growl, Kyle immediately stopped. Moving his mouth, which was hidden under the hood, he said softly, "Don't be nervous, little fellow. I just want to use that key to open the door, and I'll give it back to you soon."
The Kneazle's bright blue eyes flickered, and it growled again.
"Your task is to guard the key and not let strangers touch it, right?
I know, but I'm not a stranger. I know Mr. Scratches, a beautiful female Kneazle. Do you know her?"
"Meowww..."
"Oh, of course, I know her. I also know that the tip of her back right paw is missing a small patch of fur... That was caused by her accidentally stepping on a student's failed alchemical creation."
"Meow..."
"That's right, so I'm not a stranger. In fact, I also have a good relationship with Professor Rakshith... He also told me that you love to eat Long-whiskered Sillago, the kind with two long whiskers and three golden stripes on their bodies..."
Of course, Professor Rakshith had never said such things, this was all Kyle's guessing... After all, when it came to cats, there was none who could resist Long-whiskered Sillago, including the Cat Panthers and the Pouch-poison Panthers.
That particular treat was considered a hard currency among magical creatures, but it was just too expensive—three fish for ten Galleons, and even then, it was hard to come by.
(End of Chapter)
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