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Chapter 543: The Challenge
Chapter 543: The Challenge
In the center of Hogsmeade Star Plaza, the speech continued.
Felix smiled and said, "Many people have romanticized that era, but if one day you wake up and find yourself in ancient times, you'll regret it within two days..."
A low murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd.
Felix then spent some time explaining the entire Ancient Runic Script system, albeit in broad terms. Most of this information could be found in the Runic Script booklets sold in Diagon Alley, but with Felix personally demonstrating, the printed words became much more convincing.
"Starting from individual Ancient Runic Scripts, many branches extend downward: Runic Script circuits related to Ancient Alchemy, Runic Script sequences connected to Ancient Magic, and Runic Scripts combined with modern spells... Although I have outlined the structure of the Ancient Runic Script field, I cannot delve into every detail. There might be a great treasure hidden in some obscure corner, quietly waiting to be discovered... As I said, perfecting a discipline is never the work of just one or two people."
Many Wizards nodded in agreement. Among them were the heads and high-ranking officials from various countries' Ministries of Magic, Headmasters of magic schools, experts in ancient scripts, and staff from the International Confederation of Wizards. These people decided whether a magical discipline would be promoted or not.
"Next, I'd like to introduce Remus Lupin, the actual manager of 'Future World' company, to discuss the application of Ancient Runic Scripts. He knows more about this than I do." Felix stepped aside. "By the way, Wizards who wish to participate in the challenge can sign up now."
Lupin straightened his clothes, feeling a bit shaky. He encouraged himself silently and walked to one corner of the star pattern. Looking up, he saw thousands of eyes staring at him.
"Cough. I must clarify one point: we are not only using Ancient Runic Scripts but also trying to develop effective strategies in the process, in other words, applying theory..."
By the time Felix returned to the center of the plaza, it was nearly noon.
"The rumors that I possess the Elder Wand are false, and this is beyond doubt. I chose to address this now because the context I've provided will help you understand my reasons— for me, even if the Elder Wand exists, it is not necessary. Instead, I am gradually freeing myself from the constraints of wands."
Felix's words were brief when he returned to the stage. He waved his hand, and the Ebony Wand floated in mid-air, drawing intense scrutiny from the crowd.
"I can't let just anyone inspect my wand, so I've come up with a way: let the results speak for themselves. If you can beat me, not only can you inspect the wand, but I'll even give it to you."
In the crowd, a Wizard wearing a cloak whispered:
"The challenge letter says you won't use a wand—"
"That's correct."
Some Wizards began to show signs of eagerness.
"I'll go first", a red-faced Wizard shouted, tossing the challenge letter into the air. The letter burned intensely, forming magical symbols in the air.
"The contract is formed, no matter the outcome", Amelia Bones said solemnly.
Many Wizards who were eager to participate felt as if they had been doused with cold water.
"My name is David Ollivander", the red-faced Wizard said, carefully drawing his wand and circling the edge of the arena. He noticed Felix standing motionless in the center and muttered a curse, positioning himself opposite Felix.
"I'm starting", he said irritably.
Felix smiled and nodded.
"Stupefy!"
A red beam shot from the wand tip, but Felix extended his hand, and the spell grazed his fingers and deflected.
The red-faced Wizard was taken aback, and the crowd erupted in surprise. They didn't know about the human-form armoring charm. Only the most perceptive Wizards could see the brief flash of the defensive spell.
"He wrapped a defensive spell around his hand..."
The red-faced Wizard tried several times but couldn't break through Felix's defense. He had to leave the arena in frustration and join his family.
After a moment of silence, another Wizard stepped forward, his entire body wrapped in bandages, with only his eyes visible.
"Who is that?" Bones whispered.
"There wasn't enough time to confirm. He might have been well-hidden before today", Kingsley Shacklebolt replied.
Felix and the Bandaged Wizard wasted no time on idle talk. The Bandaged Wizard raised his hand, and a jet of black light shot from his wand, causing the human-form armoring charm enveloping Felix to expand into a sphere. The black light struck the magical barrier and instantly ignited a dark fire.
Felix waved his hand, moving the burning barrier to one side to dodge another swift spell. He extended his hand, and a ball of black lightning danced at his fingertips. In the next second, he appeared abruptly in front of the Bandaged Wizard, pressing his palm directly against the wizard's face—
The black arcs of electricity flashed brilliantly.
A few seconds later, the Bandaged Wizard slowly fell to the ground.
The cheerful atmosphere of the morning vanished.
"Go and help him", Amelia Bones called out loudly, while quietly instructing Kingsley Shacklebolt, "Check his identity—assuming he's still alive."
A red-faced wizard who had just stepped up from the crowd touched his face and winced. "Ouch, that must have hurt like hell."
Felix returned to the center of the arena, waiting for the next challenger. Under the terms of the magical contract, everyone who had signed their name had to face him.
The third wizard approached hesitantly. "We're just sparring, right?"
Felix grinned. "Of course."
The last wizard gave up after using only a few spells, and Felix did not press the issue.
The spectators began to discern a pattern. If the duel followed the international rules, the challenger would usually come off the stage relatively unharmed, perhaps hit by a Stunning Spell or a minor jinx. The worst case was a wizard whose nose swelled to the size of a tomato from a stinging hex.
However, if the rules were broken or deadly spells were used, the outcomes were often dire. One wizard who had agreed to a friendly duel but used a curse during the challenge was hit by a rebounding spell, turning half of his body into wood.
Felix stood in the center of the arena, somewhat bored. The next challenger seemed to have lost all courage and refused to step up. Suddenly, he sensed a strong wave of malice, and it wasn't coming from just one person. Felix narrowed his eyes and looked around.
A dozen shadows appeared out of nowhere, uniformly dressed and moving in perfect coordination. As they emerged, they coldly cast a series of poisonous curses. One of them even flew into the air, reaching for the Elder Wand.
A chorus of gasps erupted from the crowd.
Spells flew from all directions but strangely froze in mid-air. The Dark Wizard who had been tempted to look back at the Elder Wand was stunned by the sight.
Felix, surrounded by the attackers, held a ball of liquid-like golden fire in one hand and calmly poured it out.
The fire surged, filling the entire area within a hundred feet in the blink of an eye.
When the fire died down, the dozen attackers had vanished, leaving only a black wand floating in the air, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.
"Where did they go?" someone whispered.
"Maybe they saw the situation and Apparated away", another person suggested uncertainly, though a more terrifying thought lingered in his mind.
Dumbledore stood in the corner with a solemn expression. He disapproved of killing, especially in such a brutal manner, but he could not fault Felix. He could not stand up and admit that the Elder Wand was in his possession, as the consequences would be far more severe.
The bloody history of the Elder Wand was not just about its violent inheritance rules; every era had seen ambitious individuals and Dark Wizards who had died in the quest to find it, far more than the sum of all its former owners.
The best course of action was to let the legend of the Elder Wand fade today and become nothing more than a fairy tale.
If he took even one step out of line, thousands of innocent lives might be sacrificed in the future.
Felix looked around, seeing the eyes of those with ill intentions lower their gaze, unable to meet his. His goal seemed to have been achieved, but as he watched Dumbledore's retreating back, he couldn't help but sigh.
He suppressed his inner frustration and began to erase the knowledge of Horcruxes from his mind. Just moments ago, he had realized something: if he wanted to, he could immediately create a prototype of a Horcrux. His soul felt fragile, as if it could shatter at any moment.
Did I do the wrong thing?
Felix gazed at the sky, which was overcast and dark, but his thoughts gradually became clear and resolute.
I am Felix Hep, not anyone else. I cannot live according to the will of others.
I did nothing wrong.
He opened his hand, and a milky white light gathered, forming a massive white pillar that shot up into the sky. White light flickered through the black clouds, and countless smaller beams of light pierced through the cloud layer, casting a soft, gentle glow. Everyone looked up at the spectacle.
Felix slowly exhaled, withdrew his distant gaze, and calmly said, "The challenge continues."
(End of Chapter)
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