Chapter 460 460.3 The Strong Tournament and the Goblet of Fire
·
Po Sui Tai Di
Chapter 460. Triwizard Tournament and Goblet of Fire
In Beauxbaton's extravagant banquet hall, after everyone had eaten and drank enough, Madame Maxime, who was sitting on the main seat, stood up again.
Like a conditioned reflex, the originally bustling banquet hall suddenly became quiet.
Scott and the others also closed their mouths with the mentality of doing whatever they want.
Soon, almost as soon as Madam Maxim stood up, the tableware and leftovers on all the tables in the banquet hall disappeared, replaced by bouquets of brightly colored irises.
The refreshing floral fragrance instantly fills all senses, replacing the smell of food residue.
"I think it's not me who is attracting the most attention at this moment, but the upcoming Triwizard Tournament."
Madame Maxime said with a smile.
If this was Hogwarts and it was Dumbledore who was speaking, the students would have already cheered.
But at this moment, the teachers and students of Beauxbatons were still silent, they just looked at Mrs. Maxim who spoke seriously.
The 25 Hogwarts students who came to visit, including Scott, also refrained from opening their mouths.
"First of all, I would like to thank and introduce the two gentlemen to everyone."
Madame Maxim stretched out her hand to guide.
"French Ministry of Magic, Department of International Magical Cooperation, Director, Mr. Lefeble!"
A middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes sitting next to Dumbledore stood up and gestured.
His brown hair was combed back in an undisturbed manner, and he was very neatly groomed with styling potions. He had two curly beards on his upper lip, and he looked very elite.
"French Ministry of Magic, Department of Sports and Sports, Director, Mr. Jolly!"
Mr. Jolly, sitting beside Mr. Lefeble, also got up and waved.
He looks younger, and he dresses more casually. He has short hair close to his scalp, a strong figure, a bright smile, and a very energetic look.
"In the past period of time, Beauxbaton's preparations for the Triwizard Tournament were inseparable from the leadership and assistance of Mr. Lefeble and Mr. Jolly."
Under the leadership of Mrs. Maxim, there was polite but not enthusiastic applause in the banquet hall.
After the applause ceased, the two officials sat down again.
Madam Maxim continued: "During the upcoming competition, the two of them will join me, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Hartman to form a referee team to score the performance of the warriors."
When she mentioned "Warriors," the students listened more seriously.
"What I want to tell you is that the specific items of this year's Warriors competition have been repeatedly and carefully reviewed. Our preparations have been completed satisfactorily."
"We made a lot of necessary arrangements for each project."
"The Triwizard Tournament has a total of three events, which are held at different times throughout the school year. They will test the warriors in all aspects."
"These tests include magical talent, courage, reasoning, and the ability to overcome danger."
Having said that, Madame Maxime drew out her wand.
"Everyone knows that we will select a total of three warriors, and they will represent their respective schools in the competition and compete for honor."
"The referee team will score the warriors' performance in each round of competition, and the warrior with the highest total score will win the championship."
The wand in her hand tapped.
"Now, let's get the [Goblet of Fire] who is in charge of selecting our warriors!"
When everyone was looking at each other, there was a sudden noise from the ground in front of Mrs. Maxim.
The marble floor suddenly cracked, revealing a square cavity, and then, a pure white square stone platform slowly rose up.
The length and width of this stone platform are about two meters, and the height is about half a meter. There are several stone steps on the left, right and front for people to walk up.
In the center above the stone platform is an ornate wooden box inlaid with gemstones, and above the box is a large, rough-looking wooden goblet.
The cup itself was inconspicuous, but it was filled with dancing blue and white flames.
"Attention, every student who wants to be a warrior must write his name and school name on a piece of parchment and throw it into this goblet."
Madame Maxime spoke in a low voice.
"You can sign up within 24 hours. Tomorrow night, [Goblet of Fire] will select three names of the three students that it thinks best represent the three schools!"
"From now on, the [Goblet of Fire] will always be placed here."
At this moment, all eyes were on the rough and ugly cup.
"Of course, please don't forget our regulations, the Warriors need to be 17 years old."
Madame Maxime continued.
"We made some preparations and put hard barriers between underage students and [the Goblet of Fire]."
Speaking of this, her face was full of pride.
"The stone platform on which the [Goblet of Fire] is placed is an alchemy product, jointly produced by several alchemists in Beauxbatons. It has only one function, preventing young wizards under the age of 17 from climbing the steps."
Scott looked at the white stone platform.
Alchemy products?
He began to think of ways to break through the limitations.
"Are you thinking of a way to break through?" Lucio said in an inaudible voice, "Let me tell you, I also participated in the production of that stone platform. Of course, I won't help you cheat."
Scott turned his head and looked at him in surprise.
Lucio smiled slightly, "I know what you're thinking, yes, I won't sign up, not only for the sake of fairness, but also because I can't guarantee my combat effectiveness as I am only good at alchemy."
Scott nodded in understanding.
At this moment, Madame Maxime was still talking.
"Finally, I would like to solemnly remind every student who is going to run for office."
"Please note that once you are selected by the [Goblet of Fire], you must fight to the end."
"Putting your name into the cup actually forms a magical contract that must be kept, and once you become a warrior, you are not allowed to change your mind."
"Therefore, please think carefully before deciding whether to put your name into the [Goblet of Fire]."
"Okay, this is the end of all the explanations about the Triwizard Tournament."
"Good night everyone."
After Mrs. Maxim's speech was over, the others could finally speak freely.
"Oh, Lucio." Fred put his arm around Lucio's shoulder very familiarly, "I just heard that you participated in..."
"Don't even think about it, I won't say anything." Lucio shook his head again and again.
"Even if it's just a little hint?"
Fred used two fingers to show the distance of "a little bit".
Lucio shook his head again.
Fred rolled his eyes, "In exchange, I can secretly show you around our flying tower."
"Really?" Lucio was happy at first, then gritted his teeth and shook his head, "No, if I say something, the professors will fire me."
Fred could only curl his lips uninterestedly, and let go of his hand.
At this moment, Dumbledore walked towards them.
"I think it's time for you to go back to bed in the tower, boys."
"I'd like to learn how to put my name into a cup, Professor," said Fred, "and Scott."
Scott smiled helplessly.
Dumbledore said with a smile: "Oh, you two are not old enough, but it seems that you are not giving up."
Scott said: "Mrs. Maxim has told us that if you are not old enough, you can also sign up for the competition as long as you break through the barriers they set up."
Everyone looked at him.
"'There is an impenetrable barrier between underage students and [the Goblet of Fire]', 'to prevent little wizards under the age of 17 from climbing the steps', these are the exact words of Madame Maxime."
Scott explained.
"Pay attention to her wording, it is 'difficult to break through' not 'impossible to break through', 'blocking' rather than 'prohibited'. Also, if it is not for our convenience, the registration time does not have to be set for 24 hours."
Madame Maxim walked over at this moment, casting a large shadow over everyone's heads.
She glanced at Scott in surprise.
"It seems that your students have deciphered the unspoken rules of choosing warriors, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore looked at Scott happily.
Mrs. Maxime said to Scott: "Smart boy, we think that if a student can break through that barrier by himself in 24 hours, even if he is underage, he has the qualifications to be a warrior."
After finishing speaking, she smiled slightly.
"Lucio, come with me, everyone, good night."
Lucio stood up quickly and walked to her side.
His expression looked a little frightened, and he didn't see the toughness in front of Fu Rong just now.
As Mrs. Maxim turned away with Lucio, the bright light of the crystal lamp illuminated Scott and the others again.
Next, Dumbledore did not stop Scott's actions, but went back to the tower by himself.
Because Scott wanted to try to study the platform, none of the Hogwarts students left, including several students from Slytherin House.
Although within Hogwarts, their relationship was mediocre, but here, everyone subconsciously united.
Everyone walked to the stone platform together and looked up at the goblet that was spitting out blue and white flames.
At this time, the Durmstrang delegation had already returned to their ship, and the students of Beauxbatons looked at them, the wizards from Hogwarts, curiously.
What Scott said just now has been heard by many people, and they all seem to want to know whether he can successfully cross the obstacle.
"Are you starting now?" asked a boy they had just chatted with. "I thought everyone would start tomorrow morning."
"We want to try it out," Scott said politely.
"Let me go up and try it first." Cedric stood up and said, "See what it would be like to register under normal circumstances."
"Okay, then please." Scott said gratefully.
He took two steps forward, put his hand against the stone platform, and his magic perception extended.
Cedric got a pen and paper to write his name on, and climbed up a step.
"I don't feel anything," he said.
Then, he climbed up the steps continuously, went up to the platform, and threw the parchment in his hand into the [Goblet of Fire].
Bang.
The blue-white flame in the cup instantly turned red, bursting out sparks.
"It seems that I have succeeded." Cedric said happily.
At this time, the red flame turned blue and white again.
Cedric quickly stepped down from the platform, came up to Scott and asked him, "Well, have you figured it out?"
"It's not that easy." Scott shook his head. "This thing is very complicated... It is indeed the work of several alchemists... In short, it is not so easy to bypass its restrictions..."
"So what are you going to do?" Fred asked.
"I need time," Scott said, "Please, all of you who are old enough, go up and vote for your names again."
It will take him many tries to figure out how the stone platform works.
Everyone else complied with his request.
"Let me go first, I just had my 17th birthday last week."
Angelina went up first.
Next, everyone in the Hogwarts delegation who was over the age of 17 went up and dropped a note with their name on it.
"I sort of get it," Scott said.
"Oh! Is there a way?" Fred was a little excited.
Scott didn't speak, just turned to look at him.
"What?" Fred asked.
"Go ahead, Fred," Scott said with a smile. "I wonder how it will stop you."
"I suspect that you are deliberately trying to make a fool of me."
Fred looked around at the Beauxbaton students who were watching.
"This is not Hogwarts."
"How could it be?" Scott smiled brightly, "This is a necessary process for research breakthroughs."
"Okay, just try it."
Fred straightened up, quickly wrote the note, and tidied his clothes in a pretentious manner.
"Hey, I'm going."
Before taking a step, he said to Angelina.
"Go."
Angelina looked at him with a smile.
"I did."
Fred lifted one foot up a stone step.
"Huh?" He widened his eyes in surprise, "No obstruction?"
As he spoke, he wanted to lift his other foot.
"No."
He still remained motionless.
"When I tried to lift my second foot, it was like there were hands pressing down on my shoulders!"
But when he tried to retract the foot that stepped on the stone steps, he did it easily.
"I will try again."
He crumpled the note in his hand and threw it towards [Goblet of Fire].
But when the ball of paper flew over the stone steps, it fell in a straight line as if being pulled by a thread.
"It seems that there is no such easy loophole." Roger commented on the side.
At this moment, Scott reached out and took out the [Magic Mirror] from the deformed lizard leather pouch on his waist and handed it to Fred, "Oh, it should be a communication from George and the others."
Fred quickly took the [Magic Mirror] and clicked it, George's face and the faces of countless other people behind him immediately appeared in the mirror.
"Hi, how are you all? How is Beauxbaton?" George asked impatiently.
"Oh, we're fine, Beauxbatons is like a king's palace..."
Fred held up the [magic mirror] and spun it around to show the people on the other side where they were.
"What are you doing?"
"How did you get together?"
"What is Scott doing?"
There were chattering voices of inquiry in [Magic Mirror].
"Oh, that's the [Goblet of Fire], and we've put our names in it."
"Scott is studying..."
The people here also huddled around Fred, answering questions likewise.
Across thousands of mountains and rivers, the people of Hogwarts chatted enthusiastically like this.
Scott also retracted his hand at this time.
"Come on, we can go back." He said, "The next research can be carried out in the tower."
"Then let's go." Fred still held the [magic mirror], "We can show them the scenery here when we go back."
A group of people walked around the [Magic Mirror] towards the outside of the banquet hall.
Although they had only been away for a long time, everyone felt that it was very cordial to be able to chat with the students in Hogwarts at this moment.
After returning to the tower, Scott took out a large mirror that had been prepared long ago and hung it in the common room.
This mirror-sized mirror can simultaneously project the sound and picture in [Magic Mirror].
"We also hung the large mirror prepared by Scott in the auditorium." George in the mirror said, "Unfortunately, everyone waited all night, but did not wait for your live broadcast."
Then Eddie's fat face came up next to George.
"You guys must have forgotten!" he complained loudly. "Then you don't forget this!"
"Okay, we'll remember," Scott promised.
After the communication ended, Scott returned to the dormitory and began to try to restore the rune circuit inside the stone platform.
Roger came over to look at it for a while, and was defeated by the densely packed runes. Fred could also help Scott sort out the structure of the runes.
"Oh, are there so many infrequently used ancient runes?" Fred scratched his hair in difficulty. "We haven't seen many of them, and our usual inventions can't use so many."
"It's not necessary to read them all," Scott said. "There must be a lot of confusion."
"Even if it's all deciphered, there may not be a way to counter it," Fred said. "Maybe I should try the aging agent tomorrow, just a drop is enough."
"Of course, you can try." Scott said with a smile.
Although there is a high probability that it will not be successful, it can also have one more sample.
"Maybe we should change our minds."
Scott put down the pen in his hand, lost in thought.
Early the next morning, Scott and Fred left Roger, who was still carefully dressed, and ran to the banquet hall where [Goblet of Fire] was located.
At this time, the stone platform was surrounded by people, and everyone was watching the beautiful silver-haired figure climb up the steps step by step.
"Oh, what a pity, Roger, who was busy dressing up, missed this scene perfectly." Fred said gloatingly.
"Good morning, Scott, Fred."
Lucio greeted them with a wave.
"The Durmstrang students are all signed up," he said. "How's your research going, Scott?"
He looked the same, and it seemed that Madame Maxime did not punish him for his "disobedience".
"Not sure yet," Scott said. "I'll try again later."
"Then I'll wait to see your performance." Lucio said with a smile.
While the two were talking, Fu Rong on the stone platform had successfully signed up.
Beauxbaton's students cheered in unison.
It seems that they are still very lively in the absence of Madame Maxime.
Next, several Beauxbaton students came on stage one after another and successfully signed up.
Of course, there are also some underage students who have made failed attempts.
Soon, more students like Scott gathered around the stone platform to study.
Watching this scene, Scott sighed, "The atmosphere of alchemy here is very strong."
"This can be regarded as Beauxbaton's characteristic." Lucio said with a smile.
"Are you supposed to be the best student among all the students?" Scott looked at him, "After all, you are already an 'examiner'."
Moreover, the students who can be invited by the Scholars Union will not be ordinary people.
"You're right." Lucio said without humility, "Now it's up to you to solve this difficult test question."
"Then try it."
Scott stepped forward.
Fred and Lucio followed behind him.
His actions have attracted a lot of attention.
"Lucio, is he the one you mentioned?" Fleur asked coldly.
"That's right, this is a good friend I met during the summer, Scott Trollope." Lucio said.
"Hello, Mademoiselle Delacour."
Scott nodded politely.
"Hello, Mr. Trollope."
It may be because Scott was too calm and not fascinated by her beauty at all, Fleur looked at him in surprise.
At the same time, she took back the steps she was about to turn and leave, and stood still in place.
Scott also looked up at the stone platform in front of him.
He stood in front of the stone steps without moving for a long time.
People around began to talk, but Scott remained deaf.
In the channel that no one can perceive except him, he is restraining the magic fluctuations around him bit by bit.
This is also a talent brought about by being born with magic power perception. As he continues to exercise and enhance his perception ability, his magic power has become more and more obedient.
Since wizards with magic perception are very rare, this ability to hide their own magic fluctuations has never come in handy.
But Scott has been speculating that this may help him break through some warnings, detect magic, or magical items like stone platforms.
Because there has been no movement, as time goes by, more and more people question Scott.
Scott even heard Fleur's disdainful snort.
But it wasn't until all the magic power in his body was completely silent that Scott finally lifted one foot.
"It moved, he finally moved!"
At this moment, someone was more excited than himself.
Scott stepped firmly on a stone step with his left foot, and then lifted the other foot.
Soon, his right foot also set foot on that stone step.
Then, he raised his left foot and stepped on the second stone step.
"He succeeded!"
"My God, how did he do that!"
All of a sudden, there were exclamations one after another.
"Scott is challenging the age-barrier Sorcerer's Stone, and it seems he's succeeded..."
Fred is holding the [Magic Mirror] to make a live commentary.
But Scott was far less relaxed than everyone saw.
It is indeed useful to restrain the fluctuation of magic power, allowing him to break through the first stone step, but it seems to be nothing more than that.
When he tried to climb the second step of the stone steps, he immediately felt the obstacle Fred said, as if two hands were pressing hard on his shoulders, preventing him from going up.
Scott tried a few times, sweat dripped from his forehead, but his body remained motionless.
no way.
He shook his head and stepped back from the stone steps.
The crowd was in an uproar.
"what happened?"
"Why did you give up?"
"Oh, he failed! What's the reason?" Fred's voice was chagrined.
Scott turned to look at the smiling Lucio.
"It seems that this stone platform will not only test my magic power."
"That's right." Lucio said with a smile: "It's not that simple. Although I'm surprised that you can completely restrain your magic power, the second stone step detects your body. In short, it detects your body in all directions. your age."
"I understand."
Scott nodded, lost in thought again.
"Now let me try it."
Fred stuffed the [Magic Mirror] into Scott's hand, took out the prepared potion and drank it down.
He swaggered to the stone steps and walked up.
"Oh, he succeeded? Aging agent? Sure enough, the method I thought of works!"
George's excited voice came from [Magic Mirror].
At this time, Fred had successfully ascended the second step.
But when he reached the third step, he froze again.
Immediately, as if he had been pushed hard from the front, he staggered back and sat down on the ground.
George's cheers stopped abruptly.
"Hahahaha..." Lucio laughed loudly, "Aging agent, we have already thought of preventing you from using this potion!"
Fred stood up and patted his butt, then spread his hands to Scott.
"Fred, everyone has seen your swollen butt!"
[Magic Mirror] George on the other end had already settled down and began to laugh loudly.
Fred snatches the [magic mirror] and quarrels with George.
"Oh, it's all your bad idea!"
"You are so stupid!"
Scott didn't care about the quarrel between the two, and put his hands on the stone platform again, closing his eyes to perceive for a while.
This time, many people began to mutter loudly whether he was putting on a show.
It wasn't until the rest of Hogwarts arrived that those people stopped mocking.
"It seems that you are not going well, Scott." Cedric walked to Scott's side.
Scott laughed. "That's the fun, isn't it?"
"I knew you wouldn't give up so easily."
Scott said, "I need your help next, Cedric."
"No problem." Cedric agreed.
"Is it okay?" Scott raised his eyebrows, "I'm competing with you for the title of Hogwarts warrior."
Cedric just smiled and shook his head.
"Then please." Scott took out his wand.
Cedric nodded again, "What should I do?"
"Stand still."
Scott held his wand to his heart.
Although Cedric looked at him suspiciously, he really didn't move.
Scott closed his eyes.
After a long time, he opened his eyes, turned the wand in his hand to point at himself, and began to chant the spell of Transfiguration.
"Are you here?" Cedric looked at him in shock.
A burst of white light enveloped Scott's body, and then disappeared in an instant.
Discussions resumed.
"What is he doing?"
"Adjust age with body deformation? How is it possible?"
"Isn't this completely unchanged?"
"I think it's too complicated." Scott said with a smile, "No matter what kind of problem I face, I should use my strengths to solve it."
He pressed his wand against Cedric's heart again, allowing his own magic power fluctuations to simulate Cedric's magic power fluctuations, until the two people's magic power fluctuations became the same in his perception.
After finishing all this, he took back his wand, turned around, stepped up the stone steps in a few steps, and came to the stone platform smoothly.
Afterwards, he took out the parchment with his name and school name written on it from his pocket, and threw it into the [Goblet of Fire] at close range.
Bang!
Sparks erupted, and Scott raised his hands as the blue-white flames turned red.
"he made it!"
"He really did it!"
At this moment, cheers and applause sounded together.
No matter which school the students are from, they are applauding Scott's performance.
Scott turned around and bowed, and walked down the stone platform steadily.
"Congratulations, Scott."
Cedric said very generously.
"thank you for your help."
Scott also sincerely thanked him.
Cedric patted him on the shoulder, "Although you successfully signed up, I don't think I will definitely lose."
Scott turned his head and glanced at the jumping blue and white flames, "Then let [Goblet of Fire] decide."
At this time, Lucio squeezed over excitedly, "Can you tell me Scott? How did you do it?"
His question quieted the surroundings, and everyone stared at Scott curiously.
Even the proud Furong was no exception, stretching her neck to look at him.
"The answer is Transfiguration."
Scott pointed his wand at himself again, and chanted the spell to release the human deformation imposed on him.
Lucio's face wrinkled when he heard this, "How is it possible! Your appearance has not changed at all!"
Scott smiled and said: "The stone platform will test our age, but it is based on magic power and bone age, right? I just changed my own with reference to Cedric's bones. Of course, it didn't change the bone phase."
"You can actually do this kind of thing?" Lucio was shocked. "Although I always knew that you were good at transfiguration, I never knew that your transfiguration could do this."
Scott shrugged, "Because it's just trying, so I know I can do it."
"It's unbelievable, it's wonderful!"
Lucio looked at Scott with admiration in his eyes.
Fred and Roger came together at this moment.
"Quick, Scott, quick change my bones too!"
"And I want to try too."
It wasn't just the two of them, there were also many young wizards who were not old enough to stare at Scott eagerly in the crowd.
Scott shook his head, "As I said just now, just changing the bone age is not enough, you also need to change the magic power."
Of course, Scott can manually adjust the frequency of magic fluctuations for them, but that requires him to accompany them on stage.
"Unfortunately, Shitai does not allow two people to go up together." Scott spread his hands.
"That's right." Lucio nodded, "It's forbidden for two people to be together."
"Oh, it seems that I have no luck with the bonus of one thousand gold Galleons."
"let it go."
Fred and Roger were only doing it for fun, so they quickly accepted this reality.
Fred handed the [Magic Mirror] to Scott, asking him to accept the congratulations and blessings from his friends on the other end.
(End of this chapter)
In Beauxbaton's extravagant banquet hall, after everyone had eaten and drank enough, Madame Maxime, who was sitting on the main seat, stood up again.
Like a conditioned reflex, the originally bustling banquet hall suddenly became quiet.
Scott and the others also closed their mouths with the mentality of doing whatever they want.
Soon, almost as soon as Madam Maxim stood up, the tableware and leftovers on all the tables in the banquet hall disappeared, replaced by bouquets of brightly colored irises.
The refreshing floral fragrance instantly fills all senses, replacing the smell of food residue.
"I think it's not me who is attracting the most attention at this moment, but the upcoming Triwizard Tournament."
Madame Maxime said with a smile.
If this was Hogwarts and it was Dumbledore who was speaking, the students would have already cheered.
But at this moment, the teachers and students of Beauxbatons were still silent, they just looked at Mrs. Maxim who spoke seriously.
The 25 Hogwarts students who came to visit, including Scott, also refrained from opening their mouths.
"First of all, I would like to thank and introduce the two gentlemen to everyone."
Madame Maxim stretched out her hand to guide.
"French Ministry of Magic, Department of International Magical Cooperation, Director, Mr. Lefeble!"
A middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes sitting next to Dumbledore stood up and gestured.
His brown hair was combed back in an undisturbed manner, and he was very neatly groomed with styling potions. He had two curly beards on his upper lip, and he looked very elite.
"French Ministry of Magic, Department of Sports and Sports, Director, Mr. Jolly!"
Mr. Jolly, sitting beside Mr. Lefeble, also got up and waved.
He looks younger, and he dresses more casually. He has short hair close to his scalp, a strong figure, a bright smile, and a very energetic look.
"In the past period of time, Beauxbaton's preparations for the Triwizard Tournament were inseparable from the leadership and assistance of Mr. Lefeble and Mr. Jolly."
Under the leadership of Mrs. Maxim, there was polite but not enthusiastic applause in the banquet hall.
After the applause ceased, the two officials sat down again.
Madam Maxim continued: "During the upcoming competition, the two of them will join me, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Hartman to form a referee team to score the performance of the warriors."
When she mentioned "Warriors," the students listened more seriously.
"What I want to tell you is that the specific items of this year's Warriors competition have been repeatedly and carefully reviewed. Our preparations have been completed satisfactorily."
"We made a lot of necessary arrangements for each project."
"The Triwizard Tournament has a total of three events, which are held at different times throughout the school year. They will test the warriors in all aspects."
"These tests include magical talent, courage, reasoning, and the ability to overcome danger."
Having said that, Madame Maxime drew out her wand.
"Everyone knows that we will select a total of three warriors, and they will represent their respective schools in the competition and compete for honor."
"The referee team will score the warriors' performance in each round of competition, and the warrior with the highest total score will win the championship."
The wand in her hand tapped.
"Now, let's get the [Goblet of Fire] who is in charge of selecting our warriors!"
When everyone was looking at each other, there was a sudden noise from the ground in front of Mrs. Maxim.
The marble floor suddenly cracked, revealing a square cavity, and then, a pure white square stone platform slowly rose up.
The length and width of this stone platform are about two meters, and the height is about half a meter. There are several stone steps on the left, right and front for people to walk up.
In the center above the stone platform is an ornate wooden box inlaid with gemstones, and above the box is a large, rough-looking wooden goblet.
The cup itself was inconspicuous, but it was filled with dancing blue and white flames.
"Attention, every student who wants to be a warrior must write his name and school name on a piece of parchment and throw it into this goblet."
Madame Maxime spoke in a low voice.
"You can sign up within 24 hours. Tomorrow night, [Goblet of Fire] will select three names of the three students that it thinks best represent the three schools!"
"From now on, the [Goblet of Fire] will always be placed here."
At this moment, all eyes were on the rough and ugly cup.
"Of course, please don't forget our regulations, the Warriors need to be 17 years old."
Madame Maxime continued.
"We made some preparations and put hard barriers between underage students and [the Goblet of Fire]."
Speaking of this, her face was full of pride.
"The stone platform on which the [Goblet of Fire] is placed is an alchemy product, jointly produced by several alchemists in Beauxbatons. It has only one function, preventing young wizards under the age of 17 from climbing the steps."
Scott looked at the white stone platform.
Alchemy products?
He began to think of ways to break through the limitations.
"Are you thinking of a way to break through?" Lucio said in an inaudible voice, "Let me tell you, I also participated in the production of that stone platform. Of course, I won't help you cheat."
Scott turned his head and looked at him in surprise.
Lucio smiled slightly, "I know what you're thinking, yes, I won't sign up, not only for the sake of fairness, but also because I can't guarantee my combat effectiveness as I am only good at alchemy."
Scott nodded in understanding.
At this moment, Madame Maxime was still talking.
"Finally, I would like to solemnly remind every student who is going to run for office."
"Please note that once you are selected by the [Goblet of Fire], you must fight to the end."
"Putting your name into the cup actually forms a magical contract that must be kept, and once you become a warrior, you are not allowed to change your mind."
"Therefore, please think carefully before deciding whether to put your name into the [Goblet of Fire]."
"Okay, this is the end of all the explanations about the Triwizard Tournament."
"Good night everyone."
After Mrs. Maxim's speech was over, the others could finally speak freely.
"Oh, Lucio." Fred put his arm around Lucio's shoulder very familiarly, "I just heard that you participated in..."
"Don't even think about it, I won't say anything." Lucio shook his head again and again.
"Even if it's just a little hint?"
Fred used two fingers to show the distance of "a little bit".
Lucio shook his head again.
Fred rolled his eyes, "In exchange, I can secretly show you around our flying tower."
"Really?" Lucio was happy at first, then gritted his teeth and shook his head, "No, if I say something, the professors will fire me."
Fred could only curl his lips uninterestedly, and let go of his hand.
At this moment, Dumbledore walked towards them.
"I think it's time for you to go back to bed in the tower, boys."
"I'd like to learn how to put my name into a cup, Professor," said Fred, "and Scott."
Scott smiled helplessly.
Dumbledore said with a smile: "Oh, you two are not old enough, but it seems that you are not giving up."
Scott said: "Mrs. Maxim has told us that if you are not old enough, you can also sign up for the competition as long as you break through the barriers they set up."
Everyone looked at him.
"'There is an impenetrable barrier between underage students and [the Goblet of Fire]', 'to prevent little wizards under the age of 17 from climbing the steps', these are the exact words of Madame Maxime."
Scott explained.
"Pay attention to her wording, it is 'difficult to break through' not 'impossible to break through', 'blocking' rather than 'prohibited'. Also, if it is not for our convenience, the registration time does not have to be set for 24 hours."
Madame Maxim walked over at this moment, casting a large shadow over everyone's heads.
She glanced at Scott in surprise.
"It seems that your students have deciphered the unspoken rules of choosing warriors, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore looked at Scott happily.
Mrs. Maxime said to Scott: "Smart boy, we think that if a student can break through that barrier by himself in 24 hours, even if he is underage, he has the qualifications to be a warrior."
After finishing speaking, she smiled slightly.
"Lucio, come with me, everyone, good night."
Lucio stood up quickly and walked to her side.
His expression looked a little frightened, and he didn't see the toughness in front of Fu Rong just now.
As Mrs. Maxim turned away with Lucio, the bright light of the crystal lamp illuminated Scott and the others again.
Next, Dumbledore did not stop Scott's actions, but went back to the tower by himself.
Because Scott wanted to try to study the platform, none of the Hogwarts students left, including several students from Slytherin House.
Although within Hogwarts, their relationship was mediocre, but here, everyone subconsciously united.
Everyone walked to the stone platform together and looked up at the goblet that was spitting out blue and white flames.
At this time, the Durmstrang delegation had already returned to their ship, and the students of Beauxbatons looked at them, the wizards from Hogwarts, curiously.
What Scott said just now has been heard by many people, and they all seem to want to know whether he can successfully cross the obstacle.
"Are you starting now?" asked a boy they had just chatted with. "I thought everyone would start tomorrow morning."
"We want to try it out," Scott said politely.
"Let me go up and try it first." Cedric stood up and said, "See what it would be like to register under normal circumstances."
"Okay, then please." Scott said gratefully.
He took two steps forward, put his hand against the stone platform, and his magic perception extended.
Cedric got a pen and paper to write his name on, and climbed up a step.
"I don't feel anything," he said.
Then, he climbed up the steps continuously, went up to the platform, and threw the parchment in his hand into the [Goblet of Fire].
Bang.
The blue-white flame in the cup instantly turned red, bursting out sparks.
"It seems that I have succeeded." Cedric said happily.
At this time, the red flame turned blue and white again.
Cedric quickly stepped down from the platform, came up to Scott and asked him, "Well, have you figured it out?"
"It's not that easy." Scott shook his head. "This thing is very complicated... It is indeed the work of several alchemists... In short, it is not so easy to bypass its restrictions..."
"So what are you going to do?" Fred asked.
"I need time," Scott said, "Please, all of you who are old enough, go up and vote for your names again."
It will take him many tries to figure out how the stone platform works.
Everyone else complied with his request.
"Let me go first, I just had my 17th birthday last week."
Angelina went up first.
Next, everyone in the Hogwarts delegation who was over the age of 17 went up and dropped a note with their name on it.
"I sort of get it," Scott said.
"Oh! Is there a way?" Fred was a little excited.
Scott didn't speak, just turned to look at him.
"What?" Fred asked.
"Go ahead, Fred," Scott said with a smile. "I wonder how it will stop you."
"I suspect that you are deliberately trying to make a fool of me."
Fred looked around at the Beauxbaton students who were watching.
"This is not Hogwarts."
"How could it be?" Scott smiled brightly, "This is a necessary process for research breakthroughs."
"Okay, just try it."
Fred straightened up, quickly wrote the note, and tidied his clothes in a pretentious manner.
"Hey, I'm going."
Before taking a step, he said to Angelina.
"Go."
Angelina looked at him with a smile.
"I did."
Fred lifted one foot up a stone step.
"Huh?" He widened his eyes in surprise, "No obstruction?"
As he spoke, he wanted to lift his other foot.
"No."
He still remained motionless.
"When I tried to lift my second foot, it was like there were hands pressing down on my shoulders!"
But when he tried to retract the foot that stepped on the stone steps, he did it easily.
"I will try again."
He crumpled the note in his hand and threw it towards [Goblet of Fire].
But when the ball of paper flew over the stone steps, it fell in a straight line as if being pulled by a thread.
"It seems that there is no such easy loophole." Roger commented on the side.
At this moment, Scott reached out and took out the [Magic Mirror] from the deformed lizard leather pouch on his waist and handed it to Fred, "Oh, it should be a communication from George and the others."
Fred quickly took the [Magic Mirror] and clicked it, George's face and the faces of countless other people behind him immediately appeared in the mirror.
"Hi, how are you all? How is Beauxbaton?" George asked impatiently.
"Oh, we're fine, Beauxbatons is like a king's palace..."
Fred held up the [magic mirror] and spun it around to show the people on the other side where they were.
"What are you doing?"
"How did you get together?"
"What is Scott doing?"
There were chattering voices of inquiry in [Magic Mirror].
"Oh, that's the [Goblet of Fire], and we've put our names in it."
"Scott is studying..."
The people here also huddled around Fred, answering questions likewise.
Across thousands of mountains and rivers, the people of Hogwarts chatted enthusiastically like this.
Scott also retracted his hand at this time.
"Come on, we can go back." He said, "The next research can be carried out in the tower."
"Then let's go." Fred still held the [magic mirror], "We can show them the scenery here when we go back."
A group of people walked around the [Magic Mirror] towards the outside of the banquet hall.
Although they had only been away for a long time, everyone felt that it was very cordial to be able to chat with the students in Hogwarts at this moment.
After returning to the tower, Scott took out a large mirror that had been prepared long ago and hung it in the common room.
This mirror-sized mirror can simultaneously project the sound and picture in [Magic Mirror].
"We also hung the large mirror prepared by Scott in the auditorium." George in the mirror said, "Unfortunately, everyone waited all night, but did not wait for your live broadcast."
Then Eddie's fat face came up next to George.
"You guys must have forgotten!" he complained loudly. "Then you don't forget this!"
"Okay, we'll remember," Scott promised.
After the communication ended, Scott returned to the dormitory and began to try to restore the rune circuit inside the stone platform.
Roger came over to look at it for a while, and was defeated by the densely packed runes. Fred could also help Scott sort out the structure of the runes.
"Oh, are there so many infrequently used ancient runes?" Fred scratched his hair in difficulty. "We haven't seen many of them, and our usual inventions can't use so many."
"It's not necessary to read them all," Scott said. "There must be a lot of confusion."
"Even if it's all deciphered, there may not be a way to counter it," Fred said. "Maybe I should try the aging agent tomorrow, just a drop is enough."
"Of course, you can try." Scott said with a smile.
Although there is a high probability that it will not be successful, it can also have one more sample.
"Maybe we should change our minds."
Scott put down the pen in his hand, lost in thought.
Early the next morning, Scott and Fred left Roger, who was still carefully dressed, and ran to the banquet hall where [Goblet of Fire] was located.
At this time, the stone platform was surrounded by people, and everyone was watching the beautiful silver-haired figure climb up the steps step by step.
"Oh, what a pity, Roger, who was busy dressing up, missed this scene perfectly." Fred said gloatingly.
"Good morning, Scott, Fred."
Lucio greeted them with a wave.
"The Durmstrang students are all signed up," he said. "How's your research going, Scott?"
He looked the same, and it seemed that Madame Maxime did not punish him for his "disobedience".
"Not sure yet," Scott said. "I'll try again later."
"Then I'll wait to see your performance." Lucio said with a smile.
While the two were talking, Fu Rong on the stone platform had successfully signed up.
Beauxbaton's students cheered in unison.
It seems that they are still very lively in the absence of Madame Maxime.
Next, several Beauxbaton students came on stage one after another and successfully signed up.
Of course, there are also some underage students who have made failed attempts.
Soon, more students like Scott gathered around the stone platform to study.
Watching this scene, Scott sighed, "The atmosphere of alchemy here is very strong."
"This can be regarded as Beauxbaton's characteristic." Lucio said with a smile.
"Are you supposed to be the best student among all the students?" Scott looked at him, "After all, you are already an 'examiner'."
Moreover, the students who can be invited by the Scholars Union will not be ordinary people.
"You're right." Lucio said without humility, "Now it's up to you to solve this difficult test question."
"Then try it."
Scott stepped forward.
Fred and Lucio followed behind him.
His actions have attracted a lot of attention.
"Lucio, is he the one you mentioned?" Fleur asked coldly.
"That's right, this is a good friend I met during the summer, Scott Trollope." Lucio said.
"Hello, Mademoiselle Delacour."
Scott nodded politely.
"Hello, Mr. Trollope."
It may be because Scott was too calm and not fascinated by her beauty at all, Fleur looked at him in surprise.
At the same time, she took back the steps she was about to turn and leave, and stood still in place.
Scott also looked up at the stone platform in front of him.
He stood in front of the stone steps without moving for a long time.
People around began to talk, but Scott remained deaf.
In the channel that no one can perceive except him, he is restraining the magic fluctuations around him bit by bit.
This is also a talent brought about by being born with magic power perception. As he continues to exercise and enhance his perception ability, his magic power has become more and more obedient.
Since wizards with magic perception are very rare, this ability to hide their own magic fluctuations has never come in handy.
But Scott has been speculating that this may help him break through some warnings, detect magic, or magical items like stone platforms.
Because there has been no movement, as time goes by, more and more people question Scott.
Scott even heard Fleur's disdainful snort.
But it wasn't until all the magic power in his body was completely silent that Scott finally lifted one foot.
"It moved, he finally moved!"
At this moment, someone was more excited than himself.
Scott stepped firmly on a stone step with his left foot, and then lifted the other foot.
Soon, his right foot also set foot on that stone step.
Then, he raised his left foot and stepped on the second stone step.
"He succeeded!"
"My God, how did he do that!"
All of a sudden, there were exclamations one after another.
"Scott is challenging the age-barrier Sorcerer's Stone, and it seems he's succeeded..."
Fred is holding the [Magic Mirror] to make a live commentary.
But Scott was far less relaxed than everyone saw.
It is indeed useful to restrain the fluctuation of magic power, allowing him to break through the first stone step, but it seems to be nothing more than that.
When he tried to climb the second step of the stone steps, he immediately felt the obstacle Fred said, as if two hands were pressing hard on his shoulders, preventing him from going up.
Scott tried a few times, sweat dripped from his forehead, but his body remained motionless.
no way.
He shook his head and stepped back from the stone steps.
The crowd was in an uproar.
"what happened?"
"Why did you give up?"
"Oh, he failed! What's the reason?" Fred's voice was chagrined.
Scott turned to look at the smiling Lucio.
"It seems that this stone platform will not only test my magic power."
"That's right." Lucio said with a smile: "It's not that simple. Although I'm surprised that you can completely restrain your magic power, the second stone step detects your body. In short, it detects your body in all directions. your age."
"I understand."
Scott nodded, lost in thought again.
"Now let me try it."
Fred stuffed the [Magic Mirror] into Scott's hand, took out the prepared potion and drank it down.
He swaggered to the stone steps and walked up.
"Oh, he succeeded? Aging agent? Sure enough, the method I thought of works!"
George's excited voice came from [Magic Mirror].
At this time, Fred had successfully ascended the second step.
But when he reached the third step, he froze again.
Immediately, as if he had been pushed hard from the front, he staggered back and sat down on the ground.
George's cheers stopped abruptly.
"Hahahaha..." Lucio laughed loudly, "Aging agent, we have already thought of preventing you from using this potion!"
Fred stood up and patted his butt, then spread his hands to Scott.
"Fred, everyone has seen your swollen butt!"
[Magic Mirror] George on the other end had already settled down and began to laugh loudly.
Fred snatches the [magic mirror] and quarrels with George.
"Oh, it's all your bad idea!"
"You are so stupid!"
Scott didn't care about the quarrel between the two, and put his hands on the stone platform again, closing his eyes to perceive for a while.
This time, many people began to mutter loudly whether he was putting on a show.
It wasn't until the rest of Hogwarts arrived that those people stopped mocking.
"It seems that you are not going well, Scott." Cedric walked to Scott's side.
Scott laughed. "That's the fun, isn't it?"
"I knew you wouldn't give up so easily."
Scott said, "I need your help next, Cedric."
"No problem." Cedric agreed.
"Is it okay?" Scott raised his eyebrows, "I'm competing with you for the title of Hogwarts warrior."
Cedric just smiled and shook his head.
"Then please." Scott took out his wand.
Cedric nodded again, "What should I do?"
"Stand still."
Scott held his wand to his heart.
Although Cedric looked at him suspiciously, he really didn't move.
Scott closed his eyes.
After a long time, he opened his eyes, turned the wand in his hand to point at himself, and began to chant the spell of Transfiguration.
"Are you here?" Cedric looked at him in shock.
A burst of white light enveloped Scott's body, and then disappeared in an instant.
Discussions resumed.
"What is he doing?"
"Adjust age with body deformation? How is it possible?"
"Isn't this completely unchanged?"
"I think it's too complicated." Scott said with a smile, "No matter what kind of problem I face, I should use my strengths to solve it."
He pressed his wand against Cedric's heart again, allowing his own magic power fluctuations to simulate Cedric's magic power fluctuations, until the two people's magic power fluctuations became the same in his perception.
After finishing all this, he took back his wand, turned around, stepped up the stone steps in a few steps, and came to the stone platform smoothly.
Afterwards, he took out the parchment with his name and school name written on it from his pocket, and threw it into the [Goblet of Fire] at close range.
Bang!
Sparks erupted, and Scott raised his hands as the blue-white flames turned red.
"he made it!"
"He really did it!"
At this moment, cheers and applause sounded together.
No matter which school the students are from, they are applauding Scott's performance.
Scott turned around and bowed, and walked down the stone platform steadily.
"Congratulations, Scott."
Cedric said very generously.
"thank you for your help."
Scott also sincerely thanked him.
Cedric patted him on the shoulder, "Although you successfully signed up, I don't think I will definitely lose."
Scott turned his head and glanced at the jumping blue and white flames, "Then let [Goblet of Fire] decide."
At this time, Lucio squeezed over excitedly, "Can you tell me Scott? How did you do it?"
His question quieted the surroundings, and everyone stared at Scott curiously.
Even the proud Furong was no exception, stretching her neck to look at him.
"The answer is Transfiguration."
Scott pointed his wand at himself again, and chanted the spell to release the human deformation imposed on him.
Lucio's face wrinkled when he heard this, "How is it possible! Your appearance has not changed at all!"
Scott smiled and said: "The stone platform will test our age, but it is based on magic power and bone age, right? I just changed my own with reference to Cedric's bones. Of course, it didn't change the bone phase."
"You can actually do this kind of thing?" Lucio was shocked. "Although I always knew that you were good at transfiguration, I never knew that your transfiguration could do this."
Scott shrugged, "Because it's just trying, so I know I can do it."
"It's unbelievable, it's wonderful!"
Lucio looked at Scott with admiration in his eyes.
Fred and Roger came together at this moment.
"Quick, Scott, quick change my bones too!"
"And I want to try too."
It wasn't just the two of them, there were also many young wizards who were not old enough to stare at Scott eagerly in the crowd.
Scott shook his head, "As I said just now, just changing the bone age is not enough, you also need to change the magic power."
Of course, Scott can manually adjust the frequency of magic fluctuations for them, but that requires him to accompany them on stage.
"Unfortunately, Shitai does not allow two people to go up together." Scott spread his hands.
"That's right." Lucio nodded, "It's forbidden for two people to be together."
"Oh, it seems that I have no luck with the bonus of one thousand gold Galleons."
"let it go."
Fred and Roger were only doing it for fun, so they quickly accepted this reality.
Fred handed the [Magic Mirror] to Scott, asking him to accept the congratulations and blessings from his friends on the other end.
(End of this chapter)
