#181 - Section 181

Ethan arrived inside quite easily, not even going to the counter, but heading straight for the private box.

When he was getting things arranged, Ethan learned that the outside counter wasn't qualified to handle large transactions.

Walking into the box, the expressions on the faces of the three goblins changed the moment they saw Ethan.

Although they hadn't gone to the venue to watch the match, they had learned the results through the Wizarding Wireless Network.

After all, they had to be prepared to pay out.

Although the England team losing made them very happy, these goblins, who had previously served Ethan, knew there was another big bet, on the Transylvania team.

"What's wrong? You don't want to pay out?"

Ethan looked at the goblins, whose emotions were practically written all over their faces, and was equally impolite.

"How could that be!"

"Please present the contract, and we will prepare your gold Galleons immediately."

The leading goblin gave a forced smile and approached Ethan, speaking in a fawning manner.

However, anyone who wasn't blind could see his true feelings.

Before long, Ethan walked out carrying nearly one million nine hundred thousand gold Galleons.

As for the gambling tax rate, it was waived for this Quidditch World Cup, as there were simply too many participating countries and a massive number of people involved.

If the local Ministry of Magic could collect a large sum in taxes from this, the right to host the event would probably be fought over fiercely.

Coming outside, Cassandra and the others were waiting there.

They had also participated in this venture, but their stakes weren't as large as Ethan's.

Penelope, Hermione, and the others had used some of the gold Galleons they had earned at the Wizarding Dueling Competition last time and didn't borrow capital from Ethan this time.

"Ethan, which team should we bet on next game?"

Fred and George, equally delighted, ran over to Ethan after coming out from claiming their winnings.

Although Ethan didn't play Quidditch, his judgment was truly unbeatable.

After all, they could only see the game on the field, while he could see the situation outside the field.

Thanks to him, their two hundred gold Galleons had turned into over a thousand.

They just didn't know how Ludo was doing.

"Bulgaria, I guess!"

The next game was Bulgaria's match.

Ethan knew they would reach the final.

However, Bulgaria was already a popular favorite to win the championship, and many people were optimistic about them, resulting in very low odds.

Ethan didn't plan to bet much, just a token of one hundred thousand gold Galleons would be fine.

Chapter 226: Veela Performance

August 22nd!

The Quidditch World Cup was coming to an end.

There were only sixteen teams in total, but the competition lasted this long.

The trajectory was the same as in the original story, with Bulgaria playing against Ireland.

Also, because it was the final, many wizards who were short on money but loved Quidditch would choose to watch this match.

Moreover, the British Ministry of Magic had taken the opportunity to launch standing tickets, which meant that the number of spectators at the venue today had exceeded one hundred thousand.

Sitting in the box, Ethan was complaining to Cassandra and the others about Fudge's ugly eating habits.

Everyone knew that the advertising for the final was definitely the most valuable, but Fudge couldn't run the ads for such a long time!

It had been ten minutes, and the ads still hadn't finished.

On a giant blackboard fifty feet above the three scoring hoops on the field, golden letters were constantly flashing.

Each message would be displayed for thirty seconds before an invisible hand wiped the golden letters clean from the blackboard.

The content of the advertisements was quite diverse.

Bluebottle: The family broom—safe, reliable, with built-in burglar alarm…

Mrs. Skower’s All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover: Shift stubborn stains with ease!

Tedderton \u0026 Sons, Quality Wizarding Wear: London, Paris, Hogsmeade…

These were the three that had just rotated, and before that, there were Chocolate Frog ads, Nimbus series broom ads, Honeydukes candy store ads, and so on.

Ethan's Wizarding Wireless Network and Pepperup Potion hadn't participated.

After all, their popularity was already quite high, and it was an exclusive monopoly business.

There was no competitive pressure, so there was no need for advertising at all.

Finally, the advertisements ended, and the giant blackboard returned to its original state because it was also the scoreboard.

It was just a multi-purpose board.

At the moment, it displayed:

Bulgaria: 0

Ireland: 0

Then, a stage appeared out of thin air in the arena.

The team mascot performances were about to begin.

Every match had this program before it, and now it was the turn of the Bulgaria and Ireland mascots.

Ludo, who had been with Fudge, walked onto the stage.

On the way, he conveniently cast a Sonorus charm on his throat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Quidditch World Cup!”

After casting the Sonorus charm, Ludo's voice was like thunder, resounding throughout the stadium and echoing above the heads of the audience, reaching every corner of the stands.

Compared to the 'refund guy' from the first match, he was in no way inferior.

The audience below erupted in cheers and applause.

Thousands of flags were waved simultaneously, accompanied by a chaotic mix of national anthems, making the scene truly lively.

Mainly because everyone had heard rumors that Bulgaria's mascots this time were Veela, how could that not be exciting?

"Alright, enough small talk, allow me to introduce... the mascot of the Bulgarian National Team!"

As Ludo finished speaking, a loud cheer erupted from the right side of the stands, where the Bulgarian wizarding audience was located.

"Veela... Veela!"

"It really is Veela!"

Astonishing shouts arose from all directions, and even though no wizard used a Sonorus charm, the sound carried throughout the entire stadium.

Cassandra and the others naturally heard it as well.

Then, they looked towards Fleur and Gabrielle.

After all, the two of them possessed Veela blood, one beautiful and the other adorable.

Ithan, however, was different. He didn't look at Fleur and Gabrielle, but instead took out his treasured Omniocular.

This wasn't the common variety sold outside; it was specially made by Ithan. It not only allowed him to see farther and clearer,

but also had a recording and playback function. Adjusting the settings, he could see even the fine hairs on their skin.

Although Ithan had seen Veela before, it was in Hogsmeade Village.

While taking advantage of asking Cassandra for help, he went alone to the private place Tyree mentioned.

Skin as white as the bright moon, silver-white hair reaching her waist, a tall figure of at least 1.75 meters, plus the extremely revealing clothing, this was a Veela.

Unfortunately, in that private place, there was only one Veela.

And she certainly wasn't very clean. Ithan only admired her for a moment and wasn't interested.

But now, a hundred Veela came to the stadium like models on a runway, contributing their passionate dance.

Exquisite beauty combined with a hot body, and the inherent charm BUFF, this definitely attracted the attention of ninety percent of the men present.

It could be said that as long as one's orientation was normal, they couldn't help but turn their gaze to them.

It was just that unreasonable.

But there were also some exceptions, such as those who had taken potions in advance to avoid this influence.

The host, Ludo, had taken such a potion.

Ithan, using the Omniocular, was also intently staring at them, his mind seemingly ceasing to think, only wanting to continue watching, indulging in this beautiful moment.

This ascetic, aloof face, combined with the current dance, was simply deadly!

As the Veela's dance became faster and faster, the noise coming from all directions also grew louder and louder.

Ithan, being disturbed, was quite annoyed. Couldn't everyone be a little quieter?

Slightly adjusting the Omniocular, he could see the Veela while also seeing the audience opposite.

As a result, he saw many people in a diving posture, preparing to rush into the field, their eyes filled with a hint of fanaticism.

This action, accompanied by the Veela's departure, reached its peak.

Countless wizards, influenced by the Veela's charm, let out bursts of strange cries in order to prevent the Veela from leaving, and desperately rushed towards the stands, wanting to keep them there.

However, when the first guy rushed up, the Veela, who were originally aloof like goddesses, suddenly changed their expressions drastically.

A physical change of expression, their faces elongated, becoming bird heads, and scaly wings growing from behind their shoulders, and they spat fire.

They roared at the rushing guy like monsters.

Seeing such a change, this guy who rushed up also calmed down, turned his head with a bored expression, and prepared to return to the stands.

The other wizards also lost their previous fanaticism. Those who should sit down to watch the game sat down, and those who should apologize to their girlfriends went to apologize.

Without anyone disturbing them, these Veela returned to their original appearance. That was just a protective measure for themselves.

After all, turning into that appearance would deter others from rushing up.

Only Ithan was now wondering, are there so many Veela in Bulgaria?

He could gather a hundred of them for a stage performance.

Ithan knew that the Veela were quite widespread in the European division, but their numbers were also quite scarce. Slytherin had also had records of capturing Veela in the past.

But as control became more and more strict, they couldn't catch Veela now.

Should he let them specifically catch some to raise? Putting aside everything else, when he changed to a large castle in the future,

there would be quite a few maids inside. This kind of aloof, red-eyed, silver-haired mature woman's face would be too suitable to wear a maid outfit.

And they should be able to control the transformation, otherwise how would mixed-blood Veela come about?

After all, transforming at a critical moment would scare people.

"They've all left the field, and you're still staring like that. Are they really that good-looking?"

Cassandra patted Ithan on the back. Although she and Penelope could manage not to be jealous,

if he took a fancy to the Veela, and such a group, the numbers were not small.

Fleur and Gabrielle, these mixed-blood Veela, were one thing, but if these were added, would she even get a chance once a year? Thinking of this, Cassandra couldn't calm down.

"Good-looking, but you're still better-looking!"

Ithan casually said a flirtatious sentence to dismiss Cassandra, then put away the Omniocular.

There was no way, Cassandra was just that easy to dismiss. Mastering the method made it easier to deal with her than Hermione.

And next, it was the turn of the Irish Leprechauns to perform.