"Thank you, Wade, for that excellent Spell idea."
From the teachers' table, Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with delight. "Twenty points to Ravenclaw."
No sooner had he spoken than a pleasant tinkling sound came from the blue-bronze gem funnel of the giant hourglass. A string of sapphires fell, instantly making Ravenclaw's hourglass a little taller than the other three.
"Yes!" Professor Flitwick clenched his fist, then looked left and right, feigning a cough. As he lowered his arm, he couldn't resist shifting his body twice, giving Wade an appreciative look.
Beside him, Dumbledore drew his Wand and waved it. The ceiling, which had been flashing with lightning and thunder, instantly transformed into a clear starry sky, with ethereal, silken auroras occasionally streaking across it.
No one knew who started it, but applause suddenly erupted in the Great Hall, first sporadic, then gradually growing enthusiastic. Some even clinked their forks against their plates.
"Well done, Wade!" Fred shouted.
"Exactly!" George echoed. "It's worth it even if your hair turns into a Blast-Ended Skrewt!"
Many burst into laughter.
Professor Dumbledore waited patiently for a moment before clapping his hands, and the laughter in the Great Hall quickly subsided.
"What a delightful interlude. I'm pleased our evening will now be dry and comfortable. But now, let us continue with the most important ceremony of the night."
The new students, who had been excitedly clapping and cheering just moments before, instantly tensed up, becoming nervous.
On the high stool, the Sorting Hat opened a wide seam, coughed twice, and began to sing in a booming voice:
"It was over a thousand years ago, when I was first woven into form. There were four great Wizards, whose names live on to this day…"
Michael nudged Wade's arm and whispered, "What's going on? You've never been this high-profile before."
Wade mused for a moment, then countered, "The Magic School League—don't you want to compete?"
"Of course, I do," Michael said without hesitation, then changed his tone. "But I also know that with my skill level, I'd probably just be there for the fun of it. But if it's you… oh, you're not trying to scare off potential competitors, are you?"
"No such luck," Wade said. "I just want to ensure that when I become the Hogwarts Champion, no one questions my eligibility to compete."
"Who would be so foolish?"
Michael thought for a moment, then added, "The rules are different this time. If there's a team competition, don't take on any dead weight just because you want to look after someone. Older students are more reliable…"
His gaze swept across several long tables, and he picked out a few names. "Cedric, the Weasley Twins, and Slytherin's Miles Bletchley are all quite good. As for our house, there's Roger Davis."
"It's not time to worry about those things yet," Wade said. "Besides, if there really is a team competition, what matters most isn't Spell proficiency, but whether our abilities complement each other and if we're willing to cooperate. I can't entrust my back to someone I don't trust."
Michael struggled for a moment, then nodded. "You're right."
Loud applause erupted in the Great Hall again—the Sorting Hat had finished its song, and Professor McGonagall began presiding over the Sorting. Everyone's gaze turned to the new students.
"Oh my," Wade heard a girl beside him murmur to herself. "They're so small!"
Wade unconsciously nodded.
When he was sorted, he hadn't felt particularly short. But now, sitting on the side, he felt like the first-year students looked like a bunch of little radishes, their faces showing varying degrees of nervousness and fear.
"Stewart Ackerley!"
A trembling boy walked over, sat on the stool, and put on the grubby hat.
"Ravenclaw!"
Applause broke out at the long tables, and Wade clapped along. When the child excitedly looked at him, Wade smiled gently and nodded.
"I bet," Michael muttered, "all these first-years are your admirers."
"As long as they don't chase me for photos," Wade said with a smile, his lips barely moving. "I don't have Harry's patience."
During the Sorting, the two didn't whisper anymore. After the ceremony finally ended, the feast began.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Dumbledore made more announcements, such as various prohibited items and the usual reminder not to enter the Forbidden Forest.
Several new rules were also added, such as not being allowed to use the Engorgement Charm on insects or Magic Golems outside the maze, not being allowed to use Magic Golems for gambling, and not being allowed to use the Book of Friends or Communication Peas in class.
From the teachers' table, several gazes swept over Wade repeatedly, but he pretended not to notice, focusing intently on the Headmaster, as if Dumbledore were speaking some golden rule.
Next, Dumbledore introduced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Moody. The students were so stunned by his peculiar appearance that they even forgot to applaud.
Then, Dumbledore announced the Magic School League involving eleven magic schools, which, as expected, ignited the entire Great Hall.
"Any student may sign up, but this does not mean you can rashly throw yourselves into danger. The tasks remain extremely challenging, and to ensure participants do not meet a tragic end…"
Dumbledore's gaze swept over the excited, expectant faces, noting some children instinctively showing fear, and then looked at those students whose expressions remained unchanged.
Wade met his gaze for a moment, secretly clenching his fist.
Dumbledore continued, "—there will be a very impartial judge responsible for selecting participants with the appropriate Magical Power from the applicants."
"Delegations from the other magic schools will arrive in October and spend most of this academic year with us…"
"Did you notice?" Michael turned to Wade, saying meaningfully, "Dumbledore didn't say how many Champions each school would select."
"Aside from Quidditch, most Wizards don't have much experience with teamwork," Wade said objectively.
"But we do," Michael said. "In the maze games, we're already used to working with all kinds of classmates."
"Yes," Wade said, looking at him. "So if other schools knew that, they'd be even less likely to agree to team competitions."
"So it's still just the best one from each school?" Michael frowned. "That would give older students an even greater advantage, at least their Magical Power is stronger…"
At that moment, Dumbledore announced the end of the feast, and students pushed back their chairs and headed for the door.
"Wade!"
A hand reached out from a gap in the crowd and clapped Wade on the shoulder.
Anthony Goldstein smiled. "When we get back, can you stay in the common room? I have something I want to talk to you about."
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