Fleur picked up a yellow candy and popped it into her mouth, and her eyes lit up immediately.
"Delicious."
"That's Fizzing Whizzbee," Kael said with a grin. "One of the bestsellers at Honeydukes. If you like it, I'll send you some more after term starts."
Fleur was just about to nod but suddenly thought of something, furrowing her brows. "Sorry, I didn't bring any gift for our meeting."
This time she'd come with a competitive mindset, so naturally she hadn't thought about bringing any presents.
She just hadn't expected Kael to be so easy to get along with—so modest, and without being charmed, he even took the initiative to give her a gift.
That left Fleur feeling a bit awkward.
"No worries, you can make it up next time we meet." Kael waved his hand with a smile, and casually slipped the box back into his bag without making a scene.
"Alright, if we see each other again I'll definitely make up for this gift."
Fleur nodded, "And when term starts I'll send you some special candies from France—you'll love them too."
...
The entire exchange and behavior between the two was taken in by Maxime, who stood to the side watching.
She nodded slightly, and the smile that had faded from her face gradually appeared again.
After all, they really were just twelve-year-olds—even though he'd resisted Fleur's special charm talent, after a while, he'd still get a little nervous.
Look at that, they're already giving gifts now.
Though she hadn't managed to whisk him off to Beauxbatons on the spot, it was at least a solid start.
Besides, if this Kael kid hadn't reacted at all, that would have been truly worrying.
The Magic Realm never lacked young wizards with talent, but those with both talent and a mature mind were extremely rare.
She'd previously thought, if that big event really was going to happen, should she set an age line to exclude Kael?
But now, thinking about it, there was no need to go out of her way. Just let things run their course.
Seeing the two about done with their conversation, Maxime didn't bother with the endlessly chatting McPhail nearby anymore.
She walked over, purposely keeping a stern face, and said, "I didn't expect Dumbledore to tell you about that matter.
Revealing strictly confidential news to a student—this has never happened before."
"What matter?" Kael blinked, looking confused.
Maxime stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "Not bad, you really do have good discretion."
"Remember, that matter is still strictly confidential. It's good enough that only you know—if anything leaks out, everything could fall apart."
Kael was even more confused.
But Maxime went on, "Looks like you've guessed Fleur will be participating— that's why you said you'd meet again.
But you're not wrong, Fleur will definitely take part."
Kael's mouth hung open.
He really wanted to tell Maxime that, just now, he was just being polite and didn't mean anything by it.
It's like saying 'I'll treat you to a meal next time'—that sort of half-truth, half-joke way people talk.
A few candies, he had plenty, and they weren't worth much anyway—why would anyone make a big deal about them?
But very quickly, Kael realized what Maxime meant.
The Triwizard Tournament!
Strict secrecy, Fleur definitely participating... it could only be that.
But wasn't the Triwizard Tournament supposed to start in two years? Why were they discussing it this early?
Thinking this, Kael kept his face completely expressionless.
Maxime lowered her eyes, grumbling in annoyance, "It's all that coward Karkaroff's fault. We were almost at an agreement, but after hearing what happened at Hogwarts, he got freaked and hid himself away.
So what if it was just a poltergeist—what's there to be scared of? That Death—"
"Olympe!"
McPhail suddenly said loudly, "There are children here!"
"Sorry..." Maxime fell silent for a moment. "I just don't understand what on earth Durmstrang is thinking, making a coward like him headmaster."
"Well, maybe Karkaroff really does have something important," McPhail mused. "Didn't he say he's taking a kid to try out for the professional Quidditch team?"
"And you believe that?"
Maxime scoffed. "Even if the kid is a Quidditch prodigy, is it really worth the headmaster himself escorting him all that way? And to someplace so far...
Since when did Durmstrang care so much about Quidditch? I always thought their broomsticks were for shoveling snow!"
"Maybe… they've changed."
"So we're just going to keep waiting?" Maxime said angrily. "We'd settled everything—hold it next year.
But now? Who knows how long it's going to be stalled!"
"There's nothing that can be done," McPhail shook his head. "Karkaroff represents Durmstrang. If he's not present, the whole thing has to be postponed."
"Hmph…" Maxime let out a chilly snort.
Irritated, she took it out on McPhail. "Don't just stand there, weren't you off to brew a Magic Potion? I'm still waiting to see what you manage!"
"Sorry, you know, I suddenly don't want to—"
Before McPhail could finish, he realized his feet had left the ground.
Maxime grabbed him by the collar and, like picking up a chick, carried him easily toward a room behind the hall.
"Wait, what are you doing, let go, let go! I don't want to do it!"
McPhail struggled desperately, but the size gap was just too big—in the end, he was dragged into the little dark room.
Fleur stared, completely dumbfounded, as her worldview fell to pieces.
In the hearts of all Beauxbatons students, Ms.Maxime had always been the epitome of elegance and composure.
She'd never imagined that their most perfect etiquette professor could ever act so… rough.
"Don't be surprised, child."
Nicolas finally put down his popcorn and said with a smile, "Those two are old friends—in private, of course they're irreverent with each other. It's easy to understand.
You'll see the elegant Olympe again when you return to school.
Oh, and remember to keep it a secret for her."
Fleur nodded mechanically.
"Want to come along and see?" Nicolas said with a friendly smile. "McPhail seldom shows off his magic potion skills—it's a rare opportunity."
"Really?"
"Of course, no problem at all."
Nicolas led Kael and Fleur toward the room, but as soon as they reached the door, a chorus of banging and clashing sounds came from inside.
Kael and Fleur immediately looked at Nicolas Flamel.
"Oh, you don't need to worry at all."
Nicolas, as if used to it, said calmly, "Just give them a moment—they'll be fine."