Hogwarts Raven's Claw

Chapter 166 Prelude
The next day, the duel competition was held in the amphitheater.

Lockhart was in the suspended attic above the circular arena doing pre-match warm-up. Perhaps it was because life in Hogwarts was too boring, or perhaps it was because today's games were so topical, the audience seats that were empty during the 12-to-8 match were now filled to the brim.

It must be said that Lockhart was foresighted. The Colosseum was built according to the standards of a 10,000-seat stadium when it was first constructed, otherwise it would not be able to accommodate so many spectators now.

In addition, because Carol's last competition almost resulted in a fatal accident, Lockhart also made some changes to the amphitheater. For example, powerful professors are now arranged around the competition venue. These professors are not just academic type professors, but powerful ones like McGonagall and Snape.

In addition to preventing deaths during the game, these professors will also raise a huge protective shield to cover the entire stadium after the game begins to prevent spectators in the stands from being injured by "stray bullets".

In addition, four huge magic projections are arranged around the suspended attic. These projections will broadcast the players' movements in real time to prevent spectators sitting far away from not being able to see the situation on the field clearly.

And now, the images playing on the four projections were of Lockhart in the suspended attic.

Lockhart changed into a fiery red dress today, with flame-like patterns all over his body, making him look as if he was on fire.

He waved his arms excitedly, pointed to one side of the stands and shouted: "Today! In addition to me, a famous wizard, explaining to you, we have also invited a distinguished guest! That is...

Winner of the Order of Merlin, First Class, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot, the most powerful white wizard in the world, Albus Dumbledore!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the audience looked in the direction Lockhart pointed, and saw Dumbledore in a white robe waving to the people around him. His snow-white goatee was dancing gently in the wind, looking indescribably elegant.

The four big screens also switched to the scene of Dumbledore waving his hand. Today, Dumbledore was sitting in the ordinary audience seats like other students, and the students sitting next to Dumbledore were so excited that they kept shaking. Seeing that their headmaster was also watching the game, everyone in the stands stood up and cheered in the direction of Dumbledore.

The cheers continued, and no matter how Lockhart shouted, the audience could not stop. Compared with Lockhart, their old headmaster was obviously more popular. Lockhart's forehead was covered with beads of sweat. If this continued, the game would not start.

Perhaps seeing Lockhart's embarrassment, Dumbledore in the stands put his wand against his throat and released the Voice Booster Charm.

When everyone saw that Dumbledore was about to speak, they all subconsciously stopped cheering. No one wanted their voices to cover up Dumbledore's speech.

In fact, they worry too much.

"Oh, it seems that an old guy like me is quite popular?" The voice-boosting spell used by Dumbledore was obviously a modified version. Dumbledore's voice seemed to have a kind of magic. Although the volume was not very loud, everyone present could hear it clearly.

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Well, dear students, today's protagonist is not an old man like me, so save some energy for the exciting game to come." Dumbledore said with a smile, "I know you don't like nonsense, so I will now announce that the first Hogwarts Dueling Tournament, the battle for the top four officially begins, let us welcome those warriors with the warmest cheers!"

Looking at the unprecedented enthusiastic cheers from the stands, Lockhart, holding a thick stack of speech manuscripts in his hand, said dejectedly: "Oh my God, I still have a lot to say!"

Lockhart was not the only one who heard the overwhelming cheers from outside the stadium. At this moment, Mike, Cedric and others were waiting for the game to start in the men's lounge. Mike unconsciously clenched his fists when he heard the cheers outside.

"Don't be nervous. Even though your opponent is Carol, you're not bad either." Cedric comforted Mike, "It doesn't matter who wins or loses between the two of you. Friendship comes first, and competition comes second."

Although Cedric looked very relaxed at this moment, his slightly trembling legs still exposed his true mood at the moment.

Mike also noticed this and said with disdain, "Are you cursing me to lose? Sorry, the word 'lose' doesn't exist in my dictionary. Besides, you're the one who's nervous. Look at your legs. They're shaking as much as those weavers."

Hearing this, everyone in the lounge burst into laughter, and Cedric's face turned red. He deliberately suppressed his legs to stop the embarrassing shaking. However, for some reason, the more Cedric suppressed his legs, the more they shook. In the end, Cedric could only hold down his disobedient legs with both hands.

This action caused even more enthusiastic laughter from everyone in the lounge, and the tension caused by the cheers also dissipated for the most part.

Just when everyone was playing in the lounge, the door of the lounge was suddenly opened.

The person who came was a senior student wearing a duel club uniform and glasses. He held a small notebook with the game schedule in his hand and shouted to the people in the lounge: "Mike, Mike Townley, it's your turn to play."

The laughter stopped abruptly and everyone looked at Mike in the corner.

Under everyone's gaze, Mike slowly stood up and walked towards the door. Just as he was about to leave the lounge, Cedric's voice sounded from behind him.

"Mike!"

Mike stopped when he heard the sound.

"I hope to fight you again, so I must win!"

Mike's mouth curled up into a smile, and he didn't look back. He continued to walk forward, and as he walked, he stretched out his hand and made a V-sign representing victory (Note 1) and said, "You are the only one in Hufflepuff. Don't fall here."

Watching Mike's receding back and listening to his usual arrogant tone, Cedric couldn't help but smile.

"This guy really should go to Gryffindor, his personality is simply terrible." Cedric scolded with a smile, "Also, does anyone know what the gesture he just made means?"

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I am such a fool.

Note 1: The V-sign is also called the Scissor Hand. Although this gesture has been used to a cliché in China, it actually contains the meaning of victory. The most famous event about this gesture is the photo of Churchill holding the Scissor Hand. After this event, this gesture quickly became popular throughout the UK, then Europe, and finally the world. Interested friends can go and learn more about it.

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(End of this chapter)