Hogwarts: Who uses a crowbar in wizard duels?

Dumbledore continued speaking from the stage, introducing the upcoming Triwizard Tournament, while Kevin ate his meal below.

The Triwizard Tournament is held every five years. Each time, three magic schools select one warrior to represent their respective schools in the competition.

They had to complete three extremely dangerous tasks, with no way out.

In previous Triwizard Tournaments, there have been many instances of injuries and fatalities.

So this is no child's play, but a real life-threatening competition.

"This year, the Ministry of Magic has decided to introduce new rules, which will now be explained by Barty Crouch, Director of the Division for International Magical Cooperation."

As Dumbledore spoke from the stage, several teaching assistants brought in a two-meter-tall golden tower and placed it at the very front of the hall.

Then Old Barty slowly got up and walked onto the stage, preparing to speak.

Rumble!

Suddenly, a thunderclap resounded from the magical ceiling of the hall, and rain began to fall, startling the young wizards into a panic.

A burly man with a ferocious face emerged from the small archway behind the group of professors. His left eye was a demonic eye that was fixed to his face with a fixator.

He is Mad-Eye Moody, this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Moody pulled a wand from his pocket and shot a red spell at the ceiling.

The ceiling, which had been thundering and raining, finally quieted down.

Ron recognized the man and said with a hint of surprise, "It's Mad-Eye Moody! He's an Auror who specializes in capturing dark wizards. I heard he's the one who imprisoned half the population of Azkaban."

Moody, leaning on his cane, limped forward.

The young wizards in the audience looked at him with some surprise or fear, because his current appearance was indeed frightening.

Dumbledore went up and shook hands with him. The two exchanged a few simple pleasantries, and Moody stepped aside to let Barty continue speaking.

Harry and the others noticed that Moody had walked to the side, taken out a water bottle, turned his back, and taken a sip.

I had a feeling that what he was drinking wasn't anything good.

Kevin, meanwhile, was thinking that Mad-Eye Moody might have been switched at this point, and that he was probably holding a Polyjuice Potion, which he was taking sips of every now and then to maintain his Moody persona.

The simplest way to verify his identity is to check it using Marauder's Map.

But now is not the time; Kevin needs him to put Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire.

After taking the stage, Old Barty cleared his throat and spoke.

"After careful consideration, in order to ensure the safety of students, the Ministry of Magic has decided that students under the age of 17 are not allowed to register for the Triwizard Tournament."

His words aroused the indignation of the young wizards in the audience.

"Why should I?!"

"Nonsense!"

"protest!"

The young wizards at Hogwarts all started shouting, and Kevin was no exception; he shouted the loudest, as he too was heading to participate in the Triwizard Tournament.

He actually had a plan in mind, but he didn't know if it would succeed.

"Quiet!!"

Just as the situation was about to get out of control, Dumbledore's booming voice rang out, and after a loud shout, the young wizards quieted down.

"I refuse to accept this!"

Stubborn Kevin shouted again.

Dumbledore gave Kevin a speechless look.

"Kevin, shut up."

Hermione also pulled Kevin back, and Kevin finally calmed down.

Harry and Ron weren't surprised that Kevin wanted to participate. Kevin had mentioned it to them before, and they were very familiar with Kevin's abilities. If he didn't participate, who would?

Finally, everyone quieted down. Dumbledore waved his wand, and the golden tower beside him gradually melted down from top to bottom, revealing an earthen-yellow wooden trophy inside.

An eerie blue flame flickered from the trophy.

"The Ministry of Magic's decision is irreversible. Students who wish to participate in the Triwizard Tournament must submit their names by Thursday night."

"You must think carefully before you shoot. Once you are selected, there is no turning back. You must play the game to the very end."

Dumbledore looked at the disgruntled young wizards below the stage and spoke calmly, leaving no room for argument.

Although many young wizards were still dissatisfied, they knew that the rule could not be changed.

"I have a question!"

Kevin popped up again at this point.

Dumbledore didn't really want to talk to him, but in this situation, he nodded and let Kevin ask his question.

Kevin stood up and asked.

"Can that prevent others from registering?"

As Kevin finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

Do you want to hear what you're saying?

If you can't have it, you plan to destroy it?

"What are you trying to say...?"

Dumbledore had a bad feeling.

"The meaning is simple: if the Ministry of Magic wants to ensure the safety of the students, then so do I."

"Let me set up a barrier around the Goblet of Fire. If someone can break through my spell, it proves their strength is guaranteed, and they will be safe participating in the competition."

"But if he can't get past that, it proves that he's not even as good as me, a little wizard who's not even 17 years old, and he's not qualified to register for the competition."

Kevin said very arrogantly.

"No, Kevin, that's against the rules."

Dumbledore finally understood: Kevin was simply unwilling to accept this. He knew Kevin's abilities were amazing and he wanted to participate, so he was unhappy about being restricted by age.

"Anything that doesn't comply is for the sake of student safety. Being older doesn't necessarily mean being more capable. I dare say that none of the senior students here are my match, including my friends from other schools."

Kevin continued arrogantly.

Harry and the others stared at Kevin in disbelief, unable to comprehend how he could utter such arrogant words.

While Kevin certainly has the right to say that, isn't it incredibly insulting?

Kevin's words, as expected, provoked public outrage.

Before Dumbledore could even speak, Durmstrang's headmaster, Igor, laughed in exasperation.

"Hahaha, Albus, it seems your student hasn't learned any skills yet, but has learned to brag first."

"What utter arrogance and attention-seeking!"

"Leaving aside whether a mere wizard like you has the ability to do that, what qualifications do you have to test my student?"

Kevin nodded in agreement.

"I am indeed not qualified to verify your school's students."

"However, I can issue a wizard challenge to all the students of your school. If they all lose to me, a mere junior wizard, even if someone eventually wins the championship, once word gets out, the wizarding world will only think that this so-called championship is worthless, and the Triwizard Tournament will lose all its prestige and become a joke."

"Oh, of course, you can refuse my challenge, but if word gets out and no one in the whole school dares to accept, your reputation will probably be even worse."

Kevin's tone was aggressive and showed no mercy.

Karkaroff looked rather displeased, clearly annoyed by Kevin's attitude.

He didn't know this guy named Kevin, so he had no idea whether Kevin was bluffing or actually had real strength.

But as Kevin said, if they really have no one to fight them, or if they are completely defeated, then even if they win the Triwizard Tournament, it will only be a joke.

The pride of Durmstrang School also stood up, glaring at Kevin. They felt their dignity had been insulted; someone dared to speak so brazenly as to challenge them all.

Kevin's words made the atmosphere in the hall quite tense.

If there was anyone who was an exception, it was Professor Snape, whose face was full of a relieved smile.

"Then let him try. How much can a little wizard be? He can challenge me or try to stop me, it's up to him. If my student is really not as good as a little wizard, then there's really no need for him to participate in the Triwizard Tournament."

While everyone remained silent, Ms. Maxim, while drinking her wine, spoke elegantly, showing no regard for Kevin.

Hearing Maxim's words, Karkaroff's expression softened. Indeed, no matter how powerful a junior wizard was, he couldn't possibly stop his prized student.

"Hmph, if you're so capable, then come and try. Let's see what tricks you can pull!"

"Kakalov said dismissively."

Dumbledore, standing to the side, was speechless; he hadn't expected Kevin to make things this way.

If you really dare to let him take action, he could really ruin the Three Kingdoms Tournament.

If he can't participate, then nobody else can either.

Dumbledore mentally scoffed.

"Kevin, stop messing around. If this continues, no one will be able to participate."

In the end, Dumbledore decided to try and persuade Kevin to stop his nonsense.

Karkaroff and Maxim's expressions changed. They hadn't expected Dumbledore to have such an attitude. Did he really think that Kevin alone could prevent everyone from participating?

Could this kid really have some special skills?

"Professor, I will not stop my friends from other schools; I will only stop our Hogwarts students."

"If the upperclassmen of Hogwarts cannot pass my spell by Thursday night, then I will represent Hogwarts in the competition."

Kevin's words once again provoked public outrage, mainly from the upperclassmen at Hogwarts.

"Anyone who disagrees is welcome to challenge me anytime."

Kevin looked proudly at the group of indignant senior students and said calmly.

"No, Kevin, I said this is against the rules. The champions of the Triwizard Tournament must be chosen by the Goblet of Fire, not by us."

Dumbledore still did not approve of Kevin's foolish behavior.

"It's simple, I'm the only one who needs to sign up."

"The Goblet of Fire has no choice but to choose me, even if it doesn't want to."

"I still stand by what I said: if you disagree, then I will challenge you all after the competition and see whether you will achieve eternal glory and be remembered by future generations, or be nailed to the pillar of shame and be forever despised by posterity!"

Just as Kevin said, the post-match wizard challenge was not against the rules.

If he defeats the so-called top three warriors or all the students from all the colleges after the competition, then this event will truly become a joke.

Dumbledore didn't even dare to imagine how the Daily Prophecy would smear the three houses if things really developed as Kevin described.

The Triwizard Tournament is a major event in the wizarding world, attracting a great deal of attention, so what Kevin said is entirely possible.

After a long period of contemplation, Dumbledore finally spoke.

"Kevin, there is indeed no rule that says you can't prevent others from registering."

"But the rules of the Ministry of Magic cannot be violated either. I will set an age limit, and people under the age of 17 will not be allowed to enter."

Upon hearing this, Kevin finally smiled.

Dumbledore's meaning is very clear.

You can try to stop others if you want, but if you can't cross my age line, you still can't participate.

"However, one thing must be made clear: private fights between students are strictly prohibited!"

This means that Kevin is prohibited from using force to attack applicants.

He could only use array-type spells, similar to protective spells, to hinder them.

"Of course, I understand."

Kevin nodded and sat down again.

The little lions around him were ecstatic. Kevin had just been so cool; he had really given them, these young wizards who weren't even that old, a huge boost.

Although Kevin did it for his own sake, it didn't stop them from cheering and feeling relieved.

Harry and Ron were no exception; they were very excited.

Hermione knew Kevin's abilities, so she didn't intend to stop him; in fact, she was a little proud.

My Kevin is amazing!

Old Barty didn't say anything. After all, it was a competition between the three schools. As long as they followed the Ministry of Magic's rules and the Goblet of Fire selection, it didn't matter.

If he can truly surpass Dumbledore's age limit and block all other applicants to Hogwarts, then even the Minister of Magic would have nothing to say.

Karkaroff and Maxim didn't care anymore; it was Hogwarts' business anyway, and it wouldn't affect their own students' enrollment.

However, their students were not convinced by Kevin's words and all planned to challenge him later.

And so it went until the banquet ended.