The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 351 First! First!

The five members of the Magic Academy team were once again divided into two factions.

Twin-tailed and Nine are locked in a fierce battle, and this time Naruko sides with Twin-tailed.

Their second theme was comedy, and if it weren't for Jiu interfering, the twin-tailed couple's comedy might have already been completed.

The Quanmu brothers have always been staunch followers of Jiu Neng.

The two brothers glared angrily at the twin ponytails, believing that the twin ponytails were just causing trouble by jumping out now.

Although the five of them hadn't started arguing yet, the atmosphere was heavy and tense, like a powder keg that would explode at the slightest spark.

Lockhart, who witnessed everything, kept shaking his head: "This can't go on. The Magic Institute team must make adjustments in time, otherwise they will become the bottom team."

Upon hearing these words, the students of the magic institute could no longer remain seated.

"Tokugawa is a cancer!!! We strongly demand she get out!"

"Yes, Yua Tokugawa is a cancer in school, and the Tokugawa family is a cancer in Japan!"

"Nonsense! You bastards, didn't you see that it was Kuno who targeted Lady Tokugawa first?"

"Could you even go to school without the Tokugawa family? Have you no conscience?!"

The noise escalated, and the students of the magic institute split into two factions!

They were the disciples of Genya, the red-robed wizards, and the young wizards who used shikigami magic.

They shirked responsibility, passed the buck to each other, hurled insults, and their angry faces were flushed red.

It looks like a fight could break out at any moment!

Students from the other four schools watched the drama unfold, exclaiming that they had never seen anything like it before – infighting was brewing, and they were about to start fighting!

What's even more ridiculous is that Professor Genya, who was leading the group at the magic institute, not only didn't try to comfort the students, but instead encouraged the red-robed wizards to criticize the students who used shikigami magic.

Genya was eager for the Magic Institute team to lose the match so he could use the twin-tailed girl to sabotage the event and target the Japanese Ministry of Magic.

He didn't take his students seriously at all; to him, they were just pawns in his scheme to overthrow the magic of shikigami.

The magic center instantly became precarious. Yu Shenghe rubbed his temples, thinking, "This team is not easy to lead!"

"If they need my help, I won't refuse," Professor McGonagall said kindly.

As a professor, she hopes to see her students achieve academic success, regardless of gender or nationality.

But the magic team ultimately disappointed Professor McGonagall.

The five contestants had a long-standing grudge, and once they broke off relations, they never intended to let bygones be bygones.

Finally, under Hanyu Kafu's forceful command, he reluctantly forced a smile and began to cooperate.

The timer ticked by, second by second.

With the creative experience gained in the first half of the competition, the contestants gradually became more adept in the second half.

As the timer began its ten-second countdown and the audience counted down together, all five teams completed their creations.

Looking at the world they had created, they were overwhelmed with emotion and tears welled up in their eyes.

"five!"

"Four!"

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

Lockhart and the audience counted down to five together, then he clenched his fist and shouted, "Time's up! Match over!!!"

"You did it!"

"You've successfully completed the competition, and I can't wait to see your world."

Lockhart was as happy as if he were a player himself.

"Before we begin the judging, let's welcome the judges."

Lockhart reached out his hand toward the professors' table, and the four principals stood up from their seats. Nicolas Flamel also sat in a recliner and swayed as he walked to the competition venue.

Without a doubt, they, along with the two judges and Diana, were the judges for the first round of the competition.

Eight people in total, with warm smiles on their faces, walked among the contestants.

Throughout the entire process, Lockhart and the audience applauded, and people knew that the exciting moment had arrived.

"OK," Lockhart gestured for the applause to stop, then said loudly, "Contestants, let's begin the judging. Let's see how the judges evaluate your worlds."

Professor McGonagall stepped forward first: "I've observed your creative process the whole time, so let me give a summary."

"In the first half of the game, both the Hogwarts team and the Wizarding Academy team were far ahead."

"Demstrand struggled to find a way in, while Beausbatton had a creative idea but encountered an unexpected problem."

"The Ifamoni team appears to have the best luck, but they have actually fallen into a trap."

The contestants listened attentively to Professor McGonagall's speech, recalling the scene at the time.

"In the second half of the game, things took a turn. You got two opposing themes, which meant you had to create a reversal in the world."

"Hogwarts team still completed the creation the fastest, and without any flaws or loopholes."

"And incidentally, they've given us a magical show. Honestly, I think if there's any natural disaster, it'll be this blizzard. And if anyone can stop a natural disaster, it'll be Moriarty."

A thunderous cheer and applause erupted, and the Hogwarts students believed victory was in their grasp!

The other judges exchanged opinions in hushed tones and nodded in agreement.

"Looks like we've got our first place?" Lockhart asked the judges at the opportune moment, a smile on his face.

"Yes, first place, without a doubt, is Hogwarts!"

Tonks smiled, and Charlie waved to the little lions in the stands. The young wizards instantly erupted, chanting Moriarty's name.

The other athletes came over and shook hands with Moriarty.

Moriarty accepted congratulations from the Ilfamoni, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang teams, but coldly rejected the Magic Institute team.

This scene caused the audience to scream wildly and received widespread praise.

"Yes, the twin-tailed girl forcibly took away Mr. Jericho's good friend, so how could he shake hands with the Magic Institute team members?"

"Stop saying anything, Japanese students are not worthy."

Lockhart had a hard time calming the cheers in the crowd. "There are still four teams left. The competition isn't just about winners. Quiet down. Oh, what energetic young people."

After a while, Professor McGonagall continued her comments.

"Magic Team...you've gotten into unnecessary internal strife. This is greatly hindering your use of magic," Professor McGonagall said seriously, her scrutinizing gaze sweeping over the Japanese players.

"A wizard's bad mood even gives his spells a musty smell."

"In your world, tragedy and comedy cannot be combined, like a split earthworm, no longer the same one, but two."

Professor McGonagall's assessment was quite fair, but the Japanese contestant clearly didn't take it to heart, still thinking about how to kill his opponent.

"I personally despise teams that fight amongst themselves; it's punishable at our school," Mr. Dawn stated clearly.

Brian and the other four nodded naturally, clearly indicating that Dawn was not lying.

Dumbledore stepped forward and said slowly, "We all agree. The Magic Institute did a good job in the first half of the game, but the second half was really disappointing."

Finally, he asked, "Principal Hanyu Kafu, what do you think?"

"I agree with your point of view," Yuzuru Kaze nodded, then glared at the five members of the Nine-Nature Group. "These guys are too arrogant to understand unity. It's time for them to learn a lesson."

Dumbledore's eyes flashed. Is pride really the reason for disunity? Heh.

However, he remained calm and turned to Lockhart: "Host, we've made our decision."

Lockhart understood and announced loudly, "The judges unanimously decide that Team Magic is in fifth place!"

Boos and jeers instantly filled the sky.

There were five teams participating, and the Magic Institute team won fifth place!

Students from the other four schools were all grinning from ear to ear.

The Japanese students did not refute this; their attention was more focused on their own people, and infighting began again.

Lockhart wiped non-existent sweat from his brow and, after another round of persuasion, brought the situation under control.

"Beauxbatons," Professor McGonagall's expression softened, "your amusement park is very eye-catching. I'm sure many people would like to try out such a large toy."

The Beauxbatons students in the stands laughed heartily: "Yes~"

"It's full of French romance," Professor McGonagall commented, "but the turning point is a conspiracy!"

"The unscrupulous merchant smeared poison on the toys, and every player was poisoned."

Diana replied, "We could never come up with a more insidious plot than this."

Michaela and his group of five chuckled awkwardly, then heard Dumbledore's kind voice: "This won't be criticized at all; on the contrary, it's a highlight, because you've perfectly captured the theme and used a potion in a unique way."

"Yes, potions!" Mrs. Maxim said with a smile, "very similar to how Krum uses alchemy."

"The Durmstrang team's turn of events was quite interesting," Diana gave a thumbs-up to the five players from Krum. "A wedding was about to end, and just as the groom was putting the ring on the bride's finger, he suddenly discovered that she was a devil!"

"Oh, Merlin, if I were the groom, I would be terrified," Dumbledore said with a laugh.

Principal Dawn shook his head and laughed, "If I were the groom, I would go crazy."

"Michaela's potions and Krum's alchemy have both brought highlights to their respective teams, now things are a bit complicated," Diana said, resting her chin on her hand.

"Let's bring in some expert judges." Dumbledore made way for him, and the recliner wobbled out, revealing Nicolas Flamel.

Wow!

"The big names are here," Lockhart said, setting the mood.

Nicolas Lemaître looked toward the Durmström playing field, his gaze fixed on the "ring" in the "groom's" hand.

"Hmm... an alchemical ring, a bit rough around the edges. It's clear you're just starting out in alchemy," Nicolas Flamel said with a chuckle to Krum. "But it doesn't matter. Its functionality is undeniable. It accomplished its task admirably, and that's enough."

"Thank you for your comments, Professor." Krum bowed slightly, a sincere smile on his face.

"Looks like second place is decided," Lockhart said with a smile. "It's Durmstrang!"

"Without a doubt, Beauxbatons are third!"

Michaela lowered his head somewhat dejectedly. He was ambitious and determined to defeat Moriarty, but he couldn't even touch the hem of Moriarty's shirt and was instead defeated by Durmstrang's team.

"Although Team Ifamoni has already moved into fourth place, I'd still like to hear your comments on them," Lockhart said to the judges.

The judges looked at each other and then handed the right to speak to Dumbledore.

"The Ilfamoni team fell into the trap first," Dumbledore patted Brian on the shoulder, "but you quickly adjusted and came from behind when the new theme arrived."

"Especially the suspense designed by James, it's incredibly captivating! If this were a story, I'd want to keep watching, you know?"

"But you've fallen too far behind. One highlight isn't enough. The top three teams each have two or three highlights or strengths, and that's something you need to improve."

"We understand, Professor. Thank you for your guidance." Brian and the other four looked at Dumbledore earnestly.

"What a heartwarming scene~"

Lockhart exclaimed emotionally, "The first round of the competition is over. In the 17 hours of competition, I believe that not only the players have grown a lot, but the audience, myself, and all the professors have also gained valuable experience."

"I'm getting more and more excited for the next match, how about you guys?" Lockhart pointed the tip of his wand at the audience, and he was met with deafening cheers.

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