Due to the sudden jolt, many students lost their balance. Fortunately, Albert's assassin heritage included knowledge about sailboat dynamics, allowing him to steady himself and catch Ellse Perry before she fell. Others clutched nearby fixtures to regain balance, but one unlucky student ended up sprawled on the floor.
Luckily, the lounge had no windows; otherwise, someone might have been thrown out. This incident clarified why it took time for students from the other two schools to disembark during the Triwizard Tournament.
After tidying their appearances, the students followed Professor Sprout out of the carriage. Albert heard murmurs of awe from his peers. Most had only ever seen Hogwarts and considered its majestic castle unparalleled. However, upon witnessing the grandeur of Castrobruso College, they realized their experiences were limited.
They stood on a plateau beside a river, which curved below and flowed turbulently. Surrounding them was an endless jungle, shrouded in a light mist, giving the impression that the plateau floated among the clouds.
Castrobruso Institute, situated on this highland, was constructed from golden stone. The tall, square buildings resembled ancient South American temples, gleaming under the sunset.
Albert noticed students in green robes observing the Hogwarts Express with astonishment. This mutual curiosity during the opening ceremony deepened the understanding between the two schools.
Led by two professors, the students lined up and approached the welcoming committee. Albert and his peers drew their wands, holding them upright before their chests in salute.
After two Hogwarts students presented gifts, Castrobruso's headmaster delivered a welcome speech. Thankfully, as anticipated, English was commonly used at Castrobruso, making the speech comprehensible. Occasional comments from the local students confirmed their fluency in English.
Following a series of speeches, the headmaster announced a welcome party in the dining hall, hoping the guests would enjoy the meal.
Albert felt rejuvenated, his jet lag dissipating. He noticed the student opposite him also appeared more energetic. It seemed no one was particularly fond of lengthy official speeches.
Perhaps due to the time difference or the exhausting journey, the Hogwarts students entered Castrobruso's Great Hall feeling drowsy.
Upon sitting at the table, the aroma of spices from the dishes revived everyone. Since the school term hadn't started, only a few student representatives and professors were present, leaving the auditorium relatively empty. Of the six rows of tables, only the ones nearest the stage were occupied.
Despite the limited number of dishes, as the headmaster mentioned, this was merely a temporary welcome; a formal banquet would occur at the start of the term. Nevertheless, the quality of the food was exceptional.
For instance, the roasted Amazonian fish before Albert was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside and tender inside. It was garnished with local fruits, offering a unique and sweet flavor, surpassing the bland sea fish of Britain. Importantly, the fish bones had been meticulously removed, making it easy to eat.
Other dishes included local-style barbecue, various fruit pies, and more.
Additionally, some traditional British dishes were prepared for the guests. However, due to cultural differences, these dishes were somewhat unconventional—like fish and chips and the infamous haggis.
Overall, the dinner was sumptuous, and Albert felt genuinely welcomed by Castrobruso.
After the meal, the Hogwarts contingent returned to their temporary quarters—the carriages of the Hogwarts Express stationed on Castrobruso's grounds. Albert noticed the red engine was missing. Professor Sprout explained that it had returned to Britain to transport students and would come back at the end of the exchange.
Back in the common room, Professor Sprout informed everyone that with Castrobruso's term starting on September 1st, the next two days would be for free interaction with student representatives. She encouraged everyone to showcase their abilities and uphold Hogwarts' reputation.
Acknowledging everyone's fatigue from the time difference, Professor Sprout concluded her speech promptly, urging students to rest. Albert bid goodnight to Ellse Perry, entered his dormitory, organized his belongings, and soon went to bed.
However, perhaps due to exhaustion, Albert struggled to fall asleep. He decided to enter a deep meditation, allowing his soul to access the Emerald Dream for rest.
Upon entering the Emerald Dream, Albert found himself in a smaller square of Castrobruso College. More intriguingly, he wasn't alone. In the center stood the headmaster and several students beneath a totem pole absent in reality, engaged in conversation.
Possibly because outsiders rarely accessed the Emerald Dream, and Albert, attuned to nature, could easily conceal himself, they didn't notice his presence. Seizing the opportunity, Albert quietly left the square.
Outside the square, Albert pondered that Castrobruso might possess methods to enter the Emerald Dream, enhancing their affinity with nature and explaining their excellence in magical plant studies.
Reflecting on the solitary tower representing Hogwarts in the Emerald Dream and comparing it to Castrobruso's magnificent structures, Albert realized his understanding of the wizarding world was limited. The novels he'd read in his previous life only scratched the surface. To truly comprehend this world, Albert recognized he had much to learn.
This revised chapter incorporates the specified name changes and maintains the original narrative's integrity. If
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