Fleur's expression darkened as she listened to her classmates. She had to admit, they were correct. Hogwarts and the East were forces Beauxbatons simply couldn't defeat. Their power was overwhelming. How could they possibly prevail?
Fortunately, victory wasn't their objective; they were present to gain valuable experience. Fleur and her companions possessed a crucial strength: self-awareness. They understood their limitations. Withdrawing early had been the wisest decision.
She turned her attention back to the projection.
In the brief moment she'd looked away, the East and Hogwarts had locked into fierce combat. Both sides employed every tactical advantage available. Since mastering magic, Hogwarts' physical limitations had vanished. Their enhanced strength allowed for devastating close-quarters engagement, while their spells rained destruction from range.
Just as Erwin had predicted, the Eastern side currently maintained an advantage in raw physical power. However, Hogwarts dominated in spellwork. Their proficiency, combination casting, and overall mastery were far superior. In this regard, the East couldn't match them.
It was a stalemate, and the spectators watched with bated breath. The corridor had become a kaleidoscope of explosive light, walls scorched and floors frozen solid by errant hexes.
Sunny Finch was actively establishing impromptu formations—crude but effective at wearing down the opposition. Meanwhile, Charlotte, relying on her formidable magical reserves, unleashed a relentless barrage of spells. Both tacticians had reached the same conclusion: they ignored direct confrontation with each other, targeting the opposing ranks instead. In a war of attrition, the first team to lose a combatant gained a significant advantage.
Erwin surveyed the scene, his gaze eventually settling on Harry Potter. The battle had raged for over half an hour, and as expected, the "Chosen One" was the weak link. Harry's magical reserves were depleting rapidly.
Just as Erwin anticipated, after casting one final spell, Harry's face went pale. He staggered, his knees buckling.
Sunny Finch's eyes flashed with recognition. "Concentrate fire on Harry Potter! His magic is depleted!"
The Kunlun students didn't hesitate. They pivoted, wands raised, targeting the exhausted boy directly.
"Harry, retreat!" Charlotte shouted, her face grim with concern.
Harry scrambled backward, but the volley of spells was too concentrated. Cedric Diggory threw himself in front of Harry, deflecting curses, but the sheer force drove him back several steps, his arm trembling from the strain.
Seeing the gap in the defensive formation, the other Hogwarts students rushed to reinforce it. Charlotte rejoined the line, their combined efforts barely holding back the onslaught.
Harry hung his head. "I'm sorry, Charlotte. I'm a liability."
"Save the apologies!" she snapped. "Recover yourself!"
Harry nodded frantically, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing two glowing magical crystals. He clutched them desperately, attempting to restore his magic.
Sunny Finch's jaw dropped. Cheating.
She recognized the crystals instantly—Erwin's creation. They were designed for rapid magical restoration. No one could win a war of attrition against a supply of those!
Erwin's expression soured. Is the boy an utter fool? Revealing them so openly was completely absurd.
Erwin had provided Charlotte with those crystals out of favoritism; he didn't want Hogwarts to lose, and he certainly didn't want Charlotte's reputation tarnished. He had instructed her to use them if absolutely necessary, but he hadn't expected Harry to display such profound lack of tactical awareness.
Charlotte looked stunned. He just... revealed them in front of everyone?
Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, the Kunlun elder's eyes widened. "Professor Dumbledore, is this permitted?"
Dumbledore felt a rare flush of embarrassment. For the first time, he questioned whether Harry was truly the prophesied savior. Was it possible Neville was the boy destined for greatness?
Sunny Finch fired a spell, her voice ringing out. "Erwin! You owe us an explanation!"
Among the spectators, confusion reigned until one wizard explained the nature of magical enhancement crystals. The crowd erupted in murmurs. Harry Potter had committed a grave tactical error.
Erwin sighed heavily.
He waved a hand. The crystals in Harry's grip vanished into thin air.
Erwin's voice cut through the chaotic battlefield, calm but authoritative. "Magical enhancement crystals are forbidden. They disrupt competitive balance. Harry, you will retrieve them from me after the tournament concludes."
Harry blinked, scratching his head in confusion.
Charlotte let out a long, weary sigh.
Sunny Finch, satisfied that fairness had been restored, rallied her disciples. "Attack!"
Harry finally comprehended his mistake. It wasn't that he was inherently foolish, necessarily—but being the primary target had induced panic, leading to a moment of sheer tactical incompetence.