harry potter book of crimes

Regardless of whether it is actually reasonable or not, at least for the spectators present, the content of the first night's game was undoubtedly quite boring.

Maka and the people from the International Federation of Wizards have planned and planned many events, even taking into account some of the entertainment activities and consumption points outside the venue in detail, but on the contrary, they have ignored the fun of the game itself.

In short, no matter how important the research value of alchemy is, for ordinary spectators who come to watch the game, "whether the game is interesting" is obviously the most important thing.

Therefore, as far as the result of the night is concerned-compared to watching the process of groups of alchemists converting raw ore into spoons, the suggestion originally proposed by Maca that "some lively performances can be interspersed" turned out to be

The most popular program tonight.

What was originally just a small interlude between matches to relax everyone suddenly became the main content for the guests to watch, which made Maka herself dumbfounded.

"Mr. Hohenheim, I suggest that after this first round of competition, the judging panel should also consider adding some fun to the questions..."

After the first night of competition came to an end, Maka was discussing with members of the judging panel in the coordinating office. Today is the first day of the competition. After actually observing the competition, it is also organized to correct and solve the exposed problems as soon as possible.

What they should do.

"But……"

Sarah's muscular father showed a slightly embarrassed expression after hearing what Maka said.

"Research work is always a boring and simple thing. What we need to get are tangible results...McLean, you are also a researcher of magical knowledge. I believe you can understand what I mean."

Of course Maka could understand what Hohenheim was saying.

In fact, some research results may appear to be extremely eye-catching in the eyes of ordinary people, but the vast majority of research work is boring. For example, he himself only came up with a streamlined magic formula after working at his desk every day to perform deductions and calculations.

The method of slightly changing the incantation can shorten the casting speed of the spell by one or even half a syllable compared with the original.

This kind of work is often very inconspicuous in terms of process and results, but its value is self-evident.

"Yes, I can understand..." Maka nodded, but then shook her head slightly, "But, didn't you just mention to me the helplessness of modern alchemy a few days ago?

"

He paused briefly, then continued:

"I don't know what you are thinking...perhaps the players and the forces from various countries outside the court are all thinking about the legacy of Nico Flamel, but-" he said, "the greatest significance of this game is

, I think it is to rekindle wizards’ expectations for alchemy. I think if we want to increase the number of people interested in alchemy, we must make those children who know nothing about alchemy excited.

!”

"this……"

Perhaps it is true that the name "Nicolas Flamel" has been given too much meaning, so that most people focus on the rewards after the game.

People will always focus on the interests within their reach. For those in power, this competition is a competition for the share of the final inheritance; for researchers, this competition is "contact with those in the

A bridge to the pinnacle of contemporary alchemical knowledge.

But in the face of such huge interests, they often ignore the significance and impact of this competition on ordinary wizards.

Even if Nicolas Flamel really left the elixir of life and even the Philosopher's Stone in his inheritance, does this have anything to do with the spectators who were there to watch?

At least, there is no direct relationship at all.

However, in this world, there are many people who hope that alchemy will rise again. For example, the group of alchemists in Mesopotamia may be one of them.

For another example, the Mr. Hohenheim in front of Maka seems to be one of these people.

"I think I understand what you mean," Hohenheim nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed, we have put too much energy on the alchemy legacy... Well, thinking about it, this game is indeed

It is a very suitable opportunity... I will consider it carefully tonight."

After seeing off the members of the judging panel, Maka sat behind her desk and couldn't help but grinning secretly.

The high-sounding words he just said may sound very righteous, but is he really the kind of person who is willing to consider and contribute to the global magic community?

No, he just followed Nico Flamel's last wish and found a seemingly great excuse to make the competition held at Hogwarts even more grand.

For Hogwarts, the positive impact of this event is definitely the bigger the better. As long as you have the ability and methods, no matter how big it is, it won't be too big.

Just when Maka twisted his neck, loosened his muscles, and planned to walk around the arena again to see if there was any problem, a small black spot suddenly crawled along the uppers of his shoes, trouser legs, and outer robe.

On the back of his hand.

"Well?"

He raised his hand, stared at the little spider on the back of his hand, and then turned his hand and put it into his sleeve.

"Is this coming..."

The next moment, he waved his right hand lightly, and under the influence of the Illusion Body Curse, his entire body completely disappeared.

…

Meanwhile, the Hog's Head pub in Hogsmeade.

Due to the unprecedented momentum of the International Alchemy Competition in the past few days, which has attracted wizards from all over the world to watch and play, Aberforth's place, which originally had far fewer customers than the Three Broomsticks, has already been filled with drinkers.

At present, tonight's game schedule has just ended, and there are still a large number of guests coming to Hogsmeade. I think there will be a new wave of consumption soon.

To be honest, Aberforth has been feeling very annoyed recently because he doesn't want to see so many people at all.

For him, when he took over this bar, he valued the deserted place. In addition, his eldest brother Albus Dumbledore needed a trustworthy person to collect market intelligence, so he became the boss and waiter here.

.

Otherwise, with his bad temper, how would he be able to work in a service industry that requires dedication?

But now——

"...Hey, here's another single malt whiskey with ice."

Outside the counter, an Australian wizard who was already dizzy from drinking was leaning half-lying on the edge of the bar, hitting the countertop with his limp elbow.

Aberforth looked at him with a cold face, his right hand casually grabbed a wine bottle from the wine rack behind him, and his left hand picked up a wine glass from under the bar.

"Bang!"

He slammed the wine glass in front of the other person, and the glass almost hit the tip of the man's nose. If he had moved a little further, the force would have broken the bridge of the drunkard's nose.

After throwing an ice cube into the cup and making a crisp collision sound, the wine bottle in his right hand also poured out amber liquid.

It's a pity that the drunk wizard in front of Aberforth might not be able to enjoy this authentic glass of bourbon barrel single malt whiskey. Because the moment Aberforth poured the wine, he suddenly stepped on

Suddenly, he rolled under the bar and fell asleep.

"damn it……"

Aberforth picked up the glass himself, swallowed the cold and fragrant liquid in the glass, then turned around and stuffed the glass and the ice cubes into the sink.

"...I have already remembered this glass of wine and you as a person. The price you have to pay will not be less than a copper nut!"

After muttering something viciously, he glanced around the bar, his face full of impatience. At the end, he glanced at the ceiling subconsciously, but couldn't help but sigh slightly.

His brother had put so much effort into Hogwarts—even though he had been blaming his brother Albus all his life because of the accidental death of his sister Ariana, the two of them were brothers after all.

Now his brother is gone, as free and easy and arbitrary as the Albus he was back then. As a result, it seems like he has no relatives left in this world.

So, what else can Aberforth Dumbledore hope for?

Just as he was casually thinking about these "philosophies of life" that he had never cared about since he was a child, another head suddenly popped up in front of the bar.

"...Hey, another glass of...single malt whiskey...with ice?"

After coming back to his senses, Aberforth glanced at the other party with a blank expression. It was the drunk Australian wizard who had just fallen to the floor.

"You've finished drinking."

Aberforth said, reaching out and pushing the other person's extended head back.

At this moment, the wooden door of the bar was pushed open from the outside again, and a cloaked figure walked in. Aberforth just looked at it and immediately recognized the not tall figure.

Who should it belong to?

Sure enough, after the other party nodded here, he hurried straight to the inside of the bar. There was a locked door there, and behind it was the stairs leading to the second floor of the bar. The magic above is not something that just anyone can do.

Untied.

But the figure just touched the doorknob, easily opened the door, and disappeared into the crack of the opened door in a flash.

The sound of the door being re-closed was like a small wave in the sea in the noisy bar, and almost no one noticed it.

Aberforth shook his head slightly, then picked up the wine glass at hand and wiped it carelessly.

"That's it," he murmured to himself, "you are already so old anyway, and it will be the same if you die early or later. In this case, why not do something insignificant for these young people..."

The Pig Head Bar seems to be particularly noisy tonight.