"No, it's just me here." Antoine said with a mischievous smile, "Whether Mr. Grindelwald is coming, and when, is a secret. Even I don't know. Maybe you should ask Gunter Delaine... Oh, I almost forgot, you get along well with Delaine now, right?"
"Not bad, why?" Vid asked curiously, feeling that Antoine was being a bit sarcastic.
"Isn't it obvious? Of course, I'm jealous." Antoine showed an accusing face, "We knew each other first, right, Vid? But now what's this between you and Delaine... some kind of close pen pals? Hm?"
"Come on, are you in elementary school? Just because I'm friends with you doesn't mean I can't be friends with others?"
Vid said, rolling his eyes and casually changing the subject, "I didn't expect you guys would also be interested in the Quidditch World Cup."
"Who wouldn't want to be part of such an event?"
Antoine said as he lifted the tent flap to invite Vid inside, while saying, "However, we also have other purposes for coming here this time."
Vid asked, "I guess that's also a secret?"
"Not really, you've probably already heard about it."
Antoine poured Vid a cup of Earl Grey Tea, sat beside him, and said:
"This competition hosted by Hogwarts is quite something. The British Ministry of Magic is very confident, as if you've already secured the championship. Mr. Grindelwald also wants to take this opportunity to understand the power of magic schools from various countries."
——Various countries?
Vid raised an eyebrow. It sounded like the Triwizard Tournament was no longer just an internal event between the three European magic schools.
"Which countries are participating?" Vid asked.
"Huh? You don't know?" Antoine asked in surprise, "Didn't Hogwarts give you some kind of crash course? Does Dumbledore have a better option?"
Vid: "..."
He looked at his counterpart, blinked, and remained silent.
But his silence was the most direct answer.
Antoine burst out laughing, "Haha, you didn't know! Is this some kind of... a 'keep the surprise until the last moment' joke? I know several schools' students have been in special training all summer!"
Vid slowly said, "I know there used to be a Triwizard Tournament, where Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang would select a student every five years to compete."
"But due to the high death toll, the Triwizard Tournament was forced to stop and hadn't been revived for centuries."
"From what you said, has this event been revived? And they expanded the participating schools?"
Antoine rested his chin in his hand, smiling, "Your Minister Fudge indeed wanted to revive the Triwizard Tournament initially. Also, because of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, he specially invited the Ilvermorny School."
Vid recalled the ship loaded with Umbridge and many Ministry of Magic officials sailing from the UK to the US.
Antoine continued, "And then Castelobruxo and Uagadou somehow heard about it and also wanted to join to prove their strength."
"Especially Uagadou... you know they claim to be the largest and most populous magic school, with a long history and great reputation, so they've always wanted to challenge Hogwarts, as your school is called the best magic school in the world."
"Ilvermorny received the invitation, and Japan's Magic Institute naturally got the news too—they said they wanted to witness the European wizards. But as far as I know, it's their students who trained the hardest during summer."
"At this point, the news couldn't be kept secret at all. So Codostorians, Salem, Mando, and Akadim also sent word hoping to participate."
"It's said professors from these schools even went to Hogwarts to inspect the environment, so why do you guys, being the nearest, not know?"
Faced with Antoine's question, Vid was momentarily speechless, unable to understand why the British wizards managed to collectively keep silent on such matters.
It's just like the Hogwarts sorting ceremony, where everyone goes through it, yet the kids only find out at the last moment that the sorting only requires wearing a dirty hat.
"Isn't this like the Olympics between magic schools?" Vid thought about the chaotic scene to come and sighed, "Will they all be coming to Hogwarts then?"
"Definitely," Antoine said enthusiastically, "Since historically the Triwizard Tournament was Hogwarts' turn to host, the main venue for this competition is at Hogwarts—so Vid, do you have confidence?"
Vid: "...Sounds troublesome. Can I not participate?"
"Of course, I'll say 'yes,' anyway, Hogwarts' honor has nothing to do with me," Antoine asked, "But if your school loses, can you bear the shame?"
Vid: "..."
Antoine patted his shoulder, saying, "Since you compared it to the Olympics, you surely understand, this is a stage beyond war and politics, where everyone wants to showcase their strength."
"The benefits for the winning school and country aside, at least for five years, the champion becomes the biggest star in the magic world—even decades later, just mention their name, and wizards in foreign lands will know who you are!"
Vid tilted his head uncomfortably and said, "Don't say it as if the champion is definitely me... Even at Hogwarts, there are many excellent students, let alone wizards from other countries."
Not to mention, even Cedric, Vid didn't think he'd lose to him.
The only exception was Harry. Even if that kid only mastered Expelliarmus, Vid wasn't sure who the victory would belong to.
The Savior favored by destiny, when the time comes, the entire world seems to help him.
"Have a little more confidence in yourself, my friend," Antoine said, "Mr. Grindelwald thinks highly of you. During the competition, I'll also go to Hogwarts. If you need any help, I'll do my best to assist you!"
Vid frowned unconsciously and said, "If I need your help to win, what would be the point of that victory?"
Antoine laughed heartily, "Silly boy, do you think others participate in the competition openly? Except for Dumbledore who insists on fairness and following the rules, other schools will do everything to help their students win!"
"Vid," Antoine collected his smile and looked deeply at Vid, "you should know Mr. Grindelwald's expectations of you. He has never been this lenient with anyone else. So..."
"Consider this a request... don't disappoint him, and don't disappoint us, okay?"