As the evening approached, the first stage came to an unenthusiastic end.
It had indeed started with a bang, delivering shock all across the board, whether it was the candidates or the audience, all succumbing to the sudden use of Muggle weapons… in the Forbidden Forest.
Of course, the dangerous magical creatures had played their parts as well, adding to the tension and enhancing the level of danger by another notch.
However, it was the tricky, hidden criteria to pass, other than reaching the Checkpoint as publicly declared before the beginning of the first stage, that had garnered the most attention.
Another thing that should have caught even more attention, not outright, but gradually over time, was the assigning of Muggles to the candidates.
The first stage had not only filtered the cream of the crop, with the potential of becoming exceptional wizards and witches and… officers in the upcoming war, but it had also highlighted how ill-suited the wizarding populace was when it came to interacting with Muggles.
By showing the helpless and terrifying side of Muggles, Lord Black Phoenix had wanted to convey that nothing but full, willing cooperation between the wizarding community and the Muggles could give them an edge in the coming war; that they not only needed to protect the innocents on both sides, but they also needed to combine their powers to take down a bigger, darker, and crueler enemy.
Sadly, the arrival of the triangular ship stole that spotlight, occupying all minds even till deep into the evening when the first stage ended.
The wizarding populace would still realize the true purpose behind Dumbledore's choice of using Muggles and their technology in the first stage once the shock and curiosity related to the new ship had died down.
But it would take time.
And Dumbledore didn't like that. Not one bit.
"Professor," Madam Villanelle said, standing next to him. "It's time."
Dumbledore took his gaze off the sky and looked at the mass of people that had gathered on the vast, empty field.
Nine out of ten candidates had succumbed to the Muggles' attack in the Forbidden Forest.
It didn't matter if one was from the Junior or Senior group, either.
There were candidates from the Junior Group who had managed to block the first bullet by sheer luck before falling to the second. There were candidates from the Senior Group who had never even realized what had happened before they lost their senses, getting kicked out of the first stage.
Lord Black Phoenix looked at no one in particular, but his gaze did linger on Percy Weasley and other seventh-year students from different Schools, who had their heads down, half in shame, half in anger.
"Complacency exacts a price like nothing else," Dumbledore said, his voice echoing far and wide. "You might think that if you had been aware of the danger, then you could have done better. I do not doubt that you would have done better, exceptional talents of your generation, as you are.
"However… rarely does danger announce itself before falling upon us. Today, it came in the form of Muggle technology that can work even in a magical environment, defying the ancient myths and facts. Tomorrow, it can come from… outside."
Hearts sank as necks craned, all eyes landing on the objects hanging in the sky, blocking the stars.
"Move past the age-old stigmas," Lord Black Phoenix guided, bringing a smile to his face. "Like it or not, the two sides of our world, Wizards and Muggles, are in the same boat. There are innocents on both sides, just as there are threats. We must work together and step toward nothing but total victory, IF we want to see peace… IF we want our loved ones to survive…"
Fists clenched as the wizards looked at the Muggles gathered in a group on one side.
None remained here who actually abhorred the Muggles' presence among them. However, it wasn't like they had particularly cared about them, either, finding them an unsophisticated but curious bunch of people.
That… was a way of thinking they needed to move past.
Dumbledore let his words and their meaning sink in before he spoke again.
"New Professors of Muggle Studies," he said, making everyone look toward him once again. "Not from among us, but… from Muggles. Scientists, as they are called. For the remaining semester, they will be assigned to all Schools in the Order of Black Phoenix to familiarize you with the potential and dangers related to Muggle technology and how to utilize that knowledge for the Order's benefit. Like all other subjects, Muggle Studies will be… practical as well, affecting your overall grades, no matter if you are in your first year or seventh."
Dumbledore took a last look at the triangular ship, still not hearing back from the Half-Deep One.
Then, he looked at Madam Villanelle and found the same restlessness in her eyes, too.
Which meant the Order of Immortal Lotus hadn't replied to her queries, either.
Anger welled up in Lord Black Phoenix's heart, but he smothered it, the rotten, corrupt fingers of his right hand twitching inside the glove.
Instead, he took a deep breath, broadening the smile on his face.
"Now, it's time to announce the winners," Dumbledore said. "Before that, let me tell you that the Intercontinental Tournament will have only two stages. The second stage will be held at the end of this semester, allowing you to focus on your studies and training with ease. Which means… all those who have passed the first stage are going to the finals and can vie for the Tournament's rewards."
Whispers, cheers, grunts, and gasps rang all over the open field.
Those who had lost couldn't help but scrunch their faces even more, realizing how lucky the winners were.
Because, unlike the last tournament, the reward wasn't a mere trophy, but… something extremely unique — the fastest broom in the world, as claimed personally by Lord Black Phoenix!
"Let the announcement of winners be the countdown to the second stage," Dumbledore said, unrolling a scroll. "In the first place, clearing the first stage of the Intercontinental Tournament the fastest, is…
"Arlen Black, from Hogwarts."