Summer vacation.
Most students would be playing with friends or enjoying a long-awaited trip home. Mirabel Beresford, however, was not doing anything typical of a student. She was doing something extremely strange.
With a biology book in one hand, she stared at a glass terrarium designed for keeping animals. Around her were several beakers and flasks, and she wore a white lab coat instead of her usual robes, with glasses perched on her face.
Inside the case were several toads, and for some inexplicable reason, they were engaged in the mysterious behavior of incubating chicken eggs. This was an action Mirabel had forced them to perform using the Imperius Curse, but to the untrained eye, it seemed completely meaningless.
"Um, Miss... What does this mean...?" The masked man standing beside her, Quirinus Quirrell, asked cautiously.
Mirabel flipped through the pages of a book and pressed it into Quirrell's hands. What was shown there were various cases related to basilisks.
"Apparently, there was once a dark wizard in Greece called 'Herpo the Foul.' According to his research, eggs laid by roosters and hatched under toads produced abnormally powerful, gigantic serpents. Unlike ordinary snakes, these serpents could kill or petrify others merely by looking at them, earning them the fearsome title of 'King of Serpents.'"
"What?! No way...!"
"Exactly. All these eggs are basilisk eggs."
Mirabel reached into the glass case and took out one of the eggs.
"However, this one is quite troublesome. To become a basilisk egg, several conditions must be met. For example, the egg must be laid by a male rooster, not a female, and the age must be exactly seven years."
"Oh, male? But males..."
"Ah, if you try the normal way, they won't lay eggs, of course. That's why we used magic to genetically modify them and force them to lay eggs."
First, Mirabel had attempted to create a basilisk according to the ancient texts. However, to meet the absurd condition of a rooster laying eggs, she had to intervene. Therefore, Mirabel subjected the roosters to extreme modifications and forced them to lay eggs.
As an aside, the mother... or rather, father... couldn't withstand the brutal experiment and died after laying the eggs, becoming Mirabel's lunch. But that was irrelevant.
"Are you planning to mass-produce basilisks?"
"Yes. The problem is the deadly gaze, but we can train them to keep their eyes closed most of the time. Fortunately, basilisks don't have heat-sensing organs, but they have a keen sense of smell. Even if their vision is blocked, it won't be too inconvenient."
She returned the eggs to the case. The toad jumped onto the eggs as if it had been waiting for this moment.
"You should wear glasses too. If you make eye contact with a newborn basilisk and die, it won't even be a funny story."
"Yes... but is it really safe through glasses? I heard that Moaning Myrtle died..."
"That's a magical device I made as part of my alchemy practice. It's a pair of glasses that grants the effect of a blindness charm. When it detects magical power, it automatically activates the charm without sending any images to the wearer's vision."
As she explained, Mirabel looked at the eggs. There was still no sign of hatching, and there was no guarantee that a basilisk would be born. She continued making minor adjustments, but all she could do now was wait for the results.
As she went about her work, a rattling sound came from the fireplace. It seemed that a visitor had arrived.
"Quirrell, I'll leave this to you."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Mirabel handed the basilisk egg to Quirrell and headed toward the fireplace. There stood a familiar young girl, Edith Linacre. Coughing and choking, she seemed unaccustomed to Floo travel. She looked around the mansion two or three times, her mouth agape in a dazed expression.
"What are you doing, Linacre?"
"Ah, Mi-Mirabel. No, this mansion is amazing..."
The villa was too luxurious for Edith, a commoner. She darted her eyes around like a country bumpkin, muttering meaningless exclamations like "Huh" and "Wow."
Sighing at her appearance, Mirabel gestured for her to follow to her room. The long corridor leading to it was probably too stimulating for Edith. Once again, she stared wide-eyed at the room.
"Let's practice spells here for now."
"Uh, yeah."
Edith clenched her fist and gathered her resolve. But then, her attention was drawn to something she hadn't noticed before. On the desk that Mirabel must have been using, there were piles of books.
That wasn't unusual, but the covers were completely still, as if they were frozen in place. No, these were definitely Muggle books. They weren't magical books.
"Muggle books? Mirabel, you read those too?"
"Yeah, there's a lot to learn from them."
The books piled on the desk documented various forms of governance in Muggle history. Absolute monarchy, democracy, socialism. Hitler, Napoleon, Oda Nobunaga.
The successes and failures of governance throughout history. Mirabel had gathered them, deeming them necessary.
The upper echelons of the magical world all mock Muggle history, but it is precisely because they cannot use magic that they have to be resourceful. They always look ahead, evolve, and make improvements.
Muggles have no magic. What they have lost cannot be regained. That is why they seek efficiency and think with their heads. That attitude of moving forward despite the sacrifices... that is exactly what the magical world needs right now.
That is why Mirabel was studying their history.
But the magical world is stagnating. They keep practicing inbreeding to preserve pure-blood wizards, and the incompetent rise to power through blood alone, making no progress at all.
Just look at how most pure-bloods are now related to each other. It's clear how their numbers have dwindled and how they've hit a dead end.
It's a foolish story. Even the fact that they would have gone extinct long ago if they hadn't accepted Muggle-borns doesn't stop them from turning a blind eye.
They accept only the bare minimum, making no effort to progress or escape the dead-end. Worse still, Voldemort is on a path of regression.
Someone must break this mad cycle.
"Hmm, a Muggle book, huh... Wait, there's something tucked inside."
"Oh, it's a ticket I used as a bookmark."
In response to Edith's curious gaze, Mirabel pulled out the paper she had tucked into the book. It read, "Quidditch World Cup Semifinal: Japan vs. Ireland."
"Wait a minute! Isn't that a ticket to the Quidditch World Cup?"
"Yes, it is... What's the matter? Are you interested?"
"Of course I am. I stood in line at the shop hoping to get a ticket, but I couldn't get one..."
Tickets for the Quidditch World Cup are extremely popular in the magical world. As a result, there are countless people like Edith who desperately want them.
However, there are also families like the Beresfords who, despite being given invitation tickets, have no intention of going. The Beresford family was one such family.
"Hmm... Then, shall we go see it?"
"Huh?"
"You want to see it, don't you?"
For Mirabel, the World Cup wasn't something that particularly piqued her interest. But that doesn't mean she hated it. If Edith wanted to go, it wouldn't be so bad to go just to kill time.
At that question, Edith nodded happily. "Yes!"
"Then let's go. I think it's today, right?"
Magic practice could wait until tomorrow. The basilisk situation had been resolved, so Quirrell should be able to handle the rest.
Mirabel snapped her fingers, and a few seconds later, a maid entered the room. Her name was Mary, and she was Mirabel's personal maid, brought from the mansion. She was a girl with flaxen hair tied back, looking like a doll.
"Mary, dress this girl in something that won't arouse suspicion from Muggles. The design is up to you."
"Leave it to me."
"Huh? What?"
Confused, Edith was grabbed by the maid and dragged away without a word. After watching this, Mirabel also took off her white coat and opened the closet.
She found a black hoodie and jeans, then snapped her fingers. In an instant, her clothes changed, and the robe she had been wearing was hung on a hanger.
"Miss, it's done."
"Good work... Hmm, I knew you'd shine with a little polish, but you look quite suitable."
Edith had been lightly made up, something she had never done before, and her outfit had changed to a white dress. Her hair was neatly styled, giving her an elegant and refined appearance.
Placing her hand on Edith's shoulder, who was blushing slightly and looking down, Mirabel addressed Mary.
"I'll be going now. I'll leave the house in your care."
"Yes, please go safely."
After being seen off by the maid, who bowed elegantly, Mirabel activated her invisibility spell and flew straight to Japan.
Japan, but not in the city. It was deep in a forest where few people ever ventured. That was where tonight's match venue had been prepared.
Of course, if all the wizards were wearing clothes that would not attract the attention of Muggles, it wouldn't be a problem even if they were spotted, but more than sixty percent of wizards go out in their robes. And because of that, the poor Muggles who happen to see them are forced to have their memories erased.
There were two entrances to the venue, and they were both strange. At one entrance, Western wizards were crowded together, trying to get into the venue first. However, at the other entrance, a group of Asian wizards were lined up in an orderly fashion for some reason.
Edith, who wanted to get into the stadium quickly, could understand the former but had no idea what the latter was about.
"...What are they doing? Hmm?"
"Japanese people are famous for always lining up in any situation. Whether they're Muggle or wizard, it doesn't matter."
"Huh... I guess it's about order or something..."
After showing their tickets to the staff at the entrance, Mirabel and Edith were guided to their assigned seats. The seats were located toward the upper part of the stadium, offering a great view of the entire field.
They passed the time before the game started by purchasing Omnioculars (magical devices similar to binoculars, capable of rewinding and slow-motion playback) and snacks.
Finally, the time came for the teams from both countries to enter the stadium, and the crowd erupted in excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 422nd Quidditch World Cup Semifinal Match! Tonight's match will be the semifinal between Japan and Ireland! First, let me introduce the mascot of the Irish team!"
The voice of Ludovic Bagman, from the Department of Magical Games and Sports, echoed through the stadium. At the same time, two comet-like objects, glowing green and gold, flew into the stadium, circled the sky once, and then flew toward the goalposts at either end.
Then, a rainbow bridge connected the two comets, causing the entire audience to gasp in awe. Continuing their flight, they formed a three-leaf clover in the sky. Finally, a golden rain... no, a shower of gold coins... fell from the sky, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Some rushed toward the coins, scrambling to pick them up, but Mirabel silently grabbed Edith's shoulder.
"They're fake. They'll disappear in time."
"...Ah, ha ha."
Edith, who had been caught off guard by the unexpected shower of gold coins, couldn't help but smile wryly at the fact that she hadn't ended up looking ridiculous. She felt a little sorry for the people who were picking up the coins, thinking they would probably be disappointed later.
"Next up is the entrance of the Japanese team's mascot!"
The Irish mascot was amazing. What kind of amazing mascot would the Japanese team have?
To meet those expectations... and in a way, to betray them spectacularly, what entered the arena was a group of young girls. Each of them wore adorable kimonos and smiled brightly, which was very soothing, but the criminal vibe was overwhelming.
"What the hell is that?"
"That's the Japanese team's mascot, the house spirit. They live in your house and bring happiness... basically, the Japanese version of a house-elf."
This mascot, which makes you want to ask, "What do you think about that?" has sparked mixed reactions worldwide, but it enjoys immense popularity among some fans.
Additionally, athletes from various countries who saw the mascot reportedly remarked in unison, "The Japanese are crazy. They're living in the future," with a look of astonishment.
Upon hearing this, Edith couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Continue! Athlete introductions! Please give them a warm round of applause! Ireland National Team! Connolly! Ryan! Troy! Mullet! Moran! Quigley! And... Lynch!"
The athletes entered one after another, riding brooms, as the audience cheered. All the brooms were Firebolts, and both the riders and the brooms were top-notch.
"Japanese team players entering! Taro! Masato! Hayato! Ranger! Sasuke! Satoshi! Takashi!"
The Japanese team, slightly smaller than the Irish team, entered and lined up in a row. After waiting, the Quaffle, Bludgers, and Snitch were released into the stadium, and the match was ready to begin.
"Alright! The match begins!"
In the next instant, Edith lost sight of the players' movements for a moment. Fast! Just plain fast!
The Chasers threw the Quaffle so quickly that it was impossible to tell who had it. The Beaters exchanged Bludgers at an insane speed, moving back and forth at a pace that left afterimages.
It was impossible to target the players anymore; they were just blurs, and it was all too incredible.
The Seekers, Takashi and Lynch, maintained a hair's breadth between them while engaging in a dogfight, chasing after the Snitch.
This was a level of intensity far beyond what was seen in school matches. However, high-level matches between skilled players can either drag on or end quickly. That is Quidditch.
And this match was the latter! The fact that both Seekers were already moving was proof of that!
The Beaters from both teams hit the Bludgers, aiming for the Seekers. But the two Seekers spun in midair, avoiding the Bludgers without slowing down at all. They then reached out for the Snitch in front of them at the same time.
"...!"
Edith forgot to breathe as she stared intently at the players' movements, and then Lynch from the Irish team leaped off his broom!
A single misstep would have meant missing the Snitch and being slammed into the ground... a brutal move! A decision born of sheer determination to win!
Lynch crashed into the ground, took a roll, and tumbled. Slowly getting to his feet, he raised his right arm, which held the Snitch, and let out a triumphant roar.
In an instant, the entire stadium erupted into a deafening cheer. Edith couldn't help but stand up and shout along with everyone else.
Meanwhile, the defeated Japanese team angrily pounded the ground and gathered in one spot, tears streaming down their faces. And in a fit of madness, they set fire to their own brooms, causing them to burst into flames.
"What the hell are they doing?"
"Oh, you don't know? The Japanese team is famous for burning their brooms when they lose."
"That's scary."
This was likely an expression of the Japanese spirit of honor in defeat. However, it was also an action that was criticized for wasting wood, but for now, the Japanese team showed no signs of stopping.
Watching this, Edith muttered, "Japanese people are so strange..."
"So, how was it? Did you make any good memories?"
As the match ended and the audience began to leave their seats one by one, Mirabel asked Edith. In response, Edith replied with a satisfied expression.
It was fun... Yes, today was fun. She had watched the match with her friend, and though the game itself was short, she had seen the intense back-and-forth of professional competition with her own eyes.
"Yeah, absolutely! I'll never forget today!"
"That's the best. To create a Patronus, you need as many happy memories as possible."
Edith's eyes widened at the casual remark. And finally, she understood why Mirabel had brought her here.
"Could this also be part of learning Patronus magic?"
"Of course. We wouldn't just waste time playing around, would we?"
Mirabel smiled slyly, and Edith gave a wry smile. I see, that's why she was so kind. But if I think about it, bringing her to this match was also part of her magic training.
"You're something else..."
"From tomorrow on, I'll be strict. Be prepared."
Saying that, Mirabel stood up. It was probably time to return using the Disapparition spell.
Feeling the touch of her hand on her shoulder, Edith smiled and said, "Mirabel."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"..."
In response to the greeting, Mirabel remained expressionless, closing her eyes and lifting the corners of her mouth. Without replying, she activated her Disapparition technique.
Feeling a pulling sensation, Edith thought: From tomorrow onward, I should be able to create a more reliable Patronus...
***
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