"Roar——"
Like the flame-jetting fire from a Fire Dragon, the surrounding air was twisted by the high temperature, but the figure ahead was instantly swallowed by the Compass, with only a few strands of hair slightly curling in the heat.
Outside the circle, there were tall stands, already filled with spectators. Besides the students of Hogwarts, there were also many officials from various countries' Ministries of Magic, and some teachers and students from eleven different magical schools.
On both sides of the stands, large Flow Mirrors were set up, showing the process of the Champions being sent away by the Portkey to look for the Golden Egg.
Additionally, dozens of small blue birds fluttered up and down around the field, capturing the scenes of the competition and broadcasting them to the world.
Even though the fog obscured the view, and people could not see Vid passing by the Hebridean Black Dragon, the magical effect prevented the white fog from spreading around the Compass.
Therefore, everyone saw the scene—a young boy shot out from the cloud-like mist like an arrow, nearly turning into a phantom, swiftly and decisively slapping the Compass.
Behind him, flames with destructive power swept forward, ultimately still a step too late, futilely burning the air.
After a brief silence, the crowd's emotions erupted, and a tsunami-like cheer rose from the entire audience.
The Ravenclaw girls abandoned their usual reserve and poise, jumping and screaming excitedly, "Did you see that? He did it! He really did it!"
People who had been so tense they were nearly suffocating were now celebrating with joy, whether they were from Ravenclaw or not, and even if they weren't Hogwarts students, at this moment they all stood up, waving their arms, clapping vigorously.
Some students hugged each other tightly, faces full of pride and glory, and someone shouted loudly, "He's the first one! Vid is the first one!"
Bagman stood on the commentary platform, his round face filled with excitement and exhilaration, as if he himself were on the field, his booming voice resonating throughout the space—
"Unbelievable! Hogwarts' Champion Vid Gray is the first to break through the Fire Dragon's obstacle, and unscathed! This is—oh, my God—"
A chorus of gasps and piercing screams erupted from the crowd.
On the field, the other six Champions still combating the Fire Dragons were somewhat distracted by the cheers from the stands, involuntarily glancing towards the Compass.
At that moment, Arjun from Mando was hit by the Fire Dragon's tail, his whole body flung out like a sandbag.
Several gruesome gashes were left on his chest, blood splattering, and his Magic Wand was knocked out of his hand, making it look like he had lost consciousness.
At the same time, Isabella from Castelobruxo failed to completely dodge the dragon's flames, half of her body engulfed in fire, Persevering through immense pain to finish the last stretch, collapsing onto the Compass, disappearing instantly from the spot.
"Isabella—"
The shrill screams of her friends echoed from the stands.
On the other side, another student from Castelobruxo named Arthur was also among the leading contestants, battling the Ukrainian Ironbelly, and upon hearing the screams, Arthur instinctively looked in Isabella's direction.
In the heat of battle, a moment's distraction could be fatal.
The Ukrainian Ironbelly, with its vicious and alert nature, seized the opportunity, its long tail suddenly stabbing forward, piercing directly through Arthur's belly.
If it weren't for the wizard nearby who intervened with a Magic Wand, diverting the tail at the last moment, it would have pierced straight through the center of his chest.
In the blink of an eye, three Champions were severely injured, and while there had been screams from the stands, all sounds vanished at that moment.
Some people couldn't help but cover their mouths, tears immediately streaming down, murmuring in terror, "That's terrifying..."
Fortunately, the Ministry of Magic's prepared rescue teams acted swiftly, immediately getting the two severely injured students out of the field, signaling as they left, indicating that both were still alive.
Bagman was dazed for a moment, blinking before regaining his composure upon seeing this scene.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we just witnessed some accidents on the field; Mando Academy, Arjun Rajput eliminated! Castelobruxo, Arthur Faria eliminated."
"It's unfortunate that these two contestants had the potential to compete for the championship, but now their challenge must end here."
"Thanks to the Auror rescue team from the Ministry of Magic and the St Mungo's medical team, the Fire Dragon did not deal fatal damage to our Champions; they'll receive timely treatment."
"I think everyone knows now—every match is a life-and-death trial, and the Champions must be more cautious and give it their all—oh, Castelobruxo, Isabella Santos eliminated!"
The spectators focusing on the field hurriedly shifted their gaze to the Flow Mirrors, having already missed Isabella collapsing.
They only saw Vid crouching beside the unconscious girl, picking up her Magic Wand to signal giving up, and then an Auror suddenly appeared to take Isabella away.
"Vid Gray didn't go for the Golden Egg, but instead knocked out Isabella?" someone reasonably guessed.
Another student immediately retorted loudly, "Didn't you see the burns on that girl's body? She must have fainted from the injuries!"
Most people weren't hung up on the reason for Isabella's elimination, instead anxiously following the three remaining Champions attempting to pass the Fire Dragon, worried about the next potential injury.
Few paid attention to the scene on the Flow Mirrors—in the dark, complex environment, only Vid Gray was searching for the hidden Golden Egg. Such an activity of "finding things" was nowhere near as thrilling as fighting dragons.
...
Regardless of whether it's an old boot, badge, or the so-brightly shining Compass, if it's a Portkey, the feeling of being transported is never pleasant.
After Vid steadied himself, he immediately felt a completely different atmosphere.
He found himself in an unusually spacious, dark, and cold place, the ground covered with thick moss, walls crawling with vines, and two passages on either side, looking like they were there for him to choose a direction to proceed.
The openings of the passages were pitch-black, with all sorts of strange noises emanating from within, wind, water, low murmurs, gnawing sounds, and the noise of chains dragging on the ground.
The faint growling carried over after multiple reflections and echoes, sounding like whispers from Hell.
If not for seeing the columns almost dissolving into the darkness above, with giant serpent sculptures coiling around them, Vid would almost not have recognized it—
This was no unfamiliar place, but Slytherin's Chamber of Secret, where the Basilisk once resided.