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Chapter 418: Sage Mode!!
"I advise you—keep that key yourself.
If you hand it to Fudge, your life will only become more miserable."
A cold, arrogant voice cut in.
Lucius Malfoy.
Holding his cane, he stepped slowly into their box.
With a mocking smile, he added,
"Weasley wouldn't seriously try to trick a child into handing over something this valuable…
All so he could curry favor with the Minister for a tiny promotion, would he?
After all, your family is so poor that you all have to squeeze together just to live."
His words dripped with venom.
Darren immediately showed anger.
"Don't insult Mr. Weasley!"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
Lucius opened his mouth—
Then closed it.
Finally, he snorted.
"Hmph. Believe whatever you want."
His sudden retreat surprised Mr. Weasley.
But Mr. Weasley quickly pulled Darren back.
"Darren, it's alright… don't listen to him.
But what he said this time is correct.
That key is too important.
You must keep it.
If you give it away, the Federation will blacklist you…
And then Fudge will bully you without restraint!
Don't give it to anyone!"
Mr. Weasley's tone was unusually serious.
Darren nodded immediately.
If Mr. Weasley had really wanted to give the key to Fudge—
He would have rather destroyed it.
Of course, all of this only existed in his mind.
On the surface, he still looked hesitant and conflicted.
He turned toward Lucius again.
"Thank you for reminding me.
I apologize for losing my temper earlier.
But I also hope you apologize to Mr. Weasley.
Mocking someone's family background…
Is not the behavior of a noble."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
Lucius sneered.
"Sorry."
His tone clearly carried no sincerity.
Still, he flashed a thin mocking smile at Mr. Weasley before leaving.
When Darren turned away, Lucius silently mouthed a curse at Mr. Weasley.
Mr. Weasley nearly exploded.
He was about to stand up—
But then Fudge entered again.
That snapped him back to his senses.
Minister Fudge walked in hurriedly and warmly grabbed Darren's hands.
"Oh my dear Darren!
I heard you received the Union Key.
This is wonderful!
Britain finally has a voice in the Federation again!
It's a great honor for our entire magical community!"
Darren mentally rolled his eyes.
After closing his "power struggle quest," Fudge suddenly treated him like his biological father.
Darren sighed internally.
Politicians were the same everywhere.
The Quidditch World Cup was finally about to begin.
The cheering drowned out Fudge's voice.
He had no choice but to retreat and promise Darren they would talk after the match.
Darren nodded.
Privately, he thought:
With so many Death Eaters preparing to act…
Fudge would soon have no time for flattery at all.
"Ladies and gentlemen…
Welcome to the 422nd Quidditch World Cup—"
Ludo Bagman's magically amplified voice echoed throughout the massive stadium.
Darren leaned back in his seat.
Harry leaned close and whispered excitedly,
"Darren… you're amazing."
His eyes were filled with admiration.
Darren smiled softly.
"Brother, I'm only a little smart.
I can never protect the world.
Only you can.
You're the one who truly deserves that key."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
Harry opened his mouth—
Then froze.
His eyes moved past Darren.
His jaw slackened.
A thin thread of drool appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"…Wow."
Mr. Weasley gasped.
"Veela!!"
Darren turned.
They were dancing.
Veela—beautiful beyond description.
Their beauty wasn't just appearance.
It was instinctive magic.
Every movement, every glance enslaved the mind.
Darren admitted they were stunning.
But he remained clear-headed.
When he looked around again—
Harry and Ron were completely lost.
Like two enchanted zombies about to leap over the railing.
Even several grown men beside them looked the same.
The Malfoys, however, remained composed.
Their expressions changed—but their control was firm.
Pure-blood vitality had its advantages.
The only people smiling calmly were Hermione and Ginny.
They were clearly pleased to see Darren unaffected.
At last, the dance ended.
Harry and Ron finally returned to normal.
"Brother, Ron!
You're alright!
I thought you had been poisoned by some new potion!"
Darren said anxiously.
Harry tried to respond—
But his eyes were empty.
His soul looked like it had been cleansed out.
This was pure Sage Mode.
Darren nearly burst out laughing.
He wished he'd brought a camera.
If he had taken photos during that moment—
Selling them to Rita Skeeter would probably have funded his retirement.
Gold coins suddenly began raining from the sky.
Darren was briefly tempted—
Then remembered.
They were fake.
World Cup charm money.
It disappears after a while.
Still, he picked two up out of curiosity.
The texture gave it away immediately.
Brittle.
He snapped one in half—
It dissolved into mist.
Magic construct.
Ron suddenly shoved a pile of gold into Darren's arms.
"Here! Take more!
Harry and I were worried.
You gave away all your money—
One day you won't even be able to eat!"
Darren froze.
"…Ah."
He struggled not to tell them—
These were fake.