As the group lingered near the entrance, a blonde witch standing nearby noticed them. Her gaze paused on Vid before she gracefully walked over.
"Mr. Vid Gray?"
The witch said, "The judges are all to be seated at the judges' table, and Chairman Fontana instructed me to escort you there. I am Elise Vanderbilt."
Elise nodded slightly, her movements smooth and natural, her posture upright. Her earring on one side gently swayed, reflecting a fragmented yet dazzling gleam.
"Hello, Miss Vanderbilt." Vid asked, "May I know where my companions will be seated?"
"Just call me Elise," the blonde witch said kindly, "Additionally, the chairman has reserved the best-viewing boxes in Area A's front row for each judge's companions. Your name is on the table in the box."
"I'll take them," Selena offered.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Miss Goldstein," Vid said.
Moody snorted, "…We're not lost children."
Before parting, he pointed at Vid with his hand, "Kid, keep your wits about you once you get there, keep your eyes sharp, and ears alert! If anything feels off, signal me right away!"
Before setting off, they had agreed on how to warn of danger, using the magic wand to emit different colors of sparks to represent various meanings.
Although Vid felt Moody's safety measures might mostly be unnecessary, such comprehensive arrangements did add a sense of security.
He nodded, saying, "Of course, I remember everything you said before!"
"Hmph, better be the case," Moody murmured, seemingly satisfied with Vid's response, though his tense expression did not relax.
Lupin also patted Vid on the shoulder, expressing everything without words.
Then the group temporarily separated, with Vid and Elise going to the judges' table, while the others followed Selena to the audience seats. Moody's magic eye swiveled within his head, his gaze constantly following Vid's back until he reached the judges' table beside Professor Morry.
…
The presence of eyes on his back was quite clear.
Vid moved his shoulder slightly unnaturally, and Elise immediately looked over.
"I heard this is Mr. Gray's first time in the United States, and I wonder if you're finding it comfortable here?" Elise asked softly.
"Aside from the weather being a bit muggy, everything else is alright. It's already quite cool in London these days."
"Ah, I've heard that the British talk about the weather when they meet… indeed they do."
Elise laughed, "I have a British pen pal who also often complains about the local climate, always saying it's sunny one moment, raining the next, causing her a lot of trouble."
"That's how it is," Vid nodded, "So we're used to carrying an umbrella when we go out. But… a British pen pal?"
"Yes, mentioning this, I have to thank Mr. Gray…" Elise said.
"Thank me? Why?" Vid asked, "Is your pen pal someone I know?"
"No… I don't even know her name, I only know she's a girl."
Elise covered her mouth, laughing softly, "Over a year ago, I tied a few sheets of the Friendship Book to some albatrosses drifting from the south and had them deliver this special mail to any wizard they fancied, asking: Would you like to be friends with me?"
"A few days later, I received the first reply from a stranger. Isn't it interesting?"
"I see." Vid understood.
Elise nodded, "Yes, so I have to thank Mr. Gray—if it weren't for your invention, I wouldn't have met such lovely friends, nor could I communicate so easily—sending an owl across the ocean would tire it out."
From ahead, a faint conversation from the judges' seats could be heard. Elise stopped, looking at Vid, and handed over a page from the Friendship Book, saying:
"Being able to meet Mr. Gray in person is my honor. If you need any assistance during your stay in America—like sourcing some uncommon materials or needing to consult some books and references, or if someone is troubling you—please do let me know, and I will do my best to help you."
The weight of such a promise made Vid raise an eyebrow in surprise, "You are…?"
Elise smiled, "My family is one of this competition's sponsors, so please believe that I'm not making baseless promises… To be honest, I requested to be given the role of receiving you this time."
"Oh?" Vid glanced at the embossed sheepskin paper, cocking his head to look at her, asking, "Then, Miss Vanderbilt, if you help me, what will it cost me?"
Elise shook her head, "If there's a cost, then it's not help, but a transaction… And, just call me Elise."
After she finished speaking, she slightly bent over, quietly turned, and walked away.
Vid watched her walk away before heading towards the judges' table. Before he even got close, he heard an all-too-familiar voice boasting with pride:
"…Oh, yes, it's an absolutely genius idea. I never thought the Daydream Curse could be used this way! I bet you've all experienced the Daydream Quill?"
"But that's just the start. If you could see his Spirit Language Quill, you'd truly know what talent is! And the kid succeeded on his first try! Even using such a high-sensitivity material as Forest Fairy's Hair!"
Professor Morry continued to boast non-stop, and the judges in front of him were almost rolling their eyes to the sky, trying several times to interrupt him, but were unable to stop him.
Vid reflexively rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.
As he hesitated, the African judge from Uagadou saw Vid and immediately waved, speaking in heavily accented English, "Your student is here, Morry."
Professor Morry turned to see Vid, paused his praise, but couldn't tuck away his beaming smile.
He cleared his throat and beckoned, "Come on, Vid! Show these self-important guys what true genius is!"
Vid had already begun to stride forward, but after hearing Professor Morry's words, he wanted to turn and run.
Eventually, Vid stepped forward, bowing respectfully, "Good afternoon, Professor Morry. Good afternoon, Ms. Picquery, gentlemen."
"Very good, very good," Professor Morry patted Vid's shoulder forcefully, his voice loud, "See, Clarence, Silas, this is the most outstanding student I mentioned to you! You may all know him, but you might not be aware—"
He stretched the words, emphasizing, "Vid comes from a non-magical family! He's been exposed to magic for less than half a year and already created something like the Friendship Book—let me ask you, who can achieve that?"
"Enough already, Terence, you peacock!" Ms. Picquery said with a slight smile, "We're all aware of how astonishing this child's alchemy talent is, there's no need for you to flaunt like an ostentatious peacock."
She gazed at Vid, smiling warmly, and extended her hand proactively, saying:
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vid Gray. A pleasure to meet you... I'm Seraphina Picquery."