The contestants stepped up to the stage one after another, each showcasing an alchemy work. The potency and practicality varied, but the visual effects were universally stunning, eliciting gasps from the audience.
The last contestant was a man with short golden-brown hair who, after demonstrating a ring of fire, quickly jumped off the stage. The audience, not realizing the competition had ended, looked around for the next person to take the stage.
Just then, a vibrant and penetrating voice resounded throughout the venue, instantly drawing everyone's attention:
"Wow! What an amazing performance! Ladies and gentlemen, and our dear audience in front of the cameras, did you all see that?"
The spotlight swung over to the high platform where Chairman Krupp had stood earlier, now occupied by a wizard in his thirties. With an exaggerated smile, he waved his arms and loudly said:
"Let's give another round of applause to all the alchemist masters who just gave us incredible performances!"
He was the first to start clapping vigorously, prompting the entire room to erupt in applause.
"I am your old friend—William Harris! I've commentated on twenty-three Quidditch matches and am also a less-than-stellar alchemist!"
Harris spoke rapidly: "Ah, though I haven't achieved much in alchemy, today, I'll provide the most passionate and professional commentary throughout the event!"
"What? It seems that dear Headmaster Fontana is glaring at me! He must be doubting my skills. Yes, I barely passed alchemy back in the day, but at least... oh, I can help those who have never been involved in alchemy understand—what our contestants are actually doing!"
Harris winked, his booming voice full of infectious excitement even when self-deprecating, prompting laughter from the audience.
"Alright, alright, folks, I know you're all eager for the competition to start! Honestly, so am I!"
"But for now, the participants who just finished their performances need a little preparation, so we'll have a short break! You can relax and discuss your favorite performance with the person next to you!"
He playfully winked, saying:
"Don't wander off for too long! In fifteen minutes, the main event will kick off, and the real contest is about to begin!"
"—Who can conquer the judges with wisdom and magic power? And who will lift the trophy symbolizing the highest honor? Let's use our eyes and become part of the judging process! I'm William Harris, and we'll be back soon!"
He made an expansive bow, and the lights on the commentary stage dimmed. Meanwhile, the venue's lighting became softer and brighter, with a cheerful melody starting to play.
The buzz of conversation in the audience grew more animated, with people standing up and eagerly discussing all they had just seen.
Although the performers who took the stage didn't waste words, with about two to three dozen people performing in sequence, even if each only took a few minutes, the entire session still lasted one or two hours.
So when William Harris announced the intermission, many people immediately stood up and headed quickly to the restroom.
Professor Morry patted Vid on the shoulder and said, "Let's go. There's a restroom dedicated to judges on the left of the chairman's platform."
"Huh?" Vid was taken aback, "I'm not..."
"Are you sure?" Judge Silas Hawthorne blinked, "Keep in mind, the next session might not be short..."
Professor Morry continued, "While the audience can go to the restroom anytime, it would be disrespectful for us judges to leave our seats while contestants are performing, so it's best to go beforehand."
Several senior judges seemed to have the same thought, as Ms. Picquery also picked up her small handbag and slowly headed to the left of the chairman's platform, accompanied by Abdullah and Fontana.
Vid silently sympathized with the bladder weaknesses of the elderly, then stood up compliantly.
...
The path back didn't intersect with the audience area. As Vid wiped droplets of water from his hands and mentally organized the inspiration from the performances, he looked up to find a figure silently appearing ahead.
The man was standing at the side of the corridor, browsing through a Transfiguration Technique magazine.
He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray robe, his deep chestnut hair slicked neatly, closely adhering to the scalp. A deep vertical wrinkle lay between his brows, his lips were pressed in a tight line, and prominent nasolabial lines marked either side of his mouth.
Vid paused his steps slightly.
At this time... the presence of an outsider in a corridor where they shouldn't be, and conveniently blocking half of it, was too suspicious to seem unintentional.
Is he here for me... or is he looking for Ms. Picquery?
As he pondered this, his feet didn't pause again.
When Vid approached, the man raised his head and said, "Mr. Vid Gray?"
"Hello?" Vid looked up at him, speaking in a questioning tone.
"Hello, I am Alderich Kubit, Deputy Minister of the Magic Congress's Security Department," the man said, forcing a smile that was more or less friendly, though somewhat stiff.
"Nice to meet you. I hope the alchemy performances weren't dull for you?"
"Certainly not," Vid replied politely, "The performances were fantastic, and I learned a lot."
Kubit's smile, curiously reminiscent of Professor Snape's, curled slightly, "You're too modest. For someone like you, who invented the Poppet, these works are probably like children's toys, right?"
Vid raised an eyebrow, asking, "The competition is about to start, and I have some things to do... If you don't mind, Mr. Kubit, I'd like to return to my judging seat."
"Oh, of course, sorry for the interruption." Kubit stepped aside, slowly saying, "I just heard... that Mr. Gray seemed to have some security concerns about our event, so I came specifically to reassure you..."
Vid looked at him, eyes meeting the other's gaze unflinchingly.
Kubit leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice as though sharing some important internal information, saying:
"Rest assured, the security level for the tournament is the highest. We've committed unprecedented resources to protect our dear alchemists."
"We might have overstepped slightly, which is why Mr. Gray might feel uncomfortable, but I assure you... everything we've done is to ensure the event is foolproof and to prevent tragedies like the Quidditch World Cup."
His eyes flickered briefly as he said this.
"Thank you for your efforts," Vid said evenly.
"You're welcome; it's our duty," Kubit straightened up, his face regaining a formulaic smile, "Well then, I won't keep you. I wish you an enjoyable time in the United States... I believe we will meet again soon."