Link was dragged by Krum all the way into Durmstrang Castle.
They didn't go through the main entrance that Beckman had carefully prepared. Instead, they entered through a small side door.
Behind the door was a long, dim corridor.
Compared to the main entrance passage ahead, which was decorated with flowers and magical lamps, this place was so crude it looked like a dungeon.
Perhaps feeling the environment here was a bit poor, Krum explained as soon as they entered, "This is a shortcut to the Quidditch pitch. I'll take you there first. Also, Link, even though this place is smaller and dirtier, it's already much better than before."
"Really?" Link glanced at Krum and said, "I have a pretty good memory. When I came to Durmstrang last time, the corridors I passed through seemed better than this one."
"That's only because the old headmaster never let you see them," Krum said firmly. "They wanted your investment to save Durmstrang, so naturally they hid all the dirty and run-down places and showed you the best parts of the school. In fact, before Headmaster Beckman took over, the passage we're walking through now had already been abandoned because it was too old and worn out.
"It was only because Headmaster Beckman wanted to restore Durmstrang to its peak appearance that this place was cleaned up and reopened. You can trust me on this. I've lived in this school for nearly ten years. There probably aren't many people in Durmstrang who know this place better than I do."
Link nodded without commenting.
Krum didn't continue explaining because, during their conversation, they had already walked out of the passage and arrived at the Quidditch pitch he had mentioned so many times.
The moment he arrived, Link was stunned.
This was extremely rare.
As Link's strength and status continued to rise, his knowledge and experience had also been growing rapidly.
At this point, very few things in the world could surprise him.
Even Sky City at the International Confederation of Wizards had only struck him as interesting.
But the Quidditch pitch now standing inside Durmstrang was clearly an exception.
It wasn't because the pitch was particularly luxurious.
Its biggest feature was actually what Krum had mentioned before, how new it was.
But that wasn't particularly impressive.
Any newly built Quidditch pitch usually adopted the latest technology and equipment to prevent it from becoming outdated too quickly.
Aside from being new, this pitch wasn't very different from Hogwarts' pitch in terms of size or equipment.
What truly shocked Link was the pale blue magical barrier covering the entire stadium overhead.
Protected by that thin barrier, the wind and snow outside couldn't enter the pitch at all.
The temperature inside was maintained at around twenty-two degrees Celsius, close to the most comfortable temperature for the human body.
As a result, the pitch felt like spring.
Green grass covered the ground.
Outside the pitch was a world of ice and snow, with snow tornadoes even visible in the distance.
"Pretty nice, isn't it?" Krum said proudly with his hands on his hips. "I remember when I first came to the newly completed pitch, I was completely stunned. My classmates were so excited they knelt down and kissed the grass."
Without taking his eyes off the scene, Link nodded and said,
"So how was this achieved?"
"It's actually simple. The barrier above us that blocks the wind and snow is just a very ordinary magical shield. Its defensive power isn't strong. It can barely stop even the most basic attack spells, but it's more than enough to block wind and snow. Besides that, Headmaster Beckman installed temperature-control arrays and climate simulation arrays throughout the pitch and the entire Durmstrang Castle. That's why so many Quidditch teams want to train here. Only this place has both modern equipment and the ability to simulate different climates, allowing teams to train properly."
"Was this Beckman's idea?"
"Of course. To be honest, the system was originally designed to provide heating for Durmstrang Castle. But considering that students still needed sports and entertainment during winter, the Quidditch pitch was renovated as well. This way, the pitch rental fees could help cover the castle's heating costs."
At this point, Krum suddenly looked around.
After confirming no one had caught up yet, he lowered his voice and said,
"The only problem is that Headmaster Beckman is a bit stingy. The free heating inside Durmstrang Castle has never been particularly strong. It's usually only around fifteen or sixteen degrees all year round. It still feels a little cold."
"You can't really blame him for that, can you?" Link said with a helpless smile. "After all, it's free. And a system like this probably consumes a huge amount of resources, right?"
Link knew a bit about this type of magical array.
The British Ministry of Magic had a similar system.
Because it needed to simulate real climates and adjust them freely, it was completely different from Muggle heating and air conditioning systems.
The energy source wasn't electricity or coal.
It was magic.
The magical energy was stored inside an extremely complicated array, which required daily maintenance and constant magical input.
As a result, the operating cost was enormous. Only organizations like national Ministries of Magic, with large numbers of available wizards, could afford it.
So it was perfectly normal for Beckman to be a bit frugal.
If he really used it without limits, even someone as wealthy as Beckman would feel the pain.
Krum scratched his head and smiled.
"Of course we know it costs a lot, so we don't complain about Headmaster Beckman not turning up the heat. I'm only saying this so you'll know he's actually very careful with money. He definitely hasn't been wasting the investments you've given him."
Just as Krum said this, Beckman and the others jogged into the pitch.
Since they had entered Durmstrang through the main entrance, they were slower than Link and Krum.
They had barely arrived when they heard Krum's final sentence.
Facing Link's calm gaze that carried a faint smile, Beckman instantly froze and could only stand there awkwardly smiling.
In the end, it was Madam Flamel who stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Link's.
"Don't forget why we're here. And don't waste time on unimportant things."
The smile on Link's face widened.
He nodded and said,
"Of course. I was only joking with Grandpa Beckman."
Link was telling the truth.
He really didn't care whether Beckman had misused funds or not.
Beckman had already handed over the entire Beckman family fortune to him.
Even if he regretted it now and had skimmed a little money, so what?
Link didn't think it was a big deal.
To be honest, Galleons were just numbers to him now, not money.
At his level, money had long since become resources rather than coins.
Besides, judging from the current situation, Beckman hadn't misused any funds at all.
At most, he was simply too kind to the people of Durmstrang.
And that was a good thing.
Through the passive Legilimency spell, Link could clearly feel the respect and gratitude the teachers and students around him held toward him.
Without Beckman's almost excessive kindness, how could someone like Link, who was rarely at Durmstrang, have earned such affection?
When Beckman heard Link say that, and even call him Grandpa for the first time, all of his previous embarrassment and nervousness vanished instantly, replaced by endless joy.
In truth, he didn't care much about wealth.
As the head of the Beckman family, he had already enjoyed most luxuries the world had to offer.
Now that he was older, family had become what mattered most.
Seeing Link and Madam Flamel preparing to return to the castle, he quickly called for the surrounding students to guide them, hoping to get the nearly ruined welcoming ceremony back on track.
Unfortunately, with a blockhead like Krum around, that wasn't easy.
Fortunately, Krum was relatively restrained this time.
Unlike before, he didn't suddenly drag Link off to some random place.
For the most part, he stayed within the boundaries Beckman had planned.
As a result, the reception proceeded much more smoothly.
Everywhere Link looked, he saw the results of what Beckman had built with his investments.
For example, the climate control system Krum had mentioned earlier was operating at full capacity today under Beckman's deliberate arrangements.
The entire Durmstrang Castle, which should have been buried under wind and snow, now felt as warm as summer.
Even more outrageous, Beckman had used the same technology from the Quidditch pitch to create a small tropical ecological garden in the castle courtyard.
For students who had grown up in this frozen region, it was a sight they had never seen before in their lives.
According to Krum, this was also the favorite place for student couples because they didn't need to wear thick clothes here.
After saying that, he gave Link a lewd grin, making Emily and Madam Flamel laugh while Beckman shot him a fierce glare.
Aside from the heating system, the interior of Durmstrang Castle had also been completely renovated.
Although it wasn't as refined as Beauxbatons or as grand as Hogwarts, and could even be called rough in many areas apart from important locations such as the Great Hall and guest reception rooms, it was still far better than the old Durmstrang Castle that had drafts everywhere.
It was clear that Beckman had done an excellent job.
After touring the castle, genuine smiles appeared on the faces of Link, Madam Flamel, and the others.
Seeing them in such good spirits, Beckman finally asked cautiously,
"Link, is there some important reason for this visit?"
Link glanced at Beckman and the smile on his lips grew even wider.
Of course he knew Beckman was uneasy because of what Madam Flamel had said earlier.
But the truth was that they had no important business at all.
This was where Beckman still didn't understand Link very well, unlike Krell.
If it had really been important business, Link wouldn't have brought Madam Flamel and Emily along.
In fact, the only reason they came to Durmstrang on Christmas Day was because Link had attended Professor Slughorn's Slug Club Christmas Eve banquet yesterday before returning to Flamel Castle with Emily for the family dinner.
Madam Flamel had been furious about that.
She had spent several days learning cooking from Little Button and had personally made a pumpkin casserole for Link yesterday.
Yet Link had actually dared to show up late.
As punishment, today's trip to Durmstrang had been decided by Madam Flamel.
In other words, this visit that had Beckman so nervous was really just a spontaneous holiday trip by Madam Flamel.
If Beckman knew the truth, he would probably cough up blood from anger.
Fortunately, Link had already prepared an official reason.
Thinking this, Link took a deep breath and said,
"You know, the situation has been a bit tense lately. Perhaps it's time for Durmstrang's forces to make their move."
Beckman's eyebrows rose.
At first he looked somewhat disappointed.
Because what he had really wanted to hear was that Link had specifically brought his fiancée and mother to visit him as their grandfather.
But he quickly adjusted his emotions and became excited again.
"Link, are you saying the war is about to begin?"
"I can't say exactly when, but it won't be long. At least the British Ministry of Magic is already prepared. When the war starts depends on when the French Ministry of Magic can give us an excuse we can use."
Hearing this, Beckman clenched his fists excitedly.
He understood very well.
Durmstrang had always been a force that Link intentionally kept hidden.
It was extremely important to him.
That was precisely why Link had entrusted him with such responsibility, leaving him stationed at Durmstrang as headmaster and rarely calling upon him unless it was for major operations.
In a way, this was exclusion.
An exclusion from Link's inner circle of power, or rather, the Flamel family's circle of power.
And Beckman couldn't even complain about it.
Because this truly was a vital assignment.
For Link to hand over such an important position and such enormous resources to him was the ultimate sign of trust.
If he still spoke badly about Link after that, it would be unreasonable.
Even so, Beckman felt unhappy.
He had long since lost interest in power and wealth.
All he wanted was to stay by his daughter's side.
Now that Durmstrang's forces were finally about to be used, it meant his mission was nearing its end.
And when his mission ended, wouldn't he be able to return to his daughter's side?
How could he not be excited?
After taking several deep breaths in a row, Beckman finally smiled confidently and said, "I understand, Link. You're here to inspect the troops before the war. That's fine. Let me show you the strength of Durmstrang today!"