Chapter 174:

On the morning before the tournament, Chris, Fleur, and Nyxie who had just woken up, were drinking the pure magic potion in peace. 


“Where is Felice?” Asked Chris as he stroked Nyxie. He had thought that the woman would be hurrying them along like Mrs. Weasley.


Though Fleur was too far lost in bliss to answer him. “This drink is better than the finest of wines we have in our cellar,” she said as she slowly swirled the container in her hand.


Chris turned to look at her, “Wait a minute, you’ve started drinking wine?” He asked in surprise. He can still vividly recall the last time she’d tried it. 


Fleur covered her lips. She wasn’t supposed to tell him that. She had started drinking in frustration after seeing Chris and Dora being unnaturally close.



Chris didn't ask her any further about it but he did get a new idea, 'I'll try making wine someday as well,' he decided… though he sighed since currently, he didn't have the time. 


Both of them had already forgotten about Felice and the woman in question finally came out of her room looking like she was also in dire need of some pure magic potion.


First of all, her whole body was still aching right now since she hadn't bothered taking care of it. Her thoughts were revolving around the time when she could feel her thoughts and action being much faster than they should. 


She looked at Chris with bloodshot eyes. She still can't figure out how he could cast that spell. 


Everything about that spell was so… out of ordinary. The complicated wand movement, then that incantation of three words, and that language… what WAS all that?! She hasn't the slightest clue despite checking her memories through occlumency.


She even tried recreating the spell by mimicking Chris's actions and chant to no avail. The only thing that ever happened was something black coming out of her wand.



And, she can't even entertain the idea of asking him directly. He's a brat with little morals and manners. Her pride and principles would never let her ask anything from him. Besides, she's still incredibly embarrassed for losing to a 13-year boy. Thus, she looked away as soon as their eyes met. 


Chris nodded in satisfaction after seeing that Felice wasn't able to have peace even now. It seems that he doesn't need to take further action. He had planned to further torment her, but he felt that since he was such a kind person, he should let her off for now.



They all went for breakfast and still, no word was exchanged between Chris and Felice, making Fleur uncomfortable since she wanted them to get along. She could only pet Nyxie who was under stealth. 



Soon, it was time for the tournament to begin. Everyone around them was getting their final pep talk from their trainers. Felice also turned to Fleur.


"Fleur… I haven't taught you much, but you've worked very hard. I never thought anyone could improve this much in just two months," she as she patted Fleur's shoulder to which she nodded. 


Fleur did work extra hard this summer. Because… her target was a certain OP Metamorphagus who never missed an opportunity to stick up with Chris. 


Then there are the things that Chris shared with their family, like the Jewelry which boosted her growth. Add it to the fact that her teacher was Durant, and it could be said without a doubt that Fleur was ready.



"Do your best, dear. I’ll be cheering for you,” said Felice to Fleur. She then turned to Chris, only to find the guy already leaving. She clenched her fist to stop herself from hexing him.


Fleur on the other hand sighed, “He's not as bad as you think he is," she said, but she knew it was useless. 


To Felice, Chris will always be that guy who skewered Louise the angel in the ass until that b*tch's true nature is exposed. Sighing, she hurried off to catch up with him. 



Standing alone, Felice felt tired and lonely. She had thought that she had moved on but seeing Chris had brought back the bitterness that was buried deep inside. 

…

Chris went to the changing room for boys and get changed into his dueling attire. His dueling attire was already taken by them yesterday to make sure it wasn't enchanted and now it should be inside the changing room. 



The changing room was quite big and there were hundreds of guys from different magical communities changing into their dueling attires. 



Nyxie hadn't come in here with him since she was a girl. So she was with Fleur in the girl's changing room. 



Chris went to the locker with France written on it and found his clothes neatly folded in there. 


As he began changing, he heard a voice from beside him, 

"Jīngrén de!" (Amazing)


Chris turned around and saw a familiar face. It was the Chinese guy who had conflicts with the Russian. He was staring at Chris with surprise. Or more specifically, at his ripped torso.



He nodded at the guy, "Xièxiè," (Thanks) He replied. If he's correct, then this guy's from the Legendary Shaolin temple, the real one. Where magical martial arts are taught. And they focus more on the physique. 



Hearing the response, the Chinese guy got surprised, "[You know Mandarin?]" He asked in Mandarin, the standard Chinese language. 



Chris nodded. He'd learned it from the mind of a Chinese muggle some time ago.



Chris nodded and the dude sighed in relief, "[That's great! My English is terrible.]" he said embarrassedly.



English has been the standard language among wizards since the time Merlin established the Wizard's Council. So it is taught at most magical schools, though many just choose not to learn it. 



The guy cupped his fist towards Chris, 🤜🤚, "[Greetings, fellow Daoist, my surname is Yang and my given name is Wei]" he said, bowing slightly. 



Chris suddenly had the urge to laugh, 'Oh man, it's really how they say in those cultivation novels,' 



Chris nodded with a straight face, "Chris Martin," he managed without grinning as he cupped his fists. He's wanted to do this for a long time. 



Chris only now got to properly see this guy. He has typical Chinese features and could be called handsome. 

He was wearing the typical kung fu equipment, and he had stuffed the bottom of his trousers in his long socks and wrapped a leather strip over it in the typical martial art style. 

And, on his hip, instead of a wand, a pair of Nunchucks were there. 



Yang Wei smiled, "[Brother Chris, you have the most impressive physique I've ever seen, do you also practice Martial Arts? You must have gone through a very harsh training," he observed. 



Chris shook his head, "[Uh, not really. I just exercise and train really hard. I don't know anyone who can teach me martial arts]"



Yang Wei looked at Chris in surprise, "[You could attain that level of physical fitness just by exercising? Brother Chris, you might actually be born with a special constitution as well. You should come to the Shaolin temple!]"



'Oh, I wish,' thought Chris. 

He knows that he's more suited for physical magic like Martial Arts and Sword arts rather than the normal lazyass magic that most wizards practice. 


Thus, he's been researching various forms of physical magics, preferably those which include the use of swords. And Shaolin Kung fu came up multiple times in his research. 



Chris smiled, "[Oh really? But… aren't the outsiders not allowed in the Shaolin temple?]" He asked.



Shaolin temple. It's the Hogwarts of China. The biggest school of magic in China. Though, they focus more on the practical part than on theory. And, they have strict entry measures. Specifically for outsiders. 


Yang Wei nodded, "[You are right. But, outsiders with special physique, unparalleled talent, and true heart can be allowed into the temple],"



Chris's mouth twitched. True heart? If that's actually true then he can forget about ever entering this school.


But he still nodded, "[Then I will definitely try entering, brother Yang,]" he said as he shook hands with him. 


Though at this moment Chris suddenly pulled the guy to the side with a jerk as a spell flew past his shoulder. Chris realized that it was just a stinging hex.



The culprit was again, the guy with scarlet hair. The dude just clicked his tongue as he glared at both Chris and Wei before he moved on like he did nothing wrong. He still remembers Chris mocking him yesterday just before he started to get beaten up. 



Yang Wei glared at the guy as if contemplating whether to attack him or not but then just sighed, "[Thanks for the save, brother Chris]"



Chris nodded, "[Its alright. But, what's the deal with that guy? And how the hell is he not disqualified after what he did yesterday?]" He asked as he looked towards the guy too. Even if this is his home turf in Russia, he still shouldn't be able to get away with this so easily. 



"I also only met him yesterday. Though, I've found out that his elder sister is some kind of big shot here and she's even won the World Dueling Tournament on her first try," said Wei, still glaring in direction.  



"Oh… so he's the young master," muttered Chris as he slapped his fist in his palm, "Though, what's the beef between you two anyway?" He asked curiously since Wei seemed quite angry at the red dude. 



Wei clenched his fists as he told Chris what happened. It seems that the dude said some rude things about Martial Artists and the Shaolin temple.


His point was that, Martial Arts is just useless torture when all wizards needs is to be proficient with a wand. This was what started the whole fighting. 




"So, why was the girl who came with you not affected?" Asked Chris recalling that there was also a girl in Chinese uniform too, though, for all intents and purposes, it seemed like whatever was happening was none of her business. 



Yang Wei sighed at that, "Wu Mei is much too composed to show aggression like that. She was angrier at me for losing my temper,"



Chris scoffed, "Sounds like the aloof kind. What a boring partner to come with," 



Yang Wei nodded in agreement, "You spoke the truth, brother Chris. She doesn't even talk to me since our status is quite different," he said with an annoyed face. And then he looked at Chris's locker.


"Brother Chris, who came with you? Is it also a girl?" He asked, noticing that the locker only had Chris's clothes. Which means the other person is a girl.



Chris nodded as he also finally got ready, "Yeah, It's a girl,"



Yang Wei patted Chris's shoulder sympathetically, "Well, looks like we both have the same bad luck, brother Chris," he said shaking his head. 


In the Shaolin temple, girls and boys are kept separated for most of the time. And Yang Wei still thinks that girls are annoying based on his experience with Wu Mei.



Chris shook his head, "Uh… she's not that bad," he said awkwardly as he put on his wand holster. He was ready to go. 


Both of them made their way towards the exit which led into the Arena at the seating place for representatives.



*Cheers*



Chris whistled as he looked around at the massive crowd cheering. People from all over the world had come to see the matches. 


Currently, the contestants who were emerging were being displayed on large screen projectors seeing which, Chris was actually surprised for a moment. 



But then he realized that it shouldn't be as much big of a deal. Wizards have already made things as advanced as pensieves. There's no reason why they can't make this. Heck, even Chris could whip up something like this if he wanted to.



While Chris was looking around, he heard gasps from all around and more than a few whistles from the male audience and participants.  


At the same time, Nyxie under Stealth flew back on his shoulder. 

He turned around to find Fleur coming out of the girls changing room now in her new dueling attire which she'd gotten custom made for today.



Up To now, Fleur hadn't appeared in public here since Chris had his Ignore-me magic most of the time. So even the participants were seeing her for the first time. 



Though Fleur, who had gotten used to this kind of reaction by now, ignored all this. She quickly found Chris as she walked towards him, "You look good," she complimented and looked at him expectantly. 



Chris knew that she was just fishing for compliments. He rolled his eyes, "Gee thanks. And you look good all the time," he said even though he couldn't understand why a Veela would need confirmation of her good looks. Especially Fleur who was beautiful even among veelas. 



Fleur nodded in faux haughtiness, "That I do," she said, though she couldn't hide how satisfied she was.



"By the way, I made a new friend," said Chris as he patted Yang Wei on the shoulder. 

"This is Yang Wei from China," he said, switching to English. They were talking in French just now.


"Hm?" 

She only noticed that there was another person standing with them as well. 

"Aren't you the one who got into a fight yesterday? No wonder you became friends with Chris. I'm Fleur Delacour from France, nice to meet you," said Fleur in English.


Chris got offended, "Hey! The hell did you mean by 'no wonder we became friends', huh? It's not like I enjoy picking fights. Alright, maybe a little, but I try to avoid them as much as possible," he defended himself. 


Meanwhile, Yang Wei: "...."

He was currently tongue-tied because he had never seen a goddess-like beauty Fleur would talk to him in such a friendly way. 


Wu Mei hasn't even shown her face to him yet since it's always covered with a veil, let alone talk to him in such a friendly way. 


It was just the difference in the wizarding culture of the two countries. The Shaolin temple avoids letting wizards of the opposite gender get close so that they focus only on the training. So Yang Wei is kinda surprised that girls can be this cool.


Now he understands why Chris said she's not bad. The lucky bastard.


Yang Wie cupped his fist and bowed to Fleur, all of his coolness and confidence gone, 

"Uh… hello fairy Fleur. Um...Good to meet you," he said in broken English. 



Fleur was used to this kind of reaction so she didn't pay much attention to it. She nodded at him and looked around the stadium. 



"Now where do we find them?" She muttered helplessly. 



Chris smirked smugly at that, "That… is actually very easy,"



"How the hell?" 



Chris took out his wand so that no one suspects him of wandless magic if they saw him, "Watch closely," he said as he tapped his chest with his wand, or more specifically, the pendant inside.


"Point me the cutest existence in the world," he muttered. This was the code word. 


*Click*


The Celtic knot which was currently Invisible made a clicking sound as one of its points pointed in a certain direction making its outline visible through his t-shirt. 



Chris followed its general direction and there, he could see a Flag of France along with a few posters which were written for them. And one of them had "BIG BROTHER, BE SAFE" written on it in French, along with his cartoon drawing. 



Obviously, the one holding the poster was little Esmée who stood up when she saw him looking in their direction.

Chris suddenly turned to look directly at her. And of course, she was with the rest of the family as well who also started waving at them. 


"There you are," muttered Chris as he also waved at them. Though he also suddenly got goosebumps because his family was sitting very close to Vlad Merputin since they were in the VIP section. 



Though Chris behaved normally since suddenly acting differently would be more counterproductive. 



Fleur looked at him in surprise, "So, you can track me down with this too?" She asked as she also waved at their family.



Chris nodded, not finding anything wrong with it, "Yep. I can even diagnose your physical condition. Is that not okay with you?" He said, though he did make sure that no one could read their lips with a wave of his wand. 



"... I— I don't know," Fleur realized that this guy doesn't even realize that it's wrong to track someone without their permission. 


But of course, she didn't have any problem with it. In fact, it made her feel closer and more connected to Chris. 'We can know each other's condition all the time, how romantic!'



She touched the pendant on her chest, "How do I… track and diagnose you with this?" She asked shyly.



Chris looked at her like she was stupid, "Why would I let anyone track and diagnose me? Only I am allowed to do that to others,"



Fleur had a sudden urge to hex this Hypocrite, "You—! Your name should be Hypochris," she said as she flicked her hair back. "Hmph! if I can't track you, then you're not allowed to either,"



Chris just shrugged as he held out his hand, "Fine. Just return me the pendant. Then I won't be able to do so,"



"No way!" Fleur covered her chest protectively. There's no way she's ever going to return this thing. It constantly gives out a warm and comfortable feeling. 


"Huh, thought so,"



Meanwhile, Yang Wei looked towards Wu Mei who was meditating alone in the distance, and then looked towards Chris and Fleur having fun. 


Somehow, he felt miserable. 

'Is this what they call the 'dog food'?' He wondered.


// dog food; (Internet slang) public display of affection (term used by singles 单身狗 forced to "eat" it) //


Soon, everyone was present for the tournament and it was time to start the tournament. 



A clear voice in a slightly Russian accent resounded all over the stadium, 

"Zdrasti (hello) everyone, and Welcome to Russia!" Chris looked over to see a fit and robust-looking middle-aged man on the stage visible on the giant projector screens as well.



"I'm Makar Orlov, the head of Magical Games and Sports of the Russian Ministry. And I'll be your host and commentator for this wonderful event!" He said in a booming voice. 




"Before we begin the tournament, I'd like to welcome some of the dignitaries and influential personages who are present here," 



"First of all, Honourable Vlad Merputin, the headmaster of Koldovstoretz, the Chairman of the Defence League, and the spokesperson for the International Dueling Association," 



Chris clenched his teeth. This guy is right up there along with Dumbledore. These old people like their power and politics. 



Vlad Merputin stood up and gave a charismatic speech to which everyone applauded.


"The next person is the Magical Russia's most mysterious woman. She's usually very elusive but has decided to show up today for personal reasons. 

She's the head of our Secret forces and also a former winner of the International Dueling Championship at a very young age. Her name is Anastasia Alyykrov." 



Chris looked towards the VIP box to see a woman/girl in crimson hair whose age seemed indeterminable. She had red hair, eyes, and red lips. At this moment, he saw her briefly glancing in his direction. 


 ***