章節 621: Champion Selection and Age Restriction (1)
編輯: Atlas Studios
The flames that burst from the cup startled the young wizards in the front row.
Dumbledore did not stop there, continuing: "For those who wish to run for champion, write your name and school name on a piece of parchment and toss it into the Goblet of Fire.
I will give you twenty-four hours to think about whether to run or not, and by this time tomorrow, the Goblet of Fire will have selected three of the candidates it believes best represent the three schools!"
"As for tonight, I'm going to leave this cup in the foyer so you can access it…"
Dumbledore went on and on about the various things to look out for in the selection of champions, specifically noting that this year's champion selection was age-limit and students under the age of seventeen were not allowed.
Dumbledore then turned to the audience and asked, "That is about all I have to say. Do any of you have any questions? If not, then this evening's feast is over…"
At that moment, a voice called out.
"Professor, how exactly does the Goblet of Fire select its champions, and what are the exact criteria? How do you guarantee that the best students will be chosen?"
Dumbledore turned to look in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Ivan who had asked the question.
The other wizards, however, were equally interested, and although none of them were as bold as Ivan in asking directly, all of them kept their eyes on Dumbledore, waiting for his answer.
"It's a complicated process, involving many things," Dumbledore explained vaguely. "All I can tell you is that the Goblet of Fire has always been responsible for the Triwizard Tournament, and it has been proven that each champion is a worthy candidate, which I think… should prove its reliability!"
This did not convince Ivan, however, and he pressed on. "If, as you claim, the Goblet of Fire automatically chooses the best students, then why are you restricting the age of the participants?"
"If a junior is chosen, doesn't that prove that the student is better and better suited to be a champion?"
Ivan had always found this odd. Wizards over the age of seventeen were all graduates, and while it was true that they were very powerful, there was no guarantee that they wouldn't be gifted in their fifth or sixth year.
In his fifth year, Snape created a powerful charm called Obscurus, and Tom Riddle was an elite Auror.
From the standpoint of protecting the participants, the so-called age limit was completely unnecessary…
Ivan's question was like a stone thrown over a still lake, and the Great Hall became very lively. Many young wizards who were unhappy with the rules whispered among themselves, their voices growing louder and louder.
George and Fred shouted that they were as good as any of the seniors, and demanded that the age limit be lifted for a fair and square selection!
"Silence!" Dumbledore raised his hand to cast the Voice-Sound Charm on himself, and in the next instant, the noise of the crowd was drowned out by a thunderous roar.
When the Great Hall slowly returned to normal, Dumbledore explained.
"Regarding this age limit, I will answer you now, because the Ministry of Magic, along with us referees, agrees that adult witches and wizards over the age of seventeen will be more capable of completing those three high-intensity challenges!
Especially when they are sober enough to take responsibility for every decision they make!"
As he spoke, Dumbledore stressed the words "adult" and "responsible".
It dawned on Ivan that both the Ministry and the school were trying to pass the buck.
After all, being seventeen years old in the wizarding world meant that the wizard was an adult and had the right to make their own decisions. In addition, the wizard was a willing participant, so even if he died accidentally on the field, it would be reasonable.
It would have been different if it had been an underage wizard, as the officials responsible for the Triwizard Tournament's reopening were likely to have been blamed.
The angry populace didn't care if the opposition was willing or not. In their opinion, underage wizards had no ability to measure danger.
Understanding this, Ivan forced himself to ask one last question: "Professor Dumbledore, would the Goblet of Fire approve of wizards who are not old enough to put their names into a cup?"
Dumbledore's face became very serious. "This is also what I wanted to remind you that the Triwizard Tournament is not a game. Do not enter it recklessly."
"Once the name you put into the Goblet of Fire has been chosen, and you have become a champion representing your school, a contract will be formed between you and the Goblet of Fire, and all champions will have to follow it to the end. There is no room for regret!"
Dumbledore did not answer Ivan's question directly, but the young wizards in the audience understood what he meant. The Goblet of Fire did not differentiate whether a participant was an adult or not, and it was possible for a junior to enter their name into it!
"This is great!" George and Fred hugged each other excitedly, as if they could see a thousand Galleons of prize money waving at them.
The other aspiring wizards and witches who were too young to compete let out a collective cheer, as if they had been elected champions.
In the VIP seats, Karkaroff and Maxim frowned. This was not what they had agreed upon!
They wondered if Dumbledore had changed his mind at the last minute so that the gifted Hogwarts wizard could play.
Just as they were about to retort, Dumbledore raised his left hand and waved his wand, causing a golden flame to ignite around the table.
No one understood what Dumbledore was doing, and when the flames finally died down, they found a circle of thin golden lines around the Goblet of Fire.
Dumbledore pointed to the line, his eyes lingering on George, Fred, and the others for a long time, before looking at Ivan and speaking again.
"In case the under-age student is unable to resist the temptation, I have placed an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire that no one under the age of seventeen can cross!
Therefore, I implore some of you to give up the thoughts in your heads. There is no need to waste your energy!"
-- 收到的禮物 
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票