Patricia sighed, taking out her Magi-mirror and pulling up the file and the Mahoutokoro team. "Alright, I won't doubt you again. But, you still need to know about the information on the opponents you are going to be facing."
Axel furrowed his eyebrows. "Is that necessary?"
Patricia nodded her head sombrely. "It is. The players this time are extremely tough to deal with. And they have skillsets that can make things difficult even for you."
Axel didn't reject her this time, "Alright, tell me then."
It might be helpful to know about his opponents beforehand. Not because it could help him play better, but because It could help him hold back better.
....
In the incoming days, Axel had still not confirmed his participation, causing the hype to only rise.
People were dying to know whether he would be playing or not. But what could they do? They always only ever see the guy at public places, where they can't force him to talk, and even if they ask straightforwardly, they'll be ignored like pebbles on the sidewalk.
In fact, Axel had no problems confirming his participation to those people. But he didn't do so because it would give out the impression that it is possible to get answers by asking him upfront. Then it's only a matter of time before everyone is asking him hundreds of questions.
And it looked like his trick indeed worked, as he was bothered less and less as the days passed. People knew it was useless to even try talking to him, unless they had a neglection fetish. And trying to use other tricks was not an option as he only ever appeared at places where there were a lot of eyes watching and a professor nearby.
Though, just when he thought he had achieved peace, something happened.
A few days after the news, a tall and burly guy approached him. It was outside the great hall, just when Axel was about to go for his classes.
Usually, it wouldn't have been anything new. But the guy was actually in ninja attire, meaning he was from Mahoutokoro. This was the first time someone from Mahoutokoro had actually approached him.
Axel gave the guy a second look. He had an extremely aggressive face, and his dark hair was tied in a long knot.
'Azuma Takeshi.' His name surfaced into Axel's mind. This is the captain of Mahoutokoro's team. Patricia had warmed him about this guy.
"You're Axel Hunt, right?" He asked, looking down at Axel.
Axel frowned. What kind of dumb question is that? At this point, someone would have to be blind if they stay at Hogwarts and not recognise Axel. It's not a brag, but a sad reality.
The guy was just trying to show that Axel was so insignificant in front of him that he doesn't even recognize him.
But of course, the Captain didn't know that his existence was even less important to Axel.
—Step—
Straight up ignoring Takeshi, Axel walked right past him, leaving the Mahoutokoro captain standing dumbly in the middle of the corridor with a lot of eyes watching.
Takeshi's face hardened. "Wait!" Turning around, he tried to grab Axel's shoulder, in which he failed as Axel somehow avoided it without even looking back. It was almost as if his hand passed right through Axel.
"Listen, you lowly trash," Takeshi called out to Axel. "Whether or not you play in the match, you stay away from Akiko."
'Right, there was that.' Thought Axel, pausing his footsteps.
Azuma Takeshi. The Captain of the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team. He's the only other known lightning user. The guy mostly likes to keep a low profile... unless the matter is related to Akiko.
"Hey, are you listening?! Stay away from Akiko," said Takeshi, as a crowd began gathering. "She and I, we have a destiny. And someone like you doesn't deserve being close to her."
Yep, as the only other known lightning Affinity user, the guy thinks he and Akiko are destined or something.
Hearing the bullshit that came out of Taskeshi's mouth, Axel didn't wait longer. It wasn't something that deserved even a reply from him. Ignoring the guy, Axel walked away without giving him a second glance.
Takeshi's anger flared, but as he tried to move forward, a hand was put on his shoulder. Looking back, the person who stopped him was Endo Yuji, the seeker of the Mahoutokoro team.
"Don't go after him yet. You might scare him away from playing the next match," he said, also looking at Axel's back with resentment. He also had a score to settle with Axel. He had been trying to pursue Martina Valentino from day one, and then this guy shows up out of nowhere and gets engaged to her.
Takeshi clenched his fists. "I've been trying for 5 years. But she won't even talk to me. And for him she's ready to go against even her grandfather," he murmured, glaring balefully at Axel's back.
"I just hope he has balls enough to play in the next match."
He was from the Noble Takeshi Clan, a clan known to be on equal status as the Matsushima clan. And he is one of the very few known Lightning Element users in the world.
Lightning element is not an ordinary affinity. It's considered the most powerful and extremely difficult to master. It's very rare for two lightning users to be of the same generation, and the offspring is guaranteed a very high chance of having an extremely powerful Lightning Affinity as well. Then, isn't it quite apparent? The two of them were destined to be together.
…
Days went by until the day of revelation finally arrived. In the end, Axel's involvement was never confirmed, so everyone was going to have their eyes on this Meeting Ceremony.
At Hogwarts—
The exams were approaching. Usually, the students are under a lot of stress these days. The professors increase the pace of the studies in order to complete the syllabus, and the need for the revision of the whole year along with increased assignments made sure that students couldn't think about anything but studies.
But right now, the atmosphere at Hogwarts was completely different. Aside from a few nerds, no one could give a shit about the exams. Everyone was more concerned about the two events, the Interview and the match which were going to take place at the school.
And after a lot of wait, the day finally arrived.
—May 1st—
The Great Hall had been completely changed. The House tables had been put away to create space, and the area had also been expanded. The place had been decorated with various Posters. Some had the words MEETING CEREMONY, containing photos of the player of the two teams, while some had pictures of the two headmasters, promoting international unity.
Cameras were set up everywhere, with big screens displaying the happenings of the great hall.
*Click* *Click*
In place of the staff table, a stage had been set up, in front of which the reporters were gathered.
In the back, all the students of Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro were also present. While the rest of the world could only watch the live broadcast and recordings, the students of Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro had the perk of being able to see everything in person.
"Wizarding world, I am James Jones, reporting live from Hogwarts—"
"—The day has finally arrived when we would know, whether Axel Hunt is participating or not!"
"An interview with Axel Hunt! Can it actually be possible?!"
All the reporters were enthusiastically covering the event, and many were even asking some lucky students for their opinions.
"So students, what do you think? Will Hunt come or not?" Asked one of the reporters to a group of students.
"Well, Um… I dunno. It's sort of tough to tell. It's his funeral if he plays, but he's Hunt, isn't he? So I reckon he might actually come."
"I don't think he'll come."
"HE WILL COME! GO SAVAGE HUNT!"
"Hey, kids. are you excited about the meeting ceremony?"
"Meeting ceremony? I only came to see if Hunt will come or not."
Such types of discussion were going on everywhere. No matter what, there was one thing everyone had in common: They all wanted Hunt to come.
At this moment, the lights flashed as the Headmasters of both the school walked into the great hall, followed by the staff.
The stage had two tables, each with three seats. Each of seats had a mic set up in front of it. Dumbledore sat on the table with Hogwarts symbol while Yamazaki Yujiro took the other one which had the Mahoutokoro symbol on it.
"Good evening, everyone. And welcome to the Meeting Ceremony for the Match between Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro." said Dumbledore from his seat as he leaned towards the mic.
There was an applause from the students, after which, the reporters got down to business.
"Professor Dumbledore, can you confirm if Hunt is actually coming?"
"Professor Dumbledore, is true that Axel Hunt is—"
"Professor Dumbledore!—"
"Professor—"
The reporters began clamoring for answers, to which, Dumbledore only raised a hand to silence them, smiling slightly.
"Everyone, all of your questions are soon going to be answered. But first, I need to speak a few words," he said, causing many voices of disappointment to emerge from the crowd.
Dumbledore remained unaffected though. This was the most opportune moment to talk, as the whole was had their eyes on Hogwarts right now, even though most of the attention is due to Axel. Dumblemdore was just milking the situation for all it's worth.
"As everyone knows, Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro have been under cooperation for a year now," began Dumblemdore. "Due to this, both the schools have gotten an indispensable learning opportunity. Students of one school got the chance to learn the unique education of the other school. They got to experience the difference in culture and educational practices, and more importantly, they got the chance to make new bonds.
But, not only the school, both the nations as a whole have also tremendously benefited from this exchange. The diplomatic relations between Britain and Japan are stronger than ever, and talks of cooperation in various fields have been going on between the two countries."
"So, it is with immense delight that I announce: the exchange program between Hogwarts and Mahoutokoro, has been a huge success!" Said Dumbledore, spreading his arms, as a huge applause rang out in the Great Hall.
"But that is not all. With such positive results, it is now very much possible that we will be seeing more such cooperations between different schools in the future!"
Cheers!
There was an even bigger applause to that.
"Professor Dumbledore, you said there is a possibility for more cooperations. Does that mean we would also be seeing other schools?"
"Professor Dumbledore, which school will be next?"
"Professor Dumbledore, what exactly did you mean by further cooperation?"
"Professor Dumbledore —"
"Professor Dumbledore —"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I can not comment any further on the matter," he said, smiling with his eyes twinkling. "Though, there is something else I can share. Please do not forget the main purpose of why we are gathered here."
"Everyone, please welcome the players representing their schools in the meeting ceremony," he announced, as the door to the adjoining room behind the stage opened.
First came Takeshi Azuma, the Captain of Mahoutokoro team, as the students from Mahoutokoro began applauding.
Then came Endo Yuji, the seeker of Team Mahoutokoro. Yuji being a popular student, also got a significant applause from Mahoutokoro.
The third was Patricia Afonso, the Captain of Team Hogwarts.
Hogwarts burst into applause as soon as Patricia stepped in, waving and smiling at the cameras. But then, she glanced behind.
Lastly, the fourth person walked in. But this time, the reaction of the crowd was completely different.
The last person was none other than, Axel Hunt... the seeker of Hogwarts.
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