Russian Ministry, Conference Hall, December 21, 2017, 9:00 AM
The Conference Hall was imposing.
Circular, with tiers ascending in concentric levels. At the center, a stage with a black marble podium.
Solus counted quickly: twenty-three young wizards from different countries.
Some looked nervous. Others, confident. All wore formal robes from their respective schools or nations.
'This is the talent Markov is evaluating.Everyone here because someone considered them "promising".'
Markov stepped onto the stage.
"Good morning. Welcome to the Symposium for Promising Young Wizards." Her voice resonated without need for magical amplification. "Over the next three days, each of you will present research, participate in debates, and demonstrate why you were selected." She paused. "This is not a competition. There are no winners or losers. But there are opportunities. To learn. To connect. And to show your potential to the magical world."
Markov's gaze swept across the hall. "Today we will hear eight presentations. Tomorrow, seven more. And on the final day, the last eight." She pointed to a list magically projected in the air. "Mr. Dimitri Volkov will open the symposium. Mr. Gray will close tomorrow's session."
'Of course.Markov placed me at the end of the second day. The moment of highest attention. None of this is coincidence.'
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First Presentation - Dimitri Volkov (Russia, 18 years old)
Dimitri stepped onto the stage with firm stride.
His topic: "National Scale Protection Magic: Modern Techniques."
He spoke for twenty minutes.
It was brilliant. Technical. He showed how Russia had developed new magical barriers around its most sensitive installations.
'This is propaganda disguised as research.But it's also real information.Markov is showing what Russia is capable of. Intimidating and educating at the same time.' The audience applauded when he finished.
Markov nodded with approval.
"Excellent, Mr. Volkov. Questions?".
A girl from France raised her hand. "Are these barriers detectable by Muggle technology?"
"Not completely. But we constantly work on improving concealment." Dimitri smiled. "It's an arms race. We improve. They improve. The trick is staying ahead."
. . .
Second Presentation - Chen Wei (China, 16 years old)
A thin boy with dark blue robes embroidered in gold.
His topic: "Ancient Chinese Runes: Applications in Magical Medicine."
He showed how to combine traditional Chinese runes with Western potions to create more effective treatments.
It was fascinating.
Solus took mental notes.
'This is genuine knowledge exchange.Not everything here is political. Some really came to learn'.
. . .
Third Presentation: Amara Okonkwo (Nigeria, 17 years old)
A tall girl with vibrantly colored robes.
Her topic: "African Oral Magic: Preserving Traditions in the Digital Age."
She spoke about how African magical traditions depended on oral transmission. And how modernization was putting them at risk.
"Not all knowledge should be written," she said. "Certain magic lives in the words. In the voice. In the speaker's intent."
Solus leaned forward.
'Intent.She understands it. How many here truly comprehend Intent versus simply casting spells?'
Fourth Presentation: Nikolaí (Russia, 11 years old)
The green-eyed boy stepped onto the stage.
Solus noticed something immediately: there was no surname on the projected list.
Just "Nikolái."
'Interesting.Why hide his surname?'
The boy spoke with surprising confidence for an eleven-year-old.
His topic: "Modern Dueling: Adapting Ancient Techniques for Contemporary Threats."
It was impressive.
He didn't just talk theory.
He demonstrated.
With Markov's permission, he executed a dueling sequence against a magical dummy. Fast movements. Precise. As if he'd trained his entire life.
'Eleven years old and duels like a fifth-year student. Someone has been training him intensively.'
When he finished, the audience erupted in applause.
Markov smiled with maternal pride.
'Ah.He's not just a promising student.He's personally important to her'.
. . .
Interlude, Lunch
During the break, Solus walked through the Ministry corridors when he heard a voice behind him.
"Gray."
He turned around.
It was the boy. Nikolái.
Up close, Solus noticed more details: messy black hair that seemed impossible to comb properly. Thin but athletic build. And those green eyes that seemed to evaluate everything.
"Impressive presentation," Solus said.
"Thanks. Yours is tomorrow, right?"
"Yes."
"About Corvus Slytherin." Nikolái leaned against the wall. "I saw a video of your presentation at Hogwarts. The Minister showed it to me."
'Of course she did.'
"And what did you think?"
"That you're good at talking. But I wonder..." Nikolái studied him. "Do you really believe what you said? Or are you just playing the game?"
Solus raised an eyebrow.
"And you? Do you really believe in modern dueling? Or do you just want to impress?"
Nikolái smiled.
"Both, obviously." He pushed off the wall. "Look, Gray. We're the only eleven-year-olds here. Everyone else is at least fourteen. That makes us... unique."
"Unique how?"
"Unique in that we have more to prove. And more to lose." Nikolái paused. "The Minister says you're brilliant. That you could be useful."
"Useful for what?"
"For the future. For what's coming." Nikolái shrugged. "She's building something. And she looks for young people who can be part of it."
"And you're part of it?"
"Of course. She's been training me since I can remember." Nikolái smiled. "But there's always room for more talent." "Why are you telling me this?" Solus asked.
"Because I recognize someone who thinks like me." Nikolái started walking away. "And because I think eventually you'll have to decide which side you're on."
"Which sides?"
"Those who build the future. And those who cling to the past."
And he left.
. . .
Afternoon, Presentation 5-8
The following presentations were varied:
A student from Ilvermorny spoke about Native American magic and its relationship with nature.
A girl from Brazil presented on Amazonian magical creatures and their use in potions.
A boy from Japan demonstrated magical channeling techniques through martial arts.
And finally, a student from Germany spoke about the ethics of magical memory modification.
All were interesting.
But Solus noticed a pattern:
Half the presentations were technical. Practical. "How to do X better."
The other half were philosophical. Ethical. "Should we do X?"
. . .
Dinner
That night, dinner was less formal.
Buffet. Open tables.
The young wizards mingling.
Solus sat with some of the day's presenters.
Amara, the Nigerian girl, sat next to him.
"Gray, right? First year at Hogwarts."
"Yes."
"Impressive that you're here. Most are at least fourth year."
"Luck, I suppose."
Amara laughed.
"I don't believe in luck. Markov doesn't invite anyone by luck."
Chen Wei, the Chinese boy, joined the conversation.
"I heard you're going to talk about Corvus Slytherin tomorrow. Is it true he was a user of Ancient Magic?"
"Yes. One of the last before that tradition was lost."
"Fascinating." Chen leaned forward. "In China, we still practice some forms of ancient magic. But it's rare. Most young people prefer standardized spells."
"Why do you think that is?" Solus asked.
"Because it's easier. Ancient magic requires... connection. Feeling the flow. Pure Intent." Chen paused. "Not everyone can do it. And those who can, often don't have the patience to teach it."
"Maybe we need more patient teachers," Solus said.
Amara nodded.
"That's the problem. The magical world is so obsessed with efficiency that we forget some things need time."
Dimitri Volkov approached their table.
"Mr. Gray. Enjoying the symposium?"
"Yes. The presentations have been excellent."
"I'm glad." Dimitri sat down. "The Minister wanted me to ask if you need anything for your presentation tomorrow. Special equipment. Materials."
"No. Just the podium and standard magical projection."
"You're not going to demonstrate anything physically?"
"No. My presentation is about history and philosophy. Not technique."
Dimitri nodded slowly.
"Interesting choice. Most here are showing practical skills."
"Because most are trying to impress," Solus said. "I'm trying to teach."
Dimitri smiled.
"The Minister will be pleased. She values education over exhibition."
. . . . . . .
Executive Suite, 10:00 P.M.
That night, Solus reviewed his presentation mentally.
Mark was already asleep.
Solus sat by the window with Stella's stone.
'Tomorrow is my turn.'
'Everyone will be watching me.'
'Markov. Dimitri. The other students.'
'And Nikolái.'
He thought about the conversation with the green-eyed boy.
"Eventually you'll have to decide which side you're on."
'Which sides?'
'I still don't know.'
'Because I still don't fully understand what Markov is building.'
'Maybe tomorrow I'll find out.'
With dreams of stages and audiences.
And of a green-eyed boy who smiled as if he knew something Solus didn't.