Dumbledore surveyed the unanimous approval and declared, "Excellent. We shall inform the students tomorrow. Any student who meets the age requirement may enter the Triwizard Tournament. Naturally, if anyone manages to bypass the Age Line... well, they're welcome to try."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Erwin yawned, stretching his arms. "If that's everything, professors, Headmaster, I'll take my leave. I need my rest."
He departed from the office without delay. As he'd said, he needed his sleep. Yet a thrill of anticipation hummed beneath his calm exterior. Tomorrow's wake-up call would surely be an unforgettable experience for the visiting students.
As for the students from the East? They would handle it. After all, early morning study sessions were standard practice back home. They were already accustomed to rigorous schedules.
Of course, that was Erwin's reasoning.
Meanwhile, in the visiting students' dormitories, the students had gathered in small clusters, buzzing with excitement.
The Beauxbatons girls were particularly animated.
"Finally! A proper night's sleep tomorrow! I can't believe how early Hogwarts students wake up!"
"Can you imagine? The students here seem to wake up only when classes start, and they skip breakfast half the time!"
"We're so lucky. It's a pity it's only for a year—I might want to stay here forever."
In the Eastern dormitories, similar conversations were taking place.
"Did you see the ghosts floating around the castle today?"
"Yes! But they're strange compared to the spirits back home. They seem so... weak, with no power at all. I didn't dare test a spell on them. I was afraid they'd dissipate!"
"I know what you mean. I accidentally bumped into that Peeves character—it looked mischievous, like a playful spirit. I casually cast a minor charm, and the poor thing nearly dissolved! I panicked and apologized immediately!"
"Why are the souls here so different from ours?"
"I've heard our homeland has unique environmental qualities that strengthen spiritual entities. Maybe that's it."
"Really? I've never heard that. But you're right—we shouldn't experiment on them."
"Absolutely. The elders told us to maintain respectful behavior. Very important."
"By the way, do you think Erwin will compete? If he does, who stands a chance?"
"Sunny seems stronger after this past year. She could challenge him. We shouldn't even enter our names in the Goblet. Let her enter alone. She'll be guaranteed the spot."
"True, but isn't there an age limit? Erwin isn't old enough."
"Don't be ridiculous. That Age Line won't stop him. His power rivals the elders. How could a simple enchantment stop him?"
"That's true. But letting him compete would be absurd—no one else would have a chance. I wonder if Sunny could beat him."
"Stop obsessing over that. Even if she can't beat Erwin, she'll dominate the other schools."
The Durmstrang students had similar discussions, all centered around one topic: the Tournament.
It was a monumental event for the entire magical world.
And inevitably, the conversation turned to Erwin.
It wasn't just the Headmasters who feared his participation.
The students themselves were anxious.
Every conversation was tinged with concern about his potential involvement.
Unlike them, the Hogwarts students had gone to bed early.
They knew what awaited them tomorrow.
But the visitors remained oblivious, chatting late into the night. It was only when dawn approached that they finally dispersed and drifted off to sleep—around three or four in the morning.
Hogwarts fell silent, the hours slipping away unnoticed until the wake-up bell shattered the quiet.
The young wizards of Hogwarts groggily opened their eyes, moving through their morning routines with practiced efficiency. Even the first-years, after a week of adjustment, had synchronized their internal clocks.
It was a stark contrast to the visitors.
The moment the bell rang, the visiting students were jolted awake. They rubbed their bleary eyes, bewildered.
"What is that noise? A bell? What time is it?"
"Is it morning already? It can't be—"
A student checked the time and let out a long, agonized groan.
"Merlin's beard... I just fell asleep. What's going on?"
The Eastern students were equally dismayed.
"Wait—is this morning study? Which elder is teaching today?"
"Hold on... aren't we abroad?"
"Bloody hell," one muttered, "why are we doing morning sessions even during an exchange program?"
"Did we actually leave the country? Is this an elaborate illusion? Which elder cast this? Please stop—I surrender!"
"Enough complaining. Get up. We shouldn't have stayed up so late. If we're late, the elders will have our heads."
They groaned collectively, realizing that their exchange experience wasn't the holiday they'd imagined.
Despite the grumbling, the Eastern students dragged themselves out of bed. Thanks to their ingrained habit of early study sessions, they were only slightly behind the Hogwarts students in reaching the common rooms.
Sunny Finch yawned dramatically as she slumped into the seat beside Erwin.
"Why didn't you tell me Hogwarts has morning study sessions?" she complained.
Erwin chuckled. "I assumed you'd know, given how much you've been observing me."
"I never actually saw it—" She stopped mid-sentence.
Her face flushed crimson. "You... you knew?"
Erwin grinned. "I didn't at first. But judging by your reaction, I guessed correctly. Anyway, keep an eye on your fellow students and maintain the usual routine. Morning study is for reviewing and preparing. I'm heading upstairs."