Cedric finished speaking, and Charlotte turned to the others. "What do you all think?"
The group exchanged glances. Penelope spoke up. "I think it's possible. In terms of overall strength, we're at least much stronger than Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. However, I'm a bit unsure about the exchange students. They're too mysterious. We haven't witnessed their true strength, so I can't be certain."
She paused, her expression serious. "I've been watching their progress. It's terrifying. Since arriving at Hogwarts, they've practically become learning machines. Because they struggled at first, they've been self-teaching all the material from the first year up to our current level. And their spell acquisition speed... it's incredible. They memorize incantations in unfamiliar languages instantly. Their proficiency is on par with our own students."
Penelope shook her head. "Meanwhile, despite our teachers' best efforts, very few of us have managed to learn their magic. The gap is widening. The exchange students will be our biggest obstacle."
Charlotte nodded. Penelope's analysis was sharp; she was a Ravenclaw prefect for a reason. The students of Hogwarts learned the exchange students' techniques slowly, relying on innate talent. Even Charlotte herself had only mastered two foundational spells, despite high praise from the visiting instructors.
Blaise Zabini chimed in. "If that's the case, the final showdown will be between us and them. I spoke to the professors; they said the exchange students' greatest strength isn't individual combat, but teamwork. They use coordinated tactics to unleash power far exceeding their own. I think we should avoid confronting them until the final stage."
The others agreed. "Agreed," Charlotte said. "But I have a feeling they won't act as we expect."
They looked at her, confused. Charlotte thought of Erwin's evaluation of the exchange students. They were cautious, incredibly strategic, yet adaptable. They rarely showed their full capabilities. Just when you thought they were vulnerable, they would strike a decisive blow. They played weak to catch the strong, lulling opponents into a false sense of security before delivering a lesson they'd never forget.
Charlotte felt that in the early stages, they might actually be outmaneuvered.
Meanwhile, south of Hogwarts Castle.
Ten exchange students sat in a sunny spot, leaning lazily against the wall.
"Sunny, is this really okay?" a student asked.
Sunny Finch squinted. "What's the problem? Erwin said today's map fragment battle is just a warm-up. The real challenge is the three-month war. Why waste energy? The dragons fly too fast. If we see one, we take it. If not, why not wait and steal from others?"
"But... Erwin said this is being broadcast."
Sunny Finch yawned. "So what? We'll just play it smart."
The others nodded enthusiastically. The exchange students had an innate, strategic approach that was hard to replicate.
"When do we make our move?"
Sunny Finch opened her eyes. "Let's wait and see. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang aren't much of a threat. But Hogwarts... that team is different. Except for that younger student, Potter, who's a bit inexperienced, the rest are formidable. Especially Charlotte. She's incredibly strong."
"Sunny, are you sure you can handle her?"
Sunny Finch shook her head. "It's a fifty-fifty shot. And even if I hold Charlotte off, can you handle the others? They aren't pushovers."
"So we avoid the fight?"
"For now," Sunny Finch said. "We have three months; no need to rush. Let them fight it out. When two sides clash, a third benefits. Until the very last second, nobody knows who wins. We'll wait patiently and observe the others' strength. Erwin said there are no rules, so there are plenty of ways to be strategic."
The exchange students smiled. When it came to tactics, they were masters.
Sunny Finch and Charlotte had tacitly chosen to seize the parchment scrolls later. They didn't plan to exert much effort today.
In the dormitory, Erwin watched the plans of both teams and chuckled.
Just as I expected.
However, under different circumstances, their performance would be commendable. But here, it was clearly inappropriate. Hogwarts and the exchange students were roughly equal in strength; Sunny Finch and Charlotte knew this best. Avoiding battle was the correct strategy.
But they overlooked one problem: they would meet sooner or later. Especially as time passed. If Durmstrang and Beauxbatons' scrolls ended up in their hands, they would be forced into confrontation. That war, if they wanted a winner, would take tremendous time and resources. And in the end, it might even end in a draw.
Their considerations were inadequate.