It had to be said that under Erwin's influence, the drive to make things efficient seemed woven into the very fabric of every Cavendish family member. This stemmed largely from Erwin's childhood takeover of the family, when the Cavendish coffers were perilously empty. Without a leader, the family had been in dire straits. Consequently, those who remained loyal during those lean years were undeniably devoted. Erwin, though not a saint, was never stingy with his subordinates. Even those who hadn't been trained for combat were equipped with special Cavendish resources, allowing them to operate freely within the wizarding world.
At the airport, the teams from Hogwarts and the exchange students met again. The sight left both sides momentarily stunned.
Charlotte also showed surprise, but after a brief pause, Sunny Finch laughed. "I knew you'd pick the simplest solution!"
"Likewise," Charlotte replied. "It seems we might be on the same flight; there's only one going today."
Sunny Finch shook her head. "You're wrong this time."
Just then, a person in professional attire approached. "Ms. Sunny Finch? I've been sent to collect you."
"Over here!" Sunny Finch waved them over. Turning to Charlotte, she grinned. "You seem to have forgotten—we have connections. I simply requested assistance; no tickets needed."
She gestured to Charlotte. "Come on!"
With that, Sunny Finch led her delegation through a private terminal, following the escort. Charlotte watched them depart and smiled to herself. The hurdle wasn't testing resources but adaptability. There were countless ways to reach Changbai; as long as you were flexible, a solution presented itself. Hogwarts, the exchange students, and Beauxbatons had all proven that.
"Let's board," Charlotte said. The group nodded. Several young wizards were flying for the first time, buzzing with excitement—even Harry Potter, raised in the Muggle world, was seeing aviation for the first time.
Meanwhile, Durmstrang had reached the border, their faces etched with exhaustion. Krum glanced at the map. "We're here. Cross this line, and we're in the proper region. We'll be the fastest; this advantage is ours."
They stepped forward—only to find themselves facing border security. Instantly, several enforcement officers appeared, their presence commanding.
"Identify yourselves!" a voice commanded. "Failure to comply will be treated as a hostile incursion."
Figures approached them—security personnel, coincidentally on border patrol. Krum and his companions stiffened, sensing genuine authority. This was no bluff.
"State your purpose," the captain demanded.
"We're here for the tournament," Krum said quickly, producing his school badge. "We're from Durmstrang."
A guard took the badge. Another whispered to the captain, "Sir, they're on the live stream. They're contestants."
The captain's expression shifted. "You... walked here?"
The Durmstrang students nodded.
"You may enter," the captain said, his tone firm. "But heed this: no open displays of magic before Muggles, no harm to Muggles, and no misuse of your abilities. Violators will be arrested."
The group nodded and moved to leave, but Krum paused. "Are we the first to arrive?"
"You are," the guard replied.
A determined expression touched Krum's face. The students strode off, intent on consolidating their lead.
Once they were gone, one of the guards muttered, "They actually walked the whole way... the dedication is impressive."
"Watching the stream, I thought they were mad," another agreed. "Now I just think they're determined."
"Enough gossip," the captain cut in.
The journey of the four schools wasn't broadcast live. Had it been, Durmstrang's determination might have been the talk of the town.
At this moment, however, a line of magical buses waited before Hogwarts Castle. These were to ferry students to airports and other departure points for the tournament. In the wizarding world, magical transportation lined Diagon Alley, packed with spectators eager to witness the championship. In a community starved for entertainment, this event was monumental.
The Cavendish family had already dispatched their magical buses to various locations multiple times. Hogwarts had broken for the holidays early. Professors herded the young witches and wizards toward the waiting buses.
Beyond airplanes, wizards used Portkeys, Floo Powder, and other means to converge on Changbai. The Cavendish family covered all transport costs—a massive investment.
Additionally, Cavendish had imported a significant number of personnel to help maintain order. With so many magical beings gathered, chaos was a constant threat.
Among the magical leadership, concerns were mounting.
"Are we certain this is wise?" one official said, voice tight with concern. "So many outsiders gathering... Is Erwin truly just organizing a competition?"
The leader's expression was unreadable. "We shall see," he replied, though the tension in the room remained palpable. The stage was set, and the world was watching.