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Some time had already passed since the new Wizard Cards series was released.
Unsurprisingly, it once again became popular throughout the entire wizarding world, setting off another wave of card collecting.
A dedicated shop had even opened in Diagon Alley, specializing in selling Wizard Cards. Many wizards also seemed to discover business opportunities and began developing a second-hand card market.
The special feature of this card set was its real-time link to actual wizards in Britain. In other words, as long as someone was a famous wizard in Britain, they had a chance to appear in this card pack.
Just imagine controlling those famous British wizards in battle.
Young Dumbledore in the left hand, old Dumbledore in the right.
Then smashing the opponent into the ground with unstoppable force.
Thus, wizards across Britain became excited. Soon, wizards from neighboring France and Germany also became excited. Because of the explosive popularity of the new card pack, many non-British wizards suggested that famous wizard card packs from their own countries should also be released.
Under pressure from countless fans, Witches and Potions Publishing promised that over the next month, they would work overtime to produce a famous wizard series covering all of Europe.
For fans, a publishing house willing to listen to their suggestions naturally deserved enormous support.
In reality, however, the European famous wizard card pack had been planned from the very beginning. They had simply released the British wizard pack first.
"Mr. Dursley's design is still so perfect."
Looking at the Galleons flowing into his pocket almost without end, Carrow sighed sincerely. At the same time, he felt incomparably fortunate that he had made the decision three years ago to build a good relationship with Dudley.
Who could have imagined that these small cards could bring such enormous profit? They were making so much money their hands nearly cramped from counting it.
All of this could be blamed on the wizarding world having too few entertainment activities. Once a hit appeared, it could earn a fortune. Just look at Quidditch, that old entertainment activity. It made money every bit as quickly as Wizard Cards.
There were even already suppliers from many different industries contacting them, hoping Wizard Cards could cooperate with them. Among them was the original source of card collecting in the wizarding world: the maker of Chocolate Frogs.
"Young Mr. Richmond."
A house-elf appeared in front of Carrow. He belonged to the Carrow family. With a respectful expression, he said to Richmond, "Mr. Victor and Mr. Dormam have invited you to attend the dinner they are hosting tonight. Do you need me to refuse them?"
Although Richmond Carrow was already the current head of the Carrow family, the previous old head of the family had not died. Therefore, the house-elves still addressed him as Young Mr. rather than Master.
"Angus, tell them I will arrive on time."
Angus was the name of this house-elf.
"Yes, Young Mr."
Victor Wilkes, Dormam Gagson. These were all seniors who had graduated and been arranged by Dudley to enter the Ministry of Magic.
Carrow looked into the distance, toward the place where Hogwarts stood.
As long as he closely followed Mr. Dursley's steps, money, power, and glory were all within reach.
Not long afterward, Witches and Potions Publishing once again released astonishing news.
Because the first Wizard Cards Tournament experimentally held at Hogwarts had achieved considerable success and shown everyone wizards' enthusiasm for Wizard Cards, the plan for the second Wizard Cards Tournament was naturally already in preparation.
This time, the prize money had been increased to one thousand five hundred Galleons. Second place could also receive five hundred Galleons, and the remaining third to tenth places would receive varying amounts of prize money as well.
Prize money like that was enough to tempt anyone. This was a full one thousand five hundred Galleons. Even the Daily Prophet's annual Galleon Draw, which it could only hold once every few years, was only seven hundred Galleons.
As a result, even wizards who had originally not been interested in Wizard Cards began paying attention to news related to them.
After all, most wizards were not wealthy.
"Want a round?"
At Hogwarts, a fourth-year Hufflepuff student said to his companion, "I think I can place this time. My family supports me participating too. Anyway, there are no restrictions on this event."
"Wait until I open a card pack first. My dad finally managed to grab this one from Diagon Alley."
The other student waved the brand-new card pack in his hand.
At present, buying the new series card packs required lining up and rushing for them, and quantities were limited. Each wizard could buy only three packs. Because supply was far below demand, many wizards who wanted to buy the new card packs could only buy them second-hand.
Thus, the first group of scalpers in the wizarding world was born.
Near the Wizard Cards direct-sale shop, people often appeared wearing black cloaks and wrapping themselves tightly. They wandered around asking anyone they met, "Need cards? No limit."
"Please, give me a young Dumbledore."
The Hufflepuff student prayed as he opened the card pack. Then he placed an old card underneath to cover it and slowly rubbed open the edge of the first card. As the card was revealed bit by bit, the student began holding his breath, his eyes narrowing.
"First card!"
Finally, the first card in the pack appeared.
"Lockhart! Damn it!"
Seeing the character on the card, the student was so angry that he threw it directly onto the ground.
"Useless Lockhart again. I already have eight whole copies of his card. It has no use at all."
"I dare bet this is the worst character card of all. Even a gnome is stronger than him."
Had Lockhart granted portrait rights? Imprisoned in Azkaban, he naturally could not have granted them. Prisoners also did not need portrait authorization fees. As long as a small portion of the Galleons originally meant for them was given to the Ministry, that was enough.
The Ministry said it was very happy to accept those Galleons.
"Magical creature card: Gnome."
The student looked speechlessly at the second card. Truly, whatever he mentioned came immediately.
"If you have the ability, give me a Dumbledore! Any version will do!"
He decisively jinxed himself in reverse.
However, when it came to jinxing oneself, the good usually failed and the bad usually worked.
Several cards in a row were not powerful cards. The best one was only Devil's Snare.
'Only the last card is left. Please let it be a guaranteed good pull.'
The student's palms and the backs of his hands were all sweaty from nervousness. The atmosphere seemed to infect his companion as well, making him nervous too.
He slowly opened a crack.
A flash of gold edging.
A hidden card.
The student nearly cried out in excitement and immediately flipped it open.
This was a character card he had never seen before.
It showed a very young-looking wizard. He had handsome features and a distinctive air, and he wore the Hogwarts uniform of Slytherin House.
Unlike other character cards, this character card had only a few words of description.
Mysterious Alumnus: Tom. Graduated from Hogwarts in 1945.
"Tom? How can a wizard have such an ordinary name? And who is this guy?"
The student looked bewildered.
His companion looked just as bewildered.
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