Chapter 174: The Magical Russia

Chapter 174: The Magical Russia

( [Hey] This bracket represents that the words are spoken in the Russian language. I don't suppose all of you guys know Russian, so I'm not going to write English. )

***

The Martins and the Delacours all stood at the porch of the Delacour Manor. Even though it wasn't cold, all of them very wearing warm clothes.

"Is everyone ready?" Asked Sebastian, who held an old lamp in his hand.

Gabrielle shook her head which was wrapped in a scarf, "Non! It's too hot!" She complained while tugging at her cardigan.

Esme, who was standing beside her also nodded her head. She was wearing a rainbow beanie with a cute dragon logo and a puffer jacket, looking like a fluffy doll.

Sebastian laughed as he patted her head, "My Ange, you'll stop complaining in a few minutes," he said as he patted her head.

Fleur answered Sebastian's question, "Papa, everyone's ready. When are we leaving?" She was wearing a faux-fur coat and skinny jeans with a fur scarf around her neck.

Sebastian checked his watch, "It's only 2 minutes now! Everyone, gather around!"

Everyone was cheerful, though Chris was still somewhat distracted by the news of Vampires and the fact that there are people who might be stronger than him.

Camille put a hand on his shoulder. She could understand Chris's feelings very well,

"Don't worry, honey. Leave everything to us," She said, trying to reassure him. She was now feeling very guilty for making the always bright and playful Chris turn serious.

Appoline didn't know what the situation was, but she didn't pry, she just patted Chris's other shoulder, "The trip is going to feel bland without your constant shenanigans,"

Fleur laughed, "That is true. Look, even Gabby is also moody now," she said, pulling Gabrielle's cheek.

Sebastian also nodded, "Seriousness doesn't suit you, young man," he said in all seriousness.

Chris felt a tug at his sleeve and looked down to see Esme looking up at him, "What happened, big brother??" she asked looking confused and her mouth was in a downward (

Even Nyxie, who was on his shoulder licked his cheek as she seemed to agree with everyone else.

"...."

Chris was a bit speechless.

'Is it so weird for me to be serious?'

Durnant seemed to be the only one who had no problems with the change.

Chris looked at all of them and finally sighed, "Alright, I'll be normal again. And

... I have a gift for everyone," he said as he finally smiled his usual smile

Chris realized that he was indeed a bit grim and dour right now and it was affecting the whole group. And he also realized that maybe, he was over-worrying.

With the stealth, no one would detect his scent. And if they meet other Vampires, there's no reason for conflicts... right?

'Besides, it's not like we aren't prepared,' thought Chris as he thought about the so-called gifts he'd been working on recently.

He waved his wand and a small box floated into each person's hands.

Gabrielle, who was in a bad mood moments ago, instantly perked up, "Gift?!" She asked excitedly. Though funnily enough, Sebastian also had the same reaction.

On the other hand, Appoline looked to the sky in exasperation, 'Again?!'

Chris's gifts were always just too precious. They hadn't properly thanked him for his last gift and here he is, presenting another. She hoped it was nothing too precious.

Esme was the first one to open hers. And as soon as it was opened, a bright radiance came from inside it, attracting everyone's attention.

It was a pendant, shaped into a beautiful symbol of a circle containing three arcs that were interlocked. It looked well crafted, but, the most eye-catching factor was the material it was made up of!

It seemed to be made up of what looked like a crystalline material which seemed to be filled with multicolored energy.

"Sooooo beautiful!" Gabrielle exclaimed and everyone had the same thought.

Chris's mouth twitched. Beauty was the least impressive factor about the pendants.

These babies were made of the most Magical metal in the world: The Chrytanium. The metal's enchantment capacity was phenomenal. You can put in any amounts of enchantment you want.

Everyone opened their boxes to find the necklace inside.

"The Trinity Knot, a Celtic symbol representing family, unity, and love," murmured Sebastian as he looked at the shape of the pendant.

Chris nodded as he smiled, "You got that right," everyone in the family would have it from now on. Dora and the twins also have them.

Esme's eyes were shining brightly as she looked at the pendant in fascination. She brought up her hand to pick it up and as her hand touched the necklace, it pulsed it got connected to her, instantly giving her a warm feeling rushing through her body.

A similar thing happened with everyone else as the pendant got connected to them and the veelas found their allure under their control. No one could feel exactly what was happening but Sebastian's mouth still dropped open.

"...Just... how many enchantments did you cram into this thing?!" he asked in a shaky voice. Even though he didn't have magic sense, he had other methods of finding out.

Chris just shrugged, "I don't know," he said truthfully. He didn't bother counting since this thing could literally take everything he put.

There were a lot of them including the minor ones like antisummoning and the one which took some effort, something to block Legilimency.

The guard almost gave her permission to go anywhere she wanted before he snapped out of his daze. It wasn't cold here so she had her hood down right now, along with the other ladies, thus making the guard distracted.

The guard couldn't understand her words, but he still got the context. He explained that the participants are going to be under surveillance for a day so that they don't use any performance-enhancing potions before the match.

'We'll be checked, huh?' Chris was already prepared for moments like these. He took out a simple dummy bag from his precious backpack and put the Newt case which was slung on his back under stealth. He can't have this thing checked.

The dummy bag was a normal bag with a normal space extension bag. Chris had prepared it for occasions like these. It contained all of his daily necessities... which are legal.

Chris and Fleur separated from the group as they were escorted to a luxury big luxury hotel that was prepared for the participants where a female the staff welcomed them,

[Please wait while we call your escort and guide from France.] she said as she led them to a lobby.

Usually, the escort and guide is a person who brings the participants to the country but they had come with their parents. The same thing happened with their training since Durant was everyone's dad when it came to dueling.

"Just how many people are participating?" Asked Fleur in wonder as she looked at a large number of guys and girls their age wearing different colors representing their countries.

She had taken off her cloak under which she was also wearing France's colors and so was Chris. Their jerseys had FRANCE written behind them along with their names.

Chris saw a lot of country names he had never heard of before,

"Wait a moment, did I just read ATLANTIS?!" He asked in disbelief while craning his neck to get a better look.

At this moment, an annoyed voice came from behind them, "A total of 180 countries are participating, and yes, that was indeed Atlantis,"

Chris and Fleur both turned around at the same time. Chris, because he couldn't quite remember the scent, and Fleur because she knew the voice very well,

"Head Teacher Felice!" Fleur exclaimed, and Chris also recognized the charming and enthusiastic woman who was the referee of the selection tournament, Felice Daniel.

Felice smiled at Fleur who was a good student and very well prepared for the tournament, "Hello, Fleur dear. It seems you have finally come. As you know, I'm your guardian, guide, and instructor sent from the French embassy," she said to her, ignoring Chris.

"...."

Chris felt that this teacher had issues with him.

'Fine, it's not like I actually care enough to be bothered,' he thought while shrugging.

With his hands in his pockets, he idly followed her and Fleur as she took them to their rooms.

"I was supposed to teach you guys dueling, but 'someone' had different plans," Felice was saying, "Didn't even let me teach you two a thing in the long summer holidays. It's fortunate that at least you're prepared, Fleur," she while patting Fleur's shoulder, to which Fleur could only awkwardly smile.

It seems that the headteacher also had issues with his father, Chris realized.

Felice continued, "The Selection Tournament this time wasn't as ideal as it used to be. Just look at what happened to poor Louise," Fleur recalled what happened to 'poor' Louise and immediately tried to stop her gleefully laughter. Those photos did their job perfectly. She had yet to thank Chris for it.

The head Teacher didn't know what Fleur was thinking continued,

"Such an ideal student... but she was cruelly injured and with such cowardly and unfair means! It was totally opposite of how a person representing France should show. I always knew Durant just wouldn't be able to teach properly, and he has a history of making the wrong decisions!"

Chris was finally getting to know what this was all about, but the progress was interrupted since they had already reached their accommodations.

It was a long corridor, with countries' Flags painted on doors. Here, they could see some teenagers going in and out of their rooms, all of whom would stop to stare at Fleur and even Felice while Chris was training again. Even though he tried to behave normally, he's still not gonna waste time. He was trying his new magic. It kills his presence, kinda like the notice me not.

So he was walking around, completely visible while flinging out Invisibile stinging hexes on whoever whose gazes were inappropriate and no one would even glance his way. This was good practice of Invisibile hexes, and he was also reading out minds of those whose language he felt the need to learn. It's not like he has a limited storage, so he might as well learn whatever he can.

In front of the door painted with French colors,

Felice finally turned around and handed Fleur a key.

"Here are the French accommodations," she said, while looking around, "Now where did that wild child go?" She wondered out aloud.

"I'm assuming you were talking about me?" Asked Chris who was standing right in front of her, making the woman jump.

"Merlin's beard, Dura I mean, what was your name again? Chris. Anyways, here's your key," she said, tossing the key to him while affirming the fact this child was indeed the son of that woman.

She opened the door which led to a living space with a few doors leading to different bedrooms and entered one.

"Lunch's in an hour. Do whatever you want till then," she called out while slamming the door shut.

"What's the problem with her?" Asked Chris as he laid down on a couch while kicking off his shoes.

Fleur made a face like it's obvious, "Her father was the one who taught your father Dueling. She's Louise's Aunt."

Chris groaned.

"Yep. That'll do it."

A.N.: 3200 words

Louise is that villainous bitch in Beauxbatons.

Do give me your power stones! Also, I've been reseaching different countries and mythical communities to put their representatives in this tournament. Send the info on the countries you want me to put there!

Currently, there are Two OP ones from China, one cool one from India, one from Russia, One from Japan, Two from Egypt etc.

Each country will have their own special type of magic

Subscribe Ptreon if you can't wait and your suggestions would definitely included if you're a patron. /Snollygoster

It has 8 extra chapters of this novel and 9 extra chapters of my new novel. Check it out as well and give me your feedback.