Regardless of whether it makes sense in nature, at least for the spectators present, the content of the first night's game was undoubtedly quite boring.
Maka and the people from the International Federation of Wizards planned and planned many events, and even took into account some of the entertainment activities and consumption points outside the venue in detail, but on the contrary, they ignored the fun of the game itself.
In short, no matter how important the research value of alchemy is, for ordinary spectators who come to watch the game, "whether the game is interesting" is obviously the most important thing.
Therefore, as far as the result of that night is concerned - instead of watching the process of groups of alchemists converting raw ore into spoons, the suggestion originally proposed by Maca that "some lively performances can be interspersed" has become The most popular show tonight.
What was originally just a small interlude between matches to relax everyone, suddenly became the main content for the guests to watch, which made Maka herself dumbfounded.
"Mr. Hohenheim, I suggest that after this first round of competition, the judging panel should also consider adding some fun to the questions..."
After the first night of competition came to an end, Maka was discussing with the members of the judging panel in the coordinator's office. Today is the first day of the competition. After actually observing the competition, it is also what the organizers should do to correct and resolve the exposed problems as soon as possible.
"But… "
Sarah's muscular father showed a slightly embarrassed expression after hearing what Maka said.
"Research work is always a boring and simple thing. What we need to get are tangible results...McLean, you are also a researcher of magical knowledge. I believe you can understand what I mean."
Of course Maka understood what Hohenheim was saying.
In fact, some research results may appear to be extremely eye-catching in the eyes of ordinary people, but the vast majority of research work is boring. For example, he himself, after deducing and calculating at his desk day by day, was able to come up with a small change method to streamline the curse incantation, so that the casting speed of the curse could be shortened by one or even half a syllable compared with the original.
This kind of homework is often very inconspicuous in terms of process and results, but its value is self-evident.
"Yes, I can understand..." Maka nodded, but then shook her head slightly, "But, didn't you just mention to me the helplessness of modern alchemy a few days ago?"
He paused briefly, then continued:
"I don't know what you are thinking... Maybe the players and the forces from various countries outside the court are all thinking about the legacy of Nico Flamel, but -" he said, "As for the greatest significance of this game, I I think it’s about rekindling wizards’ expectations for alchemy. I think if we want to increase the number of people interested in alchemy, we have to make those children who know nothing about alchemy excited!”
"this… "
Perhaps it is true that the name "Nicolas LeMay" has been given too much meaning, so that most people focus on the rewards after the game.
People will always focus on the interests within their reach. For those in power, this event is a competition for the final share of the inheritance; for researchers, this event is a bridge "to access the knowledge that is at the pinnacle of contemporary alchemy."
But in the face of such huge interests, they often ignore the significance and impact of this competition on ordinary wizards.
Even if Nicolas Flamel really left the elixir of life and even the Philosopher's Stone in his inheritance, does this have anything to do with the audience who were there to watch
At least, there is no direct relationship at all.
However, in this world, there are many people who hope that alchemy will rise again. For example, the group of alchemists in Mesopotamia may be one of them.
For another example, the Mr. Hohenheim in front of Maka seems to be one of these people.
"I think I understand what you mean," Hohenheim nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed, we have put too much energy on the alchemy legacy... Well, thinking about it, this game is indeed A very suitable opportunity... I will consider it carefully tonight."
After seeing off the members of the judging panel, Maka sat behind the desk and couldn't help but grinning secretly.
The high-sounding words he just said sounded very righteous, but is he really the kind of person who is willing to consider and contribute to the global magic community
No, he just followed Nico Flamel's last wish and found a seemingly great excuse to make the competition held at Hogwarts even more grand.
For Hogwarts, the positive impact of this event is definitely the bigger the better. As long as you have the ability and methods, no matter how big you are, it won't be too much.
Just when Maka twisted his neck, loosened his muscles, and planned to take a walk around the arena to see if there was any problem, a small black spot suddenly crawled along the uppers of his shoes, trouser legs, and outer robe. On the back of his hand.
"Well?"
He raised his hand, stared at the little spider on the back of his hand, and then turned his hand and put it into his sleeve.
"Is this coming..."
The next moment, he waved his right hand slightly, and under the influence of the Illusion Body Curse, his entire body completely disappeared.
…
Meanwhile, the Hogs Head Pub in Hogsmeade.
Due to the unprecedented momentum of the International Alchemy Competition in the past few days, which attracted wizards from all over the world to watch and play, Aberforth's place, which originally had far fewer customers than the Three Broomsticks, was already filled with drinkers.
At present, tonight's game schedule has just ended, and there are still a large number of guests coming to Hogsmeade. I think there will be a new wave of consumption soon.
To be honest, Aberforth had been feeling annoyed lately because he simply didn't want to see so many people.
For him, when he took over this bar, he valued the deserted place. In addition, his eldest brother Albus Dumbledore needed a trustworthy person to collect market intelligence, so he became the boss and waiter here. .
Otherwise, with his bad temper, how could he possibly work in a service industry that requires dedication
But now—
"...Hey, here's another single malt whiskey on the rocks."
Outside the counter, an Australian wizard who was already dizzy from drinking was half leaning on the edge of the bar, hitting the countertop with his limp elbow.
Aberforth looked at him with a cold face, his right hand casually grabbed a wine bottle from the wine rack behind him, and his left hand picked up a wine glass from under the bar.
"Bang!"
He slammed the wine glass in front of the other person, and the glass almost touched the tip of the person's nose and dropped it. If he had moved even a little further, the force would have broken the bridge of the drunkard's nose.
After throwing an ice cube into the cup and making a crisp collision sound, the wine bottle in his right hand also poured out amber liquid.
It's a pity that the drunk wizard in front of Aberforth may not be able to enjoy this authentic bourbon barrel single malt whiskey. Because the moment Aberforth poured the wine, his feet suddenly softened, and he rolled under the bar with a plop and fell asleep.
"damn it… "
Aberforth picked up the glass himself, swallowed the cold and fragrant liquid in the glass, then turned around and stuffed the glass and the ice cubes into the sink.
"... I have already remembered this glass of wine and you as a person. The price you have to pay will not be less than a copper nut!"
After muttering something viciously, he glanced around the bar, impatience written all over his face. At the end, he subconsciously glanced at the ceiling again, but couldn't help but sigh slightly.
His brother had put so much effort into Hogwarts—even though he had spent his whole life complaining about his brother Albus because of the accidental death of his sister Ariana, the two of them were brothers after all.
Now his brother is gone, as free and easy and arbitrary as the Albus he was back then. As a result, it seemed that he had no relatives left in this world.
So, what else can Aberforth Dumbledore hope for
Just as he was inadvertently thinking about these "philosophies of life" that he had never cared about since he was a child, another head suddenly popped up in front of the bar.
"... Hey, another glass of... single malt whiskey... with ice?"
After coming back to his senses, Aberforth glanced at the other party with an expressionless expression. It was the drunk Australian wizard who had just lay down on the floor.
"You've finished your drink."
Aberforth said, reaching out and pushing back the other person's extended head.
At this moment, the wooden door of the bar was pushed open from the outside again, and a cloaked figure walked in. Aberforth just looked at it and immediately recognized who the not tall figure should belong to.
Sure enough, after the other party nodded slightly in this direction, he hurried straight to the inside of the bar. There is a locked door there, and behind it is the stairs leading to the second floor of the bar. The magic above cannot be unlocked by just anyone.
But the figure just touched the doorknob, easily opened the door, and disappeared into the crack of the opened door in a flash.
The sound of the door being re-closed was like a small wave in the sea in the noisy bar, and almost no one noticed it.
Aberforth shook his head slightly, then picked up the wine glass at hand and wiped it carelessly.
"That's it," he murmured to himself, "You are already so old anyway, and it will be the same if you die early or later. In this case, it is better to do something trivial for these young people..."
The Pig Head Bar seemed to be particularly noisy tonight.