Chapter 151: "Dueling Tournament: Finale"
After his duel with Fleur, Harry had some downtime before the semifinal match. He decided to use this break to scout his potential competition by watching the other matches in the arena.
Among the duelers still in the competition, Harry noticed that Emilia Ritter, whom he had faced in the group stages, had advanced to the semifinals. He was pleased to see her progress; her skills were too good to be halted early in the competition.
However, Emilia seemed to be up against a formidable opponent in her semifinal match. The duelist she was going to face appeared calm and collected in all his previous duels, effortlessly handling all challenges thrown his way. Harry observed him carefully, noting that the duelist like him seemed to be concealing the true extent of his abilities.
From what Harry could gather, it seemed unlikely that Emilia would win this match. This meant that the calm, mysterious duelist would probably be Harry's final adversary.
As the time for Harry's semifinal match approached, he was set to face a 16-year-old competitor from Koldovstoretz, the Russian wizarding school known for its unique take on Quidditch, where players fly on entire, uprooted trees instead of broomsticks.
The arena buzzed with excitement as Harry made his way to the dueling platform. The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, introducing the contenders to an eager crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for an exciting semifinal match! In one corner, we have Hadrian Potter from Britain, a duelist who has shown remarkable skill throughout this tournament. And in the other corner, Aleksei Salamov from Russia, representing the esteemed Koldovstoretz school!"
The spectators' excitement intensified as both duelists took their positions, their faces set with determination. Feeling confident and eager to advance to the final round, Harry decided to switch up his strategy for this duel. Instead of using his usual defensive approach of deflecting spells, he chose to adopt an offensive stance right from the start.
At the signal, Harry wasted no time, launching a barrage of spells at his opponent.
Aleksei quickly raised shields and countered with his own spells, but Harry effortlessly sidestepped these, maintaining his aggressive stance. As the duel progressed, the relentless pace set by Harry began to overwhelm Aleksei. Eventually, one of Harry's spells broke through Aleksei's defenses, disrupting his rhythm and leaving him vulnerable to the continuing onslaught.
Thankfully for Aleksei, Harry had chosen to use non-lethal spells such as Stupefy, Petrificus Totalus, Impedimenta, and Expelliarmus. This strategy incapacitated Aleksei without causing any real harm. The duel ended with Aleksei stunned and disarmed, but fortunately uninjured, spared from what could have been a much graver outcome had Harry opted for more destructive magic.
The referee called an end to the duel, declaring Harry the winner, and propelling him into the final round with ease.
As the stadium reverberated with excitement, the announcer's voice filled the air, proclaiming, "What a display of magical prowess by Mr. Potter! With swift and strategic spellwork, he secures his place in the finals!"
After the match, Harry approached Aleksei, extending a hand to help him up. The Russian wizard, still shaking off the effects of the stun spells, gave Harry a nod in recognition of his superior skills.
"Good match," Harry offered, acknowledging Aleksei's effort despite the quick defeat.
Aleksei, managing a slight smile despite his disappointment, responded, "You are very strong, Potter. I wish you luck in the final."
With the brief exchange complete, Harry stepped off the platform to where Sirius was waiting with a broad smile, showing his pride.
Shortly after Harry's semifinal victory, the second semifinal match unfolded. Much like Harry's duel, it was a display of overwhelming magical force. Emilia's opponent unleashed a barrage of spells from the start, quickly overpowering her. She was unable to withstand the onslaught for long, and the duel concluded even more swiftly than Harry's match against Aleksei. This quick victory ratcheted up the crowd's excitement, setting high expectations for a thrilling final showdown.
With the day's competition over and the final match scheduled for the next day, Harry decided to call it an early night. His final opponent had shown formidable strength, suggesting that the upcoming duel wouldn't be easy. Recognizing the importance of being in top form, Harry planned to get a good night's rest to ensure he was at his best for tomorrow's challenge.
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The final day of the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament had arrived, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Harry had navigated through the rounds with remarkable skill and precision. Each match, though not particularly challenging, had been an enjoyable experience for him, filled with moments of fun and learning.
Today, he faced his toughest challenge yet—a highly skilled duelist from Spain who had studied at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the esteemed magical institution under MACUSA. This duelist had demonstrated his prowess throughout the tournament and was considered a formidable opponent.
The arena was buzzing with energy, packed with spectators eager to witness a duel that promised to be both intense and captivating. The crowd was hopeful for a display of magical talent that would be remembered for years.
As Harry stepped onto the dueling platform, the announcer's enthusiastic voice echoed through the packed arena, amplifying the excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, gather around for the grand finale of this prestigious tournament! In one corner, we have Hadrian Potter from Britain, a young wizard whose tactical brilliance and magical prowess have brought him to this climactic showdown. And in the other corner, we present Mateo Ramirez from Spain, renowned for his exceptional dueling skills and strategic acumen throughout this competition!"
Across the platform stood Mateo Ramirez, poised and confident. His tall, athletic frame and sharp, observant eyes reflected a calmness characteristic of seasoned duelists. His training at Ilvermorny, known for its rigor, was evident in his composed demeanor, marking him as a formidable and unpredictable opponent.
The crowd's anticipation was palpable, with every spectator eager to see how these two outstanding young wizards would fare in what promised to be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
As the duel began, Mateo Ramirez did not hesitate. He immediately unleashed a series of complex and powerful spells aimed at testing Harry's defensive skills to their limits.
Reacting swiftly, Harry showcased his agility, dodging and shielding himself with spells that impressed the audience. His rapid movements and reflexes, honed from his training as a knight, allowed him to handle Mateo's spells with apparent ease, delighting the spectators.
However, it was clear that Mateo was not an ordinary opponent. The caliber of his spells indicated that Harry couldn't rely solely on simple deflections. Recognizing this, Harry shifted his strategy from a static defense to more dynamic movements around the platform. This approach made it difficult for Mateo to aim and allowed Harry to attack from various angles.
The intensity of the duel escalated quickly. Harry darted swiftly across his side of the field, casting spells with rapid precision. Mateo, holding his ground, expertly raised shields and countered with his own spells. Each spell cast and countered sent roars of excitement through the crowd. Despite Harry's agility, breaching Mateo's defenses proved challenging, as Mateo was exceptionally skilled at casting protective shields.
As the duel wore on, with neither wizard gaining a clear advantage, Harry decided to intensify the challenge. He incorporated transfiguration into his attack, transforming two conjurations into large leopards and directing them towards Mateo.
Along with the leopards, Harry unleashed a barrage of hexes, giving Mateo no respite and forcing him to defend on multiple fronts. Now, Mateo was not just dueling Harry but also fending off two ferocious animals.
Remarkably, Mateo managed to handle the increased pressure with great agility and tactical acumen, defending against the hexes with one hand while subduing the leopards with the other.
Impressed yet frustrated by Mateo's ability to remain composed under such an assault, Harry considered that Mateo's skills could easily rival those of many experienced Aurors.
However, the prolonged nature of the duel irked Harry, who, trained by Arcturus, preferred to conclude battles swiftly and efficiently, viewing any extended combat as a tactical failure.
He knew he had more destructive spells in his arsenal, taught by Arcturus, which could end the match swiftly. However, he was aware that using such dangerous spells in a friendly under-17 tournament could lead to serious injuries for Mateo, which he wanted to avoid.
Determined to finish the duel without resorting to his most dangerous spells, Harry intensified his offensive. He powered up his spells and closed in on Mateo, coordinating his attacks with the leopards to maximize pressure. This tactic increased the speed and impact of his spells, making it harder for Mateo to keep up.
Eventually, as Harry closed the distance, Mateo was caught off guard. While he was distracted by one leopard, the other bit his arm, disrupting his defense. Seizing the moment, Harry landed a stunning spell squarely on Mateo, followed by a disarming spell that knocked Mateo's wand across the platform, effectively ending the duel.
"The winner of the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament is Hadrian Potter! What an amazing display of skill and power from both our finalists. I am sure we will remember this duel for days to come," announced the announcer, his voice booming over the excited cheers from the audience.
Amid the thunderous applause, Harry approached Mateo, offering a handshake. Mateo, recovering from the shock of the loss, shook it firmly, a respectful smile breaking across his face.
"Excellent duel, Ramirez. Your spells were some of the toughest I've faced," Harry complimented earnestly. "Your defensive skills are remarkable."
"Thank you, Potter. It was an honor to duel you. I hope we cross wands again in the future," Mateo replied, his tone filled with respect and a hint of eagerness for future challenges.
As Harry walked off the dueling platform, victorious and tired, Sirius was there waiting with a big grin and a slightly teasing comment.
"Great duel, Harry, but it was a tad too long for you. I'll be sharing the memory of this duel with Grandfather. Prepare for his criticism," Sirius chuckled, his tone light but proud.
Harry smiled, shaking his head. "Doesn't matter. That guy was good. Too good for someone only 16 years old. Is the teaching at Ilvermorny this good?"
"Might be. MACUSA keeps things pretty close to the chest, so it's hard to say for sure. But judging by the skills your opponent showed, he must have a good instructor. Maybe even better than Grandfather," Sirius mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Harry looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Looks like I'll meet him again in the adult tournaments next year. He'll be much stronger after his magical maturity and might even have a chance at defeating me if I'm not careful."
"Don't sell yourself short, Harry. I still remember one of our duels where you sprinted full tilt and landed a punch before I even blinked. None of your peers could handle that," Sirius said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Harry chuckled at the memory. "True, but winning like that isn't exactly... cool, is it? It might not sit well with everyone. I think it's better to put on a good show for the audience."
"Absolutely, duels are more entertaining this way," Sirius agreed, giving Harry a supportive clap on the back as they walked out of the arena, both ready to celebrate Harry's well-earned victory.
After the final match, there was a prize ceremony where Harry was awarded a cash prize of 1000 Galleons along with a certificate for winning the tournament.
Later, a small networking party was organized for the duelers. Harry, enjoying the chance to mingle, had a great time interacting with his competitors and other participants. His ability to speak several languages like Spanish, French, and Russian—skills he had honed over the years to make travel with Emma more manageable—proved incredibly useful. He could chat easily with everyone, which enriched his experience at the gathering. While he had also started learning Mandarin, he found it challenging and hadn't made much progress due to its difficulty and his limited free time.
During the party, it became apparent to everyone that Harry was only 14 years old. This revelation surprised many and motivated them to intensify their training, fearing that Harry would continue to grow stronger and potentially outpace them in future competitions.
Fleur was also present at the gathering. She didn't interact much with Harry, save for a brief comment promising revenge in the next year's tournament. She was clearly still upset about her defeat, viewing it as a personal embarrassment.
After the festivities, Harry returned to celebrate further with his family, ending the day on a high note surrounded by his loved ones.