Chapter 73: Mark's Fake Moves

While Charlie was explaining Quidditch tactics to everyone, he used common terms like "Hawkhead Formation" and "Bumphing Feint." Albert could only grasp bits and pieces of it and felt like he was back in his previous life, listening to English class.

However, the tactic that intrigued Albert the most was the Transylvanian Feint.

He learned about it from Charlie because he forbade Mark from using the Transylvanian Feint during matches.

By asking Wood beside him, Albert finally got an answer.

According to Wood's explanation, the Transylvanian Feint involved pretending to harm the opponent. For example, pretending to punch someone, using an elbow to strike their chest, or even using a finger to poke their eye. As long as you didn't actually make contact with the opponent, all the fake moves were considered legal.

And Mark was exceptionally skilled at the Transylvanian Feint. Sometimes, he would swing his bat pretending to hit someone, or use his elbow to collide with opponents' chests, or even intimidate them by riding his broomstick aggressively.

No one knew if Mark's next Transylvanian Feint was real or fake. After all, no one wanted to take a direct hit from him. It was more annoying than being targeted by the Bludger.

When targeted by the Bludger, you had your team's Beaters to help you. But when Mark focused on you, you could only count on your own luck.

This put pressure on opponents targeted by Mark.

As for whether he actually hit someone?

Of course, it would be considered a foul. Mark always had a valid excuse, claiming that his Transylvanian Feint failed, expressing sincere remorse... which was all nonsense.

Anyway, being penalized for a foul wasn't a severe consequence. At most, it meant handing over the Bludger to the opponent. But the player who took an elbow strike or a hit from Mark's bat was truly unlucky.

"Is it real or fake?" Albert murmured.

"Haha, look, Charlie, Albert also knows the secret of the Transylvanian Feint. Why don't you understand? Fake moves have to be both real and fake. Otherwise, how can you scare the opponent?" Mark exaggeratedly swung his bat without holding it. "Now, when everyone sees me raise my bat, they'll all stay far away."

"Don't make excuses. What happened last semester? You know it very well," Charlie warned sternly. "Anyway, you are not allowed to use the Transylvanian Feint in matches anymore. Do you understand?"

Note: The translation provided may not capture the nuances or exact meanings of certain terms or phrases, as translating literature requires balancing literal and contextual interpretations.

"Alright," Mark blinked and said.

"What happened last year?" Albert curiously asked. The other new recruits perked up their ears to eavesdrop.

"Oh, last year! Before the match against Slytherin, there was a conflict between the teams off the field. As a result, Jack couldn't participate because the Slytherins messed him up. So, on the field, Mark..." Danny struggled to hold back his laughter, raised his hand and made a swinging motion while explaining in a low voice, "Well, Mark used the Transylvanian Feint and knocked out Slytherin's Seeker with a bat swing. Although he kept claiming it was a tactical mistake of the Transylvanian Feint, Professor Hooch, furious, banned Mark from playing Quidditch for a semester."

However, Slytherin lost the match in the end because they didn't have a Seeker.

Afterward, Slytherin students labeled Mark as sneaky, but Gryffindor didn't seem to care. They were happy to see Slytherin lose, even if the means were a bit unscrupulous. After all, it was the other side who started it.

After half an hour of tactical explanation, the official players returned to the field to practice Charlie's tactics, while Albert and the other new recruits continued flying in circles on their brooms.

On the way, there was a small mishap. Fred, who had swapped brooms with Albert, was forced to get off the broom shortly after takeoff.

This time, Fred had to admit that there was indeed something wrong with the broom he borrowed.

Quidditch training lasted until half-past ten. There was no choice; there were only three training opportunities per week. If they didn't make good use of their time to train, winning the Quidditch championship wouldn't be easy.

Of course, the strict training was only for the official players. Charlie provided a more relaxed and flexible training for the new recruits, mainly focusing on cultivating their flying skills and passion for Quidditch.

Without that passion, it was difficult to endure the arduous Quidditch training. After all, whether it was raining, snowing, or thundering, Quidditch training would still continue.

After the training session, everyone gathered in the changing room. Charlie commented on the issues that arose during training and recorded them to address the shortcomings in the next Quidditch practice.

"Albert flew well," Wood took off his protective gear and glanced at Charlie, saying, "He would be great as a Seeker."

"Is Charlie going to give up the Seeker position next year?" Jack exclaimed dramatically. He knew very well that it was impossible since Charlie was the captain. What captain wouldn't play on the field?

However, they also agreed with Albert's talent; otherwise, Wood wouldn't have made that comment.

"Your brother is not bad either," Eileen suddenly said. "If we can't find someone more suitable next year, we can let them take our positions."

"How about Albert as the Seeker?" Danny suggested. "I think he would be a good fit too."

"I think Angelina is good. She's more suitable to replace you," Mario added. "If she stands out in the selection next year."

"As long as she trains with us, there shouldn't be a problem," Jack said.

"Cough." Charlie cleared his throat, interrupting the discussion. "For certain reasons, Albert didn't focus on Quidditch. He joined Professor McGonagall's... uh, Transfiguration Club."

"Transfiguration Club?" Wood asked, puzzled. "What's that?"

"Do you watch transfiguration shows?" Eileen asked.

"No, I don't," Wood honestly replied.

Eileen was speechless for a moment and then explained, "You can think of it as a club where a group of talented individuals in Transfiguration gather."

"But didn't he just start school?" the others were all a bit surprised.

Well, now everyone could guess Charlie's thoughtful intentions. He was preparing a substitute Seeker for the team.

Although Charlie himself was the Seeker, he would graduate soon. After he graduated, if the team couldn't find a suitable Seeker, there would be a ready-made substitute, right?

Although Albert was busy with the Transfiguration Club, if Wood really couldn't find an excellent Seeker, Eileen believed that Professor McGonagall would be willing to help persuade Albert to join the Quidditch team. After all, they all knew that Professor McGonagall's love for Quidditch was not inferior to anyone.

If Albert knew about this, he would definitely shake his head and scoff, "Don't worry, when Charlie graduates, there will be a bloke named Harry Potter to take over as the Seeker."

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(End of this chapter)