Chapter 168: Hogwarts’ Real-Life Challenge Game

Words : 1573 Updated : Oct 10th, 2025

"I don't think the name 'Ultimate Challenge' is a good one," Wade said to Michael. "An 'ultimate' challenge shouldn't really have 'ultimate' in it." "What if your final boss is defeated?" Michael asked. "Then you tell the challenger it was just an Iron-tier boss. After Iron comes Bronze, then Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Master, Grandmaster, and finally King. Then there's One-Star King, Two-Star King, all the way to Nine-Star King, and then the God level. Isn't that awesome?" "Oh, give it a rest!" Michael rolled his eyes. "If it goes on like this, no one will ever finish this game." "Why finish it?" Wade countered. "A game that ends quickly just becomes a faded memory, but one without an end keeps people coming back." "I think... this is one memory that will never fade..." Michael added. "Be honest, is this whole setup because everyone disliked the 'Wade version Battle Royale' game?" "...As if!" Wade replied with a hint of defensiveness. "I've spent a long time considering how to make these games more fun, more useful for everyone... This wasn't just on a whim." "Don't bother denying it—your hesitation says it all," Michael teased. Wade: "..." Nearby, the professors kept a watchful eye on the students progressing through the challenge, while watching the two bickering with a smile. Even Professor Snape had nothing to say. During this past day or so, Wade had come to see the true skill of Hogwarts' professors. His thoughts drifted back to the previous afternoon... Padma, along with a few other girls, had drafted a new sketch in just one afternoon. It depicted a vast space divided into seven different zones, each containing an intricate maze. From the outer layer to the inner core, each zone became progressively smaller, ultimately converging in the center. Participants would have to choose one of seven entrances, pass through seven levels of challenges, and finally face the final boss. If they failed or chose to give up, they would have to restart the game from the beginning. Michael and the other SSC members had borrowed the entire set of Care of Magical Creatures from the library and compiled a list of 37 magical creatures suitable for student challenges. Wade, meanwhile, had reached out to Professor Murray through his Book of Friends and consulted with Mr. Scamander to design a new alchemical tool. Its common name was the "Real-Time Scorekeeper." But Wade engraved a title on the device: "Hall of Heroes"! While he worked tirelessly to complete the alchemical artifact, Professor Flitwick rallied the entire Hogwarts staff to help—from Dumbledore to Filch, from nearly-retired Professor Kettleburn to the thestrals that pulled the carriages—no one was left out. Most of the faculty joined in with enthusiasm, though Filch muttered complaints about the risk of students causing mischief. First, the Herbology professor, with the help of advanced class students, created an intricate framework overnight. They conjured countless hedges that grew out of nowhere, completely enclosing the previous game field as the foundation for the maze. The thorny hedges weren't as dangerous as Devil's Snare, but getting pricked by them could be quite painful. They grew densely, leaving only narrow gaps that even a small insect could barely squeeze through. Next, Professor Flitwick and advanced Charms students added diverse landscapes among the hedges. There were narrow alleyways like the previous game field, as well as swamps, woods, flower fields, small hills, and flat-looking grassy areas that concealed hidden traps. Professor Flitwick enchanted various keys and paper planes to float freely in these areas, requiring students to catch them for clues. Flitwick also invited Lockhart to add his touch. Eagerly waving his wand, Lockhart proclaimed he would create a unique spectacle. Unfortunately, his spell backfired, sending him flying into one of the freshly set traps. Flitwick had to send students to escort Lockhart to the hospital wing. Next came Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and advanced Transfiguration students, who used Transfiguration to make the maze even more enchanting and surreal. Tree branches turned into archways, fallen leaves transformed into tattered curtains, and rotting apples became decrepit carriages exuding an eerie, decayed atmosphere. Dumbledore even set up small traps where anyone triggered would briefly turn into a goat or a boar—something he seemed quite excited to see in action. Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey, meanwhile, hid various potions within the maze. Some potions would repel magical creatures, some would confuse enemies, and others could heal; each had its own unique effect. However, Snape wasn't about to let students use his potions without consequence. Next to each beneficial potion, he placed a concoction with the opposite effect. These ranged from potions that caused vomiting or persistent hiccups, to others that induced dizziness or uncontrollable mood swings. The Potions Master then devised numerous logic puzzles and potion-related questions throughout the maze. Students who answered incorrectly would have to face the consequences of not paying attention in class. Finally, it was Professor Kettleburn and Hagrid's turn. Following Michael's list, they placed various magical creatures into different areas of the maze. The two were keen to make Norberta the dragon the final boss, but the other professors unanimously vetoed the idea. In the end, they went with Wade's suggestion. The final boss would be a ball python that had been enchanted with an Engorgement Charm. Ordinarily a harmless snake, but the magical enhancements made it resistant to most spells, exceptionally agile, and enormous—like a prehistoric beast. The massive serpent slithered slowly in the final level, and its metallic-looking scales gleamed. Just the sight of it from afar would be enough to terrify timid students. Wade eagerly awaited the day when the students would finally defeat it. Naturally, there were some harmless creatures scattered throughout, as well as some giant-sized insects that, while not dangerous, looked quite terrifying. Wade mischievously assigned higher scores to the most frightening-looking creatures. Challengers hoping to score big would have no choice but to face them. Fairies are cute, aren't they? But do fairies give you points? Wade thought smugly. An enlarged earthworm burrowed through the soil, creating some underground passages. Professor Flitwick concealed the entrances but left hints in the form of riddles. Thestrals were also included; they would help struggling students find their way out of the maze and occasionally add a touch of eerie atmosphere. Dumbledore even assigned a team of house-elves as emergency responders. In Hogwarts, house-elves could Apparate freely, and their large ears picked up any sound in the maze. Their natural magic allowed them to sense students' needs, making them the perfect rescuers. For the house-elves, this was their first time openly appearing before the students. When they first appeared, some younger Muggle-born students were startled, mistaking them for maze creatures and shouting, "Go away!" But soon, after being rescued a few times, students affectionately dubbed them "little lifesavers," with some even sneaking candies or Knuts to the house-elves, hoping for help in skipping classes or defeating opponents—of course, this wasn't allowed. Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, the new game field "grew" before their eyes. Just a day and a half later, they were ready for the first trial run. In everyone's eyes, it was nothing short of a miracle. As the trial run began, Wade and the professors monitored from all directions, checking for hidden dangers or areas needing improvement. Students lined up at the entrance in a long queue, while Filch, scowling, kept a close watch to ensure no one cut in line. Some students, even if they were quickly escorted out by the house-elves, would rush right back to the end of the line, eager to try again. What drove students to keep challenging the maze wasn't just the chance to break from their routine studies with this massive real-life adventure game; it was also the huge, ever-updating leaderboard near the entrance. There were rankings for: - [Daily Points Leaderboard] - [Single Level Score Leaderboard] - [Overall Points Leaderboard] Though the game had just begun, competition for top spots was fierce, with scores fluctuating rapidly. Names constantly shifted on the board, and someone who was at the top just moments ago might slip to the bottom in minutes. Others would suddenly rise and claim the top spot. Even holding the first place for just a few minutes was enough for many students to brag about. One of the biggest draws of this points-based game was the instant feedback, which provided a thrill and sense of accomplishment that was addicting. Students found satisfaction and joy as they watched their scores rise. Unlike the average person obsessed with mobile games, these students had to put in more effort in their studies to achieve higher scores in the maze. Excelling required them to master more spells and dive deeper into each subject. Consequently, the professors didn't just allow the game—they encouraged it. -------------------------------- ????????Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!! Your support is greatly appreciated! Available on my P@treon page for just $4!! 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Chapter 168: Hogwarts’ Real-Life Challenge Game

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