The two began a theatrical exchange, their exaggerated tones adding to the spectacle. Watching them, Arthur's face flushed red with anger.
Meanwhile, reporters who had already entered the venue perked up at the commotion. Sensing a scoop, they flocked over, their cameras clicking away and enchanted quills scribbling furiously, unwilling to miss this prime piece of drama. "Alex is a hero officially recognized by the Ministry of Magic, and his deeds were personally acknowledged by Minister Bagnold. What's the problem? Are you questioning the Ministry's judgment? Or the Minister's credibility?" Arthur stepped forward, his voice firm as he tried to deflect the accusations.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare question the Ministry or the Minister," Avery replied, feigning a look of innocence. "But facts are facts. It's just sad to see the Ministry and Minister Bagnold being duped by a little wizard. Imagine the Minister being so easily misled by a few pretty words!" Avery sighed dramatically, as though deeply pained.
His statement sent a ripple of gasps through the crowd. The reporters exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Could there really be a hidden truth behind the attack a week ago?
Lucius, standing beside Avery, seized the moment. "So, you're suggesting Alex tricked the Ministry and the Minister?" he asked with an arched brow, his tone dripping with condescension.
"Do we even need to ask?" Avery shot back. "A third-year student defeating five fully grown Death Eaters? It's laughable. Only someone as kind-hearted as Minister Bagnold would believe such nonsense."
"But the fact remains—five Death Eaters were captured," Lucius pressed, his tone mockingly curious. "How do you explain that?"
"Who knows?" Avery shrugged theatrically. "Maybe someone else took them down, and this little wizard simply stumbled upon the scene. Or maybe they were drugged, rendered unconscious, and conveniently dumped there. For all we know, those wizards might not even be real Death Eaters. Memory modification spells exist, don't they?"
As Avery spoke, murmurs swept through the crowd of onlookers. Wizards and reporters alike began whispering amongst themselves, their doubts growing. Alex was, after all, just a young wizard. How could he possibly defeat five adult wizards? And what role did Minister Bagnold play in all this? Could the Ministry have tampered with the facts?
The secrecy surrounding the incident only fueled their suspicions. The Auror Command had kept the details of the attack tightly under wraps, leaving plenty of room for speculation.
Seeing the seeds of doubt sprouting in the audience, Avery and Lucius exchanged satisfied smiles. They knew they couldn't stop Minister Bagnold from awarding Alex the honor, but tarnishing Alex's reputation—and by extension, the Minister's—was just as good.
Alex, on the other hand, found their performance thoroughly entertaining. He stood there with his arms crossed, a faint grin playing on his lips.'If these two formed a comedy duo, they'd make a killing,' he thought. Their expressions, gestures, and tone—it was all spot on.
His gaze shifted to Lucius, and he raised an eyebrow. 'Isn't this fool Yulia's brother? Didn't she warn him not to mess with me? Even if she didn't, surely he noticed that no one from the Travers family dared to show their faces today.'
Amusement danced in Alex's eyes as he chuckled softly. This whole situation was turning out to be more interesting than he'd expected.
Arthur, however, was far less amused. His frustration mounted as the duo's verbal barrage left him unable to get a word in edgewise. He clenched his fists, determined to defend Alex. "You…" Arthur began, but Alex gently tugged on his shoulder, stopping him.
"Arthur, they're targeting me, not you. They've come prepared, so talking won't do much good," Alex said with a calm smile.
"But—" Arthur started to protest, only for Alex to shake his head.
"Trust me." With that, Alex stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Avery and Lucius. The crowd hushed as they sensed a confrontation brewing.
"So, let me get this straight," Alex began, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. "You're questioning my strength? Fine. Why don't I show you?"
"Oh?" Avery's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Are you challenging me to a duel?"
Alex didn't bother to answer with words. Instead, he shook his head, the faintest smirk on his lips. "What's this? Backing down already?" Avery sneered. "Typical. You don't have the courage to face me, do you? Isn't this proof enough that you're a fraud? Ladies and gentlemen, take a good look! The so-called hero who defeated five Death Eaters is nothing but a liar."
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Camera flashes lit up the scene as reporters jotted down notes. A headline practically wrote itself: "Ministry's Hero Exposed as a Fraud."
Meanwhile, Arthur, Vivian, and the others stood nearby, restless and anxious. They wanted to intervene but could only watch helplessly under the eyes of the gathered crowd. It was then Alex turned his head with a smirk and spoke again. "Torquil is a piece of garbage."
"What did you just say?" Avery narrowed his eyes, his confusion mingling with indignation. "How does this have anything to do with Torquil?"
"I said," Alex repeated, enunciating each word deliberately, "Torquil is trash. And you? You're not even as good as trash. Why should I prove my strength by accepting a challenge from someone who doesn't even measure up to garbage? I've already taken down five Death Eaters. If we assume they were all judged by Torquil's standard, then what does that make you?" He paused for effect before delivering the final blow. "Even worse garbage."
The crowd stirred as Alex continued, his voice sharp and cutting. "You're pathetic. And I'm afraid…" He let his words hang in the air before smirking. "I'd have to fight ten of you to even break a sweat."
The entire hall erupted in chaos. Reporters, who had been silently observing until now, surged into action, their whispers morphing into a cacophony of excitement, disbelief, and speculation. The scene became as noisy as a marketplace. Avery's face darkened with fury. "Are you serious?" he growled, his voice shaking with rage. "How dare you insult me like this!"
"If you're scared, I'll give you a way out," Alex taunted, his mocking grin widening. "Kneel down, apologize, and maybe I'll let it slide. But if you're feeling brave, bring it on. Get yourself and Lucius, then find eight more like you. I don't have all day."
Avery and Lucius exploded with anger at Alex's words. "Fine!" Avery snarled. "You want this? You've got it. But don't cry when you're begging for mercy later!"
The two stormed off, determined to gather their reinforcements. However, recruiting proved more difficult than expected. Many of the pure-blood families, though present in solidarity with the Death Eaters, balked at the idea of participating. They saw no honor in ganging up on a single young wizard, especially with so many witnesses. To them, joining this fight would be degrading.
After much effort, Avery and Lucius finally convinced eight others—mostly those who had served the Dark Lord or shared their vendetta—to join them. The motley crew assembled, forming a circle around Alex.