Chapter 546: Kyle, You Need to Be More Gentlemanly
Once they reached the shore, Kyle slid off the back of his horse, prompting another round of cheers from the stands. The crowd buzzed with excitement and curiosity, their attention fixed on the Kelpie. Conversations rippled through the audience, marveling at the creature's rare presence.
"Oh, he's so cool, isn't he?" Ron said enviously. "He can actually ride in the water like a knight. If I were him..."
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron. You don't think that's some kind of docile herbivore, do you?" Hermione interrupted, her tone sharp. "The Kelpie is a dangerous carnivorous Magical Creature. Even adult wizards can't handle it without specialized knowledge."
"What? It eats meat?" Ron grabbed the Omnioculars hanging around his neck and focused on the Kelpie floating on the water. The creature's two rows of saw-like teeth gleamed ominously.
"I take back what I just said," Ron muttered, frowning. "There's no way I'd ride a monster like that."
Meanwhile, Kyle was helping Kanna and Gabrielle down from the Kelpie. Drawing his wand, he waved it expertly, and their soaked clothes dried instantly.
"Wait a minute," Kanna said, a sudden thought crossing her mind. "You rescued Gabrielle, but what about Fleur?"
"The Merpeople will inform her," Kyle explained. "In fact, the Second Task is completed when the Champion reaches the tribe. The so-called treasure rescue is mostly ceremonial, and the Merpeople don't attack. She just needs to surface for it to count as a success."
"But what if the judges lower her score because of it?" Kanna asked, still concerned.
"They won't," Kyle assured her, shaking his head. "I'm the one who broke the rules, so I'll be the one docked points... Besides, Madam Maxime won't allow that."
Both Kyle and Kanna glanced toward the judges. The five were deep in discussion, but a moment later, Madam Maxime's face lit up with a satisfied expression.