Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

Chapter 406 Winter festival

"I can't believe Parkar sent us VIP tickets!" Jennifer exclaimed, her voice barely audible over the festival music and chatter.

Pierre chuckled. "Well, he says that its a wedding gift."

"Speaking of gifts, I suppose I should give you one," Jaegar said, now walking beside Pierre.

"If you want to, but I won't mind even if you don't give one," Pierre said to Jaegar.

As they approached the stadium, the festival atmosphere intensified.

Vendors lined the streets, selling everything from enchanted scarves that changed colour with the wearer's mood to hot chocolate that never cooled.

The air crackled with anticipation for the upcoming magical soccer match.

The stadium loomed before them, a massive structure of shimmering crystal and adamantine.

Magical runes pulsed along its surface, maintaining the protective barriers that kept both players and spectators safe during the intense matches.

Flashing their VIP passes, the trio was escorted to a private box with an unobstructed view of the field. As they settled into their plush seats, Jaegar whistled appreciatively.

"Parkar's really moved up in the world, hasn't he?" he remarked, eyeing the luxurious surroundings.

Pierre nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "He's worked hard for it. Remember how he used to practice in the academy courtyard at all hours?"

"Yeah, I had been with him on the field most of the time."

Before Pierre could respond, a hush fell over the stadium. The announcer's magically amplified voice boomed through the air.

"Ladies and gentlemen, witches and wizards! Welcome to the Winter Festival Championship match!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as the two teams took to the field. The players zoomed in on their enchanted shoes, leaving trails of coloured sparks in their wake. Parkar, easily recognisable with his shock of bright red hair, led his team in a formation that spelt out "Happy Holidays" in the air.

As the match began, it quickly became apparent why magical soccer was one of the most popular sports in the wizarding world.

Every time the ball struck the magical barrier surrounding the field, it shook with a thunderous boom that reverberated through the stadium. The crowd gasped and cheered with each near-miss and spectacular save. Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire

Parkar, true to Pierre's words, had indeed improved tremendously. His strikes were nothing short of magnificent, each one a blend of raw power. When he scored the first goal of the match, sending the ball through a hoop that seemed to defy the laws of physics, the stadium nearly exploded with excitement.

As the game progressed, Pierre and Jaegar found themselves lost in reminiscence, their conversation punctuated by exclamations at particularly impressive plays.

"He sure did develop quite a bit of fans for himself," Jaegar said, pointing at the women who were seated close to the field in the lower area. They were all dressed in full-sleeve shirts with Parkar's face on front and behind, cheering loudly for him.

"You would have been there playing if you continued just like him," Pierre shouted to him. The crowd was getting really hyper.

Jaegar smiled as he watched the game.

The match stretched on, each team trading goals in a display of skill and magical prowess that left the spectators breathless. In the final minutes, with the score tied, Parkar pulled off a move that would be talked about for years to come.

He soared through the air, suspended in time, and he struck the ball with a perfectly timed kick. It sailed towards the net just as the final whistle blew.

The stadium erupted in pandemonium.

Jennifer jumped to her feet, cheering wildly. Pierre and Jaegar exchanged looks of disbelief before joining in the celebration.

As the crowd began to disperse, still buzzing with excitement, the trio made their way down to the player's area. They found Parkar surrounded by teammates and reporters, his face flushed with victory and his hair even more dishevelled than usual.

When he spotted them, his face lit up. Excusing himself, he bounded over, enveloping them in a group hug that smelt of sweat and grass.

"You came!" he exclaimed, his voice hoarse from shouting during the game.

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Pierre replied, clapping him on the back. "That last move was insane, mate. Absolutely brilliant."

Parkar grinned sheepishly. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure how I pulled it off. It just felt right in the moment, you know?"

They chatted for a few more minutes, promising to catch up properly soon, before Parkar was pulled away for post-game interviews and celebrations.

As they left the stadium, the winter night had fully settled in. The festival lights seemed even brighter now, reflecting off the freshly fallen snow. Despite the late hour, the streets were still alive with revellers enjoying the night of the festival.

"What a day," Jennifer sighed contentedly, leaning against Pierre as they walked. "I don't think I'll ever get used to how amazing magic can be."

Jaegar nodded in agreement. "It feels good to spend days like this, spending time with you guys."

He felt like the upcoming days would be a lot more perilous than previous days. It was like a sixth sense telling him something was coming. Already, he had witnessed the meteors, and from what he heard from Angelina, it seems like dangerous times are ahead.

They made their way home, the excitement of the day slowly giving way to a comfortable weariness. Pierre's mother had insisted they all come home early as she would prepare them dinner.

As dusk deepened into true night, they found themselves seated around the warm, inviting kitchen table in Pierre's home. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of his mother's cooking—a hearty stew that seemed to chase away the winter chill with each spoonful.

Pierre's mother, Fiona, bustled around the kitchen, maids moving around helping her. "Eat up, dears," she urged, her eyes twinkling. "There's plenty more where that came from."

As they enjoyed the meal, an unusual tension hung in the air, nearly imperceptible but present nonetheless.

Fiona's movements seemed slightly stiffer than usual; her cheerful demeanour tinged with a hint of discomfort. She was careful to maintain a certain distance from Jaegar, their interactions polite but noticeably restrained.