At the same time, Maxime also stepped forward at just the right moment, smiling as she spoke to everyone present, "Everyone, what Headmaster Doug just described was merely the preliminary alliance agreement we've drafted."
"Now, in light of the competition from Mr. Flamel, I've already spent the night in intense discussion with Beauxbatons' board of governors, and the outcome is quite delightful."
"Our board members are very eager to form an alliance with Durmstrang and have decided to add an extra one hundred thousand Galleons to the original six hundred thousand! What do you think, Headmaster Doug?"
The atmosphere in the office instantly turned silent and tense.
Professor Doug's small frame seemed to tremble slightly, while most of the other professors lowered their heads without a word.
Link, however, remained calm as ever.
Before coming to Durmstrang, he had already thoroughly analyzed the entire "acquisition" matter. He knew perfectly well that to these professors, the size of the so-called "buyout sum" didn't really matter at all.
Because, thanks to the influence of Hogwarts' four founders, the founders of the great European magical schools such as Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang had all, almost without exception, left the actual ownership of their schools to their successors, not their descendants. This had since become a tradition.
They had also proclaimed that, magical schools exist to benefit the entire wizarding world, as sacred institutions providing fundamental education for every young witch and wizard.
They are not private property belonging to any one person or organization, but rather the treasured heritage of all wizards.
This lofty declaration meant that no matter how powerful the International Confederation of Wizards or local Ministries of Magic became, none could nationalize these schools.
Because doing so would be seen as a desecration of those noble founders, an insult to one's own origins, and a betrayal of the public, an act that could even spark social panic.
This was why Professor Doug was, in truth, the actual owner of Durmstrang.
As for the school's board of governors, that was merely a fundraising and donation group established by the headmaster.
Yes, they did hold considerable power, even having the authority to remove a headmaster under sufficient cause.
But the school itself did not belong to them.
So, no matter how high a price Maxime offered, none of those Galleons would end up in the professors' own pockets.
The reason some professors leaned toward Maxime now was entirely because they hoped that if Durmstrang were acquired by Beauxbatons, their salaries and living conditions would improve.
Maxime understood this perfectly well.
In her eyes, many of Durmstrang's professors were already pieces of meat on her dinner plate.
Whether or not the "acquisition" succeeded in the end, she could always poach them later with high salaries, thereby seizing Durmstrang's top teaching staff for herself.
That was why she focused all her efforts on Headmaster Doug, aiming to swallow Durmstrang whole.
But Maxime had misjudged the situation.
She likely thought that by bringing in someone like Link, Doug was merely expressing dissatisfaction with the offered price and was trying to negotiate for more.
After all, faced with such a massive sum of Galleons, almost no sane person could refuse.
But in reality, she was the one being used, a pawn to push Link to raise his price.
Because Professor Doug was precisely that kind of "insane" person.
He was someone who truly believed in the founders' lofty proclamation.
To this old man, preserving Durmstrang's heritage was what mattered most. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lowered himself to beg so humbly at that despicable banquet of alliances.
This "acquisition war", Link was certain to win.
Sure enough, after a short silence, Professor Doug's cloudy gaze once again fell upon Link.
Link exchanged a glance with Beckman beside him, then stood up with a smile and addressed everyone in the room,
"Seventy thousand Galleons in total as an alliance fee, that's indeed an astronomical figure. Even I must admit, Madam Maxime of Beauxbatons has shown extraordinary resolve in seeking an alliance with Durmstrang. But I believe I understand better what it is that all of you truly need."
"Actually, I said it the very night I first met Headmaster Doug, I'm more than willing to provide Durmstrang with the same level of support as Hogwarts."
"So, the ten thousand Galleons Headmaster Doug just mentioned is not the full extent of my donation, merely the first installment."
"Of that ten thousand Galleons, eight thousand will go toward repairing Durmstrang Castle and its facilities, while the remaining two thousand will be used to improve students' living standards and increase professors' salaries."
"From the second installment onward, I'll continue providing Durmstrang with donations worth ten thousand Galleons per year."
"Of that, five thousand will go toward maintenance and staff pay. As for the other five thousand, considering Durmstrang's current difficulties sustaining advanced-level instruction due to lack of funding, the Flamel family and Beckman, as two of Europe's largest suppliers of magical creature products and potion ingredients, have decided to contribute this amount in the form of raw materials at cost price."
"Of course, such large sums and supplies must be properly supervised."
"Therefore, while making this donation, I ask to be appointed as a school governor of Durmstrang, with the same supervisory and appointment rights as a Hogwarts governor."
When Link finished, he sat down again with a smile.
By then, a flush of excitement had already spread across Headmaster Doug's face.
As Link had expected, the purpose of calling this vote had been to pressure him into raising his offer.
Doug felt deeply guilty for resorting to such a manipulative tactic.
At first, he had only hoped Link might add another five thousand Galleons, just enough for him to finally pay his professors their overdue wages. That would have satisfied him.
But Link had given him a true surprise, ten thousand Galleons a year.
That was even more than Durmstrang had ever received before.
And the proposed plan to provide materials to support Durmstrang's advanced curriculum hit Doug's soft spot exactly.
As a former potions master, no one understood better than he did how powerful it was to gain the backing of the Flamel and Beckman families, two of Europe's biggest suppliers.
He could already picture Durmstrang's future potionist graduation rate skyrocketing.
Not just Doug, even the previously silent professors around the office were now grinning with delight.
Not everyone wanted to abandon the place they'd worked for decades just to chase an uncertain new opportunity elsewhere. Maxime's offer had simply been too large to ignore.
But now, with Link pledging to raise salaries as part of his plan, that meant those who stayed could enjoy better pay, and those who left could use Link's offer to demand even higher wages from Maxime, a total win-win.
The only unhappy person in the room was probably Maxime.
But there was nothing she could do. She stood up again, glaring fiercely at Headmaster Doug, and said harshly, "I'll add another ten thousand Galleons! This is Beauxbatons' final offer!"
Her voice boomed so loudly that it drowned out the professors' whispers.
But small as he was, Headmaster Doug simply shook his head and quickly said with a wide smile, "Enough! Let's begin the vote. All in favor of Mr. Link Flamel's proposal, raise your hands!"
He lifted his own hand first.
The professors around the table followed suit almost simultaneously. There was no reason to refuse, Link's plan best served their interests.
"Oh! It seems there's no need to vote on Beauxbatons' alliance proposal, then," Headmaster Doug said happily.
Watching the forest of raised hands in the office, Maxime's jaw clenched so tightly her teeth almost cracked.
She shot one last cold glare at both Doug and Link, then stormed out of the office.
Several professors who had already decided to follow her back to Beauxbatons left in a hurry as well.
But no one paid them any attention now.
Bang!
The office door slammed shut.
At that moment, Krum, who had been holding his arm in the air, let out a loud cheer, laughing as he threw his arms around Link, nearly lifting him off the ground in celebration.
The professors chuckled warmly at the sight.
But the most excited of all were Beckman and old Klee.
They were the only two who knew the full extent of Link's "Arsenal Project," and now they were trembling with excitement.
"Mr. Flamel," Headmaster Doug said, smiling broadly as he pinned a bronze Durmstrang crest brooch to Link's chest, "from today onward, you are Durmstrang's sole school governor."
"Thank you for your trust," Link replied, fully understanding the deeper meaning behind Doug's gesture.
"The ten thousand Galleons for this year are already being arranged. Mr. Beckman will bring them over within the next couple of days."
"Also, I'd like to exercise my authority as governor to establish a new Defense Against the Dark Arts course at Durmstrang. I believe this will greatly enhance Durmstrang's public image."
"Mr. Beckman will serve as the professor for this course, and from now on, he'll also act as my representative here, in charge of financial coordination and oversight."
Professor Doug paused in surprise for a moment, then nodded.
"Of course. I warmly welcome Mr. Beckman to our Durmstrang family," he said.
Then he turned to Snape. "Besides that, Mr. Flamel, I've heard from Krum that you are Professor Snape's prized pupil, and highly skilled in potion-making yourself."
"Would you be interested in joining the European Potion Association? As its honorary vice president, I'd be more than happy to recommend a young wizard of your caliber."
"And if Professor Snape himself were willing to join, that would be even better!"
"Our president has mentioned you countless times. But as far as I know, you've always refused to accept the Potions Master title they've tried to award you. This time perhaps..."
"No need. I don't require some hollow title to prove my ability," Snape interrupted bluntly. "And, Link, I suggest you don't join either. Associating with those fame-hungry fools will only make you as stupid as they are."
At that, Headmaster Doug's expression turned awkward. He could only turn back toward Link for his answer.
But under Snape's stern gaze, Link also shook his head.
"I see… what a pity," Doug said with a strained smile.
Link smiled wryly in return.
He understood perfectly, the invitation had been Doug's way of trying to repay him, since from Doug's point of view, Link's donation had been an entirely selfless act.
It made Link thoughtful for a moment.
After all, sometimes, the free things in life are the most expensive of all.
Every gift from fate has already been secretly marked with a price tag.
He couldn't help but wonder, when the day came that all of Durmstrang's staff were tied to his chariot, would Headmaster Doug still be able to smile like this?
Meanwhile, Maxime was already ordering the Beauxbatons students to pack up their things, preparing to end this rather unpleasant summer camp early.
Before they left, however, the Durmstrang professors accompanying them had to undergo a Memory Charm, erasing any recollection of how they had arrived or the route they had taken, a long-standing Durmstrang tradition for all visitors, governors like Link excepted.
"Headmistress Maxime, please don't be angry," Fleur said timidly, trying to comfort the furious Maxime.
"I'm sure Link didn't mean to go against you! It must have been Dumbledore who instructed him to do this!"
Maxime raised an eyebrow.
"Ah, yes, you're probably right. It's very possible Dumbledore sent Link here to stop me. After all, I can't fathom what benefit he'd get from becoming Durmstrang's governor otherwise."
"And more importantly, now that Voldemort has returned, I've heard that the Flamel family has completely sided with Dumbledore."
"What?! Then Link, he…"
"Enough! That boy doesn't need your concern," Maxime snapped, giving Fleur an exasperated look. "We should at least be glad this trip to Durmstrang wasn't entirely wasted. A few professors are still willing to come to Beauxbatons, even if only as temporary teachers."
"Besides, our recruitment drive in France went quite well. I heard an excellent young wizard has agreed to join Beauxbatons as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!"
"Honestly, you should try to get to know him, he's not only powerful, but also quite the handsome young man!"
"Is that so?" Fleur replied half-heartedly. "And what's his name?"
"Mardlo Tomvd Rielo, a rather strange name, isn't it? But I can guarantee you, he'll definitely prove to be far more exceptional than Link!" Maxime said confidently.
[T/N: New novel is up—🔥I Became a Character in Honkai: Star Rail🔥. Enjoy~]
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