Chapter 133: Stepping on Others to Rise

Originally, the ball was intended to be a simple gathering, but now, following Ma Jun’s request, the atmosphere had become quite intriguing.

The eyes of everyone present were drawn to the spectacle.

Gilderoy Lockhart felt as if he were being roasted on a spit; the pressure was immense, leaving him thoroughly embarrassed. Just think about it: a complete charlatan with no real ability, who relied solely on his glib tongue for comfort—how could he possibly dare to duel Ma Jun?

"Well?" Ma Jun asked with a half-smile. "Mr. Lockhart, are you afraid? Or perhaps, you simply deem it beneath you to duel with me?"

Lockhart was momentarily speechless. After a brief hesitation, he suppressed his sense of panic, lifted his chin, and said with haughty arrogance, "You are but a child; I would not dream of embarrassing you in a setting like this!"

"Oh, is that so?" Ma Jun chuckled. "You are a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, and yet you choose to flee from a simple duel! It is truly baffling. Perhaps you are only capable of smiling? After all, you have won the 'Witch Weekly' Most Charming Smile Award five times."

"Heh..."

The onlookers let out a ripple of laughter; watching a spectacle cost nothing. Lockhart usually hopped about like a flamboyant burlesque dancer, and everyone was delighted to see him cornered.

Stung by the mockery, Lockhart’s face flushed red. He continued, his voice wavering with insecurity, "I will not bully a child, no matter what you say!"

"Very well. For someone who lacks courage," Ma Jun said with a smile, "to insist on fleeing under such circumstances suggests two possibilities: first, your true ability is very low; and second, your true ability is very low!"

"Nonsense!" Lockhart jumped as if his tail had been stepped on, shouting loudly.

His reaction only fueled the crowd's suspicions.

Lucius Malfoy, who had previously been speaking in his favor, frowned and stared at Lockhart. "Sir, it is high time you taught a lesson to such an arrogant young man who knows nothing of depth!"

"Indeed, come and teach me a lesson—do you dare?" Ma Jun asked cheerfully.

*Son of a bitch,* Lockhart cursed inwardly. *This fellow doesn't look old, but to be able to write those travelogues, he must have some ability! I am only proficient in the Memory Charm, and even that only works when I catch someone off guard. If I choose to duel in public, my secret will surely be exposed!*

Lockhart remained silent. His lack of confidence in his own power left him no choice but to cower like a tortoise.

"It seems..." Ma Jun shook his head with feigned regret, "that you are a fraud. Everything recorded in those books is fabricated! Since that is the case, Mr. Lockhart, I ask that after the ball, you publish a statement in the Daily Prophet to clarify the truth to your many readers: tell them that you are... a clown! A fraud!"

"What are you spouting?" Lockhart roared. "Damn boy, do you want a duel? Then come! I will show you just how powerful a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, truly is!"

Under Ma Jun’s relentless pressure, Lockhart found himself backed into a corner and impulsively let the words slip out.

The onlookers were treated to a feast; seeing the escalation, they all beamed, feeling that their trip had been well worth it.

Lucius was very accommodating. His estate was vast, and he quickly had his house-elf, Dobby, prepare a dueling stage in the hall.

Ma Jun and Lockhart stood opposite each other, their wands gripped in their hands.

Lucius acted as the referee, standing in the middle. "Ready, set, begin!"

As soon as the words left his lips, the terrified Lockhart chose to attack. He stepped forward, and a dark red light shot from his wand.

Ma Jun remained calm and collected. He flicked his wand as if shooing away a fly, effortlessly neutralizing the attack.

"What? Lockhart’s attack was fended off just like that? He is a famous wizard!"

The onlookers were stunned, whispering among themselves.

Seeing this, Lockhart felt even more panicked. *Oh no, this brat really does have some strength! Damn it, I shouldn't have provoked him in the first place!*

To save his reputation, Lockhart summoned every ounce of his strength—it was likely the most "serious" effort he had ever exerted in his life—waving his wand frantically to attack Ma Jun.

Yet Ma Jun treated it like child’s play, smiling as he easily deflected every curse.

"How can this be? Is Lockhart really a fraud? He looks less capable than a seventh-year student!"

"Oh, could it be that the stories in Lockhart’s books are all made up?"

"The Ministry of Magic must have been out of its mind to grant such a person an Order of Merlin!"

After several failed attacks and hearing the murmurs of the crowd, Lockhart was utterly humiliated.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Ma Jun said loudly, "Alas, I had hoped you might offer me some guidance, but now it seems... I fear you truly are a fraud! To spare your dignity, I will only attack once—a simple Disarming Charm!"

Despite his words, there was not a trace of regret on Ma Jun’s face. He flicked his wand, and a powerful force surged forth, eerie and impossible to evade!

Lockhart defended with all his might, but even though he cast defensive charms, he was still knocked into the air and slammed to the ground. His magical power was no match for the blow.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Ma Jun looked at Lucius. "Is it time to announce the result?"

Lucius, still momentarily dazed, snapped out of it and glared at the disheveled Lockhart. "I truly never imagined he was a fraud who had deceived the entire wizarding world! I declare the result of the match... Mr. Ma Jun is the winner! I shall propose that the Ministry of Magic launch an investigation into Lockhart!"

"That would be greatly appreciated!" Ma Jun replied with a smile.

...

For someone on the rise, the best way to ascend is to climb on the backs of others. Of course, the prerequisite is having the corresponding strength.

The day after the ball, the *Daily Prophet* published the news, and everyone learned that Lockhart had been defeated by Ma Jun.

At first, many of Lockhart’s fans found it hard to believe and cursed Ma Jun. However, as the situation unfolded and the Ministry of Magic announced the revocation of Lockhart’s Order of Merlin, the public finally accepted the truth.

From that point on, Lockhart’s reputation plummeted, while Ma Jun emerged as a rising star.

Seizing the opportunity, Ma Jun held a book launch to expand his influence. In the days that followed, thanks to information provided by his contact Qian Yaoduo, who had become an Auror, Ma Jun participated in several arrests of dark wizards, which made his fame unparalleled.

By the following May, through the coordinated efforts of Qian Yaoduo and two other subordinates working within the Ministry, Ma Jun was awarded the Order of Merlin, Third Class, as well as an honorary membership in the Alliance Against Dark Magic!

By then, he had fully inherited and surpassed Lockhart’s achievements, becoming a red-hot figure in the wizarding world.

What pleased Ma Jun even more was that the Headmaster of Hogwarts—that legendary old fox, Albus Dumbledore—had written to him, inviting him to a meeting!