As his words fell, the air became silent as death. Quirrell struggled to open his eyes, glaring at Ethan, who seemed to be toying with his prey, feeling completely confused.
Ethan Vincent is also on their side? You're also an undercover agent?!
Voldemort was also bewildered. He'd originally thought this brat was Dumbledore's secret weapon, but now he was forcing Harry Potter to take the Philosopher's Stone? When did I recruit this kid?
Under multiple gazes, Harry looked stunned, slowly nodded, and said: "Oh, okay."
With that, Harry lifted his foot and walked toward the Mirror of Erised.
Quirrell & Voldemort: "?!" "You... you just agreed like that?!" Quirrell roared hoarsely, staring in disbelief with wide eyes. "Where's your backbone as the Saviour? Your courage as a Gryffindor? You're just surrendering to darkness like this?! Damn it, you must be under a Confundus Charm... Ethan Vincent, you're utterly despicable! Stopping at nothing!"
Is this something you, as a villain, should be saying? Ethan thought Quirrell had zero self-awareness. He waved his wand to firmly gag Quirrell's mouth, shook his head, and said, "Villains always talk too much; you are a shame to Ravenclaw."
"Mmph mmph!" Quirrell's eyes nearly burst with hatred. Never seen such a shameless person! Challenging the tournament, bizarre paintings, torturing the ancient city, stealing the Philosopher's Stone... Hogwarts isn't far from ruin.
Quirrell suddenly shivered, fear rising from his heart. Looking at Ethan's pleased, calm expression, he realised that at some point, all his actions had been under this brat's watchful eyes. Maybe he never successfully disguised himself from the beginning. Under those cobalt-blue pupils, everything was exposed. While he was smugly celebrating those schemes and conspiracies, he had unknowingly become a piece on the chessboard. Every move was within Ethan Vincent's plans.
Too terrifying. What exactly is Ethan Vincent? What does he want to do?! Dumbledore, you're about to be backstabbed... quickly come stop this brat!
Quirrell sincerely prayed. On the other side, Ethan paid no mind to Quirrell's complex mental journey of starting to pray to Dumbledore. He walked to the Mirror of Erised, affectionately putting his arm around Harry's shoulder, asking: "How is it? What did you see?"
Harry answered dazedly and obediently: "I saw myself putting the Philosopher's Stone in my pocket..." As he spoke, Harry felt his pants grow heavy, something extra in his pocket. He looked down and reached in, pulling out a ruby-like, crystal-clear red gemstone. Radiating magical brilliance.
Instantly, Quirrell and the Voldemort behind his head held their breath. Their eyes were greedily fixed on that red stone. The stone that could turn lead to gold, grant immortality, and revive a mere spectre... the Philosopher's Stone!
"Wow, it's really beautiful." Ethan murmured, already envisioning it ground to powder or broken into pieces, fusing with his artwork. All efforts were worthwhile. He'd painstakingly learnt goblin craftsmanship, captured an adult dragon, and painted that ancient city mural... making indelible contributions to protecting Hogwarts' safety. He rightfully deserved the Philosopher's Stone.
"Alright, give it to me quickly, Harry. Don't make me wait any longer." Ethan extended his hand toward Harry.
Quirrell sprang up, desperately mumbling and roaring, as if trying to wake Harry with his shouts. Don't listen to that demon's words! Stay firm in your beliefs, Saviour Harry Potter! You must not give up... you must protect the Philosopher's Stone!
However, Quirrell's inner encouragement didn't reach Harry. The "miracle of love" didn't occur between them. Harry nodded, slowly raised his hand, and handed Ethan the Philosopher's Stone that Quirrell and Voldemort had schemed for for an entire semester.
Instantly, Quirrell's eyes went completely dark. He collapsed in despair. It's over. The world is doomed. Justice ultimately lost to evil...
"Crack." A crisp sound. Ethan used his wand to split the Philosopher's Stone into one large and one small piece, returning the smaller half to Harry.
Quirrell: "???" Huh? How... how did he give it back?
Harry: "You only want half?"
Ethan nodded: "Mm, half is enough. Because Headmaster Dumbledore said Nicolas Flamel still needs part of the Philosopher's Stone so they have time to handle their affairs. Moreover, two-thirds of the Philosopher's Stone is sufficient."
Quirrell: Dum... Dumbledore...? Quirrell suddenly froze. An incredible thought emerged in his mind.
[You obtained extraordinary material: Philosopher's Stone!]
[Use now?]
Ethan gripped that crimson stone, like a gem formed from congealed blood, continuously transmitting warm, rich magical power to his palm. "Yes, use it now."
The next second, the Philosopher's Stone suddenly burst with brilliant red light! Robust magical power gushed out from within, yet was enveloped by an invisible force. Its hard surface began flowing, as if melted by intense heat, transforming into a pool of vital paint with apparent life!
This rich red was like summer's blazing sun, like winter's dancing flames. The power of endless life! Like nourishing rain thundering down from the heavens!
Ethan's eyes were dyed red, and he couldn't help but hold his breath! A drop of paint merged into his body.
[Soul Fusion increased by 2%]
A 2% increase at once, granting Ethan vigorous power. However, this wasn't the main point. Ethan flicked his wrist, smoothly transforming his wand into a paintbrush. With his other hand, he took out his unfinished dragon painting.
At this moment, Ethan understood why he'd never successfully replicated a dragon... he knew what he'd been missing. It was this sun-like, blazing, extraordinary paint.
The brush touched paint, spreading red across large portions of the artwork. Immediately, extreme heat swept out from within. Making Quirrell tremble uncontrollably, recalling terrifying memories of being scorched by dragon flames.
Crackle, crackle. The air began distorting, fine dust spontaneously combusting. Harry watched this scene in amazement, his lenses reflecting crimson light. This was his first time witnessing Ethan paint in person. Now he seemed to finally understand why only Ethan could create those miraculous, powerful paintings.
The final stroke was applied. Ethan set down his brush, and a majestic, soaring dragon's roar rang out from the canvas! Shooting straight to the clouds!
[Painting - Imperial Flame]
[Type: Concept Painting]
[Grade: Tier 2 - Golden Legend]
[Description: A painting inspired by dragon's breath, depicting dragon flames' blazing heat and majesty]
[Effect: Using this painting greatly consumes magical power, unleashing the dragon's power - Imperial Flame, centred on oneself, igniting surroundings, cannot be extinguished by water, burns everything]
[Evaluation: The world as kindling, reproducing the dragon's power with human form... truly miraculous power.]
Ethan raised his hand, and with his thoughts, flames rose from his palm. Like fireflies, they swirled around him, carrying supreme heat.
"Wow..." Harry couldn't help but gape, his vision blurred by the heat. "So beautiful, so amazing..."
"Hehe~" Ethan curved his lips, feeling extraordinarily calm at this moment. As if transformed into a mountain-sized dragon, looking down upon the world.
Just then... "You... you're not under a Confundus Charm?! Dumbledore knows all this?!" Quirrell broke free from his restraints, crawling up like a living corpse, hoarsely demanding answers.
"Confundus Charm? Who? Me?" Harry was completely confused. Seeing Quirrell's terrifying appearance, he instinctively stepped behind Ethan. "No, I willingly helped Ethan get the Philosopher's Stone." Harry glanced at Ethan, somewhat embarrassed yet proud and boastful: "I trust that Ethan won't harm me!"
But whether he'll harm you... that's another story.
Quirrell was stunned, shouting in disbelief: "You fool! You don't even know you're under a Confundus Charm! And you say he won't harm you... I saw Ethan tap your scar with his wand to threaten you!"
"Ah, that." Harry touched his cool scar, breaking into a somewhat silly smile: "That was Ethan casting a healing spell on me. After he cast the magic, my scar stopped hurting."
This was also why Harry had followed Ethan's instructions without hesitation.
"Moreover, didn't Ethan say this Philosopher's Stone was given to him by Headmaster Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel after discussion?"
Ethan nodded, looking at Quirrell with pity, like viewing an idiot. He couldn't help but offer comfort: "It's okay, you did serve a purpose. Look!" Ethan showed Quirrell the dragon painting, laughing joyfully: "As my outstanding contribution to Hogwarts, you helped me earn the Philosopher's Stone, allowing me to successfully create a perfect painting! Thank you, Professor Quirrell~"