Except for Professor Flitwick, everyone else looked at Ethan, standing in the charred ruins, with indescribable expressions. Like looking at a demon standing in the blazing fires of hell. And now, they were about to personally release this demon.
For a moment, no one knew who the real dark wizard was anymore.
Just then, a silky voice broke the eerie silence: "In my opinion, the esteemed Mr. Vincent should go to Azkaban to pursue his great artistic career. There, I'm sure many people would understand him."
Professor Snape sneered mockingly, his dark gaze sliding back and forth between Ethan and Harry.
This remark snapped Professor McGonagall back to her senses. Azkaban? How could he say such a thing! Ethan must have had his reasons for doing this! Didn't he see that Harry wasn't even injured... wait, why was Harry here in the first place?
Hm? Hold on.
Professor McGonagall frowned. Was that... half a Philosopher's Stone in Harry's hand? Why did he have half a Philosopher's Stone? Where did the other half go?
Professor McGonagall's thoughts became confused again, feeling like she was looking around in bewilderment, not knowing she was already caught in a web that had been woven. And the master of this web was gleefully watching them from above, watching them struggle toward the predetermined direction.
It sent chills down her spine.
But regardless, Professor McGonagall instinctively retorted: "Professor Snape, I must remind you that Azkaban is not a place for jokes!"
Ethan nodded in agreement: "That's right. That's for later plans."
Professor McGonagall stared at him: "... " Please just shut up.
"By the way," Ethan looked up, smiling at Snape, "how did you know I got most of the Philosopher's Stone?"
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened in shock.
Snape fell silent: "..." No one in the world would dislike the Philosopher's Stone. Especially since it was an extremely precious, unique potion ingredient. He was deeply jealous! He wanted to splash a bottle of potion on Ethan's smug face!
Damn it! This evil but incredibly gifted brat!
However, just then, Snape suddenly thought of that oil painting with that cursed anti-addiction magic, now framed and secretly locked in his office drawer. Immediately, his cheeks began twitching reflexively in pain.
"Hmph!"
Snape snorted heavily through his nose, swept his sleeves dramatically, and walked away without looking back. However, thinking of what Ethan had done to Quirrell, Snape couldn't help but smirk.
"Ravenclaw gets twenty points."
Though Ravenclaw was already far in the lead.
On the other side, Ron watched this scene dumbfounded: "Bloody hell... I've never seen anyone make Snape storm off! And Ethan only said one sentence!"
Hermione's eyes sparkled: "Ethan can do anything!"
Ron was about to roll his eyes at Hermione's blind worship when he heard Headmaster Dumbledore chuckle: "Indeed. Even I cannot predict what Ethan will do next."
"Hiss!" Ron gasped, shocked to see the greatest wizard of their century give Ethan such high praise.
Merlin's beard! Was Ethan really going to replace Harry Potter as the new saviour?
Meanwhile, Hermione wore a smug "I told you so" expression.
Dumbledore chuckled as he withdrew his gaze. Looking at the vigorous magical power surging around Ethan, feeling the extraordinary heat in the air that no ordinary flame could achieve, he couldn't help but sigh:
Such terrifying growth speed... Even young me, or Grindelwald, would probably feel inferior.
A wizard's power, besides spells and constructs, came largely from emotions. Intense emotions could create miracles. Like the "love" that blocked the Killing Curse for Harry and protected his growth. Twisted malice could also birth powerful magic, like Voldemort.
And Ethan's love for art, his pursuit of goals, was even more turbulent and surging like raging floods. Unparalleled talent combined with impeccable mental strength.
Perhaps Hogwarts really needed to start some "special talent training programme". There wouldn't be a third Dark Lord born, would there?
Dumbledore felt that if his entire life was connected to three Dark Lords, he really needed to find an expert to exorcise him.
Your artwork has left a deep impression on everyone!
Soul Fusion increased by 3%
45% becomes 48%
A spring rain-like power flowed into his body, calming the restless and violent emotions from using dragon flames.
"Phew..."
Ethan slowly exhaled. This 3% leap contained more power than all the magic he'd previously released. Now Ethan could use high-consumption magic like the Hell Cerberus and Sovereign Flames for longer periods.
Soul Fusion is approaching a bottleneck! Please upgrade the Painting Skill level first!
Painting Level 3 unlock condition: Hold a grand performance for an existence that doesn't belong to this world!
Soul Fusion was approaching 50%, but before that, he had to upgrade his painting skills first. An existence that doesn't belong to this world...
Ethan pondered thoughtfully.
After using righteous flames to completely burn away evil, Ethan's life returned to calm. Or what he considered calm.
That night, the explosive force of Sovereign Flames even faintly shook Hogwarts' foundations, making all the young wizards feel tremors like an enraged dragon! Like an earthquake, rumbling dully from the ground.
They soon learnt what had happened. Ron and Harry were both massive leaks anyway. The first-year Ravenclaw wizard, Ethan Vincent, had bravely fought Quirrell, who was bewitched by You-Know-Who, and protected the precious Philosopher's Stone!
At the end-of-term feast, Michael sighed for the hundredth time: "Maybe I've been hearing wrong for twelve years. Ethan, you're actually the Boy Who Lived, the saviour of the wizarding world, right?"
Not just him... the entire school was discussing this! Rarely were true stories more bizarre and thrilling than rumours. Students listened over and over again, never tiring of Harry and Ron's account of that dangerous night.
Each time they heard about Voldemort under Quirrell's turban, they would cry out in shock (the Weasley twins were both proud and nervous about having hit Voldemort with snowballs). Each time they heard how Ethan punished the evil Quirrell, how he cast violent and blazing dragon magic, they would exclaim in wonder, showing expressions of admiration and reverence.
According to reliable sources, Ethan's secret fan club at Hogwarts expanded further. They even began trading photos taken from unknown sources. For this, the Weasley twins once again seized the business opportunity, using money earned from the previous challenge to photograph Ethan in ten different poses at 3 Galleons per photo.
They sold like hotcakes, supply couldn't meet demand. They even claimed that by summer vacation, they could buy their little Ronnie a new pet.
Hagrid also learnt of his mistake and cried like a fountain. But after bringing Ethan a handful of unicorn tail hairs and promising to take him exploring in the Forbidden Forest, Ethan immediately "forgave" him.
Who could blame a half-giant who was a bit simple-minded but ultimately loyal?
Hogwarts exams weren't cancelled or even delayed because of the thrilling adventure. But for Ethan, these were all child's play.
In the Charms practical exam, Ethan not only made the pineapple perform a perfect tap dance but also had it elegantly bow to Professor Flitwick, immediately earning him an "Outstanding". Even during the Potions exam, when Snape's eyes were practically inside his cauldron, Ethan calmly brewed a flawless Forgetfulness Potion.
Though ultimately, Hermione Granger took first place in overall grades. But Ethan's practical scores were the highest achieved in years.
Incidentally, with Harry on the team, Gryffindor successfully defeated Slytherin and won the Quidditch Cup! This made team captain Oliver Wood cry with joy.
Ravenclaw? Ravenclaw students casually indicated they had bigger things ahead.
"Another term has passed!" Dumbledore stood behind the owl lectern, saying vibrantly, "What a wonderful year! Every day filled with... laughter and joy."
Ron turned his head and said flatly: "Really? Does he dare say that while looking directly at the empty teaching seat?"
Dumbledore was obviously unaffected by the murmurs from below. He awarded many points to Gryffindor in one breath, making Harry, Ron, and Hermione blush.
However... "Of course, we cannot forget the little hero who truly participated, using talent and wisdom to directly confront evil."
Dumbledore looked toward the Ravenclaw table and, in the expectant silence, said: "For Ethan Vincent's heroic deeds, Ravenclaw gets one hundred points!"
"Hooray!"
"Long live Ethan Vincent!"
"The new saviour! Woohoo!"
Except for Slytherin, both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff applauded enthusiastically. However, there wasn't that kind of desperate comeback frenzy. Because long before Headmaster Dumbledore awarded points, the entire Great Hall was already decorated in blue.
Ravenclaw was the undisputed first place. For the first time in decades, they'd won the House Cup. Ethan Vincent, this first-year wizard who had just enrolled, had done it. He had once said he would lead Ravenclaw to glory.
Ethan slowly stood up. The applause gradually stopped with his movement. Ethan looked around... even though he wasn't standing on the podium, everyone's gaze focused on him, holding their breath.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, smiled, and yielded the stage to Ethan.
"After that night, I thought a lot," Ethan began slowly. "The strength of one person is ultimately limited. I believe we should gather like-minded companions to fight evil together!"
As Ethan spoke, flames burst forth in his eyes. With his words, everyone's breathing quickened.
"It's the talent training program!" Hermione exclaimed quietly in excitement.
Her eyes red with fervour, she looked like she wanted to raise her hand straight up immediately, just like in class.
When the atmosphere settled, Ethan spoke again: "Therefore, next term I plan to create a club... a club that can unite our strength!"
"Great!" Someone shouted, echoing through the spacious hall.
Ethan's lips curved slightly as he raised his hand to quiet them. Meeting the excited eyes, he said: "After consulting with the professors, based on my actual guidance capabilities, we plan to initially select a small number of students for the club. Once this group matures, we'll develop more members."
"And the standard for evaluation is..." Ethan suddenly smiled brilliantly, showing a pure expression.
"Students who can successfully pass through my Sen Castle!"
"..."
Suddenly, the Great Hall fell dead silent. All those excited expressions froze.
"Sen Castle? That mural that supposedly has scythe blades and a dragon?" Ron said in shock, completely stunned.
"Is Ethan using club member selection as an excuse to conduct pure elimination at Hogwarts?!"