Upon hearing this, Ethan straightened his back slightly. That's right.
To promote his new club, he had spent considerable effort during the summer vacation creating a promotional poster. He guaranteed it would be different from all those flashy competitors. It would stand out among Hogwarts' numerous clubs.
Last term, Voldemort's words before being reduced to ash had reminded Ethan. Besides himself, he needed people who supported him. After all, he couldn't be everywhere at once. For his great cause in the future, he would need more manpower.
Like Grindelwald's followers, Voldemort's Death Eater army... Hm? Wait. Why was he comparing himself to Dark Lords when he was clearly their opposite!
Ethan fell into contemplation.
On the other side, Michael looked at Ethan's expression and couldn't help but shiver. Why did Ethan have that look, like he was planning something big... Hogwarts already had a new epic area beneath it. Ethan was like a developer of chaos, gradually transforming Hogwarts into his shape.
Ethan said thoughtfully: "Look forward to it. I combined my summer practical experience to create a painting that fully demonstrates the club's essence. I experimented with new technology in The Quibbler. Even printed paintings can make viewers feel immersed."
"The effect was excellent. Reader mail doubled directly, full of enthusiasm... they even used bright red envelopes. That painting of mine, The Fly-Man, must have left a deep impression on them."
Michael thought grimly: "..." He wanted to call those readers who, despite knowing it was torture, still insisted on buying every issue, "masochists."
On stage, Dumbledore continued: "Before that, I want to introduce everyone to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this term..."
Below, a new student asked confusedly: "What happened to the last one?"
Older students replied matter-of-factly: "Had a duel with a student and got burned to ash."
The new student stared in shock: "???" No way...
Dumbledore announced: "Let us welcome Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart with applause."
Clap, clap, clap.
The Great Hall immediately erupted in boiling applause. Most people were extremely excited. Especially the girls, who clapped until not only their hands were red, but their faces too.
"Oh my! He looks even better in person than in photos..." Lockhart smugly raised the corners of his mouth, displaying his smile that had won Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award five times.
"Just, he's still a bit inferior to Ethan."
Lockhart's mouth corners drooped. He was so shocked he nearly doubted his own ears!
"Yes, Ethan always has this mysterious aura, and he looks like a handsome vampire under moonlight!" "Oh, I would open my dormitory door wide and offer my neck to Ethan without resistance!" "Hehe, dream on... go to the back of the line."
Hearing the discussion from below, Lockhart's mouth twitched, unable to maintain that perfect smile no matter what. He... the great him... the magical him... had actually lost to a child?! Outrageous!
Lockhart angrily turned his head to look, meeting Ethan's smiling gaze from the Ravenclaw table. In that instant, like lightning striking his soul, Lockhart shuddered violently, his heart clenching as if gripped. He instinctively looked away!
"Mr. Lockhart?" Dumbledore looked at Lockhart, who had suddenly frozen in place, and raised an eyebrow.
Why was he making Quirrell's expression...? For that moment, it seemed like an old acquaintance had returned.
However, after careful examination, Dumbledore confirmed that Lockhart wasn't possessed by evil. Therefore, this could only be his own breakdown.
Lockhart snapped back to attention and smiled reflexively: "Oh! Please forgive me! Seeing so many of my admirers among the students, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with excitement!"
That's right, that was it. As Lockhart spoke, he began to believe it himself. Make him afraid of a second-year brat? Unless great Hogwarts had a disaster buried beneath it.
At the staff table, Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes dramatically.
Having composed himself, Lockhart spoke: "That's right. Perhaps you'll say I'm not like the savior Harry Potter, who gained great fame from birth. Everything was accumulated bit by bit through my own talent and strength!"
Below, Michael laughed: "Like getting destroyed by Knockturn Alley dark wizards?"
This comment, neither loud nor soft, reached Lockhart's ears perfectly. Lockhart's face reddened slightly as he said shamelessly: "Oh! I heard someone mention my 'setback' in Knockturn Alley during the summer! What I want to say is... Everything I did was to protect the student who accompanied me... Ethan Vincent! Otherwise, I absolutely had the strength to defeat that sinister and evil Mr. Lamp!"
Upon hearing this, the Great Hall erupted in uproar!
Malfoy nearly spat out his pumpkin juice, saying indignantly: "Ethan needs protection from that peacock? I think he's eaten too many mushrooms!"
Beside him, Blaise Zabini chuckled softly: "Maybe not. After all, none of us have witnessed Ethan's true combat level."
Malfoy replied: "I have. The left side of my face experienced it personally."
Zabini stared at him: "..." A bit too straightforward, Master Malfoy.
Ethan sat quietly in his seat, unconcernedly raising his goblet for a sip. Lies were like thorns... someday they would be torn out by the roots, leaving bloody, painful wounds.
At this moment, Luna beside him suddenly turned her head, looking at Ethan seriously and saying word by word: "You are ten thousand times stronger than that peacock gentleman."
Ethan raised his eyebrows in surprise. Then he chuckled, ruffling Luna's fluffy head and saying in a low voice: "Of course, Luna. The gap between him and me is longer than the distance from Earth to the moon."
"Mm!" Luna nodded vigorously and smiled happily.
Beside them, Michael, who had wanted to say the same thing, silently retreated. He sipped his pumpkin juice in solitude. Today's pumpkin juice was particularly bitter.
After the feast ended, the prefects customarily led their new students to the common rooms. Under the envious gazes of new and old students alike, Ethan opened a portal and leisurely teleported away with Luna. No need to climb those long, winding stairs.
A new student said enviously: "So amazing! The upperclassmen at Hogwarts are all so incredible!"
The "excellent" upperclassmen who also had to climb stairs exchanged awkward glances.
"But that door feels somewhat familiar..." Pitch-black doorways that could be opened anywhere...
The new students' expressions gradually filled with terror. So this rule resembling a campus legend was created by a second-year upperclassman?! Such innovative thinking, even able to influence school regulations. Ravenclaw was truly amazing and spectacular!
The next morning, Ethan carried his club promotional poster, walking quickly toward the Great Hall with excitement and anticipation. The time was barely past six o'clock. Ethan had wanted to go early to secure a good position on the bulletin board.
But when he entered the hall, he was surprised to find that the center positions were already completely occupied. A circle of upperclassmen surrounded the bulletin board. Seeing Ethan holding his promotional poster, they all showed sly, smug smiles.
Prefect Penelope was also present. She said with distress: "A miscalculation. I didn't expect some prefects to sneak out and post posters for students last night... No wonder no matter how early I got up in previous years, I could never get the center positions."
First time being a prefect... still not familiar with the business.
Ethan murmured: "I should have placed a portal in front of the bulletin board last night. To throw all the sneaky prefects into my Sen Amusement Park."
Penelope thought worriedly: "..." That's really unnecessary.
At this moment, a figure emerged from behind the bulletin board. It was their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart. Upon seeing Ethan, he instinctively flinched.
But like a stubborn cat, the more you discourage it, the more persistent it gets. He actually opened his arms wide and walked toward him: "Aha! Ethan Vincent! I heard you're also founding a club? Hmm, if you ask me, you're being a bit too hasty. Second years should focus on academics."
Lockhart winked at Ethan. Ethan smiled, the portal card in his hand flickering in and out of view.
"However, I won't be too harsh on you! I can already see the promotional poster in your arms! Come! Give it to me, and let me... experienced and well-versed in art... properly critique it!"
Upon hearing this, the restless portal in Ethan's hand disappeared.
"Alright." Ethan said agreeably. Obediently, he handed over the poster in his hands.
In his cobalt-blue eyes flickered dark gleams that made Penelope's heart go cold. Penelope, who was already familiar with Ethan's nature, looked at the unsuspecting Professor Lockhart with pity and quietly stepped back several paces.