[Soul Fusion increased by 3%]
[Accumulated Fusion: 5%]
With the system notification, Ethan felt the barriers within his body shake a few more times. As if a giant crocodile were constantly ramming against a dam.
At the same time, the kerosene lamp in his mind also grew brighter. A weak connection appeared between him and the club members. Strength, magic power, spirit... like connecting to a shallow puddle.
Ethan was surprised to discover that his various abilities, though extremely subtle and almost imperceptible, were being continuously supplemented. And he could also influence them to some degree.
A perpetual motion machine?! I always said magic history would have my name in it.
Ethan clenched his fist, feeling exhilarated. Given time, when his Morning Star Club grew and expanded, he would definitely gain immeasurable benefits from it.
Then Ethan turned his attention to the item he had obtained.
[Molting Shears]
[Description: Scissors lost from who knows which layer of history, the previous owner was reportedly a club proprietress.]
[Use: By consuming magic power, can shed any sharp shell no matter how tough.]
[Evaluation: Excellent tool for peeling nuts.]
The text faded. An exquisite golden pair of small scissors appeared before Ethan. The previous owner must have been a lady, because even when Ethan held them, they fit perfectly. The two crescent-shaped blades were incredibly sharp.
Ethan tentatively pressed his thumb against the blade. "Hiss!" He winced in pain. The fingertip immediately split open, the small wound looking like a peeled tomato, terrifyingly grotesque.
After healing himself, Ethan thought excitedly: A divine weapon! Much more useful than a wand! From now on, if I need to interrogate enemies, I won't need merit-deducting magic like Cruciatus. The Molting Shears are at your service.
The scissor handles were inlaid with beautiful, colourful gems. They looked very pretty. But from the golden blades emanated a faint murderous aura and the metallic scent of dried blood. Making one instinctively feel chills down their spine.
Ethan suddenly thought: he could use this thing to help the basilisk shed its skin! Can't scrape it off? I'll help you solve it once and for all.
"Hehe, hehe hehe..." Ethan gripped the scissors with clicking sounds, making eerie laughter.
Looking up, he noticed a black-haired girl looking at him with hesitation. "Is there something you need?"
Ethan put away the scissors and immediately resumed his usual elegant, gentlemanly appearance. Looking at the Eastern girl with black hair, he said, "I know you. You're a third-year Ravenclaw, Cho Chang, right?"
Cho Chang said quietly, "Ah, yes..."
Before she finished speaking... Swish swish! Two gazes suddenly shot toward her! Gryffindor's little lion Hermione and Ravenclaw's dreamy girl Luna. The former stared at her with investigating eyes, while the latter gazed calmly but unblinkingly.
Let me see who else wants to chat up our leader/best friend?
Cho Chang thought desperately, "..." Maybe I should just leave.
But thinking that she had come all this way and suffered through the ordeal, if she returned empty-handed, she would probably face criticism. With this in mind, Cho bit her lip, tucked her hair behind her ear, and smiled reluctantly. "I'm just curious about how you plan to develop your club in the future?"
Upon hearing this, Ethan looked up and seriously examined this Eastern girl. To be fair, she's quite pretty. Harry was indeed superficial. Black hair, gentle almond eyes. Though she didn't seem like someone who could accept pain culture.
"First," Ethan raised his index finger and said solemnly, "it's not 'my club', but 'our club'. I established this Morning Star Club with no selfish motives! It's entirely to share knowledge and lead everyone to progress together! Everything is for the greater good!"
Hermione worshipped: "Oh, Ethan!"
Cho Chang thought uneasily, "..." That phrase "greater good" sounds somewhat familiar.
"Second," Ethan continued, "the club's future development will naturally focus on training members' abilities and gradually expanding influence. In the future, we'll grow big and strong!"
Ethan's eyes sparkled. His words struck like a quenching hammer on iron, resonating powerfully. Everyone's emotions were stirred up. Even the Weasley twins, who originally came just to have fun, couldn't help feeling excited. As if they could already see themselves standing above everyone else, leaving their names in history.
Fred winked at George: "This is much more inspiring than Wood's Quidditch pep talks."
George grinned: "If Wood had half of Ethan's speaking ability, he really could make us train 24 hours a day!"
Feeling the restless atmosphere, Cho fell silent again. It's just a hobby club... is it necessary to make such a big deal of it?
Cho didn't understand. She could only force a laugh under Ethan's burning gaze, awkwardly say goodnight, and quietly leave with the crowd.
Hermione stepped forward, frowning: "I remember that girl seems to be from that student group in your Ravenclaw... What's it called, the [Round Table Council] member? What's she doing here? She must be trying to gather intelligence!"
Though the Round Table Council was equally famous, compared to Ethan's Morning Star Club, their scope was too small. Hermione's eyes blazed with fury, as if she wanted to immediately storm that club and cause havoc.
However, upon hearing this, Ethan just smiled. "This is an opportunity, Hermione."
He guided persuasively: "When we defeat our enemies, the Morning Star Club's reputation will naturally spread."
And shine my lamp more brightly. Gaining rewards. Moreover, with the Molting Shears to shed snake skin, I could probably paint even more powerful, more wonderful artwork.
Ethan grinned, his eyes showing wolf-like, excited and bloodthirsty light.
Meanwhile, at the Round Table Council activity room...
"Click." "Sorry, I'm late."
Cho hurriedly pushed the door open. Immediately, she paused, held her breath, and her pupils involuntarily dilated.
"Can't... can't we turn on the lights?"
In the pitch darkness, she nearly tripped.
Two seconds later... "Snap." The room lit up.
This was a well-decorated spacious room with a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Soft blue sofas were scattered around. And in the centre, naturally, was a huge round wooden table.
Though everyone was ostensibly equal, after countless years of tradition, different seats reflected subtle differences. For instance, the one on the circular axis was a red velvet cushioned chair with gold trim. But this "throne" was currently empty, with only a mirror standing there.
Nearby were ordinary wooden chairs. Penelope sat in a slightly more ornate chair, rubbing her sleepy eyes and smiling, "Sorry, we were so bored waiting that we turned off the lights for a quick nap."
Cho Chang said politely, "It's fine."
Quite modest. She looked around and asked worriedly, "Isn't Senior Shane coming to today's council meeting?"
"He's half-retired from the club." A hoarse, low voice responded.
The mirror before the throne showed a blurry figure. Hearing this voice, everyone perked up.
Cho nervously recounted the details of Ethan's assessment with her hands behind her back. The two-way mirror was silent for a long time. Then slowly spoke: "Is this allowed?"
The tone was full of confusion. Releasing terrifying three-headed monsters to chase students? He had only been away for a year as an exchange student at Durmstrang. Had Hogwarts become this liberal?
Cho said with certainty: "That's right. It was approved by a professor. And it was personally led by the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, the famous Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart."
Upon hearing this, the other members all gasped! So quickly becoming close with the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor! Indeed, Ethan was not to be underestimated.
"I won't be as stupid as Shane and get myself trapped." The figure in the mirror said slowly. "Our current situation is that if we let that second-year student develop unchecked, he might absorb Ravenclaw's excellent students before we do."
And if this continues, Ravenclaw's glorious external image will be twisted into a giant octopus. The blood and sweat of previous generations ruined.
"I remember Slytherin has a bad relationship with Ethan Vincent, right? Then let them test the waters first."
Though I've heard that second-year student is somewhat sinister, he couldn't possibly create some major terrifying incident, right? Surely Hogwarts couldn't be forced to close, leaving him with no school to return to?