Tom: "So, how do you want to put Hogwarts in grave danger? Moreover, you must not be discovered. Otherwise, you can only continue your grand plan in Azkaban."
At this moment, Tom couldn't help but secretly feel annoyed. If by bad luck, before you're prepared, you kill a girl. Dumbledore wouldn't so quickly lock suspicion on me.
Ethan: "Do you know why some Muggles are afraid of nonexistent ghosts?"
Tom disdainfully: "I don't need to know the thoughts of those foolish Muggles."
Ethan shook his head, like a master facing a slow-witted apprentice. He spoke: "It's the Unknown. Humanity's most primal, strongest fear is the unknown."
Ethan stroked the cold body of the basilisk. "Indeed, as Slytherin's pet, the basilisk is powerful and terrifying. But when people see its true form, the basilisk becomes something even a second-year young wizard can kill."
The basilisk stirred its huge body, as if to demonstrate its power.
"If they don't know what is attacking them... then imagination will give wings to fear, allowing them to wildly speculate."
Unconsciously, Tom listened attentively. More seriously than in class.
Tom, like a curious student, questioned: "But the basilisk is just a basilisk. It can't cause much panic, right?"
Ethan smiled slightly. He looked at the diary with relief and said clearly: "So at this time, my exquisite painting skills need to be showcased."
Ethan flipped his wrist. His wand transformed with a swoosh into an exquisitely beautiful paintbrush. Smooth and silky wood handle, pure white bristles. Drawing a dazzling line of colour in midair with magic. It looked like a paintbrush used by kind and pure beings.
Tom: "..." Did Ollivander choose this wand for the brat just by looks? This is completely opposite to Ethan's inner nature! What has the magical world become nowadays?
At this moment, seeing Ethan move, Tom hurriedly focused his attention and watched carefully. Although this brat was indeed odd, his ability was truly unique and precious. What kind of skill and method could paint such a devilish painting? And make it exert several times the power of a normal spell?
Tom's mind surged with greed. Hungrily wanting to claim such power for himself. Unknowingly, he was walking the same old path of his future self.
Ethan naturally noticed Tom's covert gaze. But he didn't mind. Or rather, he very much welcomed others to appreciate his painting process. Art should be done openly and honestly! But somehow, people who see it once never get to see it a second time. Sigh.
Ethan held the brush and took a deep breath. Feeling the perfect touch in his palm and the happy, free flow of magic. His mood slowly calmed. All outside things gradually disappeared. In the darkness created by the black cloth, the world seemed to have only Ethan.
What kind of terrifying painting could bring great surprises to Hogwarts?
Ethan pondered. First, it must be big. The ancient master standing like mountains naturally brings an overwhelming pressure. But if it were only palm-sized... then it's only fit for tentacle play.
Second. Fear must escalate step by step. Only by compressing people's emotions to the extreme like a spring will there be the fiercest outbreak. Suddenly letting the Hell Cerberus carry out a "massacre" in school would naturally cause shouts of alarm. But soon, Old Dumbledore and other professors would join forces to suppress it.
"Secret fear, massive size, must be bigger than this basilisk," Ethan murmured, stroking the basilisk's cold scales. Under the black cloth, a flicker of inspiration lit deep in his cobalt-blue eyes.
"It must be big enough to swallow all of Hogwarts."
Ancient legend said, "The snake swallows the elephant." Then he would recreate this legend in reality, magnified a hundredfold! This was worthy to be called Hogwarts' "life or death crisis".
Nearby, hearing Ethan's mumbling, Tom was shocked, and his spirit fluctuated! Swallow all of Hogwarts? Crazy! He thought Ethan just wanted to paint the basilisk scarier and more hideous. Then run around killing and wandering. Causing panic at Hogwarts. That was also Tom's original idea.
But never expected this brat would open his mouth and want to wipe out the whole Hogwarts! Indeed! If Hogwarts disappeared, it would indeed be an unprecedented great crisis.
Tom couldn't help but speak: "Swallowing the entire Hogwarts is impossible. No magic can achieve it. Moreover, Hogwarts itself has very strict protective magic."
Ethan: "One painting might not be able to do it... what about several paintings pieced together?"
Ethan bent over, picking up cast-off snake skin on the ground. It was icy cold, like the finest silk, and incredibly flexible. Even through the blindfold, Ethan could clearly see the thick magical aura permeating it. Like a misty river. This was truly extraordinary!
[Obtained extraordinary material: Molted Skin]
[Use: Canvas]
[Description: The giant basilisk's shed skin, thin as cicada wings but incredibly tough, bearing curses and life force, capable of bearing massive paintings]
[Painted with filthy fresh blood and infused with spells]
[The giant snake is divided into five parts: head, neck, belly, body, and tail.]
[When combined, it can devour huge objects.]
Ethan's eyes lit up. This is it! Just like painting the Cerberus. This time, he would paint an even bigger and more powerful living painting! Though he couldn't paint the entire giant snake at once, he could divide it into five parts!
"Perhaps a single painting might just be a meaningless piece, but when the five come together... hm hm."
At that time, anyone who opposed him would deeply regret it. Ethan raised the corners of his mouth. Showing a sunny smile that sent chills down Tom's spine.
For some reason, Tom suddenly had a bad premonition. And that premonition was not wrong.
Tom watched in disbelief as Ethan slowly turned his head to face him. His lips curled, opening and closing: "I need filthy blood as paint."
Tom said as he slowly withdrew into the diary: "Then, then you can go to Knockturn Alley and steal some freely."
Ethan said regretfully: "No. Their purity is too low."
Since there are sinners nearby, why bother seeking elsewhere?
Ethan smiled and pulled out the golden Molting Shears from his pocket.
Tom: "Wait, wait! Calm down! Isn't there still a basilisk?!"
Tom never thought in his life he'd tell someone to calm down.
"Relax, it's just to take a bit of blood..." Ethan said gently, raising the glittering shears. "Feeling dizzy is normal."
Tom: "Stop! Stop!" He exclaimed, swooping back into the diary.
But unfortunately, his main body was a diary. Unable to move, even if thrown into a toilet, he could only be a little broken book obediently enduring everything. And facing a monster like this, Ethan naturally showed no mercy.
Golden light flashed.
"Puff!" A ripping sound broke out.
Tom: "Noooo!"
Accompanied by Tom's sharp scream, a jagged, violent scar ran across the diary. Like a real wound. Trickling black-red blood constantly flowed out.
Ethan elegantly waved his brush, dipping it in the blood full of curses and dirt. The black-red colour soaked the pure white brush tip, seeming to stain it. Dabbing it on the snakeskincanvas. In his vision, a writhing dark shadow remained.
Ethan happily saw. The scissors-cut wound on the diary slowly healed. This meant... He could use it whenever he wanted.
Tom: "You... you... you crazy lunatic!" Tom was pained and angry but dared not really clash with Ethan. He could only make a feeble insult. In over ten years of memory, he'd never seen such an unreasonable freak! Is your brain structure human?
Ethan slightly bowed: "Thank you for the compliment."
Tom: "..." Cursed Merlin! When did Hogwarts become an insane asylum? So many students dare to enter!
Then Tom realised. His torment might just be beginning.