When Hermione heard that Ethan had also been attacked and hospitalised, she cried out: "Ethan only participated in the courage test... how could he be attacked by lurking evil?! Poor Ethan!"
Professor Snape: "..." Look at those five statue-like figures on the ground, and say that again?
Harry and his companions were invited to the headmaster's office for tea. While the five "Slytherin Worship Statues" were sent to the hospital wing to keep "poor" Ethan company.
At this moment, Ethan was lying comfortably in his hospital bed, wearing soft pyjamas with white cloth (blankets) covering him. Silent and peaceful like a corpse, unaware of everything happening in the outside world.
[You have entered dreams.]
[Ignite passion to enter the hidden realm.]
In his coma, Ethan's consciousness floated in darkness. No up or down, left or right. He couldn't even feel his limbs' existence. He didn't even know if his eyes were open.
Thump thump! Thump thump! Ethan heard his own drumming heartbeat. Not from fear of the darkness, but from excitement.
Tonight, he had completed a grand performance! Let all the school's faculty and students witness that magnificent serpentine shadow's beautiful body!
Thump thump! Thump thump! Each heartbeat pumped blood forcefully throughout his body! Delivering oxygen and nutrients, igniting passion in every cell!
And this passion, like a helmsman at the wheel, carried Ethan through the darkness. He landed on the ground.
Rustle, rustle. Leaves rubbed together as a primitive scent mixed with earth and vegetation filled his nostrils. A gentle breeze brushed Ethan's eyelids, like being fanned by some furry winged creature.
Ethan opened his eyes. He saw the dim forest he had entered a year ago.
[Congratulations!]
[You have successfully traversed dreams.]
[Arrived at the hidden realm: "Forest"]
[Current identity: Mortal]
"Here again..." Ethan murmured, looking around as his cobalt-blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
The forest seemed rarely touched by humans. The vegetation was unusually lush. Branches and undergrowth crowded in from all directions. And the darkness was like some creature's massive pupils, hiding deadly dangers.
However, a faint light appeared in Ethan's hand. He found himself holding an old-style kerosene lamp with a small but steady flame burning within.
["Lamp" is lit, exploration may continue.]
Immediately, plants retreated and darkness was dispelled. Guided by the lamp, Ethan saw the path forward.
This time, I can go further than before! Ethan clearly realised this. Licking his lips and suppressing his excitement, he carried the kerosene lamp and cautiously moved forward.
Gradually, he heard the sound of flowing water ahead. Following the sound, Ethan pushed aside a car-hood-sized leaf. The view suddenly opened up.
A river. A wide river suitable for boats flowed quietly through the dense forest, with no visible beginning or end. Unlike the forest's primitive feel, this river displayed a beautiful pale blue colour, crystal clear, sparkling like scattered diamonds under moonlight.
Absolutely beautiful. And Ethan's nose twitched as he stared in amazement. The mixed scent of nuts and minerals... there was no mistake.
"This is... paint? This is a painted river?"
Ethan quickly stepped forward, bent down, and cupped some river water in his palm. As the water flowed through his fingers, blue-green paint residue and gold leaf powder remained.
[You discovered a special location: River in the Painting]
[Next time, you can come directly to this place.]
[The River in the Painting connects to the real world; you can take a boat through this river to reach advancement.]
Ethan: "..." Speaking in riddles, huh? Get lost.
Ethan disdainfully snorted at the useless system. Just then, Ethan's eyes sharpened as he noticed a fishing rod standing nearby, glowing with an eerie purple light.
[Congratulations!]
[You discovered a relic: Iridium Fishing Rod!]
When Ethan pulled it out, suddenly an impulse surged through his brain, making him unconsciously raise this flashy purple fishing rod above his head! Golden sound effects seemed to ring in his ears!
Ethan: "..." What kind of nonsense is this? Should I see a psychiatrist?
[Iridium Fishing Rod: Forged from precious iridium ore, blessed by sprites]
[Increases bite rate, and once fish bite the hook, they cannot break free.]
[A rod capable of catching fish kings.]
[You received a message from the previous angler:]
[Go fish.]
[Why, you ask? Because the sea is there!]
Ethan: "..." Weird.
[I prepared a map for you, marking the location of the world's only Remora Fish King.]
[Use this rod to catch it.]
[Unfortunately, before I could catch it, I...]
Ethan raised his eyebrows. Did this previous owner... die?
[My time is running out, so I'll stop here.]
[Good luck, rookie.]
[I'm going to prison now.]
[P.S. Friendly reminder: catching Remora fish is illegal.]
So you got arrested?! Why write so emotionally?! You're just a poacher!!! Annoying. My fist is clenched.
[You obtained key information: Remora Fish King's location.]
A map with red circles unfolded in Ethan's mind. The red circle was in the centre of the North Sea. Away from Britain, but not too far.
"Why exactly should I inherit this 'legacy' and go fishing? And what's this Remora-whatever fish?"
Fortunately, the system was useful this time, directly providing information:
[Remora fish are silver fish with powerful magic.]
[They can anchor ships in vast seas, serving as sailors' guardians.]
[Catch the Fish King, and you'll gain the Remora fish's recognition.]
[Learn the Patronus Charm]
(TL Note: The original text says "Guardian Charm," but I changed it to "Patronus Charm." If this translation choice is incorrect, I will revert to the original term.)
Ethan: !!!
Patronus Charm!
"Can this Patronus Charm... resist the basilisk's curse? No, it definitely can. My paintings can enhance spell power... like Alohomora becoming a portal. A painting with the Patronus Charm would definitely block deadly curses!"
Perfect. Though his offensive capabilities were maxed out, his defense was lacking. He'd fought tooth and nail just to get [Robust Physique Lv.1].
"Indeed, I still need external tools. I'm not some brute who charges in wand-first."
Ethan curved his lips. He gripped the flashy purple iridium fishing rod and murmured: "Rest in peace, angler. Taking over now is Ethan!"
Ethan's eyes burnt with fighting spirit.
[Angler: Oh right, newbie!]
Ethan: "..." Why won't you just disappear?
[I forgot to tell you: the Remora King is over ten metres long! You must prepare a huge bait yourself.
[Don't worry, this rod can handle it.]
[It was made for this purpose.]
A fish over ten metres long?! Ethan's breathing hitched slightly. That's like a truck or bus! Truly a fantasy world.
In that case, the bait would need to be several metres long too. Are there worms that big?
Ethan was momentarily stumped. Just then, the scenery before him blurred and the ground began to shake.
[You are about to awaken.]
When I wake up, I'll research suitable bait... Ethan thought. As the ground shook, he slowly closed his eyes. The last thing in his vision was the brilliant, swirling starry sky above.
Ethan trembled and slowly opened his eyes. What met his sight was bright sunlight outside the window. And those five figures occupying hospital beds like they'd been carved from ancient Egyptian walls... the Slytherin worship statues. Instantly turning the ward into an underworld ritual site.
"Oh! Child, you're awake!" Nurse Pomfrey hurried over. She clearly paused when seeing those five "worship statues". What hellish scene is this?
She quickly composed herself and walked to Ethan's side. After checking him up and down with her wand, she sighed in relief: "Good. You're in relatively healthy condition."
Ethan: "?" Relatively healthy... doesn't sound like "good", does it?
But Ethan knew what Madam Pomfrey wanted to say. Don't stay up late painting, have weekly checkups, etc. Ethan looked away, pretending not to see Madam Pomfrey's stern gaze.
"Where's Luna?" Ethan noticed the empty bed beside him.
Madam Pomfrey: "She woke up earlier and went to breakfast first."
Ethan nodded. His gaze fell on the Slytherin quintet across from him. These were the ones who contributed so much to his "lamp" propagation... Thanks.
Madam Pomfrey obviously misunderstood: "You're worried about them. But... actually, they just suffered severe shock causing muscle rigidity. Forcing them open would cause injury, so we can only leave them like this for now. I really don't know what terrible thing they saw."
Ethan, the perpetrator Vincent: Hehe.
"By the way, you should go to breakfast too. Everyone's in the Great Hall now. About last night... is there anything you want to know?"
As Ethan changed clothes, he pondered: "I only want to know one thing..." He suddenly looked up with a brilliant smile. "Whether I won the Halloween competition against Slytherin."