Upon hearing this, Madam Pomfrey was stunned. She had imagined many possible reactions from Ethan upon waking. Fear? Breakdown? Or the joy of surviving a disaster?
But none of those. As if last night's terrifying scene had never happened, he was actually still thinking about his bet with Slytherin! Just like the golden-haired girl who had left not long ago. Unnaturally calm for children their age.
Madam Pomfrey couldn't help but reach out and touch Ethan's forehead. After feeling for a moment, she murmured: "No fever..."
Ethan said earnestly: "Don't worry, I'm perfectly normal."
Under Madam Pomfrey's suspicious gaze, he put on his shoes and stood up. While putting on his robes, he said leisurely: "I just feel that since the bet was initiated by the other party, wouldn't it be rude of me not to take it seriously?"
Madam Pomfrey was speechless. She felt something was off, but looking at Ethan's pure face, she couldn't pinpoint what was strange. Maybe it's just a child's competitive spirit, she finally thought.
Just then... "Gurgle~" Ethan's stomach rumbled twice.
So hungry! Ethan hissed. Last night's secret realm journey had greatly drained his stamina. Ethan felt he could eat an entire cow right now. And that flashy purple fishing rod. Ethan had a feeling he'd brought it out of the secret realm. It was in his leather pouch, waiting to make waves on the high seas.
"Well then, I'll go eat first. Thank you for taking care of me, Madam Pomfrey." Ethan said politely and obediently. That angelic smile melted the nurse's heart completely. All doubts vanished into thin air! Ethan was just a poor little thing who'd been severely frightened!
"Take care of yourself; stop staying up late painting all the time. I keep telling you, but you won't listen, you child." Madam Pomfrey complained while stuffing a handful of liquorice candies into Ethan's pocket.
Ethan blinked and smiled: "Thank you~" Though he didn't particularly like sweets.
Before leaving, Ethan gave one last glance at the Slytherin sculpture quintet. Sweeping over their faces still frozen in extreme terror. He looked away indifferently. Since they issued the challenge, they should bear the corresponding consequences.
Ethan walked out of the hospital wing with light steps, heading toward the Great Hall. Sunlight streamed through windows, alternately bright and dim across Ethan's face. He took a liquorice candy and crunched it in his mouth. His expression changed as he grimaced: "Ah, so sweet..."
All along the way, Ethan didn't encounter a single person. Presumably, they were all gathered in the hall.
Ethan pushed open the doors. The moment he entered, the Great Hall fell completely silent. Countless gazes fell upon him. Some concerned, some curious, some probing. The other witness to last night's terrifying shadow incident! One of only two who maintained clear consciousness.
"Ethan, over here!" At the Ravenclaw table, Luna stood up and called out gently. As if completely oblivious to the heavy atmosphere in the hall, she waved her arms at Ethan.
Ethan curved his lips. But he didn't go over. Instead, he turned to face the Slytherin table. Under everyone's gaze, Ethan's clear, steady voice echoed throughout the Great Hall: "Esteemed, honourable Slytherins, now is the time to fulfil our wager."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Slytherin students' faces immediately changed! If Slytherin's challengers failed to pass Ethan's trials in the Halloween courage test, the losers would have to publicly apologise and disband all their groups!
This was not only a fatal blow to Slytherin's honour but also consigned countless years of tradition to flames! More importantly, it proved Ethan Vincent was stronger than them. They should bow in submission.
"Heh, foolish." Gemma Farley said lightly, elegantly piercing a cherry tomato with a fork. Only those who recognised the situation early could survive this rising change.
Slytherin fell silent as death. At the staff table, Professor Snape raised his eyebrows high. That brat Ethan wants to rebel?
Dumbledore said gently: "Mr. Vincent, I understand your feelings, but now might not be the time to discuss this matter."
Ethan listened patiently to the old man finish. Shaking his head, he said firmly: "No, you don't understand."
Headmaster Dumbledore: "..." Want to take my seat?
Ethan looked up, surveying the room, and spoke slowly: "They wanted me to stake my honour... I did. They wanted me to abandon my strongest methods... I agreed. I agreed to everything. But now." Ethan's gaze shot toward Headmaster Dumbledore, as deep and sharp as a hawk's! "I won, yet they refuse to acknowledge it. If I don't speak up now and don't make things clear and just muddle through... I fear I'll never again have the chance to claim the respect I deserve!"
His voice echoed through the Great Hall. Resounding with conviction.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise. He was about to comfort Ethan: It's not that we won't let you claim it, but there are more important matters to discuss now.
But he saw Ethan suddenly lower his head. Around those usually calm, steady eyes, a red tinge actually appeared!
"I worked so hard training my club members. I believed everyone had redeeming qualities worth discovering." Ethan's voice was hoarse and weak. Even carrying a trace of choking emotion. "You all saw the result. If I hadn't specifically told them to hold back, do you really think Slytherin's challengers could have made it to the end?"
Ethan looked up, his eyes glistening under the lights. That pale, fragile little face... anyone could see at a glance how much suffering he'd endured! "I just wanted to personally welcome them on the third floor, to congratulate them. But who could have expected... to encounter such a terrible thing?"
As he spoke, Ethan even shivered realistically. As if still shrouded in last night's shadow. Pitiful and helpless.
Ethan: "Just because of this, should my efforts and my club members' efforts be stolen? Should those who want to use authority to eliminate budding new growth be exempt from their due consequences?!"
Like a devil's temptation, Ethan's hoarse accusations echoed in everyone's ears. In an instant, capturing the hearts of most people present.
"Oh... poor child." Professor McGonagall covered her chest, gazing at Ethan with reddened eyes. "That child worked so hard and encountered such a terrible accident... we cannot deprive him of his only deserved right... I don't know what evil person planned that attack!"
She immediately forgot how demonic Ethan had been in the past.
Professor Snape: "..." Can't deprive Ethan of his rights... what about Slytherin's? Five are in the hospital wing... who will speak for them?!
Professor Flitwick wiped his eyes, excitedly whispering: "What a strong child!"
Snape: No words.
Now he was the only sane person left. Was he?
In the Great Hall, the atmosphere changed. Swish. Gaze after gaze shot toward Headmaster Dumbledore on the platform. Urging him to make a "judgement".
Headmaster Dumbledore: "..." Behind his half-moon spectacles, his eyes looked at the thin boy standing alone in the hall. So easily swaying hearts with just a few words. What a terrifying child.
It seems we can't proceed without settling this matter first.
Vaguely, Dumbledore felt something was wrong... the attack, Slytherin, Ethan... there seemed to be an invisible thread connecting them all. The attacker was Ethan? No, impossible. How could Ethan possibly find and open that legendary "Chamber" in his second year?
Heh, unless Ethan really was Merlin reborn, chosen by the God of Terror, spiritual successor to Salazar Slytherin.
Dumbledore even felt a bit penitent for having such thoughts.
"Alright, let's do as you say, Mr. Vincent. This is indeed what you deserve." Dumbledore said slowly.
In an instant, Snape's face darkened like a pot lid. He almost crushed his golden goblet barehanded.
Dumbledore turned to look at the completely frozen Slytherin students and said gently but firmly: "Now, please fulfil the conditions you previously agreed to."
Imperceptibly, the corner of Ethan's mouth curved upward for an instant. Mission accomplished.