Copies of the Daily Prophet fluttered down like snowflakes.
Every young wizard had a copy in hand, all staring at the bold headline splashed across the front page:
"The Rise of a Demon! Hogwarts First-Year, Ethan Vincent...
"...dominated the challenge in a brutal and terrifying manner, causing the greatest casualties in the competition in hundreds of years!"
"Almost all participants were sent to St. Mungo's, resulting in only three final winners!... According to an insider, the renowned Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was actually behind the scenes as the organizer!"
"A Durmstrang seed contestant claimed: He was worse than Ethan Vincent's dog."
"A Beauxbatons seed contestant cried, saying: Ethan Vincent cruelly deceived her feelings...?"
Harry looked up, genuinely puzzled.
"Is this reporter high?"
In what mental state could someone write such fabricated nonsense?
"...There's even more explosive stuff further down."
Ron pointed blankly at the report and read:
"Furthermore, Ethan Vincent cruelly tortured his fellow student from Slytherin, Hamburg Carrow! Causing the latter to be permanently paralyzed!"
"However, this demon unknowingly infiltrated the Ministry of Magic...
...and ultimately sent the judge who tried him to Azkaban??"
"A Director from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement expressed support for this, which is shocking...
...There is ample evidence that Hogwarts is secretly conducting a talent cultivation program, and Ethan Vincent is the product of this grand plan...."
"Reporter Rita Skeeter will continue to follow up...."
The trio looked at each other, bewildered.
Hermione hesitated, then said, "So Ethan is part of Hogwarts' secret training program? No wonder he's so powerful... Can I join too?"
Harry & Ron: "....."
No, no, no! Don't just accept everything!
Just then.
"I absolutely don't believe that brat Ethan Vincent got first place!!"
A Slytherin suddenly roared.
He slammed the newspaper to the ground, panting.
That first-year brat got first place? How could that be!
If that were true, wouldn't it mean their house's Miss Gemma Farley was surpassed!
Absolutely not allowed!!
With his roar, the Great Hall fell silent.
Every student stared at each other with looks of utter disbelief.
Ethan Vincent not only won the championship but also sent a Ministry of Magic official to hell.
This is too outrageous!!
In just a few days, his life was more exciting than their entire lives!
The returning contestants had all gone to recuperate.
So they had no way of asking if the reports written by that crazy woman were true.
At the teachers' table.
"Hmm, Ravenclaw truly has a lot of talent."
Snape slowly spoke, his eyes fixed on the phrase, "permanently paralyzed Hamburg Carrow from Slytherin."
Countless gazes converged on the Dean of Ravenclaw, Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick: "..."
No, I don't know anything!
It's good enough that Ethan returned safely.
If Ethan got a ranking, then he's a heaven-sent genius and should be rewarded handsomely.
Ethan got first place... We need to study this carefully.
What? You said Ethan beat up other contestants and went directly to the Ministry of Magic for trial after the competition?
And then sent the judge who tried him to Azkaban???
...Hogwarts really needs to check Ethan's human registration.
Just as everyone was in chaos.
Suddenly.
A loud "bang" echoed from the center of the Great Hall.
A vortex appeared in mid-air, and three figures emerged from it, landing on the ground.
It was Ethan Vincent, returning from the competition.
Along with Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.
As soon as Ethan landed.
He looked up and met gazes from all directions.
The gazes were full of struggle and inquiry.
Like an old mother who suspects her son is in an early relationship but isn't sure, and doesn't know how to subtly probe.
Ethan paused, then pulled out the glittering trophy from a satchel.
As everyone's eyes suddenly widened, he raised it high and smiled:
"I won."
After several seconds of silence.
A tumultuous cheer suddenly erupted in the Great Hall!!!
"Oh oh oh oh—!!!"
Countless people surged towards him.
The Weasley Twins cleverly squeezed to the front, immediately picked up Ethan, and tossed him up into the air again and again!
"Ethan! Ethan! Ethan!!"
"Ethan is our King!!!"
The students shouted excitedly.
Hands raised, desperately trying to touch Ethan, to touch this little hero who brought glory and miracles.
Ethan, surrounded by the crowd, couldn't help but grin widely.
The golden trophy he held seemed to finally gain its true meaning at this moment.
As Ethan was being tossed up, he noticed the trio, who had been pushed to the edge of the crowd.
So he raised his hand and waved at them.
"Oh!" Ron clutched his chest, his face flushed, and he murmured dramatically, "Ethan waved at me, I'm going to faint...."
Harry elbowed his good friend, also grinning from ear to ear.
What made him happiest was the extremely ugly expressions on the faces of the Slytherins.
Ethan Vincent, a first-year wizard, truly took first place in the competition.
Surpassing the second-place Slytherin Prefect and the third-place Ravenclaw.
Becoming the biggest winner, not only at Hogwarts but among all other magic schools.
"Harry."
Ron called out.
He looked at Ethan, who was being idolized by everyone, and there was no longer any envy in his eyes.
Because the gap was simply too vast.
"We're going to be rich."
"George and Fred told me privately that if Ethan really won, I'd get at least seven Galleons."
Ron turned, looking at his good friend, tears welling in his eyes, and he flashed a wide, white-toothed grin.
"I can get a new wand."
After the excitement.
Ethan was put down and returned to the Ravenclaw long table.
His mind wandered as he listened to Dumbledore's celebratory speech about the competition:
"...Therefore, I will award Mr. Ethan Vincent eighty points, to celebrate his outstanding performance in this competition. Although—I hope next time, Mr. Vincent can be a bit more restrained, otherwise Hogwarts will become, in others' eyes, a base for mysterious grand plans and the cultivation of evil Dark Wizards."
Dumbledore playfully winked at Ethan.
A wave of good-natured laughter rippled through the audience below.
The Ravenclaws all straightened their backs, beaming with pride and looking invigorated.
The smug expression on Prefect Robert's face made the other Prefects gnash their teeth in envy.
"Second place, Slytherin Prefect Gemma Farley, fifty points, a very excellent performance."
"Third place, Ravenclaw's Penelope Clearwater, thirty points, equally outstanding, congratulations to you all."
"Finally, I will add twenty points to all four houses, regardless of whether they achieved a ranking, every participant showed their courage and wisdom!"
"Clap, clap, clap—"
The students clapped vigorously.
Especially Hufflepuff, whose hands were red from clapping.
It had been a very, very long time since they had anything worth boasting about.
Although Cedric did not achieve a ranking this time.
But that was the normal outcome.
The little ones were very proud.
Once the applause gradually died down.
Dumbledore's expression became serious, and he said in a deep voice:
"In this competition, a very painful incident occurred."
"Slytherin contestant Hamburg Carrow cast the Killing Curse at Ethan and was sent to St. Mungo's by the counterattack."
"Hmm, I imagine you've already read the Daily Prophet's report."
At these words, the audience immediately burst into an uproar!
Students from the three houses all turned to look at the Slytherin long table!
"I knew it!" Ron tapped his goblet, shouting softly, "They're just a bunch of scoundrels! A bunch of Dark Wizards!"
At this, the Slytherins' faces grew even uglier.
"Idiot."
Malfoy cursed under his breath, angrily recalling in his mind what kind of person Hamburg Carrow was.
...Just an insignificant family.
How dare he hurt his Big Brother Ethan, he's simply a disgrace to pure-bloods!
"Silence!"
Dumbledore's authoritative voice immediately quelled the clamor in the Great Hall.
He looked around and said:
"We will continue to investigate this incident. I believe that the Killing Curse is not a magic that a student can simply use at will."
"At the same time, I promise. Whether inside or outside the school, Hogwarts will not allow any young wizard to be harmed. You can rest assured."
Does that mean he will guarantee his safety and not let Quirrell find another opportunity?
Ethan thought to himself.
He glanced at Quirrell at the teachers' table out of the corner of his eye.
Although the latter tried his best to conceal it, his pale face and flickering gaze revealed his panic and fear.
When Ethan unintentionally made eye contact with Quirrell.
The latter instinctively flinched, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.
Ethan gave him a brilliant smile.
Quirrell visibly trembled, then managed a strained smile, his expression relaxing slightly.
...It seems he thinks I haven't noticed that he's behind everything.
Quirrell, I really need to control you well.
Ethan had a plan in mind.
On Christmas, he would go to the art exhibition hosted by the Goblins to see if he could learn Goblin craftsmanship.
Presumably, this would be very helpful for drawing two-tier murals.
The style of the mural would imitate the famous design master Hayao Miyazaki's 'My Neighbor Totoro'.
He could let Quirrell have a good time in there. As he thought of this, Ethan's lips curved up in pleasure.
The student opposite, who had intended to congratulate him, silently swallowed their words.
They lowered their heads and ate their meal in silence.
Ethan: …He's still so scary QAQ!
December 25th, Christmas Day.
"Whoo—"
The train emitted a low, lingering sound.
Ethan, carrying a square leather suitcase, held his felt hat against the wind, and his shiny leather shoes stepped off the platform onto the station.
In the bustling crowd, his figure was quite striking.
He wore a thick brown overcoat, with a soft, delicate light-colored turtleneck sweater peeking out from the turned-up collar, and simple, sharp dark straight-leg trousers.
He looked like a young noble master from some prominent family.
His handsome and exceptional features made young girls constantly glance his way.
And his beautiful cobalt blue eyes exuded a calm and serene demeanor.
When his gaze fell upon a certain spot, a bright smile suddenly bloomed on his face.
It was like the warm sun shining down in winter, melting the hearts of those young girls.
However, when they clearly saw the person Ethan was quickly walking towards, their hearts immediately shattered.
"—Luna!"
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