Alchemy from the Goblin Rebellions?
Hearing Ethan's unusual request, Dumbledore hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I can help you locate it, Mr. Vincent."
"However, given its age, I'll need some time to gather and organize the materials."
This outcome was exactly what Ethan had anticipated.
Goblins harbored a deep resentment toward humans, so it was no surprise they wouldn't readily share their secrets.
Ethan nodded. "Very well. I'll look forward to your update."
With that, he flashed a grin and extended his hand toward Dumbledore.
Why does this feel like striking a deal with the devil?
Dumbledore eyed Ethan's outstretched hand.
After a brief pause, he grasped it firmly.
If a "devil" could accomplish what so-called "righteous" figures could not, then he would gladly align with the devil.
Dumbledore's thoughts drifted as his gaze flicked sideways to the unconscious Professor Lupin.
The hands of the elder and the youth clasped together, shaking up and down with purpose.
A subtle curve tugged at Ethan's lips.
Perfect.
He'd use this window while Dumbledore hunted for the materials to dive headfirst into his painting and upgrades!
Time to deliver a massive shock to the goblins!
Just then, "Pardon the interruption, Professor Dumbledore!"
Ethan turned his head.
There stood Minister Fudge, who had been sidelined, his face flushed a deep purple with fury.
Fudge declared, "Please be aware! Ethan Vincent has gravely breached Ministry of Magic regulations!"
"Per the rules, he must be escorted to the Ministry for questioning, and based on the severity, he could face expulsion!"
Dumbledore showed no outward reaction to these words.
He pivoted, his broad frame positioning itself protectively in front of Ethan, and replied mildly, "Is that right? What I witnessed was a young hero who prevented a werewolf assault on a Muggle neighborhood."
"As Ethan mentioned, he's developed a method to restore werewolves to their human form."
Minister Fudge's complexion shifted through shades of green and purple.
He balled his fists, appearing profoundly offended.
Damn it all!
If not for Sirius's escape and the mounting pressure on the Ministry, he would never back down!
Curing werewolves?
Hmph, it had to be a fabrication!
Minister Fudge ground his teeth. "Since you insist, Headmaster Dumbledore. Out of deference to you..."
In the end, Minister Fudge only took Harry with him.
Not for interrogation—it hadn't escalated to that point.
Instead, he arranged for Harry to stay at the Leaky Cauldron, surrounded by wizards for his "protection" against any threat from Sirius.
Ethan observed as Fudge and the swarm of Aurors disappeared with a series of sharp cracks.
Recalling the original events, it was the relentless societal prejudice and the Ministry's indifference, amplified by Voldemort's summons, that drove countless werewolves into the ranks of the Death Eaters.
They struck with precision, sowing chaos without end.
Ethan's expression grew shadowed as he muttered, "If you're so obstinate, pushing potential allies straight into the arms of your enemies..."
"Then why shouldn't I make use of them instead?"
If word spread through the werewolf community that a cure existed to restore their humanity, Ethan doubted they'd remain unmoved.
At that point, they'd offer anything for even a chance at normalcy.
Dumbledore glanced down at Ethan, lost in contemplation.
For an instant, Ethan's silhouette seemed to merge with that of an old acquaintance, still confined in Nurmengard.
...No, Ethan isn't Grindelwald.
Ethan could brew trouble even from behind bars.
Dumbledore's feelings were a tangled mix.
He reached into his robes and produced a cloth pouch, offering it to Ethan with a smile. "This is my personal contribution to your research."
Ethan accepted the pouch.
He opened it, and a cascade of golden light poured out!
What's more, it was enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm!
!!!
Ethan drew in a sharp breath.
He looked up at the beaming Headmaster Dumbledore with genuine admiration.
As expected from the headmaster—he's extraordinarily generous!
How could Ethan turn down goodwill?
"Don't worry, Old—cough, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Ethan cleared his throat lightly.
He tucked away the money pouch, his eyes gleaming. "I guarantee I'll develop a cure for werewolves."
"I'll make that shortsighted Minister Fudge rue the day he did nothing!"
...You don't need to take it quite that far.
"Excellent. That's the spirit."
Dumbledore responded warmly.
Regardless, it couldn't possibly outstrip the chaos of the serpent devouring Hogwarts last term, could it?
Dumbledore continued, "Well, it's late. I'll see you all home now."
"As for tonight's incidents, leave everything to us."
With that, a resounding crack echoed, and the street emptied once more.
Vernon Dursley peeked warily from behind the door.
He surveyed his yard, which resembled the aftermath of an elephant stampede, and his pristine new car, now utterly demolished.
"No!!!"
Uncle Vernon sank to his knees in utter despair, looking as though he'd aged a decade in seconds.
Serves him right.
Hehe~
A few days later, Ethan's "material packages" finally began arriving in succession.
Some he'd specially commissioned from Mr. Borgin in Knockturn Alley.
On the parcel, stained with an unidentified reddish-brown blood, Mr. Borgin had scrawled a note: [Thank you for your patronage, but next time, please seek another shop orz]
"Hmph," Ethan sneered after reading it. "With guts like that, why bother running a Dark Arts shop at all!"
Thunderbird feathers crackling with electric sparks, the intact fascia of a giant squid, the eyeballs of a Hundred-Eyed Giant, and most crucially, the vital blood tears shed by sinners in their final, despairing cries before death.
Primarily, gold was required to grease the wheels.
He targeted only the most vile criminals, so Ethan was doing his part to cleanse the world today.
Stretching the giant squid's fascia across a wooden frame, he prepared it as his canvas.
Ethan transfigured his wand into a paintbrush, blending the sinners' blood tears with magical essence.
Guided by the vision in his mind, he slapped a bold, crimson stroke onto the canvas!
Incorporating ancient protective runes, Ethan set out to create a masterpiece that would let him bypass the trial of the lingering spirits!
To push onward!
An average person might opt for crafting a defensive shield to protect themselves.
But not Ethan.
"The departed souls drift eternally, denied rebirth. How could I stand by and watch their suffering?"
Ethan whispered, his eyes locked on the canvas, his brush dancing like serpents in flight!
"I'll grant them mercy!"
Swathes of sinners' blood tears smeared across the surface, faintly echoing with anguished wails.
Strands of the Thunderbird's golden lightning wove in, as if bound by minuscule bolts, flickering in bursts.
Eyeballs were embedded, fusing seamlessly with the giant squid's fascia, as though they'd sprouted there from the start!
Over that blood-red base, Ethan layered a silvery-white sheen, reminiscent of some beast's armor, fully masking the metallic tang.
Finally, he etched ancient runes with precision.
At last, a brilliant radiance erupted from the canvas!
Ethan's eyes lit up!
It's complete!
[Congratulations! You have successfully painted an extraordinary work!]
[Name: Touch of Mercy]
[Type: Weapon]
A massive hammer, silver-white exterior cloaking a blood-red core, with eyeballs protruding from its surface, burst forth from the canvas!
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