I, Ethan, Just Like Saying No to Power!

Ethan's eyes sparkled as he forcefully plastered the artwork onto the Ravenclaw common room door.

In an instant, a bright white light erupted.

A rectangular frame appeared on the door.

The moment it appeared, it was as if a black hole had formed, instantly draining the Magic Power from Ethan's body!

"Ugh!"

Ethan's pupils constricted, his whole body feeling like it was being pricked by needles!

He gritted his teeth and endured, snatching a hurried glance at the blurry scene behind the square frame.

Faintly, he could see a deep blue sofa.

—It was the interior of the Ravenclaw common room!

He had succeeded!

Ethan's eyes lit up, and he grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth.

At that moment, he was like a predator shedding its disguise, unleashing a terrifying aura!

The surrounding students instinctively took a step back!

W-what happened?!

In less than a breath, the scene within the frame became even more blurry and distorted.

It was like a passage on the verge of collapse.

Ethan mustered his last ounce of strength, mobilizing every cell in his body, and leaped straight into the frame!

The next second.

"Whoosh!"

The frame collapsed inward, disappearing from the door and revealing the bronze door knocker with the eagle's beak once more.

It stood silently before everyone.

As if everything that had just happened had never occurred.

"..."

Dead silence filled the space between everyone.

Each person stared at the empty door, frozen in place.

After a long while, someone finally broke the silence:

"W-where's Ethan? Where did he go?"

Michael swallowed, his voice hoarse.

Could it be that he had actually passed through that bizarre door, bypassed the Ravenclaw barrier, and entered the common room directly?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

That was a trial set by one of the four great founders, how could it be broken by a first-year new student?

Prefect Robert snapped back to reality.

He steadied himself, hesitantly walked to the door, and pressed his ear against it.

Uh... the door was too thick; he couldn't hear anything.

Robert straightened up, his face flushing slightly. He coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness, then tentatively reached out and knocked on the door.

"Knock, knock."

The muffled sound echoed through the common room.

Outside, the moon hung high in the sky.

Students from other houses were probably fast asleep.

Yet, they were still miserably waiting outside, their intelligence being crushed by the Ravenclaw door knocker.

Several seconds later.

Finally.

With a click, the door opened from the inside.

Through the gap, Ethan's pale face, drenched in sweat, appeared.

Robert's eyes widened, staring at Ethan's face in disbelief!

He had actually cut through the ropes and passed the trial set by Lady Ravenclaw directly!

What kind of magic was that?!

It was simply unheard of!!

Robert felt his face burning.

He looked at Ethan, at his appearance, as if he had just been fished out of water.

Strands of black hair clung to his forehead, his lips were bloodless, as if his yang energy had been drained, and he looked utterly exhausted.

He barely managed to stay standing by leaning against the door and sheer willpower.

However.

Only a pair of cobalt blue eyes were shining.

Like stars in the night sky, the dazzling light made Robert instinctively avert his gaze.

...This is the light of knowledge.

It's the light of heresy, of forging one's own path instead of following in the footsteps of others, of true curiosity and a desire for exploration!

At this moment, Robert finally understood.

Between the two of them, who truly embodied the Ravenclaw spirit.

Ravenclaw never rejected the eccentric; rather, they possessed unique value.

Just like Head of House Professor Filius Flitwick.

He was indeed short and of questionable bloodline, but no one could overlook his great achievements and strength.

...If it weren't for Ethan, I would have forgotten Ravenclaw's true teachings.

Robert sighed inwardly.

His gaze towards Ethan was filled with astonishment and admiration.

It was a shame he would be graduating next year.

He wondered if other students would be able to accept the eccentricities of someone like Ethan in the future.

To help Ethan fare better in Ravenclaw later on, he, as a prefect, would put in a good word for him.

Robert adjusted his expression and smiled, "We thank you for opening the door for us--"

Ethan smiled back, "You thank me too soon."

Robert:?

Before the prefect could react, the door slammed shut with a BANG right in front of him.

It nearly caught his nose.

Robert:???

An awkward silence permeated the stunned students.

Michael raised a finger, pointing tremblingly at the door:

"He... Ethan just closed the door?"

"He wants us to find our own way in???"

"Oh, come on--!"

He scrambled to the outside of the door on all fours, banging on it with a CLANG CLANG, crying tears:

"Boss! Master! Godfather! Please just let me in, woo woo woo!"

However, the only response was the cold, unmoving door.

The eagle head on the door knocker seemed to be looking at him like he was an idiot.

"..."

Robert's expression contorted, his mouth twitching twice as he rubbed his forehead in annoyance and helplessness.

...What "help Ethan fare better."

This kid never intended to get along with them!

Now it seemed, the ones who had been acting foolishly from beginning to end were just them, the seniors who thought they were so smart.

Inside the Ravenclaw common room.

Ethan listened to the commotion outside and slyly stuck out his tongue.

Want to use my light to get in too?

No way!

Figure it out yourselves!

"Sigh, to prevent them from developing a bad habit of depending on others, I've truly gone to great lengths."

Ethan wiped away a couple of crocodile tears, touched.

He slid down the door frame, collapsing onto the floor.

Can't move...

But.

Ethan hadn't expected that he would actually be able to break through the Ravenclaw door's restrictions!

And this was only a Tier 1, Blue, Precious card.

If there were higher-tier Purple Epic and Gold Legendary cards, even more advanced artworks, just how powerful would they be...

Now, Ethan knew.

As long as an effect was written, it could definitely be realized.

If it said it could open a gate, it would definitely open a gate.

No matter what magical protection the opponent used, the only thing that mattered was the strength of his own Magic Power.

Ethan extended his hand.

The original [Gate of Opening] card turned to dust in his palm and disappeared.

[Artwork Damaged!]

[If the drawing paper material is replaced, it can continue to be upgraded and exert a more lasting effect]

[Your artwork has left a deep impression on everyone, and your Soul Fusion Degree has increased!]

[28%→29%!]

A familiar warmth flowed down, like someone had placed a steaming hot spring egg on his head.

His body, which had been unable to move, gradually regained sensation.

Only by increasing his Fusion Degree could he gain more Magic Power.

Allowing his artworks to exert a greater effect.

He had to continue persecuting—ah no, continue spreading his artworks.

Just 1% more, and he would break through the 30% mark.

Ethan pondered inwardly, intending to do something big.

How about holding a small art exhibition at school?

But the problem was, if he were to hold an exhibition, it would be best to use a formal oil painting canvas, linen or cotton.

Not the drawing paper he had in his hands right now, which Luna had given him.

Every week, Luna would have an Owl bring him a new batch of art supplies.

This covered his usual practice.

Ethan was very grateful, and whenever he had free time, he would write letters and chat with Luna almost every day.

Luna's Owl, Carrot, had even lost weight because of it.

Behind every perfect artwork, there were countless hours of practice and a large consumption of art supplies.

That's why they say, "Poor people shouldn't touch art."

Alas, he just loved it.

"What a black hole..." Ethan sighed softly.

The immediate priority was to find a way to make money and get a new set of more professional art supplies to prepare for the exhibition.

"I need to find a way to make money at school. I wonder if I could assist the professors?"