This Charms Class was shared by Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
Ethan arrived nearly an hour early.
When he entered the classroom, sure enough, there was no one else inside.
Ethan looked around the classroom curiously.
The classroom was tiered, with two rows of long desks surrounding the lectern.
Tall bookshelves stood on either side. Ethan went over to take a look. Most of the books were textbooks used at the school, along with teaching aids like three-dimensional magical models.
Ethan sat in the front row, closest to the lectern, opened his book, and read with great interest.
The first Charms Class was shared by Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
Ethan was the first to enter the classroom.
He immediately chose a seat in the front row, opened his textbook, and reviewed the material they would be learning that day.
The clock ticked away.
About half an hour later, the second student finally came in.
"Ethan?"
At the surprised call, Ethan turned around and, just as expected, saw Hermione, the ultimate overachiever.
The top student who single-handedly raised the trio's average IQ.
"Good morning, Hermione," Ethan said with a smile. "You're really early."
"..."
Hermione didn't know what to say.
She'd thought arriving half an hour early was already very early.
But she hadn't expected this guy Ethan to get here even earlier than she did!
He was both talented and hardworking.
What a formidable rival.
Hermione gave Ethan a long look, wary yet impressed.
Then she sat on the Gryffindor side, dropped her books down with a thud, and started studying.
Yikes—why is she looking at me like she wants to eat me?
Ethan scratched his head in confusion and didn't think much more of it.
Good grief, I just don't understand the world of overachievers~
The third person to arrive was Professor Flitwick.
Seeing that a student had gotten there before him, Professor Flitwick froze, then broke into a happy smile.
"For your diligence, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw will each earn two points."
Hermione's eyes lit up at once. She was just about to say, "Thank you, Professor," when Ethan spoke up.
"No matter how hard we young people work, we still need you, Professor, to guide us. Otherwise, we might lose our way in the sea of knowledge."
As he spoke, Ethan wore an air of righteous sincerity.
Hermione whipped her head around and stared at him in disbelief.
Was this really the same Ethan who usually said such unhinged things?!
Ethan, you're a stranger to me.
Professor Flitwick was taken aback too. He hadn't heard anyone say that to him before, and his face promptly turned red.
Honestly, this child—why does he always go around blurting out the truth?
"Ahem. Ethan, as long as you keep that thirst for knowledge and don't stray from the right path, you'll surely reach your goals," Professor Flitwick stammered encouragingly.
He soon changed the subject.
"So—do you have any other questions? We still have a little time before class starts. I can answer them for you."
At that, Hermione's eyes lit up again.
She had far more than one question. She had a whole pile she wanted to ask!
But this time, she didn't speak up right away. Instead, she looked at Ethan first.
Sure enough, Ethan looked like he had a question too.
Hermione focused intently. Even Professor Flitwick couldn't help feeling a little nervous, wondering what profound question Ethan was about to ask.
Ethan: "Professor, I want to make some money."
Hermione: "...?"
W-what???
For a moment, Hermione thought Ethan had said some kind of deep, cryptic phrase.
One that a Muggle-born witch like her couldn't understand.
But when she saw Professor Flitwick looking just as baffled, Hermione realized it wasn't her.
"Make, make money?"
Professor Flitwick seemed to have never received such a down-to-earth question before. It took him two or three seconds to react.
"Oh, you want to get a job at school, right?"
His gaze unconsciously swept over Ethan's worn-out school uniform.
Ethan nodded.
"That's easy enough. Hogwarts has assignments specifically for students. You can run errands for professors, help out with various tasks, or collect materials and the like."
"These assignments are all posted on the Great Hall noticeboard on Monday mornings. Since it's the start of the school year, they may not have been put up yet."
"Check again around noon, and they should be there."
Ethan nodded. "Okay, got it. Thank you, Professor."
He'd known it.
How could Hogwarts possibly not have a Work-Study Program!
Help the professors with odd jobs and earn some pocket money, all while learning new things.
It must have been one of the ways Hogwarts had come up with to encourage young wizards to study.
The three of them discussed spellcasting for a while longer.
Ethan was more interested in the three-dimensional models of magic, which showed the basic principles behind spells.
And since he'd received a proper education in his previous life, he could understand those complex three-dimensional models more easily.
Not long after, the Gryffindor students finally came rushing into the classroom just in time.
"All right, children," Professor Flitwick said. "Before we start the lesson, let's take attendance."
When he called Harry's name, Professor Flitwick shrieked like a young fangirl and tumbled off the pile of books.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
Ethan flicked his wand, caught Professor Flitwick by the robes, and pulled him back from midair.
"A perfect Levitation Charm! Two points to Ravenclaw!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed excitedly, looking at Ethan with deep approval.
He's a student in my own House! Ravenclaw's new star!
Professor Flitwick felt incredibly proud.
On the other side of the room, Hermione gripped her wand in frustration.
For the rest of the lesson, the girl worked herself to the bone answering questions, to the point that even Professor Flitwick hardly knew what to do with her.
"Look at her!" Ron whispered to Harry. "Look at Ethan—he's so modest and humble. I'd bet anything he already knows everything the professor's teaching!"
Harry glanced at Ron, whose eyes were shining, and chuckled softly. "Since when did you become Ethan's little fan?"
"I'm not—!" Ron reflexively protested, then muttered, "It's, it's only natural..."
"Hahaha."
Compared to the joking around on the Gryffindor side, the Ravenclaw side was much more serious.
Put simply, every child who got into Ravenclaw thought they were smarter than everyone else.
But as they watched Ethan sitting in the front row, his back as aloof as if he stood apart from the world, they felt an intense sense of pressure.
Just look at him!
He was better than you, and he worked harder than you, too.
How could you possibly slack off?
And so,
a silent contest of overachievers gradually spread among the little eagles.
Work hard! You all better get working your asses off!!
At the lectern, Professor Flitwick looked at the students' intensely focused faces and was deeply moved.
He had a feeling.
This would be the year Ravenclaw rose to greatness.
"Ding—ding—"
As Hogwarts' deep, melodious bells rang out, the double Charms Class came to an end.
For Ethan, the time had passed in a flash.
Looking at the doodle-like notes in his textbook, he couldn't help admiring Hogwarts' teaching standards.
As expected of the best magic school in the United Kingdom. It explained the obscure, difficult material in the textbook with remarkable clarity.
Even though the first lesson had only given a general introduction to the history of spells and the logic behind casting them,
Ethan had still learned a great deal.
He toyed with his wand, feeling the subtle flow of magic within him. Flecks of light occasionally flickered at its tip.
Perhaps he wasn't the top student when it came to grades.
But in terms of actual combat, Ethan was certain no one his age could beat him.
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