The dust slowly settled.
Ethan pinched the Chosen One's soft little cheek and smoothed down his windblown hair—
Then gave up when he realized no amount of smoothing would put it right.
Only then did Ethan notice the group of people posing like statues around the corner.
Oops, caught in the act~
Ethan's eyes curved into a smile. He dipped into a graceful bow. "Good evening, professors."
After a moment's thought, he added with a smile,
"The Troll is no longer a threat. You don't need to worry."
Everyone: "..."
Was the Troll really what we were worried about?!!
[Congratulations! Your performance has left a deep impression on everyone!] [Soul Fusion Degree increased!] [32%→33%]
It had gone up again!
Ethan's eyes lit up.
After gaining 4% Soul Fusion Degree in one go, 1% might not seem like much, but magic still welled up inside him like a gentle stream.
Ethan could also clearly feel the magic he'd just expended replenishing itself.
Even the slight fatigue in his body had completely vanished.
Given time, he would surely break free of more constraints and unleash even greater power.
He would give the world a truly earth-shaking shock.
Ethan's gaze darkened slightly. As he looked at the wand in his hand, a sharp glint flashed in his cobalt-blue eyes.
[You have fulfilled one of the promotion requirements: Perfect Brush] [Perfect Brush: Resonates perfectly with magic, allowing you to use it more smoothly and achieve unity between artist and brush; can convert magic into paint and create paintings on the spot, more powerful than ordinary paint without magic imbued in it] [Skill Lv1: Lifelike Imagination promotion requirements:] [① Obtain Perfect Brush] [② Reach 40% Soul Fusion Degree] [③ Create and use a Tier 1 Purple Epic] [When the skill is promoted, you will master more techniques and unlock higher-tier painting skills] [Note: If a Golden Legendary is like fireworks, dazzling for a moment before fading away, a Purple Epic will endure unchanged through the ages.] [No matter its tier, every Purple Epic will endure throughout history and be remembered by generations to come, just like Hogwarts.]
Blue text appeared before Ethan's eyes.
His pupils contracted as he read it carefully.
Skill promotion...!
He'd gained the Lv1 skill Lifelike Imagination by inheriting the techniques from his past life.
Even so, Ethan had felt it was more than enough.
If he promoted it further, what kind of enlightenment would he gain? What truths about the world would he see?
Thump! Thump!
Ethan's heart began to pound, and his eyes shone like stars!
He was filled with anticipation for what the promoted skill would bring!
He'd already fulfilled the first requirement: the brush.
From now on, his own magic could take the place of ordinary paint.
That would be a huge boon when creating extraordinary paintings.
As for the second requirement, his Soul Fusion Degree had already reached 33%. He still needed 7%.
Seven percent was no small amount, but Ethan thought he could reach it during his first year.
All he needed was a few more art exhibitions like the one on Halloween.
Or to pull off something huge all at once.
The key was the third requirement—"Create a Tier 1 Purple Epic."
Just as the system had said, Purple Epics of any tier were unique creations that would endure throughout history.
Ethan thought his Portal and Call of Erised were already quite impressive.
But they were still only "Golden Legendary."
He had no idea how to create a higher-tier Purple Epic.
"Let's find a way to raise my Soul Fusion Degree to 40% first," Ethan murmured. "Maybe inspiration will strike once I get there."
The thought crossed his mind and vanished.
Just then,
the rapid patter of footsteps approached and stopped in front of him.
Ethan looked up and met Professor McGonagall's furious gaze.
"I—I can hardly believe it!"
Professor McGonagall was so angry she looked like Quirrell. Her eyebrows shot up, her eyes widened, and her whole body trembled.
"What were you thinking, Mr. Ethan Vincent? Sneaking out just to challenge a Troll?"
"Do you realize you nearly died?!"
Harry and Ron hurried to speak up. "No, Professor McGonagall, Ethan was—"
"Silence!"
Professor McGonagall shot them a sharp glare, and the two little ones immediately ducked their heads, turning into a pair of quails.
"And you as well, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger. Would one of you care to explain what on earth is going on?!"
"..."
Silence fell.
Professor Snape grinned smugly, feeling more pleased than he had in ages.
The famous Chosen One, "Pot-ter," and the oddball little painter who looked down on everyone and got under people's skin.
What a fine gathering they made.
Ethan really was an outstanding student in his day-to-day lessons.
Even Snape, who was always looking for faults in Potions Class, couldn't find anything to criticize.
So there was nothing to deduct points for.
Instead, Ethan had won plenty of points for Ravenclaw in his other classes.
At last, Snape had caught him out.
Whatever the reason, Ethan had attacked a professor.
Even though Snape had blurted out five points for Ethan earlier, under Professor McGonagall's fury those points would be deducted in full.
"Because of your actions tonight, Mr. Vincent," Professor McGonagall said, "Ravenclaw will lose twenty points, and you'll serve detention—"
"Professor, it was me!"
A voice choked with tears interrupted Professor McGonagall.
Hermione Granger stood there with red-rimmed eyes, biting her lip. As though she had made up her mind, she said,
"It was me."
"This is all my fault, Professor McGonagall."
At her words, Professor McGonagall's anger caught in her throat. She looked at Hermione in surprise.
Snape's smug, expectant grin froze in place.
Wait, there's a twist?
Once Hermione got the first words out, the rest came more easily.
She took a deep breath, lifted her head, and put on a remorseful expression. "They were looking for me. I came to find the Troll because I—I thought I could handle it on my own."
"I read about Trolls in a book. I know a lot about them."
Hermione raised her head and looked Professor McGonagall in the eye.
"Ethan, Harry, and Ron all came to find me."
"If they hadn't, I'd be dead by now."
At her words,
silence filled the room.
Snape's face had darkened like the bottom of a pot.
"...Oh, I see."
It took Professor McGonagall a moment to recover.
She looked at Ethan, who hadn't said a word, and felt her cheeks growing warmer.
Ethan had come to save someone. She'd misunderstood him.
She'd thought he was showing off and wanted to challenge the Troll alone.
Professor McGonagall's heart softened, and Ethan's many past achievements came back to her.
Of course. When she'd arrived, Harry had been standing in front of Ethan.
Only then had Ethan cast a spell to drive the Troll back.
His actions might have been a little reckless, but he had a good heart.
Kind and brave, Ethan had the qualities of a Gryffindor, too.
But in the end, the Sorting Hat had chosen Ravenclaw for him.
Just like Professor Flitwick all those years ago.
Thinking of it that way, Ethan's defeat of the Troll on his own only demonstrated his exceptional talent.
He also had a great deal in common with the "Duel Master Flitwick" of old.
Professor McGonagall glanced sideways at Professor Flitwick.
Sure enough, she saw unmistakable excitement on his face.
Even if the situation meant he couldn't award points now, he would surely give Ethan a great many later, in private.
With that in mind, Professor McGonagall pulled herself together and said,
"If that's the case... I won't take back the points awarded to Ravenclaw. Miss Granger, you silly girl, how could you think you were capable of taking on a Troll as big as a mountain?"
Hermione lowered her head and said nothing.
"Gryffindor will lose five points for this. As for the three of you..."
Professor McGonagall looked at Harry and Ron, who were both on edge, then at Ethan, whose expression was already calm.
"I'll award five points to each of your Houses. I'll inform Headmaster Dumbledore about this. You may go."
As soon as she finished speaking,
the Three Little Ones hurried off.
Ron was still muttering, "Taking points from Ravenclaw! That's not fair! Ethan saved us!"
Harry quickly covered his mouth.
When he turned around and saw that Ethan hadn't followed, he waved at him like a fool, urging him to hurry up.
He'd completely forgotten they were in different Houses and didn't share a Common Room.
Ethan didn't mind. They'd be walking the same way for a little while, anyway.
He smiled and was about to join them.
Just then, the head of his House quietly caught hold of his robe.
Ethan stopped and obligingly bent down.
"Would you be willing to show the other students your magic when you get back to the Common Room? It was extraordinary!"
"I'll come watch, too. I think if you can do what you just did, I'll have no choice but to award you points for your outstanding control of spells."
As he spoke, Professor Flitwick gave him a sly wink, his eyes sparkling.
He was brimming with the delight and excitement of discovering a promising young talent.
And quite a bit of favoritism.
"Ahem."
Professor McGonagall's cough came from up ahead.
"Oh, I have to go. See you in the Common Room!"
Professor Flitwick sprang up and scampered off in three quick strides.
Seeing how lively his Head of House was, Ethan couldn't help laughing.
Nearby, Sean had listened to the entire exchange. Blood rushed through him, and he clenched his teeth, burning with envy and humiliation.
Prefect Robert glanced at his expression, rolled his eyes, and said evenly, but with unmistakable authority,
"Don't forget to keep your promise, Mr. Sean Max."
Invite Ethan Vincent to join the club.
—Whether Ethan himself agreed to join or not.
Before you continue