Promotion Conditions! Meet One

The dust gradually settled.

Ethan pinched the soft little face of the Chosen One in front of him and smoothed back his windblown hair—

After realizing no amount of smoothing would fix it, he gave up.

That was when Ethan noticed the group of people cosplaying as statues around the corner.

Ah, caught red-handed~

Ethan's eyes curved as he gave a slight bow, offering an elegant salute: "Good evening, Professor."

He thought for a moment, then added with a smile:

"The Troll is no longer a threat, no need to worry."

Everyone: "..."

Were we worried about the Troll?!

[Congratulations! Your performance has left a deep impression on everyone!]

[Soul Fusion Degree increased!]

[32% → 33%]

Another increase!

Ethan's eyes lit up.

After that one-time boost of 4% to his Soul Fusion Degree, even a 1% increase felt modest, with magic flowing like a gentle stream from within his body.

But Ethan could clearly sense that the magic he'd just expended had been replenished.

The slight fatigue in his body had also vanished completely.

Given time, he would surely break free of more restraints and unleash even greater strength.

To deliver a true shock to the world.

Ethan's gaze dimmed slightly as he looked at the wand in his hand, a sharp glint flashing in his Cobalt Blue eyes.

[You have met one of the promotion conditions: Perfect Brush]

[Perfect Brush: Achieve perfect resonance with magic, use magic more smoothly, unify person and brush; convert magic into paint for on-the-spot creation, stronger than ordinary paint without magical infusion]

[Skill Lv1. Lifelike Imagination promotion conditions:]

[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 learn more techniques and unlock higher-tier painting levels]

[Note: If Golden Legendary is like fireworks—brilliant for a moment, then fading away—then Purple Epic will remain eternal.]

[No matter the tier, every Purple Epic will flow through the river of history, remembered by the world, just like this Hogwarts]

A blue-tinted subtitle appeared before Ethan's eyes.

His pupils contracted as he carefully reviewed it.

Skill promotion...!

Lv1 Lifelike Imagination was a skill he'd inherited from his past life.

Even so, Ethan had found it more than sufficient.

If he advanced further, what kind of enlightenment would he gain? What truth about the world would he see?

Thump-thump! Thump-thump!

Ethan's heart pounded violently, his eyes blazing bright as stars!

He couldn't wait to see the effect of the skill's promotion!

The first condition—the brush—he had already fulfilled.

From now on, his own magic would replace ordinary paint.

This would be a huge advantage when creating extraordinary paintings.

The second condition—Soul Fusion Degree—he had already reached 33%, with only 7% left.

7% wasn't a small number, but Ethan felt he could achieve it within his first year.

As long as he pulled off a few more Art Exhibitions like Halloween.

Or, pulled off one big stunt all at once.

The key was the third condition—"Create and use a Tier 1 · Purple Epic."

Just as the system said, no matter the tier, every Purple Epic was a unique, eternal existence in history.

Ethan felt that his Portal and Call of Erised were already impressive enough.

But it was still only "Golden Legendary."

He had no idea how to draw a higher-tier Purple Epic.

"I'll find a way to raise the Soul Fusion Degree to 40% first," Ethan murmured. "Once it's up, maybe inspiration will come."

The thought flickered past.

Just then.

Rapid footsteps pattered closer and stopped in front of him.

Ethan looked up and met Professor McGonagall's furious gaze.

"I—I simply can't believe it!"

Professor McGonagall was so angry she looked like Quirrell, her eyebrows raised, eyes wide, and her whole body trembling.

"What were you thinking, Mr. Ethan Vincent? You snuck out just to challenge a troll?"

"Do you realize you nearly died?!"

Harry and Ron spoke up urgently: "No, Professor McGonagall, Ethan was—"

"Silence!"

Professor McGonagall's sharp glare made the Two Little Ones instantly shrink their necks, turning into a pair of little quails.

"And you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger. Would any of you care to explain to me what exactly happened?!"

"..."

Dead silence.

Professor Snape's lips curled into a smug grin, his mood soaring.

The famous Chosen One "Potter," and that arrogant, infuriating little painter who made everyone's teeth itch.

What a perfect gathering.

Since Ethan usually performed so well in class.

In Potions Class, even Snape, who was always looking for faults, couldn't find a single flaw.

He had no grounds to deduct points.

On the contrary, Ethan had earned plenty for Ravenclaw in other classes.

Now, finally, he could catch the kid slipping up.

No matter the reason, Ethan had attacked a professor.

Even if Snape had impulsively given him five points earlier, under Professor McGonagall's fury, those five points would be wiped clean.

"For your performance tonight, Mr. Vincent," Professor McGonagall said. "Ravenclaw loses twenty points, and you're confined—"

"Professor, it was me!"

A tearful shout cut off Professor McGonagall's words.

Hermione Granger, her eyes red and lips bitten, spoke as if she'd made up her mind:

"It was me."

"It's all my fault, Professor McGonagall."

At those words, Professor McGonagall's anger stalled, and she looked at Hermione in surprise.

Snape's smug grin, waiting for a good laugh, froze abruptly.

Wait, there's a twist?

Once the first words were out, the rest came easier.

Hermione took a deep breath, lifted her head, and put on a remorseful expression: "They were looking for me. I came for the troll because I—I thought I could handle it alone."

"I read about them in books and know a lot about them."

Hermione raised her head and looked earnestly at Professor McGonagall:

"Ethan, Harry, and Ron—they all came to find me."

"If it weren't for them, I'd be dead right now."

Hearing this.

The scene fell into silence.

Snape's face had darkened like a pot lid.

"...Oh, I see."

After a long moment, Professor McGonagall came back to her senses.

She looked at the silent Ethan and felt her cheeks gradually heat up.

So Ethan had come specifically to save someone else—she had misunderstood him.

She had thought Ethan was showing off, trying to take on the troll alone.

Professor McGonagall's heart softened, and Ethan's past outstanding performances surfaced in her mind.

That was true—when she came to check, Harry had been standing in front of Ethan.

Only then did Ethan cast the spell to drive off the Troll.

Though his behavior was a bit erratic, deep down he was still quite kind.

Kind and brave—Ethan also possessed Gryffindor traits.

It was just that, in the final choice of the Sorting Hat, he had chosen Ravenclaw.

Just like Professor Flitwick back in the day.

Thinking of it this way, Ethan's ability to defeat the Troll alone actually showcased his extraordinary talent.

And it carried the same flair as the legendary "Duel Master Flitwick."

Professor McGonagall glanced sideways at Professor Flitwick.

Sure enough, she spotted obvious excitement on his face.

Even if he couldn't add points now due to the atmosphere.

Later, in private, he would definitely heap a ton of points on Ethan.

With that in mind, Professor McGonagall steadied herself and said:

"If that's the case... I won't take back the points I gave Ravenclaw. Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think you were capable of taking on a mountain-sized Troll?"

Hermione lowered her head, saying nothing.

"For this matter, Gryffindor will lose five points. As for the three of you..."

Professor McGonagall swept her gaze over the nervous Harry and Ron, and Ethan, whose expression had already calmed.

"You each earn five points for your respective houses. I will inform Headmaster Dumbledore of this. You may go."

With those words.

The three hurriedly walked forward.

Ron muttered under his breath, "Taking points from Ravenclaw! That's not fair! Ethan saved us!"

Harry quickly covered his mouth.

Turning back, he saw Ethan hadn't followed, and foolishly waved at him, urging him to hurry up.

Completely forgetting they weren't in the same house, and their Common Rooms weren't in the same place.

Ethan didn't mind either; they'd share part of the way anyway.

He smiled and lifted his foot to step forward.

Just then, his own house head quietly tugged at his robe.

Ethan stopped and bent down cooperatively.

"When you get back to the Common Room later, would you be willing to show the other students your magic? That was incredible!"

"I'll be watching too. I think, if you can perform at that level, I'll have no choice but to award you points for your excellent spell control."

With that, Professor Flitwick winked at him slyly, his eyes sparkling.

It was pure delight and excitement at discovering a promising talent.

Full of personal bias.

"Ahem."

From ahead came Professor McGonagall's cough.

"Oh, I have to go. See you in the Common Room later."

Professor Flitwick hopped up and scurried away in a few quick steps.

Seeing his own head so lively, Ethan couldn't help but laugh.

On the other side, Sean, who had overheard everything, felt his blood rush hot, clenching his teeth in jealousy and shame.

Prefect Robert glanced at him, then turned his eyes back, speaking in a flat but unyielding tone:

"Don't forget to fulfill your promise, Mr. Sean Max."

Invite Ethan Vincent to join the club.

—No matter whether Ethan himself would be willing in the end.