Only a Deafening Truth Can Awaken the Slumbering!

"Possible risks include drowning, dismemberment, melting... and other hazards."

"I acknowledge the above possible consequences and voluntarily assume responsibility."

"Signature: Ethan Vincent."

Ethan signed his name in neat, elegant script on the blank line.

As the final stroke landed, a circular crest appeared over the writing, like an anti-counterfeit mark.

"That's a spell to verify you are who you claim to be, and to confirm the signature carries legal weight."

"Prevents troublemakers from signing someone else up."

Flitwick explained, winking at Ethan.

Sounds like something the Weasley Twins would do,

Ethan thought.

As Professor Flitwick put away the registration form, Ethan's heart, still racing from the thousand Galleon prize, finally began to settle.

Only then did he take the time to look around the office.

The most eye-catching thing was a massive glass cabinet.

Inside sat a gleaming golden trophy, topped with a pair of crossed wands, from which sparkling golden dust drifted.

Engraved on it was:

[Duel Competition World Cup Gold Award].

On the wall hung a poster for "Duel Master."

It showed a muscular wizard holding a wand, flashing Ethan a Schwarzenegger-like hardman grin.

Besides that, Professor Flitwick had collected many delicate trinkets.

There was a dragon-shaped skull, a turtle shell inlaid with gems, a silver pot resting on a cushion...

All glittered in the sunlight, weaving together beautiful colors.

Looking at this collector-like office, Ethan couldn't help but think of the rumors about Flitwick having goblin blood.

After all, human tastes are free.

If giants are fair game, then those goblin-like creatures probably...

"—Mr. Vincent?"

Ethan jolted, looked up, and met Professor Flitwick's puzzled gaze.

He paused, then put on a polite smile: "Nothing. I was just thinking about a biology topic and got a bit lost in thought."

"Oh, that's fine. A love of thinking is a good habit."

Flitwick nodded instinctively.

For some reason, he felt a slight tingle in his head.

"The selection will be held next Friday evening. The main test is how to get through the Giant Purple Toad's nest."

"I'll explain the specifics once I've confirmed the Ravenclaw students who've signed up."

"Alright," Ethan nodded, "Thank you, Professor."

"You're welcome."

Professor Flitwick smiled, his eyes full of appreciation as he looked at Ethan.

Ethan, of course, had no real chance of passing the School Selection.

He was just a first-year Young Wizard who'd only been at school a few months!

Sure, he'd repeatedly shown an extremely high level of magical skill.

But he was still no match for the upper-year students who'd studied for years longer.

Especially those who'd prepared well in advance for this competition.

For them, this competition carried serious weight.

Participating and getting results

would add a brilliant highlight to their resumes.

No matter where they wanted to go after graduation, having this competition's results would basically seal the deal.

As Professor Flitwick knew:

Standing before him now was the next Prefect-in-waiting, Penelope Clearwater, one of the vice-presidents of the Round Table Council.

The six-time year-topper and another vice-president of the Round Table Council, Sean Max.

And the new Gryffindor Prefect, Percy Weasley.

Flitwick was covertly observing his interaction with his own Penelope.

There was also Cedric Diggory, the third-year little hero of Hufflepuff—Flitwick's impression of the boy was that he was quite handsome, with a bit more sunshine than Ethan.

And Gemma Farley, the Prefect from Slytherin, a proud and outstanding young woman.

They all wanted to sign up for the challenge.

Gearing up to pass the School Selection and achieve a good result in the final competition.

Both to prove themselves and to add honor to their graduation resumes.

Ethan Vincent?

No way~

"Friendship first, competition second. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Mr. Vincent."

Professor Flitwick said with a cheerful reminder.

"Mm, okay, Professor."

Ethan could see Flitwick's perfunctory attitude.

Clearly, the other party didn't think he would pass the selection at all.

But Ethan didn't say anything.

He gave a slight bow, hugged the Godly People TV Complete Collection—ah, no, the Secret Realm Tracking Challenge Complete Guide—that Flitwick had given him, and walked out of the office.

A flash of determination and resolve flickered in his eyes.

Only a deafening truth could jolt these sleeping people awake.

Let them realize in shock that reality wasn't always what they expected!

One thousand golden Galleons, Hellebore's Secret Treasure.

Here I come!

Sandwiched before the selection was a Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

However, since Professor Quirrell was still lying in the school hospital.

Without him meddling, the match went surprisingly smoothly.

"—Harry Potter caught the Golden Snitch! Gryffindor gets one hundred and fifty points! Gryffindor wins!!!"

Lee Jordan, the Weasley Twins' good buddy, screamed hoarsely, his voice cracking with excitement.

Amid the overwhelming cheers, Harry held up the gleaming Golden Snitch.

A genuine, joyful smile spread across his sweaty face.

This little boy, who had spent eleven years under his relatives' oppression and in a grimy cupboard, now seemed to glow from every pore.

On the Ravenclaw stands.

Ethan smiled and clapped along with everyone else.

He raised his wand.

The wand naturally transformed into the shape of a paintbrush in his hand, following his thoughts.

Ethan waved the brush, using magic as paint, quickly sketching in the air.

Soon—

"Roar—!!!"

A resounding lion's roar echoed across the entire Quidditch pitch!

Everyone turned in surprise.

Above the Ravenclaw stands, a lifelike golden-red lion hovered, roaring majestically.

The Slytherins' faces turned as black as a pot lid.

Professor Snape's gaze seemed to be already contemplating a hundred and eight ways to poison Ethan.

Harry naturally saw this too.

He struggled to poke his head out from the crowd of teammates, looking up at the lion painted by the brush, and couldn't help but feel his eyes moisten.

He raised his hand and waved frantically toward the figure sitting alone in a row on the Ravenclaw stands.

—After the first Quidditch match ended perfectly.

The school selection for the Secret Realm Tracking competition gradually came into the public eye.

To be precise, it was the first-year student Ethan, who had signed up, that caught everyone's attention.

First year!

Who allowed him to sign up?

Oh, it was Professor Flitwick, who doted on him excessively—well, that's fine then.

Ethan was already a hot topic, and this incident only made the crowd explode even more.

Under his spotlight, even Cedric Diggory, the Hufflepuff ace competing in the third year, was completely overlooked.

That left Cedric feeling somewhat stifled.

Some admired Ethan's courage, while others mocked his overestimation of himself.

But regardless, they were all looking forward to Ethan's performance in the selection—or rather, his "humiliation."