"Possible dangers include drowning, dismemberment, melting..."
"I understand the possible consequences listed above and voluntarily accept responsibility."
"Signed: Ethan Vincent."
Ethan neatly signed his name in the blank space in elegant handwriting.
As the final stroke fell, a circular crest appeared over the writing, like a security seal.
"That's a spell to verify that you're who you say you are and that you acknowledge the signature's legal validity."
"It prevents people from pulling a prank by signing someone else up."
Flitwick explained, winking at Ethan.
It sounded like something the Weasley Twins would do.
Ethan thought.
As Professor Flitwick put away the registration form, Ethan's heart, stirred by the thousand Galleons, finally began to settle.
Now he had a chance to look around the office.
The most conspicuous thing was a huge glass cabinet.
Inside stood a gleaming golden trophy, topped with a pair of crossed wands, surrounded by swirling golden dust.
It was engraved with:
[Duel Competition World Cup Gold Award]
There was also a "Duel Master" poster on the wall.
The muscular wizard holding a wand flashed Ethan a rugged, Schwarzenegger-like grin.
Besides that,
Professor Flitwick had also collected all sorts of intricate little trinkets.
There was a dragon-shaped skull, a jewel-encrusted tortoise shell, a silver pot resting on a cushion...
They all glittered in the sunlight, weaving together a beautiful array of colors.
Looking at this collector's office, Ethan couldn't help thinking of the rumors that Professor Flitwick had goblin blood.
After all, people could be attracted to anything.
If giants could be attractive, then surely creatures that looked like goblins...
"—Mr. Vincent?"
Ethan jolted and looked up, meeting Professor Flitwick's puzzled gaze.
He paused, then gave a polite smile. "Nothing. I was just thinking about something biological and got a little distracted."
"Oh, that's all right. Thinking is a good habit."
Flitwick nodded instinctively.
For some reason, he felt as if his head had grown a little pointier.
"The School Selection will take place next Friday evening. The main challenge is getting through a Giant Purple Toad's nest."
"I'll explain the details to everyone once we've confirmed the Ravenclaw entrants."
"All right," Ethan said, nodding. "Thank you, Professor."
"You're welcome."
Professor Flitwick smiled, looking at Ethan with unmistakable appreciation for his talent.
Ethan, of course, couldn't possibly pass the School Selection.
He was only a first-year who'd been at school for a few months!
Though he'd repeatedly demonstrated remarkable magical ability,
he still couldn't compete with the older students, who'd had several more years to study.
Especially the older students who'd been preparing for this competition for a long time.
For them, this competition carried a lot of weight.
Taking part and earning a good result
would add a striking achievement to their résumés.
Wherever they wanted to go after graduation, a result in this competition would practically guarantee them a place.
As Professor Flitwick knew:
the student standing before him, who was expected to become the next Prefect, was Penelope Clearwater, one of the vice presidents of the Round Table Council.
Sean Max, a six-time top student in his year and the other vice president of the Round Table Council.
Percy Weasley, the newly appointed Prefect from Gryffindor.
Flitwick was secretly keeping an eye on Percy's interactions with his own Miss Penelope.
And the Hufflepuff third-year hero, Cedric Diggory—Flitwick's impression was that he was quite handsome, and a little more sunny-looking than Ethan.
And Gemma Farley, the Slytherin Prefect, a proud and capable young woman.
They were all entering the Challenge Tournament.
They were putting everything they had into passing the selection and getting a good result in the final competition.
It was a chance to prove themselves and add an honor to their graduation résumés.
Ethan Vincent?
Not a chance~
"Friendship comes first, competition second. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Mr. Vincent," Professor Flitwick said with a chuckle.
"Okay, Professor."
Ethan could tell Professor Flitwick was just humoring him.
Clearly, the professor didn't think he had any chance of passing the School Selection.
But Ethan said nothing.
He bowed slightly and left the office, carrying the Professor's copy of Godly People TV—no, the Secret Realm Tracking Challenge Complete Guide.
A look of resolve and determination flashed in his eyes.
Only shocking facts could wake these sleepers.
Make them realize in astonishment that reality wasn't always what they'd imagined!
A thousand Galleons. Hellebore's Secret Treasure.
I'm coming for you!
Before the School Selection, there was a Quidditch Match between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
However, since Professor Quirrell was still lying in the Hospital Wing,
and didn't cause any trouble along the way, the match went unusually smoothly.
"—Harry Potter has caught the Golden Snitch! Gryffindor scores one hundred and fifty points! Gryffindor wins!!!"
Lee Jordan, the Weasley Twins' good friend, shouted himself hoarse, his voice cracking with excitement.
Amid the deafening cheers, Harry held up the gleaming Golden Snitch.
His sweat-covered face broke into a genuine smile of delight.
The boy who'd spent the past eleven years under the thumb of his relatives and in a filthy cupboard now seemed to shine from every pore.
In the Ravenclaw stands,
Ethan smiled and clapped along with everyone else.
He took out his wand.
As if responding to his thoughts, the wand naturally changed shape in his hand, becoming a paintbrush.
Ethan waved the brush, using magic as paint, and quickly sketched in midair.
In an instant—
"Roar—!!!"
A mighty lion's roar rang out across the Quidditch pitch!
Everyone turned in surprise.
Floating above the Ravenclaw stands was a lifelike golden-red lion, roaring with majestic force.
The Slytherins' faces darkened like pot lids.
Professor Snape looked as though he was already considering a hundred and eight ways to poison Ethan.
Harry saw it too.
He struggled to poke his head out from the crowd of teammates and gazed at the lion painted with a brush, his eyes growing moist.
He raised a hand and waved frantically at the lone figure occupying an entire row in the Ravenclaw stands.
—After the first Quidditch Match ended in perfect fashion,
the Secret Realm Tracking Challenge School Selection gradually entered the public eye.
More precisely, it was the first-year entrant, Ethan, who caught everyone's attention.
A first-year!
Who'd let him sign up?
Oh, Professor Flitwick, who was extremely fond of him. In that case, never mind.
Ethan had already been a hot topic, and now the news sent everyone into an uproar.
Under his spotlight, even Hufflepuff's third-year ace, Cedric Diggory, went unnoticed.
Cedric found that more than a little frustrating.
Some admired Ethan's courage, while others mocked him for overestimating himself.
But either way, they were eager to see how Ethan would perform in the School Selection—or, rather, how he'd "make a fool of himself."
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