Cold wind howled, sweeping between Ethan and the professors, lifting their hair and robes.
Professor McGonagall shivered and reactivated her brain, sluggish from exhaustion. Her gaze swept over the equally confused Penelope and landed on Ethan.
She tried to see something on his pure, flawless face, but to no avail.
Finally, she could only ask hoarsely: "What exactly... happened?"
How did a perfectly good selection turn into this mess?
Ethan, why were you just watching?!
Hearing this, the smile at the corner of Ethan's mouth deepened. He didn't answer, only took out the black obsidian ring from his leather bag that had been enchanted with an Extension Charm.
Whether it was Ethan's imagination or not, he felt that compared to the beginning, this ring seemed dimmer and more lifeless. Even the magical power that had originally swirled around it had almost completely disappeared.
In Ethan's leather bag were his precious paintings. Such as "The Ghouls' Banquet," "The Stripping Craze," and so on.
If the ring had consciousness, it must have gotten tired from appreciating his artwork.
Ethan thought, paying it no mind.
He showed the ring to Professor McGonagall, saying: "Professor, this is the trophy I brought back from the cave."
!!!
Professor McGonagall's eyes suddenly widened as she stared at the black obsidian gold ring in disbelief. She waved her wand, and a point of light appeared from within... the mark they had placed on all treasures.
But how was this possible?!
Ethan had never moved a step, never left the starting point! How did he get this ring?!
Not only Professor McGonagall, but other professors also discussed in amazement:
"Merlin, my memory isn't wrong, is it? Mr. Vincent never entered the cave!"
"The magic he used is something even we professors couldn't think of... sigh, learning never ends, learning never ends."
"Professor Flitwick, your house has produced a genius! Nurture him well... he might be the next Dumbledore."
"Hahaha~"
Professor Flitwick laughed embarrassedly, blushing as he scratched his head. Being praised like this, he felt like Ethan would receive the school's Special Contribution Award and reach the pinnacle of life any second. Taking the entire Ravenclaw house with him.
"Wait... so Mr. Vincent can pass the selection?!"
A professor exclaimed in shock.
"Galloping Gorgons, according to the rules, as long as you get a trophy, you can be directly selected..."
But according to normal procedure, one should first pass the toad trials and enter the cave. Then experience various tribulations before finally obtaining treasure and successfully clearing.
When they set the rules earlier, no one thought a student would get a trophy directly without entering the cave!
This... this was skipping levels!
Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes, staring dangerously at Ethan, saying slowly: "Mr. Vincent, did you cause this chaos?"
Penelope looked nervously at Ethan.
Ethan tilted his head. He furrowed his brow, showing a troubled expression. Like a misunderstood child who didn't know how to defend himself.
Seeing this, Professor McGonagall paused and pursed her lips.
Was her tone just now too harsh...?
Right, no matter how sinister Ethan was, he surely wouldn't do something like bombing the exam venue. The difficulty was too high. Ethan was only a first-year. Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Ethan said shyly: "You don't need to praise me, I'll be embarrassed."
Professor McGonagall: "..."
Damn it, it really was you, kid?!
And what's there to praise about this!
"You... cough, cough cough!"
Professor McGonagall couldn't catch her breath, pointing at Ethan with a trembling hand, bending over, and coughing violently. The professors and students nearby quickly came forward to pat her back.
On the other side, Professor Flitwick put down his hand, silently retreated, and shrank back.
Don't see me, don't see me...
Under everyone's gaze, Ethan raised his hand and said with enjoyment: "The shock to the world begins here. This moment's brilliant fireworks will become the starting point of a new world!"
Everyone: "..."
Are you going to bomb the world?!
Also, those fireworks were the spells we cast!
At this moment, they didn't know how to complain.
Ivory-like gentle moonlight fell on Ethan's face. As if draping him in a layer of bright, misty gauze, making his figure appear as sacred and great as an angel.
When swept by those cobalt-blue eyes, they actually trembled slightly.
...The rise of a demon.
"Moreover," Ethan continued, "I didn't violate any rules. In fact, I obtained the token by myself alone. Isn't this worth boasting about?"
Ethan smiled slightly.
"..."
The professors fell silent.
Indeed. Without taking a step, he had somehow obtained a trophy. And Ethan was just a first-year who had only been at school for a few months.
Other peers were still learning Alohomora, while Ethan had already invented strange magic like "portals."
Given time, he would definitely be worthy of inclusion in the Hogwarts Chronicles. He might even have history books rewritten for him.
Many professors understood the key point. Although they lived in Hogwarts' ivory tower and weren't as snobbish as the former Potions professor, it didn't mean they knew nothing about human nature.
Geniuses were always different... so what if he bombed the exam venue? No one died, right~
Uh... there was a Ravenclaw youth named Sean Mike who was unluckily hit in the head by a stone pillar and remained unconscious. He earned a premium seat in the hospital wing.
"Mr. Vincent indeed didn't violate the rules... although we never set related rules to begin with."
"He has a trophy, so he should be selected."
"Ordinary students can't even bomb exam venues... this proves Mr. Vincent has the ability."
"True, other schools should also witness this kind of talent."
Let Ethan participate in the challenge and go wreak havoc on other schools!
The professors exchanged knowing glances.
Professor McGonagall was somewhat angry seeing her colleagues so easily let Ethan off. Although everyone was saying: How much trouble could Ethan cause? Would he become the next Dark Lord?
Professor McGonagall had thought the same initially. But as time passed... more precisely, as Ethan's troublemaking escalated... she became increasingly uneasy.
Fortunately, Professor Quirrell would be discharged soon, and then he would give Ethan fair and just punishment.
Professor McGonagall hoped so.
Ethan: "So I passed the selection, right?"
After a moment of silence and consulting other professors' opinions, Professor McGonagall finally nodded: "Yes. Congratulations, Mr. Vincent. You now have the qualification to participate in the Secret Realm Tracking Challenge."
"Yay~"
Looking at Ethan's joyful smile, Professor McGonagall felt her faith being tested.
No! It's a cute attack!
She whipped around and, together with other professors, lifted the injured students and walked quickly toward Hogwarts. Their backs had a somewhat fleeing quality.
Ethan noticed that when leaving, the girl in Slytherin robes with a dark golden ponytail looked back at him deeply. Then she turned and left. Even covered in slime, her posture remained upright and noble.
She seemed to be... Slytherin's current prefect, Gemma Farley?
Ethan thought indifferently.
He put away the ring, tossing it back into his leather bag.
[No...]
An imperceptible hiss vanished instantly, falling back into the dark bag.
"Phew..."
Ethan let out a long breath, feeling completely refreshed. Confirming his selection put his mind at ease.
Though he was somewhat disappointed not to gain soul fusion, it seemed that despite enjoying the fireworks show, he hadn't let them appreciate the charm of his artwork. Still too conservative.
Ethan planned to redouble his efforts in the official challenge. Hopefully, he could increase his fusion rate in one go and achieve the second condition for advancement!
[Chapter Complete]
***
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