It's a beautiful young lady!
Beside him, Michael got as excited as if he had epilepsy. He frantically shook Ethan's sleeve, his eyes glowing, practically drooling.
Damn it! Why were beautiful older girls always coming to find Ethan!
Michael was so jealous he was about to transform on the spot.
Ethan shook off this "aspiring youth's" hand, not asking why the Slytherin prefect was looking for him. He nodded slightly and followed her.
The two walked one after the other to an empty classroom. After Ethan entered, he saw Gemma click the door locked.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and joked: "Should we also cast a Silencing Charm? Deep in Hogwarts, in a secret classroom no one can find..."
"..."
Gemma stared at Ethan coldly, ignoring his crude comment. She pulled out a small cloth bag from her robes.
Ethan keenly caught the sound of metal clinking inside the bag, thinking to himself: No way, sir, again? Did these Slytherins share one brain? Or was the so-called "noble etiquette" they learned from childhood to throw money at problems when in doubt?
Gemma: "I'll give you two hundred Galleons. Drop out of the challenge. Slytherin needs another spot."
Hearing this, Ethan burst out laughing. His usually gentle and friendly face showed a hint of frivolous mockery. Instantly transforming from a little angel to a little devil.
"I must refuse, Miss Farley," Ethan said slowly. "The challenge prize is a thousand Galleons. Why would you think I'd give up this opportunity for a mere two hundred Galleons?"
Not to mention, it could lead directly to Herpo's mansion to find hidden dark wizard treasures.
Gemma tilted her head, her beautiful face showing genuine confusion.
"You can't possibly win a thousand Galleons alone. First, that's the prize for first place. Second, although there's no requirement to form teams, most compete in groups of four to five from the same school among the twelve participants."
"That means even if a miracle happened and you got first place, you'd have to share the thousand Galleon prize with your teammates. At most... you'd only get two to three hundred Galleons."
"Of course, the probability of this happening is infinitely close to zero."
Gemma explained clearly to Ethan in her cool, almost emotionless voice.
Teams? I never had any intention of teaming up.
Ethan curved his lips: "Your perspective is limited. If I don't team up and clear it solo to win first place, wouldn't I get the entire prize?"
Hearing this fantastical idea, Gemma's expression became even colder as she stated bluntly: "You are zero."
Ethan: "..."
He understood Gemma meant, "Your probability of clearing solo is zero." But wasn't that a bit too abbreviated?
"Regardless, I don't take shortcuts," Ethan replied politely, cleverly using a double entendre, "No matter which 'back door.'"
His gaze swept over the money bag in Gemma's hand.
Hmph. Look at the Malfoy family... they gave seven hundred Galleons at once, plus an Extension Bag. A mere two hundred Galleons? Was she treating him like a beggar?!
Ethan proudly lifted his nose. He was no longer the same person. No longer the poor boy who would bend over for a few hundred Galleons!
Gemma was confused for a moment. Not understanding what other "back door" there was besides the money bag in her hand. But she quickly composed herself.
Looking at Ethan's indifferent and distant smile, she pursed her lips and pulled out another money bag from her robes.
"This contains one hundred Galleons. To buy your promise not to target me in the competition."
"..."
Now even Ethan raised his eyebrows in surprise. He looked at the golden gleam in that open bag. Feeling the warm heat of the coins melting the curve of his lips.
So Ethan's smile became sincere and friendly.
"Oh, my good friend, why are you being so polite?"
While speaking, Ethan welcomed this warm heat. Taking on this sinful capitalist burden.
In the dead of winter, something this heart-warming could kill you!
Gemma Farley fell silent. For a moment, she was shocked by how quickly Ethan changed faces.
...Anyway, the matter was settled. As for the participation spot she didn't secure, she could only say that guy lacked ability and failed the selection himself.
Gemma thought coldly. She nodded at Ethan, turned to unlock and open the door...
"Crash!"
Several figures tumbled in. Outside the door was like a zombie siege, with circles upon circles of onlookers. Now staring at them with burning eyes. The gossip atmosphere was like scorching summer sun.
Shocking! Slytherin Prefect Wants to "Buy" a First-Year Wizard? Is this moral decay or...?!
"..."
Gemma pursed her lips, her cold face becoming even more aloof. Hogwarts was still too honest.
She pushed through the crowd and strode away from this place of trouble without looking back.
Inside the classroom, Ethan bent down, showing an incredibly brilliant smile to Michael lying on the ground, saying softly: "Portal."
"Wait, brother... ahhhhh!"
A pitch-black portal opened beneath Michael, and the next second, screams came from outside the window. Rapidly fading into the distance.
Ethan: "It's fine, this is the second floor, won't kill anyone..."
Everyone: You're quite something.
Ethan smiled: "That kind of thing should wait until you're of age."
Everyone: ???
What kind of thing... what are you referring to?!
Under the students' fearful expressions, Ethan left leisurely. In his mind, he happily calculated his small treasury.
With another hundred Galleons added, the money on him was almost inflating. Before draining Professor Quirrell dry, daily expenses were more than sufficient. He could even buy some gifts for good friends during the upcoming Christmas.
He might even... indulge a little. Like traveling with Luna during Christmas vacation.
Whether in his past or present life, Ethan had been running around for livelihood and art. Thinking carefully, he had few memories of fun and relaxation.
Speaking of what helped most and left the deepest impression during his entrepreneurship, it was his initial angel investor. Luna's family had helped him with art supply costs when he was poorest and gave him opportunities to display his paintings.
Ethan was very grateful to their family. Let's have a good gathering this Christmas.
With money came confidence. Thinking this, Ethan's eyes curved and his steps became bouncy.
Passing by a window, Ethan stopped, looked sideways, and cast a small spell on the stumbling Michael on the lawn, making him fall onto the grass again.
Well, now Michael would definitely be late. No problem, I'll earn back all the points you lose.
Ethan put away his wand and walked away in an excellent mood.
...
After morning classes, all challenge contestants were notified to gather in a classroom to discuss competition matters.
Ethan had asked Professor Sprout about practical applications of plants in combat after class, so he arrived a bit late. He was the last to arrive.
"Whoosh."
When Ethan pushed open the door, several gazes shot toward him in unison. Feeling the gunpowder atmosphere in the air, Ethan curved his lips.
Things were getting interesting~
[Chapter Complete]
***
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