"It's fine, I have my own arrangements," Ethan said cheerfully. "When the competition starts, they'll know if my choice was correct."
"..."
Looking at Ethan's sunny and brilliant smile, the three of them shivered in unison.
Fine. Since Ethan said so... they lit a candle for the other contestants.
The group quietly settled into their respective tasks. Ethan continued to immerse himself in the book Human Transmutation. From time to time, he would let out soft sighs of wonder, nodding his head in inspiration, showing his approval and appreciation for the content.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, and Hermione seriously checked Ethan's homework. Well, it was mainly Hermione. Harry and Ron were responsible for checking for typos and jotting down the answers. The little girl looked as if she was about to bury her fluffy head in Ethan's essay, pointing with her finger, checking word by word, her eyes constantly glowing with a fanatical light.
Harry and Ron didn't dare to even speak to her.
After about an hour, Ethan finally closed the book and let out a long breath.
[You have casually read the book at hand, you feel a faint lamp light up in your mind]
[But it's not enough, you feel a desire to read. Continue studying, and you will gain more Erudition]
After getting the "Erudition" trait, Ethan clearly felt his reading speed and comprehension had quickened. This was a brand-new experience, like suddenly solving a math problem he couldn't before. Ethan couldn't wait to read more books. A desire for reading was indeed growing in his heart.
However, the soreness in his eyes warned Ethan that it was time to rest.
On the other side, seeing Ethan finally stop reading, Harry and Ron, who had long been restless, took the opportunity to ask: "Ethan, do you have a plan to deal with the challenge? We won't tell anyone!"
As if I'd believe you.
Ethan had no faith at all in Harry and Ron, Hogwarts' two biggest secret-leakers. They belonged at the same table as Hagrid.
However, there was no need to hide anything. Ethan pressed the acupoints around his eyes and said proudly: "I plan to use living portraits."
"Living portraits?"
Hearing this, both of them were stunned. Even Hermione looked up from worshipping Ethan's homework.
Living portraits? Ethan's plan to deal with the perilous challenge is the living portraits that were everywhere in Hogwarts Castle?
They knew Ethan's paintings were imbued with magical power. But no matter what, they couldn't imagine how he could successfully pass the challenge with just a "moving painting"! Let alone, as Ethan had declared, win first place!
Could Ethan have gone mad?
Harry and Ron had this thought again.
Looking at their hesitant expressions, Ethan raised the corners of his mouth. To be precise, what he was going to use wasn't "living portraits," but the effect of living portraits.
Summoning cards.
To summon creatures from paintings into reality was a great achievement that no wizard had ever accomplished before! From a two-dimensional plane evolving into a three-dimensional space. It was truly affecting reality!
Ethan had a hunch. This painting, if he painted it well, could achieve a new rating.
But the problem was, who exactly should he choose as the subject of the living portrait?
Ethan initially thought of Dumbledore. But Dumbledore's image was too human and lacked impact. And to bother the old man at his age, Ethan felt a little bad about it.
Another idea was Voldemort on the back of Quirrell's head. But that was immediately rejected. To have that creature, who feared death and was barely hanging on, reside on his canvas was disgusting even to Ethan.
"In your memories, are there any very scary creatures?" Ethan asked casually. He didn't expect to get any inspiration from Harry and the others. Kids their age were probably scared of ghosts, Snape, spiders, and such things.
But unexpectedly, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all turned pale upon hearing his question. They exchanged glances, swallowed, and cautiously said: "Merlin's leopard-print underwear, have you forgotten what we told you before? That monster guarding the trapdoor in the forbidden corridor on the third floor."
"That monstrous thing Hagrid raised: Fluffy, the three-headed dog."
...
That evening, when Ethan arrived for Quirrell's private tutoring, he was cheerfully humming a little Christmas tune. In the silent night, it seemed particularly eerie. It made Quirrell's scalp tingle.
"Wh-what's wrong with you, Student Vincent?" Quirrell forced a laugh, gripping his wand tightly.
"Nothing." Ethan grinned widely. He tapped his foot lightly on the ground, twirling his wand in his hand like a conductor's baton. "I just got a very, very good inspiration today."
How could he not have thought of it! There was such a good thing in Hogwarts!
In Greek mythology, Cerberus was an incredibly ferocious and brutal being. It obeyed only Hades, the king of the underworld, guarding the gates of death and hell. Any dead soul trying to escape would be torn to shreds.
In the original story, even the Dark Arts master Snape had suffered at the hands of the three-headed dog, getting a nasty bite. "How can you keep an eye on all three heads at once?" Snape had complained while treating his wound.
Ethan thought that made a lot of sense. Surely, a summoned creature created from the soul and memory of this little cutie would bring a very stimulating experience to the other contestants.
Thinking of this, Ethan's grin grew wider and wider, almost unable to contain the excitement and anticipation within him.
A primal urge to flee seized Quirrell, but he was trapped. He didn't know what sinister thing this brat was thinking of now. But he knew that if he didn't interrupt, he might be served up as an appetizer.
"Th-that, Mr. Vincent, let's begin today's lesson... I looked into the research on living portraits earlier, and indeed, you-you were right, those materials are needed..."
"It's just... the quantity you requested is too large, so I'll have to collect it in batches..." As he spoke, Quirrell couldn't help but grit his back teeth. The thought of his savings flowing away like water made his stomach churn.
"Wow~ That's great, Professor Quirrell," Ethan said with sparkling eyes and a gentle tone. "As expected of Professor Quirrell. With you here, my research into enchanted paintings will surely advance by leaps and bounds."
"Haha, of course, of course..."
Quirrell's determination firmed up again. That's right. As long as he helped Ethan complete the research on living portraits, he could seize those magical techniques. And become his Master's favorite in one fell swoop, reaching the pinnacle of life!
Quirrell's eyes burned with fighting spirit. He relished the false promises, self-motivating.
"Al-alright, let's start practicing the inspiration and technique extraction spells needed for living portraits... This is very difficult. I-I think you'll need to practice for a long time."
Oh? Is that so?
Ethan raised an eyebrow and lifted his wand. His "Erudition" was the first to disagree.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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