"It's fine, I have my own arrangements," Ethan said cheerfully.
"When the competition comes, they'll know if my choice was correct."
"..."
Looking at Ethan's bright smile, the trio shivered in unison.
Alright.
Since Ethan said so...
They lit a candle for the other contestants.
The few of them quietly began to do their own things.
Ethan continued to immerse himself in the book "Human Alchemy."
From time to time, he would let out a soft exclamation, nod slightly as if enlightened, expressing approval and admiration for its content.
Meanwhile, the trio carefully checked Ethan's homework—mainly done by Hermione.
Harry and Ron were responsible for checking for typos and jotting down answers.
The little girl almost buried her fluffy head in Ethan's homework, pointing with her finger, checking word by word, sentence by sentence, her eyes constantly glowing with fervent light.
Harry and Ron dared not speak to her at all.
After about an hour.
Ethan finally closed the book and let out a long sigh.
[You casually read the book at hand, and you felt a faint light illuminate in your mind.]
[But it's not enough, you feel a desire to read. Continue to learn, and you will gain more Erudition.]
After gaining the [Erudition] entry, Ethan clearly felt his reading speed and comprehension accelerate.
This was a completely new experience, like suddenly solving a math problem he couldn't do before.
Ethan couldn't wait to read more books.
A desire to read indeed grew in his heart.
However.
The soreness from his eyes warned Ethan:
It was time for him to rest.
On the other side, seeing Ethan finally stop reading, Harry and Ron, who couldn't sit still for long, seized the opportunity to ask:
"Ethan, do you have a plan for the challenge? We won't tell anyone!"
Hmph, I believe you guys are ghosts.
Ethan didn't believe Harry and Ron, those two big Hogwarts blabbermouths, in the slightest; they should be at Hagrid's table.
However, there was no need to hide anything.
Ethan proudly said, while pressing the acupoints around his eyes:
"I plan to use Living Painting."
"Living Painting?"
Hearing this, both of them were stunned.
Even Hermione looked up from her worship of Ethan's homework.
Living Painting?
Ethan's plan to deal with the perilous challenge was the Living Painting found 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"!
Or even, as Ethan declared, win first place!
—Had Ethan gone mad?
Harry and Ron had this thought again.
Looking at their hesitant expressions, Ethan curved his lips.
To be precise.
What he wanted to use wasn't "Living Painting," but the effect of Living Painting—
Summoning Cards.
To summon creatures from a painting into reality, this was a great feat that no wizard had ever achieved until now!
From a two-dimensional plane, evolving to a three-dimensional space.
It was truly affecting reality!
Ethan had a premonition.
If he painted this picture well, he could get a new rating.
But the problem was—
Who exactly should he choose as the subject for the Living Painting?
Ethan's first thought was Dumbledore.
But Dumbledore's image was too human, not impactful enough.
Bothering the old man at such an age, Ethan felt a bit guilty.
Another thought was Lord Voldemort behind Quirrell's head.
But that was immediately rejected.
Ethan felt disgusted at the thought of such a death-fearing, lingering creature residing on his canvas.
"Do you remember any really scary creatures?" Ethan asked casually.
He didn't expect to get any inspiration from Harry and the others.
Kids their age might be afraid of ghosts, Snape, spiders, and so on.
But unexpectedly.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione, hearing his question, all turned pale.
They exchanged glances, swallowed, and carefully 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, the three-headed dog Fluffy."
...
Until evening, when Ethan came for Quirrell's private tutoring, he was still humming a Christmas tune excitedly.
In the quiet night, it sounded very eerie.
Making Quirrell's scalp tingle.
"Y-you, what's wrong? Vincent?"
Quirrell chuckled awkwardly, clutching his wand tightly.
"Nothing."
Ethan grinned widely.
He tapped his foot lightly on the ground, and his wand spun continuously in his hand as if conducting.
"It's just that I got a very good, very good idea today."
How could he not have thought of it!
Hogwarts actually had such a good thing!
In Greek mythology, Cerberus was an incredibly fierce and violent being.
He only obeyed the commands of Hades, the King of the Underworld, guarding the gates of death and hell.
Any deceased who wished to escape would only be torn to shreds.
In the original story, even Snape, a Dark Arts master, suffered at the hands of the three-headed dog, getting a nasty bite.
"How can you keep an eye on three heads at once?" Snape complained while treating his wound.
Ethan felt that made a lot of sense.
Presumably, the Living Painting summoned creature created from the soul and memories of this little darling.
It would definitely bring a very thrilling experience to the other contestants.
Thinking of this.
Ethan's grin widened, almost unable to suppress the excitement and anticipation within him.
Quirrell: I want to escape, but I can't.
Quirrell didn't know what wicked idea this little imp was thinking of now.
But he knew that if he didn't interrupt, he might be served as an appetizer.
"W-well, Mr. Vincent, let's start today's lesson..."
"I previously read, read about Living Painting research, and indeed, y-you're right, those materials are needed..."
"It's just that the amount you're asking for is too much, I'll have to collect it in batches..."
As he spoke, Quirrell couldn't help but clench his back teeth.
The thought of his savings flowing out like water made his liver ache.
"Wow, That's amazing, Professor Quirrell," Ethan said with sparkling eyes and a soft tone, "As expected of Professor Quirrell, with you, my enchanted painting research will surely advance by leaps and bounds"
"Haha, of course, of course..."
Quirrell's eyes became firm again.
That's right.
As long as he helped Ethan complete the Living Painting research, he would be able to seize those miraculous techniques.
And instantly become his Master's favorite, reaching the pinnacle of life!
Quirrell's eyes were burning, his fighting spirit high.
He was happily eating the false pie, self-motivating.
"A-alright, let's start practicing the inspiration and skill extraction spells needed for Living Painting... This is very difficult, I-I think you'll need to practice for a very long time."
Oh? Is that so?
Ethan raised an eyebrow and lifted his wand.
His "Erudition" was the first to disagree.
---
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