Alright!
Ethan's eyes lit up.
Like a wolf catching the scent of blood, a strange gleam flashed in his sapphire-blue eyes.
This letter was like an orphan reuniting with his parents, Snape rediscovering Lily, or a drowsy soul finding the perfect pillow!
It couldn't have come at a better time!
"A Halloween Daredevil Challenge, huh?"
Ethan mused.
He'd spotted this event on the bulletin board.
In simple terms, it was an "offense and defense battle."
The defenders would set up frightening props, traps, and the like throughout Hogwarts.
The attackers, or challengers, would then attempt to navigate through them.
If they could follow the designated route and claim the corresponding token, they'd be deemed successful in the dare and earn some small prizes.
After the event, students would vote for the most terrifying and most entertaining setup, which would also win rewards.
It was a Halloween activity for everyone to have fun.
Perhaps drawing lessons from last year.
Professors would oversee the daredevil challenge from start to finish to prevent any mishaps.
But now.
Ethan was involved.
The game's very nature had shifted.
Ethan glanced at the letter in his hand, a smile tugging at his lips, and murmured,
"Interesting."
"Perfect—after two months of training, it's time to test the magical prowess of my dear club members."
What's more, he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
["Breaking Out of the Shell" Progress: 41%]
After two months of club training, the reach of his "Light" had expanded dramatically.
In his mind, that pitch-black painting, shaped like an egg, was now riddled with fine cracks.
With this event, he might shatter past the 50% mark in one go!
Ethan looked up.
He gazed at the ink-black figure, sprawling like a mountain range across the canvas.
He raised his hand and gently caressed it.
Even a single scale was larger than one of Ethan's fingers.
From his fingertips came a cold, faintly trembling sensation.
As if it were alive.
Radiating an overwhelming, terrifying pressure.
Ethan's lips curved into a pleased smile.
"Slytherin proposed a challenge: I can choose to be on the attacking or defending side..."
"Though my portal would give me a massive edge... where's the fun in cheating?"
"So, we'll take the defending side and set up the scary traps."
In the Slytherin Common Room.
Though it was late at night, the space was still brightly lit.
"...Ethan says he wants to be on the defending side. He'll set it up, and we'll be the ones breaking through."
Blaise Zabini announced.
He lifted his gaze from the letter, meeting a cluster of tense yet eager faces.
"And Vincent has agreed to our terms. During the Daredevil Challenge, he won't use any offensive paintings himself."
At those words,
the surrounding students let out collective sighs of relief.
They exchanged glances, all breaking into relaxed smiles.
As long as Ethan's vicious paintings were off the table, he wasn't so intimidating anymore!
They'd only have to contend with Ethan's club members.
The burly Quidditch team captain, Flint, eagerly clenched his fists.
A rough, wicked grin spread across his face as he declared,
"The Enlightenment Society members are all a bunch of good-for-nothings."
"Just the red-haired twin pranksters, a 'great hero' from Hufflepuff, and a sniveling coward..."
"I could crush them with one hand!"
This time, he'd definitely get his revenge!!
Flint thought bitterly.
In the previous clash, he'd assumed Professor Snape would back him up.
But the moment he uttered "Mudblood," Snape's expression darkened instantly, and he slapped him with two weeks of detention!
It was absurd!
Is Ethan your son or something?!
"Alright, alright."
Zabini cut in,
"Even though we know the biggest threat is neutralized, since Ethan has such faith in his club members, we should show some respect and prepare accordingly."
At that moment,
a soft chuckle rang out.
It was like a pebble dropping into a still lake, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
Zabini's face clouded as he turned to Draco Malfoy, who was lounging on a nearby sofa, "reading."
"Do you have something to say?"
Malfoy looked up, his pale face etched with open mockery.
"Aren't you wondering why Miss Gemma Farley, also from a pure-blood club, is completely ignoring all of you?"
"Ha, that's because she's not foolish enough to stroll into a death trap!"
"A competition where you have to ban the opponent's star player just to make it 'fair'? And you're actually celebrating? I'm truly embarrassed for you!"
Hearing this,
many members flushed red.
Theodore Nott muttered darkly, "Pure-blood traitor."
"Say whatever you like."
Malfoy replied indifferently, rising to his feet and stowing his textbook.
"But no matter what, the Malfoys will always come out on top in the end."
Or rather,
Ethan Vincent would always come out on top in the end.
Slytherin was on the brink of being absorbed...
How many Galleons should he send as a congratulatory gift to Ethan then...?
Night.
The eve of Halloween.
Outside Hogwarts Castle.
Nearly the entire student body had gathered.
There was a buzz of voices, a sea of bobbing heads, and faces alight with excitement.
For no other reason than this.
Ethan Vincent, President of the Enlightenment Society, the wicked master painter, the Khorne enthusiast from Ravenclaw's second year!
He was personally taking part in this Halloween Daredevil Challenge!!
Now, the first through third floors of Hogwarts had been commandeered.
And the first group to enter and experience it would be the Slytherin delegation.
"Extra! Extra! 'Pure-bloods vs. Enlightenment! Old Guard vs. New Blood! Who will claim victory?!'"
Members of the Ravenclaw club, the Round Table Council, were in the mix.
They chattered among themselves:
"I heard that whichever side loses this time has to publicly apologize and disband their club!"
"Slytherin really went all out this time, turning it into such a spectacle."
"Still, I heard Ethan is barred from using offensive paintings. That means he's handing most of the reins to his club members, right?"
"Hmm, those club members Ethan selected... I can't say much."
At the forefront of the crowd,
stood the five challengers selected by Slytherin.
They were Flint, Zabini, Nott.
A sturdy girl named Millicent Bulstrode.
And Malfoy's former lackey, Crabbe.
The reason for "former"
was naturally their disdain for "Mudblood" Ethan.
And since the Malfoys had clearly aligned with Ethan, they were no longer worthy of their loyalty.
Professor McGonagall: "Remember! Friendship first, competition second!"
A beat of silence.
Professor McGonagall: Feeling exhausted.
"Then, I declare the start of this year's Hogwarts Halloween Daredevil Challenge!"
With a "bang,"
streamers burst from the tip of Professor McGonagall's wand.
The Slytherin quintet charged forward without hesitation, striding toward the castle!
At the same time,
Headmaster Dumbledore, who had also arrived to spectate, waved his wand.
A shimmering curtain of water materialized in mid-air, forming an enormous screen.
Amid the students' gasps of awe, the challengers' figures appeared.
There was audio and visuals.
Though not crystal clear, it served as a live broadcast.
Dumbledore chuckled, "This marks the Enlightenment Society's first public outing, doesn't it? I'm truly looking forward to it, hehehe~"
And in that moment,
Dumbledore had no inkling of the scenes that would unfold on his watery screen.
From a distance,
Flint and the others spotted them.
On the stone steps leading to Hogwarts' main entrance, two figures stood, one on each side.
They were the Weasley twins, George and Fred.
At the sight of them, Flint immediately sneered loudly,
"Couldn't hack it at Quidditch, so you're reduced to gatekeepers?
"I'd love to see how you two plan to stop the five of us!"
Flint flourished his wand, summoning a magical shield in front of him.
He couldn't manage a full-body barrier yet.
But it could deflect common spells like Stupefy or Petrificus Totalus.
Hmph, those two probably only knew tricks like that!
"Hah!"
Flint bellowed, charging ahead at the front.
Just as he prepared to wave his wand and cast a spell, he heard the pair at the door chant in unison:
"Mega Explodo."
Red light plummeted like a grenade.
The next instant.
"BOOM!!!"
Flint was hurled off the stone steps!
Like a massive slab of charred bacon, he crashed to the ground before the Slytherin group!
Zabini: ?! !
The onlooking students: ?! !
He... he got blasted away just like that?!
This defies logic!!
However.
"Mega Explodo."
"Mega Explodo."
"Mega Explodo."
The Slytherin challengers looked up.
They saw clusters of red light, like grenades, scattering like petals from a heavenly maiden.
Descending mercilessly upon them from above.
And this was just outside the main gate.
The official challenge hadn't even started yet.
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