Upon hearing this, Madam Pomfrey was stunned.
She had anticipated many reactions from Ethan upon his awakening.
Fear? Collapse? Or the joy of surviving a disaster?
But there was none.
It was as if the terrifying scene from last night had never happened.
He was actually still thinking about the bet with Slytherin!
Just like the blonde girl who had left not long ago.
Quiet, unlike a child his age.
Madam Pomfrey couldn't help but reach out and touch Ethan's forehead.
After a moment, she murmured,
"No fever…"
Ethan said confidently, "Don't worry, I'm perfectly normal."
Under Madam Pomfrey's suspicious gaze, he put on his shoes and stood up.
While slipping on his robe, he leisurely said,
"I just think that since the bet was initiated by them, wouldn't it be impolite if I didn't take it seriously?"
Madam Pomfrey was speechless.
She felt something was off, but looking at Ethan's innocent face, she couldn't pinpoint what was strange.
Perhaps it was just a child's desire to win, she thought finally.
Just then,
"Grrr…"
Ethan's stomach rumbled twice.
So hungry!
Ethan hissed inwardly.
Last night's journey into the secret realm had greatly depleted his stamina.
Ethan felt he could eat an entire cow right now.
And that gaudy purple fishing rod.
Ethan had a feeling it had been brought out of the secret realm with him.
It was currently in his satchel, waiting to show its prowess in the storm.
"Well then, I'll go eat first. Thank you for your care, Madam Pomfrey."
Ethan said politely and obediently.
His angelic smile made the nurse's heart melt.
All doubts vanished!
Ethan was just a poor, frightened child!
"Take care of yourself, and stop staying up late drawing. You never listen, you child."
Madam Pomfrey grumbled.
While stuffing a handful of licorice wands into Ethan's pocket.
Ethan blinked and smiled, "Thank you~"
Although he didn't particularly like sweets.
Before leaving,
Ethan took one last glance at the five Slytherin statues.
He swept his gaze over their faces, still frozen in extreme fear.
He indifferently retracted his gaze.
If you initiate a challenge, you must bear the consequences.
Ethan walked out of the Hospital Wing with light steps, heading towards the Great Hall.
Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting shifting light and shadow across Ethan's face.
He took a licorice wand and crunched it in his mouth.
His expression changed, and he grinned, "Ah, so sweet—"
Along the way,
Ethan didn't encounter a single person.
Presumably, they were all gathered in the Great Hall.
Ethan pushed open the main doors.
The moment he entered, the Great Hall instantly fell silent.
Countless gazes fell upon him.
There was concern, curiosity, and scrutiny.
The other survivor of last night's terrifying phantom incident!
And one of only two who remained clear-headed and rational.
"Ethan, over here!"
At the Ravenclaw table, Luna stood up and called out softly.
As if completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the Great Hall, she waved her arm at Ethan.
Ethan curved his lips.
But he didn't walk over.
Instead, he turned to face the Slytherin table.
In front of everyone,
Ethan's clear and steady voice resounded throughout the Great Hall:
"Distinguished and trustworthy Slytherins, now is the time to fulfill our bet."
As soon as these words were spoken,
The Slytherin students' expressions instantly changed!
If the Slytherin challengers in the Halloween Daredevil Challenge failed to pass the test Ethan had set,
The losers would have to apologize publicly and disband all their groups!
This was not only a fatal blow to Slytherin's honor but also an act of burning down traditions that had been passed down for countless years!
It also proved that Ethan Vincent was stronger than them.
They should bow their heads in submission.
"Heh, foolish," Gemma Farley said softly, elegantly spearing a cherry tomato.
Only those who recognized the situation early could survive this rising revolution.
Slytherin was as silent as death.
At the staff table, Professor Snape raised his eyebrows high.
This Ethan boy, he wants to rebel?
Dumbledore said gently, "Mr. Vincent, I understand your feelings, but now might not be the time to discuss this."
Ethan patiently listened to Headmaster Dumbledore finish.
He shook his head and said firmly, "No, you don't understand."
Headmaster Dumbledore:
"…How about you take this seat under my butt instead?"
Ethan looked up, scanned the room, and slowly began:
"They wanted me to bet my honor, and I did."
"They wanted me to give up my strongest methods, and I agreed."
"I agreed to everything."
"But now,"
Ethan's gaze shot towards Headmaster Dumbledore, deep and sharp like a hawk!
"I won, but they won't admit it."
"If I don't speak up now, don't make it clear, and just let it pass like this,"
"I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to reclaim the respect I deserve!"
His voice echoed through the Great Hall.
Resounding clearly.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise.
He was about to comfort Ethan:
It's not that I won't let you claim it, but there are more important things to discuss right now.
But.
Then Ethan suddenly lowered his head.
Around his usually calm and steady eyes, a faint blush appeared!
"…I trained my club members so hard. I believe everyone has a shining point worth discovering."
Ethan's voice was hoarse and weak.
It even carried a hint of a sob.
"You saw the result. If I hadn't specifically told them to go easy, do you really think the Slytherin challengers could have made it to the end?"
Ethan looked up, his eyes sparkling under the lights.
His pale, weak face clearly showed how much suffering he had endured!
"I just wanted to personally welcome them on the third floor and compete with them."
"But who would have thought—we would encounter such a terrifying thing?"
As he spoke, Ethan even shivered realistically.
As if still shrouded in the shadow of last night.
Pitiable and helpless.
Ethan: "Does this mean that just because of this, my efforts and those of my club members can be taken away?"
"Can those who want to use power to eradicate new sprouts be exempted from the price they should pay?!"
Like the temptation of a demon.
Ethan's hoarse accusation echoed in everyone's ears.
In an instant, it captured the hearts of most people present.
"Oh… poor child."
Professor McGonagall clutched her chest, watching Ethan, her eyes reddening.
"That child worked so hard, and he suffered such a terrible accident—we cannot deprive him of the only right he deserves…"
"Who knows which evil person planned that attack!"
Suddenly, they forgot how devilish Ethan had been in the past.
Professor Snape: "…"
If Ethan's rights couldn't be deprived, what about Slytherin's?
All five of them were in the Hospital Wing, who would speak for them?!
Professor Flitwick wiped the corner of his eye, excitedly whispering, "What a strong child!"
Snape: Speechless.
Now, he was the only normal person left.
Was he?
In the Great Hall, the atmosphere changed.
With a swish,
Gaze after gaze shot towards Headmaster Dumbledore on the dais.
Urging him to make a "judgment."
Headmaster Dumbledore:
"…"
Behind his half-moon spectacles, his eyes looked at the slender boy standing alone in the Great Hall.
He had easily incited people's hearts with a few words.
What a terrifying child.
It seemed that unless this matter was resolved first, things couldn't proceed.
Faintly,
Dumbledore always felt something was amiss. The attack on Slytherin and Ethan seemed to have an invisible thread connecting them.
Was Ethan the attacker?
No, that's impossible.
How could Ethan, in his second year, find and open the legendary "Chamber of Secrets"?
Heh, unless Ethan was truly Merlin reincarnated, a Khornate champion, or the spiritual heir of Salazar Slytherin.
Dumbledore even repented for a moment for having such a thought.
"—Alright, then we'll do as you say, Mr. Vincent. This is indeed what you deserve."
Dumbledore said slowly.
In an instant,
Snape's face turned as dark as a pot lid.
He almost crushed the golden goblet with his bare hands.
Dumbledore turned to look at the completely frozen Slytherin students and said gently, yet unchallengeably,
"Now, I ask you to fulfill the conditions you previously agreed to."
Imperceptibly,
Ethan's lips curved for a moment.
Plan complete.
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