Ethan is studying "Human Transmutation"

"Are we going to rescue the princess...?"

Ethan mumbled incoherently, still half asleep.

The already faint female voice choked for a moment, then called out more urgently.

However, its volume became softer and weaker.

Finally, it let out a scream mixed with anger and fear, and then fell silent.

It was like being dragged into the abyss.

The warm moonlight streamed through the window and into the room, but was blocked by the airtight curtains (Ethan liked the feeling of lying in a coffin).

Ethan lay stiffly on the bed, his hands folded over his chest.

Her face was porcelain white, and her eyes were gently closed.

If it weren't for the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, he would have looked like a doll in a shop window—

Or perhaps, a beautiful corpse.

Beside the pillow, the leather bag Ethan used to store his paintings, which had been enchanted with a seamless stretching spell, suddenly trembled.

It seemed as if something was struggling painfully.

pity.

Nobody cared.

......

The news that Ethan was going to challenge all the other contestants alone spread throughout Hogwarts once again.

Even the Hogwarts Daily Morning Post was posted on the bulletin board.

It was displayed to everyone on the front page in huge black font:

[Shocking! Ethan declares "Everyone here is trash," provoking all contestants! Sparks outrage! Was it a reckless act or a well-thought-out plan?]

Anyone who sees it would have to say it has "Rita's style".

The newspapers were distributed one by one and passed to each young wizard.

They whispered and murmured among themselves.

Whenever someone resembling Ethan walks by, every gaze immediately follows, filled with curiosity and gossip.

Adding fuel to the fire was the betting business that the Weasley twins seized the opportunity to open.

"Come on! Do you think Ethan will win or lose? Flip your coin—I bet on Ethan to win! Not bad, little brother! You've put all your pocket money in, haven't you?"

"Oh—shut up!"

Ron shouted loudly, his face flushed red, making his freckles stand out even more.

"I'm also betting on 10 Westcop, and I'm betting on Ethan to win."

Harry said, and secretly put the Galleon back into his pocket.

"Merlin, don't you all think this kind of entertainment-oriented behavior is very disrespectful?"

Hermione stared wide-eyed.

Then he pulled out a Galleon, tilted his chin up, and tossed it into the Weasley twins' hat, saying:

"I support Ethan to win, thank you."

"..."

Ron stared in shock, his mouth agape as he watched the Galleon disappear into the hat.

"Thank you for your support, Miss Granger! We'll tell Ethan!"

The Weasley twins were overjoyed.

He leaned closer to their little brother, winked, and whispered:

"If Ethan really wins, we'll treat you to ice cream!"

—Until they walked through the long corridor and arrived at the library.

Ron was still muttering, "If Ethan wins, they'll make a fortune! They're only treating their brother to ice cream!"

"This also shows that almost no one thinks Ethan can really win."

Hermione bit her lower lip with worry and pushed open the library door.

"I'm guessing he might die during the match; the odds might be even higher!"

"Shh—keep your voice down, Mrs. Pince is looking over here."

Harry lowered his voice and nervously reminded him.

They didn't come to the library to study—even though Harry and Ron hadn't finished their homework (Hermione: "I'm speechless!").

They came to help Ethan.

"Look! There he is!"

Ron excitedly raised his hand and pointed to the long table near the window.

The only boy sitting at the desk was quietly and attentively flipping through a book.

The thick books around him almost drowned him out.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window and shone on him.

It made his face appear rosy and white, and even his usually calm cobalt blue eyes seemed to have taken on a warm hue.

Ron noticed that Ethan's table was empty.

However, the tables around the room were almost entirely filled with young girls.

They were all blushing and secretly eyeing Ethan.

She would occasionally let out a soft "ah" and shyly fall into her companion's arms.

"That's wonderful..."

Ron murmured enviously.

Hermione rolled her eyes and strode over.

He greeted Ethan naturally and politely, and sat down next to him.

Completely oblivious to the envious gazes around him.

"Good morning, Ethan," Harry said, stepping forward and looking curiously at the book in Ethan's hand. "What are you reading? The Complete Book of Botany?"

There appear to be many illustrations.

Ethan smiled, showing no displeasure at being interrupted.

Turn to the cover and show it to Harry.

"Human transmutation...the fusion of souls?"

Harry read the words on the cover and fell silent.

Is this a normal book?

It doesn't look like something you can just grab from a bookshelf!

Sure enough, Ethan continued:

"This is knowledge about soul magic that I took from the forbidden section. I asked Professor Quirrell for permission to use it."

Hermione's eyes sparkled: "Amazing! Ethan, you're already reading books from the forbidden section! I need to work harder too!"

Harry & Ron: "..."

No, this isn't something worth imitating.

It feels like Ethan has already ventured into the realm of dark magic—wait, has Ethan ever even appeared?

Be composed.

Harry and his companions wisely steered the conversation away from the topic and nervously explained their purpose to Ethan.

"Well, we heard you were at the library, so we thought we'd help you find some information... Aren't you going to participate in the challenge? Or, could we help you check your homework?"

"Snape has given you a lot of extra homework again, hasn't he? He's targeting you! Because you'd rather choose Professor Quirrell than him as your tutor!"

Harry muttered indignantly.

"Haha," Ethan laughed easily, "How could that be? Although Snape may seem cold on the outside, he's actually a kind and warm-hearted person at heart."

The assignments all seemed to be related to the corrupt swamp where the competition was held.

"..."

Harry and Ron fell silent.

I don't understand what connection Snape has with the words "enthusiastic" and "good person".

They skipped over the topic again.

Watching the three little lions fidget nervously in their seats, Ethan couldn't help but smile.

"Then please help me check my functionality."

"--good!"

Harry and his two friends' eyes lit up instantly, and they breathed a sigh of relief.

Hermione took Ethan's assignment with both hands.

As if holding some treasure, he kept muttering, "This is Ethan's homework, this is Ethan's homework."

"By the way," Ron looked up from the dense handwriting, frowning, "do you really have to study under Professor Quirrell?"

"He can't even teach his own classes, he has absolutely no real skills! What can he possibly teach you!"

"You'd be better off consulting Professor Flitwick!"

What Ron didn't say was that some students were mocking Ethan's foolish choice of professor and saying that Ethan was "trying to show off."

Especially some Slytherin students.

Ron got angry listening to this, and they almost got into a fight several times.

He also felt indignant on behalf of his good friend, feeling both anxious and angry, unable to understand why Ethan would choose Professor Quirrell.

"Hmm..."

Ethan responded through his nose, but did not reply.

He stroked the rough, soft cover beneath his hand, which felt as if it had been tanned from the skin of a sheep, and thought:

Professor Quirrell is incredibly talented...

After all, it has two heads.

Could Professor Flitwick really allow him to borrow forbidden books of dark magic?