HP: The Wizard Who Paints with Magic

The dust gradually settled.

Ethan pinched the soft cheeks of the savior in front of him, smoothing down his windswept hair—then gave up after discovering it couldn't be smoothed no matter how he tried.

Only then did Ethan notice the group of people at the corner, standing like statues.

Oops, caught in the act~

Ethan's eyes curved as he bent slightly, performing an elegant bow: "Good evening, Professor."

After thinking for a moment, he smiled again: "The troll is no longer a threat, you don't need to worry."

Everyone: "..."

We're not worried about the troll!

[Congratulations! Your performance has left a deep impression on everyone!]

[Soul Fusion increased!]

[32%→33%]

It increased again!

Ethan's eyes lit up.

After the one-time 4% soul fusion increase, although 1% seemed a bit small, magical power surged through his body like a gentle stream.

But Ethan could clearly feel that the magical power he'd just consumed was being replenished.

The slight fatigue in his body was completely swept away.

Given time, he would definitely be able to break free from more constraints and display even stronger abilities.

To give the world a truly shocking experience.

Ethan's eyes dimmed slightly as he looked at the wand in his hand, a sharp gleam flashing in his cobalt-blue eyes.

[You have achieved one of the advancement conditions: Perfect Paintbrush]

[Perfect Paintbrush: Resonates perfectly with magical power, allowing smoother use of magic with unity of person and brush; can convert magical power into paint for on-site painting, stronger than ordinary paint without magical attachment]

[Skill Lv1. Lifelike Imagination advancement conditions:]

[① Obtain Perfect Paintbrush]

[② Soul Fusion reaches 40%]

[③ Create and use a First Tier Purple Epic artwork]

[When the skill advances, you will comprehend more techniques and unlock higher-level artwork capabilities]

[Note: If Golden Legends are like fireworks—brilliant for a moment before fading—then Purple Epics will remain eternal.]

[Purple Epics of any tier will flow through the long river of history, remembered by the world, just like this Hogwarts]

Blue subtitles appeared before Ethan's eyes.

His pupils contracted slightly as he carefully examined them.

Skill advancement...!

Lv1 Lifelike Imagination was a skill he'd inherited from his previous life's abilities.

Even so, Ethan felt it was sufficient.

If he advanced further, what kind of enlightenment would he gain? What truths of the world would he see?

Thump thump! Thump thump!

Ethan's heart beat violently, his eyes bright as stars!

He was incredibly excited about the effects after skill advancement!

He had already achieved condition one—the paintbrush.

With this, his own magical power would replace ordinary paint.

This would be greatly beneficial when creating extraordinary artworks.

For condition two, soul fusion, he had now reached 33%, with 7% remaining.

7% wasn't a small amount, but Ethan felt he could achieve it within his first year.

As long as he had a few more art exhibitions like Halloween.

Or pulled off one big event.

The key was condition three—"Create a First Tier Purple Epic."

As the system said, Purple Epics of any grade were unique existences that would be eternally remembered throughout history.

Ethan felt his "Portal" and "Call of Erised" were already quite remarkable.

But they were still only "Golden Legends."

He had no clue how to paint higher-level Purple Epics.

"Let me first try to increase soul fusion to 40%," Ethan murmured. "Maybe I'll have inspiration once it increases."

The thought flashed by.

Just then, rapid footsteps approached quickly, stopping in front of him.

Ethan looked up to meet the furious gaze of Professor McGonagall.

"I—I simply cannot believe it!"

Professor McGonagall was so angry she'd become like Quirrell, eyebrows raised, eyes wide, trembling all over.

"What were you thinking? Mr. Ethan Vincent! You snuck out just to challenge a troll?"

"Do you know you almost died?!"

Harry and Ron urgently spoke up: "No, Professor McGonagall, Ethan was—"

"Quiet!"

Professor McGonagall's eyes flashed sharply, and the two boys immediately shrank their necks, becoming two little quails.

"And you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger. Who wants to explain to me what exactly happened here?!"

"..."

Complete silence.

Professor Snape smugly curved his lips, feeling incredibly pleased.

The famous savior "Potter" and that arrogant, teeth-grindingly annoying little evil painter.

What a perfect gathering.

Since Ethan usually performed quite excellently, even Snape, who was determined to find fault in Potions class, couldn't find any problems.

This meant there was no opportunity to deduct points.

Instead, he'd won quite a few points for Ravenclaw in other classes.

Finally, he could catch this boy's mistake.

Regardless of the reason, Ethan had attacked a professor.

Even though he'd impulsively given Ethan five points earlier, under the furious Professor McGonagall, those five points would be completely deducted.

"Because of your performance tonight, Mr. Vincent," Professor McGonagall said, "Twenty points from Ravenclaw, and detention—"

"Professor, it was me!"

A tearful shout interrupted Professor McGonagall's words.

Hermione Granger, with red-rimmed eyes, biting her lip, said with determination:

"It was me."

"It's all my fault, Professor McGonagall."

At these words, Professor McGonagall's anger got stuck, and she looked at Hermione in surprise.

Snape's originally smug smile, waiting to watch the show, suddenly froze.

No—there's a plot twist?

Once the opening words were spoken, the rest came easier.

Hermione took a deep breath, raised her head, and put on a regretful expression: "They were looking for me. I went to find the troll because I—I thought I could handle it alone."

"I'd read about them in books and understood them well."

Hermione looked up, gazing sincerely at Professor McGonagall:

"Ethan, Harry, and Ron—they all came looking for me."

"If not for them, I'd be dead now."

Upon hearing this, the scene fell silent.

Snape's face had turned as dark as a pot lid.

"...Oh, I see."

After a long moment, Professor McGonagall came to her senses.

She looked at the silent Ethan, feeling her cheeks gradually warming.

So Ethan had specifically come to save someone else—she had misunderstood him.

She'd thought Ethan had come to show off, wanting to challenge the troll alone.

Professor McGonagall's heart softened, and Ethan's various excellent past performances floated back to mind.

That's right—when she arrived, Harry was standing in front of Ethan.

Then Ethan cast the spell to defeat the troll.

Though his behavior was somewhat unconventional, his heart was still very kind.

Kind and brave—Ethan also possessed Gryffindor qualities.

It's just that in the Sorting Hat's final choice, he chose Ravenclaw.

Just like Professor Flitwick back in the day.

Thinking this way, Ethan's ability to defeat the troll alone actually demonstrated his extraordinary talent.

Very much in the style of "Dueling Master Flitwick" from years past.

Professor McGonagall glanced sideways at Professor Flitwick.

Sure enough, she saw obvious excitement on his face.

Even though the current atmosphere prevented him from mentioning points, he would definitely give Ethan many points privately later.

With this thought, Professor McGonagall composed herself and said:

"If that's the case... I won't retract the points for Ravenclaw. Miss Granger, you silly girl, how could you think you had the ability to face a mountain-like troll?"

Hermione lowered her head, saying nothing.

"Because of this incident, five points will be deducted from Gryffindor. As for you three..."

Professor McGonagall swept her gaze over the nervous Harry and Ron and the now calm-faced Ethan.

"Five points each to your respective houses. I'll tell Headmaster Dumbledore about this. You may go."

With that, the three students hurried forward.

Ron was still muttering, "Deduct points from Ravenclaw! That's not fair! Ethan saved us!"

Harry quickly covered his mouth.

Looking back and seeing Ethan hadn't followed, he foolishly waved at him, urging him to hurry over.

Completely forgetting they weren't in the same house and their common rooms weren't in the same place.

Ethan didn't mind—they'd walk together for a short stretch anyway.

He smiled and was about to step forward when his house head secretly tugged at his robes.

Ethan stopped and cooperatively bent down.

"When you return to the common room, would you be willing to demonstrate your magic to the other students? It was amazing!"

"I'll be watching too. I think if you can perform at the level you just showed, I'll have to give you points for your excellent charm control."

Professor Flitwick winked at him slyly, his eyes sparkling.

Complete joy and excitement at discovering a promising student.

Full of favoritism.

"Ahem."

Professor McGonagall's cough came from ahead.

"Oh, I must go. See you in the common room."

Professor Flitwick quickly hopped up and ran off in two quick steps.

Seeing his House Head so lively, Ethan couldn't help but smile.

Meanwhile, Sean, who had heard everything, felt his blood rushing with jealousy and shame as he clenched his teeth.

Prefect Robert glanced at his appearance, then looked away, saying in a flat but unquestionable tone:

"Don't forget to fulfill your promise, Mr. Sean Mike."

To invite Ethan Vincent to join the society.

—Regardless of whether Ethan himself would be willing in the end.

[Chapter Complete]

***

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