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[HP:Failed Art Student]-Chapter 62: A True Warrior Dares to 1v Everyone!
🕑 Added 2025-08-11 23:55:16 +0000 UTCAmong the eleven selected individuals, excluding Ethan himself, Ethan noticed a few familiar faces.
Oliver Wood from Gryffindor (it seemed Percy Weasley hadn't been chosen).
Gemma Farley from Slytherin.
Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff.
This third-year boy looked at him with curiosity and a spark of competitive fire.
If it weren't for Ethan, Cedric would have been the youngest participant, stealing the spotlight.
Unfortunately, with Ethan—a first-year—here, all that attention was snatched away.
In addition, there was Penelope Clearwater from Ravenclaw, and the seventh-year Sean Mike.
Thanks to the school infirmary's expert care, Sean showed no visible injuries.
However, the psychological damage he'd suffered seemed profound.
When he spotted Ethan, he shuddered violently, like a mouse catching sight of a cat.
He stumbled back against the wall, as if his legs could no longer hold him up.
His eyes bulged wide, the old arrogance and contempt gone, replaced by sheer terror.
His face drained of color, and beads of sweat as big as beans trickled down his forehead.
His mouth opened and closed, sputtering incomprehensible syllables.
—Ethan Vincent!
He was the true nightmare haunting Sean's recent nights!
He was the devastating blow that shattered Sean's smooth-sailing life of over a decade—body and soul.
Like a devil prowling beyond the rules.
His terrifying, unpredictable tactics left no room for counterattack, like a phantom lurking in walls and shadows.
Leaving people with nothing to do but scream and flee.
—Why in the world had he provoked this monster in the first place?!!!
Sean felt like such a fool, an utter idiot.
Overwhelming regret!
Even though he'd made it through the selection, the mere thought of competing in the Treasure Hunt Challenge alongside Ethan made him want to smash his head against a wall.
He couldn't imagine what horrors Ethan might unleash during the event!
Seeing his former senior in such a pathetic state, Ethan felt a twinge of regret.
Where was your arrogance? Where was your dignity as a noble member of the Round Table Council?
Had it all been smacked away by that brick?
Tsk tsk, not up to par~
He still needed more training.
So, Ethan flashed a friendly smile at Senior Sean.
The latter clutched his chest tightly, gasping as if he could barely breathe, on the verge of passing out.
On the other side, Penelope and the other Ravenclaw students, witnessing Sean's utter lack of spine, couldn't help but roll their eyes.
They'd always despised Sean, who lorded his academic superiority over everyone else.
Unfortunately, Sean had consistently ranked first across all four houses.
They couldn't beat him, so they'd just seethed in silence and tolerated his antics.
Now, at last, someone had finally tamed Sean's ego—and it was their own Ravenclaw's prodigious first-year genius, Ethan Vincent!
They were too busy reveling in the schadenfreude to even think about defending him.
Poor senior, may you rest in peace~
Besides these five people Ethan knew.
The remaining contestants included four from Gryffindor and two from Slytherin.
Gryffindor truly lived up to its reputation as the house of the brave.
Including Quidditch Captain Oliver Wood, a total of five Gryffindors had been selected for this Treasure Hunt Challenge, which was quite impressive.
They all wore black school robes with red collars, the Gryffindor lion crest embroidered on their left chests.
Standing tall, they exuded an air of majesty and high spirits.
Cedric, the lone contestant from Hufflepuff, seemed like he had something to say to Ethan.
But before he could open his mouth, Professor McGonagall, positioned at the front of the podium, announced:
"Since everyone is here, let's officially begin."
Ethan made his way over to the Ravenclaw group.
Senior Penelope hesitated for a moment, then gently patted his shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie.
Ethan looked up, the corners of his mouth curving into an adorably sweet smile.
This eased Penelope's tense expression, and she softly draped her arm around Ethan's shoulder.
Ethan had heard that Penelope had a much younger brother at home.
Perhaps she was subconsciously treating him like her own little sibling.
Ethan didn't mind the feeling and stood quietly by her side.
Seeing the meeting commence, Cedric reluctantly shut his mouth, but he continued to glare fiercely at Ethan.
As if he wanted to challenge Ethan to a blazing duel right there with his eyes.
Ethan ignored it completely.
"First, congratulations on successfully being selected for the Treasure Hunt Challenge," Professor McGonagall said. "This means you are among Hogwarts' most outstanding students."
"You are brimming with courage and honor, and you will represent Hogwarts in the competition!"
Ethan noticed that upon hearing this, the Gryffindor students all puffed out their chests proudly.
However, aside from Gemma Farley, the other two Slytherins wore expressions of disdain.
Representing Hogwarts—what a joke.
If it weren't for the potential rewards, they wouldn't bother with such a risky event.
"First, each of you has the right to choose your own mentor. Some of you may have already done so."
As she spoke, Professor McGonagall's gaze briefly flickered toward Ethan.
"Choosing a mentor should be done with care, of course—every one of our professors is excellent—"
A few snickers rose from the crowd below.
The two Slytherins exchanged meaningful glances.
They were obviously thinking of a certain stuttering Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
"Quiet."
Professor McGonagall frowned.
Only when the classroom fell completely silent did she continue:
"Different mentors emphasize different aspects in their guidance. You need to carefully consider what you're personally strongest in and what strategy you plan to employ in the competition."
"Secondly, the competition schedule."
"The Treasure Hunt Challenge will take place on the first Friday after the Christmas holiday ends. We'll be transported to the venue via Portkey."
"The event will last a maximum of three weeks."
After the Christmas holiday...
That meant there were still about two months left to prepare.
Ethan mused to himself.
This setup was like giving a condemned prisoner one last hearty meal before the end.
Letting the contestants enjoy a full Christmas—since they couldn't be sure if it would be their final one.
How intriguing.
Ethan was growing more excited about the competition by the minute.
"Besides that, there's one very important matter," Professor McGonagall said, her eyes sweeping over the students.
"That is 【Teaming Up】."
"The Treasure Hunt Challenge has no rule requiring you to team up."
"However, based on years of experience—not just at our Hogwarts—but to claim the ultimate honor, everyone tends to adopt a teaming strategy."
"The idea is for students to collaborate and support one another. No matter who wins within the group, the honor and rewards are shared among the team members."
At that moment.
Ethan felt it was time to make his stance clear.
"Ahem, excuse me, may I say something?"
A clear voice rang out in the spacious classroom, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Professor McGonagall suddenly had a bad feeling.
"...What is it, Mr. Vincent?"
Ethan met everyone's stares and flashed a smile that could only be described as wicked.
He pronounced each word deliberately:
"I will be participating in the competition alone, without teaming up with anyone."
"In fact, you can all consider me your rival."
"I intend to claim the honor all for myself."
