"Credence?"
Hearing the name that had been popping up with high frequency lately, Ethan Vincent raised an eyebrow. The grim face of the Death God in front of him instantly overlapped with the despondent young man from his memory.
...It wasn't Ethan's fault for failing to recognize him right away.
Credence's current state as the Death God was far more wretched than when he had first joined Grindelwald. His skin was as white as paper, his lips completely bloodless, and for some bizarre reason, his eyeballs were missing—his eyelids tightly sewn together. It was as if he wanted to turn a blind eye to absolutely everything around him.
Combined with those remnants of the Death God...
"Did little Credence throw away everything just to become a god? He doesn't even recognize his former family, Nagini. Talk about a miserable way to be a deity," Ethan muttered, shaking his head.
Albus Dumbledore also wore a deeply conflicted expression. His mouth twitched a few times before he finally let out a long, heavy sigh. "I hope you can grant that boy release, Mr. Vincent."
"He has strayed far, far too off course."
"Hmm~ I suppose there isn't any other solution," Ethan replied, the corners of his mouth curving into a playful yet arrogant smirk.
[Using the entire thousand-year-old castle as a foundation, you have completely destroyed the Death God's mortal incarnation!]
[Weakening progress increased to 50%]
[The Death God will no longer be able to create clones. Next time, He will fight you to the death with His true form!]
[Warning! If you wish to completely end the Death God's destiny, you will need a weapon stronger than this "Mana Cannon."]
Stronger than a Tier 4 painting?
Ethan stared at the system subtitles, rubbing his chin as he fell into deep thought.
Tier 4 is supposed to be the pinnacle of the painting skill. Even if my soul synchronization reaches 100%, there's no prompt indicating it can advance further. Hmm~ definitely worth looking into.
First, he needed to pass through that long-awaited Gate of the Pinnacle. But where exactly was the key hidden...?
Just then, the crowd began to gather around him.
Hermione Granger lunged forward like a startled rabbit, throwing her arms tightly around Ethan and crying out between sobs, "Thank goodness... it's so wonderful that you're alright, Ethan! You are truly, truly amazing!"
"I dare say she's been waiting for this day for a very long time," Ron Weasley said, winking at Harry Potter as the two chuckled like idiots together.
"Ouch!" Harry suddenly cried out, a sharp pain piercing his head like a needle prick.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked with concern. "Are you hurt?"
"It feels like... maybe I got hit on the head by a stray spell or a piece of rubble," Harry muttered. "Or maybe just surviving everything tonight is enough to land me in St. Mungo's for a while."
"Haha! I bet they'll have to open an entire ward just for Ethan's victims!" Ron chuckled.
Harry lowered his hand, not paying much mind to the sudden pang.
Meanwhile, after holding on tightly for a few seconds, Hermione finally let go reluctantly, yielding her spot to others.
Draco Malfoy jogged forward. The look in his eyes when he faced Ethan held deep, genuine admiration alongside his usual sycophancy.
"Congratulations on preserving Hogwarts, defeating an unimaginable foe, and winning a war destined to go down in history!" Draco said excitedly, pressing his palm flat against his chest. "The Malfoy family will serve you forever! We will always be your unbreakable shield!"
He gazed at Ethan's handsome, calm face. Those cobalt-blue eyes seemed capable of stealing souls, radiating an aura that compelled people to surrender to him unconsciously.
At this moment, Draco even began to feel glad that his youthful ignorance years ago had allowed his family to discover this hidden gem ahead of time. Although the Malfoys had paid a hefty price for it, compared to those stubbornly foolish Death Eaters, it was an absolute stroke of good luck.
Thank Merlin we boarded Ethan's ship, Draco reflected with profound emotion. From now on, our family must strictly walk the straight and narrow!
Anything to avoid becoming just another statistic in some "Dark Arts accident."
"You did well," Gemma Farley said, stepping forward with a slight nod. She scanned Ethan with a critical eye before adding loftily, "Though that fake-death stunt of yours was entirely devoid of good taste."
Ethan chuckled. "Were you worried about me~?"
Gemma rolled her eyes. "Yes, I was. Worried that my family's investment would go down the drain."
As they spoke, the professors dragged their exhausted bodies around, soothing the students while simultaneously rebuilding the campus. The murmurs of incantations echoed from every direction:
"Reparo... Reparo..."
Shattered stones, brick splinters, wood shavings, and glass shards littered across the ground began to fly up in an orderly fashion, guided by an invisible hand to fill back into their original places. Even the caretaker, Argus Filch, was puffing and panting as he swept up the dust with his broom, muttering under his breath, "Should've blown up all those bloody paintings! Disgraceful, the lot of them!"
Everything was slowly returning to normal. As the morning twilight gradually broke, a new day dawned. To many, the colossal battle of last night felt like a bizarre illusion, utterly surreal.
At least, for the former Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, he wished more than anything that it was just a dream.
"It's over... everything is ruined..." Scrimgeour sat slumped on the ground in a daze, looking like a beggar fleeing a famine. "Britain has completely fallen! What a disgrace...! How will the Daily Prophet write about me? How am I supposed to face the Ministers for Magic from other nations?!"
Hearing this, an Auror couldn't help but chime in, "You've got it wrong, Minister Scrimgeour. You won't have the opportunity to face other countries anymore."
"You are completely out of office."
"From now on, whether Ethan walks in the light or the shadows, whether he is good or evil, this is his era."
Scrimgeour's pupils dilated with shock. Finally, closing his eyes, he croaked out, "...Put me in the same ward as Cornelius Fudge. Please. He dumped this absolute mess on me; he shouldn't think he gets off easy either!"
Hogwarts stood swaying unsteadily. Four bizarrely shaped legs propped up the massive castle, which now waved golden tentacles. It looked like an ancient giant tortoise towering over the earth, inspiring a deep sense of awe and reminding everyone that this was by no means a mortal creation.
As the castle mended, the blazing Dawn Core re-established an impenetrable barrier. This time, it was feared that even the Death God would find it impossible to breach. Hogwarts had transformed into a "Noah's Ark" harboring countless sparks of life, destined to welcome and shelter many more in the future!
[Congratulations! You have completed your first Tier 4 · Purple Epic Painting ———————— Paradise Lost!]
[Name: Paradise Lost]
[Rarity: Tier 4 · Purple Epic]
[Description: The core of the Dawn Vessel, loyal guardians, powerful artwork, and enchantments—it can even drift randomly to various corners of the world. You have successfully turned Hogwarts into the absolute safest place in all of Britain... at just a tiny, minor cost.]
[Effect: Any living creature inside this castle must offer their magical power to you, to be used at your disposal.]
[Evaluation: Tax time, sir.]
As the text scrolled away, Ethan instantly felt an incredibly vast, surging wave of magic flood into him! It was like switching from a two-wheel drive to a four-wheel drive; Ethan could now draw water from an entirely separate fountain of magic whenever he wished, granting him significantly greater power!
No one else noticed a thing. Only Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald cast knowing, perceptive glances toward him.
"Excellent, excellent," Ethan nodded in satisfaction. The more people Hogwarts takes in, the stronger my power becomes. Oh my, in these times of crisis, who could possibly refuse a shelter where they can stay warm and fed?
He was only collecting a tiny bit of magic, after all. He really was far too kind~
Amidst the bustling chaos, a low murmur echoed within a hidden space that went entirely unnoticed:
[I... I didn't die? No, rather, I have remembered my identity once again...]
[...Please wait for me, my dearest master.]
[Hiss...]
Merely a few hours later, news of the grand battle at Hogwarts spread through every street and alleyway in Britain via major newspapers. Through the Floo Network, it rapidly crossed borders and bled into foreign countries!
The British Minister for Magic Resigns in Disgrace! Claims: The Death God Truly Exists!
Shocking! Hogwarts Has Stood Up? Ethan Vincent Officially Takes Control!
The Apocalypse is Here! The Rise of the Third Dark Lord: An In-Depth Look at the Past and Present of "That Boy"
"Merlin's beard! Is this photo real? What on earth is that monster?!"
"Ethan wasn't lying this entire time... I'd honestly prefer if he were! How are we suddenly fighting a god?!"
"Bloody hilarious, the Death Eaters were so terrified they fled to other countries overnight. Fastest the wizarding world has ever moved."
"A dark age has arrived... The Death God at home, dark wizards abroad. Nowhere is safe!"
"Hello there Have you heard of the Enlightenment Society? The Hogwarts Sanctuary welcomes you to join us"
"Aaaagh! Stay away from me!!"
In an instant, every street and alley echoed with a single name—————Ethan Vincent!
Photos of his speeches were printed en masse, the handsome youth's impassioned expression leaving an indelible impression on everyone's hearts like a guiding beacon. It felt as though if one stared closely at the moving pictures, they could almost hear his electrifying rhetoric.
As a side note, the Weasley twins expertly seized the business opportunity to produce some "Ethan merchandise," making an absolute fortune. They had essentially become the [Finance Department] of the Enlightenment Society.
Every single detail regarding Ethan was dug up. Yet, even the sharpest reporters could only trace his history back to Spinner's End before hitting a wall. His subsequent track record was plastered all over the front pages. Unlike Grindelwald or Lord Voldemort, who hid in the shadows, Ethan generously exposed his "glorious past" to the world. However, it remained shrouded in mystery. It was completely incomprehensible how such a bright, cheerful, and fine young man could embark on such a point of no return!
Regarding this, a well-known five-star reporter commented:
"Ethan Vincent is a man of endless, enigmatic charm. Like a lamp in the dark, he attracts countless moths, yet none can touch his fiercely burning heart."
This statement made countless ladies sigh and wring their hands in lament, wishing nothing more than to open their arms and use their own passionate warmth to fiercely comfort the "aloof young leader."
In Great Britain, the Ministry of Magic dejectedly tore down the massive portrait of Minister Scrimgeour, replacing it with Ethan's handsome face———————the entire atmosphere suddenly looked a whole lot brighter.
Members of the Order of the Phoenix and the Enlightenment Society swiftly assumed core positions. Consequently, Mr. Arthur Weasley was astonished to find himself moving into a much larger, more spacious new office. Meanwhile, those formerly arrogant pure-blood nobles stood with pale faces, forcing tight smiles as they shook hands with the members of the Enlightenment Society. They emptied their family vaults just to secure protection and survival.
Staying alive was all that mattered. After all, if they fell into the hands of the Third Dark Lord, they would first have to endure a glorious dose of agonizing torture.
Once the dust settled, everyone realized that the Ministry of Magic was running significantly better. Like a tree using a heavy hand to sever its diseased tumors, it could finally grow straight upward.
On the other hand, compared to the slightly tongue-twisting name "Ethan Vincent," his most widely circulated title abroad was——————[Mr. Lamp].
At Durmstrang, Viktor Krum held the report. His desk was already buried under a thick layer of documents and letters, every single one of them relating to Ethan.
"It's been a while, and you really are opening my eyes," Krum muttered, letting out a scoff, his eyes darkening.
...But how on earth did he get involved with the 'Death God'? Is that something you can just casually stumble into? And how did Ethan manage to become the Third Dark Lord after not seeing him for two years?!
A trace of confusion flickered in Krum's deep, serious eyes. Following these two years of growth, he had become a human grizzly bear, built so robustly he practically resembled a powder keg. Furthermore, he had taken over from the fugitive headmaster—————whom someone had recently spotted being hauled away by wizards wearing eagle masks. Krum had forcefully seized control of Durmstrang and expanded his influence into the political sphere.
"I have grown, and I am fully prepared! Ethan Vincent, my lifelong rival!" Krum gripped the report tightly, fire blazing in his eyes!
There was no condemnation in his heart for Ethan's atrocities—only a profound, burning respect for sheer power! Dark Magic? Beautifully executed! Ravenclaw had truly produced another powerhouse!
"Now, the time has come. It's time for us to settle the score once and for all." Krum set down the paper, his massive, fan-like palm picking up another letter on his desk.
[To Durmstrang, our sister school... We have discovered a location that may conceal something vital enough to sway the destiny of the world...]
[We hope to secure your assistance and have you participate alongside us in this crucial operation... The location is the freezing mountain range that spans across Europe————]
[The Alps!]
"...At that time, the esteemed Ethan Vincent, 'Mr. Lamp,' will accompany us... Order of the Phoenix, Investigation Team 3," Fleur Delacour murmured in France.
Pressing the letter against her chest, a faint shimmer sparkled within her watery eyes. In the next second, her white teeth bit down as her bright, enchanting features contorted into an expression of irritated delight.
"Finally... I've finally found you, Ethan Vincent!"
"After you humiliated me like that at the Goblet of Fire, do you have any idea how I've survived these past two years?!"
"To think you only sent me seven and a half letters! Hmph, it seems someone needs to personally teach you some manners."
Fleur carefully set the letter aside and clapped her hands. Instantly, a house-elf appeared with a loud crack, bowing respectfully. "What are your orders, Mistress?"
"Pack my bags," Fleur said. "I'm going on a long journey!"
"May I ask where you are heading——————?"
Fleur replied with a face full of excitement, "The Alps!"
The house-elf blinked, "Huh?"
—Ethan, just you wait! You won't be escaping back to Britain this time!
Ignoring the utterly bewildered elf, Fleur twirled on the spot, sat down, hummed a little tune, and elegantly began drafting her reply.
While various countries were abuzz with their own schemes and discussions, Hogwarts remained peaceful.
Late at night, the bright moon hung high overhead. Ethan sat cross-legged on his bed with his eyes closed, staring intently at the tightly shut door before him.
It was a door of pure white. Its surrounding walls were a vast expanse of starlight, and its porch was formed by the twisted, displaced angles of time. A cobalt glow spilled from above it, while the edges of the doorframe emanated a mysterious, profound darkness. As his consciousness reached out to touch it, he could feel its warm, smooth texture, reminiscent of bone or ivory.
This was the Ultimate Gate. Beyond it lay the path to godhood!
"So, where is the key? 'In the mind of the wisest individual'... but how exactly is 'wisdom' defined?"
If this question were posed by the Ravenclaw door knocker, it would easily keep those students up thinking all night. Just as Ethan was growing incredibly anxious, a soft sound broke the silence.
Creaaak—————
The actual door to his room swung open.
Whoosh!
The hidden realm dissolved, and Ethan snapped his eyes open. Stepping gracefully into his view was a drifting, ethereal figure—Luna Lovegood.