Hogwarts: Starting as a Card Maker from a Failed Art Student

Chapter 30 The True Desire, The Path of Moonlight!

"What are you daydreaming about? Get to work!"

Filch's hoarse voice brought Ethan back to his senses.

He looked down at the rag that was handed to him.

He paused for a moment, then took the rag without saying anything.

"Oh, right, I should remind you of something," Filch continued.

"Don't wipe those covered items, and don't even think about lifting the cloth out of curiosity—that's not allowed! I'll be watching you."

Filch narrowed his eyes, his aged and cloudy eyes fixed on Ethan like a snake.

Mrs. Lorris quietly squatted at his feet.

This tiny, emaciated monster, whose age was unknown, had two eyes that gleamed in the moonlight.

Ethan glanced at them, turned around, and began to wipe the old trophies.

He thought to himself:

What happens when two people faint and collapse to the ground?

Or will both shots petrify them?

If they use the [Portal], the spell can be launched from behind Filch and his group—making it look like someone else is casting the spell.

However, he had to be facing Filch directly, with his gaze directed behind him.

Ethan pondered.

He showed absolutely no awareness that he was being put in solitary confinement because he had beaten up a classmate.

In Yu Guangzhong's eyes, the mysterious object covered by a cloth and shrouded in the hazy moonlight exuded an inexplicable attraction.

Ethan made his decision almost without hesitation:

Tonight, we must uncover its true nature!

Ethan had a premonition.

It was of great help to the art he pursued.

All that's left is to get rid of Filch's surveillance.

Feeling the two burning gazes fixed on his back, a cold glint flashed in Ethan's eyes.

At that moment, he was wiping the glass case containing the trophies.

The cobalt blue pupils were reflected in the glass, overlapping with the gold trophy that was covered with a layer of gray.

The text above reads:

[Special Contribution Award, Tom Riddle, 1943]

"You know what?" Ethan suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "I'll also receive a special contribution award someday."

Ethan turned around and smiled at Filch.

"what?"

Filch frowned, then chuckled and said sarcastically:

"Kid, do you know what a Special Contribution Award means? It's only awarded to outstanding students who have made enormous contributions and achievements to Hogwarts!"

"A troublemaker like you, who's been locked up in solitary confinement since the start of first grade, has no chance of making any special contributions—"

Filch suddenly couldn't continue speaking.

Because he saw those cobalt blue eyes.

Even when the ivory-like moonlight shone upon it, it remained completely cool.

Like two blue planets covered in ice in endless darkness, they exuded a chilling aura devoid of any warmth.

Chilling to the bone.

Under those eyes' gaze—even though Ethan's lips were curved in a smile.

Filch could no longer utter a single word.

As a Squib, what he envied, was jealous of, and hated most were these little wizards who could use magic.

The twisted mentality of others flying in the sky on broomsticks while he sweeps the ground with a broom made him want to punish these "show-off" bad students severely.

It would be best to use whips and shackles!

However, at this moment...

Facing this black-haired, blue-eyed boy, simply standing there quietly stirred a new emotion within Filch—

fear.

"hiss!"

Mrs. Lorris arched her back, her body hair bristled, her pupils constricted, and she breathed on Ethan.

Filch staggered backward.

Suddenly, I noticed that Ethan had unconsciously raised his wand.

His eyes widened in horror, and he blurted out:

"W-What are you going to do?!"

"Bang!"

A loud bang shattered the eerie atmosphere inside.

Then, a series of loud, clattering footsteps, like those of a giant running, came from outside.

Filch didn't have the usual excitement of catching students out at night.

As if granted a pardon, he uttered "I'll go take a look" and limped away.

"Come here, come here! Loris!"

Hearing the call, the cat gave Ethan one last glance, turned around, and nimbly followed its owner.

Soon, their figures disappeared outside the door.

"..."

Ethan blinked, lowered his wand, and murmured regretfully:

"I wanted to show him the wonders of magic, what a pity, he suddenly ran away."

But that's alright.

To prevent him from breaking another school rule.

I don't know which student, who didn't sleep at night, happened to lure Filch away.

The thought flashed through my mind.

Ethan turned around, his gaze fixed intently on the tall object hidden by the cloth.

He took two steps at a time and ripped the cloth off!

"Splash!"

What comes into view is a very impressive mirror.

It features a gold-plated carved frame, reaches all the way to the ceiling, and has two claw-shaped supports.

At the bottom, a line of text is engraved:

【Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi】

"I am not reflecting your face, but your heart's desire."

Ethan murmured, understanding the name of the object—

The Mirror of Eris.

It was the magic mirror that attracted Harry, and also the final obstacle for Dumbledore in protecting the Philosopher's Stone.

I never expected it to be here now.

Moonlight shone on the smooth surface of the magic mirror, reflecting Ethan's slender yet upright figure, like a pale ghost.

What will I see?

Is it because they see me achieving great success and being in the spotlight?

Or shall I stand at the pinnacle of art, remembered and worshipped by the world?

But when Ethan asked the question, he already had the answer in his heart.

It has nothing to do with money or fame.

They will not compromise for popular aesthetic standards.

All he ever pursued in his life was "art" itself!

My thoughts settled down.

Suddenly, ripples appeared on the mirror-like surface, like the surface of a lake.

Ethan's figure distorted, blurred, and disappeared.

The primal scent of grass and earth wafted from the mirror.

Moonlight shines through the mirror, falling into it.

Ethan's eyes widened slightly.

What appeared before him was a primitive path illuminated by the moonlight!

The dim shadows of the trees swayed and rustled.

You have discovered a special location—the Moonlit Path!

Current Identity: Mortal

"I know that everything in this world is but a fleeting moment of glory."

"mortal"?

Ethan noticed how he was addressed.

If there are mortals, then there must be extraordinary beings.

Ethan thought of Voldemort and wanted Nicolas Flamel, who had lived for over six hundred years.

They transformed themselves through external objects or magic, achieving a level that ordinary people could not reach.

I wonder what awaits me in this dark, dense forest.

Ethan took a deep breath, stepped over the glasses, onto the damp earth, and walked step by step into the depths of the dense forest.

The moonlight was faint, and everything around appeared to be black.

Ethan pushed through the dense vegetation, making his way forward with difficulty.

Grass and bushes scratched his exposed skin, leaving his face and hands covered in tiny cuts.

For a moment, Ethan felt he was losing his way and forgetting where he came from.

They even forgot to chant the incantation.

But at that moment, Ethan's wand glowed, illuminating the surroundings.

It drove away the shadows, illuminated the path ahead, and reminded Ethan of the way he had come.

"Thank you, Aibo, my partner."

Ethan looked gratefully at his wand.

Finally, when the trees ahead became too dense to pass, and Ethan's back was soaked with sweat.

He finally discovered a secret—

A piece of tree bark covered with moss.

It is engraved with many characters.

When Ethan reached out to touch it, a faint blue light flashed, and a line of text appeared before his eyes:

You have mastered the Eris spell!

You can create illusions and captivate people through painting.

[You have marked a special location—the abandoned mansion in Helpo, the hidden room in the tapestry]

You might find treasure or danger within it.

Both often coexist.