Friday night. Curfew time for young wizards.

Yet a group moved silently through the corridors with candles in hand. Ethan walked in front wearing a hood, sighed, and said, "Like this, do we not look like we are going to a funeral?"

Everyone: "..."

Please just stop talking.

Question: The new club president seems to want to kill us all. How do we save ourselves?

Ethan was blissfully unaware of the eerie mood. He turned, patted Harry's shoulder, and smiled. "As the first member of the Morning Star Club, you will need to take the lead and set an example in a moment."

Harry swayed under the patting. His expression looked less like "charging ahead" and more like "walking to the gallows".

Ron leaned in to whisper, "Do not worry. I already snatched the map of Sen Castle from George and Fred. It is like an open-book exam. Absolutely no problem."

Harry tried a shaky smile. "Haha, that is great..."

Based on his understanding of Ethan, Ethan would definitely find a way to bring them new surprises.

That was right. This late-night violation of curfew was for Ethan's Morning Star Club entrance assessment.

As for why it was scheduled at night?

Obviously, for the atmosphere. Sleep? Could students this age even sleep?

Except for Slytherin, students from the other three houses had joined. Malfoy had sent a letter to Ethan, politely stating that the Malfoy family had only one heir, so he would not participate. They would support from behind.

Including new students, several dozen walked majestically through the silent grounds.

If I were called to go alone, I would not go. But as a group, I have to at least test the waters.

It seems there really are many people interested in my club, Ethan thought, lips curving.

All that late-night work renovating Sen Castle was not in vain. Sigh, if I had known, I should have charged 5 Sickles for admission. I could have made some pocket money.

He clicked his tongue. Perhaps later he could open Sen Castle to students, as an amusement park, combining education with entertainment. Let them play while practising magic. He would just lie back and collect tickets.

"Incredible, I really am a genius..." he murmured.

"What genius?" the Weasley twins, George and Fred, appeared over his shoulders, grinning.

"Building Sen Amusement Park, becoming the youngest landlord, achieving a life of easy victory," Ethan replied.

The twins exchanged a look. "We think you would have more market building a haunted house."

Just then, white light shone from around the corner ahead. "Who is there? Everyone stop!"

The shout was authoritative. Ethan squinted and walked forward anyway, cornering the owner of the light against the wall.

"Do not... do not come closer!" a terrified male voice said.

As Ethan's eyes adjusted, he saw Percy Weasley, Gryffindor prefect.

Ethan leaned close and whispered, voice smooth as honey and cold as night. "I will make sure you fail your Ministry background check."

Percy: !!!

So vicious.

Another white light swung over, illuminating Ethan and Percy. Slytherin prefect Gemma Farley took in Percy crossing his arms in a weak "no" pose, then Ethan looking like a delinquent shaking down a passerby.

Gemma: "..."

What kind of scene is this?

Luna ran up and took Ethan's wrist, pulling him aside. She did not let go.

Meeting Luna's clear blue eyes, Gemma raised an eyebrow, then ignored Percy and focused on the group behind Ethan. "Explain?"

Before Ethan could speak, a strained voice answered, "I... I brought them here. This is student Vincent's club assessment. I approved it."

The light shifted, revealing a gaunt, haggard face.

Gemma stared. "Professor Lockhart?"

Gone was the gleaming peacock. His hair hung like dry grass, his back slightly hunched as if to shrink from existence. His face held a nervous, haunted smile. As if happiness had been drained out of him by a Dementor.

Even if Lockhart were unreliable, he would not volunteer for such a thankless job...

Gemma glanced at Ethan, nodded slowly, put away her wand, and stepped aside. Watching Luna bouncing gently beside Ethan, she thought coolly: If she cannot keep up, they will drift apart. Not worth caring about.

Before leaving, George and Fred thoroughly mocked Percy, poking his chest until he turned crimson.

They passed the forbidden fourth-floor corridor, then through a portal into the painting. The group arrived at the famous landmark: the gates of Sen Castle.

Except for the rule-breaking Weasley twins, everyone else saw its true form for the first time. Towering stone walls, old stones soaked in history. Gasps of "Wow" echoed.

Even Gobstone Club president Wallace, who had only come to "poach", swallowed hard. Only by being here could one understand how incredible Ethan Vincent truly was.

The twins muttered, "If we could come by portal, why did we walk to the fourth-floor forbidden area first?"

Ethan smiled. "I wanted everyone to experience the path predecessors walked."

This "predecessor" would not be referring to Professor Quirrell, right?

An ominous feeling rose.

A handsome boy stepped forward. Hufflepuff's bright star, Cedric. He looked at Ethan with fierce resolve. "Ethan, I fully trained my fitness over summer. 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometre run every day. I am different now. I can pass any of your challenges."

Ethan: "..."

Is the direction of effort a bit off?

He glanced subtly at Cedric's hairline. Good, still safe. Then at his flexed arms, muscles bulging like rounded hills. Gleaming with the confidence of a toothpaste ad.

Looks like he could punch ten of me. The Triwizard Tournament's value keeps rising.

Ethan nodded and gave a thumbs up. "Very good. Very spirited."

He moved to the front, turned to their very enthusiastic faces, and declared, "Well then, without further ado, everyone should hurry up and hit the road... ahem. No. Hurry up and begin the Morning Star Club entrance assessment."

Everyone: "..."

Did he just say what he really thought?

Ethan flicked his wand. Two red banners with white lettering dropped over the gate.

[Real men last three minutes!]

[Real women brave the world!]

Everyone: "..."

Very ominous, desu.

Ethan stood at the entrance like a bookmaker calling in bets. "Please form groups of ten and line up at the starting gate. Harry, you are in the first group."

Harry: "..."

Help.

The twins frowned, stroking their chins. "Ten per group? Can Sen Castle handle that many people at once without chaos?"

The wrongness grew stronger.

Finally, everyone divided and took their places. Seeing them ready, Ethan curved his lips. A card brimming with heat and killing intent appeared in his hand.

"Now, I will explain the new rules for this Sen Castle entrance assessment."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com