It wasn’t just physical pleasure.
It was mental exhilaration too.
Before discovering the Soul Palace, Ethan had been completely ordinary.
Which meant he understood exactly how absurd his current learning speed truly was.
The contrast made it addictive.
It felt like grinding endlessly against a difficult boss in a game—barely scratching its health bar for hours— then suddenly returning with cheats enabled and deleting it in a single hit.
That overwhelming rush of effortless progress.
That was what Ethan was feeling now.
So naturally, he didn’t want to stop.
One book became two.
Then three.
Hours vanished.
He only finally looked up when his stomach growled loud enough to break his concentration.
Reluctantly, Ethan closed the book in his hands.
In just one afternoon, he’d already finished: A History of MagicOne Thousand Magical Herbs and FungiFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them All foundational material.
Mostly introductory knowledge.
Still, the speed was terrifying.
Stretching lazily, Ethan felt a pleasant numbness spread through his body.
“If I’d been able to study like this in my previous life,” he muttered, “I probably could’ve gotten into any university on Earth.” After a quick dinner downstairs, he immediately headed back toward his room.
“Easy there, young wizard.” Old Tom looked up from the bar with amusement.
“What’s the rush?” “Books,” Ethan answered honestly without slowing down.
“I’m busy reading.” Tom blinked.
Then laughed quietly.
Most first-year students visiting Diagon Alley for the first time became completely intoxicated by the magical world outside.
Very few voluntarily locked themselves in their rooms to study.
Back upstairs, Ethan released his owl and fed it before immediately opening another textbook.
Magical Theory.
Unlike the introductory books, this one was significantly more difficult.
The concepts were abstract.
Dense.
Technical.
For the first time since arriving in the magical world, Ethan actually had to slow down and think carefully while reading.
Hours passed quietly beneath candlelight.
Eventually, mental fatigue finally caught up to him.
He fell asleep with the book still resting beside him.
… The next day passed much the same way.
Ethan alternated between Magical Theory and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, rereading sections repeatedly until he fully understood them.
By evening, he had a decent grasp on something extremely important: How Dark Wizards fought.
Spell patterns.
Casting motions.
Verbal cues.
Reaction timing.
In shinobi terms— startup frames.
That knowledge mattered enormously.
Because tonight, Ethan intended to go hunting.
… Knockturn Alley connected to Diagon Alley through several narrow side passages hidden from ordinary traffic.
Few people willingly used them.
Too many predators watched those streets.
Wizarding children were warned about Knockturn Alley almost from birth.
Dark Wizards gathered there openly.
Criminal trade flourished.
Disappearances happened.
Adults usually traveled there only through Floo Powder or Apparition if absolutely necessary.
Ethan, meanwhile, walked in willingly.
Because unlike normal people— he wanted attention.
The more greedy eyes locked onto him, the better.
Observation Haki allowed him to predict movements before they happened.
Combined with his physical conditioning and knowledge of Dark Arts casting patterns, most Dark Wizards simply weren’t fast enough to threaten him.
That confidence was exactly why he dared come here alone.
An eleven-year-old child walking openly near Knockturn Alley naturally attracted attention immediately.
Ethan intentionally loosened the pouch at his waist.
Several gold Galleons spilled onto the ground with bright metallic clinks.
Nearby Dark Wizards instantly froze.
Eyes widened.
Breathing slowed.
Greed flooded the alley almost visibly.
Ethan hurriedly picked the coins back up while pretending to panic under the surrounding stares.
Then he bolted into a nearby side alley.
Exactly as planned.
Several Dark Wizards immediately followed.
“You lost, kid?” A bald wizard with sunken eyes laughed cruelly while chasing him deeper into the darkness.
“Didn’t your parents warn you where not to wander?” Outside the alley entrance, several other Dark Wizards grinned knowingly.
The child’s fate was obvious.
Then— silence.
The alley suddenly became completely quiet.
One minute passed.
Then another.
The watching Dark Wizards gradually frowned.
Even robbing a child shouldn’t take this long.
“…Someone should check.” “Why don’t you do it, York?” A burst of laughter erupted.
“What’s wrong?
Afraid of the dark?” The pale, sickly-looking wizard named York immediately flushed with embarrassment.
“Shut up,” he snapped.
Then, trying desperately to preserve his dignity, he stepped into the alley.
York cast a Lumos spell while walking deeper inside.
The narrow passage illuminated slowly.
Then suddenly— he tripped.
York stumbled forward with a startled yelp before landing heavily atop something soft.
Confused, he looked down.
The bald wizard from earlier stared back at him unconscious.
York’s pupils contracted violently.
He looked around.
Bodies.
Dark Wizards littered the alley floor everywhere.
None were dead.
But every single one had been stripped down to little more than underwear and robes.
Their money pouches were gone.
Wands too.
York screamed.
The other Dark Wizards immediately rushed into the alley— then froze in collective horror.
Meanwhile, the culprit had already returned safely to the Leaky Cauldron.
Ethan dumped the evening’s profits onto his bed.
Coins scattered everywhere.
Gold Galleons.
Silver Sickles.
Bronze Knuts.
The sound was beautiful.
Tonight alone had earned him nearly a thousand Galleons.
“…Dark Wizards really are struggling financially these days.” Ethan leaned back thoughtfully.
“They probably peaked during Voldemort’s prime.” A shame, honestly.
Different era.
Different economy.
Despite his words, the grin on his face refused to disappear.
Most importantly— he hadn’t used magic once.
No witnesses.
No traceable spell signatures.
Nothing.
With a stable income source established, Ethan immediately lost all hesitation regarding spending money.
The next morning, he visited Flourish and Blotts to purchase several advanced textbooks intended for older students.
Then his routine truly began.
Days were spent reading.
Nights were spent “working.” Sometimes he disguised himself differently before going out.
Different clothes.
Different appearances.
Different routes.
Over time, a strange rumor slowly began spreading through Knockturn Alley.
A phantom thief.
A shadow targeting Dark Wizards exclusively.
Nobody knew who he was.
Nobody could catch him.
Honestly?
Ethan found the comparison hilarious.
He’d accidentally become magical Batman.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Finally— September 1st arrived.
After packing his belongings, Ethan left the Leaky Cauldron and headed toward King’s Cross Station.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was hidden beneath enchantments similar to those protecting the Leaky Cauldron itself.
Muggles unconsciously ignored the area without ever realizing it.