Moments later, the Winged Demon Mortla Rat was ejected from its cage, its eyes fixated on the objects floating around Dennis.
"Eats really fast," Ethan mused, continuing to feed it.
"Shouldn't a Winged Demon be able to shrink into a palm-sized carapace egg? This cage shouldn't be able to hold it, right?"
Addressing Ethan's doubts, Dennis patiently explained, "It's not the cage that's containing it; it's the collar around its neck. That collar restricts its ability to transform."
Nodding in understanding, Ethan prepared to continue his exploration. He wondered what other surprises awaited him.
However, Dennis informed him that the cages behind were all empty. Originally, they housed Billywig Bugs, Mooncalves, and Augureys—various magical creatures. But they had all been sold off recently. Large, rare magical creatures were difficult to sell, but there was a niche market in Knockturn Alley for smaller, more affordable magical creatures.
Chapter 12: New Achievements
More than three thousand seven hundred Galleons. As expected, the most profitable ventures often skirt the edges of legality.
Only one-tenth of that sum belonged to Dennis and his associates. The remainder had to be handed over, but given the current circumstances, the entire organization didn't dare to make contact, let alone transfer any funds.
After all, who could say if the person making contact was truly an ally or a Ministry of Magic agent fishing for lawbreakers?
Securing the Galleons, Ethan turned his attention to the panel. Just moments ago, when he used the Killing Curse and fed the Winged Demon, achievement notifications had appeared.
First Blood
Having harmed innocent life, you can no longer turn back on the path of darkness. You can only proceed to the end.
Achievement Goal: Kill a wizard (1/1)
Achievement Reward: Random spell
Pooper Scooper
Hungry, Pooper Scooper, Pooper Scooper, where are you? Your master's tummy is hungry!
Achievement Goal: Feed a magical creature (1/1)
Achievement Reward: Talent "Animal Affinity" (also effective on magical creatures)
This reward wasn't bad. If used effectively, Animal Affinity's power shouldn't be underestimated. Someone had already demonstrated its potential.
The spell he received was auxiliary in nature but quite functional.
Shadow Sneak—a spell not mentioned in the original works. Its specific effect allowed the user to enter shadows to avoid enemy attacks and move swiftly within them.
Ethan experimented on the spot. In the light, he instantly transformed into a mass of pitch-black shadow. He could move, but at a speed comparable to his physical form.
However, once he entered a shadowy area, his shadow form could traverse within the shadows at will, rendering him imperceptible during this process.
Though it had limitations, in a sense, it could be considered a life-saving skill.
After several trials, Ethan returned to the Winged Demon's cage.
Earlier, after eating its fill, the Winged Demon had ignored Ethan. Now, it stared at him with small eyes, approaching his side.
Instinctively, Ethan felt the Winged Demon wouldn't harm him.
Gently placing his hand into the cage, the Winged Demon, waiting patiently, immediately squinted its eyes and rubbed its ornate head against Ethan's palm, displaying an expression of enjoyment and joy.
"Dennis, open the door."
"Yes!"
Under the Imperius Curse, Dennis obeyed Ethan's orders unconditionally, without questioning their rationale.
As Dennis opened the cage, a blurry black shadow instantly rushed out.
Caught off guard, Ethan couldn't react in time. The black shadow latched onto his face.
From Dennis and the others' perspective, they saw the Winged Demon spreading its sharp-edged wings, tightly wrapping around Ethan's head.
This was the Winged Demon's standard hunting posture: rushing at the prey's head at high speed, piercing the skull with sharp fangs, sucking the brain, and injecting venom.
But Ethan didn't collapse like typical prey whose heads had been breached. Instead, he struggled to grab the Winged Demon's body with both hands and pull it off.
After considerable effort, Ethan finally removed the Winged Demon.
It had given him quite a scare. Fortunately, the Winged Demon hadn't bared its teeth; it was merely embracing him.
Perhaps this was its way of expressing affection, though most wouldn't appreciate such a method.
The Winged Demon, now in his hand, continued chirping, trying to get closer to Ethan.
After some comforting, Ethan calmed the Winged Demon and removed the collar around its neck.
The Winged Demon then transformed into a small, carapace-like sphere, wrapping its tail around Ethan's arm like a pendant.
With this experience, Ethan proceeded to the Flobberworm's cage.
This Flobberworm wasn't as aggressive as the Winged Demon. It merely rubbed against Ethan's feet, then raised its head, looking at him with two faint lights in its dark, hollow head.
Ethan recalled that it had been hungry for a while.
He promptly threw the Mortla Rat, whose brain had just been consumed by the Winged Demon, and the wizard's corpse, whom Ethan had killed, to the Flobberworm.
In moments, both the Mortla Rat's corpse and the wizard's body vanished, leaving only a slightly thicker Flobberworm.
Seemingly satiated, the Flobberworm slowly climbed up Ethan's leg, reaching his shoulder, then stopped, stretching its body to fix itself in place.
From an outsider's perspective, Ethan appeared to be wearing a black cloak, but if he raised his hood, one would see a pair of dim eyes within.
"Dennis, bring the Mortla Rat feed over."
With a Flobberworm draped over his back and a Winged Demon hanging from his arm, Ethan approached the Mortla Rat farm, feeling a chill as he watched the Mortla Rats surge toward him.
Having Animal Affinity wasn't always advantageous!
Who desired these repulsive magical creatures in the wizarding world? For instance, the Blast-Ended Skrewts that Hagrid later cultivated.
If such a creature clung to you, how could you endure it?
Shaking off these unsettling thoughts, Ethan poured the feed Dennis and the others had brought into the Murtlap farm.
The feed comprised various items: oddly shaped meat and bones, broken shells, corn, potatoes, and even Murtlaps divided into several pieces.
Having just fed a magical creature and unlocked an achievement, Ethan anticipated that feeding hundreds of Murtlaps would unlock another.
He believed in unlocking visible achievements promptly.
Better to secure them early than regret not having them when strength was lacking at a critical moment or scrambling to unlock them at the last minute.
Here it comes!
Magical Creature Master
Flying in the sky, running on the ground, swimming in the water—there's nothing I haven't... fed. Just ask me about their needs. What do they eat? I know everything.
Achievement Goal: Feed enough magical creatures (100/100)
Achievement Reward: Magical Creature Energy Cube
The reward resembled a potion, evoking a sense of déjà vu in Ethan.
Upon accepting it, Ethan realized the so-called energy cube was indeed a potion.
Moreover, this energy cube wasn't a fixed recipe but a vast repository of knowledge, as if several books had been implanted into Ethan's mind.
Energy cubes crafted from different material combinations suited various magical creatures of different ages.
Their primary function was to promote development, enhance strength, and unlock potential.
Chapter 13: Worg Mark (Seeking Flowers and Reviews)
Having unlocked the achievement, earned Galleons, and acquired two magical creatures, Ethan pondered the fate of the three wizards and the Murtlaps.
The Imperius Curse couldn't last indefinitely. To maintain control, he would need to replenish it periodically. Otherwise, they would regain consciousness once the magic's effect dissipated.
With plans to attend Hogwarts in a month, Ethan had no intention of bringing them or the Murtlaps along.
Should he eliminate them?
He decided to observe their reactions upon awakening first.
But first, he needed to confiscate their wands and magical tools.
With a wave of his hand, Ethan released the Imperius Curse on the trio.
Suddenly awakened, they appeared disoriented. Upon seeing Ethan, they recoiled as if they'd seen a ghost, faces etched with terror.
Before Ethan could speak, all three knelt, pleading for mercy.
Their memories during the Imperius Curse remained intact. Whether it was silently controlling them or killing Kipling with a wandless Killing Curse, they couldn't fathom performing such feats themselves.
Yet, a young wizard had accomplished all this.
He had also tamed a Foe Glass and an Erkling. How could they possibly resist?
Even if they wished to fight, they lacked wands!
Now, with their wands confiscated, their only recourse was to beg for survival.
As for avenging Spring, they were all dark wizards—naivety had no place here.
"Since that's the case, you will follow me from now on!"
After brief contemplation, Ethan made his decision.
Recruiting subordinates likely had its own achievements. Though they might not truly submit and could flee when danger passed, it was worth the attempt.
"We are willing, I am willing. From now on, I will be your loyal servant."
With that, the trio crawled to Ethan on their knees, attempting to kiss his shoes in complete submission.
They introduced themselves and their magical proficiencies.
Dennis Goyle, Berkeley Andrew, and Don Jeff possessed average magical abilities, slightly surpassing a typical adult wizard.
They were familiar with the three Unforgivable Curses, primarily using the Killing Curse. The other two were less practiced. They had some knowledge of other dark magics and standard spells.
Contrary to Ethan's expectations, Dennis and the others viewed following him as advantageous. Despite his youth, he was formidable!
In an era where Voldemort had perished and Dumbledore aged, Ethan was a legend in the making, and his rise wouldn't take long.
Being associated with such a wizard was an honor, potentially earning them a place in magical history.
Ethan didn't rebuff their actions.
Foundation
Many grains of sand make a tower. You have finally taken the first step and no longer choose to fight alone.
Achievement Goal: Have a subordinate (1/1)
Achievement Reward: Magic "Worg Mark"
This was the first time he had seen a reward specifying a particular magic instead of being random.
As the information integrated into Ethan's mind, he grasped the essence of this magic.
It was another auxiliary spell.
Worg Mark: Plant a magical mark on the target. This mark is indelible. The marks