At this moment, within Ciel's sight, the reward information on the Elber tree had undergone an earth-shattering change.
[Flight Ability Greatly Enhanced (Diamond Tier)]
[Levitation Charm Deduction Ability Significantly Enhanced (Platinum Tier)]
Compared to before, this reward was an absolute qualitative leap. After all, according to Ciel's experience, a Diamond-Tier ability was a realm that most people could never hope to reach in their lifetime.
Possessing a single Diamond-Tier ability was enough to be called an expert. A Diamond-Tier flying ability was probably enough to meet the threshold for a professional Quidditch team. And the Platinum-Tier enhancement to Levitation Charm deduction ability would be a massive help for Ciel to realize his previously conceived three-spell combo of Levitation Charm, Levicorpus, and Liberacorpus. These rewards alone made Ciel feel that his flight into the clouds was well worth the effort.
However, at this moment, a trace of Black Iron luster also appeared in the Elber tree's reward information. Ciel initially didn't pay much attention, just casually glancing at it. But the next moment, his expression turned to one of astonishment.
[Extremely Faint Insight into Ancient Weather Magic (Black Iron Tier)]
"Wait... Ancient Weather Magic!"
Ciel had some impression of the term "weather magic." For example, the famous magizoologist Newt Scamander had a suitcase for containing magical creatures. Not only was it enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, making the space inside comparable to a zoo, but it also had weather charms cast on it. This created different climates in different areas, allowing magical creatures of various habits to live there. There was also the ceiling of the Hogwarts Great Hall, which could accurately reflect the weather outside, syncing with the real sky. This was also a masterpiece of weather magic. But Ciel had never heard of the term "ancient weather magic."
His heart stirred slightly. "Ancient magic in the Harry Potter world never seems to be simple. The Patronus Charm is an ancient magic. And in the original story, the love magic Lily used to protect Harry and kill Voldemort was also a type of ancient magic. I wonder what kind of existence this ancient weather magic mentioned in the Elber tree's reward is. Could it allow a wizard to truly call the wind and summon the rain, to conjure thunderstorms, just like in fairy tales and myths?"
Thoughts flashed through Ciel's mind, but he quickly calmed down. Not to mention that the Elber tree required at least half a year from planting to maturity. He might not even be able to harvest its reward by the end of his first year. Even if he could, one Elber tree only provided Black Iron Tier insight into ancient weather magic. It was unknown how many years it would take for Ciel to truly master it. At least, until he could graft or take cuttings from the Elber tree, there was likely no hope. Thinking about this now was too far ahead.
Next, Ciel carefully took the Elber tree out of the bottle. Having been preserved for many years, the tree was already longing for the clouds high above. Without Ciel needing to do anything more, it floated towards the clouds on its own. Its fine, tender roots plunged into the mist, and the Elber tree became hidden within. A notification of successful planting flashed on Ciel's system panel. He could also see an extremely bright reward orb in his vision. Only then did Ciel finally feel at ease.
"It will be a long time before the Elber tree matures. I won't stay in these clouds for long. Time to go back to Hogwarts."
He turned his Nimbus 2000 broomstick, preparing to return to the ground. But at this moment, the magic produced by the broom suddenly fell into chaos. Like an arrow released from its bow, it carried Ciel plummeting from a height of twelve thousand meters.
Even Ciel's expression became somewhat grave. "The Nimbus 2000 is out of control?"
He glanced behind him and saw that the ice forming on the broom's twigs had almost turned the broom into an ice sculpture. It was likely that rushing up to twelve thousand meters had far exceeded the Nimbus 2000's design limits. After all, wizards riding flying broomsticks had to physically endure the cold and lack of oxygen at high altitudes. It was impossible for any wizard to fly too high. The flying broomstick company probably never dreamed that someone would ride a broomstick to an altitude of twelve thousand meters. This was the reason for the Nimbus 2000's current out-of-control state due to exceeding its limits.
Ciel's brow furrowed. From this perspective, the high rewards offered by the Elber tree seemed quite reasonable. This was truly a life-risking endeavor.
Then, looking at the rapidly spinning scenery, the continuously decreasing altitude, and the rapid alternation between weightlessness and super-gravity—an acceleration that would be enough to cause a normal person's internal organs to bleed and result in instant death—Ciel was fully focused. If he were to crash into the ground at this speed, even with his Legendary Vitality ability, he would likely die on the spot.
He continuously waved his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa! Wingardium Leviosa! Levicorpus! Levicorpus!"
The Levitation Charm and Levicorpus were used almost non-stop, constantly slowing his descent. However, the Nimbus 2000 was too severely out of control and completely unmanageable. Additionally, Ciel's magical strength was still too limited. Even though he kept casting spells and they did have some effect, the downward speed was still terrifyingly fast.
Ciel gritted his teeth. At this rate, he estimated he would end up like Neville in the original story when he fell... he would break at least a few bones. Actually, that wasn't too big a deal. But the key was that Aunt Sprout would definitely force him to lie in the hospital wing to recover. She probably wouldn't let him out of bed for at least a week. What about his work then?!
Thinking of this, a strong determination burst forth in Ciel's heart. "No! The thought of being confined to a hospital bed, unable to tend to his plants or continue his training, was unbearable. Wingardium Leviosa!"
Another Levitation Charm was cast. Ciel suddenly felt the force of his descent decrease twice in succession. The magnitude of the reduction was far greater than before. Obviously, the effect of the Levitation Charm this time was much better than before. In a moment, Ciel glanced at his system panel. He saw that in the abilities column, the Levitation Charm, which had been Bronze Tier, had actually advanced to Silver Tier in this short time. He looked again. The silver luster on Levicorpus had also become much more intense in a short period. Both spells had made significant progress in this short time.
A sudden realization came to Ciel. "Could it be that this environment of constant super-gravity and weightlessness is very beneficial for practicing these two spells?"
But there was no time to think further. Ciel focused all his attention on casting the Levitation Charm. The advanced Levitation Charm should be able to slow his fall even more. Forget broken bones... at most, he would probably just smash a human-shaped crater into the ground. It would be difficult to even break his skin.
A sense of relief washed over him. His routine was safe!
Meanwhile, on the Quidditch pitch, the Gryffindor Quidditch team was training. Everyone had bitter expressions, with only one thought in mind. "Wood has really gone crazy! Ever since Harry saw Hufflepuff's Quidditch team perform, he's been putting us through hellish training every single day! Merlin's beard, when will these days ever end?"
And Harry, at this moment, was still thinking about Hagrid's request. How was he supposed to invite Ciel to Hagrid's hut for tea? He couldn't even find Ciel right now. No one had seen Ciel since the last class. It was as if he had vanished from Hogwarts. Flown into the clouds?
Just then, as a Seeker, Harry subconsciously looked up at the sky. He thought he saw something. A black dot, spinning as it approached? That size... it was much bigger than the Golden Snitch. Harry even stopped training. He squinted, carefully examining the object.
Wood, seeing this, looked at Harry with dissatisfaction. "Harry! Why did you stop? Training can't stop! If you slack off, how are we supposed to defeat Hufflepuff?"
While Wood was rambling on, Harry finally saw clearly what the rapidly approaching black dot was. A person? Ciel? His broom was out of control!
Harry immediately and instinctively pulled out his wand. "Levitation Charm... wait, what was the incantation for the Levitation Charm again? What were the key points?"
Before Harry could struggle to remember these details, Ciel, riding his Nimbus 2000 and wrapped in the frigid air and shockwaves from high altitude, smashed headfirst into the ground, leaving a human-shaped crater. The Gryffindor team members were all dumbfounded. Harry's face turned pale. Falling at that speed... could he still be alive?
Captain Wood also opened his mouth, already about to call for Madam Pomfrey. Although the hope was slim, perhaps he could be saved...
But the next second, Ciel pulled himself out of the crater in the ground. At the same time, he looked at the Nimbus 2000 he had protected in his arms. After seeing the broom was okay, Ciel breathed a sigh of relief and dusted himself off. Looking at the dumbfounded Harry, the Weasley twins, and the others, Ciel gave a friendly greeting.
"Hello there. Sorry, I flew too high, and the broom went out of control. You guys continue training, don't let me interrupt you."
All the Gryffindor team members looked at each other. Then the players swallowed hard and looked at Captain Wood. "Captain, who did you say we had to defeat just now? Defeat Hufflepuff with Ciel on their team? Me?"
Just then, Ciel, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped. He felt a slight strangeness in his body. It seemed like a warm current was surging through him. His eyes showed a look of confusion. Internal bleeding? Couldn't be. That little impact... he hadn't felt a thing. In fact, he felt like he was in even better shape than usual.
Then Ciel looked at his system panel. The next moment, his gaze locked onto the ability he had long possessed.
[Vitality Enhancement (Legendary Tier)]
There was no mistake. Just now, when he fell... the brilliant white color of this Legendary-Tier ability... had brightened by a sliver.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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