Looking at the changes in his Legendary Vitality ability, Ciel's heart surged with a storm of emotions.
When he had first accumulated Vitality Enhancement to the Legendary level, he had wondered if it was possible to advance it to the Mythical level. But between Legendary and Mythical, there seemed to be an impossible chasm. No matter how hard he worked, he couldn't budge it an inch. Several rounds of reward harvesting had failed to produce any change in his Legendary Vitality. He could only accumulate other abilities. After so long, Ciel had almost gotten used to it.
But he had never expected that this fall from high altitude would actually cause a change in his Legendary Vitality, improving it by an insignificant sliver. Even if it was just a sliver, this was something that hadn't happened in years.
Ciel quickly locked onto a possibility. "Could it be that from Legendary to Mythical, it's no longer just a matter of accumulating rewards? It also requires satisfying some external conditions. For Legendary Vitality to advance to Mythical, one of the conditions is... impact, damage, or external tempering?"
Ciel had a sudden moment of enlightenment. After all, thinking about those beings that could be called mythical, they didn't acquire such power smoothly. Odin in Norse mythology exchanged one of his eyes for runic magic. Heracles in ancient Greek mythology endured twelve impossible trials to become a God. For his Legendary abilities to advance to Mythical, it was only natural that they would require some external tempering.
(Translator's Note: I'm aware that, in original mythology, Heracles did not achieve demigod status this way. However, in this work, he does.)
Looking at the Legendary Vitality that was an insignificant sliver brighter than before, Ciel couldn't help but laugh out loud. The road is long, but with perseverance, one will arrive! As long as it was something he could work his way up to, Ciel wasn't afraid.
But just as Ciel was laughing heartily, a furious roar filled with what sounded like killing intent echoed across the Quidditch pitch. "Ciel Sprout! What have you done!"
Hearing this voice, Ciel suddenly shuddered. His heart skipped a beat. Aunt Sprout is here? Oh no! Judging by her voice, she's really angry. Danger!
Let's rewind time a few minutes. In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore was talking to Professor Sprout about guarding the Philosopher's Stone.
"The Devil's Snare is still a bit dangerous," he mused. "If a first-year student doesn't know its weakness, they really can't handle it. How about this, Pomona. Although this isn't part of the first-year herbology curriculum, you should find a chance to reveal the Devil's Snare's weakness to them this term."
Professor Sprout looked at Dumbledore with a speechless expression. "Fine. I really don't understand you. At your age, you're still dragging everyone into this little game of yours. If you have this much free time, can you increase the herbology budget? Can you allocate more funds for greenhouse repairs this year? I also want to expand the greenhouse area."
At the mention of budget, Dumbledore chuckled sheepishly. Then came phrases like "wait a little longer" and "it will happen." In response, Professor Sprout could only roll her eyes at Dumbledore. Then her expression became serious again.
"Besides that, Headmaster," she said, "I have a request for you."
Seeing Professor Sprout's expression, Dumbledore also became serious. "What matter requires you to use such a word as 'request'? Pomona, we are old friends."
Professor Sprout then said, "Have you heard of the legendary Talent-Enhancing Potion?"
At these words, Dumbledore frowned. "Is that the potion said to improve talent and enhance innate magical strength? Pomona, you want to give it to that child, Ciel? But the ingredients... I'm afraid many of them are already extinct now."
Professor Sprout said with determination, "I will gather them one by one. As long as there is a sliver of hope, I must collect them all. So, Dumbledore, can you help me with phoenix tears?"
Dumbledore looked at Fawkes in his cage and nodded without hesitation. "Yes. That child, Ciel is very hardworking and well-loved by the little badgers. If it can help him, I, as the headmaster, will of course support it. Fawkes is preparing for his burning day now. Next year, Pomona. There might be a chance for fresh phoenix tears next year."
Professor Sprout's face showed gratitude. She let out a light breath. Her mind silently calculated: Perfect Marguerite... Phoenix Tears... Soon, I'll have gathered two ingredients. Talent-Enhancing Potion, I will definitely brew it for Ciel!
Then she turned to look out the window. She saw a black shadow spinning as it fell towards the ground in the distance. Even from this distance, Professor Sprout recognized the falling figure as Ciel at a glance. This led to her rushing to the Quidditch pitch and the furious roar.
At this moment, Professor Sprout was like an attacked Mandrake, letting out a sharp, ear-piercing scream. She berated Ciel in a continuous stream of words. The Gryffindor lions on the pitch were all trembling. They had thought Professor McGonagall was intimidating enough when she was angry. But they never imagined that the usually gentle Professor Sprout, when angry, was even more terrifying than Professor McGonagall.
Ciel lowered his head and said meekly, "Aunt. I'm fine, aren't I? I know I was wrong."
Professor Sprout looked at him with a gloomy expression. "You know you were wrong? No, I don't think you do at all. You'll dare to do it again!" She took a deep breath. "Merlin's beard. If something had happened to you, I simply couldn't face it. So, Ciel, to teach you a lesson, you must be punished this time, a very severe punishment, one that you will never forget!"
These words made the nearby Harry and the Gryffindor lions swallow hard. Their faces showed fear. For Professor Sprout to say it was so serious, what kind of punishment would it be? Merlin's beard. It couldn't be the legendary "Fanged Geranium Stool," could it! It was said this punishment was used once hundreds of years ago. Because it was too cruel, it was permanently banned after that one time. Was Professor Sprout going to bring back this punishment?
Ciel still kept his head down, not daring to argue. He knew Professor Sprout was worried about him. She was truly angry. Never mind, whether it was being hung up and beaten, or detention, or any other punishment. As long as it could appease Aunt Sprout, it would be fine. Anyway, these punishments were nothing to him.
Just as this thought flashed through Ciel's mind, Professor Sprout sneered. "Ciel. I know that ordinary punishments are useless on you. But this time I won't make you clean. I won't make you polish trophies. And I certainly won't let you take on more work in the greenhouse or elsewhere... that would be a reward for you! Listen up, my punishment for you is... for the next seven days, the greenhouse will be closed to you. Don't even think about going in to work. And as for Professor Snape, I will give him a stern warning. If he dares to let you process potion materials in these seven days, he won't get another herb from my greenhouse!"
Professor Sprout's expression was grim. "Oh right. I almost forgot. You still have things to entertain yourself with. For these seven days, I will also confiscate all your textbooks! You are not allowed to study. Reflect on your mistakes properly!"
When Professor Sprout announced her punishment for Ciel, Harry and the others were stunned. "What? You call this a punishment! Professor, I want this punishment too. Don't spare me, give me more, punish me for a month if you want!"
But at this moment, hearing these words, Ciel's expression suddenly changed. "What! Th-this... Aunt, you can't do this, this is too cruel! I protest! I want to work, I want to study! If I can't work, what is the meaning of life? If I can't study, life is simply empty. How about we negotiate? One day is fine, three days is also fine..."
However, Professor Sprout showed no mercy towards Ciel's plea. "Seven days, not a day less. Now, Ciel, hand over all your textbooks!"
Seeing that there was no room for negotiation, Ciel could only wear a mournful face. He slowly took out his textbooks one by one from the small bag Professor Sprout had given him. Charms, Herbology... "Can I keep History of Magic, Aunt, please?" But Professor Sprout only shook her head cruelly.
"Come on, Ciel," she said. "There's one more book, don't think you can hide it from me."
Ciel paused. Then he could only take out the book The Succubus Queen and Dragon Maid. At the same time, his heartbeat accelerated. He really didn't want Professor Sprout to discover the Sectumsempra spell inside. Otherwise, he would probably be in for more trouble.
But fortunately, after seeing the provocative title, Professor Sprout's face actually improved slightly. She even nodded. "Not bad. Finally, a decent book. You can keep this book, read it well. As for the other books, I'll return them to you in a week. During this period, reflect well on your mistakes!"
After saying this, Professor Sprout turned and left, her anger not yet fully subsided. However, after turning around, a slight curve appeared at the corner of her lips. "The child is finally getting it. Maybe he can help the Sprout family flourish in the future."
After Professor Sprout left, Ciel finally let out a slight sigh of relief. That was close. Fortunately, he managed to keep the Half-Blood Prince's textbook. Otherwise, what kind of torture would this week be? But not being able to go to the greenhouse to cultivate plants for a whole week and not being able to process potion materials still made Ciel's mood gloomy. How was he going to get through this week?
Just as Ciel was feeling depressed, Harry walked over with an envious face. "Ciel, you're being treated too well!"
Ciel looked listless. "Excuse me? I really want to work and study, Harry. Really."
At this moment, a sudden inspiration struck Harry. He thought of how to help Hagrid invite Ciel! Harry lowered his voice and carefully spoke. "Ciel. Hagrid has a job opportunity for you. Do you want it? He's wanted to invite you over for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Ciel's eyes suddenly lit up. Hagrid wanted to see him? If he remembered correctly, the troll that had broken into the castle was given to Hagrid to handle in the Forbidden Forest. Then wouldn't he have a legitimate opportunity to come into contact with the troll again? Perfect, Goldfish Vines were not cultivated in the greenhouse. He could try to use the troll to accelerate the cultivation of Goldfish Vines. If this worked, the speed of his magic perception enhancement would definitely undergo a qualitative change!
And a peculiar light flashed in Ciel's eyes. "In the original story, Hagrid got the dragon egg a few weeks after the Christmas holidays. Then he hatched Norbert the dragon. If I'm preparing to cultivate Blood Jade, I need the blood of powerful magical creatures... the more powerful, the better. A dragon is the first choice. So this is indeed the time to act."
An idea even surfaced in Ciel's mind. If he could cultivate Blood Jade on a large scale to maturity, and its provided blood production enhancement reward was stacked with Legendary Vitality, plus the external tempering condition he already knew for Legendary Vitality advancement... could it cause a more significant change in the Legendary Vitality ability!
Thinking of this, Ciel felt a wave of anticipation. He looked at Harry. "Harry. You've been a great help!"
Harry's eyes lit up. He was full of pleasant surprises. "Then about what I said last time, Ciel, do you want to reconsider? As a thank you to me?"
The next moment, Ciel left without looking back. He wanted him to get involved in the savior game set up by Dumbledore again? "Farewell. See you around. No thanks needed for such a great favor!"
But after a moment, Ciel walked back and whispered to Harry. "In the Potions classroom on the third floor, the third storage cabinet from the left. There's a copy of Advanced Potion-Making, but the content inside the cover is actually The Succubus Queen and Dragon Maid. Harry. Am I a good friend or what?"
[Chapter Complete]
***
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