Early the next morning, dawn light streamed through the library windows, casting golden spots on the book pages. Ciel, who had been immersed in reading, exhaled softly and closed the book in front of him: "The Mystery of Quintapeds."
He also returned several other similar thick books to their original positions on the shelves. "There really are quite a few books about Quintapeds in the library. It seems this Class 5X dangerous magical creature transformed from humans has indeed attracted many people's interest."
But thinking about what he'd read through the night, he shook his head slightly. Though there were many records, most authors had never actually seen Quintapeds. Much less personally visited Drear Island. Their writing was mostly based on hearsay of unknown authenticity. Valuable information was quite limited.
However, he wasn't surprised by this. Drear Island had been sealed by the Ministry for several centuries. Quintapeds' fame among Class 5X magical creatures was far less than dragons, three-headed dogs, or Acromantulas. The information was all ancient and naturally hard to trust.
But among the vast records, there couldn't be nothing useful. He'd search slowly.
Then he left the library with a few books. As he walked out, he was still considering his future arrangements. But soon, a figure appeared before him.
The first thing that caught attention was her pink hair color. Then her casual, rebellious clothing: patched jeans and a Weird Sisters band support T-shirt. She even wore some smoky makeup. Just like a non-mainstream young woman.
At this moment, this girl looked him over and smiled. She extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Nymphadora Tonks. I just graduated from Hufflepuff, so I'm your senior. The little badgers said you're either in the greenhouse or the library... looks like they were right; I finally found you. Haven't been to Hogwarts in a while, quite a lot has changed."
While extending her hand friendly, Tonks' bright black eyes stared intently at his expression, as if she wouldn't miss any fluctuation.
He raised his eyebrows, quite surprised by Tonks' arrival. He wasn't unfamiliar with this girl. In the original story, Tonks was a member of the Order of the Phoenix and a Ministry Auror with considerable screen time. Especially her Metamorphmagus ability, plus her later romance with Lupin and their deaths together in the final battle.
But he hadn't expected Tonks' first appearance would be directed at him. His mind racing, he quickly understood. At this time, Tonks, a trainee Auror, coming to Hogwarts could only be about one thing. Definitely investigating Umbridge's death.
Then he looked at Tonks with some strangeness and sympathy in his eyes. A newly graduated girl being assigned such a tricky job by workplace veterans. Quite pitiful. But from Tonks' appearance, she seemed to think this was an opportunity to make achievements. She looked quite enthusiastic?
He clicked his tongue mentally, as if seeing his early graduate student self. Too young.
Then he briefly shook hands with Tonks. "Ciel Sprout. Hello, senior. But I think senior specifically waiting for me outside the library isn't just to say these things. Shall we walk and talk? I have many things to do."
At this time, looking at the completely composed him, Tonks frowned. This little badger seemed too calm. Was he pretending, or did he really not care?
After a moment, Tonks calmed down. Whether pretending or truly having a clear conscience, she was a professionally trained Auror. If a first-year little badger could hide something from her, her training would have been worthless.
Then Tonks cheerfully followed him forward, sighing about Hogwarts' changes and how different Hufflepuff was now. Occasionally, she'd casually throw out a question.
"Do you remember Umbridge? She died recently. Did she come looking for you again?"
He looked completely unconcerned. "Umbridge, that toad, of course I remember her. She died... the Daily Prophet reports it daily, naturally I know. I'd say it's truly a good thing. But according to the Daily Prophet, the day she died, I was busy, lots of people saw me. Besides, I'm a first-year student... do you think I have the ability to kill a Ministry official?"
He glanced at Tonks, saying coolly. "Senior Nymphadora. Are you now reminiscing about the past as a senior or examining suspects as a Ministry Auror? I feel it's more the latter. It seems the Ministry really does transform people. Even Hufflepuff students become the same after entering... how long in the system before forgetting Hufflepuff traditions completely?"
His sigh instantly made Tonks' face flush red, her neck burning. At this time, he had reached the greenhouse door, saying coldly.
"Auror Nymphadora. About those things you asked, I have no comment. If there's nothing else, there's a pile of plants in the greenhouse waiting for my care."
Tonks took a deep breath, then gritted her teeth and pulled out an envelope from her robes. "This is from Minister Fudge for me to give you... he said it contains what you requested."
Hearing this, his eyes suddenly brightened. He'd thought it would take several more days for Fudge to issue the pioneering permit. He hadn't expected it so quickly? This efficiency seemed much higher than his estimate.
Then he immediately returned to the greenhouse and opened the envelope with some anticipation. "Wonder what level pioneering permit Fudge issued me. According to Aunt's explanation, the lowest-level permit used to be one acre. Next up is ten acres. At most, I heard someone was issued a 150-acre pioneering permit a century and a half ago. At least my Ministry contract was reviewed by Dumbledore... Fudge shouldn't use the lowest one-acre level to slight me. As for over a hundred acres..."
He shook his head slightly. Given Fudge's personality, he probably wouldn't be so generous. By his estimate, it should be around ten acres. Not much, but barely sufficient for the short term.
But when he opened the envelope and saw the number on the pioneering document, he was completely stunned. He couldn't help rubbing his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things.
"??? No way? What does unlimited mean? Meaning however much farmland I clear counts as mine? Even subsequent protective magic and Floo Network connection costs are covered by the Ministry?!"
He stood there completely bewildered, suddenly feeling he might have misunderstood Fudge. Who said this old fox Fudge should be nailed to the pillar of shame? Come out and explain! This was clearly the wisest Minister in the magical world. Great, no need to elaborate!
He took a deep breath. His surging emotions took a long time to calm. This pioneering permit meant tremendous significance to him. After all, the larger the planting area, the more rewards he could obtain. One step ahead, every step ahead!
He could even say this pioneering permit was as important as finding a mythical item. Even more so! After all, mythical items like the little silver bucket and World Tree roots might not be usable. But this document would immediately produce effects.
He felt determined. If he could really clear an extremely large planting area, he'd have confidence facing anything in the coming years.
Then his eyes flashed with anticipation. He eagerly pulled out a map. It showed the North Scottish Highlands near Hogwarts and some nearby islands. Originally, by his estimate, ten acres of land could be easily found anywhere. But now, careful planning was needed. Though not achievable overnight, gradually he might clear hundreds or thousands of acres. This couldn't be satisfied by just finding any random place.
His gaze roamed over the map. Soon, he crossed out options in the North Scottish Highlands. This place wasn't suitable. First was the climate issue... it was cold much of the year. Many plants weren't suitable for such environments. Even if greenhouses could solve this, such massive greenhouses would cost astronomical sums.
Second, it was too easily disturbed. Now Muggle railway and road networks crisscrossed everywhere. Even if he could clear thousands of acres, they'd be fragmented by those roads and railways. This would greatly increase exposure risks and maintenance problems.
So his gaze quickly moved from land to islands. Due to ocean currents, some islands were much warmer than the North Scottish Highlands. The climate was also more humid, better suited for growing plants. Moreover, many islands here were uninhabited, far from shipping lanes, and worthless, so few Muggles came. Even occasional scattered hikers could be confused and sent away by weak protective magic.
Several large islands would suffice for his use for a long time. Another key factor for cultivation... island ecosystems were particularly closed. This meant fewer variables, making cultivation easier than in environmentally complex places.
Thoughts constantly flashed through his mind. Then he made his decision. "Start with island cultivation. First find an island with a suitable climate and location."
Then he picked up his Nimbus 2000 broomstick, flying swiftly toward Hogwarts' Black Lake. From here, he could fly into the North Atlantic. But in magical geography, this sea area was called the Hebridean Sea.
Hundreds of islands were scattered throughout this sea like stars. The smallest islands might be barely larger than reefs. While the largest might be more vast than a dozen Hogwarts combined.
Soon, he felt the salty sea breeze. He slowed down, carefully selecting islands that occasionally appeared in his vision. He was extremely patient in this process. Passing each suitably sized island, he'd pull out paper and pen to write and draw, even landing to carefully examine the island's climate. Especially water source distribution and soil composition.
After all, he'd spent tremendous time clearing land and cultivating plants. If he acted impulsively at the very beginning without proper investigation, later problems might make all previous preparations futile. Or require ten to a hundred times more effort than estimated to compensate for earlier oversights.
He had experienced such lessons in his previous life doing research. Concerning his future cultivation, he wanted no mistakes.
As he flew over the sea searching for suitable islands to develop, a black shadow also trailed behind him in the distance. It was Tonks, also riding a broomstick.
Though stung by him earlier, leaving her face burning, Tonks had an intuition that he might really be connected to Umbridge's death. Even if this young wizard didn't do it himself, perhaps he knew something. Especially after she found him, he suddenly flew to sea, contrary to his usual behavior. This made Tonks even more suspicious.
At this moment, with his vision, he naturally noticed Tonks following distantly. His expression showed no fluctuation. Let her follow if she wanted. Anyway, the Ministry would eventually know where he chose to develop. Protective magic and Floo Network connections all required Ministry personnel. No secrets needed keeping. Just don't interfere with him.
Moreover... since following, she better persist. His lips curved in a strange smile.
Unconcerned about Tonks following, he continued surveying the sea surface, exploring island after island. Time passed minute by minute. His notebook filled with dense information... basic climate data for several nearby islands he'd surveyed.
Temperature, humidity. Soil composition. Original vegetation conditions. What plants were suitable for cultivation.
Looking at this information, he saw treasure. Even if he wasn't particularly satisfied with these islands and wouldn't make them his first development targets... at most using some with special climate and soil for cultivating particular plants later... the value of these materials was undiminished.
These were precious first-hand Herbology materials. Wild vegetation situations were completely different from greenhouses. Which agricultural student only worked in greenhouses? Similarly, herbologists surveying wild conditions was a basic skill.
Some Herbology knowledge was gradually applied in this process, slowly becoming a personal foundation. This was the necessary path for Herbology masters. Masters couldn't be created in greenhouses!
At this time, evening glow gradually appeared in the sky. A red sun slowly sank beneath the sea surface. The originally azure seawater suddenly looked somewhat dark. The wind also gradually turned bitter.
He didn't plan to continue today. Oceans were always habitats for certain large magical creatures. They were quite sensitive to magic. Flying over the ocean at night might attract some behemoths. Some weren't in the Ministry's Class 5X magical creature ratings, but only because they appeared rarely. This didn't mean their danger level was lower than 5X.
Even though he could display Platinum-tier night vision in darkness, he wouldn't risk it. Soon, he marked the surveyed islands on his map with checks, then returned to Hogwarts quite pleased.
At this time, unlike his good mood, Tonks, who had been tracking at sea for a long time, was disheveled after following him around all day. She was soaked through by splashing waves. Her face was also sore from sea wind and reflected sunlight.
The key was, she couldn't understand what he was doing. Wandering around islands? Why did he look so happy?
At this time, Tonks had a thought. "Could he be deliberately circling the sea to shake me off? Otherwise, what first-year student is so idle?"
The more she thought about this, the more firmly Tonks believed her intuition and wanted to investigate something. Dragging her aching body from a day's travel, she followed him back to Hogwarts.
Tonks was still planning tomorrow's strategy. "I need to watch him closely. But now, take a bath and sleep a little..."
But soon, unexpectedly for Tonks, he, who had also spent a day at sea, showed no fatigue. After returning to Hogwarts, he didn't even need to catch his breath before heading to the library again.
This made Tonks grit her teeth. "No way? Isn't he tired? Flying all day, no rest needed?"
Then Tonks clenched her teeth. "Then I can't rest either. What if he acts while I'm resting, destroying evidence related to Umbridge? I'm an Auror. I've had professional training. This little fatigue is routine for me. If a little badger can endure it, I have no reason I can't."
So Tonks forced her exhausted body to guard outside the library all night.
When dawn broke the next morning, he emerged from the library. He'd spent another night searching several books related to Quintapeds, Puking Pastilles, and Drear Island. Unfortunately, still no effective clues.
But he wasn't anxious. After all, he hadn't even chosen where to pioneer. Even after choosing, clearing and fertilizing would take considerable time. Finding Puking Pastille clues before then would suffice. Some things couldn't be rushed. Proceed step by step.
Then he, exiting the library, saw Tonks with bloodshot eyes and a quite fatigued expression. After calmly nodding, he walked past Tonks.
Then he pulled out his map again, marking islands he hadn't had time to survey yesterday. Mounting his Nimbus 2000, he continued over the Black Lake toward the sea.
Seeing this scene, Tonks's eyes widened. No way? She'd guarded outside the library all night, occasionally checking the door. He had been reading all night without sleeping. At dawn, he immediately flew to sea again? What was he doing?!
Tonks swallowed hard. But then she took a deep breath. "I'm an Auror. I've had professional training. I can't be outdone by a little badger."
Her eyes showed determination. "Trying to scare me off with this? Make me retreat? Dream on!"
Then, gritting her teeth, Tonks also mounted her flying broomstick. Like yesterday, she trailed him from afar. "I don't believe it. You can really do such boring things for another day?"
That evening, her clothes still not dry from being soaked by waves again, Tonks watched him from afar and gritted her teeth. "I give up. I really give up. You can really do this for another day?!"
He was completely unaware of Tonks's resentment. Unlike Tonks's complaints, looking at his notebook full of writing, he was quite satisfied. Good harvest today... he'd found an island with fairly suitable conditions. Large area, decent climate and soil. Though not his ideal, if he couldn't find better for a long time, he could accept developing this island.
In this direction, there were several large islands he hadn't explored. Continuing the search should yield islands with even better conditions. It wouldn't be long before deciding.
"It's getting dark. Return for now. Continue searching for Quintaped and Drear Island information."
Then he turned around and returned to Hogwarts. That night was again spent in the library.
The following days, his life was extremely regular. His notebook recorded increasingly more data. Alternative island coordinates numbered three or four. He even felt his understanding of Herbology had deepened through these days of exploration.
But unread Quintaped records in the library grew fewer. In this process, he did obtain some materials. But this was far from sufficient to determine Drear Island's location.
He sighed. This morning, he again walked out of the library. At this time, Tonks's extremely exhausted appearance came into view. She had now followed him sleeplessly for four or five days. Her entire person was in a daze, completely disheveled.
As he walked past her, his nose suddenly twitched. After silent consideration, he turned back.
"Senior... How many days have you worn those wet clothes without washing? Why don't you skip following me today and take a bath?"
Instantly, Tonks's face flushed red. So he had known she was following all along? And he meant she smelled?
Tonks instinctively sniffed her clothes. The next moment, seawater's saltiness mixed with the clothes' sour sweat smell hit her nostrils. Tonks wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.
Though she dressed rebelliously and individually, being this dirty and pointed out by a young male wizard was truly unbearable. Without a word, Tonks hurried toward her assigned dormitory.
At this time, watching Tonks's departing figure, he showed amusement. Really. Why work so desperately on such a task? Young people. Naive.
Then he planned to leave again to survey islands. Just then, a letter from Hagrid reached him.
"Ciel. Very important matter. Come quickly!"
Seeing Hagrid's urgent tone, his expression became serious. Could Ministry investigators of Umbridge's death include more than just Tonks, the scapegoat? Were there others? Had they investigated Hagrid?
Given Hagrid's record, if connected to this matter, he might really be sentenced to Azkaban. Then he immediately quickened his pace toward Hagrid's hut.
After a moment, entering and seeing the scene before him, he was stunned.
"Hagrid... This is what you meant by urgently calling me over?"
The hut was covered in scorch marks. Even half of Hagrid's beard was burned off. Hagrid was holding the culprit, Norbert, chuckling.
Seeing him, Hagrid was extremely excited. "Yes! Norbert can breathe fire now! This is a very commemorative event."
His voice even carried some tears. "Merlin above. I always wanted to raise a dragon. I never dreamed I could personally raise a dragon to the fire-breathing stage. Norbert, little Norbert, Mama loves you!"
After wiping tears, Hagrid sighed. "Since childhood, I've loved those adorable magical creatures. Especially Class 5X magical creatures... raising them all is my dream. Like legendary magizoologist Newt. Let me count... now I've raised Acromantulas, dragons, three-headed dogs, Quintapeds... And during a visit to America, I had the privilege of briefly feeding a Horned Serpent and Wampus... Ha, counting this way, there aren't many Class 5X magical creatures I haven't raised."
Hagrid counted on his fingers proudly.
He, who had been quietly listening, suddenly widened his eyes when he heard one name.
"Hagrid... You said you raised Quintapeds?!"