In an instant, Aragog's body hair bristled, and a deep chill spread through his ancient frame.
He couldn't even tell whether this terrifying sensation was coming from the strange, flame-wreathed creature or from the smiling young wizard.
Just as Lucien was about to raise his wand, and Lumen was preparing to take a step forward—
"Wait, wait a minute!"
"I was just joking!"
Aragog frantically rubbed his mandibles, speaking faster than he ever had before.
Lucien still held his wand aloft, the electric arcs around it growing more intense and visible.
"Oh? That was merely a jest?"
Aragog didn't understand what Lucien was muttering, but the chill gripping his body hadn't faded—in fact, it was growing even stronger.
"I—I promised Hagrid I wouldn't kill anyone who is his friend!"
He desperately brought up Hagrid's name, hoping to reduce the killing intent radiating from his opponent.
But Lucien's wand remained pointed at him. The crackling arcs of electricity began to converge, clearly ready to strike at any moment.
"You made that promise. But did your descendants also promise Hagrid not to kill anyone?"
Realizing Lucien's meaning instantly, Aragog rubbed his mandibles so fast it looked like sparks might fly.
Aragog ordered his offspring to scatter and move away from Lucien's vicinity.
Upon receiving their ancestor's command, the spiders reacted as if they had been granted a great pardon—each one fleeing faster than the last.
They had already been struggling to withstand the scorching heat, and if not for Aragog's urging, they hadn't even intended to surround that human in the first place.
That person hadn't shown any threat at first—even made them feel a strange sense of closeness.
But the moment he raised his wand, a powerful fear surged within them, and their instincts screamed at them to run.
Lucien looked around at the now-empty surroundings and nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad... Now it's just us.. Heeh~"
Hearing that, Aragog's body suddenly went stiff.
That's right—now he had to face these two monsters alone!
Never mind the oddly shaped creature, but why did this young-looking wizard also make him feel such a deep, primal fear?
"Actually, I came here with no ill intent—just to observe your species.. And collect some venom, by the way."
That made Aragog relax slightly. Good—as long as they could talk.
"Of course, of course, I can sense you mean no harm."
"Hagrid's friends wouldn't be bad people."
Arrogant at first, then respectful—how laughable.
Watching the old spider's shift in attitude, Lucien suddenly thought.
"Have your descendants split into two groups—male and female—and come to me in order from smallest to largest."
Aragog quickly agreed. He just wanted to send this lord away as soon as possible.
After the sound of mandibles rubbing together, two small Acromantulas slowly approached.
They nudged each other nervously, neither one daring to be the first to approach the human.
"Heh, don't be afraid. I'm just checking to see if your development is normal."
Lucien levitated the two small spiders and began recording their data.
Glancing over at Aragog, who was now huddled at the edge of the cave, Lucien pulled a cedarwood barrel from a pouch carved with an Undetectable Extension Charm—about the size of a large water cooler bottle.
He floated the barrel over to Aragog.
"Aragog, don't just sit there—fill this with some venom."
Acromantula venom is best stored in cedar containers to preserve its potency.
Aragog didn't dare hesitate. He clumsily moved to the edge of the barrel and began spitting venom.
Lucien successfully recorded data from Acromantulas of various age groups.
Thanks to Aragog's numerous offspring, the information he gathered on this magical creature was the most comprehensive yet.
Alright, time to check how much venom had been collected.
Once he acquired the Exploding Fluid from a Horned Serpent, he could begin refining the "Delayed Truth."
Lucien summoned the cedar barrel to float over and took a look inside.
Whoa—more than half full?
Hadn't he told Aragog to fill it as he saw fit? Was it normal for elderly Acromantulas to produce so much venom?
He glanced over at Aragog, who was now sprawled flat on the ground, his eight legs weakly splayed out. His already grayish-white body looked even paler than before.
Uh… it seems he's completely drained.
Well, no matter. The older the Acromantula, the more potent the venom.
And there was no point in making Aragog drink it back—it had already been spat out.
Hmm… why did he look like he was on the verge of collapse?
No, he couldn't just exhaust resources like this. Sustainable development was the way forward!
Lucien took a small bottle from inside his robes, uncorked it, and drew out a single glowing, transparent drop of liquid.
He guided the lone drop of qilin saliva to float into Aragog's mouth.
In the next second, Aragog stood up straight.
He was stunned to find that the weakness caused by expelling so much venom had vanished instantly.
Even more shocking—his aged, decaying body now felt a flicker of renewed strength, a new vitality.
His already blind, gray eyes even seemed to regain a faint glimmer of light.
"This… what is this?"
Lucien tucked the bottle of qilin saliva away.
"Don't worry—I don't take things for free."
"I'm heading off now. See you next time."
Lucien waved his hand, patted Little Qilin, and in an instant, both their figures vanished.
Aragog instinctively lifted his forelegs—but then froze.
What did that person just say?
He's coming again next time?!
…
"Um, Lumin, where did you leave Fang?"
"Master, I left him right here. Why is he gone?"
Lucien clicked his tongue. Fang couldn't be allowed to get into trouble—after all, he was the one who brought him out.
"Hm hm, Lumin, let's split up and search. We can't lose the dog."
"And about that Unicorn from earlier—remember, if you ever encounter a pure magical creature like that again, raise your alertness, observe your surroundings, and if you sense any danger, Apparate immediately. Don't hesitate!"
Lucien gave Little Qilin a specific warning, concerned he might come across Quirrell, who would be hunting Unicorns in the Forbidden Forest later.
Although, that would still be a few months from now.
According to the system, a growing Qilin develops at an astonishing rate. He wondered just how strong Little Qilin would be by then.
"I'll listen to Master. Oh, by the way, what are pure magical creatures?"
"They're creatures with magical abilities that can curse or harm you if you bite them. Hmm, you just reminded me—after I teach you basic knowledge, I can start teaching you how to identify magical creatures that you are not supposed to eat, even if you are hungry."
"…"
Lucien searched high and low for Fang, eventually locating him using Qilin's sense of smell.
Fang was curled up inside a hollow tree, trembling, covered in decaying leaves and branches.
"Wow, you're pretty clever, Fang—you even knew to mask your scent."
"Pawuuu..." Fang looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack.
"Sorry about that. I'll make you braised pork ribs when we get back!"
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11 Advance Chaps- P@treon/DarkDevil1