Hearing Newt's words, Lucien's heart inevitably sank.
Indeed, magic circuits were far too complex and intricate, and not every wizard studied them.
During this period, he had come into contact with bits and pieces of knowledge about magic circuits.
For example, the Weasley family's magic books included methods for enhancing spell power by developing and familiarizing oneself with wizard circuits—but these were meant to improve combat ability and were entirely different from the circuits of magical creatures.
As for the Greengrass family's Bloodline and Talent, that book discussed magic circuits in more depth, but its focus was on increasing the likelihood that a descendant would inherit superior circuits using Potions and spells during the early stages of fetal development.
The success rate was low, but it could at least ensure healthy fetal growth.
However, the young unicorn was already fully formed and about to be born, so those references were of little use.
There was also the knowledge he had learned from Quirrell, but the time had been too short. He had mastered little and had not yet touched the core sections.
Throughout this period, Lucien had also used the Eye of Peering Magic to observe the magic circuits of many wizards and magical creatures, accumulating a large number of samples.
Unfortunately, these scattered pieces of information did not form a complete system.
There was no way to integrate them quickly—let alone attempt to repair the unicorn fetus's damaged magic circuits.
Lucien frowned as he worked through the Potion Newt needed, his mind racing desperately for a feasible solution.
If nothing else worked, he would have to call Old Dumbledore. Even if the greatest wizard of the century wasn't omnipotent, he was still—
[Ding!]
[Loan triggered: Magic Weaving Art (Annual Loan)]
[Would you like to take out the loan?]
The system's voice startled Lucien, but his hands did not pause.
An Annual Loan?
He had actually triggered the highest-level loan again.
Judging from the name alone, Lucien instinctively felt that this one would help him right now.
The Potion entered its final simmering stage. While watching over it, Lucien shifted part of his focus to check the loan details.
[Loan Name: Magic Weaving Art]
[Repayment Period: 365 days]
[Loan Content: An extraordinary technique for modifying the magic circuits of magical creatures, involving multiple fields such as Transfiguration, Alchemy, Potions, and Dark Arts.]
[Loan Task: Cultivate a dragon to become the king of its species.]
Surprise surged in Lucien's chest.
Modifying magic circuits!
If modification was possible, then repairing a damaged magic circuit back to its original state should be even more feasible.
The description was brief, almost understated.
But this was an Annual Loan—its effectiveness had to be astonishing.
Lucien thought of Loki's Mask and Lumen, both Annual Loans, and their immense usefulness spoke for itself.
What's more, this was labeled an "extraordinary technique," truly extraordinary…
However, Lucien quickly calmed himself. Annual Loans were powerful, but their tasks were always difficult, complex, and long-term.
And this task—cultivate a dragon to become the king of its species?
Cultivate? King of its species?
Lucien contacted the system directly:
"How is a dragon 'king of its species' defined? And does 'species' refer to one specific type of dragon?"
Dragons were among the most numerous magical creatures—at least ten distinct kinds, plus rare hybrids, and even land-dragon variants bred between dragons and other magical beasts.
So Lucien needed to clarify exactly which "species" this task referred to.
[Dragons only submit to the strong; the strongest within a species becomes the king.]
[A single distinct type of dragon counts as one species.]
Lucien understood—so it was a matter of combat.
He needed to raise an exceptionally powerful dragon and have it defeat the rest of its kind.
"And what does it mean for the dragon to be 'cultivated by me'?"
[First, the dragon must obey the host's discipline. The host must provide it with a growth environment, food, combat training, and accompany it for more than half a year.]
In other words: feed it, house it, make it obedient, and teach it how to fight.
Oh—and maintain a sustained bond of at least half a year.
Isn't this basically a Pokémon trainer?
Well… under normal circumstances, this task would be extremely difficult. First, he would need to tame a dragon and make it follow commands. Ideally, that meant starting with a hatchling—adult dragons were mostly set in their ways and notoriously disobedient.
But… hadn't Hagrid been about to obtain a dragon?
No—rather, a dragon egg.
According to the original plot, that little dragon wouldn't stay long before being sent away.
But he could raise it inside the gourd space, making it far harder for anyone to discover.
Besides, the person who originally planned to report Hagrid for keeping a dragon was Malfoy.
As for that kid reporting him… heh.
With his animal affinity trait—and Lumen's help—taming and raising a dragon from infancy was entirely feasible.
As for training that dragon to become the king of its species… Hmm...
Teaching people was still teaching, and teaching dragons was also teaching.
Who said students had to be human?
Didn't the qilin learn perfectly well?
"System, I want to borrow the Magic Weaving Art (Annual Loan)."
Aside from believing this loan could help him save the little unicorn—and that the task was manageable—Lucien also had another consideration.
If the deadline arrived and the loan couldn't be repaid, the system would only reclaim the borrowed item or knowledge.
The changes and effects he caused while using it would not be undone.
So no matter what, saving the little unicorn came first.
If he had a system and didn't take advantage of its loopholes, what kind of host would he be?
[Loan: Magic Weaving Art (Annual Loan) has been successfully applied.]
[Evaluation: A certain being who was very fond of this skill once said, "I only wanted to make this world a bit livelier with creatures, yet those scoundrels dared to spread rumors that I gave birth to them. I ought to turn the whole lot into sheep…"]
Before Lucien could even process the system's bizarre evaluation,
a massive surge of knowledge poured straight into his mind.
A stabbing pain split through his skull, veins standing out on his forehead as cold sweat streamed down his face.
Forcing himself not to make a sound, Lucien shakily completed the final steps of the Potion.
The knowledge he had received this time was the most complicated he had ever encountered.
It spanned an overwhelming range—primarily Transfiguration and Potions, but also highly intricate applications of Alchemy, spells, and even Dark Arts.
After arduously sorting through the flood of information, Lucien finally grasped the general direction he needed to take.
First, he needed to brew a Potion capable of calming magical creatures, stabilizing their souls, and fixing their internal magic circuits to make the subsequent procedures possible.
This Potion also required alchemical methods; it wasn't something that could be made through standard Potion-brewing alone.
Lucien gently shook his still throbbing head—then suddenly realized something.
He pulled a stiff cardboard card from his pocket—the one bearing Albus Dumbledore's signature.
"Lumen, help me find someone. The location is…"
Lucien quietly called the little qilin over and handed it the special permit.
"Show them this, and they'll believe you."
"Hurry."
After Lumen departed, Lucien picked up the Potion from the workbench, walked over to Newt, and crouched beside him.
"Mr. Newt, the Potion you requested."
Newt nodded, took the vial, uncorked it for a quick inspection, and confirmed there were no issues.
"The Potion is good, and it came just in time. This female unicorn is temporarily stable. We can begin to deliver—"
He suddenly paused.
"Are you alright? Your complexion doesn't look good."
Seeing Lucien's pale face and bloodless lips, Newt frowned, puzzled as to how brewing a Potion could leave him in such a condition.
Lucien waved him off.
"I'm fine, Mr. Newt. Just tell me what I need to do. Saving Seleneia and her baby comes first!!"
________
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