After Ciel cranked up the greenhouse temperature, the air shimmered and distorted with intense heat. The entire space transformed into a veritable steamer, with wisps of steam rising from the damp soil. Most people couldn't last long in such an environment. Even wizards would need to rely on protective charms and various tools.
But Ciel's expression was calm. He merely felt a slight stuffiness, similar to the oppressive air before a summer thunderstorm. It was a bit uncomfortable but completely tolerable. Combined with his Legendary-level vitality, he could stay in the greenhouse until the end of time if he wanted to.
And in his line of sight, the reward orbs on the Marguerites he had planted were noticeably larger than before. A wide grin spread across his face.
Since Professor Sprout hadn't returned to this sad place in years, the greenhouse was mostly empty. If he filled it with Marguerites… When a greenhouse full of them matured…
Woohoo, takeoff!
Thinking of this, he ignored the slight stuffiness and got to work. He continuously cast the Soil-Loosening Charm, planting the Marguerite seeds Professor Sprout had left for him. While perfectly planting Marguerites required some effort, handling the various details with care, Ciel was long accustomed to such tedious work.
What's more, every time a Marguerite was planted, the reward orb appearing above it was a form of affirmation. There was a joy in this that couldn't be explained to outsiders.
Time passed. Ciel's figure moved from the entrance of the greenhouse, slowly advancing deeper. Row after row of neat little soil pits nurtured the fruits of his labor.
Late that night, Professor Sprout hurried through Hogwarts Castle, Dumbledore's words still echoing in her mind. The Savior, Harry Potter, will be enrolling this year. Dumbledore has prepared a game of challenges to train him, and he hopes I can be responsible for one of them?
Her expression was annoyed. "He called me back in such a rush just for this? My Ciel is still alone in the big manor! Poor Ciel, he must be starving."
Thinking of this, she quickly went to the Hufflepuff common room kitchen and asked the house-elves to prepare several delicious medicinal meals. As the Head of Hufflepuff, she did have this small privilege. "Ciel has always had a hard life. I need to give him a good boost."
Then, carrying the food box, she hurried away from Hogwarts. As for Dumbledore's request? It's just a children's game, what's the rush!
In the Hogwarts Headmaster's office, after learning of Professor Sprout's actions from the portraits, Dumbledore's eyes showed a hint of envy and loneliness.
"That child named Ciel Sprout," he sighed. "His appearance truly makes Pomona very happy." He seemed quite wistful.
But regarding the Sprout family's retrieval of a bloodline, Dumbledore was still quite pleased. The only thing he felt a little regret about was what he had heard from Ollivander's Wand Shop. Ciel's magical talent was indeed a bit lacking. Dumbledore had originally thought about whether he could arrange for Ciel and Harry to become good friends. Now it seemed better not to. With talent like Ciel's, he wasn't suited to participate in overly dangerous training. Let the child have a normal, ordinary but happy school life instead.
Soon, Dumbledore put the matter of Ciel out of his mind. He focused entirely on how to train the Savior.
Meanwhile, Professor Sprout had returned to the family manor. "Ciel, I'm back. You must be starving, right? I brought you medicinal meals made in the Hufflepuff common room kitchen. I'm not bragging, but the food in Hufflepuff is the best in the entire wizarding world…"
But what surprised her was that although the lights were on in the manor, it was empty. Her heart sank. Could that child, Ciel, still be in the greenhouse?
Thinking of this, she immediately quickened her pace. When she reached the outside of the greenhouse, her eyes immediately widened, and her face instantly turned pale. Even through the door, she could feel a stuffy heatwave hitting her. How high must the temperature be inside? Ciel was still in there?! He hadn't learned magic to protect against high temperatures yet. This environment could make him faint in a short time. A little longer could be fatal! And how long had it been since she left?
Professor Sprout almost fainted from fear. She quickly rushed into the greenhouse. "Ciel!!!"
But what greeted her was not the sight she feared. Ciel was still alive and kicking. He even carefully planted another Marguerite before walking towards her. "Auntie. What's wrong? Your face is so pale?"
The next moment, Ciel heard Professor Sprout's roar, which nearly shattered his eardrums. "Ciel, who told you to turn the temperature up so high?! Do you know how scared I was? You are my only family in this world! If anything were to happen to you, how would I explain it to your parents?!"
Then, Professor Sprout almost cried from the lingering fear.
Ciel was stunned for a moment, then quickly apologised guiltily. "I'm sorry, Auntie. I made you worry."
Professor Sprout then quickly waved her wand repeatedly. Several charms for protection against high temperatures were cast, isolating the stuffy heat around Ciel. After repeated checks and confirming that his body was truly fine, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ciel, don't make me worry like this next time."
Ciel said sincerely, "Okay. Next time before I turn the temperature all the way up, I'll definitely tell you. But my physique is very special, I'm really not afraid of heat. Compared to this… Auntie, what do you think of the Marguerites I planted?"
Professor Sprout was truly a bit dumbfounded. She had been so worried about him, and he was only thinking about the plants. This child, ah.
Then, her gaze fell on the rows of Marguerites Ciel had planted. Professor Sprout's expression showed a hint of astonishment. "Oh?"
She seemed to sense something, but at first, she was a little hesitant to believe it. It wasn't until she took out her wand and used a detection charm that she made a shocking discovery.
"The state of these Marguerite seeds… Perfect! If this continues, when they mature, they will be the theoretically most perfect Marguerites!"
Professor Sprout had one more thing she didn't say out loud. Although Marguerite is a common herb, Marguerites of this quality are extremely rare. So much so that their efficacy will undergo a certain degree of mutation. It can be used to concoct an ancient, rare potion. Its effect is to enhance a wizard's magical talent.
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