Looking at the sprouted Guardian Tree seed in his hand, Ciel held his breath. Planting the sprouted seed from the potion into the soil was the most difficult step. But as long as it succeeded, the subsequent cultivation would be much simpler.
Even without watering it with Sacred Tree Potion, with good luck, the Guardian Tree could still mature. It would just be a difference in growth condition.
Although Ciel hadn't actually performed this step, he had already simulated it countless times in his mind. At this moment, numerous details and precautions surfaced in his consciousness. The joy of the Lumos Charm and Night Vision ability advancing to Platinum Tier faded away, replaced by an unprecedented, ice-like clarity.
Time began to slow down. Ciel entered the flow state again.
Besides planting this Guardian Tree seed, into which he had poured countless efforts, there were no other distracting thoughts.
Click.
The Deluminator opened. All surrounding light, no matter how faint, was sucked into it, leaving Ciel in a pure darkness. But with the effect of the Platinum-Tier Night Vision ability, he was like a fish in water. The world before him became exceptionally clear and transparent. He could also use this ability to see that points of magical light emitting a sacred aura were escaping from the Guardian Tree seed.
Ciel then slowly immersed his head in a transparent water tank full of water. Underwater Enhancement immediately took effect. On the system panel, a touch of golden light was born in the silver luster of the Magical Perception Enhancement text.
Ciel's perception of magic rose another level. The magic in the Guardian Tree seed became clearer than ever before.
And in that instant, Ciel began to act without hesitation. The tip of his wand lightly tapped the test tube. His own magic vibrated the potion, awakening the dormant seed within.
This process was somewhat similar to the initial processing of the seed, but in reality, it was much more complex. At this moment, within the Guardian Tree seed, Ciel's magic, the seed's own sacred magic, and the potion's magic were intertwined. In Ciel's sight, he could see three types of magical light points intertwined and mixed.
He had to carefully vibrate the potion's magic out while maintaining a delicate balance between his own magic and the Guardian Tree's sacred magic. Fortunately, he had the assistance of the qualitatively changed Night Vision ability. Otherwise, with his current magical perception, he would still be quite far from achieving this step.
However, Ciel couldn't be said to be relaxed at this moment either. Each tap of the wand made the magic's complexity rise to another level. Ciel had to focus all his attention on it, grasping every subtle change to ensure no mistakes were made. This was a huge mental burden for him.
With just a few wand taps, fine beads of sweat had already appeared on Ciel's forehead. And this was just the beginning.
As time passed minute by minute, the magic within the Guardian Tree seed became more and more complex. Each tap of Ciel's wand had to be done with extreme care. He could no longer afford any distraction. The mental pressure was so great that veins bulged on Ciel's temples. His head was throbbing. For many years, he had not experienced this feeling of mental exhaustion.
He didn't know how much time had passed. Fortunately, Ciel could feel that this step was nearing its end.
After a brief pause, Ciel seized a moment when the magic in the Guardian Tree seed was at its most coordinated. After another tap of the wand, he reached into the potion bottle and lightly touched the seed. The roots growing from it now emitted an exceptionally strong vitality and sacred magic.
Ciel didn't hesitate for a moment. His wand pointed at a patch of experimental field in front of him. After thousands of practices, the Soil-Loosening Charm was used by Ciel almost instinctively, even when his head was splitting with pain.
As the soil moved, Ciel carefully placed the Guardian Tree seed into the soil, letting it be slowly covered by the earth. At this time, his spirit was stretched to the limit.
Success? Or failure?
After a moment, on this piece of land, a faint reward orb reappeared. A line of notification also suddenly appeared before Ciel's eyes.
[You have successfully planted the Guardian Tree]
[Reward available—Defense Against the Dark Arts Insight Enhancement (Bronze Tier)]
[After the Guardian Tree matures, the reward will be upgraded to—Defense Against the Dark Arts Insight Enhancement (Silver Tier), Minor Dark Magic Resistance (Black Iron Tier)]
Seeing this scene, Ciel's mind suddenly relaxed. He had succeeded. His cultivation of the Guardian Tree had entered the final stage. Next, he just needed to brew the Sacred Tree Potion and use it to regularly water the tree. After waiting for a period of time, the Guardian Tree would mature!
At this moment, a full sense of accomplishment emerged in Ciel's heart. Even though he had previously planted the Elber tree, whose reward level was far higher than the Guardian Tree, and the Piranha Algae of the same level, those did not rely on true herbology mastery. But the success of this planting meant that Ciel had truly taken a milestone step in his herbology career.
And considering the time needed for the Guardian Tree to mature, at the latest by the end of his first year, Ciel would be able to harvest a batch of rewards from it! By then, his Defense Against the Dark Arts and dark magic resistance could be greatly improved!
"Ha. Hahaha..."
Ciel couldn't help but laugh out loud. But the laughter only lasted for a few seconds. It weakened, and was replaced by Ciel's even breathing. This process had completely drained his spirit. Ciel hadn't been this sleepy in many years. The moment the tense state passed, he actually fell asleep standing up in the greenhouse.
The night was deep. The moon was like water. A figure walked briskly towards the greenhouse. It was Professor Sprout. She had come to the greenhouse at this time to get some herbs for Quirrell's boils. Boils caused by Giant Slothflower could only be cured with specific herbs. Now that it was late at night, it was the best time to brew the antidote.
After Professor Sprout opened the greenhouse door, she saw Ciel in the experimental field. Professor Sprout's eyes showed a look of heartache.
"This child... still in the greenhouse at this hour."
Professor Sprout walked over quickly. "Ciel. Don't stay here. Go back and rest."
But Ciel didn't react to her words. And after Professor Sprout gently patted him, Ciel fell directly into the experimental field. At that moment, Professor Sprout's heart almost stopped. Fortunately, Ciel then let out a light snore. This made her breathe a sigh of relief.
"How did he get so tired?" This was the first time Professor Sprout had seen Ciel so exhausted. "What did Ciel do? Taking care of these plants should be very easy for him."
Subconsciously, Professor Sprout looked at where Ciel had been standing. When she felt the sacred magic brewing under that piece of soil, her eyes suddenly burst with shocked brilliance.
"This is..."
She was speechless for a long time. Standing there, her heart was in turmoil. Suddenly, Professor Sprout seemed to have a thousand-pound weight lifted from her shoulders. She let out a sound that was more like crying than laughing.
"The Sprout family... has a successor. My Ciel really has legendary potential!"
She immediately and carefully helped Ciel to a resting room in the greenhouse. She carefully wiped the dirt from his face. As for the herbs needed to heal Quirrell's injuries...
"Anyway, I can't leave Ciel at this time. What if he catches a cold? Poor Professor Quirrell. I'll take the blame for missing the treatment time."
Meanwhile, on the hospital wing bed, Quirrell was closing his eyes. But in his mind, he was carefully reporting his progress to Voldemort.
Voldemort's voice was cold. "So you're saying, during the time I was dormant, you didn't even get past the first guardian of the Philosopher's Stone? And today you were even tricked by the Weasley twins' trap. Quirrell, you have disappointed me greatly."
Quirrell shivered. He quickly explained humbly, "Master, I have already thought of a way to get past the three-headed dog. Ciel Sprout, that boy surely has mixed giant blood. I can find an opportunity to persuade him to work for me, let him hold off the three-headed dog, and I can enter the subsequent levels."
Hearing "mixed giant," Voldemort snorted coldly, remembering Hagrid from his school days whom he had framed. "So many years, and Hogwarts has another mixed giant? The magical world is tainted again."
However, Voldemort did not deny Quirrell's plan. Mixed giants were easy to use. He knew that from back then. He thought Quirrell should be able to smoothly use this little badger.
Quirrell also sensed the change in Voldemort's attitude. He let out a slight sigh of relief. At this time, the pain from the Fanged Geranium bites, mixed with the unbearable itching from the Giant Slothflower, made his expression twist. He really wanted to scratch! But even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare scratch the back of Voldemort's head. He could only endure it.
Damn it, why is that woman Sprout so slow? Didn't she go to get herbs for me? Why hasn't she come back yet? The best treatment time is almost over!
At this time, Snape, enduring the stench outside the door, frowned. His already irritable mood became even more so. He was now sure that Quirrell was definitely up to something. But that old fool Dumbledore, for the sake of the Boy Who Lived's little game, kept pretending not to know. He even told Snape to heal Quirrell quickly so as not to delay his "progress."
At this moment, Snape said coldly into the ward, "I don't know what's holding Pomona up. I'll go directly to the greenhouse and brew the potion there." Then he left impatiently.
In the ward, Quirrell hadn't spoken yet. But Voldemort spoke up. His voice held some praise for Snape. "Severus has gone. Then there should be no problem. He has always been competent."
Quirrell paused. His heart immediately felt sour. Snape had already defected to Dumbledore, why were you still praising him, Dark Lord? I'm your man!
This also made Quirrell more determined. When he could move again, he must quickly deal with that little badger, Ciel. He had to perform well in front of the Dark Lord! This time, he wouldn't argue with Snape. When the Dark Lord rises again, he would show him who was the most competent subordinate!
At this time, Snape had arrived at the greenhouse. He happened to see Professor Sprout picking some herbs in the field. He frowned and said irritably, "Pomona, those aren't the herbs needed to treat Giant Slothflower. What are you doing? The best time to treat Quirrell is almost over. If we miss this good time to brew the potion, he'll have to wait several more days to recover. You know, Dumbledore doesn't want that."
Seeing Snape, Professor Sprout showed a look of joy. "Severus, you've come at the right time. Ciel has made a breakthrough in herbology, but he has expended too much energy and actually fell asleep standing up. I want to brew some potions for him to restore his spirit and improve his sleep quality. You're here just in time, help me."
Hearing this, Snape was also surprised. He quickly walked to the bed, looking at Ciel, who looked somewhat pale and tired and was sound asleep. His heart was filled with complex feelings. He had never seen the energetic Ciel look like this.
But he had Dumbledore's task, to heal Quirrell... The hesitation in his mind only lasted for a moment. Snape remembered the scene where Ciel unhesitatingly cut his finger to heal his three-headed dog bite. Thinking again of Quirrell's state, Snape's brow twitched for a moment, and he made a decision.
"Anyway, it's not a big deal to let him suffer a little. Let him suffer a bit more. Let's call Madam Pomfrey over too." Then Snape immediately threw himself into brewing recovery potions for Ciel.
In the ward, Quirrell spent his days in agonizing itching. From night until the sky brightened, and then until the sun shone into the ward. But he couldn't see Professor Sprout or Snape's shadow. Even Madam Pomfrey, who would regularly bring him painkillers and anti-itch ointment, was nowhere to be seen.
Quirrell sat dumbly on the bed. "No... didn't you say you'd be back soon? Didn't you say you'd treat me? Where are they!"
After a long while, Quirrell, unable to bear the itching, called out to Voldemort for help. "Master, Pomona and Severus are too unreliable. Can you help me? If I heal earlier, I can execute the plan earlier."
But at this time, Voldemort's cold voice sounded in Quirrell's mind. He rejected Quirrell without hesitation.
"It's Dumbledore. It must be that old fool. It's a test he arranged. I can help you with dark magic, but it's very likely that old fool will find out. This insidious and cunning old fool, just like back then! I won't fall for it."
Quirrell felt a wave of despair. "Then, what should I do, Master..."
Voldemort's voice was unusually gentle and encouraging. "Then we can only let you suffer a little first. Endure it. Oh right, I'm going to sleep. You can take my share of the suffering too."
The next moment, Voldemort's voice disappeared, leaving only Quirrell staring blankly at the ceiling.
"What?!"
[Chapter Complete]
***
Want more? Check out my Patreon for:
✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories
✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics
✓ Early access content www.p@treon.com/meowthtl
💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!
Thanks for reading and supporting the story!