When Sirius mentioned the Philosopher's Stone, Ciel's eyes widened with barely concealed shock. The words hung in the air like crystalline notes, reverberating through the moonlit greenhouse.
After a moment, he steadied himself, his voice carefully measured. "The Philosopher's Stone? Isn't its function supposed to be transmuting base metals to gold and creating the Elixir of Life? How could it be related to repairing Demeter's Chalice?"
Sirius shook its massive head, firelight from distant torches flickering across its weathered features. "My King, the Philosopher's Stone's transmutation ability has indeed been misunderstood by most people as turning stones into gold. But this is merely a summary description."
The troll priest's voice carried the weight of ancient knowledge. "After all, how many alchemists throughout history could actually create a Philosopher's Stone? For such alchemists, Galleons would be worthless dung. Why would they need the Stone's transmutation ability? How could this ability be listed alongside creating the Elixir of Life as the Stone's main recognised function?"
The logic struck Ciel like lightning illuminating a storm-darkened landscape. His mind raced, connecting threads he'd never considered. "So what exactly does this transmutation ability represent?"
Sirius's eyes gleamed with the fervour of revelation. "The Philosopher's Stone can transform ordinary magical materials into those extremely precious or even extinct ancient materials. Possessing a Philosopher's Stone is equivalent to having the key to studying ancient alchemy in the modern era. This is why the Philosopher's Stone is what all alchemists dream of. In their view, this value is even greater than immortality! Only the Philosopher's Stone could repair Demeter's Chalice in this modern environment."
Understanding crashed over Ciel like a tidal wave. The original description of the Philosopher's Stone was from Harry and his friends' perspective, children who simply didn't grasp this item's true significance.
His heartbeat thundered against his ribs. Because this treasure was currently residing in Hogwarts castle, protected by trials and guardian spells. If he planned properly, he might even have a chance to...
The adventurous thought had barely formed when his brow erupted in sharp, stabbing pain. His sixth sense screamed warnings like banshees in the night, cautioning him that targeting the Philosopher's Stone would end in disaster.
Ciel crushed the bold idea before it could take root. His thoughts crystallised with cold clarity.
The Philosopher's Stone is indeed a treasure. But plotting for it means competing with Quirrell, an unavoidable element. This isn't the fragile professor from the original story who was killed by Harry's desperate touch. The danger level is astronomical.
Even if I miraculously succeeded, how could I hide it from Dumbledore? If he discovered it, I'd lose more than I gained. Not only would I fail to keep the Stone, but Dumbledore would watch me closely for years.
Furthermore, even if I risked everything to obtain it, how would I use it? Sirius might not even know. And even if he did, success isn't guaranteed. Would repairing some patterns on Demeter's Chalice really bring qualitative improvement?
The mental calculations finished in seconds. Ciel exhaled slowly, releasing the tension that had coiled through his muscles. He completely rejected any plan to target the Philosopher's Stone.
Just as he'd never exposed the World Tree root or Fire God seed in his possession. Even those two mythical-level items remained buried and hidden, unknown to anyone. Ciel refused to attempt high-risk ventures with uncertain benefits.
His current strength improvement far exceeded all expectations. This wasn't a time when desperate risks were necessary.
With this decision crystallised, peace settled over him like morning mist. His previously turbulent emotions returned to tranquil waters. He would not participate in the Philosopher's Stone matter or any trials.
After Legendary Strength's sublimation, he possessed sufficient confidence to handle whatever arrangements awaited in the Forbidden Forest. A few precious days still remained. He couldn't waste them on worry.
"Better stick to farming."
Compared to the thrilling plot developments from the original story, Ciel preferred the honest simplicity of cultivation. Having been wary of Quirrell, he hadn't tended his greenhouse in ages. The thought of returning to planting filled him with profound contentment.
Perfect timing. Now Quirrell had no opportunity to target him either. He could return to the greenhouse and continue his work. Rather than fretting over messy affairs, numerous unfinished projects awaited advancement.
Sprout Island was gradually stabilising. He could confidently leave it to Sirius and the others, then return to Hogwarts. He headed straight for the greenhouse he hadn't entered in what felt like an eternity.
Just as Ciel opened the greenhouse's protective enchantments and prepared to enter, awareness prickled along his spine. He gripped his wand and spun around.
A tall figure stood not far behind him, moonlight casting silver patterns across robes that seemed to shimmer with their own inner light.
Dumbledore regarded him with ocean-blue eyes that held depths of ancient wisdom. His expression was pleasantly serene. "Good evening, Ciel. Tonight's moonlight is beautiful. Old people like me often can't sleep, so I came out to admire the moonlight. Won't you invite me in to sit?"
Ciel's heart sank like a stone through still water. What nonsense about insomnia and coincidental encounters. Pure fabrication.
Dumbledore actively seeking him at this hour undoubtedly meant one thing: trouble approaching on silent wings.
I, Ciel Sprout, only want a peaceful life. Plant some flowers, grow some trees, then become invincible. Why do things always conspire against my wishes?
But facing Dumbledore left no alternatives. He reluctantly gestured for the Headmaster to enter the greenhouse, wondering what designs the White Lord harboured.
Upon entering, Dumbledore first examined the plants flourishing within. Amazement played across his features. During the previous academic evaluation, he'd observed several variant plants. But now, after most of a semester, the greenhouse's variant collection seemed to have multiplied exponentially.
His gaze swept over Whomping Willow cuttings planted in rich soil, then locked onto shadows in the greenhouse's darker corners. Hidden within those shadows, the Shade suddenly felt completely exposed under this white-haired elder's penetrating stare. Ancient shadow magic seemed powerless to conceal his presence, triggering waves of instinctual crisis.
Ciel felt utterly helpless. His greenhouse's secrets lay nearly half-exposed to Dumbledore's piercing attention.
The Headmaster withdrew his gaze, fixing Ciel with eyes that sparkled with strange inner light. Snape's evaluation had indeed been accurate. This little badger possessed truly remarkable Herbology talent.
This observation seemed to strengthen Dumbledore's resolve. After expressing genuine amazement, he spoke with warmth. "Ciel, I've heard from several professors that your performance this year has been quite outstanding, far exceeding first-year expectations. It seems Hogwarts is very fortunate to have gained such a rare genius wizard."
Other young wizards would probably be dizzy from such opening praise from the legendary Headmaster. But Ciel wasn't mentally a child. Moreover, his previous life had accustomed him to advisor manipulation tactics.
When advisors praised you, nothing beneficial usually followed. Most likely, you'd be assigned to demanding corporate collaboration projects, leaving minimal time for personal pursuits. Dumbledore was probably craftier than his previous life's advisor.
Ciel wouldn't fall for such transparent flattery. After Dumbledore's praise, he adopted a bashful expression, waving his hands repeatedly as if embarrassed by the attention.
Dumbledore's demeanour settled slightly. Still just a young wizard, after all. The conversation seemed off to a promising start. He could transition to the main topic.
But before Dumbledore could continue, Ciel burst out with "revelations" that made the Headmaster's eyes widen in astonishment:
"Headmaster, your praise is truly undeserved. The professors' evaluations have reasons behind them. I gave gifts to professors; for those who wouldn't accept gifts, I had my aunt intercede. After all, I have a Hufflepuff Head of House as an aunt. Professors have to show some courtesy, making my first year considerably easier."
Ciel even sighed wistfully. "Having connections is wonderful. Oh, right, Headmaster. Cough cough, I'm growing a batch of excellent Charapa Grass. When it matures, shall I give you some? Please take care of me afterward."
Dumbledore stood frozen, his carefully prepared words suddenly lodged in his throat like stones. He didn't know how to proceed. His voice emerged dry and uncertain. "Ciel, such thinking is unacceptable. In this life, one must rely on personal effort..."
Ciel immediately agreed with enthusiastic fervour: "Right, right, absolutely right! Excellent point, Headmaster. Of course one must rely on personal effort in this life. But one must also consider the historical process. My aunt is my foundation, and the new era of the magical world under your leadership, Headmaster Dumbledore, provides the environment allowing me to thrive!"
Ciel then launched into passionate discourse about the magical world's golden age under Dumbledore's guidance. For several bewildering minutes, Dumbledore felt as though he'd stumbled into some Ministry meeting filled with bureaucratic rhetoric.
The experience left him completely nonplussed. After recovering his composure, he regarded Ciel with a distinctly strange expression.
Ciel remained unfazed by the awkwardness. If he wasn't embarrassed, then Dumbledore would be. He gazed at the Headmaster with innocent, confused eyes that seemed to ask what was wrong.
After a moment's standoff, Dumbledore drew a deep breath and attempted a different approach. "Ciel, I think you already know about this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts exam being held in the Forbidden Forest. But there's another matter: students with previous disciplinary actions who need to patrol the Forbidden Forest at term's end will have their punishment incorporated into this exam."
His voice carried earnest gravity. "These students will enter the Forbidden Forest examination site through another entrance. That means you, Harry, Hermione, and Ron will be together this time. I believe you understand how dangerous the Forbidden Forest is. Mutual assistance is necessary for your survival. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. The strong should strive to protect the weak. Do you agree?"
Dumbledore expected hesitation and internal struggle. But unexpectedly, Ciel nodded with complete approval:
"Absolutely right. You make excellent points, Headmaster. The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. The smaller the ability, the smaller the responsibility. Of course the strong should strive to protect the weak."
Relief flooded Dumbledore's features. Indeed, still a kind, honest little badger. He wouldn't ignore classmates' danger, even though Pomona would probably duel him if she knew about this arrangement. Quirrell's machinations had truly disrupted all careful plans, forcing hasty improvisations.
Joy brightened his expression. "That's wonderful. With your protection of Harry and the others..."
But before finishing, he watched Ciel leap up in apparent shock, his voice rising eight octaves: "What did you say, Headmaster? You're mistaken, right? Me protect Harry and the others? Didn't you mean Harry and the others should protect me?"
Dumbledore's mouth fell open. "Ah? No... when did I ever suggest such things?"
Ciel spoke with perfect matter-of-fact logic: "Didn't you just say the strong should protect the weak? If I enter the Forbidden Forest with Harry and the other three, it's three versus one, right? And they're Gryffindors, brave and fearless. I'm just an honest, weak Hufflepuff."
His reasoning continued relentlessly. "Three Gryffindors stronger than one Hufflepuff makes perfect sense, so they're the strong ones and I'm weak. Of course I should be the protected party."
Before Dumbledore could respond, Ciel pressed forward: "As for 'greater ability, greater responsibility', considering capability levels, I should naturally bear the least responsibility in this team. Harry Potter, the famous saviour who once defeated You-Know-Who. His ability is strongest, responsibility greatest – no problem there, right?"
"Ron Weasley, a child who grew up in the magical world. His mother is Molly Prewett, from the famous Prewett family. Her brothers fought the Dark Lord. Growing up in such an environment, Ron's ability must exceed mine, someone raised in the Muggle world. So Ron's ability is second, responsibility second, no problem there."
"As for Hermione Granger, she's Gryffindor's know-it-all! I only know Herbology, but she knows so much more, so her ability exceeds mine too. Therefore, Hermione's ability ranks third, and responsibility third."
Ciel's voice grew plaintive. "As for me, everyone knows my magical talent barely scraped by for Hogwarts admission. Forget comparing with these excellent students; my talent ranks lowest in all of Hogwarts. Smallest ability naturally means smallest responsibility and being the protected party."
He gazed at Dumbledore with theatrical terror: "Headmaster Dumbledore! You're not planning to have me, the numerically smallest, weakest party, protect Harry and the others? I'm just a weak, pitiful, helpless little badger! I'm completely unfamiliar with the Forbidden Forest. Just thinking about it makes me want to wet myself!"
Dumbledore stared at Ciel speechlessly for long moments. He swore he'd never encountered such a little badger. Acting! Keep acting!
He'd already made enquiries; Ciel's magical prowess was incomparable to Harry and the others. Yet he described himself as utterly pitiful and weak. How had Hufflepuff produced such a specimen?
But then Dumbledore remembered something. Ciel had struggled in the Muggle world for years, working as child labour in nurseries from an early age until eleven. Even Harry hadn't experienced such a difficult childhood. At least Harry had shelter without daily struggles for basic sustenance.
Perhaps such harsh existence had made Ciel so cautious and vigilant. Guilt crept through Dumbledore's conscience. Wanting this child to undertake such dangerous work seemed truly excessive.
But given current circumstances, Quirrell might very well target isolated Harry and his friends. In the Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts' protective enchantments would weaken significantly. If Harry died there... all subsequent arrangements would crumble. Even the chance to completely eliminate Voldemort would be lost.
This possibility sharpened Dumbledore's gaze like winter steel. As he pondered how to persuade Ciel to help protect Harry, Ciel was conducting his own calculations.
From the beginning, seeing Dumbledore seek him out, Ciel knew this matter probably couldn't be avoided. When Dumbledore was determined to accomplish something, probably no one in the magical world possessed sufficient power to resist.
That the legendary White Lord had been forced to this point, directly approaching him, meant alternatives had grown desperately scarce. Therefore, Ciel didn't really have choices.
What he could do was negotiate greater benefits for himself. If protecting Harry's trio in the Forbidden Forest was inevitable, that wouldn't be impossible. But he absolutely wouldn't do it for free.
The worst thing in this world was unpaid labour. Accepting exploitation from the start meant future exploitation would multiply exponentially. Ciel refused to become Harry's trio's perpetual guardian year after year.
Even the White Lord had to compensate properly!
But successful negotiation required finesse. Soon after, before Dumbledore could speak, Ciel shifted direction:
"But you're absolutely right, Headmaster. Mutual assistance is how we'll survive in the Forbidden Forest. We Hufflepuffs can't abandon classmates. Harry, he's our magical world's saviour. Hermione, a promising academic star. As for annoying Ron, he's still a life."
His voice grew solemn with noble purpose. "They're all my classmates. Harry and Ron might even be distant relatives; blood runs thicker than water. Even risking my life as the Sprout family's only heir, I must bring them all safely out of the Forbidden Forest. A person may die, either weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather..."
Warmth flooded Dumbledore's gaze as he observed Ciel. Guilt expanded in his heart like spreading ink. Though this child had experienced hardship and developed defensive wariness, he still maintained his core Hufflepuff nature. Good child!
And Ciel's phrase "Sprout family's only heir" stirred something in Dumbledore's conscience. He should contribute something himself. Otherwise, he'd be truly despicable.
So as Ciel was solemnly reciting, "If it benefits the magical world's survival, why avoid it due to fortune or misfortune?" Dumbledore declared with sudden resolve:
"I won't let you protect Harry and the others for nothing. Hmm... there must be payment!"
Dumbledore's gaze fell on the Patronus Tree flourishing in the greenhouse. After brief contemplation, he raised the Elder Wand with practised grace:
"Expecto Patronum!"
Immediately, a brilliant phoenix song rang through the air like celestial music. A magnificent silver phoenix, radiating sacred magic that seemed to purify the very atmosphere, spread wings of pure light from his wand tip.
Shock crashed through Ciel's mind like thunderbolts splitting a clear sky. In his enhanced perception, Dumbledore's Patronus Charm blazed like a silver, sacred moon. Its radiance flooded everything in the greenhouse until only supremely powerful sacred magic remained around them.
This is... Dumbledore's true magic?
Previous impressions from text and films seemed pale shadows compared to this overwhelming reality. No wonder even elite wizards like Snape couldn't muster resistance against Dumbledore. Even Voldemort avoided direct confrontation with this legendary figure, even after his return.
This wizard, combined with his Elder Wand, was terrifying beyond imagination. Ciel suspected Dumbledore might be the magical world's wizard closest to the Mythical level. And possibly not just one magic approaching that transcendent tier!
After eternity compressed into moments, Ciel recovered from his awe. He followed Dumbledore's phoenix Patronus as it descended toward the Patronus Tree like a falling star.
Wonder unfolded before his eyes. When the phoenix Patronus alighted on the tree, its supremely powerful sacred magic enveloped the plant like divine benediction. In Ciel's vision, the reward orbs expanded with visible acceleration, and what had needed another month of growth was racing toward completion.
But this wasn't the most dramatic transformation. As sacred power poured into the tree, the reward orbs' colour began rapidly ascending from silver. Gold level. Platinum level. Until platinum radiance showed scattered diamond glimmers like captured starlight.
This breathtaking change finally stabilised gradually. Even having witnessed countless shocking scenes, Ciel couldn't prevent his eyes from widening like saucers: "This... what is this?"
Dumbledore exhaled softly, magical exhaustion evident in his posture. His smile carried gentle satisfaction. "Patronus Trees are inherently sacred trees blessed with divine magic that resists Dark Arts. Coincidentally, I have some research into sacred magic. I hope this Patronus Tree helps you."
Gazing at those twenty-plus reward orbs blazing with platinum and diamond radiance, Ciel's eyes burnt with barely contained fervour. This was a top-tier magical world wizard in action. Just allowing tiny fragments to slip through his fingers could make ordinary people rich beyond measure.
System information cascaded before Ciel's vision, making his heart race like galloping horses:
[Your cultivated Patronus Tree has been influenced by Legendary-level sacred magic sublimated three times.]
[Your cultivated Patronus Tree has been influenced by Mythical-level magic.]
[Patronus Tree reward level greatly improved]
[When Patronus Tree matures, you can receive rewards:]
[Defence Against Dark Arts Mastery (between Platinum and Diamond levels)]
[Dark Magic Resistance (Gold level)]
[Occlumency Enhancement (Gold level)]
[Patronus Charm Enhancement (Silver level)]
Staring at this dense cascade of magnificent information, Ciel's mind contained only one crystalline thought:
Dumbledore's coattails… absolutely divine!