Staring at the information on the system panel, especially the words "World Tree," Robert felt as if lightning had struck his soul.
Even after witnessing the Whomping Willow—a plant capable of granting Epic Level rewards—what he saw now sent chills down his spine. Goosebumps spread across his back as his mind went completely blank.
It took him a long while to regain his composure. His eyes widened in disbelief, staring intently as if to confirm he hadn't misread it.
After several rounds of double-checking, Robert clenched his fist tightly.
"World Tree?"
Legends told of a giant ash tree whose roots penetrated the three major realms and whose branches touched nine different worlds. It was known as the cornerstone of all existence.
"Odin hung himself upon it for nine days and nights, sacrificing one eye to obtain the runes."
"The Gungnir spear was crafted from one of its branches."
"And beneath the tree, the dragon Níðhöggr eternally gnawed at its roots."
"When the World Tree falls, Ragnarök will come."
Fragments of Norse mythology flashed through Robert's mind from both his current and past life.
He stared at the root before him, heart pounding like a drum.
If this was truly part of the fabled World Tree, then without a doubt—it was a Mythical Level plant.
The strongest plant he had ever encountered. The Whomping Willow? Completely outclassed.
The gap between Epic and Legendary was vast. But above Legendary stood the Mythical tier—an existence rarely touched in the magical world.
Could this be the only Mythical plant in existence?
His eyes sparkled with fervent excitement.
"I thought I came to the Ministry of Magic's secret vault to dig through trash…"
"Yet I find a treasure of this magnitude?"
His gaze drifted to his wand—made of ash wood.
The World Tree was also described as an ash tree.
Could there be a link between them?
He shook his head, dismissing the speculation. Mystical thoughts would only distract him now. What mattered most was securing the root.
The problem?
It wouldn't budge.
Despite his efforts, spells like Levitation Charm and Incarcerous had no effect. The moment they touched the root, the magic simply dissipated.
Even if Professors Sprout, Snape, and Flitwick all cast spells together, Robert suspected they still couldn't move it.
Maybe only Dumbledore, with the Elder Wand, could manage such a feat.
After another failed attempt, Robert exhaled slowly and put his wand away.
"Magic won't move this."
"But what about strength?"
"Legendary life? Legendary power?"
Robert braced himself, solemnly reaching out to grip the massive root with both hands.
Veins popped along his arms as he summoned his full strength, enhanced by his Legendary Level physique.
At that moment, it was as though an ancient Titan had risen from myth, feet rooted to the earth and hands pushing against the sky.
The root trembled slightly.
It moved—a tiny, almost imperceptible shift.
Robert's face flushed red from exertion.
It felt like lifting a mountain.
Even with Legendary abilities, it was nearly impossible to lift the root.
The disparity between Legendary and Mythical was staggering.
After holding on for a moment, he gave up and carefully lowered it.
No point in forcing it. He wasn't ready for this yet.
He would need Mythical strength or Mythical vitality to truly wield it.
Just then, the weight in his hands vanished.
The root that had seemed immovable a second ago now felt light—feather-light.
He lifted it with ease.
Stunned, Robert looked down, confused.
Had his earlier strength triggered something?
Had the World Tree root recognized his effort and chosen to follow him?
Shaking his head with a wry smile, he gave up on theorizing.
Mythical beings were beyond comprehension.
Still, if it could be carried out, there was no reason to leave it behind.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his emotions and grabbed a small silver bucket nearby along with the root.
His cheeks were still red from the exertion as he exited the secret vault.
Outside, Minister Fudge greeted him with a smile.
"Find anything, child?"
With visible irritation, Robert tossed the bucket and the root onto the ground.
"Find anything?"
"I dug through literal piles of junk!"
"I only found this broken bucket after exhausting myself!"
"And I tripped over this stupid branch on the way out!"
"This secret vault of yours is nothing but a scam!"
Fudge chuckled.
"Now, now. That silver bucket may once have belonged to a Herbology Master."
"And that branch? You tripping over it… might be fate."
"You, Robert Sprout, were meant to find them."
"Call it divination if you will. My Divination grade was zero back in school, but even I can tell this is a good omen."
Robert's anger eased. He asked, a bit hopeful, "Really?"
Fudge smiled inwardly.
So gullible.
So easy to pacify.
A few sweet words, and the boy was as calm as a pond.
He hadn't even taken Divination in school, but the lie worked like a charm.
"Minister, I may have misunderstood you earlier."
"About this root and bucket—"
"They're yours," Fudge said warmly, cutting him off. "Take them."
Robert looked delighted. "How can I accept—Thank you, Minister!"
As Robert left the Ministry, a smirk tugged at Fudge's lips.
The matter with the Sprout Family was resolved far more cheaply than expected.
A hundred potions, a rusty bucket, and a root no one wanted.
A major profit.
Meanwhile, Robert also felt the same.
"Unlimited Devil's Snare potions."
"A usable alchemical item."
"And a section of the World Tree root."
"This isn't profit. This is a fortune!"
Back at the Sprout Family, he rushed into the library.
As a famed Herbology family, their collection was filled with ancient records.
Digging through ancestral travelogues, he found one with cryptic notes:
"Connecting heaven and earth…"
"Unimaginably vast…"
"Can such a tree truly exist?"
"Merlin above—this must be—"
Excited, Robert turned the page—only to find it torn.
The next page had been removed long ago.
Disappointed, he still believed this record could be linked to the World Tree.
Perhaps Professor Sprout would know?
He approached her study.
"Aunt, I found a travelogue. I'd like to ask about it."
Sprout welcomed him warmly. "Ask anything."
But when he showed her the torn page and suggested it might refer to the World Tree, her expression turned stern.
"Robert."
"The World Tree is a myth. A dangerous one."
She explained how countless Herbologists had pursued it, only to meet ruin.
They ventured into perilous lands, lost their lives, and left Herbology in chaos.
Promising talents wasted their lives chasing illusions.
Eventually, the mere mention of the World Tree was enough to brand someone a fraud.
"This legend is a curse on Herbology," she said firmly.
"Forget about it."
"You can read more in the Restricted Section once you're in third year—but until then, don't pursue this."
Her words shook Robert.
He nodded solemnly.
Indeed, she was right.
If someone learned he possessed the World Tree root, chaos would erupt.
There were still too many powerful beings hidden in the magical world.
"I was too excited."
"This thing is far beyond me."
What could he even do with it now?
He hadn't even fully developed the Whomping Willow project.
"If I can't plant it, what's the use?"
"It would only bring danger."
He thought of Hagrid, who'd been suspected of raising a dragon egg just because he read about it in the library.
No wall was without cracks.
Sooner or later, someone would find out.
He made a decision.
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
He took the World Tree root far into the wilderness and buried it deep underground.
After carefully marking the location, he walked away—without looking back.
He returned to the greenhouse and resumed tending his margarets and checking their reactions to the Levitation Charm.
Daily work brought peace.
As for the World Tree?
He buried it not just in the ground—but deep in his heart.
Professor Sprout, watching from outside, finally relaxed.
Checking the time, she said gently:
"Robert, the holidays are over. Time to return to school."
His heart stirred.
New term.
New plot.
New goals.
He stepped into the green flames of Floo Powder—
And emerged into the Hufflepuff common room.
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