A hollow in the Forbidden Forest.
Aragog, as large as an elephant, patrolled his territory at a steady pace.
His once grayish-white body had gradually deepened to a rich purple, and the roots of his bristles had turned from white to black.
A clear light shone in his eight eyes, completely unlike the dull, lifeless look they had had a few months ago.
A sensation of hunger rose from his stomach. Aragog shook his head and prepared to hunt in the forest.
In the past, his descendants would offer him prey, but after his body recovered and his eyesight returned, Aragog began hunting on his own again.
He enjoyed the thrill of lurking and pursuit. With abundant vitality surging through him, Aragog was no longer willing to remain in that dark, tedious cave.
"How have you been lately, Aragog?"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded behind him, and Aragog was not surprised.
As he swiftly turned his massive body, his mandibles scraped together, producing a hoarse, metallic sound.
"Thank you for your concern, Lucien," he said.
"I feel excellent these days."
Every week or two, Aragog received a drop of crystal-clear liquid from Lucien. He did not know what it was, but after consuming it, he could feel a powerful vitality taking root within him.
So Aragog's gratitude toward Lucien was genuine.
After having withered into decrepitude, he had gradually regained his former health and vitality.
No creature could resist such an irresistible experience and sensation.
Lucien nodded.
"That's good."
Judging from Aragog's continued recovery, long-term use of qilin saliva could indeed restore vitality.
If it were qilin blood, the effect should be even better.
Well, a carrot-and-stick approach was the correct choice.
After the initial display of force, offering benefits would naturally make Aragog so "docile."
Of course, it was also because Aragog's intelligence was not low. He could communicate with humans and was quite adept at reading the situation.
Newt, standing nearby, observed the giant, aged Acromantula.
Based on his outward appearance and size, Newt judged that this Acromantula had lived for at least forty years.
Yet Aragog's condition exceeded Newt's expectations. He was still remarkably agile, his reactions were sharp, and he was so healthy that he hardly resembled an Acromantula of his age.
According to Newt's experience, an Acromantula's physical condition would begin to decline after the age of thirty, and by forty it should already be extremely old and decrepit.
Moreover, Aragog's attitude was unusually "gentle." One had to remember that this species was notoriously cruel and violent, a dangerous presence to both wizards and magical creatures.
Turning to look at Lucien and seeing that even a creature like an Acromantula showed goodwill toward this child, Newt became even more convinced of his judgment.
Accompanied by Lucien, Newt had a brief conversation with Aragog, discussing topics such as his usual range of activity, types of food, and the size of his colony.
Then, under Aragog's guidance, they toured the Acromantula's territory, and Newt also saw Acromantulas of various age groups.
Now he understood even better why Lucien had been able to record such detailed information about the Acromantulas back then.
At first, when he heard about it, he had been somewhat skeptical. How could an Acromantula colony develop in the Forbidden Forest in just a few decades? A gathering on this scale was unprecedented in Scotland.
After the tour, Newt and Lucien left the hollow.
They continued searching for other magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest as they chatted.
"Mr. Newt, do you have any thoughts on these Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest?"
"They are all growing very well, and the colony is developing very strongly—or rather, too strongly."
Lucien understood Newt's meaning. Acromantulas are highly dangerous creatures, posing a serious threat to other magical animals.
Furthermore, what Newt did not know but Lucien did was that the source of these Acromantulas, Aragog and his mate, had been released into the Forbidden Forest by Hagrid.
Strictly speaking, they were an invasive species, disrupting the original ecosystem of the Forbidden Forest.
"So, you mean relocating all the Acromantulas to their original habitat?"
Newt nodded, then shook his head.
"For the sake of the local ecosystem, they should indeed be relocated, but they won't all be moved at once…"
The two discussed the matter for some time, and when Newt suggested that Lucien help monitor the Acromantula colony and assist with the subsequent relocation of the species, Lucien readily agreed.
After all, he often came to visit Aragog and observe the effects of qilin saliva on him, so he was already carrying out monitoring work.
As for relocating the species, Lucien was also very much in favor. He had adopted some Acromantulas earlier, not only for the convenience of venom collection but also to control their numbers and try to slow their expansion.
Now that Newt shared this idea, it would be a good favor to do.
Seeing Lucien agree so readily, Newt was also very pleased. He also had a small personal motive.
He wanted Lucien to get a taste of magical creature conservation work first. Perhaps once he started, he would continue after graduation.
By now, Newt had recovered from his initial shock at the fact that Lucien was only a first-year wizard.
So he came to understand Lucien's talent even more clearly.
Dumbledore said that Lucien was suited to be a teacher. Newt did not quite understand that, but he knew that in the field of magical creatures, Lucien was absolutely an indispensable talent.
Teaching and educating people was important, but there were also many magical creatures in the world that needed help.
As for magical creature protection laws, Newt felt he had already pushed them forward to a great extent, yet successors were still needed in this field.
"Mr. Newt, I've heard that you care for many magical creatures."
"If possible, may I have the honor of observing them? I'm very interested in these magical creatures."
Newt's case contained an astonishing number of magical creatures, and Lucien wanted to study magical creature Transfiguration, so it would be best to first observe and record a large quantity of magical circuits.
Moreover, aside from the renowned magical creature expert standing before him, there was no one else in the world who could quickly meet this requirement.
Lucien slipped one hand into his pocket, gripping a small slate inside, as faint black whirlpools appeared in his eyes.
Hearing Lucien's request, Newt was overjoyed. Interest was a wonderful thing.
"Of course. No problem."
Newt set the case he was carrying on the ground and opened it with a click.
A ladder extended out from inside the case.
Newt entered the case first, then extended a hand and beckoned to Lucien.
"Oh, and let Lumen come along too. He might find it interesting."
Lucien had originally intended for Lumen to stay outside, but since Newt actively invited him, he said nothing more.
Indeed, for something as large and unfamiliar as a suitcase, the wild beasts or magical creatures here probably did not have the habit of casually picking things up.
After all, they were not humans.
Lucien and Lumen entered the world inside the case, following Newt through a workshop piled with various tools, medicinal ingredients, and food.
As they walked, the view suddenly opened up.
A vast, boundless African savanna appeared before Lucien's eyes.
A gentle breeze blew across the land, causing the wild grasses and vegetation to sway ceaselessly.
Suddenly, Lucien's sharp intuition sounded a warning.
He looked toward the source of danger. Atop a rocky outcrop lay a massive leopard, its body covered in bristling spikes, the air sacs around its neck slowly expanding and contracting.
The leopard, which had seemed lazy and indifferent, had clearly noticed the unfamiliar visitors, and its dull black eyes turned toward Lucien.
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly, the whirlpools within them spinning rapidly.
A Nundu!
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