In a clearing of the Forbidden Forest, Aragog, as massive as an elephant, patrolled its territory with steady steps.
Its once grayish-white body was gradually turning a deep purple, the roots of its hair shifting from white to black.
A newfound brightness gleamed in all eight of its eyes, a stark contrast to the dull, faded look they'd had just months ago.
A pang of hunger rumbled in its abdomen. Aragog shook its head, ready to hunt in the forest.
Before, its descendants had brought it food, but now, with its health restored and eyesight sharpened, Aragog had taken to hunting again.
It relished the thrill of stalking and chasing, its body brimming with energy. No longer content to languish in that dark, boring cave, Aragog was alive again.
"How've you been feeling lately, Aragog?"
A familiar voice came from behind, and Aragog wasn't surprised.
It turned its massive body swiftly, its mandibles scraping together with a raspy, metallic sound.
"Thanks for your concern, Lucien."
"I'm feeling great lately."
Every week or two, Lucien gave Aragog a drop of clear, sparkling liquid. Aragog didn't know what it was, but each dose filled it with vibrant life.
Its gratitude toward Lucien was genuine.
To go from decaying with age to reclaiming its former health and vigor—it was an experience no creature could resist.
Lucien nodded.
"Good to hear."
Based on Aragog's steady recovery, the long-term use of qilin saliva clearly restored vitality.
Qilin blood would likely be even more effective.
Yup, the carrot-and-stick approach was the right call.
After that first show of force, followed by these benefits, Aragog had become surprisingly "docile."
Of course, its intelligence and ability to communicate with humans helped, as did its knack for knowing when to play along.
Nearby, Newt observed the enormous, elderly Acromantula.
Judging by its features and size, he estimated Aragog was at least forty years old.
Yet, Aragog's behavior was surprising. It moved with agility, reacted sharply, and seemed far healthier than an Acromantula of its age should be.
Based on Newt's experience, Acromantulas typically started declining after thirty, and by forty, they were usually frail and decrepit.
Even more surprising was Aragog's "mild" demeanor. Acromantulas were notoriously cruel and ferocious, a danger to both wizards and magical creatures.
Newt glanced at Lucien. Seeing even an Acromantula show goodwill toward this boy only strengthened his resolve.
With Lucien by his side, Newt had a brief chat with Aragog about its daily range, diet, and the size of its colony.
Then, led by Aragog, they toured the Acromantula territory. Newt saw Acromantulas of all ages, from young to old.
Now he understood how Lucien had gathered such detailed data on them.
When he'd first heard about it, Newt had been skeptical. How could a thriving Acromantula colony form in the Forbidden Forest in just a few decades? It was unprecedented in Scotland.
After the tour, Newt and Lucien left the clearing.
As they wandered through the forest, searching for other magical creatures, they chatted casually.
"Mr. Newt, what do you think about the Acromantulas here?" Lucien asked.
"They're thriving—maybe too much. The colony's grown massive," Newt replied.
Lucien got his meaning. Acromantulas were highly dangerous, a threat to other magical creatures in the forest.
What Newt didn't know, but Lucien did, was that Aragog and its mate had been released into the Forbidden Forest by Hagrid.
Strictly speaking, they were an invasive species, disrupting the forest's natural ecosystem.
"So, you're saying we should relocate them to their native habitat?" Lucien asked.
Newt nodded, then shook his head slightly.
"For the sake of the local ecosystem, yes, they should be moved. But not all at once…"
They discussed the issue for a while. When Newt asked Lucien to help monitor the Acromantula colony and assist with future relocations, Lucien agreed readily.
He was already visiting Aragog regularly to observe the effects of qilin saliva, so monitoring the colony was practically part of his routine.
As for relocation, Lucien was all for it. He'd already taken in some Acromantulas to collect their venom and to curb their population growth, slowing their expansion.
Since Newt shared the same idea, Lucien figured he might as well go along with it.
Seeing Lucien agree so easily, Newt was pleased. He had his own little plan.
If Lucien got involved in magical creature conservation now, maybe he'd keep at it after graduation.
Newt had come to terms with the fact that Lucien was just a first-year wizard.
That only made Lucien's talent clearer.
Dumbledore thought Lucien would make a great teacher, and Newt didn't know enough to argue. But in the field of magical creatures, Lucien was undeniably a rare talent.
Teaching was great, sure, but the world had plenty of magical creatures that needed help, too.
Newt had pushed hard for magical creature protection laws, but the work wasn't done. It needed successors.
"Mr. Newt, I've heard you care for a ton of magical creatures," Lucien said.
"If it's okay, could I maybe observe them? I'm really interested in magical creatures."
Newt's suitcase was practically bursting with creatures. For Lucien's research into magical creature transformation, studying their magical circuits up close was ideal.
And there was no one better than the renowned magical creature expert standing before him to make that happen quickly.
Lucien slipped a hand into his pocket, gripping a small stone tablet, as faint black swirls appeared in his eyes.
Newt was thrilled at Lucien's request. Interest was a great start!
"Of course, no problem at all."
Newt set his suitcase on the ground and opened it with a click.
A ladder extended inside.
Newt stepped in first, then waved Lucien over.
"Oh, and bring Luster along. It might find this interesting, too."
Lucien had planned to leave Luster outside to keep watch, but since Newt invited it, he didn't object.
Besides, a big, unusual suitcase like this wasn't likely to be snatched by forest beasts or magical creatures.
They weren't humans, after all.
Lucien and Luster followed Newt into the suitcase's world, passing through a workshop cluttered with tools, potion ingredients, and food supplies.
As they walked, the view suddenly opened up.
A vast African savanna stretched before Lucien, complete with swaying grasses and a gentle breeze.
Then, a sharp instinct sent a warning through Lucien's mind.
He turned toward the source of danger. Atop a rocky outcrop lounged a massive leopard, its body covered in sharp spines, its neck pouch slowly inflating and deflating.
The leopard, previously bored, noticed the newcomers. Its dark, glossy eyes locked onto Lucien.
Lucien's eyes narrowed, the swirls in them spinning faster.
A Nundu!