Bulstrode Manor was vast, but sparsely populated.
In fact, if it weren't for magic, Sean figured the annual cost of maintaining the manor alone would be astronomical.
"Aldrich, did you live here when you were a child?"
"Young Master, Bulstrode Manor has many areas. We're currently in the main compound, where the direct bloodline of the Bulstrode family resides. Behind the main mansion, there are other zones—including the training area, where I lived and studied as a child. It's home to children like me, or to those who've lived in Bulstrode Manor for many years."
"Let's go have a look."
"Of course, Young Master."
The training area resembled a small village nestled within Bulstrode Manor. Children of various ages played about, while a few adult wizards patrolled nearby.
Sean observed the children—some were quiet, some noisy, some lively, some reserved—but none looked timid or fearful. A few mischievous ones even teased the patrolling wizards. Some of the adults played along, others scolded them, but there was no trace of malice in any of it.
Seeing this, Sean smiled. The atmosphere here was much better than he had imagined. But after a moment's thought, he turned to Aldrich and asked, "Was it like this when you were a kid?"
Aldrich nodded, a nostalgic look in his eyes. He said softly, "Master, while there are a few differences between then and now, it's mostly the same. Our generation might've been even more mischievous, though—these kids are still a little tamer compared to us."
"You sound oddly proud of that."
"Thank you for the compliment, Master."
Bang!Sean was just about to leave with Aldridge when a violent roar suddenly erupted from one of the houses in the small village.
A moment later, someone rushed out, shouting, "The magic inside failed! There was an explosion—someone's injured!"
Hearing this, Sean was about to tell Aldridge to get help, but Aldridge had already dashed forward and disappeared into the house without hesitation.
Seeing this, Sean immediately sprang into action. Before others could crowd the area and cause congestion, he followed Aldridge into the house.
As soon as he stepped inside, Sean saw Aldridge crouched beside a child, casting a healing spell to stabilize the injury.
Sean moved closer. The child appeared to have been burned by flames—most of his body was charred, and the left arm was in the worst condition. The bone was exposed beneath the scorched flesh.
"This… it's from a failed Blasting Curse," Sean said.
It wasn't a coincidence he recognized it. The Potions Club had once discussed the effects of magical injuries and corresponding healing potions in detail. Snape had cited many examples—among them, injuries caused by Blasting spells, especially cases where the spell backfired.
Later, after Sean had received the special "care" of his own Head of House, he had studied related books one after another. Because of that, he recognized the type of injury at a glance.
Hearing Sean's voice, Aldridge immediately turned and asked, "Young Master, do you know what this injury is?"
"I do." Sean nodded, then pulled out his Undetectable Extension Bag, took out three potions, and said, "Pour the two transparent ones on the wound. Have him drink the red one. Then get him to the hospital wing or the medical department in the manor immediately. If it's fast enough, his hand can still be saved."
Healing magic wasn't omnipotent. Physical wounds were relatively easy to treat, but magical damage—especially from failed spells—was notoriously difficult to heal.
For example, Mad-Eye Moody: his eye and leg had both been damaged by magic and were beyond restoration.
Aldridge, fully aware of his young master's skill in potion-making—even if Sean wasn't a certified master yet, he was certainly not far off—didn't hesitate for a second. He followed Sean's instructions precisely, administering the potions to the injured child right away.
Just then, several adult wizards arrived. Seeing Aldridge crouched beside the injured child, pouring unknown liquids onto his wounds, they immediately shouted for him to stop. Instinctively, several of them drew their wands and aimed them at Aldridge.
Seeing this, Sean stepped forward and moved in front of Aldridge. With a flick of his right hand to his waist, his wand appeared instantly and pointed at the approaching wizards.
"Stop! Aldridge is treating the child. Don't act recklessly!"
"Aldridge?"
"Did he say Aldridge?"
"Aldridge is back?!"
The moment they heard that name, the adult wizards hesitated, then quickly lowered their wands. They hurried over to Aldridge's side, and when they saw clearly that it was truly him, expressions of surprise and excitement surfaced—even amid their concern for the child.
By now, Aldridge had finished the emergency treatment and immediately addressed the others: "Quick, take him to the infirmary. The child had a mishap with the Explosion Spell. Tell them to do everything they can to save his hand."
"Right—we'll go now!"
Two of the adult wizards quickly levitated the child and rushed him toward the infirmary without delay.
Aldridge turned back to the remaining group with a warm smile. "It's good to see you all. Are you doing well?"
"Aldridge—it really is you. We thought you'd never return after being exiled! Looks like the master couldn't bear to hand you over to that unknown young master after all!"
The smile on Aldridge's face froze instantly.
Why must my friend stab me in the back?
Noticing Aldridge's stiff expression, the man who had just spoken realized something was off. He followed Aldridge's gaze and saw Sean standing silently nearby. A sudden sense of dread crept up on him.
Swallowing hard, he asked Sean in a forced, overly polite tone, "Pardon me, and… who might you be?"
"Me?" Sean pointed at himself, smiling. "Aren't I the 'unknown young master' you just mentioned?"