Looking at the information appearing on the system panel, especially the words "World Tree," even though Ciel had seen plants like the Whomping Willow that could provide Epic-tier rewards, he still felt like he'd been struck by lightning. Goosebumps ran down his spine, and his mind went completely blank.
After a long moment, he gradually came to his senses, his eyes full of shock. After repeatedly checking the system panel several times to confirm he hadn't misread, Ciel suddenly clenched his fists.
"World Tree? Legend says it's a massive ash tree whose main root pierces through three realms and whose branches and leaves connect nine kingdoms, the foundation of the world. Odin once hung upon it for nine days and nights, losing an eye to gain the Runic alphabet. The eternal spear Gungnir in his hand was made from World Tree branches. At the World Tree's roots dwells the poison dragon Níðhöggr, constantly gnawing at the World Tree's roots. When the World Tree collapses, Ragnarok will come."
Ciel's mind filled with Norse mythology he'd heard in his past and present lives. Looking at this so-called World Tree root, his heartbeat began accelerating uncontrollably.
If this really was a root from the World Tree he'd heard about, then without a doubt, this thing was definitely a Mythical-tier plant. The most powerful plant he'd ever encountered. Even the Whomping Willow paled in comparison by countless degrees. The gap between Epic and Legendary was already enormous. Let alone Mythical tier, which was above Legendary.
This might even be the most uniquely powerful plant in the entire wizarding world. Such a thing actually existed?! Ciel's gaze burned with intensity.
"I thought I was coming to this Ministry vault to pick through garbage. Didn't expect to actually find treasure?"
However, at the same time, Ciel's gaze fell on his hawthorn wand. His heart felt uncertain. The World Tree was supposedly a massive ash tree. His wand was also made of ash wood. Could there be some connection?
But soon, Ciel shook his head. There's no point dwelling on such mystical matters. Rather than getting tangled up in this, getting the World Tree root in hand was the real business.
But this World Tree root seemed rooted like a mountain in the vault. No matter how Ciel waved his wand, it remained completely unmoved. Levitation Charm, Levicorpus... when they fell upon it, they dissipated silently. This level of magical power couldn't budge it at all.
Ciel even suspected that even if Professor Sprout, Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick, and others came together, they probably couldn't lift this root with magic. Perhaps Dumbledore with the Elder Wand might be possible.
After another fruitless attempt, Ciel let out a light breath. Then he put away his wand. "It seems feeble magic can't shake the World Tree root. Then what about Legendary strength, Legendary vitality?"
Ciel extended both hands. His expression was grave. Then he grasped the World Tree root. Veins bulged on his arms as Legendary vitality supported Legendary strength in a sudden explosion.
The scene resembled something from ancient mythology: a colossal Titan with feet firmly planted on earth, shoulders braced against the sky itself, its mighty voice echoing through the air. The World Tree root, utterly immovable despite everything Ciel had tried, suddenly quivered. It lifted by the smallest possible margin.
At this time, Ciel's face had turned completely red. He felt like he really was trying to lift a mountain. Even Legendary vitality combined with Legendary strength was insufficient. Ciel now truly understood the gap between Legendary and Mythical tiers. A remaining root from a Mythical-tier plant... his Legendary abilities could only barely shake it. The difference between the two was truly like heaven and earth!
After persisting for a moment, Ciel prepared to put down the World Tree root. If he couldn't hold on, he couldn't hold on... no need to force it. He didn't want to exhaust himself to death here. Perhaps when he possessed Mythical-tier strength or Mythical-tier vitality, he could try to take this root section.
But at this moment, the weight in Ciel's hands suddenly lightened dramatically. It became light as a feather. This root section seemed to have become an ordinary tree root. Ciel picked it up again effortlessly.
Ciel looked puzzled and uncertain. What was happening now? Could it be that the Legendary-tier strength he'd just unleashed had met some condition, making the World Tree root voluntarily come with him?
After pondering for a moment, Ciel smiled wryly and shook his head. Mythical-tier existence was too far beyond him... he couldn't understand it at all. But since he could take the World Tree root out, he certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity.
Taking a deep breath to calm his agitated mind, Ciel picked up the small silver bucket he'd chosen earlier, along with this World Tree root section. His face still bore the flush from exertion, looking somewhat angry as he walked out huffily.
Outside the vault, seeing Ciel emerge, Fudge asked with a smile. "Child, how was it? Any gains?"
Ciel angrily threw the small silver bucket and World Tree root on the ground. "Gains? This is what I gained after digging through garbage for half the day. It's all junk in there... finding one broken bucket took me ages! When I came out, I tripped over this broken piece of wood and nearly fell again. Minister Fudge, your so-called ancient vault is too much of a scam, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Fudge grinned. "Child, you can't say that. This silver bucket in your hands might have been some herbology master's handy tool back in the day. After countless long years, it was chosen by you from dusty old things. What does this mean? It means you, Ciel Sprout, have a fate with it. Plus you tripped over a tree branch when you came out..."
Fudge, said pretentiously. "Not to hide it from you, my Divination grade was Outstanding when I was in school. In divination studies, this has meaning... it signifies you'll soon make breakthrough progress in herbology."
Upon hearing this, the anger finally left Ciel's face. He asked with some secret delight. "Really?"
Fudge felt amused inside. He liked Hufflepuffs more and more. Simple. Naive. Too easy to fool. A few pretty words could eliminate the little Hufflepuff's anger. As for Divination and such... he'd never even taken it as an elective.
At this time, Ciel said somewhat embarrassedly. "Seems I wronged you, Minister Fudge. Then this small silver bucket, and this tree root..."
Fudge was all magnanimity. "All yours."
Ciel showed a delighted expression. "How embarrassing... Thank you, Minister."
Then, when Ciel bid him farewell, Fudge could barely suppress the curve of his lips. Finally resolved the Sprout family matter. This cost far less than he'd imagined paying. A hundred bottles of potion, plus a worthless broken bucket and broken tree root. He'd made a profit!
Coincidentally, Ciel, leaving the Ministry, was having the same thought. "Unlimited supply of Devil's Snare potions. A usable alchemical item. Most importantly, a section of Mythical-tier World Tree root. 'Blood profit' isn't adequate to describe this!"
Returning to the Sprout family home, Ciel immediately went to the family library. As a family known for its herbology heritage, the library naturally contained mostly herbology records. There were also some accounts of strange plants encountered when family ancestors traveled the world.
Ciel found several of the oldest travel journals, wanting to see if there were any records about the World Tree. As pages rustled, his expression shifted. His gaze fell on one page.
"Piercing the sky and earth. Magnificent beyond imagination. How could such a plant exist anywhere in the world? Merlin above, this is..."
Ciel's eyes lit up. He was about to turn to the next page. But immediately, disappointment crossed his face. The next page had been torn out. From the tear, it had probably been removed many years ago. But from the description recorded in this travel journal, it really might be related to the World Tree. Perhaps Professor Sprout would know something?
Then Ciel took this ancient travel journal to Professor Sprout's study. "Aunt, I saw an interesting travel journal in the family library. I'd like to ask you about its contents."
Professor Sprout readily agreed. "Of course. You can ask me about anything, anytime."
But the next moment, when Ciel turned to the missing page and asked her whether the vaguely described plant in the journal could possibly be the legendary World Tree, Professor Sprout's expression suddenly changed dramatically. She immediately became stern.
"Ciel. The World Tree is herbology's greatest lie. This has long been acknowledged!"
Seeing Ciel's confused face, Professor Sprout's expression softened as she explained. "Long ago, people in herbology claimed to have seen the mythical World Tree. Several times, herbologists throughout the magical world went searching madly for this plant. But each time, they went to dangerous places, suffered heavy casualties, yet found nothing."
"Every time such trends appeared, the herbology world suffered severe damage. Many excellent herbologists who should have focused on more realistic plant cultivation wasted their talents on fantasies, researching impractical things because of World Tree legends. The result was wasted lives with no achievements."
"Later, if anyone mentioned the World Tree in herbology circles, everyone would spit in their face and declare them charlatans trying to bewitch people. The missing page in this journal must have been torn out back then."
She looked seriously at Ciel. "The World Tree is just a legend. It's fine to read it as mythology. But Ciel, never entertain thoughts of seeking the World Tree. If you're really interested, there are several books in Hogwarts' Restricted Section with World Tree records. But I won't give you a Restricted Section pass until at least third year."
Hearing Professor Sprout's words, Ciel's heart stirred. So the magical world really had conducted several large-scale searches for the World Tree? Then this World Tree root section might be a result of those expeditions. It probably wasn't recognized and was just treated as some strange plant root, stored in the Ministry vault. Until today, when he obtained it by chance.
Just then, Professor Sprout stared deeply into Ciel's eyes, saying meaningfully. "Child. I don't know why you suddenly brought up the World Tree. You're acting differently than usual... you seem to have developed enthusiasm and interest in this matter. Whatever the reason, I must warn you. Prematurely exploring things far beyond your abilities... even if they're real, what difference is there between that and illusion for you? Listen to your aunt's advice... forget about it."
Upon hearing this, Ciel's heart suddenly jolted. He nodded. Pondering Professor Sprout's warning. "I understand. Aunt."
Then Ciel left Professor Sprout's study. His heart filled with alarm. Indeed, his behavior just now was too hasty compared to usual. He didn't know if Professor Sprout had noticed anything. But fortunately it was Professor Sprout, not someone else. Otherwise, if others had noticed he'd found a World Tree root, the consequences would be absolutely unbearable for his current self.
The hearing incident would be completely insignificant by comparison. It might even draw out some old monsters hidden in the magical world!
Ciel took a deep breath. He submerged his head in clear water. His thoughts gradually calmed. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Professor Sprout was right. Currently, he was still far from even the Epic-tier Whomping Willow. He hadn't even completed one sub-project of the Whomping Willow. As for the Mythical-tier World Tree root... what use was investigating it? He had no ability to cultivate it. It would only scatter his attention pointlessly.
Moreover, Ciel remembered something. In the original story, Hagrid was discovered to have obtained a dragon egg precisely because he frequently went to the library to research how to hatch dragon eggs and care for young dragons. If he continued frequently searching World Tree-related materials, there were no walls without cracks in this world. Interested parties could always find traces.
Thinking this, Ciel suddenly felt alarmed. "First time getting a Mythical-tier plant... too excited, got carried away. But the road must be walked step by step. So what if I got something related to a Mythical-tier plant? Can I cultivate it? If I can't convert it to actual benefits, it's just illusion and might even invite disaster."
Then Ciel made his decision. Better one bird in hand than ten in the bush. At his current stage, he should focus entirely on increasing his foundations in all aspects. When he reached a certain level, then he'd investigate the World Tree's secrets.
As for now... He immediately took the World Tree root and left the Sprout family home. Finding a distant wilderness, he deeply buried the World Tree root at a location. After memorizing this place's position, Ciel left without looking back. He threw himself back into the greenhouse. Tending to the newly planted Marguerites. Observing the condition of Marguerites affected by the Levitation Charm.
Various tedious, fulfilling tasks brought him back to a familiar rhythm. As for the World Tree's secrets, he'd completely suppressed them in his heart.
Outside the greenhouse, the worry left Professor Sprout's face. She showed a gratified expression.
Soon, she checked the time before saying to the still-busy Ciel. "Ciel. About time. Christmas holidays are ending... we should prepare to return to school."
Upon hearing this, Ciel's heart stirred, and his eyes showed anticipation. After returning to school, his new experimental plot allocation should come through. Then he could expand Guardian Tree cultivation. Once the Ministry delivered the potions, Devil's Snare cultivation could continue too.
Then, as Professor Sprout sprinkled Floo powder into the fireplace, green flames rose. The next second, the familiar Hufflepuff common room appeared before Ciel. He emerged from the common room fireplace.
At this moment, some little Hufflepuffs who had already returned and those who hadn't gone home stared at Ciel briefly. Then they all became excited. As if seeing an idol.
"Ciel! You were absolutely amazing at the hearing! We saw the reports... you made the Ministry lose all face! Merlin above, making that toad Umbridge write 'fairness' was so cool! My mother once worked with Umbridge... she's your fan now!"
Besides their excitement, some little Hufflepuffs complained tearfully to Ciel. "Could we make a deal, Ciel? Don't be so extreme, okay? My parents saw the newspaper reports and got so excited. They said one must be as diligent as you to make progress. They never pushed me that hard before, but after reading the reports, they wouldn't even feed me unless I practiced spells a thousand times! My last few days of Christmas holidays were ruined."
Hearing the little Hufflepuffs' complaints, Ciel couldn't help but laugh. Good heavens. He hadn't expected his hearing performance would make these magical world parents start "helicopter parenting." Could he be starting a culture of academic competition in the magical world?
But looking at the little Hufflepuffs, Ciel remembered what he'd heard about how, during Professor Sprout's hearing, students had written protest letters everywhere. Upper-year Hufflepuffs had even blockaded the Daily Prophet's entrance. Even outside the Ministry, many students had brought their parents to protest.
Without them, making the Ministry yield might have been even more difficult. The Ministry wouldn't have wanted to settle things so quickly, willing to pay such a high price. Without the students' actions, he wouldn't have received this compensation so quickly.
Warmth surged through Ciel's heart. "About the hearing... Thank you all."
The little Hufflepuffs just grinned. "What's there to thank us for? We're Hufflepuffs. Our Head of House was wronged. If we didn't help, what kind of most united house would we be? If you really want to thank us, this year you have to lead us to win both the House Cup and Quidditch Cup!"
Ciel's face also showed a smile. He nodded seriously. "Definitely."
Just then, an owl flew over and delivered a letter to Ciel. This was from Hagrid. Opening it revealed Hagrid's customarily misspelled handwriting, though he seemed particularly excited when writing. So much so that there were even more errors than usual.
Ciel studied it for a while before understanding Hagrid's meaning.
"Dear Ciel, are you back at school? I have very exciting news to share with you... I can barely wait. I got something absolutely beautiful. You can't believe how lovely this little fellow is... I can't wait to see it born. Come to the hut quickly... you'll be amazed too."
Ciel was first stunned. Then immediately realized what it was. Something that could make Hagrid this excited and treasured... undoubtedly, a dragon egg! And Hagrid obtaining a dragon egg meant Quirrell had chosen to break through via Hagrid, just like in the original story. He must have already learned how to get past the three-headed dog. Next was just waiting for an opportunity.
This also meant the gears surrounding the Philosopher's Stone from the original story were about to accelerate. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. But Ciel quickly calmed down.
Hagrid obtaining a dragon egg meant only one thing to him. Once the young dragon hatched, he could get a steady supply of dragon blood. Blood Jade cultivation could be put on the agenda. As for other matters? They had nothing to do with him.
Then Ciel strode out of the common room toward Hagrid's hut. In the corridor, he passed a pale, unsteady figure. It was Quirrell. Ciel's hand tightened slightly. Fortunately, Quirrell seemed to have given up using him to break through the three-headed dog. This was just a chance encounter.
And Quirrell looked much weaker than at the same time in the original story. That made sense. After all, he'd suffered unknown torments. His power consumption would be much greater than in the original story. But this wasn't Ciel's concern anymore. He quickened his pace and left the corridor.
Quirrell merely glanced coldly at Ciel's departing direction, then withdrew his gaze. He had indeed given up plans to continue targeting Ciel. Now he knew how to deal with the three-headed dog. Wasting more power on him was meaningless.
His urgent priority was quickly replenishing his strength. Otherwise, even getting past the three-headed dog, he couldn't pass the subsequent obstacles. Let alone leave Hogwarts with the Philosopher's Stone.
"Unicorns. I'm close to finding their trail."
Quirrell stepped weakly forward to leave. But at this moment, Voldemort's weak voice echoed in his mind.
"That little Hufflepuff, Quirrell."
Quirrell paused. "Master? Why are you awake? Your power is too precious... how did that little Hufflepuff attract your attention?"
Voldemort's voice carried confusion but also deep greed. "That little Hufflepiff's body. Smells so good."
[Chapter Complete]
***
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