Staring at the scene within the Foresight Grass seed, Edelyn couldn't calm down for a long time. She'd never imagined the seed wouldn't display any destiny fragments about Ciel. In all her uses of the Foresight Grass seed, this was the first time such a thing had happened.
Only two possibilities could cause this. One is that Ciel's fate has exceeded what the Foresight Grass seed can glimpse—
This thought flickered briefly through her mind before she decisively rejected it. That's impossible. Foresight Grass was precious magical herbology even in Olympian mythology's age. Fully matured Foresight Grass could even let users prophesy matters concerning deities. Our family's ancestors abandoned opportunities to obtain other ancient plants during the first World Tree expedition to acquire this seed. For millennia, Robinson family members continuously inherited it, carefully nurturing it even while displaced. This allowed it to retain vitality and germinate again under my cultivation.
In this current era, the Foresight Grass seed is the strongest prophet. Even Dumbledore's destiny could be revealed by it—just requiring substantial blood payment. Ciel Sprout—his destiny surely can't surpass Dumbledore's or even exceed Olympian-era gods?
Edelyn shook her head. Then it can only be the other possibility. Ciel Sprout's destiny is too insignificant, affecting this world no differently than stones or flowers. Even the Foresight Grass seed can hardly capture such an inconsequential water droplet in destiny's river. In other words, Ciel Sprout will live an extremely mediocre life.
Edelyn felt genuinely regretful about this. After all, Professor Sprout treated her wonderfully, and Ciel was Professor Sprout's only relative, the Sprout family's last heir—yet destined for such mediocrity.
But soon her thoughts shifted. Perhaps Professor Sprout actually sensed this, doing everything possible to elevate Ciel. Those previous papers served this purpose, right? She sighed internally. But from the Foresight Grass seed's reaction, this hasn't changed Ciel Sprout's destiny. That makes sense—destiny's trajectory isn't easily altered.
This dispelled some of her ideas. Originally, Edelyn felt she and Ciel were quite fated. Plus, she'd be troubling Professor Sprout considerably in the future, so she'd considered guiding Ciel in herbology. Combining Robinson and Sprout family herbology knowledge, even if Ciel proved incompetent, it should suffice for inheriting the Sprout family reputation—a way to repay Professor Sprout.
But now, Edelyn felt this was unnecessary. Making a child destined for mediocrity chase genius footsteps seems too cruel. Better let Ciel enjoy a carefree, happy childhood—that's already quite good. The future Sprout family inheritance might lack renown but at least provide security and comfort. Though mediocre, perhaps still happy. My forceful intervention might instead cause unnecessary troubles.
Better maintain distance, not letting him get caught in surrounding dangers.
Then knocking came from outside, along with Professor Sprout's voice, "Edelyn, dinner's ready. Come out when you're ready. You must be starving?"
Edelyn quickly stored away the Foresight Grass seed carefully. Then she paused, eyes flashing with helplessness. Though deciding to distance herself from Ciel to avoid bringing troubles and dangers, this child's first encounter had been mistakenly running into Knockturn Alley. Without her intervention, he'd likely have been skinned alive by impatient dark wizards that day.
After such a terrible experience, just days later, with the wizarding world still unsettled, he'd run out playing again, returning so late. This child was far too carefree.
At that thought, she retrieved seeds from her luggage—Patronus tree seeds. She again squeezed blood from her wrist, saturating these seeds, then stuffing them into a small package. Processed by my blood, the Patronus tree seeds' protective effects will be stronger. If Ciel truly encounters danger, these seeds will briefly mature, providing stronger protection. Consider it my protective charm for him.
After this, Edelyn emerged from her room. Professor Sprout, seeing Edelyn's even paler complexion, looked completely doting, "Oh my! Must be terribly hungry. Come eat quickly. I used a small privilege—today's meal is from Hufflepuff House's kitchens. Also some herbal medicinal foods, excellent for nutrition and improving constitution. Especially blood-replenishing—looking at your pale face, definitely anemic."
Edelyn looked at Professor Sprout in shock, never imagining she'd do this for someone met only once. Throughout her life, no one had cared for her like this. For a moment, her eyes grew moist.
Entering the dining room and smelling the wafting aromas, Edelyn's mouth began watering uncontrollably. These years, balancing survival and herbology research, unable to attend Hogwarts due to family circumstances—completely cut off from formal wizarding world employment—she'd needed to split every Knut in half. Forget pursuing nutrition or culinary pleasures—eating her fill was already fortunate.
Hufflepuff kitchen's food far exceeded her standards. Smelling these aromas, Edelyn's mind held only one thought: Hufflepuff! Loyalty!
Though salivating wildly, Edelyn didn't forget her manners. This was the Sprout home—she represented the Robinson family and couldn't be rude. Then Edelyn briefly introduced herself to Ciel in the dining room, "Hello Ciel, I'm Edelyn. I'll temporarily stay with the Sprout family before school starts. Apologies for any disturbance. I've prepared a small greeting gift—a protective pouch made from Patronus tree seeds. Please don't think less of it."
Professor Sprout, seeing this, repeatedly embraced Edelyn, "Such a polite child! But in our House, though you haven't formally enrolled, before the House Head you needn't be so restrained. Child, eat freely—badgers don't need such formalities at dining tables. Look how thin you've become—sit down and eat."
Edelyn swallowed audibly, no longer resisting the table's temptation, eagerly sitting down to begin eating.
Ciel watched this scene, confusion flickering in the depths of his gaze. He'd been wondering where to find Ed, yet now Ed had been openly arranged by Dumbledore to stay with the Sprout family? And her true name was Edelyn? Edelyn Robinson—
His mind pondered what attitude to hold toward this uninvited guest outside the original plot. Knowing Edelyn was Blood Soul Thorns's target and that creature might be deeply connected to the International Herbology Association's founding president, these waters ran equally deep.
Though Blood Soul Thorns had been terrified by his White Eagle swordsmanship and might not dare reappear, this remained an uncertain deterrent. He still didn't want deep entanglements with Edelyn. The favor of her protecting him once had been repaid during Blood Soul Thorns' attack—he owed her nothing.
If so, better maintain distance without deep friendship. As for the knowledge he wanted from Edelyn—his gaze swept over the protective pouch Edelyn gave him, eyes flickering with light. Perhaps, already obtained.
Late that night, after dinner, Edelyn had fallen asleep. The medicinal foods' blood-replenishing effects seemed extremely powerful, giving her warm comfort. Accumulated exhaustion surged forth—she'd forgotten even protective spells, deeply entering dreams on the bed.
Meanwhile, Ciel came to the greenhouse, opening the Patronus tree seed pouch Edelyn gave him at dinner. Seeing these seeds, he squinted slightly. Perhaps most wizards couldn't detect traces remaining on these seeds, but he could. This is Transfiguration using flesh and blood—within Dark Magic Transfiguration's scope.
As someone who'd mastered this art, Ciel could tell Edelyn's Dark Magic Transfiguration techniques weren't particularly sophisticated—easily detected. He found this surprising. I first heard the name "Ed" when I killed Bogie Charman—he had these same techniques. His methods for modifying plant seeds came from Ed. I assumed Ed's mastery of Dark Magic Transfiguration must be exceptional. But it seems I overestimated her.
Come to think of it, that makes sense. Dark Magic Transfiguration is incredibly complex. Someone like Edelyn—displaced, without even a proper Hogwarts education—having high-level Transfiguration mastery would be unlikely.
If that's the case, what creates the special effects in these plant seeds must be her blood. The Dark Magic Transfiguration is just a medium linking blood and plants.
Ciel recalled ancient letters he'd seen at Malfoy Manor. The Robinson family's ancestors had claimed their bloodline was connected to Demeter, granting them exceptional abilities in plant cultivation. It appeared Edelyn had awakened the Robinson family's hereditary herbology talents.
This made him frown. Originally thinking this was a mass-replicable technique, it turns out to be Edelyn's unique talent? That's somewhat troublesome—I can't exactly find opportunities to bleed Edelyn dry.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want such deep involvement with Edelyn. Better first see specifically what her blood does.
Looking at these seeds, he waved his wand. On the system panel, Dark Magic Transfiguration text immediately glowed. With his understanding of Patronus tree seeds plus Dark Magic Transfiguration mastery far exceeding Edelyn's, extracting recently fused blood from the seeds was achievable.
Moments later, blood droplets seeped from these Patronus tree seeds. He carefully collected them all—approximately thirty milliliters. For experimental purposes, it should suffice.
Then his eyes flashed unusually. Let me see what's special about the Robinson family's Demeter bloodline.
As his wand waved again, blood droplets atomized into mist, which he fused via Dark Magic Transfiguration into a Margaret flower seed. Just then, before his eyes, this Black Iron-level Margaret flower seed displayed a phenomenon he'd never witnessed before:
The reward information was flickering wildly!