As Char gazed at the Elber tree, which seemed to float serenely in its glass bottle, a line of glowing words hovered above it on his system panel:
[Successfully plant the Elber tree to receive a reward: an increase in flying ability (bronze level), and a slight increase in floating spell deduction (iron level)]
Char's breath caught. "Just by planting it, I get a bronze-level reward?" he thought, his eyes burning with excitement.
Based on his previous experiences, Char knew this meant that when the Elber tree matured, it would provide at least silver-level rewards—on par with the Guardian Tree, Blood Jade, and mutated Piranha Algae. This would be the fourth magical plant he'd ever seen that could offer such a prize.
Still, there was a tinge of regret. The main reward from the Elber tree was improved flying ability. For Quidditch players, that was a dream come true, but for Char, it wasn't as immediately useful. Then again, he reminded himself, in the magical world, a lot of battles happened in the air. He recalled the epic airborne duel from Harry Potter's coming-of-age, where the entire fight took place above the ground.
"If I ever get caught in something like that, having a stronger flying ability would be a huge advantage," Char reasoned.
His attention shifted to the second reward: a slight improvement in floating spell deduction. "Could this help me deduce or create new spells based on the levitation spell?" Char wondered. If the Elber tree matured, maybe that reward would even reach bronze level. Would that be enough to solve the puzzle he'd been stuck on?
He shook his head. "Probably not. Even at bronze level, the improvement is likely to be minor. If I were a spell genius, maybe I could make a breakthrough with just a little inspiration. But I'm not. Still, seeing another magical plant with silver-level rewards is already a stroke of luck. I shouldn't be greedy."
Just then, Professor Flitwick began to explain the Elber tree's special properties, pride evident in his voice.
"This amazing plant is as light as a feather," he said. "It doesn't take root in soil, but in the clouds, high in the sky. The higher its roots, the healthier and stronger it becomes. Sir Elber first spotted the tree during a flying carpet accident at a thousand meters above ground, and that's when he was inspired to create the levitation spell."
Professor Flitwick smiled at his prized possession. "But don't worry. I've preserved it with special magic all these years. Even though it's just a seedling, it can remain in this state for a very long time. If anyone is lucky enough to win it, you could even pass it on to your descendants."
The class laughed at his joke, but Char's mind was racing. Because of Flitwick's explanation, a new line of words appeared on his system panel:
[Due to the special habits of the Elber tree]
[The rewards currently displayed are what the Elber tree can provide at its current height]
[As the height of the Elber Tree increases, the reward level will gradually increase]
Char's pupils shrank. For a moment, he nearly blurted out an expletive in class. It took him a while to calm down.
"So if I plant the Elber tree at a higher altitude, the rewards will get even better? Silver is just the baseline—gold is common, and platinum or even diamond-level might be possible?"
This was, without a doubt, the most valuable magical plant he had ever encountered since coming to the Harry Potter world. The potential rewards from a single Elber tree were staggering. If he could propagate it—through cuttings or grafting—and create a whole forest of Elber trees… Char clenched his fists. He was determined to win this prize.
He wasn't the only one. Malfoy's eyes were burning with ambition. This was a treasure worthy of a Master of Spells, and even Professor Sprout had tried to get it from Flitwick. Malfoy was sure that if he could win it, his father would be proud. And, of course, it would be the perfect way to get back at Char.
Malfoy was brimming with confidence. He'd practiced the levitation spell the night before and managed to cast it a few times. As long as he performed well, he was sure he'd be the first in class to succeed.
All around the room, students watched Professor Flitwick with eager anticipation. Flitwick, clearly pleased, finally announced, "Now, let's see who can win this Elber tree. Practice—Begin—!"
Malfoy smiled confidently, reviewing the spell's key points in his mind: clear pronunciation, a relaxed wrist, a gentle upward spiral with the wand, and a final flick. He imagined the magic lifting the object like a feather.
But before he could act, Char's crisp voice rang out: "Wingardium Leviosa! Wingardium-Leviosa!" Instantly, the desk in front of Char floated into the air, light as a feather. Then, with another flick, a second desk rose as well.
This was the hallmark of bronze-level mastery—casting the spell on two objects in quick succession.
Professor Flitwick had barely finished announcing the start of practice. The entire class stared, stunned. Malfoy froze, unable to believe what he was seeing. "How did Char do that? How many times did he practice in secret?"
Even Professor Flitwick was momentarily speechless. Then he broke into a delighted grin. "Well, that's settled. No one deserves the Elber tree more than Char. What a beautiful levitation spell! Five points to Hufflepuff!"
The Hufflepuffs erupted in cheers. Hannah, Susan, and the others beamed with pride, teasing Malfoy, "Who said half-giants can't learn the levitation spell? Char's the best in the class!"
Malfoy's face turned pale, then blue. But Char barely noticed. The Elber tree was all that mattered. He hurried to the podium and accepted the bottle from Professor Flitwick, who nodded approvingly.
"Merlin, Pomona's begged me for this tree every year! She'll be so proud of you, Char. Keep up the good work."
Char's heart warmed. He realized that, just like with the special reward in the Luminescent Spell test, Flitwick had brought out this rare treasure for his sake.
Char bowed deeply. "Thank you, Professor."
Flitwick chuckled, then offered a bit of constructive criticism. Char listened intently, determined not to waste the opportunity to learn from a true master. As Flitwick explained, Char felt his understanding deepen; the bronze glow on his system panel grew more solid and real.
Encouraged, Char asked Flitwick some of the advanced questions he'd encountered while reading the Half-Blood Prince's notes. Flitwick was surprised—and delighted—by Char's insight and progress.
"This child has changed so much since the start of term," Flitwick thought. "Even Hermione can't match his understanding of magic now. He's both hardworking and bright."
The two discussed magic in depth, leaving the rest of the class bewildered. Hannah gaped. "Merlin! If Char's a half-giant, what does that make the rest of us?"
Malfoy felt as if he'd been slapped. He couldn't accept that a pure-blood like himself was being left behind.
Finally, the bell rang, and Flitwick reluctantly ended the discussion. "Char, if you have more questions, come to my office anytime."
Char thanked him again, his heart full of joy. The brief exchange had cleared up many of his doubts, and the luster of his spells on the system panel grew even more solid.
He left the classroom, clutching the Elber tree, his heartbeat quickening. If he could plant it at ten thousand meters, what level would the rewards reach? Maybe… just maybe… he could unlock a diamond-level reward.
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