Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants

Seeing the rewards that Piranha Algae could provide, Ciel's eyes immediately lit up with anticipation.

The Water Affinity reward—just from the name alone, he could tell it should increase his adaptability in aquatic environments. Although it might not be as effective as Gillyweed's reward, which allowed complete freedom of movement underwater, if stacked to high levels, it should significantly extend the time he could stay submerged compared to normal human limits.

Combined with Ciel's legendary-level vitality, he estimated he could probably dive into the Black Lake using just his natural abilities.

The Black Lake was a precious treasure trove of magical resources. Not only did it contain giant squids and merpeople, but it also harbored many precious aquatic herbs. Some were so valuable that even herbology masters and potions masters would compete fiercely for them. If Ciel could stack up the Water Affinity reward, he might make some surprising discoveries in the Black Lake's depths in the future.

Besides that, what excited Ciel most was the Cutting Spell Enhancement that Piranha Algae could provide. This was exactly the combat enhancement ability he had been hoping to obtain.

He knew that the Half-Blood Prince's potions textbook contained the spell Sectumsempra. The cutting spell enhancement might work synergistically with Sectumsempra. If that were truly the case, then after mastering Sectumsempra in the future, if he could find a way to stack it to legendary level and also stack the cutting spell enhancement to legendary level, what kind of devastating power would result from combining the two?

Perhaps it could rival mythical-level power! It would be enough to kill Dolohov!

Additionally, this reward might also have an enhancing effect on his Pruning Charm, further improving his cultivation efficiency.

Ciel's eyes showed burning intensity. If his speculation was correct, then cultivating Piranha Algae could greatly help both his magical cultivation and combat abilities.

As for the notorious difficulties in growing it, they could actually be ignored given Ciel's unique advantages. Needing a pitch-black environment without any light? Ciel had just harvested Gold-Tier night vision ability from the Lumos Shrooms. Darkness wouldn't hinder his movements at all.

As for the sharp spines of Piranha Algae, they were nothing to someone with his legendary vitality.

So Ciel decisively said to Professor Sprout, "Aunt, I want to grow this."

But upon hearing this, Professor Sprout's expression changed dramatically. She rarely refused Ciel's requests, but this time was different.

"No. You can grow anything else, but not Piranha Algae."

Her eyes showed lingering fear, as if recalling traumatic memories of the previous student who had attempted to cultivate this dangerous plant.

"From the moment he started trying to cultivate Piranha Algae, his hands were covered with tiny wounds every day. Every time Madam Pomfrey treated his wounds, they would be cut open again the next time he tended to the Piranha Algae. According to him, every time he put his hands into the tank, he felt bone-deep fear and revulsion, couldn't sleep at night, and had nightmares of being devoured by piranhas. During that period, he lost almost twenty pounds."

Speaking of this, Professor Sprout seemed to imagine this horrific scene happening to Ciel. She clenched her hands tightly with maternal protectiveness.

"Ciel, you are the last bloodline of the Sprout family. I must be responsible for you."

Upon hearing this, Ciel fell silent for a moment. Among the aquatic herbs he could currently see, Piranha Algae provided the most suitable rewards for his goals. With other herbs, the efficiency would be much lower.

So after a moment of consideration, he said firmly to Professor Sprout, "Aunt, I still want to try."

Professor Sprout's face was filled with anxiety as Ciel continued with passionate conviction:

"Precisely because I am the only bloodline of the Sprout family, because I've enjoyed so much care and treatment that you've provided, I must be worthy of all this. My parents are watching me from heaven, and they still have a blood feud that hasn't been avenged. I must constantly remind myself of this point. Aunt, I still have a great enemy to eliminate."

His voice grew more determined. "Too much comfort will make me lose my drive to progress. A little pain can actually keep me clear-headed."

Then Ciel comforted Professor Sprout: "I'll be very careful in my operations. If I really can't bear it, I won't stubbornly continue."

Upon hearing this heartfelt plea, Professor Sprout's expression changed repeatedly. Finally, after struggling internally for a long time, she sighed deeply.

"Alright, Ciel, you always have your own ideas."

Professor Sprout took out a completely sealed, light-proof bag. "Inside here are Piranha Algae seeds. Scatter them in water, and they'll quickly grow long, thin algae leaves covered with tiny serrations. Then you'll need to put your hands into the water to remove those poorly developed algae leaves and help the healthy leaves attach to the tank walls."

She paused ominously. "Then this becomes your daily routine. They even like to play hide-and-seek games. Every so often, you'll need to play hide-and-seek with them using your fingers. Are you still sure you want to cultivate this herb?"

Ciel nodded with unwavering determination.

Professor Sprout could only helplessly hand the bag to him, then began explaining in meticulous detail the precautions for growing Piranha Algae.

After a long while, when Ciel had thoroughly understood these critical precautions, Professor Sprout covered his water tanks with black cloth that let absolutely no light through, leaving only small gaps for observation and operation.

Then she handed the bag of seeds to Ciel, worriedly instructing, "Be careful."

Ciel carefully took the bag and crawled into the gap between the black cloth and the water tank. Immediately, not even a trace of light could be seen around him. Before him was complete, suffocating darkness.

What Ciel needed to do next was grope with his hands through the tank's operation hole. In complete darkness, he had to complete the delicate operations of sowing Piranha Algae seeds and removing algae leaves.

Ciel sighed inwardly. No wonder the student who previously cultivated Piranha Algae had nightmares about it. Darkness was what humans feared most. Having to put hands underwater in darkness, always at risk of being sharply cut by Piranha Algae spines—this experience was indeed quite torturous for ordinary people.

But fortunately, Ciel already possessed Gold-Tier night vision ability. At this moment, in his enhanced eyes, although the pitch-black water tank couldn't be said to show every minute detail, calling it bright as daylight wasn't an exaggeration.

When he could see clearly, there was nothing to fear.

Then Ciel didn't hesitate and put a small handful of Piranha Algae seeds into the water tank.

At this moment, a strange and fascinating scene occurred. The Piranha Algae seeds expanded at an incredible speed. Layer upon layer, piece by piece, algae leaves began spreading outward from the seeds as the center. The edges of the algae leaves were covered with serrated spines like genuine piranha teeth.

However, Ciel could also clearly see that some of the spreading algae leaves were full and vibrant with life, while others were listless and weak. These unhealthy leaves had to be removed, or they would soon affect the Piranha Algae's overall growth. Those full, healthy leaves also needed to attach to the tank walls to continue developing properly.

This meant putting hands into those densely packed spines to gently complete the operations. This was no different from putting hands into a pile of sharp steel needles.

However, Ciel's expression remained completely calm. He didn't hesitate for even a moment.

Ciel put his hand into the water tank and began operating with practiced precision. The moment his hand entered the water and touched the Piranha Algae leaves, those leaves immediately began contracting defensively, and the serrated spines on the edges really did slash across Ciel's hands like genuine piranha teeth.

But Ciel's skin was exceptionally tough beyond normal human limits. These spines were like pricking cowhide. Not only did they not make Ciel bleed, they even gave him a wonderful sensation remarkably similar to fish therapy.

"Hiss..." Ciel suddenly let out a soft, surprised grunt.

Professor Sprout beside him immediately became nervous with maternal concern. "Ciel? Does it hurt? If you can't bear it, stop immediately."

But immediately after, Ciel let out another soft grunt—this time clearly one of pleasure rather than pain.

Then he said with genuine excitement, "Aunt, this thing doesn't hurt at all. It's tingly and quite pleasant. This Piranha Algae gives quite a good massage!"

(End of Chapter)

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