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

Ciel looked at that tiny reward orb floating above the newly sprouted seed.

[Defense Against the Dark Arts Insight (Black Iron Tier)]

Since the seed had only just sprouted and couldn't even be considered successfully planted yet, its reward compared to when mature was truly negligible. But this didn't affect Ciel's joyful mood.

After all, the Guardian Tree wasn't like Piranha Algae. The latter's main difficulty lay in needing to possess the Frequency Charm and coincidentally discovering the light spectrum that Piranha Algae favored. Once these conditions were met, the cultivation difficulty became much smaller.

But every step of the Guardian Tree required solid fundamentals. Being able to complete the seed processing procedure also proved that Ciel's mastery in herbology had risen a level.

Although there was still a considerable distance from successfully cultivating a Guardian Tree, at least Ciel was already on the path.

Thinking of this, Ciel felt somewhat regretful. "Unfortunately, from seed germination to planting it in soil and truly entering the cultivation stage is also a difficult hurdle. Just the soil preparation requirements alone are extremely demanding. By my estimation, probably Gold-Tier Soil-Loosening Charm would be needed for complete confidence. The same goes for the Pruning Charm."

Ciel shook his head. No wonder the Guardian Tree was called the first milestone every herbologist must experience by Professor Sprout. Magical perception, mastery of common spells... truly none could be lacking.

Being able to cultivate the Guardian Tree well meant that all essential herbology abilities had reached a certain level. Going on to cultivate ordinary herbs would basically not be a problem. He was still quite far from that level.

"Next, I need to continue improving magical perception. And mastery of spells... I need to focus more on the Soil-Loosening Charm and Pruning Charm. I'll strive to advance to Gold Tier as soon as possible, then I can start attempting the next stage of Guardian Tree cultivation."

Ciel looked at the rooted Guardian Tree seed in the test tube in his hand. "Before that, I'll have Aunt preserve this state of the Guardian Tree seed first. Also, the effects of the Frequency Charm on Goldfish Vines. Especially its mutation-inducing effect on Piranha Algae... I haven't told her about these yet."

Then Ciel, carrying the Guardian Tree seed, quickly walked toward the Hufflepuff Head's office.

When Professor Sprout saw Ciel coming at this time, her eyes showed some surprise. After all, Ciel usually spent all his free time in the greenhouse and rarely appeared in the castle. This child was too hardworking.

If it weren't for the fact that the little badgers were all very supportive of Ciel, and he seemed to get along well with Cedric and the others during Quidditch training, Professor Sprout would have been a bit worried about his interpersonal relationships.

Just then, Professor Sprout's gaze suddenly fixed on the test tube in Ciel's hand. Clear, transparent potion with magic drained away. Guardian Tree seed with roots growing from the bottom...

This has been successfully processed!

Professor Sprout shot to her feet. Even the chair behind her fell backward, hitting the floor with a loud crash. But Professor Sprout acted as if she hadn't heard it. She was so excited she began to stutter.

"C-Ciel... you processed this!"

Ciel nodded and explained. "I felt like I was in good condition today, so I tried it. I didn't expect to be lucky enough to actually succeed."

Before he could finish speaking, Professor Sprout eagerly took the test tube containing the Guardian Tree seed. Her eyes looked at it as if viewing a rare treasure. Even toward her own most proud academic achievements, Professor Sprout had never shown such care.

One and a half months after enrollment, Ciel had completed the first step of Guardian Tree cultivation. How long had it taken her back then? She seemed to have become particularly interested in herbology during her second year. But completing the first step had taken her over two months. That was already considered fast. But compared to Ciel, it was far inferior.

Yet Professor Sprout was filled with joy. What did this mean? It meant Ciel truly had unique talent in herbology. The child of our Sprout family... the makings of a herbology master!

While Professor Sprout was looking at the seed like a treasure, Ciel continued. "I've completed this step, but I'm not confident about the next step. So I need to ask you, Aunt, to help me temporarily preserve it with potions. Also, I have another important matter to tell you about."

Professor Sprout was somewhat surprised by Ciel's words. Using potions to preserve Guardian Tree seeds... that was nothing special. Just standard procedure for herbology Guardian Tree cultivation. But Ciel said there was another important matter. What did that refer to? Looking at his expression, this matter might be even more important than the Guardian Tree.

Then Ciel began telling Professor Sprout about his discoveries regarding the Frequency Charm. Professor Sprout was initially somewhat confused. She didn't understand why such a small spell based on improving the Lumos Charm would make Ciel take it so seriously.

But soon, upon hearing that Goldfish Vines grew better under the blue-purple spectrum of the Frequency Charm, a bolt of lightning flashed through Professor Sprout's mind.

Research on Goldfish Vines had long been thoroughly done in the wizarding world. But the discovery that the Frequency Charm could increase Goldfish Vine growth speed was unprecedented. A completely novel research angle!

Writing a paper on this, if she submitted it, getting into a top herbology journal would be as simple as eating and drinking. And Professor Sprout immediately thought of other implications.

If the Frequency Charm had effects on Goldfish Vines, then there might be many more plants in the wizarding world that could show reactions to the Frequency Charm. Just the research direction of the Frequency Charm alone could probably produce dozens of top journal papers in herbology. The academic value was simply unimaginable!

Thinking of this, Professor Sprout's face flushed red with excitement. Not because she herself needed these credentials. What a joke. As a herbology master, she had published dozens of top herbology journal papers. She no longer needed such papers to add to her reputation.

But Ciel needed them. This one Frequency Charm, properly managed, would make many herbologists owe Ciel favors when doing similar research. Calling Ciel a founder of a new school wouldn't be excessive.

In the future, when Ciel applied for the Order of Merlin and became a herbology master, it would be much simpler.

Professor Sprout took a deep breath. "Ciel, don't tell anyone about this for now. The effect of the Frequency Charm on Goldfish Vines is already enough for a top journal paper. But after we publish it, countless herbology scholars will surely rush to imitate. If someone produces much more shocking results, the importance and impact of our first publication will be greatly diminished."

She continued with growing excitement. "Let me continue researching the Frequency Charm to see if I can summarize other magical herbs' reactions to it. Ideally, we could use the Frequency Charm to induce amazing mutations in some magical herb. That would carry enough weight. In the future, no matter who uses the Frequency Charm for research, they'll have to cite our published paper."

Professor Sprout's face showed confidence. "Give me some time... I'm confident I can produce this result by the end of this school year. By then, with your groundbreaking contribution, getting one or even two more experimental plots in the Hogwarts greenhouse would be completely justified."

Hearing this, Ciel suddenly froze. Burning intensity flashed in his eyes. "Aunt, you're saying there's a possibility of getting me two more experimental plots?"

Professor Sprout nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course. Precious experimental plots should definitely be given priority to students with potential in herbology, striving to help them produce more results during their student years. This is our tradition."

Ciel took a deep breath. Although he hadn't originally planned to hide the Piranha Algae mutation from Professor Sprout, he hadn't expected such benefits. Experimental plots were extremely important to him. One more experimental plot meant he could cultivate one more type of magical herb. Or double the cultivation scale of a certain magical herb.

So the next moment, Ciel laid his cards on the table. "Aunt, actually, I haven't finished telling you about the Frequency Charm discoveries. The amazing magical herb mutation results you mentioned... I've already achieved them."

Professor Sprout suddenly froze there, staring blankly at Ciel.

"Huh?"

(End of Chapter)

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