Chapter 135: Talent Surpassing the Dark Lord? Please Punish Me to Your Heart's Content!

While Snape was shocked by his own speculation, the Board of Governors and review committee members were frantically checking on Bozo Chalman's condition. "He's not dead yet. But he's hanging by a thread. His body is covered with wounds from Shadow Thorns... this will probably take a full year to heal completely. He probably won't be able to write this whole year." Hearing this, Ciel showed a regretful expression. "That's truly unfortunate. Don't misunderstand. I mean, thinking about how for the next year, herbologists will lose Master Bozo's commentary articles... I feel genuinely regretful. Without his articles to read, what will I look at when I go to the bathroom? The entire Herbology world will lose so much entertainment!" With these words, the Board of Governors and review committee members were thoroughly enraged. "You did this on purpose. This was all your trap. Sinister, vicious! How could Hufflepuff have someone like you!" One Board member shouted, "I'm going to expel you!" Just as he shouted about expelling Ciel, Professor Sprout had already pulled out a pot of Fanged Geraniums. She threw it toward that Board member. If not for a powerful Shield Charm appearing at that moment, this pot of Fanged Geraniums would have made intimate contact with the Board member's nose. But now, the Fanged Geraniums could only futilely bite at air. Clearly from their appearance, they were quite angry. At this time, Dumbledore's helpless voice rang out. "Pomona. Why has your temper become so violent lately?" Professor Sprout glared dissatisfied at Dumbledore, who had cast the Shield Charm. "My child is about to be expelled. Can't I be a little violent?" Dumbledore smiled wryly and shook his head, but his tone was quite firm. "To expel a student, you'd need the Hogwarts Headmaster's agreement, right? I don't recall signing such a document. So Pomona, please put away the Fanged Geraniums first." Only then did Professor Sprout snort coldly and reluctantly put away the pot of Fanged Geraniums. But looking at these Board and review committee members, she was completely done giving them any face. "You've all seen the little greenhouse situation. This isn't something the review committee is qualified to evaluate. From now on, you're not welcome in the little greenhouse, and my Herbology teaching doesn't need evaluation from people who don't understand Herbology." The Board member who had nearly had his nose bitten off by Fanged Geraniums became even more furious. The other Board members' faces also looked extremely ugly. First that Quidditch match, then the little greenhouse incident. Their dignity had been trampled underfoot. One Board member clenched his fists and said coldly, "Fine. Dumbledore, you want to protect them. But don't forget, the Board of Governors also retains one power. We can completely propose expulsion proceedings. As long as all Board members vote unanimously, even if you oppose it, Dumbledore, we can still expel a student. According to rules, we have one opportunity each year to convene expulsion proceedings. Previously we didn't want to interfere with Hogwarts' teaching order. But now it seems we have no choice but to intervene." With these words, several Board members raised their heads proudly, feeling like they were about to regain their dignity. If they didn't expel Ciel this time, would the Board still have any influence over Hogwarts? Wouldn't the Board truly become completely powerless, just a nice-sounding title? Then all their gazes fell on Lucius, waiting for this Board representative to take a stance. Lucius showed some awkward expression, feeling speechless inside. He only wanted to follow orders and cause some trouble for Hogwarts... he hadn't intended to escalate things this far. If he really agreed to expulsion proceedings, regardless of whether Ciel was actually expelled in the end, he'd probably completely offend Dumbledore and Professor Sprout. But if he didn't go through with the proceedings, that would be backstabbing the Board members. The Malfoy family's business with them might even suffer. At the same time, this would also lose an opportunity to further tie up Dumbledore and others. What if the person behind the scenes blamed him? At this moment, Lucius was quite torn between conflicting loyalties. Fortunately, mocking laughter rang out, diverting everyone's attention. The one laughing was Snape, who had recovered from his shock. The Board members still had a decent attitude toward this Slytherin Head of House. "Professor Snape, what are you laughing at?" Snape looked at this group of Board members like they were idiots. "I'm laughing at you fools. Actually able to say something like expelling Ciel." The Board members became even more furious. But before they could erupt, Snape shook his head contemptuously. "Looking at you all, do you never read a single magic book normally? Your minds are all buried in piles of Galleons and your fancy balls. Haven't you realized even now that the Devil's Snare and Shadow Thorns in this little greenhouse are both mutated subspecies?" This term left the Board members quite confused, searching their memories for relevant information. After a while, someone finally dredged up from their nearly forgotten knowledge what mutated subspecies of magical herbs were. "You mean. These two plants weren't cultivated using traditional methods. But are herbs with different characteristics?" This Board member frowned. "So what?" Snape couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Do you have any idea what it means to independently cultivate three magical plant variant subspecies within half a year, all excellent mutations? Go ahead and make your expulsion decision, but I guarantee that if you actually get your wish, you'll probably have sleepless nights for the rest of your lives." The Board members were even more confused. "Snape. What exactly are you trying to say? How could expelling a young wizard make us lose sleep?" Snape said quietly, "Have you forgotten about Durmstrang School? A century ago, Durmstrang expelled a student. Later this student swept through almost the entire European magical world. Durmstrang was thoroughly criticized for this. Many people said that if they hadn't expelled that person back then, perhaps there wouldn't have been so much trouble." Hearing this, the Board members paused for a moment before realizing who Snape was referring to. Instantly, everyone was shocked. "You mean. Grindelwald?!" Even Lucius Malfoy stared wide-eyed at Ciel in horror. "Sev... Severus... You're saying his talent is comparable to that of that Grindelwald?!" Snape said with certainty, "Not comparable. Ciel's talent in Herbology, I dare say, might even surpass Grindelwald's talent in Dark Magic. People with magical talent like Grindelwald... there are at least three this century. But someone like Ciel who can independently cultivate three variant subspecies in half a year... you'd be hard-pressed to find even a few throughout magical history." Speaking of this, Snape shrugged gleefully. "Of course, you can choose not to believe it and continue with your approach. I just somewhat forgot what happened to those who expelled Grindelwald after he rose to power. Can someone help me remember?" The Board members' previous arrogance was now completely frozen. What happened to those who expelled Grindelwald? Probably the best outcome would be imprisonment in Nurmengard. More likely, they died in extremely painful ways. Thinking this, several people couldn't help but shiver, beginning to calculate the costs and benefits. Though this was all Snape's one-sided account, how ordinary was a Potions Master's judgment? They understood Snape well enough. Usually his evaluations of young wizards were either "dunderhead" or "troll." Those who could get even his cold, brief evaluation were actually already in the genius category. But now, Snape held Ciel in such high regard. Maybe he really did have the potential to become someone like Grindelwald someday. What use would expelling him be? This kind of monster could absorb nourishment and grow anywhere. Look at Grindelwald's record. At Durmstrang, his Dark Magic research still had some restraints. Once expelled, he completely let himself go. His strength grew even faster than when he was in school. What if Ciel replicated this scenario? This would be a family-destroying disaster! In comparison, what benefits would expelling him bring? Nothing more than saving some face. As for interfering with Hogwarts... Dumbledore wasn't dead yet. Who had that capability? After weighing the pros and cons this way, several Board members decided to back down. But they'd already made such a big show... how could they step down now? This might be somewhat difficult for others, requiring some face-saving. But for these Slytherin-born old foxes, once benefits and risks were weighed, what was face worth? The Board member who had just been shouting about expelling Ciel suddenly staggered, swaying as if about to faint. People nearby quickly supported him. After standing steady again, he looked rather confused. "Eh? I came in such a hurry today; I didn't have time to take my medicine this morning. Did I just have an episode?" As he spoke, he apologetically pulled out a small bottle from his chest. "When I have episodes, I get confused. Don't know what I'm saying at all. Did I say anything crazy just now? I don't seem to remember any of it... don't take it to heart." Then he tilted his head back and drank the bottle's contents completely. But simultaneously, the aroma of whiskey still inevitably wafted through the air. This performance left even Dumbledore clicking his tongue in amazement. He also tactfully ignored the whiskey smell in the air, showing concern. "Is that so? You need to take care of your health. The Board of Governors is Hogwarts' pillar... if you don't take care of yourselves, how can Hogwarts be well?" All the Board members nodded, looking at Dumbledore with sighs. "Headmaster Dumbledore. Sigh, seeing you this time, you seem more haggard than before. With so many affairs and daily responsibilities, you must also take care of your health. The magical world cannot do without you." For a moment, the previously tense atmosphere completely vanished. The mood immediately became as gentle as a spring breeze... if not for Bozo Chalman lying bloodied on the ground letting out a few painful groans, these old foxes, Dumbledore and the Board might have reminisced about old friendships even more. At this time, the Board members' gazes fell on Bozo Chalman. They looked somewhat awkwardly at Dumbledore. "So... This should be because Bozo Chalman himself was too careless, right? Actually unable to handle newly planted Devil's Snare and thorns, which led to this regrettable incident? What do you say, Dumbledore?" Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Indeed, it was because Bozo Chalman himself was too careless. However..." He changed his tone, his expression becoming serious. "As the person responsible for the little greenhouse, Ciel failed to assess risks in time. He was also negligent and slack, ignoring Bozo Chalman's cries for help. Additionally, planting dangerous plants like Devil's Snare and Shadow Thorns without approval. He must also be punished. Severely punished!" The Board members looked at each other. They had thought this matter would end with them losing face, but unexpectedly Dumbledore still gave them dignity and an out. Though it certainly wouldn't be expulsion-level punishment for Ciel, there would at least be some show of it. Surprised, they felt much more comfortable inside. Professor Sprout became anxious. "Dumbledore!" At this time, Dumbledore winked at her, then became even more serious. "Pomona, even your pleading won't help. You've been too lax in disciplining young Ciel. Fortunately nothing major happened today, but what if something happens in the future? Sometimes, punishment is also an educational tool." Then his gaze fell on Ciel, his voice cold. "Ciel Sprout. I declare that for the next entire week, you will be confined to the little greenhouse. Except for necessary food and water delivered by house-elves, you are not permitted to step one foot outside the little greenhouse!" Ciel was stunned, completely bewildered. He hadn't expected Dumbledore's "punishment" to be like this. A whole week of detention... didn't that mean he would have an entire week to plant herbs and study spells? There was such a good thing?! His expression became involuntarily excited. Seeing this, the Board members' expressions improved considerably. After all, he was just a first-year student. Being detained for a whole week was already quite a severe punishment. Thinking back to their own school days, detention was like a nightmare experience. Being detained for one day was already terrible... how much more so for Ciel being detained a whole week? Not being able to leave the little greenhouse for a week... wouldn't that drive him crazy?! At this time, Dumbledore looked at him. "Ciel. Do you have any objections to this decision?" He understood Dumbledore's meaning. His heart stirred as he immediately showed dissatisfaction. "Headmaster, a week's detention?! This isn't fair!" Dumbledore looked displeased, frowning tightly. "Not fair? You've just reminded me. Compared to your negligence, a week's detention is indeed too little. Two weeks!" Ciel became even more indignant. "Two weeks?! Headmaster, isn't this too excessive?!" Dumbledore seemed angry, immediately slamming the table hard and shouting. "Three weeks! And at the end of the term, you'll have to patrol the Forbidden Forest as punishment! If you continue with this attitude, Ciel, this punishment won't be just this." Hearing this, his previous momentum immediately deflated. He seemed somewhat emotionally collapsed, half-crouching on the ground, covering his face with his hands, his body trembling slightly. His voice was also shaking. "I understand, Headmaster. I won't dare again. Three weeks it is." The Board members who witnessed this entire conversation, including Lucius Malfoy, were all quite surprised. They had thought this old fox Dumbledore was going to make big things small and small things disappear. The punishment falling on Ciel might just be cleaning the trophy room or copying some school rules. They hadn't expected this old fox Dumbledore to actually be quite fair? Three weeks detention plus Forbidden Forest patrol duty... back in their school days, this would have reached almost maximum punishment standards, right? Dumbledore had still given them face. So the Board members' anger subsided considerably. They were finally about to leave satisfied to inspect other places. Only Lucius Malfoy fell back a few steps, staying at the rear. He looked at Ciel's trembling hands covering his face, showing some strange expression. Still just a child after all. Hearing about such severe punishment and having to go to the Forbidden Forest... probably scared silly. But according to Snape's words, his future achievements would probably be truly extraordinary. Lucius also felt somewhat moved, having thoughts of investment. Coincidentally, he had brought a gift this time, originally planning to use it to ease relations with Ciel and Professor Sprout after the review ended. But now, it was perfect to give to him. Consider it initially establishing some connection with Ciel. Then Lucius pulled out a piece of parchment from his chest and handed it to him. "Don't be afraid, young Mr. Sprout. Though the Forbidden Forest journey is dangerous, if you can learn this spell, then you won't need to fear. This is a collection exclusive to our Malfoy family. If you want to consult any ancient texts in the future, the Malfoy family would be happy to help you." Having said this, Lucius slowly left the little greenhouse. After he left, Ciel finally released the hand covering the smile on his face. After learning of his "punishment," the curve of his lips was really hard to suppress. Then he looked at the parchment Lucius had given him, his eyes showing curiosity. When he saw the content on the parchment, Ciel showed surprise and let out a soft sound. "This is?" [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? 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