Chapter 143: Breaking Shell! The Weak? The Strong!

Glancing over the two Legendary-level abilities—Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength—Ciel's gaze inevitably became fervent. In a certain sense, compared to magic, these two abilities were his greatest reliance. If the Blood Jade's rewards could truly help these two abilities achieve some breakthrough, the significance for him would be extraordinary. After all, he had already experienced the improvement from Legendary to Mythical tier on the World Tree roots. The difference between them was like heaven and earth! So regarding Hagrid's invitation to watch the dragon egg hatch tonight, he nodded readily. "I'll definitely come tonight." Only then did Hagrid show a relieved expression. "That's wonderful. Otherwise, with just me there alone, if anything goes wrong during hatching, I wouldn't know what to do." Hearing this, Ciel was slightly stunned and subconsciously asked, "Hagrid, didn't you invite Harry and the others?" In the original story, Harry and the others going to watch the dragon egg hatch had led to quite a few events. Being punished to enter the Forbidden Forest was also because they wanted to send the young dragon away. But this time, Harry and the others weren't coming? Speaking of this, Hagrid's face also showed regret. "Isn't it because of that damned academic review? Ciel, you don't know... after you were detained in the little greenhouse, Hogwarts was in quite an uproar. Those review committee members kept sitting in on classes and checking homework... they caused quite a lot of trouble. Except for Snape, all the other professors were nearly exhausted. Harry and the others insist this whole thing was orchestrated by Snape to find an opportunity to steal the Philosopher's Stone. So they've been on guard against Snape, taking turns watching him every day. It only ended a couple days ago... they're probably exhausted and can't stay up." Hearing this, Ciel felt both amused and exasperated. How did the academic review's blame also fall on Snape's head? Could only say Snape truly had the face of a villain. After a moment, he shook his head. Whatever, it didn't matter anyway. It was probably better if the trio didn't come. Otherwise, they'd just badmouth Snape's supposed "evil" schemes in front of him again. He didn't want to deal with that. Then he said to Hagrid, "I understand, Hagrid. Don't worry, I'll be there when the dragon egg hatches tonight. But..." He looked at the surging little Hufflepuffs nearby and apologetically said to Hagrid. "As you can see. The House seems to have prepared a welcome party for me. I'm afraid I can't come very early. By the way, want to come eat something? There should be the best Butterbeer." Hagrid swallowed, clearly quite tempted, but after a moment he regretfully shook his head. "No, no, forget it. I'm afraid something might happen to Norbert. Alright, Ciel, this is your welcome party... have fun." Then Hagrid pushed through the crowd again, walking worriedly toward his hut. He was surrounded by little Hufflepuffs as they returned to Hufflepuff House. After three weeks away, returning to the common room, he felt he almost didn't recognize the place. Especially with banners posted everywhere. "Welcome Home Ciel." "Hufflepuff's Strongest Beater." "Badger House Glory." Even the common room had been transformed into one long table. Above the long table floated a massive cake nearly reaching the ceiling. It showed him riding a Nimbus 2000, swinging a beater's bat. Cedric patted his shoulder, winking. "Impressive enough? We prepared for a whole week with the Head of House's support." He teased. "Do you know the Hufflepuff girls have been arguing for ages over who gets to eat the piece with your lips first? Want me to introduce you to some older girls?" Hearing this, Ciel showed an astonished expression and said helplessly, "Cedric, can you go back to being the upright gentleman I first met? Why are you so mischievous now?" Cedric laughed heartily and gave him a forceful hug. "Hey, Beater, welcome back. Enjoy your welcome party properly. We're just one game away from the championship. Three weeks of detention didn't make your hands soft, did it?" He also laughed, returning Cedric an extremely solid shoulder pat that made Cedric grimace. At this time, the other little foodie Hufflepuffs were eagerly eyeing the delicious food on the long table. The Hufflepuff girls were scanning the cake above with burning gazes. Unknowingly, expectant looks all fell on him. Warmth surged through his heart. Then he drew his wand. With a wave of his wand, colorful smoke spread out. The smoke then transformed into a badger, spinning and leaping in the common room. The next moment, amid everyone's cheers, he called out loudly. "Thank you all for your hard work during this time. Now, let's eat!" Instantly, Butterbeer and champagne flew together, cake sharing colors with apple pie. The entire Hufflepuff House was immersed in joy. At the same time, a figure hurriedly left Hogwarts, appearing in Hogsmeade village and sitting at a corner table in the Hog's Head Inn. The bar owner Aberforth could tell at a glance that this hooded figure was definitely a Hogwarts student. Probably a Slytherin too. But Aberforth was long accustomed to Hogwarts students sneaking out to drink. With a glance, he looked away and skillfully served up a Butterbeer. This Slytherin student drank one gulp after another, seemingly quite anxious and restless. Soon after he sat down, another short, stocky figure entered the bar and sat across from him. A sickeningly sweet voice came from under the hood. "Dear. You asked to meet me... I assume you've brought me some good news?" The Slytherin student grew visibly more agitated after hearing this voice. He dropped his voice to a whisper. "Can you actually get me a Ministry position?" His voice carried clear skepticism. "I heard that after that hearing, you've been sidelined. The Wizengamot even forced the Ministry to explain their hiring procedures. You're not just stringing me along, are you?" The sickeningly sweet voice also lowered, full of confidence. "However cold the bench, I was once a high Ministry official. You're not asking for those popular positions where you can draw salary without working... those would indeed be difficult. Just a Ministry position... I can still manage that. As for the Wizengamot's investigation..." The voice sneered. "At most they'll send out a couple of contractors who didn't go through the right channels to make a show of it. Want to touch official employees? So many people got in through various high officials' connections... the Wizengamot can't afford to offend them. That's the least of your worries." Then from under the hood emerged a fat face wearing a disgustingly false smile. It was Umbridge, who had recently lost face at the hearing and seen her political career ended. Her eyes fixed on the Slytherin student across from her like a poisonous toad. Making the Slytherin student somewhat shudder. She said quietly, "Dear, I've already given you my promise. So you should let me know whether you got the information I wanted." The Slytherin student seemed conflicted even at this point. Silent for a long while, he still hadn't spoken. Umbridge showed no impatience, just maintained that smile. She continued. "Do you know why I chose you among so many students? Because seeing you reminds me of my former self. A half-blood in Slytherin... life's not easy, is it? Seventh year, about to graduate. Your prominent classmates knew years ago where they were going. Most will inherit family businesses, living prosperous lives you can't imagine. Power and money are things they're born with. Those few from declining families can still use family connections to easily arrange Ministry positions. The most leisurely, well-compensated positions in the Ministry are prepared for them... some even have tailor-made exams. Can't help it... pure-blood families are all related somehow. They have good relatives. What's left are Slytherin half-bloods like us with no background, fighting tooth and nail for opportunities others wouldn't want." Her eyes bulged, looking even more like a toad. But her eyes flashed with terrifying light. "In life, there aren't many chances to change your fate. If you don't seize opportunities, for the rest of your life, thinking back to today, you'll definitely regret it. I've tasted that feeling... it's terrible. So, will you tell me? If not, I'm leaving." These words finally made the Slytherin student decide. He gritted his teeth. "I secretly found out. That gamekeeper, Hagrid... it's him. He definitely secretly got a dragon egg. Tonight, Ciel will join him to witness the dragon egg hatching." Hearing this, her short, thick fingers suddenly clenched. But her face showed nothing as she stared at the Slytherin student, continuing to press. "Evidence?" The Slytherin student immediately said, "I checked the library. Hagrid's been borrowing books about dragon-raising. Recently he's been frequently borrowing books about dragon egg hatching precautions and young dragon care. So that dragon egg must be about to hatch. When Ciel's detention ended today, Hagrid was there too. I was mixed in the crowd, eavesdropping. Though it was noisy, Hagrid's voice is always loud. I'm certain I heard that tonight, Ciel will join Hagrid to hatch a dragon. A Class 5X dangerous magical creature that the Ministry strictly forbids private ownership of, yet the gamekeeper secretly hatched one, involving Ciel Sprout, whom you hate most. Is this information enough?" Umbridge finally showed an appreciative smile. "Dear. Wait for your job offer. With your abilities, you'll climb high in the Ministry." The Slytherin student left the Hog's Head without a word. She leisurely finished her Butterbeer before slowly leaving the bar. Then her steps grew faster and faster. A twisted smile appeared at the corners of her mouth. Her eyes bulged as if about to fall out, full of cold light. "In life, there aren't many chances to change your fate. I climbed step by step from the lowest clerk to a high Ministry position through countless hardships. I haven't reached the top yet. I haven't become Minister. How can I let my political career be buried like this? So what if I lost once? I can climb back up... this is my chance!" She clenched her fists tightly. In the previous hearing, from the moment Ciel arrived with two unconscious employees, she had lost control of the rhythm. This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake. She would obtain the crucial evidence herself. "Tonight, at the gamekeeper's hut by the Forbidden Forest." She repeated these words, ensuring they were deeply etched in her mind, never to be forgotten. Only then did her figure disappear from Hogsmeade. Late night. The gamekeeper's hut. Hagrid paced anxiously, his gaze fixed on the black dragon egg. The egg already had several bulges but showed no further movement, making Hagrid extremely anxious. Just then, Ciel's figure suddenly appeared in the hut, startling Hagrid. "Ah? Ciel?" He immediately understood. "You came wearing an Invisibility Cloak... Harry's?" He nodded and looked at the dragon egg. "How's Norbert's hatching going?" Hagrid shook his head worriedly. "It seems to be trying to break the shell. But not every young dragon can successfully break through the shell. Wild dragon eggs might only have a one-third hatching rate. Hungarian Horntail shells are the hardest among dragon eggs. Plus Norbert is a bit congenitally deficient... it might not successfully break out." Speaking of this, Hagrid began sobbing uncontrollably, shaking the ceiling. Looking at the dragon egg's condition, his expression was also serious. Whether this dragon could hatch was crucial to whether his Blood Jade could be mass-cultivated. It was even more crucial to whether his Legendary Vitality and Legendary Strength abilities could advance further on the path to Mythical tier. There could be absolutely no mistakes. At this moment, in his perception, he seemed to feel anxious magical fluctuations from the young dragon in the egg. Thump, thump, thump. The young dragon struck the egg several more times, creating new dents on the hard shell. But the shell still showed no cracks. Seeing this, his heart sank slightly. Hagrid cried even harder. "Ciel, what do we do now?" He took a deep breath. "Let me try." He took out the small silver bucket he'd brought. Previously, when the dragon egg was nearly losing its life force, the small silver bucket had stimulated the egg's vitality. Now during the young dragon's shell-breaking process, maybe the small silver bucket could help too. Then he immediately placed the dragon egg in the small silver bucket. As before, he poured in scalding chicken blood brandy, evenly dousing the dragon egg. This action clearly had an effect. The dragon egg faintly emitted weak dragon roars. The young dragon continuously struck the egg. The dents became more numerous and dense. Both he and Hagrid's eyes lit up. This method worked?! Then Hagrid quickly brought bucket after bucket of chicken blood brandy, continuously dousing the shell. Under the young dragon's continuous strikes, the shell finally became thinner and thinner. He could even see an extremely fierce figure inside the shell, viciously launching attacks. Just from this appearance, he could feel fierce aura rushing toward him. He clicked his tongue. No wonder Hungarian Horntails were recognized as the most ferocious of all dragons. In the Triwizard Tournament in the original story, when Harry was assigned the Hungarian Horntail, everyone looked at him with sympathy. This breed's ferocity was evident just from this unhatched young dragon. But seeing this, he felt delighted. The Hungarian Horntail's strength meant its blood's magical power might surpass other dragon breeds. Using it to cultivate Blood Jade would naturally have higher success rates. Just as he rejoiced, Hagrid suddenly let out a delighted cry. "Ciel, there's movement!" He looked closely and indeed saw a fine crack appear on the dragon egg. The young dragon inside, under the thread of light penetrating through, burst with greater strength than before. Its spike-covered tail, like a battering ram, slammed hard against that crack. Crack! The next second, the shell shattered. A young dragon with a black metallic luster covered in spikes, still covered in fluid, raised its head and roared. Hagrid was so happy he nearly cried. "Look at it... how beautiful! Norbert, Norbert, let mama see!" He leaned closer. But the next second, the newborn Hungarian Horntail bit his finger. If not for Norbert being just born with teeth not yet sharp, Hagrid's finger would have swollen. But Hagrid didn't mind at all, instead chuckling. "Look at you, child... so lively." Seeing this, he felt helpless. He was about to advise Hagrid not to spoil the young dragon too much. In the original story, the dragon Hagrid hatched wasn't even a Hungarian Horntail but a relatively gentler Norwegian Ridgeback. Yet even that had tormented Hagrid and the trio. If this time it was a Hungarian Horntail and Hagrid still spoiled it, he'd really suffer. But just then, his gaze suddenly turned toward the window. Previously he'd been focused on hatching the dragon egg. Now scanning with his Platinum-tier night vision, he saw scattered magical light points in the darkness outside. Someone was out there? Was it Draco Malfoy from the original story, coming to spy? After a moment, he dismissed this guess. No. Everyone's magical nature was somewhat different. He had seen Malfoy's magic before... it wasn't like this. This nauseating magical signature... "Umbridge?!" The moment his gaze fell on the window, Umbridge hurriedly ran toward the distance. As she ran, her face couldn't help showing triumphant expression. Got it. She'd just taken photos. This was solid evidence! At this moment, Hagrid also threw open the door. Seeing her fleeing figure, his face immediately went pale. Like having his soul sucked out, he nearly couldn't stand. "It's over, I'm finished. Illegal dragon breeding... if the Ministry finds out, I can't stay at Hogwarts. She brought a camera... I'll be sent to Azkaban!" Thinking of Azkaban's horror, Hagrid's face filled with despair. Just then, Ciel's eyes flashed coldly. That toad Umbridge. Ever since the hearing ended, he'd known she would definitely seek revenge. He hadn't expected her information network to be so well-informed. She even knew about tonight's dragon egg hatching. If she really spread this news, it would be truly troublesome. Though he definitely wouldn't be in trouble, Hagrid would probably lose his job. The young dragon couldn't be kept either. This meant his plan to mass-cultivate Blood Jade would fail. Thinking this, coldness surged in his heart as his gaze locked onto her. Then he left a crater where his foot struck the ground. His entire body shot out like a cheetah. Only one voice echoed in Hagrid's ears. "Don't worry, Hagrid. Everything will be fine." The next second, his figure vanished into the night, disappearing from Hagrid's view. The fleeing Umbridge immediately felt a cold gaze locked onto her. She turned to see a figure pursuing from behind. So fast! At this rate, she'd be caught by him before reaching Hogwarts castle. Besides, what good would reaching Hogwarts do? That was Dumbledore's territory. Could she expect good treatment there? She definitely wouldn't die, but any evidence unfavorable to Hogwarts would never leave. Then her hopes of climbing back up would become mere fantasy. Compared to this, what was death? Life without power was worse than death! With this thought, she didn't hesitate to plunge into the dark Forbidden Forest. Though the Forbidden Forest was dangerous, it was beyond Hogwarts' reach. As long as she could escape a bit farther outside, to places not covered by Hogwarts' protective magic, Dumbledore and those professors would be helpless. She moved through the Forbidden Forest, but her speed suddenly slowed. Hmm? A strange thought suddenly arose in her mind. Wait? In the Forbidden Forest, there was no supervision... nothing to fear. So why was she running? It was always the weak who fled from and feared the strong. She'd fled before because she feared attracting Hogwarts professors and feared attracting Dumbledore. But now, this was the Forbidden Forest. A lawless land. If Ciel dared pursue her into the Forbidden Forest... Cold light suddenly flashed in her eyes. On the back of her hand, the "fairness" scar left from the hearing throbbed with pain. Her steps stopped completely. "I'll teach him again that fairness belongs only to the strong. And I am stronger than him." [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter! Thanks for reading and supporting the story! Want more? Check out my other stories!