Chapter 153: Cultivation, Shadow Traversal, and Growth

Taking a deep breath, Ciel made up his mind. Plant trees. He needed to plant more trees. Significantly expand his current planting scale. As long as the quantity was sufficient, even the crops he had previously grown in Muggle plantations... though they couldn't provide even Black Iron-tier reward orbs... could still allow him to accumulate certain abilities to Legendary tiers through sheer numbers. Not to mention the magical herbs he'd encountered in the wizarding world could at least provide Black Iron-tier rewards. Relying on quantity to build abilities to high levels would be much easier than before. The only problem was the land needed for planting. He fell into contemplation. For growing magical herbs, greenhouses were naturally better. Magical plants grown in greenhouses not only matured faster but also provided more rewards. But using greenhouses to fulfill his planting needs would be extremely difficult. Every greenhouse was an extremely important resource for herbologists... no exaggeration to call them lifelines. Daily research funding depended on herbs produced in greenhouses. Add in experimental plots needed for research projects, and a greenhouse having a few spare plots would already be good. Even with Professor Sprout's connections, scraping together scattered plots might not yield much planting space for him. The investment and returns would be completely disproportionate, not to mention the trouble of managing scattered plots. Too many hassles. He shook his head, dismissing the idea of borrowing land from other greenhouses. "My need is for a sufficiently large land area. Sufficiently concentrated, easy to manage. Preferably with complete sovereignty, avoiding disputes and wasted time. In that case, there seems to be only one choice." Strange light flashed in his eyes. "Clear my own land." He had considered this idea before when he only had one experimental plot. But he'd just arrived at Hogwarts then, his magical mastery still weak. Just balancing regular courses, spell practice, and potion cultivation kept him incredibly busy. Moreover, clearing land for outdoor cultivation was far more difficult than greenhouse planting, with many more interference factors. Without adequate Herbology skills, half a year's hard work could vanish overnight. Not to mention magical herbs often attracted magical creatures. His magical level then couldn't handle such situations. So he'd abandoned the plan. But now the situation was different. In Herbology, he could already mass-cultivate Patronus Trees in greenhouses. He'd grown even higher-tier plants. He was no longer a Herbology beginner. Though outdoor cultivation difficulty spiked dramatically, he was confident in growing some hardy Black Iron-tier reward plants. As for dangers from attracted magical creatures, he had even solo-killed an Acromantula. Despite some luck involved, ordinary magical creatures didn't scare him. Surely planting crops wouldn't attract Class 5X magical creatures? The biggest obstacle to land clearing... hard work and massive resources... was least concerning for him now. With his stamina, clearing a hundred acres non-stop would be no problem. Resources like fertilizing potions needed after land development could be requested from the Ministry through previously signed contracts. As these thoughts flashed through his mind, he was quite surprised. Unknowingly, he'd grown tremendously. The conditions for clearing farmland seemed completely ready. He could actually try it. But he wouldn't rashly find empty land and start digging. "Aunt should have experience with this. I'll ask if there are any precautions first." When he visited Professor Sprout's office and mentioned his idea of clearing his own land, she showed surprise. "Ciel. Isn't one little greenhouse enough for your planting? So many experimental plots... even a mule plowing fields would..." Here, Professor Sprout's mind conjured images of him working tirelessly. Her voice suddenly caught. Well. Comparing a mule to him was too flattering to the mule. Others complained about too much work. Even mules would slack off. But he feared having too little work. Pure natural Herbology workhorse constitution! Then Professor Sprout sighed helplessly. "You child. So young, why is it just study and work every day? Playing games, dating, enjoying campus life... wouldn't that be good? If you're willing, Aunt could even apply for correspondence courses for your remaining classes this term. Just pass final exams... don't worry, as long as you write 'Answer' on test papers, I'll make professors pass you." Her eyes brightened looking at him. "Why don't you take Hufflepuff girls on trips? Several girls fought quite intensely over your cake pieces before!" Hearing this, his cheek twitched. Good grief. Did Aunt want him extending the Sprout family bloodline right now? Under Professor Sprout's resentful expression, he quickly shook his head. Then Professor Sprout sighed disappointedly. "Fine. You always have your own ideas." Then her expression became serious, discussing land clearing. "This really isn't something you can do just anywhere. First, clearly it's impossible within Hogwarts grounds, including the Forbidden Forest. Land nature here was confirmed during the Four Founders' era... uses are already standardized. Even if Dumbledore wanted to use a corner of the Forbidden Forest for something, it would probably trigger strict investigation. Let alone you wanting to clear large planting areas. "Clearing wasteland elsewhere for cultivation without protective magic would inevitably attract Muggle intrusion. You know Muggles are everywhere... even the North and South Poles have them. There's something in the sky too... I hear it's called satellites? Merlin above, since those appeared, the Ministry's secrecy work has become much harder. "Also, privately cleared land, even with houses or estates built on it, can't connect to the Floo Network without Ministry procedures. That would make it a backwater of the wizarding world, inconvenient even for friends to visit. So to solve these troubles, it's best to first obtain pioneering permits from the Ministry. Then the Ministry can directly set up protective magic and Floo Network connections where you're developing." Hearing Professor Sprout's explanation, his eyes flickered slightly. Indeed, this pioneering permit seemed quite important. Perfect... he could request it together with fertilizing potions needed during land clearing. Then he wrote a letter, sending it to the Ministry via Hogwarts owls. Professor Sprout sighed. "The Ministry will probably take several days to reply. With Umbridge dead, reporters surround the Ministry daily. Minister Fudge must be having a terrible time. Who knows who killed Umbridge... the Aurors still haven't figured it out. They must be extremely anxious..." Strange light flashed in his eyes. After chatting more with Professor Sprout, he left her office. After leaving, he clenched his fists slightly, his expression growing serious. No matter how unpopular Umbridge had been in life, the death of a Ministry official carried serious consequences. Without finding an explanation, the Ministry Aurors wouldn't give up easily. Mad-Eye Moody might even emerge from retirement to investigate. Even though Hagrid had covered their tracks, and the Acromantulas had delayed reporting when Umbridge actually died, it probably wouldn't fool everyone. Mad-Eye Moody's abilities were legendary, and even Dumbledore respected them. Sure, he got tricked multiple times in the original story, but nobody was stupid enough to underestimate him. But after a moment, his expression relaxed. When deciding to kill Umbridge, he'd anticipated this situation. Choosing to kill Umbridge in the Forbidden Forest was because there was another more suitable scapegoat there. Let the Ministry investigate. The double agent probably cared more about Ministry investigation than he did. He wouldn't allow Ministry Aurors to interfere before obtaining the Philosopher's Stone. What if they found traces of his presence? Therefore, he was certain... before the term ended, Aurors couldn't even enter the Forbidden Forest. The double agent would stop everything. After the term ended, since Umbridge died in the Forbidden Forest, everything was naturally the double agent's doing. What did it have to do with him? He was a little Hufflepuff... how could Hufflepuffs do bad things? As these thoughts gradually settled, he returned to the little greenhouse. The moment he entered, his face showed delighted surprise. A black shadow suddenly appeared from the shadows, then affectionately rubbed against his legs. It was Shadow, who had fallen asleep from being "overstuffed." He looked delighted. "Shadow? Your shadow magic grew again?" Shadows constantly swayed on the ground, as if Shadow was nodding. Then lines of text appeared: "Full. Grew up. More strength. Shadow can carry Father now. Want to try, Father?" He paused. "Carry me?" Shadow eagerly swayed its shadows. Then the shadow on the ground became a whirlpool... dark and profound, as if leading to a shadow world. Only then did he react, his eyes suddenly bursting with brilliant light. Previously, Shadow already had the ability to traverse shadows, appearing and disappearing mysteriously. He had asked if Shadow could bring him through shadows too, but Shadow had disappointedly indicated it lacked the strength. Now after growing somewhat, Shadow had this ability? For safety, he first had Shadow transport other objects several times. From tables to stones, Shadow's shadow whirlpool could make them mysteriously vanish, then emerge intact from nearby shadows. Seeing this, his heart stirred. In life-or-death crises, having Shadow transfer him this way might even escape danger or reverse the battle! This was ancient shadow magic? Truly mysterious! Then he took a deep breath and stepped toward Shadow's created shadow whirlpool. The next moment, an incredibly wonderful feeling spread. Surrounding light disappeared. He felt like entering a tunnel with a pure shadow world outside. What filled the surroundings was also this shadow-natured magic power. He had Shadow demonstrate this many times before, but due to insufficient magical perception, even straining his mind until mentally fatigued and aching, he couldn't see clearly. But now, surrounded entirely by this magic power without any other interference, the difficulty of observing this magic power was greatly reduced. For the first time, shadow magic power's nature became unprecedentedly clear in his mind. After a moment, the shadow traversal completed. He was "spat out" from the tunnel, appearing elsewhere in the little greenhouse. This process... from pure shadow-natured magic power back to an environment filled with various different magic natures... made his eyes burst with wild joy. Wasn't this exactly the mystery of Switching Spells, a major branch of Transfiguration? Previously, his thousand observations of Shadow manipulating shadows yielded little. But now, after personally experiencing the entire process, he felt his understanding of Switching Spells immediately rise a level. The difference was like watching people swim from shore versus jumping in and flailing for ten minutes. Too obvious! He instinctively looked at the system panel. Indeed, his previously Bronze-tier Transfiguration now showed visibly richer bronze radiance. His face immediately showed burning intensity. He'd already experienced how beneficial Transfiguration improvements were. He'd thought advancement would slow after reaching the Bronze tier. Unexpectedly, he'd encountered Shadow as a "private tutor"?! He took a deep breath. "Good Shadow. Still have strength? Can you take Daddy a few more times?" Shadow hesitated somewhat. "Father. You don't know shadow magic. Multiple shadow traversals in a short time will harm you." He paused, noticing his skin surface did retain some shadow magic power. Like Shadow Thorn attacks, it brought slight pain. But after a moment, he slowly grinned. "It's fine. Daddy fears this least of all. As long as it doesn't kill me, work me to death. Shadow, continue." Then Shadow reopened the passage, taking him through shadows repeatedly. Each time, the shadow magic power remaining on his body grew thicker, and the erosion of his flesh intensified. Though this magnitude meant nothing to his Legendary Vitality, the pain exceeded even his detention combat training. Yet his gaze remained fixed on his Transfiguration text. Bronze luster gradually grew richer. "This is enough. Continue!" In a flash, two days passed.