Chapter 163: Watch Carefully, This Is How You Use Dark Magic!

Seeing Bogey Lockman descending toward the island, Tonks immediately showed anxiety. If Bogey Lockman caught Ciel, given his deep hatred for him, he might do something extremely crazy. Though this man was considered a clown in the Herbology world, he still had magical prowess. Especially since there were past rumors that Bogey Lockman had apparently joined the Death Eaters. But his timing was unfortunate. Shortly after joining, Voldemort was defeated overnight by the savior Harry Potter. Precisely because of this, Bogey Lockman wasn't marked with the Dark Mark and had no evidence proving his crimes. So he escaped imprisonment. But anyone who could join the Death Eaters... which of them didn't have dark magic? How could a first-year student like Ciel match that? "Damn it. Get away from me!" Tonks struggled to steady herself on the turbulent broomstick, continuously firing spells at the house-elf entangling her. But explosions rang out as the house-elf repeatedly used Apparition to dodge Tonks's spells, preventing her from breaking free. With no choice, Tonks raised her hand to cast a voice-carrying spell toward the island. "Ciel. Hide. Wait for me to handle this!" Tonks's voice spread across the island. This was exactly his plan. With a Ministry Auror here, why would a first-year student need to act? Though Tonks looked somewhat disheveled, it was harmless... no real-life danger. After all, she'd later join the Order of the Phoenix; she had that much ability. Moreover, he could sense the house-elf entangling Tonks was covered in wounds and gasping for breath. It couldn't last much longer. And it wasn't really going all out either. Everything it did was the minimum needed to complete Bogey Lockman's orders. He believed it wouldn't be long before Tonks broke free from the house-elf's entanglement. Then she could easily call for Auror reinforcements. Bogey Lockman would be finished. A guaranteed win. He just needed to wait... why risk exposure of his own magic by acting personally? Therefore, when Bogey Lockman reached the crack entrance, he had already donned his Invisibility Cloak. He quietly retreated into the underground cavern. Bogey Lockman shouted loudly. "Ciel Sprout, I know you're in there! What's wrong? Don't dare come out?" Only echoes from the crack responded. Bogey Lockman said more trash talk, trying to anger him into showing himself. He even used Tonks to threaten him. "Your companion is fighting for you right now. Isn't Hufflepuff the most loyal and united house? Are you really going to watch your companion die?" But to his surprise, he remained completely silent. This made Bogey Lockman's face show anxiety. This damned little badger. How could he be so patient? He could actually not come out? His gaze darkened as he realized the situation was bad. He glanced at the aerial battle. Tonks's form was more stable than before. She was gradually able to sit steadily on the turbulent broomstick. Meanwhile, the house-elf's movements had slowed down, appearing increasingly breathless. This made Bogey Lockman curse angrily. "Useless! You useless thing! Hurry up and knock her off that broomstick. Otherwise, I'll whip you to death with my lash, damned green-skinned mongrel!" But after cursing, Bogey Lockman realized the house-elf couldn't entangle much longer. Once Tonks could break free, she might call for Auror reinforcements. That would be trouble. He had to catch him before then. Fortunately, he could confirm he had definitely entered this crack. Bogey Lockman sneered. "You think not coming out means I can't do anything to you? The hide-and-seek game is over. I know you're in there." Then Bogey Lockman gripped his wand and carefully entered. But under the Lumos spell's illumination, accompanied by scorching air and sulfur scents, what appeared before him was an empty underground cavern. Bogey Lockman couldn't help but pause. Where was he? Then his gaze fell on the lifeless Cinder Fern. Seeing this gem-like beautiful plant, Bogey Lockman's eyes instantly burst with greed. "This is... Cinder Fern?! There's actually such a plant here?!" This precious plant was the lifelong dream of many herbologists. If he could obtain it, it would be enough to make big news in the Herbology world. His lost reputation could be restored through Cinder Fern. But seeing the Cinder Fern's condition, Bogey Lockman felt regret. Why did he only find this place today? But then he saw the top of the Cinder Fern. Where spores grew showed harvesting traces. A leaf had also been picked. Bogey Lockman immediately thought of something, his gaze becoming more fervent. Could it be that the Cinder Fern still had spores preserving vitality, and he had picked them?! Thinking this, Bogey Lockman felt delighted. "Seems heaven is compensating for my suffering today. Not only can I properly deal with you, little mongrel, but a Cinder Fern spore has also been delivered to my hands." His gaze swept around, sneering. "I know you're here. The spore harvesting traces are still fresh... you're just hiding. Disillusionment Charm? Invisibility Cloak? Or some other little trick? Whatever, it doesn't matter. You really think I can't do anything to you?" Speaking, Bogey Lockman took out a seed from his robes. Then he actually cut his palm, letting blood soak the seed. Then his wand moved. Instantly, from the blood-soaked seed grew vines like flesh tentacles. They first occupied all the cavern exits, then continued growing and spreading within the cavern. Seeing this scene, he under the Invisibility Cloak showed some surprise. "This is..." Bogey Lockman's smug voice also rang out. "Surprised? Afraid? This is Dark Magic Transfiguration, far more profound and powerful than any transfiguration you've learned. I paid a high price to obtain this magic from a vicious dark wizard in Knockturn Alley. Even your Hogwarts professors would feel fear before this magic. Tsk tsk, these flesh vines will keep spreading. No matter what trick you used to become invisible, don't think of escaping. They'll catch you and drain your blood!" Hearing Bogey Lockman's ranting, his expression was somewhat strange. This transfiguration spell was indeed Dark Magic Transfiguration. But Bogey probably only mastered this spell's usage. He knew nothing about its underlying principles. Using the system's rating, Bogey's Dark Magic Transfiguration didn't even reach the Black Iron tier. Far inferior to his mastery. He really didn't know what gave Bogey such confidence. Then his gaze fell on the continuously growing flesh vines, contemplation appearing in his eyes. "That seed should be a magical plant called Venus Flytrap. The reason for such changes is because Bogey Lockman combined his own flesh and blood with the Venus Flytrap, then used Dark Magic Transfiguration to modify it, creating such a special plant. Speaking of which, this could also be considered a plant variant." Understanding this level, his eyes brightened further. Could he also follow this approach, using flesh and blood to modify plant seeds, thereby creating variants with specific traits? This way, some originally ordinary seeds might produce different rewards. He might even be able to directionally induce variants with certain characteristics, thereby obtaining targeted rewards in specific areas. Thoughts continuously turned in his mind. He looked at the gradually spreading flesh vines, not alarmed but delighted. Bogey Lockman had really brought him a different approach! But he carefully examined the flesh vines and could see this modification was only temporary... when the Dark Magic Transfiguration's effect wore off, it would return to normal. Moreover, this process required continuous provision of flesh and blood to maintain. This was far from what he expected. He probably couldn't rely on this method to create plant variants that could obtain system rewards. But studying it would definitely be worthwhile. So during the flesh vines' spread, he concentrated on sensing the interaction between transfiguration magic power and Venus Flytrap seeds. This was somewhat similar to his previous process of using blood to create [Giant Killer]. It provided him with considerable insight. During the flesh vines' spread, he occasionally gestured with his wand under the Invisibility Cloak, pondering the changes. On the system panel, bronze light points slowly emerged and spread on the Dark Magic Transfiguration text. But after a moment, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted. Because no new flesh vines were spreading. This made him frown and look toward Bogey Lockman. Bogey Lockman now seemed to have provided considerable blood for the flesh vines' expansion. He visibly showed weakness, gasping there. He looked displeased. Just bragging so much, and now after so little time, this was it? He hadn't seen enough yet. Seems he needed to give Bogey Lockman some motivation. Then he waved his wand. A flesh vine was suddenly triggered. This was like opening some switch. Nearby flesh vines suddenly surged toward the triggered direction, forming a cage of flesh vines. Unfortunately, the cage was empty with nothing inside. But this invigorated Bogey Lockman. Even the weakness from losing blood seemed unfelt. Under the excitement of nearly catching him, Bogey Lockman again cut his palm, squeezing out blood to soak more Venus Flytrap seeds. More flesh vines began spreading. Unknowingly, nearly half the cavern area was covered by spreading flesh vines. Bogey Lockman was excitedly animated. "Run? Keep running. Let's see how long you can hide. I'll catch you soon!" He then put Bogey Lockman's ranting behind him, continuing to focus intently on observing the flesh vines' growth process. Inspiration continuously flashed in his mind. "I see. The key to using flesh and blood to modify plants is also twisted, profane will. Using Dark Magic Transfiguration to twist plants, flesh and blood serve as a medium in this process..." As his understanding of Bogey Lockman's dark magic deepened, bronze luster spread increasingly fast on the Dark Magic Transfiguration text on the system panel. In the cavern, Bogey Lockman continued bleeding. Even though his form was already swaying unsteadily, his vision filled with stars from excessive blood loss, seeing less and less open space in the cavern, and thinking he would soon be caught by flesh vines... not only could he get revenge but also obtain a Cinder Fern, achieving both fame and profit... Bogey Lockman became increasingly excited. Finally, the continuously spreading flesh vines had filled the cavern, leaving only one corner. Bogey Lockman gasped heavily, staring intently at this spot, holding the last Venus Flytrap seed in his hand. "This way, it's over. You have nowhere left to run." In this corner, under the Invisibility Cloak, his eyes reflected the continuously growing flesh vines. In his eyes, this process held no more secrets. "Crude. Too crude. Whether your mastery of this magic or the so-called vicious dark wizard who taught you this magic. Your understanding of Flesh Transfiguration is simply crude beyond measure." His voice rang out in the cavern. Bogey Lockman momentarily suspected he was hallucinating. Why did his voice carry disdain and contempt? Cornered with no escape, shouldn't he feel fear and despair? Instantly, the enraged Bogey Lockman threw out the last blood-soaked Venus Flytrap seed in his hand. As his wand moved, flesh vines spread toward his corner. At this moment, he looked at the Dark Magic Transfiguration on the system panel that had completely turned bronze, a curve appearing at his lips. The Dark Magic Transfiguration improvement speed really exceeded his expectations. But thinking about it, this was normal. After all, he already had Transfiguration that had advanced far in the Bronze tier as a foundation. Though Dark Magic Transfiguration was related to dark magic, its most fundamental attribute was still transfiguration. A solid transfiguration foundation let him master Dark Magic Transfiguration far faster than normal. Plus, having large amounts of blood for experimentation and Bogey Lockman's flesh vines as another material, advancing to the Bronze tier was natural. Then, looking at the approaching flesh vines, his eyes flashed with strange light. He said softly, "Flesh Transfiguration. Isn't used like that." Then he pricked his fingertip. With a wave, a spray of blood scattered, falling on the flesh vines surging toward this spot. Simultaneously, he waved his wand. "Watch carefully. Dark Magic Transfiguration is used like this." Bronze-tier Dark Magic Transfiguration instantly lit up on the system panel. Bogey Lockman's completely amateur Dark Magic Transfiguration mastery was utterly helpless before him now. His already modified flesh vines began a second mutation under the combined effect of his blood and Dark Magic Transfiguration. Vines began swelling like pythons, almost filling every gap in the cavern. This place had become like a scene from "Anaconda Disaster"! As for those swollen flesh vines, they naturally didn't continue surging toward him. Instead, they turned direction, coiling toward Bogey Lockman. Seeing this bizarre and terrifying scene, Bogey Lockman stood frozen in place. Like seeing something incomprehensible. His eyes filled with terror and shock. What the hell was this?! He was using Dark Magic Transfiguration learned from Knockturn Alley! That dark wizard who taught him had said this magic, once discovered, meant imprisonment in Azkaban until death. He usually practiced secretly in his mansion's secret room. Moreover, this magic was very blood-consuming... each practice left him weak for a while. After so many years, he'd only practiced to this level. How could a first-year student actually reverse-modify his flesh vines? Was this magic that could be learned at Hogwarts? Even if he were Slytherin, Bogey Lockman could understand. But he was sorted into Hufflepuff. Was the Sorting Hat brain-damaged? How was a student who could master Dark Magic Transfiguration in the first year sorted into Hufflepuff? He should have been sorted into Azkaban! Bogey Lockman let out an angry, shocked cry. "Dumbledore! What the hell have you been teaching young wizards? How did Hufflepuff become like this!"