Chapter 173: Foundation, Celebration, and Bronze-Tier Ritual Magic!

Bacon Flint left angrily. Ciel watched his retreating figure, finally understanding where Marcus Flint's style at Hogwarts came from. Indeed, a crooked beam makes the whole house lean. No wonder the Malfoy family could take in the Crabbe and Goyle families but wouldn't associate with the Flint family. This family's way of doing things was truly uniquely disgraceful. Being listed as one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight had indeed lowered the already low value of this title even further. "Oh right. In the original story, this Sacred Twenty-Eight was rarely mentioned. Seems it really is quite embarrassing..." He shook his head, not taking Bacon Flint's threats too seriously. Worth remembering, but not worth much concern. Once the protective magic was complete, Bacon Flint wouldn't be able to set foot on the island again. As for other underhanded tricks... ha. Don't underestimate the Sprout family's power. And Snape probably wouldn't mind standing up for him a little. No need to worry too much about the Flint family. Having to threaten a young wizard like himself for profit showed what kind of situation this family was in. Then his curious gaze fell on the Ministry workers. They were holding various silver objects carved with strange patterns and nailing them to different positions around the island. Obviously, they'd been working for quite a while. After all, Sprout Island wasn't small, and building protective magic was very complicated. He looked at those objects in their hands, especially the patterns on them, strange light flashing in his eyes. "Something related to alchemy?" He moved closer to look. The Ministry workers didn't drive him away... after all, he was said to have close relations with Minister Fudge. But their expressions weren't particularly pleasant either, much less explaining anything to him. But soon, he pulled out several Galleons from his robes, saying sincerely, "Thank you for coming all this way to make this trip. Hard work. The Sprout family can't be without manners." A few Galleons. Not much. But divided among these workers, it was definitely not little. Under the gleaming golden light, their faces immediately became enthusiastic. They even actively introduced the objects in their hands to him. "These are products similar to alchemy. Because protective magic cast with wands can have temporary effects, but its power will gradually fade over time. Only magic attached to these types of objects can exist long-term." He raised an eyebrow and asked a question. "What about the Fidelius Charm? I heard this spell is very powerful... as long as you don't betray the oath, it can exist indefinitely." The workers were somewhat surprised that he, a first-year student, actually knew about the Fidelius Charm. They smiled and explained. "The Fidelius Charm is different. Though it doesn't attach to alchemical objects. It attaches to something more mysterious... the soul. But soul-related magic is controlled magic, very difficult, and few in the magical world can use it. Moreover..." The worker said meaningfully, "Human hearts change easily. Entrusting secrets to a Secret-Keeper's whims. In my view, that's actually the least secure protection. How many Fidelius Charms in history have remained intact? Better to honestly use this clumsy method." He raised the pattern-covered alchemical object in his hand. "At least, they won't betray." He showed agreement. This was also his thinking. For the short term, such protection was sufficient. He didn't need Fidelius Charm level protection yet. As for the future, perhaps he could upgrade to more powerful protective magic. Then, for the sake of the Galleons he gave, the workers obviously worked more diligently and seriously. Even some previously improperly placed alchemical objects were reprocessed. The "soap bubble" covering the island became visibly more complete and substantial, giving a sense of security. Finally, when the sky was almost dark, the protective magic completely covered the entire island. The workers carefully checked everything once more before wiping their sweat. "Done. Now Muggles' tricks absolutely can't discover this place. Even if wizards can find it, the protective magic here can easily resist various attacks. Unless dozens of wizards work together to break it, but the moment they act, Ministry Aurors should receive alerts and come. I dare say this island is currently one of the safest places in the magical world besides Hogwarts and Gringotts." Then the workers left something like a pass. It could record information about people he allowed through the protective magic to land on the island. The Floo Network was also connected. Making Portkeys was also simple. Using simple magic to touch an object to this "pass" could turn it into a one-time Portkey to the island. After explaining all this, the workers finally left the island. After they left, he looked at the island surrounded by protective magic, satisfaction showing on his face. This way, his activities on the island wouldn't be discovered. The plants grown on the island wouldn't be stolen or disturbed either. He contemplated briefly. "Perhaps later I can have the Kraken relocate to trenches near the island. That would make security absolutely foolproof. Even if the worst happens. If the final battle doesn't end like in the original story and some accident occurs. I can bring friends and family to hide on this island." He exhaled deeply. Having or not having this island meant completely different things to him. Then he looked at the island's vast land, his face full of eagerness. If all this was developed into farmland and planted with various magical herbs... Just thinking about it made his gaze burn with intensity. Vast territory. Great potential! But before starting development, he had several things to do. "Eugene. Are you there?" After he spoke, Eugene's figure carefully emerged from somewhere on the island. "Young Master Sprout. The Ministry people came earlier. I was afraid they'd discover me... if Bogey Lockman's matter was investigated, I wouldn't even get a chance at Azkaban. I'd be executed directly..." Obviously, it was still immersed in fearful emotions. He said softly, "Don't worry. This island is now covered by protective magic. No one can come up without my permission. By the way." He pointed around the island. "Do you have a favourite place on the island?" Eugene was stunned, not understanding his meaning. The next moment, he said, "You can choose a place on the island to live. Whether you want to build a hut, grass house, or even a castle, it's up to you. This is your place." Eugene was like being struck by lightning, its body completely frozen. The words from his mouth were something it had never imagined in its lifetime. "My own... homeland?!" House-elves had always worked as servants in others' homes. Could it actually own its own homeland? This impact was too great for Eugene. It couldn't recover for a long time, even wondering if it was dreaming. Only after experimentally banging its head on the ground and getting a big bump did Eugene finally believe everything before it was real. Tears filled its eyes. "Young Master Sprout..." Eugene directly half-knelt. "I will serve you with my life." He waved his hand. "Just a piece of land. Compared to your help to me, it's nothing." Then he added, "By the way. In a while, you might meet your future neighbours." After speaking, he used the pass to create a Portkey, then rode his Nimbus 2000 toward Hogwarts. Eugene's eyes were full of curiosity and some nervousness. Its neighbours? What kind of people would they be? It tried to tidy its clothing, attempting to look more presentable. But soon, when a Portkey appeared out of nowhere on the island, five massive, burly figures appeared. This left Eugene completely stunned. "This is... Trolls?!" Eugene looked bewilderedly at the five trolls before it. The trolls also looked bewilderedly at this island. Just now, he had flown back to Hogwarts castle with the Portkey to where they lived. "I promised you. I'd find you a more spacious place. You'll have your own homes, won't be disturbed anymore, and won't be forced to migrate. There will also be farmland where you can grow your own food and have enough to eat. Now, I'm fulfilling my promise. Those who want to come with me, put your hands on this Portkey." The trolls did as he said. After grabbing the Portkey, they were transferred here. After a moment, their small eyes all lit up as they looked at him. He nodded. "This is the place I mentioned. Do you like it?" The trolls made obviously joyful low roars, thunderously beating their chests. "Gronnak..." "Gronnak..." Their gazes at him became completely fanatical. Even with trolls' brain capacity, they wouldn't forget this day. They came from the Forbidden Forest to this island, owning their own homeland and territory for the first time. Eugene watched this scene, equally stirred. What the trolls could feel, it could feel too. This thing was called... hope! Eugene had never in its life been so eager to have something to do. To do for itself, for its homeland! It looked at him. "Young Master Sprout. What can I do?" The trolls felt the same way. Facing their gazes, he pointed to farmland on the island, marking out an area. "First, clear the land. Once land is cleared, we can sow seeds and plant crops. Then you'll never go hungry or cold again. Watch my movements." Then he waved his wand. A patch of soil began writhing, becoming loose, even directly forming intersecting ridges. He picked up soil to demonstrate. "About this level of looseness is fine. Ridge distribution should be as even as possible." The trolls widened their eyes, watching his movements with the most concentrated attention of their lives. Then they began acting. They naturally couldn't cast spells. However, trolls' brute strength was more useful than tractors for loosening soil. The trolls directly used their large palms as plows, using themselves as oxen. From one end, slowly plowing to the other. Back and forth, the soil became increasingly loose. Except for the pregnant female troll, the other four trolls worked tirelessly. But having trolls remember how to plan ridges was too difficult for them. But Eugene was very skilled at such technical work. While the trolls desperately plowed, making the land increasingly soft, Eugene kept snapping its fingers. Its thin arms waved excitedly, as if feeling no fatigue. Under its "direction", neat intersecting ridges gradually took shape. Eugene did this with more confidence than polishing any exquisite porcelain in all these years. And he certainly wasn't idle either. He cast Soil-Loosening Charms while waving his wand to spread prepared fertilising potions into mist, infusing them into the cleared farmland. Sprout Island was a volcanic island with no previous vegetation. Soil formed by volcanic ash accumulation was already extremely fertile. With fertilising potion catalysis, fertility would improve further. Though not matching greenhouse conditions, it was absolutely the best soil condition available outdoors. Just like this, from dusk to deep night, the rumbling vibrations on the island never stopped. When the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon, on Sprout Island, a neat field of about ten acres had emerged in the island's core area! Seeing this night's results, whether trolls or Eugene, though all quite tired, now simultaneously burst into laughter. His face also showed a joyful smile. These ten acres were just the beginning, occupying less than one-twentieth of Sprout Island's total area. If the entire island were developed into farmland, that would be over two hundred acres! One harvest would bring unimaginably rich returns! Mythical tier was hard to say, but Epic or even Legendary abilities could definitely be supported by this land. He took a deep breath, his chest filled with unprecedented surging emotions. "Today is a day worth celebrating. How can there be no feast, no wine?" He returned to Hogwarts again, heading straight for Hagrid's hut. Hagrid had been waiting here, looking at the now-empty place where the trolls had lived. His eyes suddenly reddened, and then he gave him a forceful hug. "Really. Ciel, I never imagined anyone would want to give trolls a homeland. You're a kind, good child... the kindest child I've ever seen." Hagrid's voice choked up. He patted Hagrid's shoulder, saying softly, "Hagrid. Your mother and brother. If you don't mind, you can bring them to my island too." Hagrid's whole body was trembling. This had always been his heartache, making him constantly feel guilty. He was "enjoying life" at Hogwarts while his mother and naive brother lived precarious, hungry, cold lives in French mountains. But he had no solution. This world showed malice even toward half-blood giants like him who were relatively normal, let alone pure-blood giants. If Mother and Brother caused trouble, they could be executed outright! Where would accept them? Even if some place would take them in, they'd likely end up living undignified lives as circus attractions. But now, Hagrid saw new hope. He hugged him, sobbing uncontrollably. "Thank you. Thank you, Ciel. I don't know what to say, I, I..." Hagrid seemed at a complete loss. He smiled. "Then come to the island. I want to hold a celebration. Hagrid, do you still have rock cakes and cheese? Oh right, bring Norbert too... it's too mischievous now, it'll be discovered at Hogwarts sooner or later." Hagrid nodded repeatedly, excitedly saying, "A celebration, yes, this is indeed a day worth celebrating. Plenty of cheese and rock cakes! But how can such a day be without alcohol? Wait, I'll go to the Hog's Head... I'm going to empty Aberforth's wine cellar!" Soon, when he and Hagrid's figures appeared on Sprout Island, they brought waves of fragrance. Large blocks of cheese, freshly baked rock cakes, Hagrid's homemade sausages, and a full twenty barrels of butterbeer! He, who normally didn't like drinking, today made an exception and lifted a barrel of butterbeer. To Hagrid, Eugene, and the trolls, he said, "Cheers. To our homeland!" In the sky above, Norbert, now over a metre long, soared on wings, looking at the blue sea and sky, also celebrating its freedom. An orange-red flame shot from its mouth like fireworks. Below, whether Hagrid, Eugene, or the trolls, all were already tipsy with alcohol. Hagrid and the trolls were even drowsily arm-wrestling to decide ownership of the last sausage. He quietly watched this scene, a smile appearing at his lips. Just then, his gaze fell on the system panel. He suddenly paused, because on the panel appeared a scene he hadn't anticipated. The Demeter Ritual Magic he'd learnt from Dumbledore had always only flickered with dim Black Iron-tier lustre. He had studied how to improve its mastery, but those incantations were more like prayers than spells. No matter how he recited them, his mastery of Demeter Ritual Magic never improved. But now, in his eyes, on Demeter Ritual Magic, a bronze colour suddenly appeared, replacing the previous Black Iron lustre. [Demeter Ritual Magic (Bronze Tier)], upgraded!