Chapter 44: Beater, Enlightenment

On the Quidditch pitch, the members of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team had all assembled. When they saw Ciel enter the field, they welcomed him with enthusiastic cheers. Their eyes were particularly drawn to Ciel's custom Nimbus 2000. Everyone stared at it with the intensity of gourmets discovering a legendary delicacy, their gazes practically glowing with desire. After quite some time, team captain and Seeker Cedric Diggory reluctantly called for order. "Alright, everyone. This is Ciel's first Quidditch training session. Could you all please step away from his new broomstick? And try not to drool on it!" Cedric then extended his hand toward Ciel with a warm smile. "Hello, Ciel. I'm Cedric Diggory, a third-year student. I serve as both Seeker and captain of the team. On behalf of the entire Hufflepuff Quidditch team, I welcome you aboard." Ciel returned the friendly gesture, his expression genuinely warm. He was familiar with Cedric from the original story—if there was any student who truly embodied excellence in both character and academics, it was Cedric Diggory. Unfortunately, talent was often envied by fate itself, and Cedric would become the first casualty after Voldemort's return. Being transported away from Hogwarts by a Portkey meant that even the castle's protective magic couldn't save his life. However, Ciel's momentary melancholy quickly dissipated as training began. The veteran team members had already started their individual practice routines. Since Ciel was new, Cedric needed to review the rules of Quidditch and explain the specific responsibilities of a Beater. Under Cedric's patient guidance, Ciel quickly refreshed his understanding of the game. Chasers were responsible for throwing the Quaffle through the opponent's goal hoops, earning ten points for each successful score. The Seeker's job was to find and catch the Golden Snitch—only by catching it could the match end, and the successful team would earn one hundred and fifty points. As for Beaters, they were responsible for hitting the rogue Bludgers that roamed the field, either to protect their own teammates or to interfere with the opposing team's plays. Speaking of this, Cedric sighed deeply. "Everyone thinks Quidditch is a game decided solely by the Seeker, but this is a team sport. You can't win a match relying on the Seeker alone. Even in World Cup matches, it often happens that the Seeker catches the Golden Snitch, but their team still loses because they were too far behind in points." His voice carried the weight of experience. "Chasers, Keepers, Beaters—they're all just as important as the Seeker. Our Hufflepuff team has been at a disadvantage in the Beater position because it requires directly confronting violent Bludgers. Our badgers generally have gentler personalities and aren't naturally suited for such an aggressive role. But fortunately, you came along, Ciel." His eyes showed genuine admiration. "I still remember the scene of you knocking out Malfoy's front tooth with a cup in the Great Hall. That precision, that strength, combined with your excellent flying ability—you're a natural-born Beater!" Cedric's expression then became serious and focused. "You have the raw talent of a Beater, but to perform well in actual Quidditch matches, you still need rigorous practice." He handed Ciel a bat and produced a sturdy wooden box. "This is a bat reinforced with Strengthening Charms, which enhances the impact of your hits. This box contains weakened Bludgers. They'll actively fly toward you to attack, but don't worry—unlike real Bludgers that can break bones, these will at most leave you with a few bruises." Cedric gestured toward the sky. "Beater training involves riding your broomstick and actively seeking out Bludgers to hit. Are you ready, Ciel? Don't worry—I'll be watching you the entire time." Ciel's face lit up with genuine interest. It sounded quite entertaining. However, when he hefted the bat in his hand, dissatisfaction crossed his features. "Too light. Do you have anything heavier? Oh, and by the way, are there weight restrictions on the bats Beaters use in official Quidditch matches?" Cedric looked stunned. After a moment of thought, he answered hesitantly. "I don't think so. There's only a minimum weight requirement for bats, but no one restricts the maximum weight. After all, Beaters have to swing their bats throughout the entire match to hit Bludgers. If the bat is too heavy, you won't be able to lift your arms after a few swings." Ciel immediately responded, "Then give me the heaviest one you have. The heavier, the better." Cedric hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face. "Are you absolutely sure? I remember there's one bat that the Weasley twins from Gryffindor created. This thing looks exactly like other bats, but its weight is frighteningly heavy. Those twin brothers once used it to bet with our Hufflepuff Beaters on who was stronger. They ended up making our Beaters bring them midnight snacks for an entire semester." He shook his head at the memory. "After that humiliation, this bat stayed with our Hufflepuff team. If you want it, I'll bring it over, but I'm warning you—this thing could probably only be swung by a troll!" Five minutes later, Cedric returned, panting and using a Levitation Charm to transport the bat he'd mentioned. "Ciel, are you really sure you want this monstrosity?" But immediately after, Cedric's jaw dropped in amazement. Ciel effortlessly lifted with one hand the bat that even Cedric had trouble managing with magic. Clearly, Ciel wasn't entirely satisfied with even this weight. "Much better than the previous one, though. Now this feels like something actually worth swinging." Ciel gave it a casual test swing. A fierce gust of wind immediately howled past, scraping against Cedric's face with stinging force. Cedric stared blankly at Ciel, with only one thought racing through his mind: When did the Sprout family acquire giant bloodline? His eyes now showed pure anticipation. Ciel's strength was absolutely phenomenal. The only question was how he would perform in actual training. "Let's start training then." The next moment, Ciel mounted his Nimbus 2000 and shot into the sky like lightning. The surrounding scenery rapidly receded as he accelerated. The Nimbus 2000 was incomparably superior to the school broomsticks Ciel had used before. This exhilarating feeling made him unable to suppress a joyful shout. "Incredible!" At that moment, Cedric opened the box and released the Bludger inside. The iron ball, as if it possessed eyes, rapidly charged toward Ciel. However, compared to the Nimbus 2000's speed, the Bludger was considerably slower. Ciel grinned with anticipation. He turned his broomstick, drawing a sharp zigzag pattern through the air, and flew head-on toward the approaching Bludger. Then he swung his bat with tremendous force. His legendary-level strength enhancement made Ciel's strike truly comparable to that of a giant. BANG! The Bludger instantly became a blur, disappearing like a cannonball into the distance. Everyone stared in stunned silence at this incredible display. Cedric's face flushed red with excitement. "Excellent! Ciel, you're simply the strongest Beater I've ever seen! The Bludgers you hit will become the opposing team's worst nightmare. With you here, our Hufflepuff team will be so much stronger in both offense and defense. This year's Quidditch Cup might actually be within our reach!" Ciel's eyes narrowed with determination. He remembered how much Professor Sprout longed for the Quidditch Cup. As long as there was any hope, he would give his absolute all to this endeavor. "Captain, continue the training. This year's Quidditch Cup—let's win it together." With Ciel's words, the Hufflepuff team members felt as if power had been injected directly into their hearts. The previously unattainable Quidditch Cup? This year, it was possible! Time flew by rapidly. When several badgers were so exhausted they fell off their broomsticks and were lying on the sidelines retching, Cedric, who looked like he'd been fished out of water, announced that the day's training was over. At this point, compared to everyone else's bedraggled state, Ciel remained completely refreshed. He even felt an unprecedented sense of ease and clarity. "Hmm?" Ciel suddenly had an intriguing realization. He seemed to have gained some new understanding of magic itself. He glanced toward his system panel and confirmed his suspicion. Whether it was the Lumos Charm, the Soil-Loosening Charm, or the Pruning Charm, the luster on all of them had become noticeably more intense than before. After a moment of surprise, Ciel had an epiphany. "Magic is closely related to the mind and will. I've always been tense before, never truly relaxing, my mind constantly in a state of strain. Now, when playing Quidditch, I let loose and swung freely. This alternation between tension and relaxation is also a form of mental adjustment." He nodded thoughtfully. "When the mind benefits, magic, which is closely connected to it, naturally benefits as well." Thinking of this, Ciel came to an important conclusion. "It seems I can't just bury my head in magical practice every single day. When I have time, I should come to the Quidditch field to train and release some pressure. Combining both approaches should be more efficient than pure, relentless practice." Then, satisfied with his revelation, Ciel walked toward the greenhouse under the confused gazes of Cedric and the others. Cedric called out to him, "Ciel, the castle is that way. Are you going in the wrong direction?" Ciel smiled and replied, "I know exactly where I'm going. It's still early, and I'm not tired yet. I have plants I've cultivated in the greenhouse that need tending. See everyone tomorrow." Looking at Ciel's retreating figure, then at their own exhausted, nearly collapsed state, Cedric and the others could only gasp in amazement. What a monster! But immediately after, hope appeared in their eyes. The stronger Ciel performed, the higher the possibility that Hufflepuff could actually win the championship. Thinking of the cannonball-like Bludgers Ciel had launched, Cedric and the others smiled with anticipation. "Didn't they always say our Hufflepuff Beaters were weak and powerless? Well, this year, don't come crying when you're terrified!" And so, Ciel began living a disciplined three-point routine between the castle, greenhouse, and Quidditch field. Each day that passed brought the Lumos Shrooms one step closer to maturity. His Pruning Charm and magical perception also strengthened bit by bit through repeatedly trimming the discarded flying broomsticks. In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. (End of Chapter) *** [Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl] [+300 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]