Chapter 28. The Chinese Chomping Cabbage Changes
"Malnourished?"
Adrian Wesson couldn't help being puzzled.
What could have caused this?
He'd never seen anything like it.
Frowning, Adrian examined the Chinese Chomping Cabbage, gently flicking its leaves with his fingers.
Although the leaves drooped, there were no signs of yellowing or rot.
He pinched a little soil between his fingertips and rubbed it lightly. It was extremely loose and even a bit ashy.
That was clearly not normal.
Seeing Adrian silent for so long, Harry couldn't help asking, "Professor, is it ill?"
Adrian shook his head. "Don't worry, Harry. The Chinese Chomping Cabbage is perfectly healthy. It may just need a little nourishment."
If the plant really was malnourished, then giving it ample nutrients should solve the problem.
Adrian stood and headed for the storeroom, while Harry stayed beside the Chinese Chomping Cabbage, keeping a careful eye on it.
When Adrian came back out, he was holding a black bag.
As Harry drew near, a strong, pungent reek wafted from the bag, and he clamped a hand over his nose.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Fertiliser."
It was a special mix—dragon-dung compost. As the name suggested, the main ingredient was a dragon's droppings.
It was a secret recipe from Professor Sprout.
Adrian had also mixed in a little of his own blood.
The bag had sat in his stores for quite some time without being used.
Fresh dragon-dung compost did plants a world of good; this particular bag, perhaps because it had been stored so long, smelled especially… potent.
Adrian gave his wand a small wave; a broom in the corner drifted to a halt in front of Harry. Its handle shortened, and the broom head turned into a small trowel.
"Go on, Harry—give it the feed," Adrian said, setting the bag in front of him.
Harry eyed the bag hesitantly, glanced at his Chinese Chomping Cabbage, then steeled himself, took the trowel, and got to work.
"You only need to turn up the soil a little—don't go too deep," Adrian reminded him. "Then sprinkle a little fertiliser and cover it over."
Harry nodded and, as instructed, carefully dug a small pit near the roots.
But the moment he opened the bag and readied himself, an even stronger stench rolled out, forcing him back a few steps.
"Oh, Merlin…"
Seeing Harry's expression, Adrian also retreated a few paces.
It had to be said—Professor Sprout's recipe had its drawbacks. Perhaps he could suggest adding some kind of deodorising agent later?
Noting that Adrian had backed well away, Harry curled his lip.
"Professor, why not use the Bubble-Head Charm?" he asked.
Adrian blinked, sudden realisation crossing his face. "You're right, Harry."
With a swish of his wand, transparent bubbles enclosed both their heads.
It didn't completely block the smell, but at least it made it bearable.
Forcing himself to endure it, Harry picked up the trowel again, scooped out a pinch of compost, sprinkled it into the hole, and covered it with soil.
A moment later, the Chinese Chomping Cabbage seemed to sense the fertiliser; it roused and gently shook its leaves.
"It's working, Professor!" Harry turned to Adrian in delight.
Adrian nodded. As expected, the Chinese Chomping Cabbage had likely been lacking nutrients.
But why did it need so much?
Stepping closer, Adrian parted the soil he'd just covered and found that the fertiliser had turned ashy like the rest—obviously drained of all nutrients.
"Carry on, Harry," Adrian said after a moment's thought. "Do it again. Give the Chinese Chomping Cabbage a bit more."
"At once."
Harry turned up another small patch of soil and sprinkled in more compost.
This time the plant reacted even more noticeably; its leaves shook more vigorously.
Almost at once, the sheen of the compost dulled, shrivelling to a lifeless mass—the nutrients had been drained in an instant.
Harry's eyes widened. "It won't… starve to death, will it?"
Just as he was about to move again, the Chinese Chomping Cabbage suddenly opened its mouth, revealing sharp teeth.
However, aside from opening its mouth, it didn't move.
Adrian was still wondering when Harry's eyes lit up.
Right—the Chinese Chomping Cabbage had a mouth. He remembered how it had once gulped down an entire pot of potion.
Harry had a bold idea. He scooped a small pinch of compost with the trowel, hesitated for a second, then swiftly popped it into the Chinese Chomping Cabbage's mouth.
The plant snapped its jaws shut. Its mouth worked, making a gurgle-gurgle sound.
A moment later, it spat out a shrivelled, ashy lump of residue, which landed squarely on Harry's shoe.
"Er…"
Harry looked down at the near-ashen residue and stepped back half a pace in distaste.
With Harry's continual feeding, the Chinese Chomping Cabbage behaved like a bottomless pit, absorbing the nutrients from the fertiliser.
Dragon-dung compost was packed with goodness. An ordinary plant needed only a small amount to last a long time, but this Chinese Chomping Cabbage was different—ravenously absorbing every bit and burning through it at once.
Merlin knew where it was all going.
At last, it reached a threshold.
After nearly consuming three whole bags of compost, it finally showed a change.
The Chinese Chomping Cabbage woke fully, lifted its body slightly, and then…
It burped.
"…"
Adrian and Harry stared at each other.
"Eldra."
[Species: Chinese Chomping Cabbage]
[Level: 2]
[Trait: Gigantification]
[Status: Growing (0%)]
…..
Adrian had Eldra observe once more and found the plant had gained a new trait—"Gigantification"—and its level had reached "2".
"'Gigantification'?" Adrian murmured.
He hadn't seen it grow larger—much less gigantic.
"Harry, that's enough," he said, certain now. "The Chinese Chomping Cabbage must have undergone some sort of change."
Harry lifted the now-awakened plant down from the pot and hefted it.
Hmm. The familiar weight, the familiar feel—no change at all.
"Have you changed at all?" Harry held the Chinese Chomping Cabbage up before his eyes, puzzled. "Can you show us?"
The Chinese Chomping Cabbage seemed to hear him. It nodded—almost humanly—and hopped from his hands onto the floor.
Then it shut its mouth, and a black radiance shimmered over its surface.
No—something was off!
Adrian suddenly sensed a tremendous surge of magic within the Chinese Chomping Cabbage.
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium