The electric arcs surging from Ciel's wand tip weren't particularly powerful, but they caused tremendous shock in the watching troll priest Cyrus. This was also a type of magic from the Titan Giants. And it was absolutely extraordinarily powerful. The final item in the prophecy was also perfectly fulfilled.
Titan Giant inheritor... That's right. Everything matched!
While Cyrus was ecstatic about the prophecy's complete verification, his eyes also sparkled with joy. On the system panel, Ancient Weather Magic's progress was far higher than before. It now showed dim Black Iron patterns. Though not quite reaching Black Iron tier, it wasn't far off.
This proved his approach was indeed correct. What was lacking was simply magical perception. Once he could construct seven nodes of runic script in one breath, completing the most basic runic configuration, Ancient Weather Magic should reach Black Iron tier and be truly mastered.
He had a feeling that when that time came, this magic's power would give him a surprise. As for improving magical perception, it was simply a matter of cultivating more Goldfish Vine. With so many trolls now, expanding Goldfish Vine production wasn't a problem at all.
At most a week. Goldfish Vine with over ten times the previous production would mature. Platinum-tier magical perception enhancement was already very close!
After exhaling softly, he arranged Sprout Island's construction matters before returning to Hogwarts. The end of term wasn't far off now. Thoughts flashed through his mind. He'd completed what needed doing.
Next, the arrangements around the Philosopher's Stone at Hogwarts would probably enter a heated phase. He had absolutely no desire to get involved. If necessary, during the final period of term, he planned to avoid even the greenhouse.
After the two-faced spy was dealt with, there would be plenty of time for cultivation. No need to take such unnecessary risks. Thinking this, he took out the Invisibility Cloak he'd borrowed from Harry long ago.
This Deathly Hallow was truly useful, helping him considerably. On Drear Island, without the Invisibility Cloak, he definitely wouldn't have obtained the Puking Pastilles so easily. Additionally, the special magical structure that could even shield magical power contained extremely profound Transfiguration secrets.
Unfortunately, he had no opportunity to study it short-term. He'd borrowed this Invisibility Cloak long enough. Continuing to borrow it might be fine with Harry, but Dumbledore probably wouldn't agree.
Shaking his head lightly, he checked the schedule. This Gryffindor class was with Hufflepuff, still Transfiguration... a class where he had already achieved full marks. Class dismissal wasn't far off. He simply stood in the corridor outside the classroom, waiting for the bell.
Soon, a clear bell rang. From the Transfiguration classroom came a chorus of relieved sighs. Little lions and badgers eagerly packed their parchment and quills, extracting themselves from the mind-numbing Transfiguration textbooks.
Walking briskly toward the corridor while already eagerly discussing current hot topics before even leaving the classroom. Their discussion content made him, waiting outside, raise an eyebrow.
"Did you hear? Many from the Flint family mysteriously disappeared."
"Hiss, another disappearance case?"
"How many recent cases is this? The Flint family... they're dark wizards too, right?"
"Could the perpetrator no longer be satisfied with Knockturn Alley? Don't know what evil thing this is... why is it killing dark wizards?"
When initially hearing about the Flint family, he was fine. So many Flint family members dying at sea, plus their assets being acquired by the Malfoy family... it would be strange if this didn't cause discussion. But this was the North Sea Kraken's doing; it couldn't be connected to him. So he had no particular reaction.
But he hadn't expected the young wizards to mention other recent disappearance cases. From their tone, it seemed quite serious, creating a sense of panic? He searched his memories of the original story. He was certain that in the original first year, the magical world had no major disappearance incidents.
Was this something that happened in the original but wasn't recorded, or was it a new event?
While the little lions and badgers discussed this matter, Susan Bones spoke with conviction. "Whatever that is, it's definitely not human. Should be some kind of evil dark creature."
This drew everyone's curious gazes. "Do you know something?"
Susan lowered her voice, her face somewhat pale. "I received a letter from my aunt. She works at the Ministry... this time she wrote warning me never to try leaving Hogwarts. If this matter isn't resolved, I shouldn't even go home for holidays. She said it's a dark creature, evil beyond imagination, probably something created by some deranged dark wizard in Knockturn Alley. The evil dark wizards in Knockturn Alley are terrified... they don't even dare stay in Knockturn Alley. Now Knockturn Alley is probably completely empty. Aurors have tried to capture it, but it's very cunning and hard to track. When they finally find it, it's somehow stronger each time... ordinary Aurors can't handle it at all. Supposedly experienced elite Aurors have died... this will probably make the papers in a few days."
Hearing Susan's revelations, the young wizards showed horrified expressions. When discussing this earlier, they'd treated it as news gossip. They hadn't expected it to be so serious. Elite Aurors dead? Done by a dark creature?
Some young wizards shuddered, feeling chilled all over, as if eyes were watching from shadows at any moment. He narrowed his eyes. He believed Susan's information. After all, Susan's aunt, according to her fate in the original story, though ultimately dying at Death Eaters' hands, had reached department head tier at the Ministry... a very high position.
Her capabilities and connections weren't insignificant. Since she'd sent Susan this warning, the situation was indeed quite serious, just covered up by the Ministry. But from current appearances, this cover-up probably couldn't last.
Hearing the approximate timing of the earliest disappearance incident, his heart stirred. That seemed to be shortly after Quirrell took leave. Could this be related to the two-faced spy? The two-faced spy's target was the Philosopher's Stone... why create such a disturbance?
Various doubts occupied his mind. He approached Susan with several detailed questions. Unfortunately, Susan's aunt hadn't revealed these details, only repeatedly mentioning certain phrases: Horrifically tragic. Extremely terrifying.
She'd also warned Susan not to actively seek information about this matter, probably fearing it would truly scare Susan badly. However, he wasn't without channels for more detailed information. As an Auror, Tonks definitely knew the specifics of this incident. He planned to write Tonks asking what exactly was happening.
Just then, the Golden Trio called him over, wanting to speak privately. They walked to a corridor corner, faces somewhat pale. Apparently scared by what Susan had revealed. Harry's eyes flickered as he whispered, "Susan said this dark creature was probably created by some deranged dark wizard. It's constantly killing and getting stronger. If elite Aurors already can't handle it, what if, after more time passes, it could resist even Headmaster Dumbledore? Who would create such a terrifying monster, and what would their purpose be?"
Harry looked at him. "Ciel. Has Snape shown any unusual behaviour lately?"
He was stunned, then realised. Harry was attributing this to Snape too? He shook his head with mixed feelings. "Harry, Professor Snape has been at Hogwarts recently. But Professor Quirrell... he's been on month-long leave."
This made Harry's eyes light up, seeming to confirm his speculation. "Right. Professor Quirrell must know something about Snape's unspeakable plot, so he took leave to stop it. Think about it... that monster only kills dark wizards, so it definitely knows them well. Who would understand dark wizards so well? Obviously someone who associates closely with dark wizards. Snape is Slytherin's Head of House... everyone knows Slytherin is dark wizard headquarters. He has ample capability to do this. And think... after being blocked by Professor Quirrell for so long, Snape's been inactive. How could he just give up? So this is what he was doing!"
Seeing Harry still convinced Snape was behind everything, he shook his head. Good thing severe myopia wasn't contagious, or he'd worry about Harry leading him astray. Then he waved his hand.
"Alright, Harry. You can keep speculating. But that's not why I came."
He produced the Invisibility Cloak and returned it to Harry. Seeing him return the cloak, Harry's face showed joy. Then he again invited him.
"Ciel, want to join us investigating Snape? His evil plot is rampaging. If we don't catch him soon, more people will die from the monster he created."
Before Harry finished speaking, he decisively turned away. "Not interested. Farewell."
Ron watched his departing figure, regaining some of the superiority lost during Defence Against the Dark Arts combat. At least Ron Weasley wasn't a coward. "Harry. I'll investigate with you. This job needs Gryffindor!"
At this time, he didn't care what the Golden Trio planned. Let them investigate however they wanted. He had no desire to wade into muddy waters. He wrote Tonks a letter hoping she could provide specific details about the disappearance cases.
But this was merely to verify his speculations and prepare for contingencies. As for solving this? Let Dumbledore worry about it. If that old man hadn't insisted on planning some saviour trials and stubbornly playing house games, Quirrell's activities should have gotten him killed at Hogwarts a hundred times over!
His first year wouldn't have been spent walking on thin ice after being targeted by the two-faced spy. Now things had reached this point... if Dumbledore wouldn't handle it, should a first-year badger solve it? He shook his head.
Let heaven and earth overturn. He'd just focus on cultivation. While Dumbledore was alive and the magical world remained somewhat peaceful, he'd concentrate on cultivation. Otherwise, when the Goblet of Fire year began, there probably wouldn't be many peaceful days left.
Then he headed toward the small greenhouse. Next, his gaze, still contemplating those matters, suddenly froze. It fixed firmly on the water tanks in the small greenhouse. Above the tanks hung full reward orbs like ripe fruit.
This represented one thing... a new batch of Piranha Algae had matured! His unease from earlier news completely dissipated. Looking at those Silver-tier reward orbs, he took a deep breath and reached out.
The next moment, reward orbs flowed into his body. On the system panel, Underwater Enhancement and Cutting Spell Enhancement suddenly blazed with unprecedented brilliant light!