In the blink of an eye, two days had passed. Within Hogwarts castle, in the classrooms, the lighting had become unstable again. Over these two days, this phenomenon occurred almost at regular intervals.
At first, staff and students found it strange, but after repeated occurrences, they got used to it. It was probably some ageing magic related to illumination in the castle that needed maintenance.
Compared to the flickering lights, young wizards were more concerned with developments in the magical world's disappearance cases. The Daily Prophet's front page was dominated by this story every day.
And compared to the previously worrying atmosphere, the current mood was finally allowing people to breathe easier. After Professor Quirrell joined the response to the monster, several effective suggestions were proposed. The monster's movement patterns were gradually being discovered.
It was acting less and less frequently, seeming increasingly cautious. It had been two days since any new victims were reported. Everyone believed that under Professor Quirrell's leadership, capturing this monster was merely a matter of time.
Daily heated discussions filled the castle as many young wizards regarded Professor Quirrell as a hero, regretting their superficial judgements at the beginning of term. "A truly capable person certainly wouldn't display it casually. We were so foolish then, actually looking down on Professor Quirrell. If only we could have learnt a few tricks from him back then."
People discussed these matters without noticing that today's flickering lights had stabilised earlier than usual.
Inside the sixth-floor corridor, Ciel quickly emerged from the Room of Requirement. His gaze fell on the system panel. Compared to two days ago, several abilities on the panel had improved dramatically.
First was Lightning Resistance. Through countless daily electric shocks, the originally ethereal, blurred text had completely solidified. The Iron black lustre covered it.
[Lightning Resistance (Iron Level)]
Though merely Iron-level resistance, combined with his Legendary Life, the effect was excellent. Even when lightning intensity increased by a level, he suffered less physical damage during his experiences with natural will, reduced pain, and lighter mental burden.
By this estimate, he felt that once he could stack Lightning Resistance to the Platinum level, he might possibly survive natural lightning. Of course, to be completely safe, it would be best to advance to Diamond level or above.
Beyond Lightning Resistance improvement, his more significant advancement was in Occlumency. Occlumency had just reached Silver level two days ago. Now, it was completely covered in golden hue.
[Occlumency (Gold Level)]
He had never imagined his Occlumency progress would advance this rapidly. Even Snape would be stunned seeing such improvement speed.
His advanced Occlumency brought two major improvements: stronger mental defences and enhanced spiritual control. Most importantly, this allowed him to achieve deeper flow states, doubling his effectiveness at sensing natural will.
Reflected on the system panel, Ancient Weather Magic's iron-black lustre had almost become substantial.
[Ancient Weather Magic (Iron, natural will 85% absorbed)]
Though his magical perception limitations prevented him from reaching seven power nodes and forming the basic runic configuration, keeping several positions uncovered by the iron black lustre and maintaining a barrier to the Iron level advancement.
But this didn't mean his electric shocks were wasted. Each experience left his body with slightly denser residual natural will. He estimated his internal natural will could already drive the Bronze level Ancient Weather Magic.
Like accumulating foundation in this magic, waiting to complete the puzzle and break through barriers for a dramatic leap. He might even jump directly from Iron to Bronze level!
Even at the current degree, he had tested it. The electric light produced by five power nodes resonating when casting Ancient Weather Magic was completely different from before, a considerably powerful trump card.
Over these two days, his strength had improved significantly. But today, he encountered a problem that stopped him from continuing. The Room of Requirement's electric light had limits. In other words, the "natural will" contained within had reached its ceiling.
The denser the natural will in electric shocks, the more that could remain in his body and affect him. Meaning now, the Room's electric shocks were providing diminishing returns for him. And as his Ancient Weather Magic mastery deepened, the Room's help would decrease further.
This made him frown. Electric shocks containing denser natural will could certainly be found, just fly into storm clouds on any rainy day and take a lightning strike. That would guarantee experiencing the wildest natural will. Ancient Weather Magic mastery would definitely advance.
But the prerequisite was surviving. His current physical strength, even counting his newly acquired Lightning Resistance, was still far from withstanding natural lightning. He couldn't really risk his life, could he? Were there other methods?
His magical knowledge now far exceeded his enrolment level. Especially in Herbology, surpassing all peers. After all, Professor Sprout's collection, except for extremely dangerous herbs, was fully open to him.
Magical herbs beyond ordinary imagination were available for him to experiment with, plus Professor Sprout's comprehensive guidance as a Herbology master. It would be strange if his Herbology didn't advance by leaps and bounds.
For his current problem, he quickly found a solution from Herbology.
"There's an herb called Clearwood. Grinding its bark into juice and combining it with foxglove and other potion ingredients can create a quite rare potion. Some people, after taking this potion, feel euphoric, claiming their consciousness entered heaven. Others feel terrified, as if they'd gone to hell. Therefore, early scholars thought this potion's effect was strong hallucination. But later they discovered the truth: its real effect is amplifying sensory consciousness. If you feel a trace of happiness or joy, it amplifies it to heaven-like levels. If you feel unease or anxiety, it similarly amplifies that to hell-like intensity. Whatever you feel, it amplifies."
His eyes showed interest. "And when I'm in flow state, sensing natural will. All I can feel is natural will's wildness and power. Feeling like I'm also a bolt of lightning wandering through storm clouds. If combined with this potion, perhaps it could work?"
He wasn't certain this plan would succeed, but he had some confidence. If successful, before Quirrell returned to Hogwarts, his Ancient Weather Magic foundation could surge dramatically. Then, he might directly leap Ancient Weather Magic to near Silver level with vastly superior power!
The risk was that amplified sensations might bring intense mental shock. As mentioned before, some people went mad after taking this potion, feeling like they'd entered hell before the effect ended.
But with his Gold level Occlumency, he shouldn't fall to such depths. After evaluating benefits and risks, he felt this plan was worth trying.
"Clearwood, foxglove, easy enough. Both herbs are in Aunt's collection, available for my use. The trouble is the other precious potion materials. Plus the brewing process requires extreme precision; my magical perception and Potions mastery aren't sufficient..."
After pondering, he headed to Snape's office. "I can only see if Snape will help again."
When he arrived with clearwood and foxglove, Snape merely sniffed and detected the herbs' distinctive scents. His brow furrowed immediately.
"Clearwood. Foxglove. Ciel Sprout, what are you doing in my office with these herbs? Their only purpose together is brewing that maddening thing called Illusion Potion."
Snape looked at him with sharp eyes. He nodded honestly. "Yes, Professor. I came to request you help me brew this Illusion Potion. I have an idea that needs testing with it..."
Before finishing, he saw Snape's characteristic mocking expression. "An idea needing testing with it?"
Snape said acidly. "Oh. It seems young Mr. Sprout, after learning Occlumency, thinks his mental defences are impregnable. The Illusion Potion that's driven many mad can also be tried now?"
He drew his wand, silver light misting from its tip. "Perhaps I've been too lenient before. Giving you inappropriate confidence? Come then, Mr. Sprout. You think your Occlumency is strong? I'll bring you back to reality."
He was silent briefly, then said seriously: "If this is necessary for your agreement, Professor. Very well. But Professor, please be careful."
Hearing his warning, Snape's eyes showed strangeness. Perhaps he'd really been too gentle with him normally. Last time's Legilimency combat didn't use full force.
If this little badger experienced having his mind violently read with all secrets exposed, he'd know mental-related things required extreme caution. Not this blind arrogance. Time to teach this little badger a lesson.
So Snape's gaze sharpened as he wielded his wand. This Legilimency curse's silver light was obviously much brighter than their previous combat. If his Occlumency remained at previous levels, or even with some progress, he'd have his mental defences broken instantly. Snape would properly educate this little badger.
But the next second, when the Legilimency curse's silver light entered him, Snape suddenly felt his magic hit a solid wall. He'd thought this intensity could easily break his mental defences, never expecting it couldn't budge them at all? Snape's eyes showed bewilderment.
How had his Occlumency advanced so dramatically in such a short time?!
Next moment, before Snape could react, his spirit entering his mind heard thunderous sound. Lightning struck toward him. Then Snape grunted, staggered back two steps, blood trickling from his nostrils.
Seeing this, he quickly tried to support Snape. "Professor..."
But Snape grabbed his hand, staring at him with shock and anger. "What did you do? Was that natural will just now? Ciel Sprout, don't tell me you got struck by lightning?"
Moments later, Snape looked at him like he was insane. "Are you mad?! Do you know how many people died trying to gain true runic power, pursuing ancient magic? Not even ashes remained! And you're pursuing lightning-related power? If you're tired of living, Killing Curses or poison would be quicker deaths. What's wrong with your brain? I'm an idiot for wasting time on a lunatic like you."
Seeing Snape's unprecedented anger, he understood he was truly angry, even somewhat frightened. He spoke slowly: "Professor. If possible, I'd only want to tend plants, ignoring everything else. I wouldn't want to risk such danger, enduring pain, pursuing ancient magic power. But I have reasons necessitating this."
Snape showed a mocking expression. "Reasons? Come, let's hear them."
He said quietly: "I had a dream. In it, within a few years, the magical world became terrible. Some frightening people returned from the underworld, from prisons. They did terrible things. Some people I care about died forever."
Snape's expression froze, becoming uncertain. His mind fixed on Snape lying in a pool of blood from the original story. He looked at Snape.
"Professor, I avoid trouble when I can. But some things are too important to ignore. I have to be ready."
Snape fell silent, seemingly unsure what to say. After a long pause, he viciously gritted his teeth. "Damn it. If Pomona knew I was brewing Illusion Potion for you. She'd probably hit me with a Killing Curse!"
He smiled, knowing Snape had agreed. He left the clearwood and foxglove in the office, arranging to meet Snape in the sixth-floor corridor tonight.
As he was leaving, Snape called him back and tossed him a potion. At his surprised look, Snape said flatly: "Mental soothing. Can't you feel your spirit's been tense for too long?"
As he opened his mouth to thank him, Snape coldly interrupted: "Get out. Don't disturb my potion brewing."
With that, Snape slammed his office door shut. He showed a helpless expression and left with the potion.
Behind the office door, Snape's eyes held unstoppable turmoil. If a great war truly erupted someday, as a double agent, Snape could already guess his fate. Throughout history, how many double agents had good endings? Especially when caught between wizards like Dumbledore and Voldemort.
Yet this little badger dared tell him such things. Didn't like trouble, but some things he didn't want to happen? This little badger... Heh. Really dared to talk big. Did he know what facing change required?
But moments later, Snape's lips couldn't help curving into a slight smile. Though foolish, at least teaching this little badger hadn't been wasted.
Then Snape picked up the clearwood and foxglove, carefully retrieving materials from his storage cabinet. As flames rose, strange smoke gradually began swirling in the cauldron.
While Snape brewed the potion, he had returned to his small greenhouse. His gaze first fell on the variant humanoid bioluminescent mushroom, then he cut his palm and fed it more blood.
Seeing the increasingly full reward orb above it, he nodded slightly. In just a day or two, this variant mushroom should mature. Then he might find Quintaped weaknesses, gaining another preparation.
There were also new Goldfish Vines planted on Sprout Island. With most Forbidden Forest trolls migrated, this batch of Goldfish Vines was nearly mature. Such quantities would push his magical perception fully to the Platinum level, bringing true qualitative change.
These thoughts flashed through his mind. Moments later, he exhaled softly. As Snape said, his spirit had been too tense these days. To take the Illusion Potion, maintaining peaceful mental state was better.
Then he took out Snape's spirit soothing potion and drank it down. As warmth spread through his body, he felt his spirit soaking in warm water. Days of accumulated fatigue and tension dissipated rapidly.
When he emerged from this comfortable feeling, he found the sun had already set outside the greenhouse. Unknowingly, he'd fallen asleep under the potion's influence.
Then he came to his senses, eyes brightening. "This feeling... Relaxed, unprecedentedly relaxed."
Like removing a thousand pound burden from his spirit. His condition was completely refreshed. He showed admiration. Worthy of a Potions master's work. This effect was truly incredible. This state gave him additional confidence.
After taking a deep breath, he walked toward the castle's sixth floor. Soon he saw Snape waiting in the sixth-floor corridor. Snape held a potion ethereal and misty as smoke.
"This is your requested potion. But it must be done under my supervision."
He nodded. Since Snape had already detected his pursuit of ancient magic power, bringing Snape into the Room of Requirement was fine. It would actually provide additional safety assurance.
So moments later, a door opened in the wall. He led Snape inside.
Long after the door disappeared, from an empty corner of the sixth-floor corridor came indignant voices. "I simply can't believe it. Ciel is actually in league with Snape?!"
This was Harry's voice. He wore the Invisibility Cloak with Ron and Hermione underneath. They seemed shocked by what they'd just witnessed.
Originally, the trio was monitoring Snape, hoping to find connections between Snape and the monster ravaging the magical world. They hadn't expected to see such a shocking scene.
Harry was both amazed and confused. "Ciel was clearly abused by Snape. Why is he still seeking out Snape?"
Ron said loudly: "Isn't it obvious?! Didn't you hear Snape say he brewed a potion for Ciel? Hmph, for some benefit, Ciel forgot previous grievances and started working for Snape again. The Hufflepuff badgers worship him so much, yet he's become Snape's accomplice. Maybe he's even helping that monster. If this got out, I wonder what Hufflepuff would think."
Hermione remained silent, her eyes showing shock, disbelief, and traces of disappointment.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances, then both showed determination. "Stay here. See what unspeakable secrets they have."
Meanwhile, inside the Room of Requirement, Snape looked at the brilliant electric light filling the room. His greasy hair stood on end from the electric arcs, every strand bristling. His face was written with shock.
Now he finally understood why classroom lights had been flickering during these two days of teaching. Ciel was the culprit!
Sensing the electric light, Snape's face darkened. Just watching from afar, he felt tingling all over. His skin stung as if charged with static electricity. Ciel had endured repeated electric shocks here for days? Even gained natural will and gradually contacted ancient magic?
Snape clenched his fists tightly. "This little badger. Complete lunatic."
He stared at him, wand ready for emergency rescue. "Ciel Sprout. To change anything, you must survive first. Don't you dare die here."
He smiled, then drank Snape's Illusion Potion. Simultaneously activating Occlumency. Immediately, no distracting thoughts existed in his mind. With infinite focus, he entered an extremely immersive flow state.
The just-consumed Illusion Potion seemed ineffective, showing no effects. But he knew this was because his Occlumency had eliminated distractions. Currently, there were no sensations for the Illusion Potion to amplify. But soon, the situation would differ.
Then he stepped forward into the lightning's edge. As crackling electric light coiled around him, skin and flesh began suffering damage. His mind again sensed natural will's wildness, primitiveness, and power. He felt himself becoming a bolt of lightning.
Just then, the Illusion Potion's effect activated. Instantly, his pupils seemed filled with densely interwoven lightning. This moment, he wasn't lightning. He seemed to have become a thunderstorm!
[Ancient Weather Magic (Bronze, silver traces emerging)]
On the system panel, Ancient Weather Magic clearly hadn't reached the Iron level, still with portions uncovered by the iron black lustre. But now, in those other sections with nearly substantial iron black lustre, incredibly, bronze lustre began flickering. In a blink, bronze lustre solidified. Even a trace of silver light emerged within it!