Tonks stared blankly at Robert's figure.
Compared to the massive tentacles of the North Sea Kraken rising from the waves, even a first-year wizard seemed tiny. Hagrid, a half-giant, looked almost insignificant in comparison. Yet, strangely, Tonks felt a surge of confidence emanating from Robert. He truly seemed capable of handling a creature that could hunt dragons in the sea.
Swallowing hard, Tonks clutched her wand tightly and moved to the side. Robert, however, remained calm, eyes fixed on the Kraken thrashing in the waves. With a serious expression, he pulled out the Giant Slayer Poison he had concocted with his own blood and hurled it into the water.
As the test tube shattered, crimson magic seeped into the sea. Robert's blood, infused with Legendary Life, spread through the water like a living thing. The North Sea Kraken instantly reacted, its senses drawn to this intoxicating new scent. Sharks, whales, giant squids—even a dragon once foraging in these waters—had never been as appealing to it as this crimson elixir.
The Kraken let out a low, rumbling roar. The seabed churned violently, water swirling down into a massive whirlpool. Its tentacles writhed in ecstasy beneath the surface. A cold light flickered in Robert's eyes.
"Delicious?" he whispered. "Then let me give you more."
Without hesitation, he sliced his arm. Blood spurted like a fountain, splashing into the sea. Waving his wand, Robert made the blood come alive, wriggling as it spread. The Kraken, driven by insatiable hunger, devoured every drop of blood infused with Giant Slayer Poison.
Yet for a creature of such immense size, it was still not enough. The Kraken wanted Robert, wanted to tear him apart and consume the Legendary Life within him. Its massive tentacle rose again, aiming directly for Robert.
Boom!
The impact shook the island as if dozens of thunderclaps had struck simultaneously. Smoke and dust billowed into the sky, and through the haze, Tonks saw Robert reduced to what seemed like scattered fragments. Porgie Chalman laughed maniacally.
"A genius? So what if he's a genius? He still has to die!"
But then, Robert's voice echoed through the smoke. "What are you yelling about?"
Porgie Chalman froze. He had seen Robert struck by the tentacle—how could he still be standing?
A deep exhale sounded like a giant's roar, dispersing the smoke. Robert emerged, battered and blood-soaked, worse than after any of his previous combat training. His muscles were torn, arms partially bare bone—a horrifying sight. Yet he was holding the Kraken's tentacle, unyielding.
Tonks covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. Porgie Chalman's disbelief turned to venomous anger. One blow hadn't killed him, but he still would.
The Kraken, sensing its strike had failed, hesitated. Tentacle after tentacle slammed down on Robert, each strike more violent than the last. Yet Robert stood firm. His Legendary Life and Legendary Power flared intensely on the system panel, tempering his body and turning each strike into an opportunity. Every wound healed almost instantly, only to be torn open again with the next blow. With each cycle, his strength grew.
The Kraken's body began to weaken. The initial taste of Robert's blood was intoxicating, but now the Giant Slayer Poison gnawed at its Legendary Life. Confused and fearful, the Kraken retracted its tentacles, attempting to escape.
Robert's gaze turned icy. He grabbed the very tentacle that had struck him. "You hit me so many times. Now you want to leave? Did you ask for my permission?"
Channeling every ounce of Legendary Power, Robert tugged fiercely. The Kraken faltered. Poison spread violently through its massive body. Terrified, it severed the tentacle Robert held and fled into the depths.
The sea gradually calmed. Robert did not pursue—it was the Kraken's territory, and the risk was too high. Yet his gains were immense. His Legendary Life and Legendary Power glowed more brightly than ever, and he harvested materials even more valuable than most five-star magical creatures: a section of the Kraken's tentacle and copious amounts of its blood, perfect for transforming the third-group blood emerald.
Breathing deeply, Robert surveyed the aftermath. Tonks had fainted from the earlier blasts, while Porgie Chalman had been whisked away on a flying carpet by his house-elf.
Robert's eyes narrowed. That Slytherin actually had an item to summon the North Sea Kraken. If Robert hadn't been prepared, he might have had to flee. Evil must be eradicated completely.
He mounted his Nimbus 2000 and soared into the sky. The flying carpet carrying Porgie Chalman was only a short distance away. Yet Robert paused, puzzled: why didn't the house-elf simply Apparate them?
On the carpet, Porgie Chalman awoke, berating his house-elf. "Why didn't you Apparate me away? Flying like this won't save me!"
The house-elf trembled. "Master, house-elves are bound by magical contracts. I must save you even at the cost of my own life. Your body is too weak; Apparition would likely kill you."
Seeing Robert closing in, Porgie Chalman's face drained of color. This Hufflepuff—no, Robert Sprout—was a monstrous presence. He could only be a reincarnation of the Dark Lord himself! The thought chilled him to the bone.
The house-elf obeyed Porgie Chalman's desperate orders and transported him to an island ahead. The island was protected by Ministry magic, but it teemed with dangerous creatures. The house-elf lay weak, resigned to die, yet he smiled, feeling the satisfaction of subtle revenge against his cruel master.
Robert swooped down and handed him a bottle of dittany essence, applying it to his wounds. "You've helped me a great deal today. I'm not a Dark Wizard—I don't relish killing."
The house-elf, now named Eugene, beamed. "A free house-elf?"
"You're free," Robert confirmed. "If you want, you can stay on the island. I'll provide food and supplies. We can have a cooperative arrangement instead of a servitude contract."
Eugene's eyes shone with hope. Robert turned back toward the misty Dereria Island. Malicious magical particles swirled within the fog, and though he needed the rare pute fruit, he did not land recklessly.
Meanwhile, Tonks awoke in the Hogwarts Medical Ward, seeing Madam Pomfrey fussing over her. "You can't get up yet," she scolded. "Robert brought you back—he said you flew too low over the sea and hit a reef."
Tonks, astonished, asked, "Where is Robert?"
"Off to the Greenhouse," Madam Pomfrey replied. "He had something urgent to attend to."
In the Little Greenhouse, Robert gazed at a large barrel of dark blue Kraken blood. Its potency surpassed even dragon or Acromantula blood. He waved his wand, letting the blood mist surge toward the withered third-group blood emerald.
The reward sphere, once faint, expanded, glowing with a rich platinum light. Transformation was underway, and Robert knew the results might exceed his expectations.
The North Sea Kraken was defeated, evil delayed, allies saved, and new power gained. Robert Sprout, battered but unbroken, had taken another step toward the mythical.
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