The moment the system notification appeared, a quiet satisfaction settled over Ciel. As expected of Neville, he thought, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. The Goldfish Vine, a plant that literally fed on forgetfulness, had found its ideal environment. Five days. In just five short days, Neville's unique... talents... had brought three of the plants to full maturity. And judging by the size and intensity of the reward orbs, their quality was nothing short of perfect.
Just then, Neville spotted him, his face a mask of frantic relief. "Cousin!" he cried, skidding to a halt. "Thank Merlin! Which way is the Potions classroom? I swear I knew a second ago, but it's just… gone."
Ciel smiled calmly and pointed to the staircase on his right.
"Thank you, Cousin Ciel!" Neville said, turning to practically sprint down the corridor.
But Ciel's mind had already jumped ahead. He remembered, with crystal clarity, the description of Neville's first Potions class in the books. It was an unmitigated disaster—a melted cauldron, a classroom filled with noxious fumes, and a trip to the hospital wing covered in painful boils. The event had cemented Neville's lifelong fear of Professor Snape.
He shook his head. Whether it was out of a budding sense of familial duty or simple gratitude for Neville's invaluable… contribution… to his horticultural project, he couldn't just let it happen.
"Neville," he called out, his voice stopping his cousin in his tracks. "The first Potions class is just a simple Boil-Curing Potion. It's not difficult. Just remember one thing, and you'll be fine." He leaned in slightly, his voice low and clear. "When you add the porcupine quills, the cauldron must be taken off the fire first. Remember that, and nothing will go wrong."
Neville stared at him, his wide eyes blinking as he processed the information. He began to repeat the words under his breath like a sacred mantra. "Off the fire… add quills… off the fire… add quills." A fraction of the panicked tension seemed to drain from his shoulders. He gave Ciel another profoundly grateful look before hurrying off toward the dungeons.
Ciel watched him go, not expecting a miracle, but hoping he had at least saved his cousin from a painful experience. With that small act of kindness done, his attention turned inward, focusing on the three shimmering reward orbs that were now drifting silently toward him.
The reward for perfect-quality Goldfish Vine… enhanced Magical Perception. A spark of genuine anticipation lit his eyes. He reached out his hand, and as his fingers brushed against the orbs of light, they dissolved into his skin.
A jolt, not of electricity, but of pure potential, shot through him. It was a strange, tingling awareness that spread from his core to his fingertips. For a fleeting, breathtaking moment, he could feel the flow of his own magic—a faint but definite current of power running through his veins, a dormant river waiting for direction. So this is what it feels like, he thought, a sense of wonder washing over him. This is the raw material of a wizard's power.
The intense sensation faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a cool, clean line of text on his internal status panel:
[Magical Perception Enhancement (Bronze Tier)]
Ciel wasn't disappointed. It was only the reward from three small plants, after all, even if they were perfect. A Bronze-tier enhancement was a solid foundation. Besides, he already possessed a baseline level of magical perception, however faint; this reward was an addition, stacking on top of what was already there.
He decided to test it. There was no better benchmark than the Soil-Loosening Charm, a spell he had cast thousands of times over the past two months. He closed his eyes, recalling the familiar motion, the incantation. But this time, as he mentally traced the wand movement, he felt a distinct difference. Before, casting the spell felt like forcing water through a slightly kinked hose—it worked, but there was resistance. Now, the channel felt clear, the flow of magic smoother, more responsive to his will.
He nodded to himself, satisfied. The improvement was subtle, but it was real and measurable. By the time the rest of the Goldfish Vines matured, his Magical Perception might even reach the Silver tier. I can wait for that, he thought, a renewed sense of purpose settling over him. And then, I can finally start planting the truly interesting herbs.
A look of quiet anticipation on his face, he made his way to his own class. While Gryffindor and Slytherin were descending into the tense drama of the Potions dungeon, the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were heading to the bright, airy Charms classroom on the second floor.
The moment the bell rang, the diminutive Professor Flitwick beamed at them from his perch atop a tall stack of books. "Last Monday was mostly theory," he squeaked, his voice full of infectious enthusiasm. "Today, I think we shall dispense with the lecture and practice spells for the entire period!" He gave them a conspiratorial wink. "I do hope you won't find it too terribly boring."
A cheer went up from the students.
"Now then," Professor Flitwick said, demonstrating the Wand-Lighting Charm again. "It is a simple spell, but it requires precise coordination and, most crucially, concentration! Otherwise, you might find you've set your wand on fire, and we wouldn't want that!" He twirled his own wand in an elegant arc. "Lumos!"
A soft, stable ball of warm light bloomed at the tip, earning a collective gasp of awe from the first-years.
"Alright then, let's practice!" he chirped.
The difference between the two houses became immediately apparent. Almost as soon as the professor had finished speaking, a Ravenclaw boy waved his wand with practiced skill. "Lumos!" A sputtering, flickering light appeared.
"Excellent!" Professor Flitwick praised. "You've been practicing! One point for Ravenclaw!"
Within ten minutes, nearly every Ravenclaw had managed to produce some form of light. The Hufflepuffs, on the other hand, were a mess of mispronunciations.
Professor Flitwick patiently moved among them, offering gentle corrections. Ciel, however, was watching the Ravenclaws, a thoughtful expression on his face. With his newly enhanced perception, he could see what he couldn't before. Their spells are successful, but unstable. Their magical output is uneven, spiking and dipping. That's why the light flickers.
Just then, Professor Flitwick appeared at his side, his smile kind. "Come now, Mr. Sprout," he said gently. "Don't be shy. Let's see your Lumos."
Ciel nodded. He took a breath, focusing his mind. He flicked his wrist, his wand tracing a smooth, confident arc through the air, just as the professor had shown.
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