Chapter 80: Full-Service Magical Plant Funerals
Although Leonard couldn’t activate this enhancement node yet, he could still preview the System’s description.
According to it, this enhancement would grant the chosen plant one of Leonard’s spells, usable three times.
There were no restrictions. Offensive curses, supportive magic—it was entirely up to Leonard’s choice.
Even though it was limited to a single spell and only three uses, that was still a frighteningly powerful upgrade.
Who would ever expect a plant to cast magic? Even a magical plant.
That settled it—Leonard would focus his points on the Combat Branch first.
Behind the [Magical Seed Bag], the enhancements split again into offensive and defensive paths.
The offensive branch offered [Store Magic], an ability similar to the defensive branch’s [Devour Magic], both involving active absorption of spells.
It seemed a bit redundant, but the next enhancement made the reason clear: this was another prerequisite.
The following upgrade was called [Self-Destruct]. After unlocking [Store Magic], a plant could trigger a devastating explosion before being destroyed.
A Chomping Cabbage would blow itself up right in an enemy’s face, while a rooted plant would direct its branches in a targeted blast at its foes.
Brutal. Leonard liked it.
He unlocked [Store Magic], giving each enhanced plant the ability to ignore two spells.
An amusing number, really. Once a wizard realized their target could shrug off two consecutive spells, their composure would usually collapse.
And with [Magical Frenzy] added in, one spell would send the plant into a frenzy. Few would dare risk casting a third.
But if anyone did—whether out of courage or sheer numbers—once [Self-Destruct] was unlocked, the sequence would be simple: first spell, immunity plus frenzy; second spell, immunity again; third spell, detonation—sending the attacker straight to the grave.
A convenient full-service package.
“If cremation were included, it’d be a full service magical plant funeral,” Leonard muttered, glancing at the seeds buried in the soil.
It was time to start making use of [Devour], and to expand the botanical garden. With so few plants, it was far too underwhelming.
As if on cue, the System chimed in.
[Long-Term Quest: Prosperous Botanical Garden]
[You’ve obtained your own botanical garden, but it remains barren. Plant more magical species to earn rewards.]
[Current Magical Plant Varieties: 3/5. Each new species planted grants 20 bonus Experience. Reaching certain milestones grants one enhancement point.]
[Long-Term Quest: Dangerous Plants]
[Simple enhancements no longer satisfy your twisted tastes. You require stronger magical plants. Use “Devour” to cultivate unique effects. Each distinct effect grants 30 bonus Experience.]
So the generous beginner quests were over. These two new long-term tasks only rewarded experience. Still, the first wasn’t bad—it even had an achievement-like system for extra enhancement points.
Conveniently, Leonard had a magical creature material at hand.
Acromantula venom.
He walked over to the Chomping Cabbage patch, considered for a moment, then opened a vial and let a single drop fall onto a seed.
[Devour] activated. The venom seeped smoothly into the seed, staining its original purple hue black.
System products never failed. With Devour active, even the deadliest poison could be absorbed.
The result was simple: once this Chomping Cabbage matured, Leonard would obtain a seed capable of producing more cabbages infused with Acromantula venom.
One bite—vital spot or not—death guaranteed.
“I could have Midgard send over some magical creature materials,” Leonard murmured, stroking his chin after wrapping things up.
Of course, he wouldn’t have to pay for them.
Back then, the deal was that Leonard would sell Midgard a suitcase full of materials, then buy them back at market price whenever he needed them.
But what was their relationship at the time? Just two people crossing paths and helping each other out.
Now? They were partners who had robbed a bank together. And with Leonard’s guidance, the werewolf wizards had only grown stronger. Who among them would care about a bit of money?
With the botanical garden taken care of, Leonard felt relieved. He gathered all the Chomping Cabbages he’d brought and headed lightly in the direction of Hogwarts.
He had no intention of leaving them behind as guards for the garden. Lively as they were, they had all been grown with Rapid Growth and wouldn’t live more than a single day.
Leaving them here would be pointless. Better to have them escort him back to school.
Who knew what else he might run into along the way? Leonard had no plans to cross through Acromantula territory. Instead, he chose to cut straight through the Forbidden Forest toward Hogwarts.
Of the five cabbages, one had completely withered from Acromantula venom. The remaining four crowded close to Leonard as they followed the narrow thorny path out.
Fortunately, the trip was uneventful. At one point, Leonard nearly wandered into a mountain troll’s territory, but the creature’s stench was so foul it served as a warning, allowing him to steer clear in time.
He had no desire to fight a troll—not because he couldn’t win, but because it was a waste no matter how he looked at it.
Even victory offered little gain. Trolls had no special abilities beyond their size, and Leonard found them so disgusting he wouldn’t even consider using them as plant-enhancement materials.
Besides, their stench alone was unbearable. Just seeing one made Leonard want to vomit.
He couldn’t imagine how Harry Potter had managed to withstand the reek long enough to climb onto a troll and jab his wand up its nostrils.
Was that wand even usable afterward?
Once he left the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid’s hut was already dark. It was deep into the night, and the patrolling professors at Hogwarts had likely gone to bed.
Leonard yawned, cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, accelerated the growth of each Chomping Cabbage beside him, then collected the withered seeds they left behind. He followed the stone path toward Hogwarts.
He had wanted to try out his newly acquired talent, Magical Plant Radar, but he was too exhausted tonight. Better to get some rest—classes awaited tomorrow.
He would have plenty of time at Hogwarts to test his talent.
Author's Note
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