"Hogwarts: Why So Nervous? The Little Badger’s Just Planting a Tree."

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[The Luminous Fungi you cultivated have undergone an unknown mutation]

Seeing this line of text, Rogers's expression turned solemn.

He had encountered many plant mutations in both his past and present lives. But unlike what most people assumed, mutations didn't always mean improvement. In fact, most cultivated plant varieties were already highly refined. A mutation could just as easily degrade a plant's traits as enhance them.

It was precisely because of this that Rogers's face darkened the moment he read that the Luminous Fungi had mutated.

He needed to determine the exact cause of this change.

If it was a random occurrence during proliferation or growth, it wasn't much to worry about. But if some external condition had triggered the mutation, he needed to act quickly. Otherwise, the entire experimental plot could end up mutating in the same direction.

This sort of surprise might thrill a bored herbalist desperate to publish something, but Rogers had no such interest. He was after cultivation rewards—nothing more.

Without delay, Rogers began examining the plot.

"The soil composition hasn't changed."

"The water source remains the same."

"Light exposure from Lumos Solem spells has been consistent over the past week."

"I haven't had any major emotional shifts lately..."

Having eliminated most typical factors, Rogers returned to the mutated section of Luminous Fungi. Its mycelium had turned a distinct red hue.

"No other mycelium shows this change."

"Then the last possibility is something nearby that caused it..."

Suddenly, a memory surfaced.

A week ago, after washing blood off his hands, he had inadvertently dripped a few drops near this spot.

"Could it be... the blood?"

"Did the blood cause the mutation?"

Rogers frowned.

Professor Sprout had never mentioned this possibility. But perhaps there simply hadn't been enough research into Luminous Fungi to know.

After all, they were only useful for emitting light. Not many herbalists would waste time studying a plant with such limited value.

Still, Rogers needed to test the hypothesis.

He picked up a sickle and, after some resistance, managed to cut his palm. Blood welled up, which he let drip over the mutated mycelium and surrounding Luminous Fungi.

At first, nothing happened.

The unmutated fungi absorbed the blood through the soil, showing no noticeable change. Rogers frowned, wondering if he'd guessed wrong.

But then his eyes settled on the already-mutated red mycelium.

The blood vanished into it almost instantly, absorbed with shocking speed.

And then something remarkable happened—these mycelia began to thicken right before his eyes. Their red hue deepened, spreading rapidly. In moments, they no longer resembled Luminous Fungi at all. They had evolved into something entirely new.

Rogers exhaled slowly.

"It's definitely connected to blood."

"But blood alone isn't enough—it might just be the catalyst. Other conditions could still be involved."

"Regardless... I've just cultivated the magical world's first mutated plant variety."

He looked at the brilliant red, translucent mycelium.

"Since it has that crimson, jade-like quality..."

"I'll name it—Blood Jade."

Suddenly, new lines of text appeared in front of him.

[You have named the unknown mutated variety of Luminous Fungi — Blood Jade.]

[You have successfully cultivated Blood Jade. You can obtain a reward — Unknown (Bronze Grade, Developing).]

[After Blood Jade matures, the reward will be upgraded to — Unknown (Silver Grade), Unknown (Iron Grade).]

Rogers froze.

His breath quickened.

Standard Luminous Fungi only offered Iron Grade rewards at best. But this Blood Jade—Silver Grade?!

This was on par with the Patronus Tree!

A thought struck him.

Could his blood, enhanced by his legendary-level Life Force Enhancement trait, be helping the Blood Jade grow faster?

He reopened his still-healing wound and let more blood drip onto the mycelium.

Sure enough, the Blood Jade absorbed it again, swelling and pulsing as if invigorated.

But then—disappointment.

The absorption stopped. The plant had reached a saturation point.

And despite the thickened mycelium, it showed no signs of forming caps or entering final maturation.

The glowing reward cluster above it also stalled.

Rogers sighed inwardly.

As expected, cultivating something with Silver-level rewards wasn't going to be easy.

Now that it had mutated, the Blood Jade clearly required special conditions to mature.

With no leads and limited reference, Rogers had no choice but to seek help.

He went directly to Professor Sprout.

After hearing the story, she frowned and quickly checked Rogers's physical condition. Only after confirming there were no curses or signs of dark magic did she relax.

"Rogers," she said seriously, "Plants that thrive on blood often attract dark magic. You should have called me the moment you noticed this."

"You're lucky this one wasn't cursed."

"If you'd been injured... what would I do? You're the only family I have."

Rogers bowed his head in guilt.

"I understand, Aunt. I won't make the same mistake again."

Only then did Professor Sprout inspect the mutated plant.

Her expression shifted from concern to astonishment.

"This is truly incredible."

"Luminous Fungi... mutating like this... Amazing."

She placed her hand near the Blood Jade, sensing its magical aura.

"It's rich in vibrant energy. I think this might actually be useful for powerful healing potions."

"But... I can already tell. It's not going to mature easily."

Rogers watched her, filled with admiration. Her understanding went beyond his own.

"You're amazing, Aunt."

Professor Sprout smiled, patting his head.

"Leave this to me. I'll study its properties and find a way to cultivate it."

Rogers nodded.

Then Sprout added with a chuckle, "Once we finish the research, we'll write a paper. A top-tier Herbology journal should accept it easily."

"You'll be the first author. I'll be the corresponding author."

"An eleven-year-old first author—what an achievement!"

"That alone would earn Hufflepuff fifty points!"

But she sighed afterward.

"Though even with those fifty points... it might not be enough."

"Hufflepuff's lead at the start of the year is already slipping."

"Severus is going all out again. It's even worse this year."

"We can't stoop to their level."

"And Gryffindor..."

Her eyebrows twitched.

She clearly understood the unspoken reality.

Even if Gryffindor trailed behind all year, Dumbledore would find some creative reason to award them points in the end.

Sprout, who had helped design the very obstacles for the Sorcerer's Stone, knew this better than anyone.

"Well," she murmured, "Leading for two weeks was still something."

Rogers clenched his fists.

"There's still Charms class tomorrow."

"Professor Flitwick said there'll be a mini Lumos Solem quiz—first place gets ten points."

"And the final Lumos Solem challenge in two weeks—first place gets twenty-five points and a custom spell reward."

"There are Quidditch matches too. Hufflepuff still has a chance."

Professor Sprout smiled warmly.

"The House Cup is a tough one this year."

"But I'm happy you're thinking this way."

"We'll do our best. Even second or third place would be better than the bottom."

As she left the greenhouse, she turned and looked back.

Inside, Rogers continued casting the Lumos Solem spell across his fungi plot, his wand glowing steadily.

Sprout's expression softened.

No one worked harder than Rogers.

In all her years at Hogwarts, she had never seen such dedication in a student.

But talent... talent was another matter entirely.

Rogers had high hopes for the upcoming Charms test.

But Charms was Ravenclaw territory, and the exam was set by their own Head of House.

Even if they didn't cheat, they likely wouldn't let another House take the top spot easily.

Sprout sighed.

She clenched her fist.

"I have to speed up the search for ingredients for the Talent Enhancement Potion."

Meanwhile, inside the greenhouse, unaware of her concern, Rogers continued his spellwork.

On the system panel, the bronze sheen around "Lumos Solem" deepened, reaching its limit...

A critical point.

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