Stroking Lumen's forehead and feeling the warmth of its short horns, Lucien sighed, "You've grown up. I can't hold you in my arms like before."
Lumen understood its master's meaning and tilted its head.
Large auspicious clouds immediately enveloped its body, rotating and shrinking.
In the blink of an eye, a miniature Lumen, stepping on auspicious clouds, stood in the air.
Its appearance hadn't changed, but its size had shrunk to that of its infancy.
It then bounced into Lucien's arms and rubbed its head against his chest.
"You can freely change your size? Is this a new ability after entering the growth period?"
"Yes, Master."
Lucien was pleasantly surprised to have gained such a pet with this convenient ability.
Rubbing Lumen's mane, Lucien found the texture incredibly soft, feeling just like the lion cat he had in his previous life.
"Lumen, what other abilities have you gained?"
Lumen jumped out of Lucien's arms and returned to its normal size.
"Mainly Pure Flame. The temperature of these flames, well, is very high, and they can also burn away most common curses or potent poisons."
"Oh, and if I don't extinguish Pure Flame myself, they can burn for a very, very long time…"
Hearing Lumen's description, Lucien nodded.
The high temperature had just been proven; ordinary soil, stones, and trees were incinerated almost instantly.
Its sheer power already surpassed many wizards' fire spells.
And it could target most curses and potent poisons. Was this one of the reasons it was called "Pure Flame"—to purify the defilement and evil of the world?
If it wasn't actively extinguished, it could burn for a long time?
How long was "a very, very long time"? Alas, Lumen was still too young, with a mental age equivalent to a child of a few years, so its concept of time was very vague.
Should he teach Lumen some knowledge? It probably couldn't learn wizard magic, but some basic common sense was still very necessary, right?
While thinking, Lucien observed Lumen.
After all, it was a divine beast!
It must be naturally intelligent, so learning some knowledge should be easy, shouldn't it?
Yes! Learning and soaking up knowledge is the most important goal of a sentient being. After six hours of diligent teaching every day, Lumen would.. wait.. since Lumen has evolved to such a divine beast, she shouldn't get tired easily so..
Ezzz~
For some inexplicable reason, Lumen felt a chill all over its body, so it released a thin layer of flame to surround itself, but it still couldn't dispel the unbidden cold.
Seeing Lumen's reaction, Lucien's heart skipped a beat.
Wow, such a strong reaction.
Was it because Lumen had the ability to sense goodwill and malice?
He just wanted to teach a child some knowledge; how could that be considered malice?
"Lumen, what abilities do you have besides Pure Flame?"
"Master, there are also auspicious clouds. Not only can they allow me to fly through the air, but they can also obscure vision and weaken perception."
The auspicious clouds beneath Lumen's feet rapidly expanded, enveloping Lucien in a semicircle.
Lucien carefully felt the changes.
Hmm, visual obstruction was inevitable. After being surrounded by the auspicious clouds, the outside sounds became much quieter, and the smells gradually faded.
Besides this basic perception, he also needed to test magic, which was the perception method wizards relied on most.
A very simple test: Lucien casually cast a spell, letting it pass through the auspicious clouds.
The spell, which originally had a clear connection, became very blurry to Lucien after entering the auspicious clouds.
This was good! It could even weaken a wizard's perception of magic.
Fighting in an environment filled with auspicious clouds would greatly suppress a wizard's perceptive abilities.
"Also, Master, my scales and skin have an immune effect against some magic. As for very powerful and dangerous magic, they should also have a certain weakening effect."
"Do you want to try it, Master?"
Lumen shook its head eagerly, as if wanting to play with Lucien.
"Alright, come on."
Lucien raised his wand and immediately cast Petrificus Totalus.
However, the spell hit Lumen's body like a stone sinking into the sea, and it remained free to move.
Lucien raised an eyebrow, and one after another, brilliant spells emerged from the tip of his wand.
After a few minutes of testing,
Lucien basically confirmed that most basic magic was immune to Lumen, and only advanced magic—infused with more power and more destructive force—would leave traces on its scales, and even then, only faint marks.
Hmm, no wonder the system said that a divine beast Qilin, just entering its growth period, was equivalent to an excellent Auror.
And with its innate Apparition and unique Pure Flame, Lumen far surpassed human wizards. Kekeke~ I hit the jackpot~~~ Oh my cute cute Lumen~
Ezzz!
Lumen shivered once again.
"E-Ehm, good job, Lumen, you are so cool!"
"Thank you! Master!"
Now he could rest assured that Lumen could ensure its own safety even while wandering in the Forbidden Forest.
Anyway, with its malice perception and Apparition, if it couldn't win, it could always escape.
Normally, he would just follow the points Hagrid gave him, let Lumen pre-locate the activity ranges of magical creatures, and take him to observe and record.
Lucien looked up at the sky, which had grown dim.
Today seemed to be a full moon night. Hmm, it was a good time to look for that magical creature.
…
The bright moon hung in the sky, casting silver light.
In a clearing, there were only a few slightly denser bushes around.
Pat-a-pat-a—
Several strange creatures, pale gray with two round eyes bulging on their heads, ran to the center of the clearing.
They had four slender legs and flat, wide feet.
Looking up at the bright full moon, these little creatures suddenly began to jump.
They bathed in the moonlight, performing a complex and peculiar dance on their two hind legs.
During the rhythmic dancing, a faint orchid scent gradually spread through the air.
The creatures sniffed, seemingly enjoying the smell, and danced even more joyfully.
They didn't notice that, beside a nearby bush, a pair of illusory dark green eyes were observing them in the dark.
An equally illusory quill silently wrote on the paper:
~~~~~~~
Mooncalf.
Smooth skin, body mainly pale gray…
Comes out of its burrow on full moon nights.
Likes to dance in the moonlight, with peculiar but very charming movements.
(Purpose of dancing currently unknown, awaiting observation)
Lucien, wearing a Refreshing Mask, glanced at the Sleeping Draught quietly burning at his feet, then looked at the Mooncalves dancing even more vigorously.
~~~~~~~~
He somewhat uncertainly wrote on the paper: Likes orchid scent?
Even before the Mooncalves arrived, Lucien had already cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and applied cloak oil.
He had hidden his presence from sight, smell, and hearing.
This was the first magical creature he was beginning to observe and record, and he needed to meticulously document their physical characteristics and data.
Hmm, just a little longer, and the Sleeping Draught should take effect.
Recording information about a magical creature required great detail—from appearance to habits, special racial abilities, and the effects of materials they produced…
Later, before sunrise, he would also have to collect their droppings.
This was a natural fertilizer that could make plants grow rapidly and thrive.
He didn't know whether it or the fertilizer potion he brewed would be more effective.
On a weekend night, while other young wizards were still sleeping, a certain first-year student was already enjoying the charming dance of the Mooncalves in the Forbidden Forest.