Newt helped transfer Nagini into Lucien's suitcase.
While he was there, he once again toured the ever-expanding Suitcase World that Lucien was building.
Compared with his previous visit, several areas had clearly been improved, and the environment had become even more suitable for the magical creatures living there.
As they passed through a small forest, Newt's gaze was suddenly drawn to one of the trees.
There was a hollow in the trunk, and a faint golden glow seeped from the opening.
The corner of Newt's mouth curled upward, and he changed direction, walking toward it.
He bent down and looked into the hollow.
Sure enough.
A Niffler with rare platinum-coloured fur was curled up inside, holding a sapphire the size of a pigeon egg in its little paws and intently "polishing" it.
The gemstone rolled back and forth between its paws until its surface gleamed brightly.
"Ginger."
Newt waved at it.
Ginger's black, bean-like eyes glanced at him for a moment, then lowered again as it continued fiddling with the sapphire, apparently far more interested in its treasure than in greeting an old acquaintance.
Newt touched his nose, feeling slightly awkward.
He immediately took a Galleon from his pocket and shook it in front of Ginger, producing a crisp clink.
Ginger's movements paused.
It looked at the lone Galleon between Newt's fingers, then turned its head toward the collection inside the hollow.
Emeralds, gold, jade, diamonds...
Compared with the pile behind it, a single Galleon was hardly tempting.
Even so, Ginger silently stuffed the sapphire into its pouch, quickly climbed out of the hollow, and crawled onto Newt's hand.
Newt chuckled.
He weighed Ginger in his palm and said with a smile, "Your weight is finally back to normal."
Seeing Lucien's slightly embarrassed expression nearby, Newt found it amusing.
Lucien had spoiled the little creature far too much before, causing Ginger to become overweight for a time, round like a little ball of platinum-coloured fur.
At least now, it had finally slimmed down.
Newt placed Ginger back inside the tree hollow and continued forward.
Along the way, every magical creature he saw had clearly been well cared for by Lucien. They were sturdy and healthy, with glossy fur, bright eyes, and plenty of energy.
Newt nodded inwardly.
Caring for magical creatures was no easy task.
First, one had to understand their habits, which required a considerable reserve of knowledge.
Every species had different diets, activity patterns, preferences, temperaments, and taboos.
Without understanding those things, it was impossible to care for magical creatures properly, let alone communicate with them effectively.
A small mistake might merely make a creature unhappy.
A serious mistake could easily result in someone losing a finger, an arm, or worse.
Newt wasn't worried about Lucien in that regard.
There was also another very important requirement.
A wizard needed to be sufficiently good at fighting.
Magical creatures didn't need spells or wands to attack, and their abilities could be bizarre. Some breathed fire, some discharged electricity, some spat poison, while others simply relied on overwhelming brute force.
If a wizard wanted to look after them while also keeping themselves safe, quick reflexes and solid magical ability were indispensable.
In terms of magical combat ability alone, Newt could easily have served as an Auror.
And when it came to caring for extremely dangerous magical creatures such as dragons, the requirements were even higher.
Dragon keepers, no matter how handsome or delicate they looked before entering the profession, would become tanned and sturdy after a year or so, while their spellcasting ability would also improve rapidly almost by necessity.
After all, dragons were hardly patient creatures.
If you weren't strong enough, couldn't run fast enough, hadn't practised your Shield Charm to perfection, or hadn't mastered Apparition, then you really had no business looking after those bad-tempered oversized lizards that spat fireballs when they were in a good mood and breathed dragon fire when they were in a bad one.
As for Lucien's talent in magical combat...
Newt couldn't help recalling the scene from the Thunderbird habitat, when they had encountered that group of poachers.
It had been a chaotic confrontation.
Yet the battle had lasted less than a few minutes.
And in the end, only Lucien had been left standing.
Newt drew his thoughts back and continued forward.
Now that Nagini had been entrusted to Lucien, he could finally resume organising and writing the latest edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which had already been delayed for far too long.
There was still a great deal of material waiting to be sorted.
Lucien had contributed to the updated data on several magical creatures in the book. His observation records, behavioural analyses, and care notes were even more detailed than what Newt could have gathered by crouching nearby and observing them for months himself.
That level of detail was rare.
Newt intended to give him special acknowledgement in the book.
It would also help lay some groundwork for Lucien in the field of magical creatures.
With his knowledge and the sheer number of magical creatures he had personally studied, Lucien already had more than enough experience to deserve recognition.
As they walked, the two eventually arrived at the territory where Aether the Thunderbird lived.
It was an open rocky area with a simulated high-altitude environment overhead.
The terrain was broad and spacious, leaving plenty of room for Aether to spread its wings.
Having not seen Aether for several months, Newt could immediately tell that the Thunderbird had grown even stronger.
Its body had become more imposing, and its feathers were in excellent condition, gleaming with a metallic sheen beneath the sunlight.
Clearly, it had been living very comfortably.
However, Newt's attention was quickly drawn to the strange scene beside Aether.
Several "little angels" with snow-white wings were holding specially made brushes and combs, grooming its feathers.
Some were tending to its enormous wings, carefully smoothing each feather.
Some were arranging its long tail feathers.
Others were actually squatting on top of Aether's head, carefully combing the longest feathers of its crest as though they were professional groomers.
Aether, meanwhile, stood there without the slightest resistance, clearly enjoying the treatment.
There was also a small creature standing in front of it.
Pointed ears like a bat's.
Enormous eyes like tennis balls...
A house-elf?
Newt narrowed his eyes to get a better look.
Just then, Aether raised its head and noticed Lucien and Newt.
Its gaze then shifted past them.
It also spotted the iron cage floating behind Lucien, being pulled through the air by magic, as well as the enormous green snake coiled inside it.
Aether's eyes instantly lit up.
Its entire posture changed.
It came hopping over in a manner completely at odds with its enormous size and let out an excited cry toward Lucien.
"Oh, Boss! Is that tonight's dinner?"
Lucien, who understood exactly what Aether meant, froze for a moment before several black lines seemed to appear across his forehead.
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