"Eldra," Vison said, his voice calm, "show me your current information."
[Name: Eldra (Tree of Wisdom)]
[Species: Oak]
[Level: 3]
[Attributes: Object Analysis, Soul Connection]
[Status: Growing (1%)]
As he looked at the familiar screen in his mind, Vison's brows furrowed slightly in surprise. For three long years, the Tree of Wisdom's growth progress had remained stuck at 0%, showing no change no matter what he did. He had tried every method he could think of—special fertilizers, magical rituals, and even rare elixirs. Nothing worked. Yet today, this stubborn progress bar had ticked up by 1%.
"This... what's going on?" Vison muttered, gently stroking Eldra's rough trunk with his palm. "Eldra," he asked softly, "tell me, why has your growth suddenly advanced?"
The tree's branches swayed gently, shimmering with flickers of green light. A moment later, a message entered Vison's mind.
[Reason: Unknown]
Vison sighed. Even the tree itself didn't know.
He closed his eyes and quickly ran through recent events, trying to pinpoint any possible cause. His thoughts landed on a certain boy—Harry. Just yesterday, the boy had wandered into his garden and they'd shared a long conversation. Harry Potter, the boy fated to shape the future of this world.
Could it be that Harry's presence had triggered some hidden mechanism in Eldra?
Vison tapped his fingers lightly against the trunk. "So... should I invite Harry over again?" he murmured, his thoughts already forming a plan.
A week later.
Because he hadn't bought Dudley's favorite chocolate, Harry was punished and confined to his room. Though "room" was an exaggeration—it was really just a cramped cupboard under the stairs. Harry lay there on his thin mattress, staring at the low ceiling above him. He fidgeted absentmindedly, counting the days. Seven more months until he turned eleven—the age when he would finally receive his Hogwarts letter.
Ever since learning he was a wizard, Harry had clung to the hope of escaping this miserable life.
A sudden soft knock broke the silence.
Harry stiffened. The Dursleys never knocked—they only flung open the cupboard door to bark orders or scold him. He held his breath.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
It came again, clear and deliberate. Heart pounding, Harry cautiously opened the cupboard door. No one was there.
Frowning, he was about to close the door when a gust of wind swept through the hallway. Out of thin air, a letter appeared before him, drifting down gently until it landed in his hands.
Harry's pulse quickened. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter.
Dear Harry,
I am Edeline Vison. We met just a few days ago. If you remember me, I would like to invite you to visit my garden again. I believe you will find many things here curious, and I have some matters I wish to discuss with you.
If you are willing, please come to the garden at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Looking forward to your visit.
—Edeline Vison
Harry read the letter twice, excitement bubbling in his chest. "One o'clock tomorrow afternoon..." he whispered, already feeling the thrill of adventure.
But reality came crashing in just as quickly. The Dursleys would never allow him to go out, especially not to visit someone they didn't know. If he wanted to go, he'd have to sneak out.
As luck would have it, the next day provided the perfect chance. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley left early for a party and wouldn't return until evening. Dudley, meanwhile, had gone out with friends around eleven. For once, the house was empty.
Harry seized the opportunity and slipped out. As he made his way to Vison's shop, he couldn't help but feel a little triumphant. Today, things were finally going his way.
When he reached the plant shop, it looked the same from the outside, though Harry noticed one difference: the door that had been at the center was now set into a corner.
As he approached, the door creaked open on its own.
A few vines slithered out. Harry's eyes widened.
Devil's Snare!
He recognized the plant immediately—last time, it had nearly dragged him inside.
But instead of attacking, the vines danced in the air and arranged themselves into words: "Please enter."
Harry blinked, sure he was imagining it. But the message was clear, the words formed gracefully and deliberately. As if to encourage him, one of the vines gently nudged his shoulder.
Harry chuckled nervously. "Thank you, Mr. Devil's Snare," he said, stepping inside.
The scene beyond the door was familiar—a sprawling greenhouse filled with plants, many of which he couldn't even name.
"Harry, welcome back," Vison's voice called out warmly from ahead.
Harry followed the sound and found Vison tending to a patch of tall green grass. But this wasn't ordinary grass. Each stalk stood taller than Harry himself.
Vison noticed Harry's curious stare and smiled. "This is Murtlap," he explained. "It's used in potion-making, known for its healing properties."
Harry nodded, recalling the name from one of his schoolbooks. But something was off—ordinary Murtlap, as he remembered, only grew half a meter tall. These plants were easily twice that size.
Vison's thoughts briefly flashed to the information panel only he could see.
[Species: Murtlap]
[Level: 1]
[Attribute: Gigantism]
[Status: Matured]
The mutation had succeeded. With careful use of his special potion and unique magic, he'd managed to cultivate this enlarged strain. According to his tests, Murtlap Essence made from this variant was noticeably more effective.
Satisfied, Vison plucked a few Murtlap leaves and turned back to Harry. He gently tugged the boy's sleeve up, revealing purplish bruises marring his thin arm.
Vison's expression darkened. "Hmm, it's even worse than I expected," he muttered.
Harry lowered his head, ashamed. "How... how did you know?"
Vison gave a small smile. "That's nothing for a wizard."
In truth, he had sensed Harry's condition through the Tree of Wisdom.
[Name: Harry Potter]
[Occupation: Wizard (Child State)]
[Status: Minor Bruises]
Vison crushed the leaves between his fingers until their juices oozed out. "It might sting a little," he warned, gently pressing the crushed leaves onto Harry's bruised skin.
At first, Harry winced at the odd sensation. It felt like tiny ants crawling across his arm—itchy, but not painful. A faint green smoke rose as the Murtlap took effect.
"It feels... itchy," Harry muttered, frowning.
Vison watched closely. "Good. That means it's working."
Within moments, Harry felt a change. The soreness and throb in his arm began to fade rapidly. He glanced down, and to his astonishment, the ugly purple bruises were gone—vanished as if they'd never been there.
Harry gaped at his now-unblemished arm. "This... this is amazing!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his wonder.
Vison chuckled softly. "Just a small trick with the right plants. You'll learn more once you're at Hogwarts."
Harry's eyes sparkled with excitement, his earlier worries forgotten. For the first time in days, he felt light, free, and hopeful.