"He's a student at Hogwarts too, and from Hufflepuff as well. Your direct junior," Lehende continued.
Hearing that Leonard was also from Hufflepuff, Newt's expression eased considerably. Whether Leonard truly had real ability or was simply being supported by Lehende, Newt did not particularly mind.
Rondo gave Leonard a curious look. For some reason, this handsome boy who seemed so gentle put a great deal of pressure on him.
"Then let's go together. The main reason I came this time is because of the problem with my student," Newt said, patting Rondo on the shoulder.
"Let's go to the study. My wife has prepared tea and snacks there," Lehende said.
Given Leonard's knowledge of magical plants and his unusual abilities, Lehende hoped Leonard would stay and help when they examined Rondo.
Having the culprit inspect his own test subject made for a rather delicate scene. Fortunately, no one knew that this strange symbiotic plant had been created by Leonard, not even Rondo himself.
Unfortunately, even with a lineup like this, the examination of the symbiotic plant probably would not lead anywhere.
After all, Leonard was hardly going to tear down his own work.
The group went to the study. At Newt's signal, Rondo eagerly revealed the plant growing on his body.
Rondo's skin split open, and a vine covered in thorns pushed out from beneath his flesh.
Throughout the entire process, not a drop of blood came out. He looked almost like a clay figure.
Lehende missed none of it. He frowned and stared at the unfurling vine.
"Judging from its form, it should be Bitterthorn. And this so-called symbiosis is extremely deep. Rondo's body has almost been completely transformed."
"Can it be treated?" Newt asked.
Lehende shook his head, indicating that there was nothing he could do.
Leonard sat obediently on the sofa to one side, watching the others examine his plant.
"Leonard, do you have any thoughts?" Lehende turned and asked.
He was hoping Leonard might offer something useful.
Newt looked at Leonard in surprise. It seemed Leonard really did have ability, rather than simply being someone Lehende was promoting. Otherwise, Lehende would not care so much about his opinion.
"Uh... no," Leonard said. "But I am curious. Has this plant caused any negative side effects?"
Leonard was a little puzzled. His experiment should have been quite successful, so why was Rondo trying so hard to get rid of the plant?
Was he planning to expose him?
Although Leonard had been disguised the entire time and was not afraid of Rondo revealing his identity, he would never tolerate that kind of behavior.
At that thought, his gaze turned dangerous.
Rondo shivered.
Why did it suddenly feel chilly?
"Negative side effects... none so far. In fact, this plant has made Rondo physically stronger, and his magic has grown stronger as well. If Rondo had not insisted on removing it, I would not even have paid much attention to it," Newt said.
"If that's the case, then I wouldn't recommend removing it. It's already completely fused with Rondo. Taking it out would put his life at risk," Lehende said.
"But... but this plant is still under someone else's control," Rondo could not help saying.
In the short term, this symbiotic plant had not harmed Rondo at all. On the contrary, it had strengthened both his body and his magic. It was practically a wizard's perfect companion.
But in the end, it was something completely fused with his body. If even the slightest problem arose, the consequences for Rondo would be catastrophic.
It was basically placing his life in someone else's hands.
"How extraordinary. Everything that's been happening lately really makes me feel like I'm falling behind the times. First there are more and more undead fish, and now there are symbiotic plants like this. I don't understand it. I really don't," Newt Scamander said with a sigh.
His newly accepted student, Rondo, had gone pale.
Lehende nodded, then looked at Rondo with obvious curiosity. "This symbiotic plant is almost certainly man-made, but there are barely any traces of artificial intervention. Can you tell me exactly who gave you this plant?"
The moment Rondo thought of the person he had met that day, his face filled with fear again. Hearing Lehende's question, he immediately shook his head, pale-faced.
"I... I can't say," he said in a panicked voice.
Leonard silently gave himself a little praise in his heart. He had done a great job back then. Just look how frightened the kid was.
"That is probably a restriction left on Rondo by that mysterious person. He does not want others to know about him, so he sealed Rondo's mouth," Newt Scamander explained on behalf of his student. "Since that plant can help Rondo, it can probably take his life at any time as well."
Leonard silently nodded.
That was the truth. Leonard had placed a curse on the symbiotic plant in advance. The moment Rondo tried to mention him to anyone, the plant would die instantly, and take Rondo with it.
It really was just a matter of course. Once the symbiosis was complete, the death of the plant meant the collapse of the host's body.
And it would be a miserable death.
Still, Leonard was not some kind of devil. He was not going to deliberately kill a well-behaved Rondo.
"By the way, Mr. Scamander, what did you mean by more and more undead fish?" Lehende still felt lingering unease about those undead fish. It was not because he himself was afraid, but because he was worried about what his daughter might still be carrying from the experience.
"That matter has been suppressed for the time being. I heard your daughter ran into them too. That was not an isolated case. Multiple trains have been attacked by those undead fish monsters, so most train services have been suspended."
As Newt Scamander spoke, he suddenly reacted and looked at Lehende. "How did you know those strange fish were undead? That has not been made public."
"It was Leonard. He was the one who subdued the strange fish that attacked the train my daughter was on. He was the one who told me."
Lehende intentionally used the opportunity to introduce Leonard to the famous Magizoologist.
"I see." Newt gave Leonard a friendly smile.
The three of them began chatting. Lehende and Newt were both top figures in their own professional fields, and both had some knowledge of other areas as well, so their conversation gradually broadened. Leonard was able to chime in from time to time too.
Rondo, however, could not get a word in. It was not that he lacked knowledge. He was simply too worried about his own body to join the conversation.
As far as Newt was concerned, that was just being overly delicate. Since it was not something that could be solved anyway, what was the point of being anxious? Far better to make good use of the plant's strengths and put his energy into the field he was good at.
Newt himself clearly did not care much. As a Magizoologist who carried dangerous Magical Creatures around with him all year, he had never once worried whether the things attached to him were too dangerous.
Rondo felt like crying, and kept wondering whether he had chosen the wrong teacher.