Chapter 71
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Amidst the desperate screams, the centaurs collapsed one by one. Though Wayne hadn't fatally wounded the centaur, the creature was bleeding heavily. Considering the centaur's robust constitution, the injury seemed minor. After all, the python attacking them was just an ordinary snake with no potent venom.
Suddenly, the mother unicorn started to neigh loudly, and Wayne seemed to grasp her meaning.
"You want me to release them?" he asked.
The unicorn nodded, its eyes clear and pure.
The unicorn continued to neigh, and though Wayne didn't completely understand, he got the gist of her message. She seemed to say she had once shared a friendly relationship with the Horsemen tribe, who would even share some of their harvested fruits and vegetables with her.
"We are all friends. Stop fighting. No one needs to die," Wayne thought.
"It's okay to release them..." Wayne said gently as he stroked the unicorn's neck, "but you have to let me visit you in the future."
The unicorn blinked, looking confused.
Wayne read the confusion on her face, feeling guilty for overcomplicating his thoughts. Nature is simple: if you are kind, it will reciprocate.
Even Aragog, the Acromantula, reflected this simplicity. Hagrid, who had a special place in Aragog's heart, had influenced the creature to abstain from cannibalism for fifty years. The earlier attack on Wayne was just an instinctive behavior and hadn't changed Wayne's ability to recognize Aragog's good qualities.
"I'll do you this favor," Wayne declared. The fighting pythons then transformed into ropes, binding the centaurs temporarily.
"Go talk to them, or I'll have to use these ropes again," Wayne told the unicorn.
The unicorn nudged the sleeping baby with her head, placed it in Wayne's arms, and approached the Horsemen. After she neighed repeatedly, the centaurs ceased their struggles, and Wayne released them from their binds.
Limping from a neck wound, the lead centaur approached Wayne, bowing his torso slightly.
"I apologize for our misunderstanding, little pony," he said.
"My name is Lacy. We thought you had captured Hestia here, considering her presence," the centaur explained.
"Wayne Lawrence," Wayne introduced himself lightly and then, looking at the unicorn, asked, "Hestia? Is that your name?"
The unicorn responded with a soft whinny.
"Alright, Hestia it is then," Wayne decided, then addressed Aragog sternly, "Don't forget why you're here, keep collecting that venom."
Aragog obediently commanded the remaining Acromantulas to continue their task.
"Lacy, are you the leader of the centaurs?" Wayne inquired after ensuring Aragog was doing his job.
"No," Lacy corrected, "In our community, all are equals. I am merely the captain of our guard. My word carries weight only during patrols."
"I'm not concerned with your social structure," Wayne waved dismissively, "as long as what you say holds."
"I spared you today, but it wasn't for free," Wayne continued, pointing at the busy Acromantulas. "They're paying for their actions with venom. So, what will you offer to appease my anger?"
The centaurs huddled together, weighing their options.
"Don't agree, Lacy!" a rugged, black-haired centaur shouted, "A centaur is never a slave! You cannot force us to submit, vile little wizard!"
Before he could continue, Wayne cast a spell, sending the centaur hurtling into darkness.
"Bane!" Lacy exclaimed, unable to intervene.
"You've crossed the line, little pony!" Lacy protested, "Aren't you worried I might report you to Dumbledore?"
"Dumbledore?" Wayne's eyes turned icy. "Even if you go to the Ministry of Magic, I'm in the right. You aimed your arrows at an underage wizard. Who do you think Dumbledore will side with?"
"As for your outspoken friend, consider it a lesson."
"Remember, prisoners should act like prisoners. Your words should seek mercy, not spew defiance. And stop calling me a pony—I am not a horse."
Lacy, chastened by Wayne's rebuke, realized their mistake in hastily judging him as a poacher.
"What do you want?" Lacy asked dejectedly.
"Human gold and jewels mean nothing to us; we never collect them," he added.
"I don't want that junk," Wayne replied briskly. "I heard your tribe excels in archery, prophecy, and herbal medicine. Bring me some herbs, and we'll call it even. Decide the amount appropriately; if it's insufficient..."
Wayne left the threat hanging, a smirk playing on his lips.
Lacy felt a weight lift off her shoulders, knowing that Wayne only wanted herbs. Collecting them wouldn't be difficult.
"Very well, I'll fetch them right away," Lacy agreed, knowing full well the Horsemen held their promises sacred.
Lacy bowed once more, then led the centaurs in the direction Bane had been flung.
Wayne yawned; it was almost two in the morning. Fortunately, it was the weekend, and he could afford some sleep.
The Acromantulas lined up diligently to provide their venom. Eventually, all were exhausted, yet the barrels remained only partially filled.
"Aragog, you see the situation," Wayne remarked.
"No more, truly," Aragog protested, clearly spent.
"Alright, leave now," Wayne dismissed him, almost casually.
Aragog was unexpectedly grateful, relieved to survive the encounter. His thoughts of retaliation vanished; instead, he planned to relocate his tribe further from Wayne to avoid future confrontations, unaware that he and his progeny were now Wayne's designated suppliers.
After they left, the centaurs returned not long after with several more members, each carrying bundles of herbs on their backs. The leader, Firenze, approached Wayne, set down the herbs, and introduced himself.
"Hello, I'm Firenze."
Wayne, impressed by his name and aware that Firenze would become the Prophecy Professor at Hogwarts in the future, nodded in acknowledgment.
"Mars is very bright tonight. I have warned Lacy and the others to be careful. Unfortunately, they did not heed my advice," Firenze expressed his concern.
"I'm sorry for this unnecessary conflict and for Bane's rudeness," he added apologetically.
Lacy lowered her head in shame, regret evident in her posture.
Given that most of the centaurs' divination relies on astrology, and with Mars often symbolizing war and disaster, the tension was understandable.
"It's okay. If we don't fight, we won't get to know each other," Wayne reassured Firenze.
After carefully observing the herbs, Wayne engaged in a pleasant conversation with Firenze, letting go of any previous unpleasantness.
After a brief exchange, all the centaurs set down their bundles. Firenze thanked Wayne again for his mercy, nodded to Hestia, and led his tribe away.
The time for departure had come, and Hestia called softly to Wayne. He responded by comforting her.
"Okay, you are very tired after giving birth. Go back and rest."
Hestia, her eyes filled with reluctance, carried her baby and slowly disappeared into the darkness.
"Feng Wang, take me back," Wayne requested.
"After returning to the Forbidden Forest, please stay with Hestia for the time being," he directed.
The next morning, Wayne visited Cho, who blushed upon seeing him. After Madam Pomfrey confirmed that Cho was fine, she was discharged from the hospital to participate in an upcoming Quidditch match.
Cho expressed her gratitude to Wayne, but this time, there was no hugging.
"Speaking of which, does this count as my rival?" Wayne joked, referring to an upcoming Quidditch game between their houses. Cho responded playfully but firmly.
"Don't expect any mercy. I won't be holding back," she declared.
Wayne agreed jovially and teased her about her previous emotional moments, which led to a playful chase between them down the corridor. Luckily, Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris, were not on the second floor to catch them.
Cho's swift recovery was the talk of Ravenclaw, sparking curiosity among her peers. She mentioned that Madam Pomfrey had used a special medication, which she credited for her quick recovery. This explanation, suggested by Madam Pomfrey, was meant to protect Wayne's secrets and the source of the healing.
Wayne found the wizarding world generally peaceful and felt safe revealing some of his secrets at Hogwarts. However, he still had concerns, particularly about the changing dynamics between him, Cho, and Hermione. The three used to spend much time together, but recently, Cho and Hermione barely interacted, even when Wayne tried to bring them together.
Wayne's days were filled with various tasks, from developing new products for the Celia store, practicing spells, to caring for Hestia and the newborn unicorn.
On another usual Tuesday night, Wayne visited Snape's office to discuss brewing an intelligence-enhancing potion. They debated over the ingredients, particularly the availability of rare materials like Acromantula venom and rune snake skin. Despite Snape's skeptical inquiries, Wayne assured him of his sources and even teased his professor a bit.
The complex potion required extensive brewing time, so Wayne left it in Snape's capable hands and departed.
The following day, as the weather hinted at the approaching winter, Wayne continued his routine amid the increasing excitement of the upcoming Halloween celebrations, evidenced by the pumpkin-filled aroma in the auditorium.