This was not an attack spell.
It was an area-wide terrain-altering spell.
The ground shook violently, and countless sharp stalagmites thrust wildly out of the earth like bamboo springing up after rain.
The sudden tremors and stabbing stalagmites knocked the Hungarian Horntail off balance.
It let out a roar of pain, one enormous hind foot wedged firmly in a crack between the rocks.
"Iron Tree Blossoms!"
Cedric immediately followed up with a spell Douglas had taught him, combining plant magic with the Binding Charm.
Several hard stalagmites bloomed in an instant.
Countless incredibly tough magical vines sprouted from their tips and coiled tightly around the Horntail's legs like living serpents.
He sprinted toward the distant dragon's nest with all his strength.
Just as he was about to succeed and turn away, the Horntail's roars, the gales stirred up by its beating wings, and the crackle of burning flames...
While hindering him.
All those sounds were also severely affecting his senses, growing worse and worse.
A splitting headache made it difficult for him to approach the dragon egg for a moment.
The Horntail was about to break free of its restraints.
He hesitated.
Instead of casting any more defensive or offensive spells, he pointed his wand at the ground beneath his feet.
This was a spell he had yet to master fully.
He closed his eyes and poured all his magic into his wand.
Pressing its tip to the ground, he chanted a string of obscure syllables under his breath.
This was a miracle of his own creation, combining the soothing power of the Patronus Charm with the reshaping properties of advanced Transfiguration.
Soul-Calming Swamp!
A thick white mist carrying a pleasant aura did not spread outward.
Instead, he forcibly compressed it and injected it into the rock beneath his feet.