Chapter 460: Hagrid

The cute Dio has shrunk; it was once the size of an Asian elephant, now it's the size of a white rhinoceros, yet its build is even more compact, and Bai Lang can sense its aura has grown stronger. Dio's lion mane is now fully grown, even the lower abdomen sprouts mane hair like the Nemea lion Bai Lang saw while traveling. Its pair of horns aren't long but are very stout, winding and twisting before jutting forward.

Isn't this just like the big boss who delivered things to him? When Dio opens its mouth, it's not only the outer lion fangs; inside you can see a second set of sharp teeth. "Eating with this must be rather inconvenient," Bai Lang mutters, noting that more teeth don't make eating easier. And the number of tail segments keeps increasing, no longer resembling a scorpion but more like a nine‑section whip, with the tip serving as a hammer that can also launch its spikes.

"It even has poison! That's downright despicable," Bai Lang mutters, holding the palm‑shaped poison spike. Dio just lies there; the beast's appetite has become fairly normal—one cow a week, a very ordinary amount. Bai Lang thinks that if he had a suitable investment avenue, he might be able to afford keeping the creature. "I still have to go to a shop for a custom order, to expand the interior of the leather bag again… that's all money."

The next morning at breakfast, Draco Malfoy, as usual, acted foolishly, mimicking Harry Potter fainting in the train carriage, causing the Slytherin side to burst into laughter. But when Bai Lang glanced casually, the laughter instantly vanished as if a chicken's neck had been squeezed, and Draco sulkily pretended nothing was wrong and began eating. Harry and his friends have their own circle, presumably also mocking Draco's embarrassment.

Neville Longbottom was hauled up by Bai Lang early, and dragged to the shore of Black Lake before dawn. "This is the beginning of magical martial arts; stand in my posture, and when daybreak comes, imagine the sun rising from within your heart!" While instructing Neville, Bai Lang also pondered the entry point of magical martial arts—he himself is already an Innate Expert, so how should a common person start?

"First, of course, Luminosity!" Bai Lang decided; no matter what, light comes first—looking at Neville, he clearly needs light to dispel the fear in his heart, so Luminosity is unquestionably first. Next he can practice Flash, then try to bind magical energy to his physical strength to swing a long sword against those dark demonic monsters. Other spells depend on the individual, but a light‑magic combined strike is certainly the most fundamental.

Neville isn't even at that stage yet; he should start with toughening his sinews and bones. Given his martial talent, Bai Lang can see at a glance that it will take at least two years just to get started, and the ultimate level… is hard to say, but he will never surpass Bai Lang himself. "He could probably kill a Dementor, also a werewolf; in close combat against a dark wizard they'd be doomed." It all depends on whether Neville puts his heart into it and can see it through to the end.

"According to his family's tradition, he probably won't reach that height. His focus will remain on traditional magic." Bai Lang knows this well; his magical martial arts are unlikely to spread in this world. "One generation basically ends, hahahaha." The fellow also burst into laughter, making those around think Bai Lang had suddenly gone mad.

Divination class was a disaster, climbing way too high, then listening to Professor Te Li Lao Ni's endless rambling, and Harry's life was in danger again. Bai Lang was half asleep—there was another Neville who was completely out cold, so Gryffindor lost five points. After lunch, following Professor Mai Ge's Transfiguration lesson, the new professor Hai Ge's first class began, about magical creatures.

Professor Mai Ge talked about Animagus, which piqued Bai Lang's interest; he considered himself a genius at Transfiguration—so confident that even Professor Mai Ge shook her head and sighed. "I'm not good at transfiguring other things, but transfiguring myself? I'm definitely a genius; what's the Seventy‑Two Transformations? Isn't that it!" Bai Lang felt he had a talent for Animagus, but received a stern warning from Professor Mai Ge.

"Mr. Lang En, I must warn you severely: historically, wizards who failed at Animagus met a terribly grim fate! I demand that you, without my permission, absolutely do not attempt Animagus transformation!" Professor Mai Ge's tone was fierce, and Bai Lang could only nod in agreement. After class, he approached her, "Professor, I have a question. When I expelled those Dementors on the train, my wand emitted a strange yellow mist; I suspect some chemical contamination."

The Gryffindor headmaster's gaze shot from above his glasses, "Oh?! Mr. Lang En, hand me your wand for a look." Bai Lang instantly realized he was trapped, having done something foolish—how could his Transfiguration hide from Professor Mai Ge? He swallowed, had to hand over the wand, and began thinking of an explanation—"Blaming old Ao Li Fan De's ancestor is a good excuse!"

Professor Mai Ge took the wand, a faint smile appearing on her face; as her palm brushed it, the wand's transfiguration disguise vanished instantly. She placed it on the table, unable to lift it… what appeared was a warm bone staff, its tip a duck‑egg‑sized yellow amber snake eye. "This wand…" Professor Mai Ge said, looking at Bai Lang, "Ah, this is Ao Li Fan De's doing; he sold me a wand that turned out like this."

"Fine." Professor Mai Ge said no more, "The wand has no issues. If possible, could you demonstrate it for me, Mr. Lang En?" Bai Lang retrieved the wand, thumped it on the ground—yellow mist emanated from its tip, accompanied by a roaring sound. "That'll do," Professor Mai Ge said as Bai Lang ceased channeling magic. "An interesting prototype of the Patronus spell," she concluded.

"Patronus?" Bai Lang pretended to be impressed; Professor Mai Ge explained, "It's a spell used to protect oneself and repel dark entities—such as Dementors and the like."

Bai Lang didn't ask why his was yellow; normally it should be silver, and if it were wrong Professor Mai Ge would have told him, so her silence meant it was probably fine. "Go have lunch; this afternoon you still have Professor Shang Hai's class." Bai Lang hurried away, truly looking forward to witnessing Hagrid's lesson—to see how many trouble that person could cause.