Chapter 201: Conflict in the Headmaster

“Albus—”

Inside the Headmaster’s office, Professor McGonagall hurried to the door, only to find an unexpected guest had already arrived.

Professor Professor Tela’s silver hair and Headmaster Dumbledore’s beard formed a striking contrast of white, adorning the ancient stone walls.

“Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore, long ago—so long that I can barely remember anymore…”

Professor Professor Tela took a sip of black tea, lifted her finger, and the steam obscuring her view transformed into fine smoke drifting out the window.

“Back then, they called me the youngest alchemist in Wugadu; I took pride in my reputation and once missed many outstanding alchemy masters.”

Not being able to converse with those masters remains my lifelong regret. You know, some lives are destined to be brilliant yet brief.”

“Therefore, my disciple must not miss this opportunity.”

Headmaster Dumbledore squinted, as if listening to an old friend ramble on.

In truth, their friendship dated back to the previous International Alchemy Assembly.

That was seventy years ago; Dumbledore had attended as a friend of Nicolas Flamel, while Professor Tela was still a naive little girl.

Since becoming a professor at Hogwarts, she had mostly felt disappointment and rarely spoke so much in ordinary times.

This piqued Dumbledore’s interest,

Especially since someone was quietly eavesdropping at the door.

“Olivia, last time we met, you were complaining that today’s students are nowhere near as good as before…”

Dumbledore interlaced his fingers, his face brimming with playful teasing.

“An alchemist always encounters a few gifted young wizards…”

“Headmaster Dumbledore, when I met him, I realized seventy years were worth every moment.”

“Just as Nicolas Flamel dreamed of an angel holding a book, I read the Book of Abraham the Jew of this era.”

Professor Professor Tela ignored the teasing and spoke with solemn gravity.

“Continue, Olivia. I am deeply interested in this rising master.”

Dumbledore gently raised his hand; behind his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes held deep thought—and a hint of mischief.

“Albus—”

At that moment, Professor McGonagall entered the Headmaster’s office with a blank expression.

“Professor Professor Tela.”

“Professor McGonagall.”

Professor Professor Tela greeted her warmly.

“I sincerely thank you; it was Professor Minerva McGonagall’s contributions to Transfiguration that enabled today’s breakthroughs in alchemy.”

Professor Professor Tela’s voice was calm, yet carried a subtle undercurrent of emotion.

But Minerva McGonagall’s expression was far from pleasant.

This Professor Professor Tela seemed to be subtly provoking...

“I will take him to this year’s International Alchemy Assembly…”

“He must exchange ideas with the greatest alchemists—the Egyptian master who created Floo Powder; the Headmistress of Beauxbatons who preserves the techniques for the Two-way Mirror and the Vanishing Cabinet; the Wugadu family who craft Memory Balls and magical portraits…”

“Then, he will announce the dawn of a new era!”

Professor Professor Tela spoke as if declaring something monumental.

Minerva McGonagall’s lips tightened into a line of fury, for she sensed someone was deliberately provoking her.

Using a mystical alchemy and a band of mystics chasing the dream of turning lead into gold, they sought to steal away a genius rare in Transfiguration after centuries.

“Forgive me, Professor Professor Tela, but I believe he should delve deeper into the theory of magical beast Transfiguration.”

As soon as Professor Professor Tela finished speaking, Minerva McGonagall voiced her objection.

Professor Professor Tela seemed to sense something; their eyes met, causing Dumbledore’s beard to twitch with amusement.

Professor Taila seemed to sense something; the two exchanged a glance, making Dumbledore’s beard curl up in amusement.

The conversation began swiftly and ended just as quickly.

Professor Professor Tela’s claim as “disciple” crumbled under the weight of Headmaster Dumbledore’s revelation of the guardian’s identity.

She left the Headmaster’s office, suppressing her rage. Right under her nose, that damned ritual had taken place—and she had known nothing!

She stepped out of the headmaster’s office, suppressing her fury. Right under her nose, that damned ritual had taken place—and she had known nothing!

Dumbledore watched the biscuit that kept humming “hrrr-hrrr” with keen interest and said:

“Minerva, you must understand this is the result of alchemy. He should continue studying until he truly comprehends those mysterious rituals and applies them to Transfiguration.”

His words jolted the anxious Professor McGonagall awake; now, she bit her lip, realizing for a fleeting moment she had lost her usual composure and grace.

“Love and reason cannot coexist, can they?”

Dumbledore squinted, tapping his finger lightly on the desk.

“Olivia won’t mind… but I hope you know, Minerva, what’s wrong with being a little clumsy?”

His deep gaze turned toward the window. When reason reigns supreme, love begins to weep.

His deep gaze turned toward the window. When reason prevails, it is when love cries out.

At the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Wizard Sean walked beside the pumpkin patch; when the magical beast Transfiguration biscuit appeared, he had thoroughly studied how its Transfiguration functioned.

En walked to the edge of the pumpkin patch; when the magical creature transformation cookies appeared, he had thoroughly studied how the transfiguration within them functioned.

First, alchemy uses ancient magical runes, and the ancient runes of alchemy bear no clear connection to modern Transfiguration.

Wizard Sean speculated that long ago, ancient wizards may have had incantations and pronunciations for Transfiguration—such as “Stone Pillar, Move!” which possessed a complete incantation and pronunciation.

For wizards to truly transform themselves into magical beasts, Wizard Sean must learn the ancient rune version of Transfiguration.

Second, the power of magical rituals far exceeds that of a wizard casting spells alone.

For example, Skele-Gro, a product of potion ritual magic, enables wizards to grow bones—something healing magic clearly cannot achieve.

Likewise, Felix Felicis; Wizard Sean had never heard of any spell capable of altering luck.

This too would be a long, drawn-out exploration.

Fortunately, Wizard Sean had endless patience and time.

“Come in quickly, Wizard Sean—I say we need to be careful; if Professor Minerva McGonagall finds out…”

Since being discovered by Harry and the others, Hagrid had become far more cautious.

The tree guard, Tila, immediately crawled out of Wizard Sean’s pocket—it seemed the castle was too noisy, and it had dared not show itself.

Wizard Sean waved his wand and, within three seconds, transformed his book into a small nest made of tree bark, then tipped in a few small beetles.

Tila climbed along Wizard Sean’s finger into its new home.

【You gained the affection of the magical beast Tree Guard (Tila) at a skilled standard. Skill +10】

【Tree Guard Tila: Affection (Skilled Level) (9/900)】

Seeing the affection level had reached Skilled, Wizard Sean knew the magical beast Tree Guard biscuit should now be prioritized.

But now, he needed to unlock the entry-level title in the field of magical beasts.

“Let’s go, Wizard Sean—”

Thus, the boisterous Hagrid and the quiet Wizard Sean entered the Forbidden Forest together.

So Hagrid, loud and carefree, walked with quiet En into the Forbidden Forest.