Chapter 457: Multiple Soul-Forms

The weather in Spider's Tail Lane was always gloomy, and the summer clouds were always shifting.

When the heavy rain came crashing down, Xiang Xiang Xien was still wrestling with a difficult problem.

His Animagus transformation had not been fully mastered.

This was reflected not only in the progress the panel had never displayed, but also in the fact that no matter what he did, he could not return to his cat-elf form.

After all, Animagus transformations were usually limited to non-magical creatures; transforming into magical creatures such as phoenixes, fire dragons, or hippogriffs would bring unpredictable consequences.

For Xiang Xiang Xien, this consequence manifested in how extremely difficult it was for him to switch between his animal form and his human form.

He not only had great difficulty transforming into a cat-elf, but also had great difficulty transforming back into a wizard.

After several failed attempts, Xiang Xiang Xien silently took out a cat-elf biscuit.

Sometimes a wizard truly did need a little outside help…

Soon, on the wall lined with books, there appeared a black cat whose paws and body were out of sync.

It walked unsteadily, as if drunk.

The firelight from the hearth fell upon it, casting a dim yellow hue; Professor Professor Sineipu, also lit by the hearth, noticed this and slowly raised his newspaper to block the stray light.

For nearly a week, Xiang Xiang Xien had been trying to switch flexibly between his forms.

Sometimes he would even remain in his cat-elf form for several days at a stretch, improving his mastery over the cat-elf body.

For instance, he would leap across the bookshelf, and at the doorway use his whiskers to sense humidity and temperature to predict changes in the weather.

"Tomorrow will be sunny."

The black cat leapt up and became a wizard in a long, slender black robe; at this moment he was whispering to himself.

On the sofa, Professor Professor Sineipu, reading his newspaper, gave an involuntary cold snort; with a wave of his wand, the potion ingredients waiting on the balcony to be sun-dried were whisked inside.

After all, a certain black cat had already predicted the weather wrongly for a whole week straight.

In a certain sense, that was quite an accomplishment too.

Xiang Xiang Xien believed he would succeed this time, because he had already heard the panel's voice:

【You have mastered a special soul transformation, Master-level proficiency +100】

【A special form has been unlocked; please check】

Xiang Xiang Xien was quite surprised; ever since his Transfiguration had reached Master level, the proficiency he gained from grinding had become just one or three points each time. Now suddenly a hundred points had been added… He could hardly wait to open the panel.

【Transfiguration categories:

Material Transfiguration: Entry-level (10/300);

Magical Transfiguration: Entry-level (30/300);

Soul Transfiguration: Apprentice-level (60/90)】

【Evaluation: A wizard who has just entered Master level in the field of Transfiguration has a combat power of a full five points among Masters】

Ignoring the evaluation of a combat power of a full five points, Xiang Xiang Xien looked toward the Soul Transfiguration art that had finally been unlocked.

He slowly stretched out his hand; in an instant the hand transformed into a cat's paw, and at the same time he swiftly transformed into a black cat.

—Without the aid of a cat-elf biscuit.

The black cat stood on the ground, gazing thoughtfully at a certain spot.

【Name: Xiang Xiang Xien Green】

【Unlocked special form: Cat-elf

Locked: Unknown】

Locked special forms?

He truly did have more than one soul-form, didn't he?

This subtle difference in wording made Xiang Xiang Xien's imagination run wild.

And so, with the arrival of late July, amid the golden summer sunshine unique to the season, Xiang Xiang Xien returned to Hogwarts Castle.

There were no young wizards in the castle, but most of the professors were there.

Quiet became the castle's defining feature during the holidays, and it also allowed Xiang Xiang Xien to sort out his plans in calm, pleasant weather.

—Basilisk biscuits.

To accomplish this, Xiang Xiang Xien needed the ability to fight a basilisk, and he needed to further improve the magical ritual of the fairy-tale biscuit so that the user could remain conscious.

After all, a basilisk that could not be controlled could only be used in special circumstances.

His ever-advancing Transfiguration could help Xiang Xiang Xien accomplish the first point, and Soul Transfiguration gave Xiang Xiang Xien hope of accomplishing the second.

Before the basilisk harmed anyone, Xiang Xiang Xien needed to complete his plan—the sooner the better.

Therefore, on the very first day back at the castle, Xiang Xiang Xien sought out Professor Professor Taila in her Alchemy office.

"I'm very glad to see you, my dear student—you've completed your Animagus?"

Professor Professor Taila noticed at first glance that Xiang Xiang Xien's brooch had vanished, and she said with a faint pleasure.