Chapter 81

Since falling ill, Wizard Sean had been holding on by a thread; potions could cure his cold and fever, but they could not replenish his exhausted spirit.

He grew increasingly prone to drowsiness, sometimes feeling dizzy even after walking a few steps.

But in contrast, his Transfiguration had reached—

【Transfiguration: Skilled (5900/9000)】

The proficiency of the Skilled rank was sufficient to let him flexibly transform “inanimate objects” into “living beings”; the panel described this as “Advanced Intermediate Transfiguration.”

Wizard Sean guessed that Advanced Transfiguration likely involved transforming “living beings” into other “living beings.”

Of course, Professor McGonagall had also introduced him to a higher-level Transfiguration: the Vanishing Spell.

The incantation was Evanesco.

It was also one of the most difficult spells in the standard Wizarding Exams, and in fifth year, Professor McGonagall had had everyone practice it using snails.

Because snails were invertebrates, the challenge was relatively low; switching to other mammals would demand far greater skill.

A fierce fire burned in the fireplace, and Professor McGonagall sat sipping hot tea while Wizard Sean, before her, scribbled furiously at an extra essay she had assigned—【Replication】.

Even though Wizard Sean had anticipated the vastness of Transfiguration, he could not help but be astonished.

By convention, transforming a “living being” into an “inanimate object” was Intermediate Transfiguration, while transforming an “inanimate object” into a “living being” was Advanced Intermediate Transfiguration.

But if one sought to transform “the self” into an “inanimate object,” the difficulty would skyrocket.

For instance, when Death Eater Yaxley visited Professor Slughorn’s house under cover of night, attempting to forcibly take him to Voldemort, he transformed into a sofa and successfully evaded Yaxley.

This was also Advanced Transfiguration, as it involved a principle written in Adalbert Waffling’s *Magical Theory*, the first rule:

【Tampering with the deepest secrets—the origin of life, the essence of the self—must be prepared to bear the most extreme and dangerous consequences】

This was one of the core aspects of the self: self-form. Previously, Wizard Sean had associated this warning only with Horcruxes; he had not expected it to appear in Transfiguration as well.

Beyond that, Advanced Transfiguration involved transforming “the self” into a “living being,” such as Krum turning his head into a shark;

and transforming “magic” into an “object,” such as Dumbledore’s fire rope being turned into a snake by Tom;

conversely, transforming an “object” into “magic,” such as Dumbledore turning pool water into a water prison.

But all of these fell within the domain of Advanced Transfiguration.

This made Wizard Sean realize that Transfiguration might be the most powerful magic, for it could achieve nearly anything.

For example, the Unlocking Charm—if Wizard Sean transformed a lock into a small stick, would that count as unlocking?

No wonder powerful wizards almost always mastered Advanced Transfiguration; when a wizard needed a spell he did not know, Transfiguration could often replicate its effect.

And at Hogwarts, the Transfiguration professor was virtually the heir apparent to the headmaster’s position.

Thus, Wizard Sean rallied his weary spirit and wrote earnestly on the Replication essay:

【Replication, even in magical history, originates from Norse pagan concepts, wherein the belief holds that every person possesses a replication—not merely a spiritual replication, but likely a physical one as well; this is precisely what makes the Scandinavian interpretation so peculiar.】

“The replication bears our ‘form’ (hamr), follows us, and is our ‘soul’ (hugr).”

Therefore, there is not merely “one unique replication,” but at least two: one physical replication, sometimes taking animal form; another spiritual replication, which may also manifest as an animal.

Wizard Sean found it strangely familiar, and naturally thought of Animagi and the Patronus Charm.

On his desk, beside his hand, books—*Intermediate Transfiguration*, *Making Guide to Advanced Transfiguration*, *The Magic of Transfiguration*—were piled into a small mountain.

“A deep understanding of a certain historical period is also an essential part of the ritual…”

Professor McGonagall took a small sip of tea, and as she gazed at Wizard Sean, her eyes grew heavy once more.

She let out a quiet sigh; even writing an essay, this child gave his full concentration—he had not rested properly in far too long, barely holding on by a thread.

“Mr. Green, come here.”

Wizard Sean looked up, confused, and realized it was already six in the afternoon.

After dinner, Professor Flitwick would spare time to teach him the Disarming Charm.

So Wizard Sean packed his books into his satchel, tidied his cluttered desk, and placed his quill into the cat-shaped inkwell.

“Goodbye, Professor.”

Wizard Sean bowed slightly, then felt himself enveloped in gentle warmth; he caught a pleasant scent, and as his consciousness faded, he heard the professor’s voice:

“Do not cease your devotion to yourself, Mr. Green… but get a proper rest, go welcome your Friday…”

Inside the Transfiguration office,

Wizard Sean slept soundly, yet time inexplicably rewound to the beginning of the afternoon.

“You’re helping him cheat, Minerva.”

Albus, having returned to noon, smiled warmly.

“I was unaware Hogwarts had such a rule…”

Professor McGonagall’s voice remained calm.

“Albus, if you have nothing else, please leave my office.”

“Oh—”

Dumbledore’s smile remained kind.

“I simply did not expect you to apply for a Time-Turner… well, well, Minerva, at least let me look at my old office for a moment longer?”

He claimed to be examining the office, but his piercing gaze never left Wizard Sean—or the steaming turtle he had Transfigured earlier.

“It seems Mr. Green has learned Transfiguration quite well?”

…

When Wizard Sean awoke, half his exhaustion had lifted; Professor McGonagall’s office seemed to hold a kind of magic that eased his tense spirit.

Most importantly, after resting so long, he had merely dozed for a moment.

He sensed something, and stepped into the classroom with renewed determination.

Inside, Professor Flitwick glanced at him twice in surprise:

“It seems you’re ready to learn the Disarming Charm—you’ve maintained good mental condition, that’s excellent, Mr. Green; it looks like Friday…”

The professor realized he had said something wrong and quickly changed the subject.

“Let us discuss Dark Magic… Mr. Green, tell me, what do you believe Dark Magic is?”

“Dark Magic, or Black Magic, refers to spells that harm, control, or even kill living beings.

For example, the three Unforgivable Curses, brewing Dark Potions, and breeding Dark creatures.”

Wizard Sean replied.

“A comprehensive definition.”

Professor Flitwick regarded Wizard Sean with admiration.