Chapter 52: Speculations on the Feasibility of Transfiguring into Ultraman

The Transfiguration class continued.

“But this application still has its limitations—for example, you cannot cast a Transfiguration spell to give your table the logic of moving forward, because a table has no inherent ‘walking’ action, so it cannot execute that logic. The cloak I just demonstrated is primarily made of fabric, which is soft and capable of mimicking the motion of ‘flying,’ so the cloak can execute the logic of ‘flying.’” Professor McGonagall rattled off this entire passage in one breath, and the young witches and wizards scrambled to take frantic notes.

At that moment, Ron raised his hand high; Allen and Harry stared at him in surprise, wondering what he was up to.

Professor McGonagall frowned slightly but paused and gestured for Ron to speak.

“So are the Chocolate Frogs we eat regularly also under a Transfiguration spell? You know they keep hopping around—doesn’t that sound like the ‘logic’ you just described?” Ron blurted out, excited and imaginative.

This answer took Professor McGonagall by surprise; she stared at Ron, astonished by his ability to make such a connection.

“Exactly! Mr. Weasley has raised an excellent example—the Chocolate Frogs we eat are indeed under a Transfiguration spell. The spell not only grants them the logic of movement but also slightly alters their form to make them more suitable for jumping. However, the exact method of casting this spell remains a trade secret.” Professor McGonagall responded with approval, pleased with Ron’s question.

At this moment, Allen also felt a doubt rising in his mind and quickly raised his hand.

“Mr. Finis, what would you like to ask?”

“Professor, it’s well known that every spell has a time limit. Why does the Transfiguration spell on Chocolate Frogs last so long? I once ate a Chocolate Frog nearing its expiration date, and it was still hopping around uncontrollably—Chocolate Frogs have a shelf life of six months!” Allen quickly voiced his question.

“Mr. Finis has asked another excellent question—had you posed this in Potions class, Professor Snape would likely have been delighted. But I happen to be able to answer it: Chocolate Frogs are small Transfiguration targets, and the Transfiguration spell cast upon them naturally lasts a long time. Moreover, manufacturers add certain potions during production to extend the spell’s duration—this falls partially under the domain of Alchemy.” Professor McGonagall was pleased by her students’ ability to draw connections.

Allen sat down satisfied.

The young witches and wizards began discussing enthusiastically again; knowledge about the production of Chocolate Frogs felt familiar to them, and some had already decided to make their own.

“Silence! This is still class time!” Professor McGonagall waved her wand, producing a loud bang that snapped the students’ wandering thoughts back to attention.

“Only when you transform the legs of the table into legs capable of walking can it execute the logic of ‘walking.’ Thus, this application of Transfiguration is prerequisite to learning how to transform objects into animals. Only after you have mastered this application will you be qualified to learn transforming objects into animals.” Professor McGonagall’s expression turned stern.

“However, today we will only cover the method of directly granting objects a logic of movement. I will now explain the casting key points—pay close attention! First... then... finally...”

“Very well! Now take your wands, point them at the handkerchiefs in your hands, and cast the spell according to the key points I just explained! Your goal today is to make your handkerchief fold itself twice, neatly and without misalignment! The first student to achieve the Transfiguration goal will earn three points for their house, the second two points, the third one point. Begin at once!”

At Professor McGonagall’s command,

everyone began enthusiastically attempting the spell.

As always, theory is easy, practice is hard—the young witches and wizards soon discovered the task was far more difficult than imagined. Under their wands, the handkerchiefs twisted into grotesque, horrifying shapes. After several attempts, Ron’s handkerchief tore into four pieces; Neville’s even flew out of the classroom and vanished into the distance...

Neville had to endure Professor McGonagall’s stern gaze as he went to the front to collect another handkerchief...

Allen also tried diligently, but though his handkerchief folded twice, the folds were always uneven. He remained undeterred and prepared to try again—until he remembered his earlier attempts with Transfiguration, and his mind drifted.

Here’s what happened: after mastering the Transfiguration spell, Allen had suddenly wondered—since Transfiguration can transform anything, why not transform himself into Ultraman?

Once this idea popped into his head, it took root—he had always believed in light!

So he threw himself into enthusiastic experimentation. He knew he could not create a true Ultraman—Transfiguration’s principles forbade it—so he decided to start with a figurine-sized Di Ga Ultraman.

After a series of failures and producing a pile of bizarre, malformed objects, he finally succeeded in Transfiguring a Di Ga Ultraman figurine that looked nine-tenths like the real thing...

But then came the problem: he could not make Ultraman move. He temporarily shelved this grand plan.

After today’s lesson, he realized the root of the problem—and it reignited his hope. He planned to restart this grand endeavor as soon as he returned.

After Allen Transfigured the Di Ga Ultraman figurine, Harry recognized it as Ultraman and said he owned a Leo Ultraman figurine—broken by his cousin Dudley—and had secretly watched Taro Ultraman on Dudley’s TV. He begged Allen to Transfigure him a Taro Ultraman figurine, which he had long desired.

Only then did Allen realize Ultraman had already been introduced to Britain.

He instantly recognized it as a money-making opportunity.

He could Transfigure a pile of Ultraman figurines and sell them to Muggle children! And since the Avengers comics already existed, he could make a full Avengers figurine set too!

He could use the summer break to set up a stall along the streets of London, outside Diagon Alley—earn pounds, exchange them for Jin Jialong. Though each wizard had a limit on exchanging pounds for Jin Jialong, he could have Ron, Harry, and Neville help him—after all, they never used their quotas.

What ultimately doomed his plan was his inability to extend the duration of the Transfiguration spell on the figurines.

But now, it seemed a solution was within reach.

Yet Allen now knew more than he had before—he understood that selling magical items to Muggles violated the Statute of Secrecy, and he felt deflated. His money-making plan had dissolved.

But perhaps Transfiguration could be used in combat too—what if he Transfigured a horde of Ultraman and Avengers, then granted them movement logic? Wouldn’t they fight for him?

Death Eaters versus Ultraman and the Avengers—even if the Transfigured forms were only hollow shells, the image and aesthetic were undeniably cool.

Though it would be extremely difficult, one must always have dreams!

“Miss Granger has completed today’s Transfiguration requirement—three points for Gryffindor!”

Allen was jolted back to reality by Professor McGonagall’s voice; he hurriedly resumed his classroom assignment.

He watched his handkerchief fold and refold under his wand, and suddenly felt that Professor Quirrell’s words had been right.

“The spells you’re learning now are just child’s play!”