Chapter 172: Master Transfiguration
Sean had never ceased his study of Transfiguration. He firmly believed it was the most practical and effective branch of magic, both for combat and daily life.
Almost all great wizards were accomplished in Transfiguration. Dumbledore, Grindelwald... their mastery was undeniable.
Thanks to his special talent, Sean's progress in Advanced Transfiguration—specifically the "Object to Magic" branch—was rapid.
He experimented with shaping fire.
With a wave of his wand, a Fire Crab emerged from the hearth.
"Astonishing!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. Few young wizards could master multiple forms of Advanced Transfiguration so early. It was a field that typically demanded years of dedicated study.
She was about to speak further when a fire salamander darted out from the flames. It moved with incredible speed, leaving a trail of fire in its wake, before merging with the Fire Crab, becoming intricate, glowing patterns on its shell.
Minerva McGonagall nodded approvingly. Excellent Transfiguration.
But when she looked at Sean, she saw his concentration hadn't wavered.
Transfiguration Office.
The Fire Crab began to swell, growing to the size of an armchair. It clacked its pincers menacingly, obscuring Sean as he continued to weave his wand.
Sean was straining now, but his eyes burned with intensity. He hadn't reached his limit yet.
He finally understood why Dumbledore swayed slightly with a strange rhythm when casting powerful fire magic. He felt he had entered a similar state, guided by magical instinct.
He usually heeded the Professor's warnings, never pushing himself to the brink of losing control. But now, he needed to see the limits of Advanced Transfiguration.
The Fire Crab continued to grow, eventually scraping the ceiling of the office. Though it lasted only two seconds, the sight was breathtaking.
More terrifyingly, it was wreathed in the fire salamander's patterns—Multi-Layered Transfiguration.
This made the spell more complex and stable, resistant to simple counter-curses.
Sean had been experimenting with Multi-Layered Transfiguration since he first learned the advanced techniques, knowing that a single transfiguration was easily broken.
Wizarding combat boiled down to countering and attacking. Finite Incantatem, dark magic counters—they were all dispelling effects.
Now, he was adding a lock to his magic. Breaking his Transfiguration would be significantly harder. And even if it was broken, it didn't matter much, since he could only sustain it for a few seconds anyway.
"Is this—"
McGonagall looked up, watching the massive Fire Crab dissolve into sparks and rush back into the fireplace.
The dim fire roared back to life.
Outside the door, several Ravenclaw upper-years, who had been sneaking a peek, were dumbstruck.
"Is that... a first-year? I don't think I could do that in my fifth year," Tozer, the Quidditch player, gaped.
"I must be dreaming..." Roger Davies muttered, pinching himself.
A muffled yelp followed.
"You can pinch yourself, Davies!" Tozer hissed furiously.
"It hurts," Roger grinned sheepishly.
"Duel me! Damn you, Davies! Because of your mistake, the Transfiguration world gained another Dumbledore, but the Quidditch world lost its Eunice Murray!" Tozer raged.
Eunice Murray was a legendary Seeker for the Montrose Magpies, the most successful team in the British and Irish League, with thirty-two League Cups and two European Cups. Fans worldwide knew her famous quote: "Faster Snitches needed because this is just too easy."
"I disagree. I think he's more of a Roderick Plumpton," another Ravenclaw chimed in, raising his wand. "Duel me! Damn you, Davies! Right now!"
Roderick Plumpton, Captain of the Tutshill Tornados, had led his team to five consecutive League Cup victories and held the British record for the fastest Snitch capture (three and a half seconds, 1921).
People regret most deeply that which they could have had, but missed. The regret grows with each passing day.
Roger Davies bolted, chased by the furious Ravenclaw Quidditch team.
If they could maintain this unity against their opponents... Penelope Clearwater, watching speechlessly, thought they might actually have a shot at the Quidditch Cup this year. Maybe Ravenclaw could finally break Slytherin's seven-year streak.
With Sean Green, they would dominate in both House points and Quidditch.
This was their most promising year yet...
Even if she had to use some manipulative tactics, she would help Ravenclaw achieve this!
Back in the office, Minerva McGonagall was just as excited.
"Incredible! I am so proud of you, my... child," she said instinctively.
Outside, Penelope Clearwater felt like she'd won the wizarding lottery. She pressed her hands together, her breath fogging the window. Carefully, she cancelled her Silencing and Disillusionment Charms and walked away quickly, putting distance between herself and the Transfiguration office.
Everyone was excited, including Sean.
[You have practiced an Advanced Transfiguration to the Master standard. Proficiency +3000]
This was his first Master-level cast of Advanced Transfiguration. It proved that for two seconds, he could stand toe-to-toe with an average Auror.
Though the intensity of his Transfiguration reached Master level, his actual combat effectiveness wasn't quite there yet. No opponent would let him cast for so long, especially for a spell that lasted only seconds.
However, if he could ambush from the shadows... the element of surprise could be decisive.
Silence fell over the Transfiguration office.
Professor McGonagall spoke slowly.
"Choose your life carefully, child. I know your heart has heard a call from afar, and there is no need to look back at what you leave behind.
"Do not worry about the past, child. Walk forward."
(End of Chapter)
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