Chapter 95: Restoration And Transfiguration

“Xi En, where did you get so many books from…”

Justin watched Xi En come out of the changing room with an armful of books. His hands moved faster than his thoughts, and he quickly helped by taking a few.

“Mm…”

Xi En thought of the scene inside the changing room.

Fred took a copy of 《Simple Introduction to Ancient Runes》 out of the cabinet where clothes were kept, George pulled a 《Runic Dictionary》 from the place where broomsticks were stored, and even the corner had been stuffed with a 《Magical Phonetic Chart》…

It was hard to imagine how Madam Pince would feel if she saw these scenes…

“These are all beginner books on Ancient Runes—”

George shrugged.

“If you want to study alchemy, you have to understand these first…”

Fred tossed another book to Xi En, a 《Collection of Magical Sigils》.

“But you have to remember to return them.”

“The return date is written in the books.”

“Write Fred for the name.”

“—And of course George as well!”

Outside the changing room, faced with Justin’s curious question and knowing it would be hard to describe the chaotic scene at the time, Xi En summed it up in one sentence:

“Two senior students gave them to me.”

Justin did not press further. He simply examined these obviously very old books with curiosity, because even with the attentive care of the librarian Madam Pince, the pages had already yellowed, and some parts had even become fragile.

Hermione took one from Justin’s hands. The words 《Simple Introduction to Ancient Runes》 made her very interested.

Holding the 《Magical Phonetic Chart》, Xi En walked toward the castle amid the waves of noise rising from the Quidditch pitch.

His conjecture was correct. Alchemical creations seemed always inclined to use Ancient Runes to engrave spell groups, and this ancient script appeared to naturally possess the ability to bear more magical power.

To comprehend the complex, precise, and profound craftsmanship within, the first priority was to study Ancient Runes.

Students in third year and above could take this elective at Hogwarts, taught by Professor Bathsheba Babbling. Hermione had chosen it in her third year and achieved good grades.

In the gaps between studying spells and transfiguration, reading these books might be a good choice.

Xi En thought.

The weekend passed quickly,

and Xi En had gotten used to flying from outside the castle all the way to Ravenclaw Tower.

Michael was so exhausted he nearly collapsed on the seemingly endless staircases. Just as he was getting used to looking for Xi En’s figure among the stairs,

a strong gust of wind swept past, and then Michael saw Xi En gracefully descend onto the top of Ravenclaw Tower.

His appearance drew a chorus of exclamations, especially when the Ravenclaws saw his immature yet handsome face.

“Is that… a first-year young wizard?”

“I only heard yesterday that a young wizard passed the flight test. Could it be…”

“How could it be Xi En? I must be seeing things. He even struggles with climbing stairs…”

Michael was still trying to convince himself, but when he saw the Nimbus 2000 stored in the dormitory, he had too many things he wanted to say and for a moment did not know how to put them into words.

In the end, it all turned into:

“Teach me—Xi En. Please, I really want to learn this.”

…

Climbing stairs was no longer a problem for Xi En. He devoted more of his time to transfiguration, spells, and potions.

In the Transfiguration Classroom.

“Today we are going to learn self-transformation into ‘living things’. Its difficulty is higher than simply animating objects, the required techniques are more stringent, and if you make mistakes, any kind of outcome is possible.”

Professor McGonagall was unusually strict. She opened Xi En’s essay and nodded with slight satisfaction.

“Then you should know, the easiest self-transformation should be?”

“The Animagus form corresponding to oneself, Professor.”

Xi En answered.

He had already written this point in his essay:

【In many Celtic, Scandinavian, and Germanic legendary tales, there is a direct connection between people and certain animals.】

【These otherworldly beings usually ‘choose to become someone’s guardian incarnation and stay by their side’, symbolizing ‘a person’s fate, possessing both human and animal forms’.】

If Xi En’s conjecture was correct, wizards would naturally possess a unique Animagus form, the most notable manifestation of which would be the Animagus.

For example, James Potter, whose Animagus form was a stag. This was reflected not only in his Patronus Charm, but also in his Animagus.

Since the Animagus is the ultimate form of “self” transformation, transformations that follow one’s true self will always be somewhat easier.

“Very good.”

Professor McGonagall nodded, then handed Xi En a book that recorded all kinds of animal Animagus forms.

Xi En was still leafing through this book when he walked out of the Transfiguration Classroom.

If he could find the self-transformation that came easiest to him, would that also mean he had found his Animagus?

However, trying this without expert-level transfiguration would be absolutely unsafe.

So Xi En naturally put grinding transfiguration practice on his schedule.

Over the course of a week,

Justin, Hermione, and Neville would often see boars running around the classroom, or a finely furred cat licking its paws.

Sometimes even tables would grow two legs. Stools could not be trusted either, as they might turn into a steam-spouting turtle at any moment.

Fortunately, Xi En always cast transfiguration on his own section of the room; otherwise Justin would not know how many of his cauldron cakes would be stolen by boars.

On a cold but clear Thursday,

Xi En heard the chime from the panel:

【You have practiced an in-depth Intermediate Transfiguration once at a proficient standard. Proficiency +50.】

【A new Transfiguration Field title has been unlocked. Please check.】

At this point, his transfiguration proficiency had already exceeded 9000. With anticipation, Xi En opened the panel:

【Title: Transfiguration Master.】

【Greatly increases perception of transfiguration, greatly increases transfiguration talent, and greatly increases unique perception of the transformation from non-magic to magic within the Transfiguration Field.】

Unique perception of the transformation from non-magic to magic?

Xi En naturally thought of the “item” to “magic” transformation in Advanced Transfiguration.

A typical example was Headmaster Dumbledore turning the pool water into a water prison in the Battle of the Ministry of Magic, trapping Voldemort inside.

The pool water there was no longer merely simple water. Strictly speaking, it should be water prison magic.

This was enough to demonstrate the power of this Advanced Transfiguration.

Before testing his enhanced talent, Xi En packed up his items.

Because it was Thursday, and from Thursday onward every day, Xi En needed to go to the dungeon to brew potions.

The torches in the stone corridor flickered, casting wavering shadows.

The temperature had clearly dropped; even his breath condensed into white mist.

Xi En saw the somewhat gloomy wooden door. When he pushed it open, the damp musty smell and the scent of potion ingredients rushed toward him.

The fatigue caused by using the Improved Ritual had already faded, and Xi En was prepared to complete his unfinished task—to explore the influence of a wizard’s emotions on potions.

Well, if Professor Snape allowed him to make modifications.