An Animagus possessed one of the rarest magical abilities in the wizarding world.
By transforming into an animal, a witch or wizard gained all the natural abilities of that creature.
A bird could fly.
A fish could swim.
A cat could slip silently through narrow passages.
However…
While transformed, an ordinary Animagus was limited by that animal’s body.
They could no longer wield a wand or cast spells.
They could only rely on the instincts and abilities of their animal form.
For that reason, becoming an Animagus was never considered a direct increase in combat power.
Professor McGonagall, despite being an exceptionally talented witch, did not become a stronger duelist simply because she could transform into a cat.
Likewise, Sirius Black’s Animagus form—a large black dog—had helped him evade capture on numerous occasions, but it was not what made him a dangerous wizard.
Animagus transformation was a tool.
Not a weapon.
But Vincent’s newly awakened talent changed everything.
“I can cast magic while transformed?”
His eyes widened.
Wizarding duels often came down to two simple factors.
Who reacted first.
And who was harder to hit.
A small, agile animal naturally possessed an overwhelming advantage in both.
Hide.
Ambush.
Attack.
Disappear.
How could an ordinary wizard compete with an opponent who darted through the battlefield faster than the eye could follow?
A weasel’s speed and agility far surpassed that of a human.
The possibilities were endless.
“If I master spellcasting in Animagus form…”
“…who could beat me in a one-on-one duel?”
Excitement surged through him.
Even better…
Another talent could already be unlocked.
The requirement surprised him.
Cast one hundred spells while transformed.
Compared to spending two and a half months completing the Animagus transformation…
That objective sounded almost easy.
“No time to waste.”
“I’ll start now.”
With a single leap…
Vincent transformed once more.
His human body disappeared.
In its place stood a tiny least weasel.
“How exactly am I supposed to cast magic now?”
“Raise a paw?”
There were no books explaining this.
No experienced Animagus to ask.
Everything depended on experimentation.
Vincent cautiously lifted his right forepaw.
He decided to begin with the spell he had practiced the most.
The Colour-Change Charm.
He concentrated.
The grass ahead shimmered.
Moments later…
Its vivid green faded into a pale gray-white.
A notification appeared.
[Progress: (1/100)]
Vincent blinked.
“That… worked?”
It felt completely natural.
There was no awkwardness whatsoever.
Even stranger…
He realized no magic had flowed through his paw.
Normally, a wand served as the focus through which magical power was directed.
Now…
The magic simply appeared wherever his thoughts focused.
“So…”
“I don’t even need to raise my paw?”
He lowered it.
Remaining on all fours, he concentrated on another patch of grass.
The color changed instantly.
[Progress: (2/100)]
His eyes lit up.
That meant he could cast while sprinting.
While jumping.
While dodging.
Without interrupting his movement.
His greatest advantage wasn’t merely being able to cast spells as an animal.
It was that his entire body remained free while doing so.
The possibilities were astonishing.
At this rate…
He could probably complete all one hundred casts within only a couple of days.
Perhaps…
Even before sunrise.
The little weasel bounded happily through the rain.
The storm, which had briefly weakened during his transformation, suddenly intensified once again.
Sheets of rain covered the meadow.
Vincent paid them no attention.
Spell after spell followed.
The Softening Charm turned thick grass into limp strands.
The Shrinking Charm reduced entire clumps to tiny shoots.
The Gusting Charm cleared pathways through the meadow.
He darted between them effortlessly.
“Red Sparks!”
Scarlet sparks burst into the rain before quickly disappearing.
No Muggles would ever see them tonight.
The storm concealed everything.
Vincent completely relaxed.
Notifications continued appearing one after another.
[Progress: (3/100)]
[Progress: (4/100)]
[Progress: (5/100)]
Soon, the repeated notifications automatically shrank to the edge of his vision.
He barely noticed them anymore.
At this moment…
He felt only exhilaration.
Rain soaked his fur.
Yet instead of discomfort…
It felt strangely refreshing.
As though nature itself welcomed him.
He transfigured the grass into arches.
Bridges.
Gentle slopes.
Then sprinted across them with effortless grace.
“I can make my own paths.”
Ordinary first-year students couldn’t possibly perform Transfiguration on this scale.
But Vincent wasn’t supporting the weight of a human body anymore.
As a least weasel, even delicate blades of grass could support him.
Combined with magic…
Almost nowhere was beyond his reach.
His imagination began racing ahead.
Sneaking through Hogwarts Castle.
Exploring hidden passages.
Visiting the kitchens.
Even…
The Restricted Section.
Another flash of lightning split the sky.
Vincent froze.
His ears twitched.
He had heard something.
It wasn’t thunder.
Nor was it the rain.
It sounded…
Like disturbed air.
Very faint.
Very distant.
Every muscle in his tiny body tensed.
Remaining perfectly still among the tall grass, he listened carefully.
Nothing.
Only darkness stretched across the meadow.
Lightning flashed too briefly to reveal anything.
Yet…
The uneasy feeling remained.
Vincent lowered himself until his body nearly touched the ground.
Carefully, he reversed the most conspicuous Transfigurations he had made earlier.
Then…
Keeping close to the roots of the grass…
He silently approached the direction from which the sound had come.
No second noise followed.
No footsteps.
No voices.
No light.
The rain swallowed every scent and every distant sound.
Eventually, Vincent stopped.
“Maybe I imagined it.”
He hesitated.
“Even if someone is here…”
“Tonight isn’t the time to investigate.”
“I should return to the orphanage.”
“Then ask Ms. Kenna to contact a trustworthy witch or wizard.”
He turned to leave.
At that precise moment—
Lightning illuminated the entire meadow.
For a single brilliant instant…
He saw it.
Not far away…
A broad patch of flattened grass.
Someone was there.
A figure knelt motionless in the rain.
Black wizarding robes clung tightly to their body.
Each labored breath made their shoulders rise and fall.
A soaked head covering had fallen beside one outstretched hand.
Vincent froze.
The lightning illuminated the back of the stranger’s head with perfect clarity.
And what he saw…
Stopped him in his tracks.