After explaining the fundamental principles of Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall prepared to give the class a demonstration.
She lightly tapped her wand against a small mouse.
“Vera Verto.”
The mouse let out a tiny squeak before transforming into a crystal-clear glass goblet.
It was one of the most basic forms of Transfiguration.
The spell simply meant, “I transform the object.”
For most ordinary object transformations, that single spell was enough.
“Wow…”
The Slytherin students remained relatively calm since they had already witnessed the demonstration the previous day.
The Ravenclaw first-years, however, couldn’t help gasping in amazement.
Professor McGonagall smiled faintly.
“Today’s assignment is simple.”
“Transform this matchstick into a needle.”
“The Slytherin students practiced this yesterday, so they may assist the Ravenclaw students if necessary.”
Although she said so, she clearly expected little cooperation.
Most of the Slytherins simply focused on their own work without paying attention to anyone else.
At the front of the classroom, Draco Malfoy glanced back at Mord with obvious disdain.
Yesterday, only that annoying Muggle-born, Hermione Granger, had successfully completed the transformation.
Today…
He would prove himself.
In Malfoy’s mind, he had already convinced himself that Mord’s earlier victories were only because Mord had studied ahead of time.
If I actually take class seriously…
I’ll definitely surpass him.
Filled with confidence, Malfoy began practicing.
Beside Mord, Pansy smiled warmly.
“Mord, would you like me to help you?”
“I didn’t completely master it yesterday, but I understand the process.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Professor Pansy.”
Mord deliberately teased her.
Pansy’s cheeks immediately flushed with happiness as she eagerly began explaining the spell.
Whenever she made a mistake, Daphne quietly corrected her.
Although Daphne wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as Pansy, she still patiently offered useful advice.
Mord listened carefully to both girls.
After thanking them, he picked up his wand.
Professor McGonagall had emphasized three essential requirements for successful Transfiguration:
Focus.
Confidence.
A clear understanding of the object you wished to create.
Mord’s mental maturity far exceeded that of ordinary eleven-year-olds.
Aside from his still-limited magical power, he met every requirement perfectly.
He fixed his eyes on the matchstick.
His concentration narrowed until only a single thought remained.
Become a needle.
“Vera Verto.”
The matchstick slowly began to change.
Under the astonished gazes of Pansy and Daphne, the wooden stick gradually stretched and sharpened.
Moments later…
It had become a perfectly formed steel needle.
Although the transformation wasn’t as effortless as Professor McGonagall’s, it was undoubtedly successful.
Professor McGonagall happened to be passing nearby.
She lifted the needle with her wand, examined it closely, and smiled with obvious satisfaction.
“Excellent.”
“Mr. Black has successfully completed the transformation.”
“Ravenclaw earns twenty House points.”
The classroom immediately erupted into whispers.
Yesterday, Hermione had only received ten points for completing the same task before class ended.
Mord had earned twenty.
It wasn’t favoritism.
Professor McGonagall simply rewarded exceptional performance.
Her fairness was beyond question.
“Mord!”
“You’re incredible!”
Pansy finally snapped out of her shock.
She should have known.
If Mord could master Dark Arts so easily…
A beginner’s Transfiguration spell was hardly a challenge.
The system chimed repeatedly.
[Ding!]
The future Demon King has amazed his classmates with his Transfiguration talent.
Darkness Points +1
Darkness Points +2
Darkness Points +1
Another notification immediately followed.
Pansy Parkinson’s Faith +5%
Mord’s smile widened.
As expected…
Showing off in public really was one of the fastest ways to earn Darkness Points.
Even Daphne looked at him with newfound admiration.
She respected hardworking and talented students.
Mord certainly deserved Ravenclaw’s reputation.
Feeling the warmth of Pansy’s hand, Mord smiled gently.
“It’s only because both of you explained it so well.”
Only then did Pansy realize she was still holding his hand.
Blushing furiously, she quickly let go.
Even so…
She couldn’t help feeling slightly disappointed after releasing him.
“We didn’t teach you anything.”
“We haven’t even mastered it ourselves.”
Daphne tucked a strand of hair behind her ear shyly.
Mord chuckled.
“A teacher doesn’t always have to know more than the student.”
“Now it’s my turn.”
The lesson quickly reversed.
Instead of learning from them, Mord began teaching both girls.
At the front of the classroom, Malfoy gritted his teeth.
Watching Mord laugh and chat comfortably with two beautiful girls made him even more irritated.
He must have practiced this before coming to Hogwarts.
There’s no other explanation.
In Malfoy’s mental ranking…
Mord had officially become the third most annoying person in school.
Only Harry Potter and Ron Weasley ranked higher.
If Mord ever learned that…
He would probably wonder why he was only third.
After all…
Malfoy’s obsession with Harry and Ron was truly unmatched.
By the end of the lesson, Mord had earned more than a dozen Darkness Points and increased Pansy’s Faith considerably.
As soon as class ended, he walked straight toward Professor McGonagall, who was organizing her lesson materials.
“Professor…”
“I’d like to ask about the Animagus transformation.”
McGonagall looked up in surprise.
“Animagus?”
“Mr. Black…”
“Why are you interested in such advanced magic?”
Her expression became serious.
“I must remind you.”
“Animagus transformation is an extremely dangerous branch of Transfiguration.”
“Many overconfident witches and wizards attempt it.”
“Very few succeed.”
Mord nodded earnestly.
“I understand the risks.”
“Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been only seven legally registered Animagi during the last century.”
“I don’t intend to practice it immediately.”
“I simply want to understand the theory.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“After seeing your transformation…”
“I was truly amazed.”
He smiled sincerely.
“Professor…”
“I’ve already decided.”
“My goal in life is to become an Animagus just like you.”
Those words struck Professor McGonagall right in the heart.
She tried very hard to keep a straight face.
Still…
The corners of her lips threatened to rise.
Looking into Mord’s sincere eyes, she eventually sighed.
“Very well.”
“If you only wish to study the theory…”
“I’ll help you.”
She quickly wrote a note and handed it to him.
“Go to the library.”
“Seventh bookshelf on the right.”
“Top shelf.”
“There’s a book waiting for you.”
Mord bowed respectfully.
“Thank you, Professor.”
Without even stopping for lunch, he hurried straight to the library.
Following McGonagall’s directions, he soon found the dusty old volume.
Its faded golden title read:
Analysis of the Animagus Process
Opening the first page, Mord immediately began reading.
Among all forms of magic…
Animagus transformation wasn’t necessarily the most difficult.
But it was certainly one of the most tedious.
The very first step required holding a Mandrake leaf beneath one’s tongue throughout an entire lunar cycle.
From one full moon…
Until the next.
The leaf couldn’t be swallowed.
It couldn’t be chewed.
If either happened…
Everything had to begin again from the very start.
And that was only step one.
There were still the second…
Third…
Fourth…
Fifth…
And sixth stages afterward.
The deeper Mord read, the more complicated the process became.
Much of the theory was so obscure that his head began to ache.
Still…
He refused to give up.
Gritting his teeth, he continued reading until he reached the final page.
Closing the book, he quietly spoke to the system.
“Use the Advanced Introductory Card.”
Instantly…
Everything changed.
The countless passages he had struggled to understand suddenly became crystal clear.
Complex theories flowed effortlessly through his mind.
Concepts that had once seemed impossibly difficult now felt completely natural.
Mord couldn’t help smiling.
System…
You’re surprisingly reliable.
The familiar notification appeared once again.
[Ding!]
You have successfully mastered the Advanced Magic: Animagus.
Darkness Trigger Activated.
Dark Magic Unlocked: Dark Animagus
Cost: 500 Darkness Points…