"Transfiguration is an advanced, dangerous branch of magic, yet one you'll use often in your education."
"Approach it with rigor. If anyone causes trouble, I'll throw them out—regardless of house."
Milawa Maige opened with a stern warning, asserting authority. Only when every pupil sat straight did she nod, offering a sweet reward.
She showcased Transfiguration's charm.
With a wand tap, the podium's wooden desk became a chubby, snow-white pig—adorable, harmless.
Gasps followed.
The pig morphed into a roaring lion, then a massive python. Its cold gaze sent shivers through pupils. Front-row students paled, scrambling back.
Even Slymerins faltered. Their mascot was a snake, but not all liked them.
Tangmu saw amusement in Maige's eyes and cursed inwardly: Not so noble, huh, Maige? You've got a dark side.
Bang!
The python vanished, reverting to the desk. The classroom settled.
"This is Transfiguration's beauty—reshaping the world. Large animal transformations are for upper years. We'll start with basics…"
Maige gave each pupil a toothpick.
Their task: transform it into a silver needle.
"When casting, visualize the needle—shape, texture. The image must be clear. Focus. No distractions. Convince yourself the toothpick is a needle until the mental image overlaps…"
After explaining, Maige let them practice. Chanting filled the room, but toothpicks stayed toothpicks.
Tangmu was lost in thought.
[Gained insights from Transfiguration professor: Credits +5]
[Gained insights from Transfiguration professor: Credits +5]
Two notifications. Ten credits earned, and a new way to gain them discovered.
Toothpick to needle? Child's play—he'd mastered it over summer.
Maige's explanation sparked insight, triggering system rewards.
More surprises came.
Maige checked progress, unangered by most pupils' lack of transformation.
Turning wood to metal wasn't simple—it involved material conversion, a stretch for first-years.
Maige knew this.
The task's purpose wasn't success but evaluation. A tough but possible challenge identified talent for future focus.
She shook her head. Half the class checked, no one met expectations.
Then she reached Tangmu.
He traced a circle with his wand, tapped the toothpick.
To her delight, it became a silver needle, gleaming, etched with intricate patterns—a work of art.
"Amazing!" Maige's voice rang: "Mr. Lideer succeeded on his first try—with decorative detail! Slymerin earns five points!"
Gryffindors, new to house rivalry, barely reacted.
Slymerins fell silent. Mafoi glared at Tangmu with distaste.
A pure-blood failing while a Muggle-born succeeded? Unacceptable.
Tangmu hadn't cared about points—until the system spoke:
[Host gained professor's recognition: Credits +5, Achievement Point +1]
[Unlocked long-term mission: "Hogwarts' Best Student in History." House points convert 1:1 to credits. Every 5 house points grants 1 Achievement Point. Winning the House Cup earns bonus rewards.]
Tangmu didn't care before, but credits and Achievement Points changed everything.
He almost regretted not being in Gryffindor. Wouldn't winning the House Cup be easier?
In Slymerin, it'd be trickier.
He'd need to disrupt Dengbuliduo's plans.
The House Cup was rigged for years, boosting Halili's popularity and conditioning him to face crises, preparing him for the Dark Lord and the prophecy.
Tangmu had no interest in Dengbuliduo's "Savior Training Program."
The Dark Lord had two fates: die to Halili per the original timeline, or be crushed by Tangmu when strong enough.
But now, the House Cup meant credits and progress.
Progress meant challenging the manipulation's source.
Dengbuliduo, you'll understand… right?
[^1]: In the Wizarding World, Transfiguration, taught by Milawa Maige, changes objects' forms. The House Cup is an annual competition where houses earn points for achievements, often influenced by faculty.