Chapter 142
Before arriving in December, Soren had already mastered the Human Transfiguration technique.
Human Transfiguration is indeed very difficult; even among the students in the NEWT advanced class, few manage to master this ability before graduation. In the original work, Krum is a seventh-year wizard and already of age, and he is the strongest at Durmstrang, as appointed by the Triwizard Tournament. Despite being such a character, he was able to transform into a shark's head but ultimately could not revert back on his own and lost points, which shows just how challenging Human Transfiguration is.
In his previous life, Soren often discussed this issue with fans in the official Harry Potter fan club and other fan communities—after Voldemort transformed into that disgusting noseless appearance, why didn't he use Human Transfiguration to return to his handsome self?
At that time, fans had many speculations: some believed his red-eyed snake face could better intimidate enemies in battle; others thought the damage to his soul made him lose his humanity and distorted his sense of aesthetics; some believed he wanted to sever ties with his past, that face inherited from his Muggle father; others thought that without hair and body hair, he could avoid being impersonated with Polyjuice Potion...
Now, if anyone were to ask Soren, his answer would be—Voldemort never fully mastered Human Transfiguration. Throughout the entire original series, along with the Fantastic Beasts movies, aside from the inherently talented Metamorphmagus, it seems that only Grindelwald could completely transform into another person without the aid of potions.
Of course, now there is also Soren.
Soren himself is a Metamorphmagus, and he already has experience in manipulating magic at the cellular level. What he does not know is that although his magical power is not the strongest, it is far more flexible and adaptable than anyone in the wizarding world. For a thousand years, he is the first human wizard to forge a "three-in-one body." His magic can adapt to any change without experiencing magical stagnation or magical repulsion caused by physical transformation. This is also why he could master Human Transfiguration so quickly.
After consulting Professor McGonagall multiple times, he could now freely alter his height, facial features, skin color, hair color, and eye color. He even attempted, under Professor McGonagall's guidance, to perform transformations that exceeded human limitations, such as growing a pair of enormous wings from his ribcage, a tail with a fierce snake head from his coccyx, and transforming his shoulders into two arms...
Professor McGonagall's eyes sparkled with amazement. She was aware of Soren's talent in Transfiguration, but his speed of progress still shocked her greatly. Moreover, Soren's various creative uses of Human Transfiguration left her in awe.
Having reached this level in Transfiguration, Soren could be said to have graduated.
"Soren," Professor McGonagall's gaze was filled with admiration and affection, "to be honest, I have nothing more to teach you. The future path of Transfiguration will likely require you to explore on your own."
"You are the most talented student in Transfiguration I have ever seen," she continued, her expression tightening and becoming serious as she quietly advised, "I hope you do not waste this talent and use what you have learned for the right purposes, understand?"
Soren felt deep respect for this fair-minded professor who cared for her students and selflessly imparted her skills.
He sincerely replied, "Professor, I am very grateful for your care and guidance these days. I will always remember your kindness in taking personal time to instruct me. Although I am a Slytherin, you are as worthy of respect to me as my own head of house. Please rest assured, I will remember every word you have said."
Professor McGonagall was waiting for this response, and she showed a satisfied smile.
Back in the dormitory, Soren began to contemplate the direction of his future studies in Transfiguration.
He knew very well that his Transfiguration had not yet reached the pinnacle of the world.
For example, he would not be able to become an Animagus; this involves a transformation that touches upon the realm of the soul, requiring extensive preparation and posing a significant challenge to the caster's mind and will. However, the effect is rather lackluster, as it can only transform into a non-magical creature, losing magical power and the ability to cast spells, at most serving only for stealth and disguise purposes.
Although Soren is not interested in Animagus, that does not mean he intends to stop at this level of Transfiguration; in fact, he is very eager to advance his mastery of human Transfiguration.
Soren has studied the content of "The Fourth Volume of Abattoir," which mentions a type of Transfiguration that existed in the ancient age.
This Transfiguration is somewhat similar to a combination of Animagus and human Transfiguration—while Animagus is convenient, it also has significant limitations. Once an Animagus transforms into an animal, they can no longer use their wizarding abilities, and when they turn back into a human, the advantages of the animal are no longer apparent.
Human Transfiguration can only change the appearance of the human body, such as creating a shark head, a pair of wings, or a tail, but it cannot gain the specific abilities of the animal. For example, Victor with a shark head can breathe underwater but cannot utilize the shark's enhanced senses like electroreception, vibration sensitivity, or super smell, which is why he was outperformed by Harry at the bottom of the Black Lake.
This ancient Transfiguration, however, allows the caster to maintain a basic human form while simultaneously possessing the advantages of an Animagus animal.
For instance, Professor McGonagall's Animagus is a cat. If she could possess the agility and reflexes characteristic of felines while in her wizard form, her combat ability would be greatly enhanced. Similarly, for raptor Animagi, such as eagles or owls, if the caster could maintain their human form while transforming the bones in their back into bird wings, and simultaneously gain the sensitivity and control of airflow that birds have, wouldn't that allow them to soar through the sky without a broomstick? If they could also gain the eyesight of an eagle or the night vision of an owl, that would be even more impressive.
When Soren discovered this magic, he was incredibly excited.
However, at the end of this chapter, it mentions the stringent conditions for learning this Transfiguration—the caster must possess a strong physical plasticity. The learner's body must be more suited for transformation than that of other wizards, specifically requiring an innate talent for Transfiguration. In simple terms, it is best if the caster is a natural Metamorphmagus!
And Soren fully meets the conditions to learn this magic.
So in the following time, Soren decided to devote himself to the study of this magic, naming it "Combined Form Magus"!
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