Gabby Montoya used [Cat Transformation], turning into a pitch-black cat with large eyes, resembling a lump of coal.
The Cat Transformation is a cantrip model that can only be used by wizard apprentices specializing in transfiguration magic.
Every shapeshifter must undergo long and arduous study before they can formally transform.
During his All Things Class with the dark elf Sassari, Locke had heard Sassari mention that some wizard apprentices had failed their transfiguration spells and were permanently unable to revert to human form, ultimately becoming some kind of magical creature.
This might very well be the true origin of the centaurs in the southeastern corner.
The earliest ancestors of those centaurs were likely wizard apprentices who had failed while attempting to transform into horses.
Transfiguration magic is among the more dangerous branches of all magic.
Especially this subcategory of self-transformation spells.
Locke glanced at Gabby Montoya in her black cat form. In the field of transfiguration, she was currently in the "Spirit Cat" state.
Possessing astonishing agility, she could evade many spell attacks and had an exceptionally keen sense of smell.
Speaking of which, a shapeshifter's first affinity particle should be the Shape Particle [Aether Element].
If Gabby Montoya could obtain as many Rose Rubies as he had, her progress would likely skyrocket.
However, Locke had no intention of helping her.
Rose Rubies were far too rare in the southeastern corner. If he were to produce them, it would raise suspicions—unlike synthesized plants, there was no way to conceal their origin.
So, this secret was best kept to himself.
Gabby Montoya leaped between rocks, sniffing out the distinct scent of rats on the ground.
She had taken on this exploratory academy mission for a reason—she had her own unique strengths.
Previously, she had been more of a hindrance simply because she had been looking in the wrong direction and lacked knowledge of magical plants. But now, with Locke pointing the way, it took her less than half a day to track the rats' scent and locate their stronghold.
Gabby Montoya landed in front of a cave in the wilderness. She elegantly raised her black tail, then lowered her front body, wiping her whiskers with a paw. "Senior Locke, the rats are all gathered inside this cave."
"This cave must be extremely deep, possibly connected to an underground water system. I faintly heard the sound of flowing water."
Gabby added, "This cave could easily be several thousand meters deep."
"Back when I was investigating the Ashgla Mountains, I never checked this area..."
"I really should have thought of it sooner..."
Locke turned his gaze to the cave entrance. It seemed something had happened here before, as there were simple wooden railings blocking the entrance.
Most likely, some commoners from the Ashgla Mountains had accidentally fallen into this cave and died inside.
So the Ashglans had sealed off the entrance and left warnings for anyone who approached.
Beside the cave, Locke even spotted a few small stone crosses serving as tombstones. The ages carved on them were all quite young—around ten years old.
Indeed, if children were playing or herding near the cave, they might fall into it and plunge straight into the underground water system thousands of meters deep. Survival would be impossible, and even their bodies would be difficult to recover.
Gabby turned to Locke and said, "Senior Locke, the cave is so complex inside. Should we really enter? The underground water system is intricate, and we could easily get lost in the labyrinthine depths or encounter a cave-in."
Locke's expression remained unchanged. "We're going in."
"You're a shapeshifter—you don't need to worry. You must know both the Cat Transformation and Owl Transformation Spells. You won't be trapped in this underground water system."
Locke did indeed need Gabby's help.
It was well known that wizard apprentices specializing in shapeshifting excelled in reconnaissance, which was why Lilith's Cottage had established such a magic category.
Apprentices of this magic category had shone brightly in the wizarding wars against the Blood Curse Court. They could transform into magical creatures to detect vampire-modified wizard apprentices hidden among the populace.
Thus, Locke truly needed Gabby to guide him through the underground water system.
Locke softly recited an incantation, and immediately, the three Grade 6 Invisible Mandrake Vines concealed in the sleeve of his right-hand wizard robe stirred to life.
Multiple Manipulation + Vine Hand!
Each of the three Invisible Mandrake Vines extended five branches, forming three enormous vine-like hands that plunged into the ground. Using the counterforce, they lifted Locke, suspending him mid-air.
Powered by the formidable Mana of a First-Class Wizard Apprentice, Locke could command the three magic vines for extended periods. These vines functioned like his own limbs, responding with perfect precision.
This allowed Locke to crawl into the cave like a magical spider.
As he entered, the three vines coiled around his right hand transformed into massive hands, driving deep into the cave walls and swiftly scaling them.
After a moment's hesitation, Gabby cast the Owl Transformation Spell, turning into an owl with night vision, and dove into the cave.
Two hours later, the two had ventured deep into the seemingly bottomless cavern.
The interior was indeed complex, with winding passages—some narrow, others wide—but both could easily navigate these otherwise impassable areas using their Spells.
Locke murmured another incantation, and the Invisible Mandrake Vines drilled like augers into the narrow rock passage ahead, which was only wide enough for a cat-sized creature.
With a series of cracking sounds, the three vine hands crushed the hard underground rock walls as if kneading sand, carving out a path wide enough for a person.
Locke scattered a handful of Wiregrass seeds ahead while chanting to activate the 0.5-ring Wild Grass Entanglement cantrip model.
These Wiregrass seeds were also Grade 6 synthetic plants—seeds he had preserved after synthesizing Grade 6 Wiregrass during this period.
At Grade 6, Wiregrass had a unique synthesis formula: three Grade 5 Wiregrass could be combined into a single Grade 6 Wire Tendon Grass.
This Wiregrass hadn't significantly increased its reproductive capacity, but its flexibility had improved dramatically, becoming as tough as strands of steel wire.
Combined with the enhanced rapid reproduction ability inherent in level 5 Wiregrass, Locke elevated the Weed Binding spell to new heights with the assistance of this Wire Tendon Grass.
Layer upon layer of Wire Tendon Grass intertwined, growing relentlessly through the crevices of shattered rocks, tightly securing all loose fragments and unstable sections before transforming into an ironclad barrier that supported the collapsing rock passage.
Locke and Gabby were thus able to walk through safely.
Achieving this wasn't just due to the Wire Tendon Grass's exceptional qualities—it was also because of Locke's precise control over the grass's growth direction, enabled by his relatively stable Mana (despite being weakened by the side effects of the Crimson Echo Potion) under the influence of the Deep Blue Gem and Cyan Jade. This formed the intricate spell model now holding firm several kilometers underground.
Gabby's eyes flickered as she observed this scene. 'Senior's spells are incredibly powerful—they hardly seem like Second-Class Wizard Apprentice-level magic.'
'Being near him, I often feel an intangible pressure, and it only grows stronger over time.'
'Could it be that Senior is... No, how old is he even?'
A shadow of melancholy crossed Gabby's heart. If Locke was already on the verge of becoming a First-Class Wizard Apprentice, then what did that make her—still stuck at Second-Class despite being in her thirties?
But such was the cruelty of the Wizard World—the disparity in talent could be staggering.
Gabby sighed inwardly.
Transforming into a black cat, she said to Locke, "Senior, we're close—there are many rats ahead, and a peculiar fragrance."
Suddenly, she tensed. "Senior, be careful—"
Just as Locke and Gabby stepped past the 'iron passage' reinforced by Wire Tendon Grass, they saw swarms of rats gathered along the banks of an underground river.
Near the riverbank stood a solitary cluster of broad, green leaves—belonging to a magic taro plant.
But at that moment, a green shadow flashed before them, and a leaf-shaped blade slashed toward Locke and Gabby.
Instantly, the leaves on one of Locke's Invisible Mandrake Vines surged outward, automatically forming a vine shield to block the attack.
Cantrip model: Green Cleansing Grasp!
The vine shield perfectly intercepted the assault, while Gabby transformed into an owl, hovering midair to scout the direction of their attacker in the darkness. "This is... Senior, the attacker isn't human—it's just a... plant? A plant-animal hybrid? A humanoid plant!"
A faint smile curled Locke's lips. His luck was truly exceptional this time—another rare plant that even Magic Stones couldn't easily procure.
Calmly, he used the vine shield to deflect all the leaf-blade attacks. "I know. This is Clivia."
"Clivia—a rare Magic Plant adept at mimicking human form. Its orchid leaves are as hard and sharp as steel, capable of slicing through flesh. The veins in its leaves are highly sensitive, detecting air currents to launch counterattacks."
"Thus, whether the enemy attacks or defends, the Clivia would respond like a master swordsman, countering every move."
"This Magic Plant, when wielded skillfully by a wizard apprentice, becomes a formidable melee weapon. However, its reproductive ability is extremely weak, making it rare in the wild."
Suddenly, what attacked Locke and Gabby was an orchid as tall as a human.
This orchid bore an uncanny resemblance to a human warrior.
Its leaves were like sharp swords in 'his' hands, the roots resembled a warrior's feet, and the orchid itself looked like the warrior's head. A series of small orchid leaves around the neck even resembled jade ornaments worn by human warriors.
Locke tested it and confirmed that the Clivia indeed behaved as recorded in the books.
But how could there be two rare Magic Plants in this underground riverbank?
Even a First Class Wizard Apprentice would be interested in such Magic Plants.
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