"Lucien, can you teach me Transfiguration?"
"Hmm?" Lucien felt someone gently tug at his sleeve and turned to look.
He saw Daphne, with her golden hair, sitting diagonally behind him, holding something that was a needle on the left half and a match on the right half, smiling at him.
Wow, other people's half-and-half Transfigurations were usually split top and bottom. How did this girl manage to make the left and right different?
It seemed she was quite talented.
It might be worth a try; if he could teach others clearly, it would mean his own grasp of the knowledge was very solid.
"Let me ask you a question first: why transform a match into a needle? And not the other way around—a needle into a match?"
Lucien's question not only made Daphne start thinking, but Terry, who was nearby, also began to ponder.
After a few days of classes, Terry understood that Lucien was a top student. Following him—oh no, learning from him—was the right path. "Uh, because matches are cheaper, and one box is enough for the whole class?"
Seeing Lucien and Daphne both give him a caring look, Terry scratched his head.
"Hehe, ehm.. I want to learn too. My match can only change color so far."
"Of course, Terry, no problem."
Lucien advised the two:
"Transfiguration, when transforming inanimate objects into other inanimate objects or into living things, has a very interesting point."
"That is, the wizard only needs to consider the characteristics of the object they want to transform into, and doesn't need to pay too much attention to the original object."
"For example, if you still want to transform it into a needle, whether you use a match that burns or chalk that can write, there isn't much difference."
Lucien's words enlightened both of them. Daphne asked:
"Lucien, do you mean that when we cast Transfiguration, we should think about transforming into a needle, not transforming a match into a needle?"
Lucien smiled and nodded.
Sure enough, using this guided questioning method of teaching allowed people to think actively, and their understanding of the knowledge would also be deeper.
Good, the effect was excellent.
Next time when tutoring Harry, he should also use this method more to teach him potion brewing.
After all, he was going to borrow books from Harry's family and become his close friend for the sake of that Philosopher's Stone.. Ehm.. no! Harry is a good kid, and that's why he had to teach diligently.
He wondered what field of magic books the Potter family had inherited. Hmm, to be able to develop a shampoo that monopolized the wizarding world, it probably involved Potions and Herbology.
"Exactly, Daphne, your mind is very quick."
Lucien casually offered his habitual encouraging remark.
But these words made Daphne raise her chin slightly, her earlobes faintly red.
"It's because you explained it so well, Lucien."
Lucien continued noncommittally:
"If you keep thinking about transforming a match into a needle, then the characteristics of both the match and the needle will alternately appear in your mind."
"To be honest, at our age, our control over magic is not precise enough. When our thoughts are muddled, the transformed object will exhibit a mixed representation of the two objects' characteristics."
Daphne, however, wanted to ask, At this age, control over magic isn't precise enough—but that doesn't include you, does it?
Lucien's use of silent spells in the library that morning had left a profound impression on her.
"The characteristics of a needle are relatively simple and pure: it's hard, sharp, and the entire object is made of the same material—metal."
"Conversely, a match is composed of a wooden stick and flammable chemical substances—uh, chemical substances, you can just think of them as alchemical materials."
Lucien had gotten carried away, bringing in knowledge from his previous life. These magic users wouldn't understand the charm of physics and chemistry.
"To transform into a match already involves a change in some properties, which is definitely not something a first-year would encounter."
Terry was listening with a cheerful expression, but Daphne was thinking more deeply.
Transfiguration that changes properties isn't something first-years encounter—and complicated mechanical structure transformations aren't either, right?!
Daphne had just witnessed the entire process of Lucien transforming a match into a needle and then into a telescope. The shock brought by that mechanical change still resonated in her heart.
That's why, while everyone else was crowding around the telescope, Daphne had plucked up the courage to speak to Lucien.
"Alright, now that you've heard the theory, let's start practicing."
Hearing Lucien's words, Terry eagerly began to try.
But Daphne was still staring blankly at Lucien.
Noticing the girl staring at him, lost in thought, Lucien suddenly remembered something and wanted to laugh but held it back.
"Student, why are you still looking at me? Is there a spell written on my face?"
"Eh? I.. I.."
"Hurry up and practice with your wand!"
At this, Daphne finally reacted, quickly lowered her head, and picked up her wand.
Fortunately, her golden hair was long enough to cover her flushed ears as it fell forward.
Seeing Daphne engrossed in practicing Transfiguration, Lucien finally laughed.
Yes, yes, yes, that was the effect. In his previous life, when he was in school, he had always heard teachers say:
"What are you looking at me for? Is there writing on my face? Pick up your pen and write! What are you doing with your pen? Look at the blackboard! What are you doing looking at the blackboard? Listen to me speak…"
It turned out it felt this good to be a teacher and say such things.
Lucien felt deeply. Old folks—oh no, teachers—I finally understand your painstaking efforts back then!
With Lucien's guidance, Daphne and Terry gradually improved their Transfiguration.
And making progress as well was Malfoy, not far away.
He had originally wanted to squeeze over to see what the telescope looked like, but the cane by his leg made him rationally give up.
However, precisely because he hadn't gone over, Malfoy instead caught snippets of Lucien's explanation.
Although he didn't hear everything, it still gave him sudden enlightenment, and his Transfiguration progress dramatically accelerated.
Lucien is indeed extraordinary. A Malfoy heir should make friends like him!
Malfoy gripped his cane, preparing to go talk to Lucien after class.
…
As soon as the class bell rang, Lucien walked out of the Transfiguration classroom, preparing to wait for Professor McGonagall by her office door.
However, just after turning a corner, someone called out to him.
"Lucien, are you going to the Black Lake this weekend? I heard from an upperclassman that it's a lot of fun there."
Lucien turned around and saw Daphne inviting him.
Uh, what fun can I have with a bunch of children? And I'm buried under a lot of debt!
And by the weekend, Lumen would awaken, and he could begin his Forbidden Forest exploration, searching for and recording magical creatures there! Heheh~ That would be much more interesting than playing house with kids!
I don't have time, girl, I have things to learn, debts to pay, and become the next Dumbledore!
"Thank you for your invitation. I'm very happy, but I do have something to do this weekend."
Lucien's polite refusal brought clear disappointment to Daphne's eyes, and she asked gloomily: "Didn't we just start school? What are you so busy with? You're not planning to spend the whole weekend in the library, are you?"
Lucien thought about his recent plans: potion brewing, studying spells, researching the newly acquired Transfiguration pocket watch, planting cabbages, locating magical creatures, and tutoring Harry…
That's right, it had only been a few days since school started—how did he already have so many things to do?
Hmm, it was truly fulfilling. He loved this feeling of pursuing knowledge and being pursued by knowledge~~
Wait, why did Daphne ask if he was going to the library?
Lucien noticed the key detail.
"Daphne, were you in the library this morning too?"