Inside the Headmaster's office.
Lucien sat across from Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.
"Ahaha~ well, Lucien, I called you here because I wanted to ask—have you encountered any difficulties with Transfiguration lately?"
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Lucien immediately began to think.
Transfiguration?
If it was about that, they could have discussed it over their next afternoon tea; there was no need for Fawkes to fetch him personally.
But for Dumbledore to bring up Transfiguration specifically…
Did the old man know about what happened last night?
Did he know he had defeated a Troll using Transfiguration?
Was that why he was asking about it now?
Hmm, the castle was full of ghosts and portraits—essentially the Headmaster's magical surveillance system.
So, it was likely that some ghost had witnessed the entire scene from a corner and reported it to Dumbledore, prompting this sudden conversation.
"It's fine, Headmaster. I'm planning to begin attempting live Transfiguration soon."
This made Professor McGonagall raise an eyebrow. Dumbledore had already discussed with her that morning about the events surrounding the Troll and Lucien's role in handling it.
Normally, if someone had claimed a first-year Wizard defeated a Troll alone, McGonagall would never have believed it.
But if it was Lucien, she found herself willing to accept it.
In just two months since the start of term, Lucien had given her far too many surprises.
No—ever since the home visit before school began, McGonagall had already realized this child was extraordinary and unlike any other.
"Lucien, so you've already mastered all aspects of inanimate-to-animate Transfiguration, haven't you?"
"Last night, a ghost told me he saw…...."
Dumbledore took a sip of his lemon honey water and began describing what Nearly Headless Nick had witnessed.
Listening to the account in full detail, Lucien immediately understood.
So it really was the ghost. Tsk, tsk—nothing in this school could escape Dumbledore's notice.
For him to confidently claim that "Hogwarts is the safest place," Dumbledore clearly possessed both the insight and the power to control everything within it.
With informants scattered throughout the magical castle and strength surpassing that of any Wizard alive in this age…
Well, except perhaps for those unpredictable incidents involving that boy, Harry.
Since Dumbledore had spoken so openly—and had even called Professor McGonagall here, he probably wanted to assess his level of Transfiguration and offer guidance—to prevent him from becoming overconfident or straying from the right path.
"Headmaster, Professor, what the ghost said is quite accurate. Would you like me to demonstrate it again?"
Dumbledore nodded gently. He always enjoyed speaking with Lucien; the boy was intelligent, composed, and mature, making every conversation effortless.
Professor McGonagall, however, had a spark of anticipation in her eyes. Just hearing Dumbledore's account had already stirred her curiosity.
Lucien drew his wand and performed Transfiguration on his teacup.
This time, the Chimera he created was smaller and far less ferocious than the one from the previous night.
It was merely a demonstration—he had no intention of fighting.
As the strange, multi-featured creature appeared on the table, Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully.
He had discussed this branch of knowledge and its applications with Lucien before, but this was his first time seeing such a fully realized Transfiguration.
Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, was visibly astonished.
"This—this isn't just a fusion of appearances. The internal structure has been altered too, hasn't it?"
As a lifelong scholar of Transfiguration, McGonagall immediately recognized the underlying complexity.
Lucien nodded and gave his wand a light wave, casting a minor spell from the Chimera Handbook.
Like an X-ray, it revealed the inner structure of the small creature resting on the table.
"Professor, I thought simple external fusion wouldn't be very practical, so.....…"
As Lucien explained, Professor McGonagall couldn't help but marvel again and again.
She was delighted by Lucien's patience and dedication—his willingness to dive into research—and equally amazed by his ability to turn such creative ideas into tangible results.
"Lucien, your progress in magic is truly remarkable—astonishingly fast," she said.
"As for Transfiguration, you must be the most outstanding student I've ever taught. To have reached this level in such a short time, it's truly…"
Professor McGonagall smiled helplessly; for once, she couldn't find the right words to describe him.
"That's also because I've had great teachers, Professor," Lucien replied. "If I want to attempt live Transfiguration, what should I pay attention to?"
Hearing his question, McGonagall answered without hesitation:
"Compared to inanimate Transfiguration, the greatest challenge in live Transfiguration lies in consciousness—you must suppress the creature's own will."
"The difficulty rises in order: plants, animals, Muggles, and Wizards."
"Wizards are unique. In addition to their consciousness, the magic within their bodies constantly resists the effects of Transfiguration."
Lucien nodded thoughtfully, then asked with curiosity,
"But Transfiguration doesn't work on magical creatures—is that because their internal magical circuits differ from those of Wizards?"
"That's right. This is also why Wizards cannot transform objects—or themselves—into magical creatures."
The difference in magic circuits, huh. If I want to innovate and create magical creatures through Transfiguration, perhaps I should start by experimenting with Transfiguration on magical creatures themselves.
If that step can be solved, it would serve as a foundation, and everything afterward would become much easier.
"I understand. Thank you, Professor."
"Also, if I wanted to attempt becoming an Animagus, what preparations would I need to make?"
Lucien's question made McGonagall and Dumbledore exchange a look.
Animagus transformation was one of the highest known achievements in Transfiguration.
Every registered Animagus had to be recorded by the Ministry of Magic—otherwise, any unregistered Animagus caught violating the law would be sent directly to Azkaban.
In truth, even an exceptionally talented student in Transfiguration would rarely be ready to attempt it before their fourth or fifth year.
And most Wizards never even tried, because the process was incredibly dangerous.
If any other young Wizard had asked such a question, both Dumbledore and McGonagall would have immediately discouraged them, thinking the student was far too reckless.
But for Lucien…
Both Dumbledore and McGonagall thought the same thing almost simultaneously—perhaps this child might actually be able to approach it soon.
"Lucien, becoming an Animagus still carries considerable risk…..."
As Professor McGonagall explained, Lucien quickly grasped the core issue behind Animagus transformation.
Failure during the early preparation stages wasn't the real danger.
The real risk came at the final step—after one had truly transformed into an animal. At that moment, the Wizard had to remain completely calm and retain their human consciousness.
Once that stage was reached, there was no turning back.
Either one succeeded, freely shifting between human and animal form... Or they failed halfway—living the rest of their life with residual animal traits.
Or worst of all, they lost their mind entirely and remained trapped as a beast forever.
It was no wonder that most students never attempted it.
Most came to Hogwarts simply to gain an education, find a respectable position in the magical world, and live comfortably.
Aside from those with a deep passion for Transfiguration, who would willingly take such a risk?
Hmm… thinking of it that way, James Potter and his friends back then were truly loyal and courageous.
For the sake of their friend Lupin, James, Sirius, and Peter Pettigrew had all become Animagi.
They did it to help him endure the painful nights of the full moon—accompanying him on his transformations into a werewolf.
They were probably like newborn calves unafraid of tigers—a few reckless students who dared to attempt Animagus transformation on their own, without any teacher's guidance or supervision.
Talented, yes—but also incredibly lucky to have survived.
"Of course, if you're ever truly ready and have made up your mind to become an Animagus," Dumbledore said gently, "you may come to me or Professor McGonagall. We would both be happy to offer guidance and assistance."
Seeing Lucien's interest in Animagus transformation, Dumbledore's tone softened further.
After the unforgettable lesson with Tom, he understood better than anyone that the more gifted a student was, the more confidence—and stubbornness—they often possessed.
When such a person truly decided to do something, they would do it regardless of how many tried to dissuade them. To them, others simply "didn't understand."
So rather than suppressing them, it was better to guide them. Instead of letting Lucien take risks alone, Dumbledore preferred that he do so under the watch and protection of his teachers.
"By the way, Lucien," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "I heard that before coming here, you'd just had a duel with one of your classmates—Draco Malfoy.... How did that feel?"
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11 Advance Chaps- P@treon/DarkDevil1