Inside the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall sat at the desk, enthusiastically recounting details about Lucien.
Across from her sat an old man with silver hair and beard, wearing half-moon spectacles behind which a pair of bright blue eyes twinkled.
Albus Dumbledore.
"...Perhaps he is the most naturally gifted child in Transfiguration I have ever seen."
"He is also very studious, not mischievous like children his age at all..."
After listening to Professor McGonagall's description, Dumbledore chuckled:
"Minerva, from what you say, that Lucien certainly is very talented, especially in Transfiguration."
"It seems Hogwarts is about to welcome another exceptionally talented student."
Dumbledore was a little surprised at first, as he rarely saw McGonagall give such a lengthy assessment of a student, especially one not yet enrolled.
However, Dumbledore had lived for over a century and taught at Hogwarts for many years, witnessing countless so-called gifted students.
Some of them shone brightly in their respective fields, while others eventually faded into obscurity.
Therefore, Dumbledore was not overly concerned about this child named Lucien.
Moreover, Harry was due to enroll this year, the prophesied savior, and Dumbledore had focused most of his energy and attention on him.
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore conjured a plate of cockroach clusters and two cups of honey water.
McGonagall, feeling somewhat parched from speaking, picked up a cup of honey water from the table and took a small sip.
But after just one sip, she frowned and put it down.
It was too sweet.
"Also, Albus, when I saw Lucien use Transfiguration."
"Besides the regular transformations, he eventually transformed a magical creature, an Occamy."
McGonagall leaned forward, questioning Dumbledore.
"Have you ever seen similar Transfiguration?"
Hearing Professor McGonagall's question, Dumbledore withdrew his hand, which had been reaching for the cockroach clusters, and instead adjusted his spectacles.
His gaze suddenly became serious.
As a master in the field of Transfiguration, Dumbledore naturally understood what McGonagall's question implied.
Transfiguration could involve magical creatures?
Dumbledore had never witnessed such a thing!
Those who can quickly grasp existing knowledge in the early stages and then innovate and explore in later stages can be called geniuses.
But what about those who display unknown talents from the very beginning?
This might already be beyond the scope of genius.
Dumbledore's expectations for Lucien shifted, and he had to re-evaluate.
"Minerva, please pay more attention to Lucien in the future."
"Such exceptionally gifted students require proper guidance even more."
As if recalling a former student, Dumbledore sighed softly.
"How about this, you write to Lucien first, instructing him not to attempt magical creature Transfiguration for now, and tell him it's very dangerous."
McGonagall nodded gravely.
Such a talented child must not be allowed to fall into the danger of reckless experimentation.
McGonagall even considered visiting again to personally explain the matter clearly to Lucien.
...
Grafton Manor.
Lucien stood in his bedroom, holding his wand in his right hand and a copy of "Beginner's Spell Encyclopedia" in his left.
He pointed his wand at a pile of ceramic shards on the floor, and with a slight flick of his wrist.
"Reparo."
The fragments automatically reassembled into a complete teapot, and the cracks gradually vanished as if in reverse.
"Hmm, quite simple, next one."
Lucien flipped through the book in his hand, learning new spells.
After merging with loki's faceless, his White Magic talent also reached S-grade.
Learning such simple, basic spells was naturally effortless.
The teapot floated into the air for a moment, then had its surface stains cleaned, then was summoned into Lucien's hand...
"Bang bang bang--"
Lucien turned his head towards the source of the sound.
A snowy owl was perched outside the window, holding a letter in its beak.
Lucien didn't go over to open the window, he just pointed his wand.
"Alohomora."
The window opened in response, and the owl flapped its wings and flew in.
Lucien looked down at his wand and chuckled softly.
magic truly is convenient.
One wand could do so many things.
He took the letter from the owl and opened it.
Seeing the signature, Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Professor McGonagall?"
"Lucien Grafton:
I have discussed with Headmaster Dumbledore, Lucien, your talent is quite exceptional, especially in the field of Transfiguration.
Having purchased so many books, I trust you have already begun to learn magic knowledge.
You must have experimented with Transfiguration, and I need to specifically warn you not to attempt the Transfiguration of magical creatures under any circumstances.
This act is extremely dangerous, and there is no clear precedent for it in the Wizarding World.
If you wish to learn more about Transfiguration, you can find me once you arrive at Hogwarts.
I had intended to visit again to explain everything to you in person, but there are many preparations for new student enrollment.
However, I trust that you are not a rash or reckless child and will not deliberately attempt dangerous acts."
The letter was not long, and Lucien quickly finished reading it.
Simply put, magical creature Transfiguration is very dangerous, and I shouldn't try it casually.
No clear precedent?
A new direction for Transfiguration?
Lucien frowned. He, of course, hadn't forgotten that he had to repay loki's faceless's loan: to perfectly master Transfiguration within a year. Besides learning existing Transfiguration knowledge, he also needed to explore and discover new areas of Transfiguration.
Professor McGonagall said she had discussed it with Dumbledore, which meant Dumbledore had also never seen the Transfiguration of magical creatures.
Then this should be considered an unknown field of Transfiguration, and as long as he could research and complete it, it would meet the loan requirements.
But that transformation, which ultimately turned into a creature resembling an Occamy, was just my instinctive spellcasting; how could it involve such profound aspects...
Lucien had already read "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and had some understanding of magical creatures, judging that the creature he had ultimately transformed at Ollivander's wand shop highly matched the Occamy's appearance and characteristics of shape-shifting.
Coupled with Professor McGonagall's current warning, Lucien's conjecture was essentially confirmed.
Raising his wand, Lucien listened to the faint snickering sound emanating from within the wand.
Loki?
I now possess Loki's magic talent, especially Transfiguration talent, which is already the highest SSS-grade.
So, that time I cast a spell to transform into a magical creature, it was most likely due to the influence of Loki's talent.
Magical creatures...
Lucien thought of Loki's grotesque offspring in myths and legends: the giant wolf Fenrir, the World Serpent Jörmungandr, and the eight-legged horse Sleipnir.
Could these offspring actually have been created by Loki using Transfiguration?