With the first stage of the ritual complete, Alex moved on to the crucial second step, infusing the sigil with the magical essence of a living creature. He ventured into the Forbidden Forest, to the area where he tracked down a Tebo warthog. Using controlled electrical stimulation, he tightened the creature's skin, mimicking the conditions from the Sigurd ritual, where the dragon's skin had been constricted before being bled. He then poured the Tebo's blood over the prepared cowhide, all while observing the magic circle through his scope and magnifying glass.
The blood-soaked cowhide, roughly the size of a washbasin, began to react immediately. Alex tightened his grip, controlling the flow of blood, and noted that the magical reaction continued even after the initial saturation. This suggested that constant blood application wasn't necessary, which contradicted the inefficient practices described in historical records.
Once he had helped the Tebo warthog stop bleeding, he continued to monitor the sigil's transformation. As the ritual progressed, the lines of the sigil faded, and the cowhide itself began to change.
After carefully washing away the excess blood, Alex inspected the newly transformed leather. The texture had completely changed, it was now rough and durable, closely resembling the natural hide of a Tebo warthog. Following the instructions from the Travers grimoire, Alex channeled magic into the material. The cowhide instantly softened, returning to its original supple state. When he infused it with magic again, it regained its hardened properties, just like the adaptive defensive skin of a Tebo warthog. "Success," Alex thought. But it wasn't perfect.
Through careful observation, he noticed that certain sections of the sigil weren't channeling magic efficiently. Some lines in the formation were not running smoothly, meaning the sigil's effectiveness was not fully optimized.
Alex analyzed the data carefully, summarizing key points for future experiments. He noted that the amount of blood required was directly related to the size of the sigil and the material used. Pouring a large quantity all at once proved wasteful, whereas a controlled application method could significantly reduce unnecessary loss. To improve efficiency, he considered developing a catheter-like system that would allow for precise blood application rather than simply dumping it onto the sigil. Additionally, he identified flaws in the sigil's design that disrupted the smooth circulation of magic. Some lines in the original formation were redundant and could be streamlined to enhance overall efficiency. With these refinements in mind, he prepared for the next phase of his research.
With these improvements in mind, Alex spent the next month refining the ritual. By the time the fifth school year was nearing its end, he had successfully developed a more concise and efficient sigil, but at the cost of dozens of failed attempts, including sacrificing an entire Tebo warthog for testing. Finally, his research had progressed far enough to attempt his first true blood-imbued alchemical artifact.
On a cool afternoon, Alex stood inside the hut in the Forbidden Forest, preparing for his most important experiment yet. A leather mask lay on the workbench before him. The mask was pure white, its surface still marked with the natural lines of the animal hide. The design had been carefully crafted, leaving openings for the eyes, nostrils, and mouth.
This was no ordinary leather, it had been harvested from a Lunathorn, a magical creature known for its strong magical affinity and regenerative properties. Their droppings, ironically, were famous for boosting the growth of magical plants. For the final step, Alex retrieved a small crystal vial from a hidden compartment beneath the floorboards.
Inside the vial was Tonks' blood, drawn a week prior. Convincing her to part with it hadn't been easy, but in the end, she had agreed after he bribed her with two full Tebo warthog hams and a custom-made pair of magic boots crafted from enchanted beast hide. Taking great care, Alex uncorked the vial and immediately affixed a specialized metal cap equipped with a rubberized tube. This allowed the precise transfer of liquid into the engraving pen in his hand.
Then, with utmost concentration, he began inscribing the improved sigil onto the mask. Unlike flat surfaces, engraving on a curved mask required absolute accuracy. One mistake could render the entire piece useless. Bit by bit, the intricate lines took shape, forming a sigil that would bind Tonks' Metamorphmagus magic to the mask. By the time the last drop of blood was used, the formation was complete. Using the observer scope, Alex carefully examined the mask. "The sigil was fully functional." Letting out a slow breath, he closed his tools and stepped away from the workbench. "It's finally done."
"Tonks, get in here!" Alex called, pushing open the hut door.
A moment later, a tall, white-haired girl jumped inside, her expression half-annoyed, half-expectant. "Seriously, Alex," Tonks grumbled, crossing her arms. "I swear, ever since I met you, I've had to give more blood than a vampire at a buffet."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "It's not like I didn't compensate you. Charlie told me you've been showing off those enchanted boots to everyone. You didn't seem to be complaining then."
Tonks stuck her tongue out. "Sliiiiightly!" she teased, pulling a face. Then, flopping into the chair beside the workbench, she eyed the mask with thinly veiled curiosity. "So, this creepy-looking thing is supposed to be your Metamorphmagus alchemy masterpiece?" she asked, picking up the mask and flipping it over.
Alex adjusted the engraving tool in his hand, giving Tonks a serious look. "This is my first attempt at blood alchemy, so I can't guarantee it'll work perfectly. When I draw your blood, keep changing your appearance constantly and focus on transforming. If you mess up and we fail, we'll have to do it all over again."
"Oh, come on! That means I have to get my blood drawn again? No thanks!" Tonks groaned, kicking her legs dramatically while shooting Alex a dissatisfied glare.
"Stop whining. Just do as I say and focus." Alex frowned, his tone firm. "I've run multiple tests. There shouldn't be any problems, as long as you don't make a mistake."
Seeing that Alex was serious, Tonks pouted before reluctantly stretching out her arm. "Fine…" Alex readied the needle, carefully aligning it with her arm. Before he even inserted it, Tonks squeezed her eyes shut and let out a dramatic wail. "It hurts! IT HURTS!"
Alex let out a deep sigh. "I haven't even touched you yet. Stop overreacting." With that, he swiftly inserted the needle. "There. It's in. Now channel your magic and activate your Metamorphmagus ability."
Despite her earlier theatrics, Tonks knew this was an important step, so she quickly obeyed, stimulating her blood magic. Her transformation went wild, her hair color flickered chaotically, her facial features warped, and in mere seconds, the lively young girl turned into a grotesque, multicolored mess of shifting features.