Given that this is the Host's first exposure to "magic loans," the minimum interest rate will be applied.
Mission modifying...
Loan Mission: Perfectly master Transfiguration.
Seeing the new mission content, Lucien breathed a sigh of relief. This at least seemed achievable.
"System, what is the standard for 'perfect mastery'?"
To learn and master existing Transfiguration knowledge, to apply it skillfully, and to develop new directions for Transfiguration.
Hearing the system's explanation, Lucien fell into contemplation.
Mastering all relevant knowledge, and being able to use it skillfully.
But the key is still developing new directions…
So, it requires me to innovate, does it?
Transfiguration itself is a crucial part of magic. To truly master it perfectly would definitely require a lot of time and effort. One year…
Lucien's eyes flickered; he believed this loan mission was not impossible to complete.
Because Loki's strongest magic talent is Transfiguration (SSS)!
The system's talent levels for magic are: E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, SSS.
Among them, S-rank means a genius beyond the mundane. Possessing this level of talent is enough to pioneer in the corresponding field and leave a significant mark in history.
What about SSS-rank?
In the system's evaluation, it is already in the realm of a god!
After Lucien received this talent by prepaying the reward, he would be unrivaled in learning Transfiguration.
Would you like to accept the Loki's Mask loan?
"Accept."
Lucien did not hesitate. Even if the loan mission failed, it would only mean the reward was reclaimed.
He was already going to learn various types of magic, and if he could possess Loki's magic talent, it would naturally be of great help.
A half-real, half-illusory mask suddenly appeared in front of Lucien.
It was black-green overall, with the two eye sockets and mouth constantly shifting positions.
The shape of the mask also kept changing, sometimes fitting a human, sometimes transforming into an animal's face…
Evaluation: Constant form is the limitation of mortals; for Loki, change is the truth.
As Lucien looked up, Loki's Mask had already covered his handsome face.
The mask softened into a puddle of black-green liquid, covering Lucien's nose and mouth, then spreading up to his hairline, finally enveloping his entire head.
However, Lucien did not feel suffocated; invisible waves emanated from his body, reverberating throughout the entire bedroom.
After a few minutes of silence—
Buzz buzz—
Gurgle gurgle—
Clatter clatter—
The bed, tables, chairs, and tea set in the room began to tremble. Some wooden items turned into iron or stone, and the surfaces of others developed biological features like feathers and scales.
...
In the living room downstairs.
Penelope enjoyed her exquisite afternoon tea, occasionally flipping through the pages of a book in her hand.
"I've really been influenced by little Lucien; I don't feel right if I don't read something every day."
A tabby cat walked gracefully toward Penelope.
Penelope thought a stray cat had slipped into the house and was about to call a servant to chase it away.
But then she saw the tabby cat's form flicker.
It transformed into a woman wearing a dark green robe and square glasses.
"Hello, I am Minerva McGonagall, a professor at Hogwarts. Where is Lucien Grafton?"
"Ah.." Penelope's red lips parted slightly, the pastry in her right hand frozen in mid-air.
She had just seen a cat turn into a woman?
But after hearing the word Hogwarts, Penelope immediately reacted, quickly composing her expression and demeanor.
"Ehm.. Hello, Professor McGonagall, I am Penelope Grafton, Lucien's aunt. The child is upstairs…"
Before Penelope could finish, Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed. She sensed a distinct disturbance upstairs.
"Excuse me."
McGonagall interrupted Penelope and, without further explanation, walked directly up the stairs.
Seeing her hurried actions, Penelope thought of Lucien and quickly followed.
Without needing guidance, Professor McGonagall arrived at the source of the magical anomaly—Lucien's room.
The surface of the wooden door was covered with large patches of iron-black metal, while the remaining parts had turned to gray-white stone and yellow sand-like textures.
She twisted the doorknob but found the door would not budge.
"A transfiguration spell?"
McGonagall murmured softly, drawing her wand and pointing it at the door.
"Reverte."
The metallic and rocky colors quickly faded, revealing the original wooden door.
When she opened it, the scene inside came into view for Professor McGonagall and Penelope. The latter's face showed open shock.
The once neat and elegant room had changed dramatically.
The soft quilt had turned into a pile of green grass and flowers, some table and chair legs had sprouted fur and were running joyfully around the room, and books were opening and closing as they glided through the air...
Even stranger, some wolf-like and snake-like creatures were coiled in the corners.
Their forms were unstable, constantly shifting between species, making it impossible to discern their original appearance.
As the door opened, all the living things turned their eyes toward the two women standing in the doorway.
Seeing this, Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and the Reversion Charm struck each target with precision.
Whether inanimate, animate, or those strange half-dead, half-alive things, all reverted to their original forms after being hit by the charm.
Pieces of furniture lay scattered across the floor, as if the earlier chaos had been nothing more than an illusion.
Lucien floated in the center of the room, his eyes tightly closed, the black-green mask on his face long gone.
Seeing the boy safe and sound, Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief.
Logically, a young wizard who had received a Hogwarts letter should have already experienced a magical outburst.
That first outburst, when a young wizard awakened his magic and encountered its existence, could also, to some extent, reflect his preferred branch of magic and his corresponding talent.
But the young kid before her…
Professor McGonagall couldn't understand why he was still experiencing such a violent magical outburst, but one thing was certain.
It was this boy's talent in Transfiguration!
Having taught at Hogwarts for decades, and as a master in the field of Transfiguration, Minerva McGonagall keenly sensed Lucien's extraordinary nature.
Lucien, while unconscious, had managed to transform objects, turn objects into living things, and even convert between different species…
Many young wizards at Hogwarts couldn't master these even after four or five years of systematic study in Transfiguration!
Professor McGonagall's gaze toward Lucien brightened, as if she had found an unpolished gem already revealing its luster.
"Such talent…"
Under the gaze of Professor McGonagall and Penelope, Lucien slowly descended.
His dark golden hair was slightly disheveled. When he opened his eyes, his originally black pupils now carried a hint of green, making them appear dark green overall.
Lucien looked toward the doorway.
He saw the elderly Witch watching him with eyes full of kindness and expectation.
"Hello, Lucien."