Inside the circular Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall sat across the large, claw-footed desk, enthusiastically recounting the details of her visit with Lucien. Across from her sat an old man with a long, silver beard and hair, his bright, twinkling blue eyes peering out from behind a pair of half-moon spectacles. It was Albus Dumbledore.
"...He is perhaps the most naturally gifted child in Transfiguration I have ever seen," she concluded. "He is also remarkably studious, not at all mischievous like other children his age."
After listening to Professor McGonagall's lengthy description, Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Minerva, from what you say, this Lucien certainly sounds very talented, especially in Transfiguration. It seems Hogwarts is about to welcome another exceptionally gifted student."
Dumbledore was initially a little surprised. He had rarely seen McGonagall give such a glowing assessment of a student, especially one who had not yet even been sorted. However, having lived for over a century and taught at Hogwarts for many years, he had witnessed countless so-called prodigies. Some had gone on to shine brightly in their respective fields, while others had eventually faded into obscurity. Therefore, Dumbledore was not overly concerned about this child named Lucien.
Moreover, Harry Potter was due to enroll this year—the prophesied savior—and Dumbledore had already focused the vast majority of his energy and attention on him. With a casual flick of his wand, Dumbledore conjured a plate of cockroach clusters and two cups of steaming honeyed water. Feeling somewhat parched from her excited speech, McGonagall picked up a cup and took a small sip, but immediately frowned and set it down. It was far too sweet.
"Also, Albus," she said, her tone growing more serious, "when I saw Lucien use Transfiguration... besides the regular transformations, he eventually transformed an object into a magical creature. An Occamy." She leaned forward, her eyes locking with his. "Have you ever seen a similar form of Transfiguration?"
Hearing her question, Dumbledore withdrew the hand that had been reaching for a cockroach cluster and instead adjusted his spectacles. His gaze suddenly became sharp and serious. As a master in the field of Transfiguration himself, Dumbledore naturally understood the profound implications of McGonagall's question. Transfiguration involving magical creatures? He had never witnessed such a thing.
Those who could quickly grasp existing knowledge and later innovate and explore new territory could be called geniuses. But what did one call those who displayed entirely unknown talents from the very beginning? This might be something beyond the scope of genius. Dumbledore's expectations for Lucien shifted, forcing a re-evaluation.
"Minerva, please pay more attention to Lucien in the future," he said, his voice now grave. "Students with such exceptional gifts require proper guidance more than anyone." As if recalling a former student, a flicker of sadness crossed his face before he sighed softly. "For now, write to Lucien. Instruct him not to attempt any further magical creature Transfiguration, and impress upon him that it is very dangerous."
McGonagall nodded solemnly. A talent like his must not be allowed to fall into the peril of reckless self-experimentation. She even considered visiting the boy again to explain the matter clearly in person.
At Grafton Manor, Lucien stood in his bedroom, holding his new wand in his right hand and a copy of A Beginner's Guide to Spells in his left. He pointed his wand at a pile of ceramic shards on the floor and, with a slight flick of his wrist, incanted, "Reparo."
The fragments immediately flew back together, reassembling into a complete teapot. The cracks sealed themselves, vanishing as if they had never been. "Hmm, quite simple," he murmured. "Next."
He flipped through the book, absorbing new spells. After merging with 'Loki's Faceless,' his talent for White Magic had reached S-grade. Learning these simple, basic spells was naturally effortless. He practiced a few more, levitating the teapot, cleaning its surface with a scouring charm, and summoning it into his hand.
Tap, tap, tap.
Lucien turned his head toward the sound. A snowy owl was perched outside his window, a letter held in its beak. He didn't move to open the window, but simply pointed his wand. "Alohomora."
The window latch clicked and swung open. The owl flapped its wings and flew inside. Lucien looked down at his wand and chuckled softly. Magic truly was convenient. One simple tool could accomplish so much. He took the letter from the owl's beak and unrolled it. Seeing the signature at the bottom, he raised an eyebrow. Professor McGonagall?
Lucien Grafton,
I have discussed your abilities with Headmaster Dumbledore. Lucien, your talent is quite exceptional, especially in the field of Transfiguration. Having seen the number of books you purchased, I trust you have already begun to explore your magical knowledge.
You must have also experimented with Transfiguration, and I must specifically warn you: do not 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 this to you in person, but the preparations for the new school year are many. However, I trust that you are not a rash or reckless child and will not deliberately attempt such dangerous acts.
The letter was brief, and Lucien finished it quickly. The message was simple: magical creature Transfiguration is dangerous, and he shouldn't try it. No clear precedent? A new direction for Transfiguration? Lucien frowned. He hadn't forgotten that to repay the 'Loki's Faceless' loan, he had to achieve perfect mastery of Transfiguration within a year. This required not only learning all existing knowledge but also exploring and discovering new applications.
Professor McGonagall had discussed it with Dumbledore, which meant that even one of the greatest wizards alive had never seen this kind of magic. This, then, had to be an unknown field. If he could research and complete it, it would surely fulfill the loan's requirements. But that transformation at the wand shop, the one that ended in an Occamy, had been purely instinctive. How could it have touched upon something so profound?
Lucien had already devoured Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and had a basic understanding of magical creatures. He judged that the creature he had created highly matched the description and choranaptyxic properties of an Occamy. Professor McGonagall's urgent warning essentially confirmed his theory.
Raising his wand, Lucien listened to the faint, ethereal snickering sound that seemed to emanate from its silver-black wood. Loki. He now possessed Loki's own magical talent, with his aptitude for Transfiguration at the highest SSS-grade. So, the magical creature transformation was most likely a direct result of that divine talent asserting itself.
Magical creatures... Lucien's mind drifted to the myths and legends he knew. He thought of Loki's grotesque offspring: the giant wolf Fenrir, the World Serpent Jörmungandr, and the eight-legged steed Sleipnir. Could it be that these monstrous children weren't born in the conventional sense, but were instead created by Loki using an advanced form of Transfiguration?