Outstanding in all seven subjects?
Sean pondered this difficult task as he carried his suitcase.
He had arrived quite early; the first few carriages weren't full yet.
He found an empty compartment in the second carriage and tried to heave his suitcase onto the luggage rack. But he couldn't lift it. After two attempts, the suitcase crashed to the floor both times.
Sean paused for a moment, then waved his wand:
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
[You practiced the Levitation Charm with Beginner Level Skill. Proficiency +3]
As the incantation and the panel's prompt sounded, the brick-like suitcase swiftly rose into the air.
This thing was really useful.
Satisfied, Sean put his wand away and pulled the suitcase into the compartment.
He didn't notice a young witch watching him curiously.
Outside the window, smoke from the steam engine curled over the chattering crowd. Cats of every color wound their way between people's legs.
Amid the hum of voices and the racket of heavy trunks being dragged along, owls hooted to each other.
Sean opened *Hogwarts: A History*, which was half the size of a desk. One page stated that the seven main subjects at Hogwarts were:
Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, and Astronomy.
They were also the compulsory subjects at Hogwarts...
So, how to achieve an 'Outstanding'?
Sean found a reference point: Hermione, the top student among the trio.
If he remembered correctly, she achieved nine 'Outstandings' and one 'Exceeds Expectations' in her O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Level) exams.
And Hermione's grades were consistently stable, so by comparing his performance to hers, he could gauge the level he needed to reach.
Was it difficult?
Of course, it was difficult. His magical talent was pitiful. Apart from History of Magic, which was a history-based subject, all the other courses required magical aptitude.
But was it impossible for him?
If he couldn't do it even with his cheat, he might as well find a block of tofu to knock himself out with.
"Just gotta grind it out!"
While storing his luggage, Sean thought for a few seconds.
"Then I'll start with Transfiguration..."
Sean sat down on the plush-cushioned seat, put away *A History*, and took out *A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration*. It was a maroon book with gilt-edged, detailing the principles and techniques of Transfiguration, and was the textbook for first and second years at Hogwarts.
One of the most classic examples was turning a match into a needle. If he could achieve that level within a month, Sean felt getting an 'Outstanding' would be straightforward.
[When performing Transfiguration, it is essential to wave the wand firmly and decisively.
Do not wiggle or twist the wand unnecessarily, or the transfiguration will certainly fail.
Before using a transfiguration spell, clearly visualize in your mind the form you wish the object to take.
Beginners should enunciate the incantation clearly, while advanced wizards need not speak the incantation aloud...]
Sean read every sentence in *A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration* carefully. He planned to memorize this 200-plus-page book first before attempting any practical transfiguration.
His reasoning was simple: Hermione had memorized all her books when she first started learning magic and achieved excellent results.
So, memorization seemed useful.
The path to success was right there; why not emulate it?
Besides, his innate talent was insufficient to begin with, so he should work even harder.
Another important reason was that these books had cost him a full eleven Galleons. The heartache drove Sean to absorb knowledge with a vengeance, rather like the mentality of trying to get one's money's worth at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
And so, before he knew it, he had roughly memorized all the books he had bought.
He had already covered over 180 pages of this one; he would finish memorizing it today and then begin practical transfiguration practice.
This led Sean, whose academic performance in his previous life was average, to sigh.
Poverty truly makes one capable of anything.
Steam misted the station. Sean was so immersed in his book that he didn't even notice when a young witch entered the compartment.
"Excuse me, is anyone else sitting here?"
A bushy-haired brunette witch slid the compartment door open and asked Sean, her chin slightly raised.
"No."
Sean continued memorizing. If his half-year stint in the orphanage had given him any benefit, it was the ability to focus intensely. For weeds like them, whose survival wasn't even in their own hands, if they couldn't learn to grow on their own, being blown away by the wind would happen in an instant.
After this brief reply, Sean said no more. Even as the train chugged into motion and the number of people in the compartment grew from two to three, Sean remained completely still.
The scenery outside the window was like a painting.
Winding rivers stretched out, fields of wheat rolled like waves, and occasionally farmhouses and livestock appeared, only to be hidden by the ensuing dark green hills.
Hermione read her book, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside the window and the focused young wizard opposite her. The hair on either side of his head was fluffy and slightly raised, his long eyelashes fluttered, and he exuded an air of tranquility. But more importantly...
"He really looks like my cat. I know wizards can't be cats, of course, but it's just so similar..."
The black-haired boy whispered, then scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. Unexpectedly, his words were quickly met with agreement from the person beside him.
Hermione nodded vigorously. She exchanged a look with the black-haired boy, showing excitement at being understood.
"Justin, that's so... apt!"
Justin's eyes lit up, and the two immediately started whispering and discussing.
Sean, immersed in his book, was completely unaware that he had become the subject of their discussion.
The train rocked rhythmically. The window was like a canvas, displaying one beautiful, fantastical picture after another.
Apart from the hushed whispers of Hermione and the black-haired boy, Justin, the only sound in the compartment was the soft rustle of turning pages.
Sean finally finished memorizing the last passage. He let out a long sigh, looked up, and rubbed his tired, sore eyes.
"I'm not missing anything now!"
Soon, Sean's large eyes sparkled. He put the book down, took a matchstick from his robe, and images of the matchstick's shape, structure, and properties flashed continuously through his mind.
Memories of Transfiguration from his previous life corroborated with his current knowledge—
"Trans—figura—tion!"
Fueled by this confidence, Sean gathered his resolve and uttered the incantation in a low voice.
Unfortunately, the matchstick didn't change much.
But Sean's lips curled into a smile.
[You practiced Basic Transfiguration with Beginner Level Skill. Proficiency +3]
"Did he just say something? And what is he doing?"
Justin whispered to Hermione, a large question mark practically visible above his head.
"It seemed... like Transfiguration. Oh no! The book says that's a dangerous spell! Mispronouncing it can have terrible consequences!"
Hermione twisted the corner of her clothes, her brow furrowed. She was about to speak up and interrupt Sean's attempt.
[You practiced Basic Transfiguration with Experienced Level Skill. Proficiency +10]
[You practiced Basic Transfiguration Experienced Level Skill. Proficiency +10]
...
Sean kept trying, becoming more and more skilled. It was a feeling he had never experienced before. Magic... seemed to be getting easier.
Could it be... I'm a Transfiguration genius?!
[You practiced Basic Transfiguration with Experienced Level Skill. Proficiency +10]
[Basic Transfiguration unlocked]
[A new Transfiguration Domain title has been unlocked. Please check.]
[A Wizard Talent has been unlocked. Please check.]
When the panel's prompt sounded, Sean narrowed his eyes slightly.
Scholarship fragment, +1!
Just then, a discordant voice rang out:
"You can't use dangerous Transfiguration here! You can't handle it properly!"
Hermione spoke loudly, her tone sounding both angry and serious.
As soon as she finished speaking, the matchstick quivered. Under the wide-eyed gaze of the young witch, it slowly transformed into a needle, its silvery point reflecting the light.
The air froze for an instant, Hermione's final words catching in her throat.
"Merlin's beard... I've read about this case in a book. Did he... succeed?"
Justin also stared, murmuring incredulously.
Sean looked up, meeting the gaze of Hermione, whose ear tips were tinged with light pink, and Justin, who was observing closely.
"Sorry, could you please say that again? I didn't hear you clearly."
Sean didn't know what had happened. He had been too focused; he hadn't heard a single word.