All seven subjects with outstanding grades?
Sean pondered this difficult question while carrying his suitcase.
He arrived quite early, and the first few carriages were not yet full.
So he found an empty compartment in the second carriage, and tried to drag and pull his suitcase up, but he couldn't lift it. After two attempts, the suitcase fell to the ground both times.
Sean stopped in place, then, his wand waved:
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
[You have practiced the Levitation Charm to a beginner's standard, proficiency +3]
As the Spell and the panel prompt sounded, the brick-like suitcase quickly floated up.
This thing is still easier to use.
Sean put away his wand with satisfaction and pulled his suitcase into the compartment.
What he didn't notice was a Young Witch looking at him curiously.
Outside the train window, the steam locomotive's thick smoke wafted above the chattering crowd, and Owls of various colors scurried around people's feet.
Amidst the buzzing of people's voices and the clatter of dragging heavy luggage, the Owls also hooted and grumbled.
Sean opened "Hogwarts: A History," which was half the size of a tabletop. A page inside stated that Hogwarts' seven main subjects were:
Transfiguration, Charms, Potion, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, History of Magic, and Astronomy.
They are also compulsory courses at Hogwarts... So how does one achieve excellence?
Sean found a reference standard: Hermione, the top student among the trio.
If he remembered correctly, she achieved excellent grades of nine O's (Outstanding) and one E (Exceeds Expectations) in her O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Level) exams.
Hermione's grades had always been consistent, so by comparing her performance, he could determine the level he needed to achieve.
Is it difficult?
Of course, it's difficult; his magic talent was abysmal. Except for history-based subjects like History of Magic, all other courses required magic talent.
But could he not do it?
If he couldn't do it after opening, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.
"Just work hard!"
While putting away his luggage, Sean thought for a few seconds.
"Then let's start with Transfiguration..."
Sean sat down on the velvet-padded seat, put back "A History," and took out "a beginner's guide to transfiguration." This was a reddish-brown book with gold-edged patterns, which detailed the laws and techniques of Transfiguration, and was the textbook for Hogwarts first and second-year students.
The most classic case in it was turning a match into a needle. If he could achieve this level within a month, Sean felt it would be very simple for him to get an Outstanding.
[When performing Transfiguration, it is very important to wave your wand firmly and decisively.
Do not swing or rotate your wand unnecessarily, otherwise, the Transfiguration will certainly fail.
Before casting a Transfiguration Spell, clearly visualize in your mind what you want the object to become.
Beginners should clearly articulate the Spell, while advanced Wizards do not need to say the Spell aloud...]
Sean carefully read every sentence in "a beginner's guide to transfiguration." He planned to memorize this book of over 200 pages once before attempting Transfiguration.
Why he did this was also simple: Hermione had memorized all her books when she first started learning magic and achieved excellent grades.
From this perspective, memorizing books is useful.
The path to success is ahead, why not imitate it?
Moreover, his talent was already insufficient, so he should work even harder.
Another important reason was that these books cost him eleven Galleon, making Sean so heartbroken that he frantically absorbed knowledge with a retaliatory mindset, much like someone eating a buffet and hoping to get their money's worth.
Thus, without realizing it, he had already roughly memorized all the books he bought.
He had completed over 180 pages of the book in his hand and would finish memorizing it today, then begin practical Transfiguration exercises.
This made Sean, who had ordinary grades in his previous life, sigh with emotion,
Poverty, indeed, makes one omnipotent.
Steam billowed at the train station. Sean was so engrossed in his book that he didn't notice a Young Witch had entered the compartment.
"Excuse me, is anyone else coming here?"
A Young Witch with fluffy brown hair pushed open the compartment door and asked Sean, chin raised.
"No."
Sean was still memorizing his book. If his half-year in the orphanage had given him any benefit, it was sufficient focus. For those like them, whose lives were not their own to control, if they couldn't learn to grow on their own, being swept away by the wind was a matter of an instant.
After this simple reply, Sean said nothing more. Even after the train rumbled to a start, and the number of people in the compartment went from two to three, Sean remained perfectly still.
The scenery outside the window was like an oil painting,
Winding rivers stretched out, wheat waves surged one after another, and occasionally farmhouses, cattle, and sheep could be seen, only to be immediately obscured by dark green hills.
Hermione read her book, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside the window and at the focused Young Wizard opposite her.
His hair on both sides was fluffy and slightly raised, his long eyelashes fluttered, and he exuded a sense of tranquility. More importantly... "He really looks like my cat. Of course, I know a Wizard can't be a cat, but he really does..."
The black-haired little boy whispered, then scratched his head awkwardly, but his words quickly received approval from the person beside him.
Hermione nodded vigorously. She exchanged glances with the black-haired little boy, revealing her excitement at being understood.
"Justin, your description is so... apt!"
Justin's eyes lit up, and the two immediately began to whisper and discuss.
Sean was engrossed in his book, completely unaware that he had become the subject of their discussion.
The train swayed rhythmically, and the window was like a canvas, carrying beautiful and fantastical paintings.
In the compartment, besides the whispers of Hermione and the black-haired little boy Justin, there was only the rustling sound of book pages turning.
Sean finally finished the last paragraph. He let out a long sigh and looked up, rubbing his sore eyes.
"I lack nothing!"
Soon, Sean's large eyes sparkled. He put down the book, took a match from his robe, and in his mind, the shape, structure, and characteristics of the match constantly appeared.
His memories of Transfiguration from his previous life and his current knowledge mutually confirmed each other—
"Trans—figura—tion!"
Following this confidence, Sean pronounced the Spell in a low voice in one go.
Unfortunately, the match didn't change much,
But Sean's lips curled into a smile.
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration Spell to a beginner's standard, proficiency +3]
"Did he just say something? Also, what is he doing?"
Justin whispered to Hermione, a big question mark practically written on his head.
"It seems... it's Transfiguration. Oh no! The book says it's a dangerous Spell, and mispronouncing it can lead to terrible consequences!"
Hermione clutched the hem of her clothes, her brows furrowed, and she was about to interrupt Sean's attempt.
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration Spell to a skilled standard, proficiency +10]
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration Spell to a skilled standard, proficiency +10]
...Sean kept trying, becoming more and more skilled. It was a feeling he had never had before; magic... seemed to become simple.
Could it be that I am a Transfiguration genius?!
[You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration Spell to a skilled standard, proficiency +10]
[Elementary Transfiguration has been unlocked]
[New Transfiguration domain title has been unlocked, please check]
[A Wizard talent has been unlocked, please check]
When the panel's prompt sounded, Sean's eyes narrowed slightly.
Scholarship fragment, plus one!
Just then, a discordant voice rang out:
"You cannot use dangerous Transfiguration here! You can't control it!"
Hermione said, her voice loud, her tone appearing somewhat angry and serious.
As soon as she finished speaking, the match trembled, and in the Young Witch's wide eyes, it slowly turned into a needle, its silvery-white tip reflecting light.
The air froze for a moment, and Hermione's last syllable caught in her throat.
"Merlin... I've seen this case in a book. Did he succeed?"
Justin also widened his eyes, murmuring in disbelief.
Sean looked up, meeting the gaze of Hermione, whose earlobes were slightly pink, and Justin, who was observing him up close.
"I apologize, could you please repeat that? I didn't quite catch it."
Sean didn't know what had happened; he was too focused and hadn't heard a single word.