Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 263: Soul Transformation

"My dear disciple."

Professor Terra appeared on a chair in the shop's partition in the blink of an eye.

Quirrell was unfazed. He remained standing in the doorway of the cubicle, staring at the clock. In ten more minutes, they would be opening for business.

Sheen, who had been waiting for a long time, touched the brooch:

"Professor, are you familiar with soul transformation?"

Professor Terra paused slightly upon hearing this. She did not answer Sheen's question directly, but instead looked at Sheen's brooch with a hint of curiosity.

"A skillful transformation, but still with many flaws in terms of willpower... You've already begun the Animagus transformation ritual?"

The professor raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

Sheen admitted it.

"Stay close to Minerva McGonagall until the Animagus transformation is complete."

...or it could be me.

Professor Terra swallowed her last words softly. She couldn't help but recall that damned adoption ceremony that had happened right under her nose, yet she knew nothing about it.

She still feels remorseful to this day.

"As for soul transformation... even in Vagado, very few wizards are aware of what kind of transformation magic they are performing. Even those who have been manipulated by dream messengers..."

Professor Terra extended a finger and tapped it in the air, completing several spells to prevent eavesdropping.

She recounted the story that had spanned thousands of years across the African continent in a gentle tone.

"Soul reincarnation, dream messenger. Knowledge uncommon in continental Europe, yet it has existed in Vagado for over a thousand years."

The wizards of Vagado believed that the soul was the most essential element of a wizard, and that even a wandering soul could bear all of a wizard's magic…

Sheen seemed lost in thought, sounding like Voldemort in a ghostly state.

Could this explain the unexpected fact that Voldemort regained his powerful magical abilities after being resurrected?

The professor's voice then rang out:

"The magic school, Waggadu, located on the Moon Mountain in Uganda, Africa, recruits students from all over Africa."

Students admitted to Vargado will receive a message from the then-principal through the Dream Messenger. The Dream Messenger will leave the young wizards with a Vargado token—usually a stone with an inscription—while they sleep.

When the young wizards wake up, they will find themselves holding it in their hands.

Surprised?

Professor Terra said in a teasing tone.

Sheen nodded; he had never heard of such a recruitment method before… What if a student doesn’t dream?
"Actually, when I came to Hogwarts and saw that you were using a book and a pen to admit students, I was just as surprised as you were."

Professor Terra continued,
"Now, can you guess what the Dream Messenger is?"

"The principal's soul has returned to life."

Sheen did not hesitate.

"A truly brilliant understanding! The Dream Messenger is the reincarnation of the then-principal's soul."

It is also an animal, because wizards only appear in animal form in their dreams, thus allowing them to disregard time and space.

Dreams grant spirits, ghosts, and reincarnations freedom of movement, with distance posing no obstacle. Instant communication can be established between people separated by great distances, often taking the form of a semi-conversational exchange.

It has to be said that it's particularly suitable for student recruitment...

However, when a soul returns to its original form, it will always reveal some events to the sleeper, whether recent or distant—such as the matter of enrolling in Vagado.

This was clearly a significant event, enough to establish a connection within the dream world. It was during this establishment of that connection that the wizard naturally underwent a soul transformation.

Professor Terra paused for a moment, allowing Sheen to understand the relationship between soul transformation and soul reincarnation.

"The so-called soul transformation is nothing more than the wizard transforming into his own soul clone. The souls of the two do not actually change, so it is perfectly normal for the wizard to retain his consciousness."

She continued,
"The reason why the wizards of Vagado can freely transform into animals is that they have found and mastered the reincarnation of their souls."

As for their practice methods, I have already told you, my disciple.

Of course, you wouldn't be so naive as to think that simple sleep is enough, would you? We also need some ritual support.

Another point is that in dreams, some wizards have more than one reincarnated soul.

For some wizards who are even more skilled at soul transformation, they can easily transform into any animal form. This is because their soul transformation skills have long since reached a terrifying level, no longer confined to a single animal form.

I've only ever heard of one wizard like that; you should know who it is.

"Merlin."

Sheen replied.

How can I praise you, my disciple?

Professor Terra smiled with satisfaction.

"And what about Druids?"

Sheen suddenly asked a question.

"Those ancient wizards who can transform into various animals? Oh, I don't know much about their magic either. But one thing is certain."

Magic, though different in its methods of transformation, ultimately leads to the same goal—the principles are always the same: they all ultimately stem from the transformation of the wizard's soul.

Professor Terra pondered for a moment before finally replying.

A commotion erupted at the entrance of Fairy Tale Shop as invited guests excitedly entered, their eyes fixed on the lifelike sculptures of magical animals.

Mr. Weasley, looking delighted, Mrs. Weasley, looking surprised and incredulous, and the Witch of Vargadu, who had previously asked for a higher price, were also mixed in with the crowd.

They were quickly noticed by Sheen, who peeked through the crack in the door from inside the cubicle.

"The door is open... Since you seem somewhat interested in soul transformation, I'll go and try to get you some books."

However, my disciple, you must be deeply aware of one thing: to arbitrarily alter the deepest secrets—the source of life, the essence of the self—must be prepared to bear the most extreme and dangerous consequences.

This is a quote from "The Theory of Magic".

Sheehan nodded; he understood. After all, what could be more self-aware than a wizard's soul?

"Learning soul transformation is extremely dangerous, and I think you are familiar with many cases of failure in this field."

The five-legged monster, and—”

Sheen was not surprised.

Five-legged monsters are XXXXX-level dangerous magical creatures found only on the Isle of Dries in northern Scotland. They permanently lose their human form due to irreversible transformation.

But the professor's next case surprised him.

"Blood Curse".

"Blood Curse?"

Sheen repeated it in his mature voice.

"The Blood Curse is a mysterious and severe curse. This curse causes a person to switch between human and animal forms, but eventually they will permanently become an animal, and there is no way to reverse it."

(End of this chapter)