Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 285: Lost and Anchor
When there are few people in the castle, even the wind seems to become gentle.

Behind an orange window in the Ravenclaw tower, Sheen watched as Bai Yi flew further and further away, carrying the letter. The empty rune rested on his chest like a necklace, and he felt a sense of determination and pride—the messenger's overflowing passion.

Sheen seemed to understand something. As he looked down, the twig-like creature crawled out of his bag and towards a warmly lit nest on a bookshelf.

Tira always had a place to stay in the Ravenclaw dormitories, and when Tira and Sheen looked at each other again, Sheen could sense even more.

Saturday.

Principal's office.

"Yes, you already know... Some people need a long time to understand, and some never will. Only those with virtue and courage dare to feel it. Such people are lucky, and rare."

Headmaster Dumbledore slowly guided Sheehan, directing his thoughts in the direction he desired.
"Through songs and legends spanning thousands of years, the borderlands have been filled with many lost souls. They do not wish to become ghosts, for that would rob them of their emotions; nor do they wish to venture into the depths of death, for they believe they still need to wait..."

Waiting... for love to redeem them. Can you imagine, child?

An endless, boundless wait, all for a slim chance. This is also the key reason why souls linger at the border; the souls of wizards filled with love are always more resilient…

Sunlight streamed through the open windows, casting iridescent patterns that adorned the office. Even within all of Hogwarts, Headmaster Dumbledore's office was undoubtedly one of the most fascinating.

If the young wizards weren't terrified of being expelled from school, they would be very happy to have the opportunity to come here.

It was a spacious, beautiful circular room filled with all sorts of funny little noises. On a table with long, slender legs, there were many strange and wonderful silver objects, spinning and emitting small puffs of smoke.

The walls are covered with portraits of former principals, both men and women, all of them gently snoring in their respective frames.

Amidst the snoring, Headmaster Dumbledore gently instructed Sheehan.

The principal's meaning was quite clear.

At the border, it's perfectly normal for both the dead and the wizards' souls brought by the empty runes to get lost. The only difference is that the dead will be reborn, while the living wizards will return to the real world.

Love is like an anchor, guiding the soul so it will not get lost.

That night, as was her custom, Sheen lingered a little longer at the border, and after understanding some things, the hazy fog dissipated somewhat.

In his dream, he heard the panel constantly beeping:
[You have practiced Soul Transformation to the standard of a master, Master-level Proficiency +10]

[You have practiced Soul Transformation to the standard of a master, Master-level Proficiency +10]

[You have practiced Soul Transformation to the standard of a master, Master-level Proficiency +10]

It rang three times.

Sheen reasonably suspects that the panel's sound is also one of the reasons why he is so slow to get lost.

early morning.

The first rays of sunlight fell on the blue silk, and the flowing curtains were slightly drawn back, illuminating the open "Dream Stories" and revealing some words:
He had many dreams. At first, he was an eagle, pecking at wild rabbits on the grassland. Occasionally, when he failed to catch any, he would go hungry. Later, he became a wild rabbit, and then he felt sorry for the rabbits who were always on edge and struggling.

He trekked across grasslands, mountain streams, and deserts, but in the end he found that the forest suited him best because it had the most animals.

He was their family, the eldest son of the forest. So he found himself able to stay longer and longer.

At first, his dream shattered within seconds, but then he stayed for seven hours. As darkness fell, the night sky was filled with stars, and the priest told him that the stars here were the brightest… He also learned the ability to divine the future… Seven hours…

Sheen silently memorized the number; he could only stay at the border for no more than two minutes at a time.

Descending from the Ravenclaw tower, Sheen naturally opened the panel:

Transfiguration Classification:

Matter Transformation: Beginner Level (10/300);
Magical Transformation: Beginner (30/300);
Soul Transformation: Beginner (10/300)

[Evaluation: A wizard who has just entered the Master level in the field of transformation, with a combat power exceeding five points among Masters]

The soul transformation process is very fast, but it is not Sheen's first choice to complete the plan.

In reality, Sheen relies most heavily on magical transformations for his master-level Transfiguration abilities—such as transforming into fire dragons or snowmen. Of course, Little Stone Slab also comes into play.

However, against the thick-skinned basilisk, Sheen's magical transformation might not be enough to overwhelm it, since magical creatures like basilisks, dragons, and giants possess magic resistance.

To break through magic resistance, you either need to cast a more powerful spell or use a clever trick.

The first method is commonly used by dragon tamers. According to the "Yokai Book of Yokai," each dragon tamer would draw their wand at this time and unleash a spell together:
"Collapse!"

Immediately, the Stunning Spell will shoot towards the dragon like a rocket, and the sparks will rain down on the dragon's thick, scaly skin—only then will the dragon fall.

Based on this standard, it is estimated that Sheen would need the spell power of at least four adult wizards to break through the defenses.

Sheen then easily found a second solution: using physical means.

The Book of Monsters records another method that wizards used to capture fire dragons: "They dug a huge pit, put delicious raw meat in it, and the fire dragon would fall into it without hesitation. At this time, the wizard would wave his magic wand and transform it into stone to block the entrance of the pit."

After a few days of hunger, the dragons will be too weak, making it a good time to catch them.

This is the effect of material deformation.

To be on the safe side, Sheen decided to grind both types of Transfiguration to the [Master] level.

Now, he is on his way to the Transfiguration Office to learn about matter transformation.

Soon after, at the edge of the forbidden forest.

The endless green lawn became Sheen's practice area, with Professor McGonagall standing beside him, watching Sheen wave his wand.

The lawn undulated like waves when suddenly Sheehan and Professor McGonagall heard someone shouting:

"Merlin's beard—an earthquake—"

The giant emerged at breakneck speed, carrying Tooth in his left arm and several Bowtruckles in his right—these magical creatures were attacking his hands because he had forcibly removed them from the tree.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Professor McGonagall, and you, Sheehan, but there's no time to explain—an earthquake has struck here—"

Hagrid said, panting heavily.

(End of this chapter)