Chapter 76: Transfiguration Knows No Bounds
Transfiguration had always been a highly popular subject in the field of wizardry, naturally establishing Lilith Mage's Transfiguration class as one of the most sought-after courses at the academy.
In contrast, the [Contract Studies] course, personally taught by the principal, remained relatively niche due to the scarcity of apprentices specializing in the mysterious summoning, necromancy, and spirit communication branches.
Previously, when Janna attended the [Contract Studies] class, there were fewer than ten apprentices, even when including those without summoning talents who were merely interested in enriching their knowledge for summoning messengers.
...
"Good morning, apprentices."
"Good morning, Professor Mage."
With her meticulously styled hair and neatly pressed deep purple wizard robe, Lilith Mage walked gracefully to the podium, wand in hand.
"Last week, due to some unexpected matters, I had to reschedule the class to today."
Observing the now fully occupied classroom, Lilith Mage displayed a satisfied expression.
Upon noticing Janna seated in the front row, she did not hide her affection, nodding warmly at her.
"Aside from Janna, is there anyone else here who has mastered partial transfiguration?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze turned toward Janna in the front row.
While surprised, no one responded to Lilith Mage's question.
"Considering this is only our second class, expecting you to grasp the principles of transfiguration in such a short time is indeed demanding..."
"However, we cannot delay the course progress. Even if you haven't mastered it yet, today we will proceed to the advanced topic—basic transfiguration."
For apprentices other than Janna, who had yet to grasp partial transfiguration, moving on to basic transfiguration meant falling behind. To catch up, they would need to practice diligently in private or purchase [Sensory Enhancement Potions] to aid their training.
Experienced senior apprentices had already prepared [Sensory Enhancement Potions] in advance, hoping to increase their success rate during Lilith Mage's live demonstrations.
"Previously, I had you practice transfiguration using rooks because their skeletal structure is simple and relatively easy to mimic. I hadn't anticipated that some of you would grasp the principles so quickly, so I didn't mention this in the last class."
With that, Lilith Mage raised her right hand.
"In the initial stages of learning transfiguration, choosing a simple model is acceptable. However, to maintain a partial transformation for an extended period during your apprenticeship, the model should be a creature with attributes similar to your own."
Her hand transformed rapidly—first into rock, then sprouting feathers, and finally covered in blue scales.
These impressive transfiguration techniques captivated the apprentices, leaving them in awe.
"You can be water, fire, or even undead or zombies. As long as the entity aligns with your innate talents, you can attempt transformations starting from the most basic parts..."
Having learned this concept two weeks prior from Grace Eva, Janna merely nodded upon hearing Lilith Mage reiterate it.
She did not regret using one of her opportunities to consult Grace Eva.
Thanks to this time advantage, Janna had quickly mastered partial transfiguration, which had proven crucial in the Mirror Plane, allowing her to utilize flight to ensure her safety.
Moreover, had she not consulted Grace Eva two weeks ago, she wouldn't have acquired the ability to fly and complete the system-assigned daily task on time.
"Therefore, if you still couldn't grasp the essentials while mimicking the rook last time, now you can try modeling a few new magical creatures."
With a gentle wave of her wand, an oval-shaped spatial rift appeared before Lilith Mage.
"It's spatial magic!"
Seeing the spatial rift, distinct from interdimensional storage items, Vivian, seated next to Janna, couldn't help but exclaim softly.
"So, Professor Mage possesses the rare spatial affinity... truly enviable."
Listening to Vivian, Janna nodded in agreement.
Spatial affinity was considered one of the most potent elemental types.
Any talent linked to space was classified as B-level or higher.
The pinnacle S-level talent on the wizard continent—[Gate of Time and Space]—was a spatial affinity that had evolved after incorporating the laws of time.
"Whether it's transfiguration or spatial affinity, both are rare and coveted talents. It's surprising that such powerful abilities are concentrated in one individual... I wonder why someone as formidable as Professor Mage chooses to teach in Turin, a third-tier wizard hub, instead of advancing in a higher-tier location?"
Shaking her head, Janna chose not to respond to Vivian's barely audible gossip but instead focused intently on the oval spatial rift before Lilith Mage, curious about what would emerge.
"These two are elemental creatures I captured in the Mirror Plane. They're perfect for you to attempt mimicking."
Hiss—
With another wave of her wand, two magical beasts, each confined in metal cages resembling birdcages, flew out from the spatial rift, emitting terrified cries after emerging from the dark, endless void.
"The one on the left is a Flame Devourer Worm, and the one on the right is a Snowy Plains Finch. Both are low-level elemental creatures with simple structures, similar to the rook."
Upon hearing Janna, who consistently scored full marks in the written exams of [Introductory Biology], quickly identify the creatures, Vivian nodded, somewhat understanding.
"Then I can try mimicking the ice-attributed Snowy Plains Finch."
Looking at the bird-like magical beast in the metal cage, its feathers as hard as ice crystals, Vivian, possessing the [Freezing] talent, couldn't help but feel eager.
"Of course, if your innate talent isn't related to fire or ice, there's no need to mimic these two creatures. You have many other options, such as..."
As she spoke, Lilith Mage continuously retrieved various simple-structured skeletal models, scaled creature specimens, rock-shelled humanoid targets, and even several well-grown potted magical plants from the spatial rift, scattering them across the podium.
"Transfiguration knows no bounds. As long as it exists in the material world and falls within your understanding, it can be transformed..."