Chapter 79: Potted Plant Experiment
The harshness of innate talent often reveals itself vividly at certain moments and in specific fields.
As Professor Mary Margaret once said, during the apprenticeship phase, diligent effort can indeed bridge some gaps. However, this is limited to certain compulsory courses, such as Basic Spellcasting and Introductory Herbology.
In contrast, fields like Transfiguration, which heavily rely on innate talent, may render even potion assistance ineffective.
Moreover, beyond her natural talent, Janna possessed an even more formidable asset—the System.
"Alright, that's all for today's class. Dismissed."
"Goodbye, Professor Mage."
Much like the previous session, up to this point, no apprentice other than Janna had successfully performed a transfiguration spell.
This outcome undoubtedly dampened the spirits of those who had eagerly enrolled in the Transfiguration course.
"Sigh—Janna, why am I so hopeless?"
Vivian, who had spent the entire class attempting to mimic the Snowy Plains Finch, faced nothing but failure.
Observing Vivian's slightly dejected expression, Janna, drawing from her past life's extensive experience in comforting others, gently held Vivian's hand and spoke in a voice as soothing as a tranquil stream:
"Everyone has their own strengths. For instance, your elemental frost magic is the most proficient in our entire class."
[Character's special talent, "Voice of the Heavens," activated.
Effect II: Voice like celestial music, reducing the listener's guard and providing a degree of emotional comfort.]
"Isn't that just because I have the Freezing talent..."
"Many apprentices possess frost-related talents, but only you managed to master frost magic in just a few days. Even with such a strong innate talent, you work so hard—that's what truly sets you apart."
"You're absolutely right! Don't be fooled by my demeanor; I work incredibly hard in private!"
"Yes, I've always known. Because I can see your efforts..."
Vivian's previously downturned lips gradually curved into a smile.
Hearing Janna's emotionally supportive words, her once gloomy mood was instantly uplifted, filled with radiant energy.
"Let's go! Let's treat ourselves to something delicious! My treat this time!"
"Sure."
Seeing Vivian's cheerful demeanor return, Janna, who had originally planned to head straight back to the dormitory to experiment with Elementary Transfiguration, decided not to decline her friend's invitation.
With a slight smile, she allowed Vivian to take her arm and lead her out of the classroom.
"Take these back with you; they didn't cost much anyway. No need to be so polite with me."
"Alright, then I'll head back now."
"Okay, see you tomorrow~"
Looking at the various takeaway bags Vivian had stuffed into her hands, Janna smiled and turned to walk toward her dormitory.
"Good afternoon, Miss Janna. It's rare to see you return this early today."
"Mm."
She nodded lightly in response to the Door Spirit's greeting.
After pushing open the dormitory door, Janna unpacked the takeaway bags and placed the wizard snacks resembling chocolate frogs into the refrigerated storage box.
"Is it already two o'clock?"
Glancing at the time displayed on the wall-mounted mechanical clock, Janna, dressed in her wizard robe, contemplated the arrangement of her dormitory for a moment. Then, she began chanting a spell, and two large, emerald-green hands, each about half her size, quickly materialized before her.
"Let's move the experiment table aside first; otherwise, it takes up too much space."
With a thought, the hands conjured by the Wizard's Hand spell swiftly lifted the experiment table and placed it against the wall.
"Which magical plant should I choose?"
After setting up the experiment table, Janna's gaze fell upon several pots of magical plants near the balcony. Within seconds, she made up her mind.
"Let's start with the cheapest one."
Following her intention, the two emerald-green hands quickly targeted a pot of Purple Vine Tree on the far left. With a gentle pull, the once-thriving plant was uprooted and placed on the ground.
"Cleaning Spell—"
After using the Cleaning Spell to tidy up the scattered soil, Janna once again directed the Wizard's Hand to move a flowerpot approximately 1.5 meters in diameter and half a meter high to the spot where the experiment table had been.
"This should be about right."
Seeing that everything in the dormitory was arranged as she had envisioned, Janna dismissed the Wizard's Hand and once again waved her Greenwood Wand, chanting a spell.
"By my will, I summon—the Celestial Finch."
A magic circle formed, radiating holy light. As Janna completed the incantation, the Celestial Finch appeared at the center of the Contract Array, seemingly larger than the last time she had seen it.
"Aph, have you grown a bit?"
"Yes! Master! It's all thanks to you..."
As the excited Celestial Finch explained, the energy absorbed from the Source Energy Fragment last time had exceeded its absorption limit.
Consequently, some energy remained in its body, undigested...
"After returning to the Celestial Realm, the Saint helped me fully digest the Source Energy within me... That's why I've grown a bit."
The Saint?
Upon hearing the Celestial Finch's words, Janna was indeed curious about the "Saint" it mentioned. However, given the multitude of powerful beings in the Spirit Realm, some rivaling the Outer Gods in strength, Janna typically avoided discussing Spirit Realm matters with her contracted creatures in the Material World for safety reasons.
After all, divine authority is vast, and words carry power. If Janna inadvertently offended a Spirit Realm entity (such as the Saint) with a single word, she could be marked during future contract summons and subjected to retaliatory attacks through the power of the contract.
Therefore, as someone who meticulously remembered every knowledge point from Contract Studies, Janna would never recklessly cross that red line in the field of contracts.
"Aph, I'm going to conduct a magical experiment shortly. If I lose consciousness during the process, it's up to you to wake me."
"Understood, Master. No problem."
Having assisted Janna in numerous experiments, the Celestial Finch had proven to be a reliable helper.
"Phew—"
Taking a deep breath and seeing that everything was ready, Janna removed her shoes and socks, stepped into the flowerpot, and stood barefoot in the soil.
"If there's a risk of damaging public facilities during the experiment, remember to wake me promptly."
"Yes, Master."
Ten intricate spellcasting gestures, dazzling like spinning tops, flowed continuously from Janna's hands.
With a clear and crisp voice, accompanied by the rapidly forming spellcasting gestures, she began reciting the lengthy incantation for Elementary Transfiguration...