Chapter 3: On the Train

Straight A’s in all seven subjects?

Xie En pondered this difficult problem while dragging his suitcase.

He had arrived quite early, and the first few carriages were not yet full, so he found an empty compartment in the second carriage. He tried to lift his suitcase up, pulling and tugging, but he couldn't get it off the ground. After two failed attempts, the case just slammed back onto the floor.

Xie En paused where he stood, and then, he flicked his wand

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

【You have practiced the Levitation Charm at a beginner level, proficiency +3】

Following the incantation and the system prompt, the brick-like suitcase quickly floated up.

This thing is still the most useful.

Xie En put his wand away with satisfaction and pulled the suitcase into the compartment.

What he didn't notice was a little witch looking at him with curiosity.

Outside the train window, thick smoke from the steam engine swirled above the chattering crowd, and cats of various colors darted between people's feet.

Amidst the buzzing of the crowd and the clatter of heavy luggage, owls hooted and chirped.

Xie En opened *Hogwarts: A History*, which was half the size of a tabletop. The page he was on stated that the seven core subjects at Hogwarts were

Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, and Astronomy.

These were also the compulsory subjects at Hogwarts...

So, how does one achieve an "Outstanding" grade?

Xie En found a reference standard: Hermione, the top student of the trio.

If he remembered correctly, she achieved nine O’s (Outstanding) and one E (Exceeds Expectations) in her O.W.L.s—the Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations.

Hermione’s grades were always consistent, so by comparing himself to her performance, he could determine the level he needed to reach.

Is it difficult?

Of course it is. His own magical talent was abysmal. Aside from history-based subjects like History of Magic, every other course required magical talent.

But is it impossible for him to do?

If he couldn't do it even with a cheat, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.

"Just grind it out!"

While putting away his luggage, Xie En thought for a few seconds.

"Then let's start with Transfiguration..."

Xie En sat down on the velvet-cushioned seat, put away *A History*, and took out *Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration*. It was a brownish-red book with gold-trimmed edges that detailed the laws and techniques of Transfiguration; it was the textbook for first and second-year students at Hogwarts.

The most classic example was turning a matchstick into a needle. If he could reach that level within a month, Xie En felt that getting an "Outstanding" would be quite simple.

【When performing Transfiguration, it is very important to wave your wand firmly and decisively.

Do not wave or rotate the wand unnecessarily, otherwise, the transformation will surely fail.

Before using a Transfiguration spell, clearly visualize in your mind what you want the object to become.

Beginners should clearly recite the incantation, while advanced wizards do not need to speak the spell aloud...】

Xie En carefully read every sentence in the *Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration*. He planned to memorize this 200-page book first before attempting any Transfiguration.

The reason he did this was simple: Hermione had memorized all her books when she first started learning magic and achieved excellent grades.

In that sense, memorizing books was useful.

The road to success was right in front of him; why not imitate it?

Besides, his talent was already lacking, so he should work even harder.

Another important reason was that these books had cost him eleven gold Galleons in total. The heartache made Xie En want to absorb knowledge with a vengeful mindset, much like someone trying to get their money's worth at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Just like that, without realizing it, he had roughly memorized all the books he had bought.

He had finished over 180 pages of the book in his hand; he would finish memorizing it today and then start practicing Transfiguration.

This made Xie En, who had been an average student in his past life, sigh with emotion.

Poverty, indeed, makes one capable of anything.

Steam filled the train station, and Xie En was so immersed in his book that he didn't even notice a little witch had entered the compartment.

"Excuse me, is anyone else sitting here?"

A little witch with bushy brown hair pushed open the compartment door and asked Xie En, chin tilted upward.

"No."

Xie En continued memorizing his book. If his six months in the orphanage had given him any advantage, it was the ability to be incredibly focused. For grass seeds like them, whose lives were never under their own control, if they didn't learn to grow on their own, being blown away by the wind would happen in an instant.

After that simple response, Xie En didn't speak again. Even as the train rumbled to life and the number of people in the compartment went from two to three, Xie En didn't move a muscle.

The scenery outside the window was like an oil painting.

Winding rivers stretched out, waves of wheat rolled one after another, and occasionally, farmhouses and livestock could be seen, only to be obscured by the dark green hills that followed.

Hermione read her book, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside the window and the focused young wizard opposite her.

His hair was fluffy and slightly raised on both sides, his long eyelashes fluttered, and his whole person exuded a sense of tranquility. More importantly...

"He really looks like my cat. I know a wizard can't be a cat, but he really looks like one..."

The little boy with black hair whispered, then scratched his head in embarrassment. Unexpectedly, this remark was quickly met with approval from the person beside him.

Hermione nodded vigorously, and she exchanged a look with the black-haired boy, revealing the excitement of being understood.

"Justin, your description is so... apt!"

Justin’s eyes lit up, and the two immediately began whispering to each other.

Xie En was immersed in his book and had no idea he had become the subject of someone else's discussion.

The train swayed rhythmically, and the window acted like a canvas, carrying one beautiful, fantastical painting after another.

In the compartment, besides the whispers of Hermione and the black-haired boy, Justin, there was only the rustling sound of pages turning.

Xie En finally finished memorizing the last paragraph. He let out a long breath and looked up, rubbing his sore eyes.

"I'm not missing anything now!"

Soon, Xie En's large eyes flickered. He put down the book, took a matchstick out of his robe, and the shape, structure, and properties of the matchstick appeared in his mind.

The memories of Transfiguration from his past life and his current knowledge verified each other—

"Trans—figura—tion!"

Following this surge of confidence, Xie En whispered the incantation in one go.

Unfortunately, the matchstick didn't change much.

However, the corners of Xie En's mouth curled up.

【You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell at a beginner level, proficiency +3】

"Did he just say something? Also, what is he doing?"

Justin asked Hermione in a low voice, a giant question mark practically hovering over his head.

"It seems... it's Transfiguration. Oh no! The book says that's a dangerous spell. If you mispronounce it, there will be terrible consequences!"

Hermione clutched the hem of her robe, her brow furrowed, and she prepared to interrupt Xie En's attempt.

【You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell at a skilled level, proficiency +10】

【You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell at a skilled level, proficiency +10】

...

Xie En kept trying, becoming more and more proficient. It was a feeling he had never experienced before; magic... seemed to be getting easier.

Could it be that I am a Transfiguration genius?!

【You have practiced a low-level Transfiguration spell at a skilled level, proficiency +10】

【Basic Transfiguration unlocked】

【New Transfiguration field title unlocked, please check】

【A wizard talent has been unlocked, please check】

When the system prompt sounded, Xie En's eyes narrowed slightly.

Scholarship fragment, plus one!

Just then, a discordant voice rang out

"You can't use dangerous Transfiguration spells here! You can't control it!"

Hermione said this loudly, her tone sounding somewhat angry and serious.

Just as she finished speaking, the matchstick began to tremble. Before the little witch's wide eyes, it slowly turned into a needle, the silvery-white tip reflecting the light.

The air froze for a moment, and Hermione's final words stuck in her throat.

"Merlin... I've seen this case in a book. Did he... succeed?"

Justin also widened his eyes, muttering in disbelief.

Xie En looked up, meeting the gaze of Hermione, whose ear tips were turning a faint pink, and Justin, who was observing from close range.

"Sorry, could you please say that again? I didn't hear you."

Xie En didn't know what had happened; he had been too focused and hadn't heard a single word.

(End of chapter)