The Young Wizard's Terrifying Self-Esteem

Dylan asked Professor McGonagall many questions about the things that had confused him since he began studying magic.

Even when it came to magic beyond Transfiguration Spells, Professor McGonagall gave him quite a few answers.

Message: Your Transfiguration Spell proficiency has increased! Current progress: 35%!

Dylan glanced at the panel.

His proficiency had increased by 0.5%, bringing it to 3.5/10 and putting him on the verge of reaching Level Four.

Dylan now had a considerable understanding of how to cast Transfiguration Spells on inanimate objects.

As long as living creatures and Animagus forms were not involved, he could now use the Inanimate Transfiguration Spell with ease and realism.

Of course, if he wanted to change something, he naturally had to understand it first.

Only by thoroughly understanding an object's principles and structure could he use a Transfiguration Spell as he pleased.

It was impossible for him to simply say what he wanted to transform something into and have it materialize perfectly.

If he did not understand an object's structure, then even if he could transform it, at most he could only produce an impression of its "shape."

For example, if he transformed an apple into an alarm clock without understanding how an alarm clock was constructed, he could only produce something that looked like an alarm clock but was still made of apple inside.

After Dylan left.

Professor McGonagall rubbed her stomach.

"This Young Wizard certainly has a lot of questions..."

She got up to find something to eat, but as she walked along, the smile at the corners of her mouth never faded.

"Still, I've guided another student into the grand hall of Transfiguration Spells."

After leaving Professor McGonagall's Office, Dylan headed straight for the Great Hall.

Quite a few Young Wizards had already sat down and begun eating lunch.

There were still nearly two hours before afternoon classes.

More than enough time.

As soon as Dylan entered the Great Hall, he saw two people waving at him.

They were Harry and Ron.

Neville was beside them, looking at him expectantly, though he seemed too embarrassed to raise his hand.

Dylan walked over.

"Good heavens, Dylan, you're incredible! You earned a full ten points for our House in Transfiguration Class!" Ron said excitedly.

He then glanced at Hermione, who was eating nearby.

"Not like some people, who bragged about how amazing they were but only earned five points."

Hermione shot Ron a look, glanced at Dylan, then lowered her head and continued eating.

"Hmph!" Ron tilted his head up.

Dylan: "..."

He shook his head. "Whether it's five points or ten, they're both points for our House. That's still better than earning nothing and almost losing points."

Ron stiffened at his words.

Hermione almost failed to hold back her laughter.

She glanced at Dylan, who had already taken his seat, with a hint of surprise.

Harry looked at the silent Ron, then at Dylan, who had already begun eating.

He quickly tried to smooth things over. "Dylan, did you go to Professor McGonagall to ask questions after class?"

Ron looked over as well.

Dylan nodded. "I had some questions about Transfiguration Spells. I wasn't sure whether my judgment was correct, so I went to ask her."

Harry exclaimed in amazement, "Dylan, you learn so quickly."

Ron held it in for a while, but eventually blurted out, "And your mouth is pretty vicious, too!"

Dylan smiled helplessly. "I was only stating the facts. No matter who earns points for our House, isn't that a good thing?"

"We're a collective. There's no need to keep comparing ourselves. Points aren't important. Self-awareness and happiness are what matter most."

Ron listened with a puzzled expression. "How could points not be important? They represent whether we can win the House Cup at the end of the term!"

Dylan shook his head slightly and said nothing more.

He wasn't Dad, after all. He didn't need to explain to Jackie Chan why talismans weren't important and that finding a way to destroy the Holy Master was.

Ron was still too young. There were many things he didn't understand, and that was normal.

There was no need for Dylan to put all those profound principles in front of them right now.

Ron pouted. "It's a shame I can't even make a match move, while Neville and Seamus can already turn matches into iron rods!"

Looking rather glum, he gripped the fork in his hand and poked at the vegetables in front of him.

"And that teacher is really fierce!"

Dylan knew at once that Ron was still holding a grudge over Professor McGonagall reprimanding him and Harry in front of the entire class that morning.

In fact, from the perspective of an adult who had lived two lives, it was nothing at all.

But for a Young Wizard with such a strong sense of self-esteem and such a competitive nature, it was difficult to let the matter go.

Ron continued muttering.

"We weren't late on purpose. That damn staircase went crazy for some reason and actually sent us to the Fourth Floor."

"Then that strange fellow named Filch acted like he'd gone crazy, too, and kept chasing us."

"Good heavens, you have no idea how hard Harry and I worked just to make it into the classroom before the bell!"

Dylan thought for a moment, swallowed a piece of well-done beef, and slowly spoke.

"Hey, Ron, I know you're unhappy because Professor McGonagall reprimanded you, but I have to say that everything Professor McGonagall said was entirely for your and Harry's sake."

"What? She was so fierce, and she was thinking of us? I think she just wanted to establish her authority over us! To build her image as a strict teacher!"

Ron curled his lip. "I bet she treats students from the other Houses the same way!"

Dylan: "..."

A child's self-esteem really was terrifying.

"And most importantly, that despicable Malfoy actually came to laugh at Harry and me after class!"

Dylan blinked.

So that was the real point?

He had gone straight to Professor McGonagall's Office with her as soon as class ended, so he truly had not known about it.

He patiently asked, "Ron, do you know about Acromantulas?"

Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus, and Hermione all turned to look at him.

"What are those?" Harry asked.

"A type of ferocious, carnivorous Magical Creature."

Dylan said, "Acromantulas eat people. In fact, eating humans is part of their nature."

"How terrifying!" Neville exclaimed.

Dylan nodded. "But that isn't the most terrifying part. Do you know what is?"

"What?" Harry and Ron asked in unison.

"The most terrifying thing is turning into an Acromantula yourself, then forgetting that you're a wizard. You reject turning back into a human, and eventually become a man-eating monster in the form of an Acromantula."

As Dylan finished speaking, the Young Wizards around them all widened their eyes.

"Of course, that was only an example."

Ron breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could finish taking his next breath—

"Besides turning into an Acromantula, you could also become a slimy Basilisk, an ugly Grindylow, or a foul-smelling Borlog..."

Hiss!