"Please give him my regards."
Professor McGonagall briskly signed a piece of parchment, then handed it to Ezio.
"Master Uwaru is a respected elder. Although I only spoke with him briefly, he gave me a great deal of guidance in Transfiguration. He is also a far-sighted scholar with a passion for research at Uagadou School of Magic. When it comes to Animagus Transformation, he has gone further than I have."
Professor McGonagall was being modest. Though she was a senior witch acclaimed as a master of Transfiguration, Animagus transformations were not her specialty. She was exceptionally skilled at animating objects. An ordinary Transfiguration wizard couldn't conjure so many living chess pieces—enough to fill an entire chessboard—each with its own independent consciousness. That was no easy feat.
Ezio thought it would take him at least ten or twenty years to come close to Professor McGonagall's level. She could even turn a stone into a person and make it impossible to tell the fake from the real thing. Her skill at shaping artificial souls was astonishing.
"I'll be sure to pass on your regards." Ezio bowed slightly to Professor McGonagall. He was grateful to his conscientious teacher, who had always looked after him.
"Be careful on your journey. Africa isn't a safe place. Don't go alone into any dangerous creature reserves. They're even more dangerous than the Forbidden Forest."
"I understand. Thank you for your concern, Professor."
"You're a clever, good boy." Professor McGonagall nodded. As long as Ezio didn't let his curiosity get the better of him and put himself in danger, she was comfortable with him travelling alone.
After getting Professor McGonagall's letter of recommendation, Ezio headed to Dumbledore's office.
The password to the Headmaster's Office hadn't changed. The stone gargoyle leaped aside to let him through.
Dumbledore was waiting