"Vera Verto!"
The classroom echoed with the spell over and over—Theo and Adam were chanting along with the others.
Rock, however, was completely absorbed in replaying Professor McGonagall's demonstration in his mind. Thanks to his engraved-memory ability, it felt like watching the scene frame by frame in a movie.
He watched every precise movement of the Basic Transformation Spell.
In his memory, McGonagall's gestures weren't just a simple flick and tap—they carried an air of effortless mastery. Then came the incantation, and the transformation flowed perfectly from start to finish.
"As expected…"
Rock let out a small, helpless laugh. Something like this couldn't be mastered just by rewatching it again and again.
Practice, then.
He understood the theory well enough—now it was time for application.
No one in the entire classroom had managed a successful transformation yet.
But Professor McGonagall wasn't worried. She calmly walked between the desks, correcting students as she passed.
"Good instinct, but not enough conviction. Your wrist needs to move more decisively," she told a Hufflepuff boy who had managed to change the color of his matchstick.
When she walked past Rock, she paused for a second. He, the one who understood the theory best, hadn't even attempted a cast yet.
This child…
She didn't approach him immediately, keeping her pace steady like any normal patrol. But the corner of her eye never left him.
Just then, Rock emerged from his memory replay. He lifted his wand, focused his mind, and repeated silently:
Turn the matchstick into a needle. Turn the matchstick into a needle.
Once his intent was solidified, he swept his wand through the air. The matchstick twitched—its edges shimmered faintly with a metallic sheen.
[Basic Transformation Spell practice in progress. Gesture accuracy: 75%. XP +25]
Rock didn't continue. He shook out his hand—the motion had felt stiff.
And…
His imagination wasn't quite strong enough. Suddenly, he recalled the notebook Hermione had given him, the part that talked about visualizing a scene.
"Don't just picture the final shape."
Only one image wasn't enough. Rock picked up the matchstick again—now returned to normal after losing the magic's reinforcement.
The rough texture…
The porous wood grain near the base…
The faint sharp smell of sulfur…
The fragility of the wood, ready to snap with the slightest pressure…
[Deeper understanding of starting material. Basic Transformation Spell XP +20]
That'll work.
Rock's lips tugged up slightly.
He began constructing the entire transformation process in his mind, using Grandma Tina's sewing kit as a reference.
He imagined the steel needle's density, its cold weight. Then he pictured his magic like a tiny, precise hammer—compressing the wood fibers tighter and tighter…
Internal gaps… filling and reshaping…
Sulfur… compressing, stretching, sharpening…
A glint forming at the tip…
[In-depth conceptualization of transformation pathway. Basic Transformation Spell XP +35]
It's time.
Rock's eyes snapped open. His wand moved in a smooth, fluid sweep:
"Vera Verto!"
A streak of silver light flowed from his wand, wrapping around the matchstick. It tightened… stretched… shifted in color…
In the next moment, the wooden stick gleamed with metallic sheen, straightening as the sulfur tip shrank into a sharp, cold point.
A needle—cool, polished, and fully transformed—rested quietly on the desk.
[Standard material transfiguration complete. Understanding of Transfiguration principles increased. XP +60]
[Basic Transformation Spell Lv. 1 (140/299)]
Rock picked up the needle, feeling its cold weight against his fingertips. It wasn't as elegant as McGonagall's—but it was perfect in structure and fully transformed.
Clap, clap—
Professor McGonagall raised her hands behind him and applauded warmly.
"A flawless transformation. Not only the appearance but the texture has completely changed. Excellent work, Mr. Rock."
"Ravenclaw: five points!"
Every student in the room turned to look. Whispering broke out immediately.
Even the Hufflepuff who'd only changed his matchstick's color stared at his own unchanged piece of wood with mild despair.
Theo leaned over Rock's desk, eyes wide. "Good grief—how did you do that? This spell is supposed to be hard!"
Adam rubbed his forehead. He admired Rock immensely—brilliant in Charms, and now brilliant in Transfiguration too.
In the normal world, Rock would absolutely be the kid parents used to compare their own children to.
Professor McGonagall lifted the needle for the class to see.
"Everyone, look here."
"This is a full, complete transformation."
"Its appearance is no longer that of a matchstick. In every way, it is a needle."
"Success in Transfiguration doesn't depend solely on wand motion or correct pronunciation—those are only the surface."
"What truly drives a transformation… is your intent."
She looked at Rock with encouragement.
"Mr. Rock, would you mind telling everyone how you transformed your matchstick?"
If she explained it, they might not grasp it. But hearing it from the only student who'd succeeded would spark understanding—and competition.
"I'd be happy to, Professor."
Rock stood—hoping, of course, that he might gain experience like he did when guiding students in Charms.
Might as well try.
Under McGonagall's approving gaze, Rock spoke clearly:
"There are three key points to a successful transformation. First: your pronunciation must be precise. When practicing, you and your desk partner can check each other to make sure the syllables are correct."
Theo blinked. When did we do that?
Rock had been sitting there with his eyes closed the whole time! Meanwhile, Theo had been rubbing his matchstick so hard he nearly lit it on fire.
"Second: your wrist movement has to be sharp and controlled. According to Professor McGonagall and the textbook diagrams, the wand needs to move three-quarters of a circle clockwise with a light flick. Repeating the motion will build muscle memory."
"You can also ask a classmate to watch and correct your movement if needed."
"And finally—the most important step—once everything else is ready, you need to fully understand the object you're starting with."
Rock picked up Theo's matchstick and described every detail of it.
"After you understand the matchstick, you need to picture every moment of the transformation. Use the needle as your reference."
"A small tip—imagine your grandmother's or mother's sewing kit."
"Most of you have probably handled one before. Think about the weight, the cold metal, the sharp tip."
He winked at the class—a little hint of a shortcut.
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