Chapter 155: The Pumpkin Carriage, Teapot, and Little Bird

The mature mandrake had leaves longer than an adult's palm. Holding them in one's mouth seemed impossible, so only smaller, tender leaves were suitable.

However, if the leaves were too small, they could be easily swallowed.

"The ideal leaf should cover about one-third of the upper palate without touching the teeth." 

Professor Sprout explained and shared the insights of the predecessors. "The curvature of the leaf is also crucial; the closer it fits to the palate, the better the chance of success."

Under Professor Sprout's guidance, Wade selected his leaves. She then carefully picked five or six similar-sized leaves and cut them off.

She soaked these leaves in a light green herbal solution, neutralizing the mandrake's natural magic, and cast a preservation charm before handing them to Wade.

"Practice with these leaves until the full moon," she instructed.

"This many?" Wade asked in surprise.

Counting the days, he realized there were only six days until the full moon, which meant Professor Sprout was effectively giving him one leaf per day.

Professor Sprout smiled and said: "The beginning is always the hardest. As long as you don't use up all the leaves before the full moon, consider it a success."

...

"Good afternoon, Wade."

A tiny witcher jumped to open the door of the office and greeted him in a raspy, low voice: "You're late."

Wade held up his hand, indicating a "five."

The witcher understood and frowned: "Five minutes late is still late."

Wade waved his wand, and a string of golden text appeared in the air:

[I was delayed by an incident during lunch.]

At that moment, Professor Murray walked out from inside.

Wade used the floating text to ask: [Is Jerry acting livelier?]

"Jerry" was Professor Murray's nickname for the witcher.

"This is the magic of life alchemy." 

Professor Murray said with a smile: "Unlike the stiff, mechanical pieces in wizard's chess, he will gradually grow, absorbing more knowledge, and even his personality might change."

Wade remarked: [It's like creating real life.]

"That's what makes it so fascinating," Professor Murray replied. "What happened to your voice?"

[I'm practicing Animagus transformation.] Wade answered. [I've got a mandrake leaf in my mouth, so talking isn't easy.]

On just the first day, he'd already ruined two leaves.

One was damaged when he accidentally bit it while answering a question in class; a bitter taste filled his mouth immediately and lingered so long he had to brush his teeth multiple times to get rid of it.

The other leaf met its end during a meal.

Wade had tried sticking the leaf to the roof of his mouth with a sticking charm, but it made breathing feel blocked and uncomfortable. Sticking it to his tongue made speaking and swallowing harder, and it was even easier to damage that way.

He was now realizing how difficult this task truly was.

Keeping a thin leaf in his mouth without damaging it wasn't as simple as holding a piece of candy. 

Candy could dissolve or be chewed, but a leaf had to be protected with the care one would show a baby.

For now, Wade decided to give up on speaking and even cast a Ignore Charm in class to avoid professors suddenly calling on him to answer questions.

"Animagus?" Professor Murray shook his head disapprovingly. "That magic is both dangerous and not particularly useful. After transforming, you're limited by the animal's body and can't cast other spells. Why bother with it?"

[The ability to transform into an animal is fascinating in itself! Plus, mastering the Animagus form helps a lot in learning Transfiguration.] Wade replied.

Professor Murray indulgently said: "Have it your way. You always want to learn every type of magic… Have you heard of the Uagadou School of Magic?"

[I have. It's the African wizarding school and the largest of all the magical schools.]

Professor Murray nodded. "I've never practiced the Animagus transformation myself, but I know some wizard friends from Africa."

"Uagadou excels in wandless magic and Animagus transformation. Many of their students can transform into animals like elephants and leopards by around fourteen. I could help you borrow some notes for reference."

[Thank you, Professor.]

"Don't thank me too soon," Professor Murray said, pretending to look stern. "If you turn into a slug, don't come crying to me."

Wade couldn't help but laugh.

He knew that even if Professor Murray disapproved, he would still support Wade's decision.

If it were Professor McGonagall... Wade imagined her reaction...

"This is too dangerous, Mr. Grey!" she would likely say sternly, "This isn't magic appropriate for someone your age!"

Or perhaps it would go more like this—

"Mr. Grey, what is your Animagus form? Wizards must register their Animagus form and characteristics with the Ministry of Magic, or else it's against the law!"

What could he say? Professor McGonagall was an excellent, upstanding professor. As a teacher, she was impeccable, but she could hardly tolerate any breach of rules. This made Wade reluctant to share certain secrets with her.

"Alright then, enough small talk. Let's continue with today's lesson," said Professor Murray. "I trust you've completed the assignment I gave you last time?"

Wade nodded and set his bag on the floor, and gave it a tap with his wand.

A massive wardrobe appeared.

Inside the wardrobe space, an unhitched pumpkin carriage rolled up with a rumbling sound, and the door swung open on its own. Once they boarded, the carriage began to move.

The carriage traveled along a white road, and on either side of the path were imposing armored soldiers patrolling. And Two cats were rolling around on the grass.

Their movements appeared fluid, but their outward appearance had a mechanical quality.

A few large brooms were sweeping the ground with a swish-swish motion, while a dustpan bounced along beside them, spilling the garbage it had just collected. A broom gave it a tap, and then resumed sweeping.

The carriage came to a stop at the edge of a forest, where a white table and two high-backed chairs sat under a banyan tree.

A round-bellied teapot gave a little bow, and two cups leaped eagerly from the tray. The teapot poured red tea for them, and steam puffed from its lid as if it were singing happily.

Professor Murray lifted his cup, drained it in one gulp, and set it back on the table. The teapot rushed to pour more tea but was stopped by the professor.

Wade waved his hand, and a small bird landed on it. The bird pecked the rim of the cup, and clear water bubbled up from the bottom until the cup was refilled.

Professor Murray smiled approvingly.

"Not bad. In just two weeks, you completed this creation."

He was extremely pleased, though he restrained himself from heaping too much praise on his student.

[Combining alchemical creations with magic is difficult.] Wade responded, [and solidifying the rune circuit so that it can cast the Aguamenti spell wasn't easy.] (Water-Making Spell)

He gently petted the little bird's head. [But it finally worked out in the end.]

"Then next, you can begin working on solidifying two rune circuits together," said Professor Murray. "Today, let's discuss the compatibility and conflicts between alchemical materials and magic spells..."

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