Chapter 242: The Real Challenge Lies Ahead!

Over the next few days, under Sirius Black's guidance, Wade worked on mastering the Animagus transformation.

At first, transforming felt like being constipated; it took a long time to prepare, and reverting back wasn't any easier.

However, after repeated practice, Wade finally managed to complete the transformation in a matter of seconds. Still, he wasn't as natural or quick as Sirius, who could transform as effortlessly as breathing.

"I kept my mind clear during my time in Azkaban using this ability."

Sirius explained: "Back then, I spent most of my time in animal form, so my skill level is naturally far beyond that of a beginner like you."

Wade also managed to maintain his human consciousness for longer periods. 

But after some tests, the two adult wizards advised him to limit each transformation to no more than half an hour. They suggested increasing this duration by three minutes each month.

"Your animal form doesn't differ much from other peregrine falcons. I'm worried we might accidentally lose you if we're not careful," Lupin said, half-joking but with a tone of utmost seriousness.

Wade readily agreed. He had no desire to spend the rest of his life as a confused bird, surviving on nothing but eating other birds and wild hares.

When the Easter holidays ended, Wade said goodbye to Lupin and Sirius and returned to school.

Having successfully mastered Animagus transformation, Transfiguration as a subject suddenly felt much easier. Wade could now manipulate objects to transform according to his will without even chanting spells.

He also began experimenting with human transfiguration. At first, he focused on changing the color of his nails, hair, or eyebrows. Then, he practiced controlling their length. 

Once he became skilled at this, he moved on to transforming other parts of his body, striving toward the ability to change his appearance entirely without the use of Polyjuice Potion.

Of course, such advanced Transfiguration was extremely difficult to achieve. Other than natural Metamorphmagi, Wade knew only two individuals who had mastered it.

One was Grindelwald, who had been imprisoned for many years.

The other was Dumbledore, who, although he had never demonstrated such a skill, left no doubt in anyone's mind that he could achieve it if he wanted to.

Meanwhile, the Maze Challenge came to an end during the holidays. Upon returning to school, Wade noticed that most students were no longer as enthusiastic as before. Many seemed sullen or even quietly fuming.

Only the Slytherin students appeared to be in high spirits.

"Slytherin won the championship," Michael said gloomily. "But they used despicable methods! Those guys brought all kinds of powerful magical items, and Professor Snape even supplied them with loads of potions!"

"But..." Theo hesitated before saying, "The rules didn't say they couldn't bring magical items or potions, right? So technically, they didn't break any rules—they just exploited loopholes."

"Seriously, Theo? I'm trying to stand up for Hufflepuff here, and you're undermining me?" Michael said, exasperated.

"Ah," Theo paused, then lowered his head. "Sorry."

Michael was finally satisfied, though he resumed venting his frustration, and ranted about how despicable and shameless Slytherin was and described how extravagantly they used enlarged magical pets to knock out their opponents.

"Magical pets?" Wade caught the key point and asked.

"Yeah, even your pet took part in the competition," Fred said with a faint hint of bitterness.

Their team had originally been strong contenders for the championship, but they were swept out early by a "Beast Army."

Surprisingly, the runner-up this time was Hufflepuff, while Gryffindor's "Champion Seed Team" placed third.

Another Gryffindor team secured fourth place.

Slytherin dominated fifth, sixth, and seventh places, with Gryffindor taking eighth. It wasn't until ninth place that a Ravenclaw team appeared.

This result wasn't because Ravenclaw was particularly weak, but because teams weren't restricted to forming within a single house. Many of Ravenclaw's top students had been invited to join teams from other houses. 

As a result, Ravenclaw students were the most disheartened when the rankings were announced.

"What's the big deal?" Wade said with a grin. "When the weather gets warmer, we can just organize another event. How about… challenging the Ball Python?"

"Ball Python?" Everyone was stunned, and Harry couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that the ultimate boss? No one's ever made it to that level yet!"

"At the current pace, Professor Flitwick predicts someone will reach the innermost level no later than early May," Wade said.

As the designer and founder of the event, his information was naturally trustworthy. Everyone's spirits immediately lifted, and they eagerly started discussing strategies to make up for their earlier losses.

"I know some potions specifically designed to deal with cold-blooded creatures," George said excitedly. "This time, we'll make sure to bring plenty of potions!"

Thanks to their thriving business selling game-related "merchandise," the twins no longer had to worry about running out of money.

"It's huge, and its scales can block most spells," Fred added. "We'll also need to learn some targeted spells, like the Conjunctivitis Curse…"

Harry, after listening for a while, turned to Neville and asked, "Does the Ball Python have any weaknesses?"

Neville, as it turned out, did know something.

His love for Herbology had led him to read extensively about plants and creatures. After thinking for a moment, Neville said, "I remember it's very sensitive to cold… If the temperature is too low, it becomes sluggish."

Harry immediately thought of a weather spell he'd once studied but abandoned because it was too difficult. He quietly pulled his old notebook from the bookshelf.

Neville added, "The Ball Python also has strict temperature requirements—it can't survive if it gets too hot, either."

Padma asked, "Would a Fire Curse work against it?"

Neville frowned, hesitated, and his expression became tinged with unease.

Wade tapped on the table and said, "Attention, everyone. This Ball Python is actually Professor Kettleburn's pet. At the end of this term, it will leave the school along with the professor."

"So…" Fred asked, "Does that mean we're not actually supposed to take down this boss?"

Wade shook his head. "In fact, when the time comes, the professor will prohibit the use of harmful spells and magical tools. Challengers will have to subdue it while minimizing any harm to it and ensuring they don't get hurt themselves."

Several Gryffindors exchanged puzzled looks, as if the difficulty had suddenly multiplied by a factor of ten.

Wade added calmly, "Although it's challenging, you still have about a month to prepare your strategies. Are you really worried you'll lose to Slytherin with that much time?"

As it turned out, people didn't hate unfairness—they hated it when favoritism wasn't in their favor.

Upon learning they could prepare ahead of Slytherin, even Hermione didn't complain. Instead, she enthusiastically joined in the discussions with the others.

Wade smiled faintly.

Dealing with the chubby yet docile Ball Python was just a rehearsal. The real challenge lay ahead!

He just hoped that the now-excited crowd wouldn't be too terrified when the time came.

Wade thought to himself with amusement as he spun his pen case idly in his hand.

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