Sword is equal to Wand, Chapter 13

The Elemental Harmonization lesson went on for a good amount of time until Professor McGonagell finally had us whip out our long and girthy wands. We were finally going to do some actual magic!

"Now, upon your tables are... Buttons. You must turn the buttons made out of fired clay, into metal pins or even a sowing needle. The incantation for such a transformation is thus Metallicus that must be followed with a sharp stabbing wand motion."

For a long moment I delved into the Library of Heavens Path to read up on the spell details in more essence, and then with a hum of thought I came out of my mindscape of the Library of Heaven's Path with my Acacia Wand slowly but sharply stabbing forward to the button my table.

All the while, as I did so. I imagined the button in my mind, and beside the button I imagined the silver sowing needle with a slightly curved hole in the back so that a stronger would more easily fit.

Along with the needle itself being slightly roughly patterened so that it woudn't slip out of my hands while I sowed with it.

I blinked as the button turned exactly in what I wanted, and I idly realized I had forgotten to use the incantation as well.

"Jake Bariss... Will you please explain how you managed to turn your button into a high quality sowing needle, that has a gripped pattern on it as well. On your first try, with no incantation?" Professor McGonagall spoke her face twitching as I paused at her voice.

The room itself went quiet at how McGonagall was so publicly addressing me and so I swallowed before I explained. "I uhh, just followed the wand motion. And while keeping a firm mental grasp of how I wanted a sowing needle, I could actually use to sow, to replace the button." 

Professor McGonagall took a deep breath before shaking her head and saying thoughtfully. "What you just did is what normally only fourth year students can manage... The will, and mental strength to fully visualize the transformation process even for a single elemental change between the simplest forms of Earth to Metal is normally only accomplished by young adults."

She scanned over the rest of the class and said rather blandly. "It's not a matter of magical power, talent, or even skill... Its simply that you young students haven't trained your minds to empty themselves while preforming magic. Because having an active and distracted mind can lead to... Horific and life threatening issues when magic is done incorrectly."

Professor McGonagall shook her head and then began to lecture us. "I imagine with this being your last class of the day, you have already been told multiple times how you all need to be here in Hogwarts or another school to learn magic correct?"

Her smile was mirthless as she looked past us as she said quietly. "During the Cold War, between America and Russia there was constant nuclear threats being bandied about. And that constant screams about nuclear armaggeddon made some new students make mistakes that only teachers and more powerful cultivators could fix."

Susan who was sitting beside me raised her hand with McGonagall nodding for her to go ahead with Susan saying thoughtfully.

"You mean those kids in America who accidentally made a bunch of radioactive, transfigured objects that needed to be destroyed right?" 

To which McGonagall gave a sad smile and said. "That's correct, when students had radio's walkman's and other things that connected them to the outside world and they listened to people constantly talking about nuclear annhilation, their minds were so clouded that it affected their transfigurations."

Then McGonagall cleared her throat and said. "In either case. Fifty spirit stones to Gryffindor for a wonderful first transfiguration Jake. If you wish to continue I suggest you use the same incantation to transform the pin into other smaller metal constructs." 

I just relaxed for a moment before I jabbed the sowing needle again all the while I imagined the needle changing from a needle to a small metal train with movable wheels.

And then I pushed the little train across the desk and made a quiet choo choo noise to my self while Susan snickered as I just played with the little conjured basic steel grey train that didn't have much if any details.

I mean making the sowing needle was hard enough, but adding wheels to this train was as far as I could get right now.

And in the corner of my eye I could see McGonagall's face twitch as she saw me playing with my toy train while the other students struggled to turn their buttons to a needle, let alone a sowing needle.

Finally I paused in thought, as I looked up to McGonagall and asked curiously. "Professor McGonagall, I have a quick question."

At her nod, I then asked as such information wasn't in our first year book at least. "What is the extent in which something like a button could be transfigured like mass wise. Regardless of the elemental changes of state of being, what about the mass of the original conjured object, does it place limits on how far I can transfigure it?"

McGonagall actually smiled at my question and she quickly explained that yes, mass did play a part in tranfiguration even if it went by the name of Elemental Harmonization. But those 'limits and rules' could be easily broken simply by the wizard pumping more magic into the spell.

"Normally itself not worth it frankly. Turning a cup into something like an entire table. But it can be done with simply more magic. It's even more easily done, when the transformation is down with the transformation being a very temporary thing as well." She explained.

Then before I could blink I jumped slightly as McGonagall waved her hand towards me and a dozen fist sized stones formed on the table in front of me with McGonagall saying bluntly. "Keeping expermenting Mr Bariss, You clearly are a prodigy at Elemtental Harmization but that doesn't mean you can just sit their idly."

I nodded in understanding before I had a mischevious thought in mind and I looked to Susan with a wry smile. "Hey, I hope this isn't too rude... But can I get the rest of the table?" 

Susan raised an eyebrow but she just shrugged and sat back in her chair with her button that had turned a bit silver yet remained a button. Not a needle at all atop her bag so she could continue her practise.

I took a deep breath as I delved into my mental world, and remembering McGonagall's words about closing off my mind to distractions and other bullshit like the other students trying and failing horribly at their transfiguration.

I began my work, with a stabbing motion I began turning the rocks into train tracks and then... I used another couple of rocks to make the minature train even bigger so that it went from the size of a finger to bigger then my fist and was closer to the size of like a large soda bottle in length.

Then. I began playing with my train set and driving the train along the sides of the rectangle shaped desk me and Susan shared with Susan giggling and saying quietly. "If only you knew some color changing charms you could turn it into the Hogwarts Express."

And at that I looked up to McGonagall whose face pinched as with her enhanced senses she could clearly hear Susan's words and then with a roll of her eye's she flicked a finger towards me.

Both Susan and I grinned as the rather still simple train was then painted red with gold and black highlights so that it would match the hogwarts express.

Still, I felt that was enough as it had taken me a good amount of time and energy especially to get the tracks fitted together so I just sat back in my chair until Susan with a pout whispered. "Jake!"

I looked over at her and sat that her button that was on her bag in her lap was now... Covered in needle like spikes.

"Please help me Jake. Do you have any advice?" She asked helplessly and I knew that she very much wanted to get this done correctly as McGonagall alreadly told us that anyone who doesn't manage to get their in class transfiguration done correctly to her standard. 

Would have remedial extra work in written assignments along with mandated practise hours they HAD to meet, and woe be upon anyone who skipped those practice hours.

With a moment of thought... I blinked and smiled before I said easily. "Sure... Do you mind if I touch your hand to help you?"

She paused at my question before hurriedly nodding as there was only like a bit over five minutes left to class. 

I put my hand over hers that was holding her wand... I shut down my mind and I felt my magic coursing through my veins, coursing through my meridians, and then I gently, slowly and carefully pushed a tiny amount of magic through my hands into the back of Susan's hand.

I felt her jolt slightly but I just hummed thoughtfully while holding in a grimace as I felt Susan's... Murky and dark mana that was filled with the corruption and dregs of centuries of rituals and elixer use in her powerful family line.

Still, I pushed my ever so clean, clear, and percise mana through her veins, and into her fingers and then with my hand covering hers. I made a stabbing motion while expressing my will, and magic through our conjoined connection.

And a loud clanging of metal rang out as Susan's spiky button turned into a fucking baseball sized gleaming silver sowing needle that made me pause in suprise and go still as it hit the marble stone ground like a hollow metal bar being tossed onto the ground.

The entire class paused in their frantic attempts at what I clearly realized was McGonagall's trick of a lesson that would make everyone have homework on their first lesson to drive in the need to practise.

Then McGonagall said dryly. "Class, this is why people aren't supposed to merge their magic and wills unless they have known each other for a long time. Have trained to measure their combined magic, and have control over their own magic to begin with."

She shook her head with a small smile as she made the baseball bat sized needle float into the air and then with a raised eyebrow she waved her own wand at it with it turning back into a button that landed in front of Susan.

"Control your own magic Miss Bones, Jake's own magic may be so pure and clean that it is far easier to feel the end goal of a spell and assignment. But you need to do the same as well."

Susan nodded and then with a firm expression that was filled with a strong mental picture of what she wanted. She stabbed at the button and I raised an eyebrow as the button turned into a dull needle that earned a passing nod from McGonagall with her marking down Susan's name as passing.

Susan then threw me a look of victory while several students who weren't frantically trying to pass todays clearly rigged class assignment cursed under their breaths and I could feel heavy gazes being aimed at me as people began whispering at my 'talent' for teaching.

As already new's of me teaching Daphne Greengrass how to get to the Elemental Manifestation stage of her families private martial arts was spreading.

I myself just sagged in place before mentally shrugging and closing my eye's as I put my head into my arms on the table so I could enter the Library of Heavens Path for the rest of class time.

I had a strong feeling that with the talent I had been showing off so much... I was going to be challenged soon enough as Gryffindor wasn't Slytherin who had sneaky shit going on. I was going to get punched in the teeth if I wasn't strong enough to defend my title of genius.

-

"So the first days has ended. How has your lessons gone, any students of note you wish to speak of?" A bright yet powerful voice spoke in the midst of a large meeting room.

The speaker was the great and powerful Albus Dumbledore, slayer of monsters in countable numbers and he patiently sat a large throne of a seat while the rest of the faculty that were seated in a semi circle around him shared looks.

Then at the end at of the line near the more combat aligned classes, Rubeus Hagrid the teacher of martial arts and body refinement spoke out with his deep and powerful voice. "Aye, I had a very intresting day as you might have heard Headmaster."

Dumbledore's face twitched into an amused smile as he nodded and said ruefully. "Indeed, Lucius Malfoy has already made a complaint about his princess getting a bloody nose and being knocked out of her arena during her first combat class." 

The rest of the faculity snorted with even Severus Snape looking amused as it was well known that for all that Lucius Malfoy was a snake who relied on politics and being ruthless to hold his powerful family together.

He had the reverse scale of a princess daughter that had him wrapped around her finger.

In either case the teachers refocused as Hagrid cleared his throat and said with a grin.

"As lovely... Ahem, I mean it was good that Dorea had some sense knocked into her, but I am happy to see a talented martial artist in Jake Bariss reaching the Elemental Manifestation stage in the class as well."

Dumbledore and the rest of the faculty made some noises of thought and appreciation before a chuckle rang out as Mavuika said with a grin. "Heh, I was his introducer to the wizarding world when he was brought to Diagon Alley, I didn't think he would be such a talent for martial arts, with how even my patron appreciated his mana quality." 

Then Flitwork snorted as the shorter man said proudly. "Heh, martial arts indeed! I watched the lad easily stepping into the initial stages of the astral based cultivation art he picked. He will obviously be a great spell caster and duelist rather than a body refiner!"

McGonagall then cleared her throat with several of the teachers going silent at her noise as she was still one of the most respected teachers and cultivators in the school with her great strength.

"Ahem, I however had Jake in my last class today. Jake is obviously going to be walking the path of a master of Elemental Harmonization rather than purely a path of power and physcial... Banditry."

Dumbledore's glorious beard twitched as he watched in amuesment as McGonagall and Flitwick began arguing on what Jake should focus on while Hagrid... Not wanting his clothes turned into writhing snakes or himself to be floated into the worlds atmosphere kept an honest silence.

Still Dumbledore cleared his throat and said more pointedly. "It's wonderful to hear that this year has so many wonderful talents this year. Jake Bariss, our very own Lily's own daughter, and so many more children blooming with potential. Still, Mavuika how has the news come of the Forest?"

Mavuika's expression darkened before she said with clear annoyance. "That drider population isn't being purged enough to match their own growth rate. To say nothing of the Lamia who are suppressing the small Gorgon tribe in the Spirit King Forest." 

Dumbledore's expression turned cold before he nodded and said cooly. "I see, then Mavuika I would ask that you, Severus, Hagrid, and the other Spirit King's at least work to purge the tunnels hosting the Driders during the nights when they are active."

The three mentioned gave sharp nods with Severus Snape standing up and saying with a tired drawl. "Then please excuse me Headmaster... If I am to be filling their tunnels with poisons and maledictions, I will need to double-check my stocks."

Hagrid then hummed and said thoughtfully. "Hmm, how about we see if we can capture a few driders as well Severus. It will be good for the kids to see a real monster and we can let them blood themselves or at least see them being killed."

The teachers all nodded as that was a wonderful idea obviously with the darker skinned astronomy teacher who mostly taught the upper years the secrets of the stars spoke softly in a husky whisper.

"This newer generation, especially the Newbloods and Halfbloods are exposed to a weakness in the muggle community. Having them deal with a monster would be a perfect test for their minds, and allow us to see what makes up their hearts." 

Dumbledore cleared his throat as well and said firmly. "It's a good idea. But do not catch too many even if you can... All of the monsters MUST be killed the very day they are captured, and at least five animated suits of armor and a half dozen house elves must be watching them." 

All the teachers nodded in agreement to Dumbledore's precautions. As to say the least, they couldn't allow a student to die on their watch to a monster they had brought into the school. 

Then Mavuika spoke up. "Ah also, the Gorgon clan in the Spirit King Forest also have a trio of first moltlings they plan to allow to make a contract should they so wish. Will that be an issue?"

The room went quiet. Although Gorgons weren't on the almost innately divine level that was the proud dragons, phoenixes, and a very few other supernatural races were. They were a second place to those races that few, if any, would dare to claim as equal to.

As to say nothing of their innate Eye's of Petrification that was even more powerful in its conceptual abilities compared to a Basilisk's killing glare. Their venom was second to none in all of the supernatural world that wasn't already a divine being. Along with their blood if freely given being a high-tier healing elixer.

"That... Will have issues should a first-year make such a contract. Their magical energy would be tapped very heavily the Gorgon, so it might very well not be worth introducing to anyone below third year at all." Dumbledore said thoughtfully.

And Mavuika shrugged helplessly as she said with a wry smile. "That's what I thought, and even told the clan's Matriarch. But she wanted her clan's descendants showed off to find who they like the best."

To which Dumbledore shook his head and said calmly. "Fine, but make sure that if they choose a younger student, they know what they are getting into. Now, beyond the riders and lamia's becoming an issue. I spoke with the Merking in the Great Lake and they happily told me that the new harvest of aquatic herbs is ahead on schedule, thankfully."