Professor McGonagall becoming headmaster might have been a coincidence.
But the power of Transfiguration was undeniable.
In Roger's view, Transfiguration was the closest magic to "divinity."
It could turn metal into cotton, poison into nutrients, water and fire into a gentle breeze. Even the "Summoning and Vanishing" spells under Transfiguration could directly alter the existence of matter itself. With this single branch of magic, nearly all non-magical means in the modern world became meaningless.
Calling it the "ultimate form of material manipulation" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Even the five exceptions of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration—such as "food conjured through Transfiguration cannot satisfy hunger"—were, in essence, limitations of the spell's integration rather than an inherent flaw. The transformed material couldn't be broken down into nutrients while the spell was active, preventing the body from absorbing it.
If a wizard transformed individual particles and then reassembled them into bread, it could indeed be consumed for sustenance. In other words, it was the wizard's limitations that restricted Transfiguration's potential, not the magic itself.
If there existed a wizard with a mind powerful enough to fully comprehend magic, they could theoretically simulate nearly every magical effect using only Transfiguration.
It had the potential to become the lever that moved everything.
Roger had received systematic scientific education in his previous life, and he wasn't someone easily swayed by emotions. Compared to magics that relied on extreme emotions and spirituality—casting spells through sheer "imagination"—Transfiguration aligned more with reason. It was a magic that could be wielded through "conceptualization," making it the perfect fit for him.
Among the theoretical books Professor McGonagall lent him, besides Ritual Magic: More Than Just Blood Sacrifices, there was another book that Roger found particularly interesting.
This book not only reinforced his decision to stay away from Dark Magic unless necessary but also made him realize that Transfiguration might be the best path toward immortality.
Is Casting Through Extreme Emotions a Flawed Path?
This book was written in ancient Europe, during an era when bloodstained, terrifying magic was at its peak. The author was an elderly wizard nearing the end of his life.
At the time, the three major schools of magic—"Modification," "Rituals," and "External Enhancements"—had not yet been fully validated. These disciplines would later evolve into the widely recognized fields of bloodline and soul modifications, Transfiguration, intricate ritual magic, alchemy, and potioneering.
Instead, another school of thought dominated among wizards seeking power.
The Emotion School.
It was well known that emotions played a significant role in the strength of one's magical abilities. Extreme love, hatred, sorrow, joy, or the desire to protect others could unleash unimaginable power.
Lily Potter's sacrificial love spell had repelled Voldemort's Avada Kedavra.
Even ten years later, Voldemort still suffered immense backlash just from touching Harry.
On the other hand, extreme pain and suffering gave birth to the terrifying Dementors of Azkaban.
Self-loathing and repression resulted in the formation of powerful Obscurials.
The ability to harness extreme emotions led to various supernatural phenomena that surpassed the limits of ordinary wizards.
In ancient times, many wizards believed that manipulating emotions was the key to breaking through the limits of magical power and ascending to godhood.
But looking at the current state of the wizarding world—hidden away from society, with modern magic replacing ancient magic—it was clear what fate had befallen those wizards.
The book Is Casting Through Extreme Emotions a Flawed Path? was largely the author's reflections at the end of his life, resembling a personal memoir rather than a strict academic text.
However, Roger found two theories in the book particularly valuable.
The Magical Resonance Theory and The Magic Selection Theory
The old wizard introduced these theories by discussing the fundamental tool of almost every wizard's journey—the wand.
> "When I bought my first wand, Mr. Ollivander told me: 'A wizard chooses the wand, and the wand chooses the wizard.'"
> "Do not chase after legendary wands. You are not suited for them. Even if you hold one, it will reject you. You won't be able to cast a single spell, and it may even backfire on you."
> "This is your wand. It may look unremarkable, but it will grow with you. Every choice you make will shape both you and it."
> "A person's greatness lies in the choices they make."
Wands and wizards were connected by mutual choice and influence. The same applied to spellcasting.
> "A wizard chooses magic, and magic also chooses the wizard."
Just as someone without happy memories couldn't cast a Patronus, and someone without the intent to kill couldn't cast Avada Kedavra.
> "Wizards influence magic."
A wizard who harbored deep rejection toward the outside world would cast stronger banishing spells. Someone who loved freedom would be naturally gifted in the Levitation Charm.
> "Magic influences wizards."
Wizards who studied Dark Magic requiring extreme negative emotions would, over time, become more sinister, resentful, and quick-tempered.
> "This emotional feedback exists not just in Dark Magic—it applies to all spells."
For example, casting the Shield Charm frequently made wizards more cautious. The Patronus Charm encouraged optimism.
However, this feedback followed a basic principle: the stronger a wizard's intent when casting a spell, the greater the effect the magic had on them.
A spell cast with minimal emotional investment would have a negligible impact on the wizard.
In short, as long as one avoided extreme emotional casting—refraining from pushing themselves to their absolute limits with every spell—there wouldn't be significant consequences.
For ordinary wizards, how many times in their lives would they need to cast spells with life-or-death intensity? Any small influence would fade with time.
But if one relied on Dark Magic that required extreme emotions to function, then nothing could save them from its effects.
These insights not only made Roger more cautious about Dark Magic and high-risk spellcasting but also reinforced the importance of choosing spells that suited him.
It was like how Harry Potter relied on Expelliarmus throughout his battles. Was it because he couldn't use other combat spells?
No—he simply had an affinity for it.
> A wizard chooses magic, and magic also chooses the wizard. A well-matched spell could produce results far beyond its normal power.
Roger sought immortality, and the path he had chosen was the Modification School proposed by ancient wizards.
The reason other wizards failed on this path was a lack of test subjects.
But Roger intended to use his ability to foresee danger—his "Holy Experimentation Body"—to forcefully unravel the secrets of life.
He had no idea how long it would take.
It could be years, decades, or perhaps he would never succeed, dying like Phaethon chasing the sun, or Don Quixote tilting at windmills—leaving behind nothing but a tragic legend.
But since he had chosen this path, he wouldn't abandon any opportunity that could increase his chances of success.
Roger's tests had proven that Transfiguration not only had immense potential, but also suited him well.
Of course, when it came to something as important as his life's path, he wouldn't just theorize in isolation.
After the Transfiguration class ended, as the other Gryffindor students left, Roger stayed behind.
He wanted to consult someone experienced, someone who had given him much guidance.
"Professor McGonagall, what do you think of my idea?"
---
Join the "Eternity Reader or God Reader Membership" and access 80+ advanced chapters & faster updates here: patreon.com/Kramq