High School of Demon Hunting

Transformation Technique can be considered the most cross-disciplinary magic subject of all.

It can intersect with Magic Potion Studies (such as self-transforming potions, or Compound Soup Remedies that can transform directionally); it can intersect with Herbology (such as Zhongnan Apricot that allows wings to grow, or more commonly, Gill Pouch Grass and Shaotang Fruit that allow wizards partial transformation); it can also intersect with Curse Studies and Shaman Magic (forced transformation techniques in Black Magic); intersect with Talisman Studies (Paper Cranes, Green Birds, etc.); intersect with Alchemy (Gargoyles); intersect with Divination Skill (using Transformation Technique to avoid diviners’ calculations), and so on.

It even involves some more fundamental subjects, like a subdivision in Alchemy that specifically researches metallic transformations, using related magic derived from transformation technique variations.

Specifically, the registered shape-shifting wizard exam that Zheng Qing is attending today involves one of the three major branches of transformation techniques, focusing on human transformation, with different paths of transformation influencing the focus of the assessment.

For example, through Druid Transformation Magic, the exam focuses on the wizard’s understanding of the "Celtic Canon," Celtic Priest rituals, the Code of Shepherd Treemen, the cultivation methods of Treemen, etc.

In contrast, classical transformation techniques place more emphasis on assessing the wizard’s casting stance, materials, spells, and other details.

Zheng Qing knew nothing about these.

He initially just thought he was good at transformation technique, believing he could easily transform into a cat and therefore pass the registered shape-shifting wizard assessment, which is why he signed up.

Upon receiving the exam paper, he was dumbfounded.

The paper had a total of forty questions, both subjective and objective. After briefly scanning through the questions, Zheng Qing felt that at least half of them had questions he couldn’t understand, and he only had a partial understanding of the other half.

One simple one, for instance, was a multiple-choice question asking for the biggest difference between traditional Europa Angsa Magic System transformation techniques (Animagus) and modern transformation techniques, with options given: A, Clothes and Accessories; B, Spells; C, Casting Materials; D, Names.

Zheng Qing easily excluded A and chose BCD.

...

...

"——Wrong! Big mistake!"

Before the evening class meeting, in the corner of the classroom, Doctor Xiao shook his head in disappointment after hearing Zheng Qing describe the exam questions: "Using Animagus Transformation Technique, clothes will merge into the transformer’s body, including some close-fitting accessories like glasses. For example, if you transform into a cat, the glasses will form a black frame around your eyes; on the contrary, modern transformation techniques keep clothes and transformers separate, don’t you have to crawl out of your robe every time you transform?"

The young assistant was dumbfounded.

"How would I know!"

He hastily flipped through the reference book in front of him, repeatedly protesting: "I’ve never learned anything about Animagus, how could I possibly know its differences with modern transformation techniques!"

"Didn’t you just answer one question correctly?" Xin Fat Man’s voice carried a hint of confusion: "It’s the one about which transformation technique the spell ’Amato Animo Animato Animagus’ belongs to..."

"Yes, I did answer ’Traditional Europa Angsa Magic System transformation technique.’"

With a heavy sigh, Zheng Qing looked troubled: "But that was simply because I saw this term in the later parts of the exam paper, and thought it looked similar to the spell, so I took a shot based purely on instinct..."

These words left the companions speechless.

"Just like my brother said, during exams, you might not know the answer, but you should never leave a question unanswered... Answering still gives you a small chance of scoring, leaving it blank ensures a zero!" Zhang Ji Xin commented, quite moved.

"He’s really lucky," Fat Wizard evaluated.

"Indeed, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this today." Zheng Qing turned to look out the window; although the sky wasn’t dark yet, the moon had already appeared, hanging under the eaves, shedding a gentle melancholy.

"Don’t daydream, there’s still one last question!" Xiao Xiao nudged Zheng Qing’s arm and adjusted his glasses, urging: "What’s the last question about?"

"Why are you so eager? You’re not the one taking the exam," Fat Wizard asked curiously.

"The joy of learning lies in exploring the unknown; it has nothing to do with eagerness." Doctor Xiao rolled his eyes and nudged Zheng Qing’s arm again.

The young man recalled sluggishly and finally spoke: "—Hmm, Yiyun transforms into a tiger, Gentleman transforms into a leopard, the petty person changes face. Discuss the three realms of transformation magic expressed by this phrase."

"How did you answer?"

"A powerful wizard can transform into a powerful creature, like a Big Wizard can transform into a tiger; a medium-grade wizard can transform into ordinary creatures, like a registered wizard transforming into a leopard; a weak wizard can’t transform fully and can only put a mask on their face to pretend they’ve successfully transformed..."

"Are you serious?" Even Zhang Ji Xin knew this was nonsense.

"You try sitting in the exam room!"

Zheng Qing banged his head on the desk, full of frustration: "You have three rows of invigilators sitting in front of you, dozens of eyes staring at you, and the exam paper in front of you is filled with things you don’t understand... To be honest! I think coming up with such a logically coherent answer at that moment was already quite impressive!"

"It’s not completely nonsense," Xiao Xiao gave an unexpectedly positive evaluation: "—At the very least, you described some essential aspects of different realms of transformation technique. If this question is worth three points, the examiner should give you one point."

"What’s the real answer?" Fat Wizard immediately showed interest.

Zheng Qing also quietly listened intently.

Xiao Xiao calmly took out a feather pen and drew three lines on the paper.

"Since the question requires a discussion of the three realms of transformation technique, it’s naturally not a literal translation." He first drew a tiger’s head next to the top line: "The highest level of transformation technique is ’great person tiger transform,’ meaning a person of great status is filled with the majesty and power of a tiger, someone in a high position whose actions and transformations are unpredictable—this is an internal transformation from appearance to spirit, emphasizing changes on the ’spiritual level.’

Secondly, ’Gentleman leopard transform,’ the medium level of transformation technique, where the wizard gradually becomes adept at it, any transformation occurs naturally. This stage emphasizes ’external glamor and brilliance,’ changes are superficial.

The lowest level, ’petty person changes face,’ just like Mr. Zha said, uses a mask to hide, pretending to have transformed, but it is fundamentally different from genuine transformation technique. In Druid Transformation Magic, there’s a fast-track method, like wanting to transform into a wolf, you find a wolf pelt and every time you transform you need to drape the pelt over yourself—this is a good example of low-level transformation technique."