Sagres's office had recently been completely renovated, to the point of being almost unrecognisable from before.
The walls were embedded with faintly glowing runes, and the books that once filled the shelves had been replaced with strange specins and shimring crystal containers.
It no longer resembled an office at all, but rather a bizarre combination of an alchemy workshop and a magical creature research laboratory.
At that mont, a clear space had been left in the centre of the room.
A blood-red magic circle drawn across the floor was gradually fading, while traces of residual magic floated through the air like fireflies before slowly dissipating.
Sagres stood at the edge of the circle, gently stroking the feathers along Noctis's body.
At first glance, Noctis looked no different from usual. Its feathers remained black as night, and its eyes were as sharp and intelligent as ever.
But upon closer inspection, one could occasionally catch a nearly imperceptible iridescent shimr flashing across the tips of its black wings, the successful integration of Occamy traits.
A rare hint of satisfaction appeared in Sagres's eyes.
"Now then, let's see whether the optimisation succeeded, Noctis," he said calmly.
"Reduce your size."
The next mont, a startling transformation took place.
Noctis's body seed to lose all support as it rapidly shrank inward like a collapsing shell.
In the blink of an eye, the large raven vanished completely.
In its place hovered a tiny buzzing "mosquito," its nearly transparent wings vibrating rapidly as it circled once around Sagres's finger.
If not for the outline still vaguely resembling a raven and those miniature yet still piercing eyes, it would have been almost impossible to distinguish it from a real insect.
Sagres gave a slight nod.
"Very good. Increase your size."
The tiny raven instantly expanded like an inflating balloon.
Its body rapidly enlarged as its wings spread wide, quickly surpassing the size of an ordinary hawk, then that of a Hippogriff... Its black feathers took on a cold tallic sheen, its beak resembled a gigantic scythe, and its talons looked like steel anchor hooks, its entire form radiating ferocity and overwhelming power.
At last, Noctis grew to rival a fully grown Ukrainian Ironbelly in size, its body stretching nearly sixty feet long and radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.
Fortunately, the office had been enlarged with an Undetectable Extension Charm. Otherwise, such a gigantic creature could never have fit inside.
Noctis let out a low, resonant cry, no longer sharp and raven-like, but deep like rolling thunder.
Sagres looked up at the colossal creature, his expression remaining calm, though the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
"Perfect."
He gave the evaluation casually, and with a wave of his hand, a thick leather-bound notebook and the self-writing quill beside it imdiately sprang into action.
"The speed of the size transformation and the stability of the form both t expectations. The Occamy's size-altering ability has integrated extrely well with you."
The quill danced rapidly across the pages while Sagres calmly dictated, his voice echoing clearly through the office.
"Record entry: Sixth Bloodline Grafting Optimisation. Subject: Noctis, Raven. Grafting Source: Peruvian Occamy."
"Result: Size-altering ability has stabilised. The subject can freely control its size within preset limits through its own will."
"Minimum form: approximately equivalent to the size of a mosquito from the Diptera family, possessing near-perfect stealth and environntal adaptability."
"Maximum form: body length can reach between fifty-eight and sixty feet, with wingspan enlarged proportionally. Physical strength, power, and defence are estimated to be comparable to those of an adult female dragon."
"The transformation process is smooth, with no obvious pain or rejection response. This ability possesses extrely high tactical value in scenarios including intelligence gathering, surprise attacks, intimidation, and direct assaults. Further long-term observation is still required to determine whether any unknown side effects exist."
The raven lowered its head and gently rubbed its enormous beak, capable of easily lifting a horse, against Sagres's palm in a gesture of submission and affection.
Sagres lightly patted the side of the steel-hard beak.
"Return."
The gigantic form rapidly shrank once more, quickly returning to the appearance of an ordinary raven. It flew back onto his shoulder, tilted its head, and began preening the feathers near the base of its wings.
"The size of a mosquito... enough to slip unnoticed into any crack." He murmured softly to himself. "The size of a dragon... enough to create sufficient deterrence and chaos when necessary."
Noctis let out a soft, low cry from his shoulder.
Sagres gently stroked the raven's feathers, a cold glint flashing through his eyes.
"No need to rush. In the future... I'll obtain the Phoenix's power of rebirth for you as well."
He walked over to the window, his gaze settling on the shimring Black Lake in the distance and the dark outline of the Forbidden Forest blurred beneath the night sky.
"Go for a flight..."
...Inside the Great Hall of Hogwarts, the Sorting Ceremony had just ended, and the four long House tables were still filled with the excitent and chatter of newly sorted students.
Golden plates and goblets glittered beneath the enchanted ceiling filled with stars.
But at that mont, every student's attention was focused on the silver-bearded old man seated at the centre of the staff table.
Albus Dumbledore slowly rose to his feet, raising his hands slightly. His gentle yet authoritative voice easily silenced the entire hall in an instant.
"Welco, welco back to Hogwarts for another new school year."
His blue eyes swept across the hall through his half-moon spectacles.
"Before we enjoy this delicious feast, which may help ease the fatigue of your journey, please allow an old man a mont to announce so exciting news."
The students held their breath, and even the ghosts drifted closer in anticipation.
"After long discussions and preparations by the Departnt of International Magical Cooperation and the Departnt of Magical Gas and Sports, I am delighted to announce—"
Dumbledore deliberately drew out his words, successfully capturing everyone's attention.
"—that the Triwizard Tournant, which has not been held for over a century, will return this year at Hogwarts!"
The silence lasted less than a second.
Then an enormous wave of cheers and uproar exploded throughout the Great Hall, nearly lifting the roof off the castle.
Students excitedly whispered among themselves, many leaping from their seats with expressions full of shock and excitent.
They had heard countless stories and rumours about the dangers and glory of the Triwizard Tournant. Ever since the inter-school duelling competition two years earlier, students had constantly been hearing more and more about it.
Dumbledore patiently waited for the noise to quiet slightly before continuing.
"Of course, there will be a few small differences from tradition. In addition to our familiar Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute confirming their participation, we are also in active discussions with several other prestigious magical schools. The final number of participating schools... may bring a few surprises."
Another wave of murmurs spread through the hall, this ti filled with speculation and curiosity.
"Other schools?"
"Could it be Ilvermorny from Arica? Or Uagadou from Africa?"
"Quiet, quiet." Dumbledore lightly clapped his hands. "This is an extrely rare opportunity to strengthen exchange and friendship within the international magical community..."
He paused, his expression becoming serious.
"However, I must emphasise that the Triwizard Tournant remains highly challenging and extrely dangerous. Throughout history, many people have lost their lives participating in it. Therefore, after discussions between the Ministry of Magic and the school, it has been decided that, for safety reasons, only students aged seventeen or older, and capable of accepting the consequences, will be permitted to enter the selection process."
Those words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the younger students, imdiately drawing a chorus of disappointed groans and protests throughout the hall.
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