Chapter 27: Challenging Tom
Chapter 27: Challenging Tom
"In the predominantly peaceful environment of the magical world, the dangers you face will come not only from fellow wizards but also from the various and peculiar Dark Creatures in the wild."
"However, no matter how unique the abilities of these magical creatures may be, they generally share one common trait: a physique far more robust than that of a wizard."
"Therefore, you must learn how to use the magic you have learned to combat enemies who are much faster and stronger than you."
"Such magical creatures are usually not tamed and cannot be used as practice partners in your classes."
"But wizards are called wizards because we always have more methods to solve problems than ordinary people."
"So, through Transfiguration, I have created a creature that is perfectly suited to be your sparring partner."
Sherlock stood calmly to one side of the classroom, giving the "Beast" he had just transfigured plenty of space to show off its speed and strength.
However, the young wizards below had peculiar expressions on their faces, staring at the creature Sherlock had transfigured, clearly trying not to laugh.
"Did Professor Sherlock make a mistake while transfiguring it? It doesn't look like any beast at all", Dean, who shared a dorm with Harry, whispered with a grin.
Hermione's roommate, Lavender, curiously examined the four-legged creature standing on two legs. "What is it? A tiger? Or a cat? It looks so cute!"
Hermione, with an academic gaze, immediately recognized the blue-gray furred animal that Sherlock had transfigured.
"It has its own name. Perhaps we can call it Tom?"
After Sherlock completed the transfiguration, Harry's eyes widened in recognition.
As a teenager who had lived with Muggles for twelve years, he naturally recognized this famous cartoon character.
Although the Dursleys never let him watch television, Tom, as a top star in the cartoon world, was as well-known in the Muggle world as Harry Potter was in the magical world.
"Professor Forrest has actually seen Tom the cat!"
Harry was less concerned about who his opponent was and more surprised by this revelation.
Only Ron looked confused.
"Why is this cat called Tom?"
The blue-gray cat, which Sherlock had transfigured from a desk, stood on two legs, hands on its hips, and a smile that was both innocent and cunning, looking at the students.
The young wizards who didn't recognize it found its appearance strangely amusing, seeing no threat and only a sense of absurdity.
Those who did recognize it were even less tense and afraid.
Tom, after all, was an old friend, a cartoon cat that couldn't even catch a mouse. What was there to be afraid of?
Sherlock saw the expressions on their faces and was not surprised by their reactions. Anyone seeing Tom the cat as their opponent would think it was a joke.
But would the transfigured creature Sherlock had created for the second-year practical lessons be so simple?
"I know you find it ridiculous that it's your opponent."
Sherlock's calm voice interrupted the students' murmurs.
"I am also offering a reward. Whoever can defeat it in this class will earn their house twenty points and be exempt from homework for the next month."
As soon as he said this, all the students became restless.
Twenty points was no small matter, and being exempt from homework for a month was even better!
Soon, young wizards were vying to be the first to step forward and accept the challenge.
Sherlock randomly selected a Hufflepuff boy from the group.
The boy stood across from Tom, a smug look on his face as he gripped his wand, acting as if the reward Sherlock had promised was already his before the duel even began.
"Are you ready?" Sherlock asked the eager boy softly.
"Of course, Professor."
"Then the challenge begins."
As Sherlock’s words echoed, all the students below widened their eyes in anticipation.
The Hufflepuff boy, undisturbed by the tension, calmly pointed his wand at Tom.
"Force"
However, before he could even finish the first syllable of his spell, a blue shadow leaped in front of him!
The boy panicked, cutting off his spell and attempting to back away to gain some distance.
But Tom gave him no chance to react. Effortlessly, he grabbed the boy’s collar, lifting him into the air, and simultaneously snatched his wand with his other hand.
The entire process took less than three seconds, and the young Hufflepuff wizard was easily subdued by Tom!
With a victorious grin, Tom turned his comical cat face back to the watching students, letting out a silent, triumphant laugh.
The spectators burst into laughter.
Anyone could see that the Hufflepuff boy had been overconfident, which is why Tom had defeated him so easily.
The boy, now dangling in the air by his collar, blushed and tried to explain to Sherlock.
"Professor, I wasn’t ready. I request another chance."
But Sherlock clearly had no intention of giving him another opportunity.
"Overconfidence is a grave mistake in battle. If this were a real fight, losing your wand would leave you defenseless. And each student only gets one chance."
At Sherlock’s signal, Tom released the boy, who slunk back to the students, enduring the teasing of his friends.
For the second round of challenges, Sherlock selected Ron.
Ron stood confidently in the center of the arena, borrowing Hermione’s wand.
He believed he had figured out all of Tom’s abilities and would not make the same mistake of underestimating him as the previous Hufflepuff boy had.
As Sherlock’s voice signaled the start of the second challenge, Ron took the lesson from the previous failure to heart. Instead of casting a spell immediately, he performed a quick side roll to change his position, then aimed his wand at the spot where Tom had just lunged!
"Leg-Locker Curse!"
The spell successfully shot from Ron’s wand, a brilliant red beam that streaked toward Tom with blinding speed!
Just as all the students thought Ron’s spell would surely hit and secure twenty points for Gryffindor—
Tom’s elongated body suddenly bent into a crescent shape, easily dodging the curse!
In the next second, he pounced on Ron, pinning him to the ground and snatching his wand from his hand!
The students in the audience were dumbfounded by the scene.
Tom, once again victorious, pounded his chest in a hilarious, triumphant laugh.
Sherlock, standing to the side, smiled slightly.
All the effort he had put into refining Tom’s transformation had not been in vain.
While the Tom he had created was certainly not as powerful as the one from the cartoon, the strongest animated characters often came from comedy shows.
Even a knockoff version of Tom was more than a match for these second-year wizards, who relied on straightforward spellcasting.
Only by using their magic more flexibly did they stand a chance.
(End of Chapter)
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