Chapter 57: The Four Stages

Subsequently, Andrew Tuck elaborated on the advantages of the Path of Transformation.

Firstly, transformation itself is more omnipotent than other forms of magic. Ordinary spells and potions usually have a single fixed effect, but transformation is much more comprehensive. For instance, transforming into an eagle grants all the eagle's abilities, including its keen vision and the ability to fly, and can even be used for hiding from enemies.

As a functional form of magic, transformation has a wide range of applications, and its effectiveness often depends on the user's creativity, offering great value for its cost.

Secondly, Andrew believes that for wizards to achieve godhood or omnipotence, relying on their frail bodies, almost indistinguishable from ordinary Muggles, is clearly insufficient.

Any dangerous spell or volatile potion could lead to a wizard's sudden demise.

Moreover, most spells and potions are temporary. To permanently enhance physical qualities and strengthen defense and attack capabilities, changes to one's own body are necessary, and this is hard to achieve without the support of transformation magic.

Third, building this path around Animagi might retain the advantages of Animagus transformation: no preparation needed, wandless casting, and very short casting time, offering an edge in unexpected situations.

Fourth, compared to the more elusive spells, the development of transformation magic benefits from the accumulated biotechnological advancements in the Muggle world. Its basic logic is somewhat predictable and not a complete black box.

Overall, this seems to be the most down-to-earth and feasible path.

"Based on my speculation, the Path of Transformation can actually be divided into four stages," Andrew mused. "The first stage is the biological stage."

"In this stage, a wizard can transform into any creature and possess various unique abilities of different species, including magical creatures, through partial or specialized transformation."

"This stage can further be divided into subcategories like animal transformation, magical creature transformation, plant transformation, even microbial transformation, and may have a certain sequence. Through partial, specialized, or combined transformations, we reach the final state of the biological stage: mythical creature transformation."

"Wizards can transform into any creature they imagine, including but not limited to nine-headed fire dragons, three-headed six-armed demons, etc."

"The second stage is the non-biological stage."

"Transformation magic allows for turning living beings into non-living objects. If non-living objects can also be included in transformation, then wizards could possess a true titanium body, or even transform into various technological creations of Muggles, thus acquiring abilities like jet flight, laser eyes, hydraulic hammers, and even creating nuclear bombs by hand or achieving mechanical ascension."

"The third stage is the elemental stage."

"According to our current understanding of physics, all matter is essentially vibrating particles. Our perception of matter exists due to the interaction forces between particles."

"Most of our sensations of matter are due to electromagnetic forces. In other words, objects don't truly exist; they are just movements of countless particles in a field."

"When wizards can freely transform into any material, they enter this stage. They can change their material form, combine particles at will, and freely switch between various states of matter."

"When in a solid state, a wizard could be a rock, a sword, a mountain; in a liquid state, a basin of water, a drop of mercury, or a river of magma; in a gaseous state, a gust of wind, a can of gas, or even a wisp of nerve gas; in a plasma state, they become fire, lightning, aurora."

"Even more, they could reach the fifth state, becoming a material like a white dwarf, virtually impervious to earthly harm. Their mere existence could destroy everything."

"Perhaps, they could even become material like a neutron star? We don't know; this is beyond our current knowledge."

"If reaching the ultimate in matter is not the end, then perhaps the fourth stage, the Void Stage, is the final conclusion."

"At that time, the wizard is no longer matter, not even energy or a field. They become quantum fluctuations in a vacuum, the Dirac sea, a wave function, they become fate itself."

"At that time, they might truly be called omniscient and omnipotent."

...

"Your concept is fascinating," Murphy said to Andrew Tuck after the presentation.

"I'm not really sure..." Andrew became nervous again within social distance, "Th-thank you for your praise."

Murphy smiled, not minding, "I want you to form a research group for the Path of Transformation to validate your theory. What do you think?"

"Really?!" Andrew was extremely excited, "Of course, I'd love to!"

"Good. You can pick anyone from the researchers as long as they are willing," Murphy said. "Tell me whatever equipment or materials you need, and I'll try to meet your demands. Do you have any rough research plan?"

"Yes! Of course! I've been thinking about it for a long time! First, our core is the Animagi, but the transformation time required by Animagi is too long. We also need to consider other aspects. I plan to start with the transformation of werewolves and vampires, as this is also a permanent change and can add some magical properties to the transformee, which is very valuable for reference. If we could get some vampire blood or werewolf body tissue..."

Andrew spoke rapidly for a while, then suddenly realized his boss was still standing in front of him and choked up.

"Sorry, Director, I get carried away when I'm excited..."

"This shows your focus," Murphy said. "Andrew, you're a genius. I'll get you what you want, have Laura help you set up your team, and then start testing your hypotheses!"

...

Murphy was so excited about the concept of the Path of Transformation that his smile remained even when he met Patrick.

"What's up, encountered something good?"

Patrick had been seeing his boss less frequently, but the umbrella company was running smoothly under his leadership with several hundred employees, so Murphy's presence or absence didn't make much of a difference.

"Yeah, a great thing," Murphy replied.

"Coincidentally, I also have some good news to tell you."