Chapter 358: Attempting to Abscond with a Wampus Cat
This sewn-together world was currently bathed in the thick, swirling mists of early morning.
Leaving the initial workshop area behind, Sean and Newt found themselves standing atop a jagged precipice. Beneath their feet, a sea of clouds churned and rolled like a white ocean. Far in the distance, snow-capped peaks flickered in and out of the morning haze, while a river meandered through a vast, rolling savanna. Above, the "sky" was speckled with the soft, bioluminescent glow of thousands of floating insects.
Newt led Sean down a rugged, winding path. Sean could feel the ground beneath his boots—damp, cool, and remarkably solid. A gust of wind blew from the direction of the Thunderbird's craggy habitat, whipping the hem of his robes and stirring a fresh surge of academic fervor in his chest regarding Undetectable Extension magic.
"My footsteps have crossed five continents," Master Newt began in his habitually bashful, quiet tone. "I've visited the dens of beasts, the burrows of underground dwellers, and the nesting grounds of the great birds. I've observed the singular habits of magical creatures in over a hundred countries—feeling their power firsthand, winning their trust... and occasionally fending them off with a traveling kettle."
Newt paused, looking out over the landscape. "This is but a corner of the wider world of creatures. Even now, my knowledge of the stories happening across the Wizarding World remains limited. Every species touched by magic is a living miracle. And so..."
Newt seemed more than happy to share his wisdom with Sean. Despite the boy being only twelve, the legendary magizoologist treated him with the utmost respect, speaking to him like a fellow seeker of truth rather than a mere student.
"And so... we must act as a link in the balance," Sean continued, quoting a passage he knew by heart. "It means a responsible wizard must take up the duty of concealing, caring for, and controlling the magical beasts and spirits within their jurisdiction."
Sean had committed the entirety of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to memory. When Newt spoke, the text manifested effortlessly in Sean's mind.
Beside him, Snowy nudged Sean's hand with her beak. Tila the Bowtruckle had already scrambled up Sean's sleeve, chirping defiantly at a local Bowtruckle to assert her dominance over "her" wizard.
"Wizards are not the masters of magical creatures," Sean added softly. "We are partners sharing the same breath."
Hearing those words spoken in such a youthful voice, Newt's footsteps faltered. He turned his clear, honest gaze toward Sean and offered a shy smile filled with a deep, resonant joy.
By now, they had reached the middle of a mountain slope. There, playing in the first rays of the artificial dawn, was a creature resembling a large cougar.
"The Wampus Cat possesses an innate gift for Legilimency," Newt explained. "They can sense a wizard's malice with ease. More importantly, they run faster than a stray arrow. I found this one near Ilvermorny—injured and abandoned. I've cared for her ever since. I've always intended to release her back into the wild, but... well, over the years, the residents of this case have only grown in number."
Newt reached into a pouch and handed Sean a piece of raw, blood-streaked meat.
"Delilah hasn't had her breakfast yet. I'll stay right here, Mr. Green. Go on—try. The first step is always the most daunting."
Sean's heart hammered against his ribs. It had been months since he first started his search for a Wampus Cat. He and Professor Terra had traveled across an ocean to reach Ilvermorny primarily to encounter this very species.
Arrow-like speed. Hypnosis. Natural Legilimency.
If Sean could master a Wampus Cat transformation, he would effectively gain those abilities. Magical creature sorcery differed from wizarding spells; while Sean would still need to practice to refine the power, the "hard-wiring" of the ability would be part of the form.
Furthermore, Sean suspected his magical traits would stack. He could already perform partial Soul Transfigurations—molding cat claws or whiskers. When he used the whiskers, he naturally gained the sensory advantages of a feline. This suggested that if he transfigured only his eyes into those of a Wampus Cat, he might gain the power of Legilimency while remaining in human form.
History supported this. During the Triwizard Tournament, Viktor Krum had breathed underwater by transfiguring his head into a shark's. Similarly, Harry used Gillyweed to grow gills.
If I can stack these... Sean mused. Legilimency combined with a Confusion Charm or a Memory Charm? Or at the very least, it would serve as a unique form of wordless, wandless casting.
The mountainside was dominated by ancient, towering trees and a massive, weathered grey boulder. Delilah the Wampus Cat was currently sitting on the edge of the rock, batting playfully at her own tail.
Sean lightened his footsteps and began to edge forward.
Suddenly, Delilah whipped her head around, her golden eyes locking onto Sean's. Sean didn't look away.
A second later, Delilah rolled onto her back, exposing her soft underbelly.
Sean blinked and looked back at Newt. The old wizard gave a "don't look at me" sort of chuckle and gestured for Sean to proceed.
Sean followed the instructions laid out in Newt's book: offer the meat first, then scratch the chin, apply firm pressure to the base of the ears, and smooth the fur along the spine. From this perspective, Sean decided the Wampus was far more "cat" than "cougar."
As Delilah finished the meat, a loud, vibrating purr erupted from her chest.
Sean jumped at the volume, looking toward Newt in surprise.
"She... likes you. Quite a lot," Newt said, walking over. He didn't look Sean in the eye, instead focusing on the purring Delilah, a look of profound satisfaction in his gaze.
[Alert: You have gained the affinity of the magical creature Wampus Cat (Delilah) at a Master standard. Proficiency +300]
[Magical Creature: Wampus Cat (Delilah): Slightly Fond (Apprentice) (270/300)]
The system tiers for affinity were clear: Slightly Fond (Apprentice), Fairly Fond (Novice), and Close (Adept). Once a creature was "Close," Sean's understanding of its nature would be deep enough to anchor an alchemical ritual.
As for higher tiers? Sean checked his current partners:
[Magical Creature: Snowy (Owl): Partner (Expert) (5700/9000)]
[Magical Creature: Tila (Bowtruckle): Partner (Expert) (6700/9000)]
In the distance, the low, flute-like call of a juvenile Occamy drifted through the forest.
Sean was already plotting how to "abscond" with Master Newt's cat. Three days was a tight window; he doubted he could grind his affinity to the Adept level in such a short time.
"Mr. Scamander... about Delilah..." Sean began carefully.
"Delilah? She's been at my heels since she was three months old," Newt said, patting the cat's head. "She was badly hurt when I found her. Took a long time to mend her spirit. Tell me, Mr. Green..." Newt looked at the boy. "The fact that more people wish to understand these creatures is exactly what I've worked for. Ask what you will."
Sean felt the words stick in his throat.
"You said... you found her at Ilvermorny. Does that mean the school..."
[End of Chapter 358]
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