Chapter 111: Magical Circulation

As Beorn transformed into a massive great bear, an overwhelming wave of primal, wild energy swept through the cottage. Even knowing that the towering beast before him was still Beorn, Kael felt an instinctive urge to step back from the raw power radiating from the creature. "Beorn, I need you to remain perfectly still for this. Let me examine the magical circulation flowing through your body. Can you do that for me?" The great bear's intelligent eyes met his, and the massive head nodded once in understanding, indicating complete cooperation. With Beorn's consent secured, Kael carefully placed his palm against the bear's thick, coarse fur. He slowly channeled his own magic through the contact, sensing and mapping how magical energy operated throughout the transformed body. The fundamental reason Animagi could never transform into magical creatures lay in the critical differences between how wizards channeled magic versus how magical beings naturally processed it. These systems were incompatible at their very core. Attempting to force such a transformation would shatter the delicate magical balance within a wizard's body, potentially triggering catastrophic and irreversible consequences. The magical world held cautionary tales of such disasters. The Quintaped, a dangerous five-legged beast, was rumored to have originated from failed wizard transformations. When their internal magical circulation became permanently altered during botched attempts, those unfortunate souls could never return to human form, essentially creating an entirely new species. Throughout the wizarding world, very few practitioners dared attempt Animagus transformation. Even fewer achieved success. During the entire twentieth century, only seven officially registered Animagi existed. Even accounting for those who practiced in secret without registration, the total numbers remained pitifully small. Without any successful precedents of transforming into magical creatures, combined with the terrifying consequences of failure, most wizards wisely avoided attempting such dangerous magical evolution. However, Kael's situation offered unique possibilities that others lacked. Although Beorn was a skin-changer rather than a traditional wizard, his natural ability to transform into a great bear provided an invaluable living reference. If Kael could unlock the secrets behind Beorn's transformation and somehow integrate those principles into his own Animagus abilities, he might achieve a far more powerful form. With intense concentration, Kael carefully traced the magical pathways flowing through the great bear's massive frame, noting every difference from his own magical circulation patterns. He discovered that Beorn possessed substantial magical reserves coursing through his transformed body. This internal magic was precisely what enabled his remarkable shape-changing abilities. As Kael continued mapping the intricate magical systems within the bear's form, his expression grew increasingly serious. Finally, he could only sigh deeply and withdraw his hand from the creature's fur. "Thank you, Beorn. You can change back now." The great bear rumbled a low acknowledgment before his massive form began rapidly shrinking. Within moments, Beorn stood before him in human shape once again. After quickly dressing himself, Beorn asked with obvious curiosity, "Did you discover anything useful?" Kael nodded thoughtfully. "Incredibly valuable insights. Your internal magical circulation is absolutely unique. If I could somehow replicate it completely, I might unlock the fundamental secrets behind skin-changer transformation." "The challenge is that your magical system is extraordinarily complex. Recording and understanding it all would require massive amounts of time and study. We're talking years, possibly even decades of research!" Magical circulation resembled the flow of spiritual energy through meridian pathways described in ancient martial arts texts. It formed intricate, interconnected networks throughout the body that channeled supernatural power. The magical circulation systems of wizards differed fundamentally from those of magical creatures. When wizards attempted to force transformation into magical beings, their internal magical pathways would become disrupted and chaotic. In the best-case scenario, their magic would become permanently unbalanced, essentially turning them into Squibs. In the worst cases, they would be trapped forever in bestial forms, their human consciousness imprisoned within animal bodies. This fate was considered even more horrific than the blood-cursed conditions that plagued certain magical families. After all, a single human body could never safely contain two completely different magical circulation systems simultaneously. But Beorn represented a fascinating exception to these limitations. Kael's examination revealed that the skin-changer possessed one type of magical circulation in human form but an entirely different magical network when transformed into his bear shape. Somehow, Beorn could seamlessly switch between these two complex systems, allowing him to change forms without suffering the catastrophic consequences that would destroy any normal wizard. If Kael could identify the precise switching mechanism between these dual systems, he might discover a method to safely transform his Animagus into magical creature forms. However, such a breakthrough remained frustratingly distant for his current capabilities. Simply recording Beorn's incredibly complex magical circulation would consume years of intensive study. Even the slightest error or omission in his research could result in deadly magical accidents. Regarding this monumental challenge, Beorn proved remarkably generous, waving away Kael's concerns with characteristic straightforwardness. "What's the difficulty in that? You're welcome to research me whenever you wish, and even stay here permanently if needed. I'm alone here year-round anyway, so your company would be most welcome!" Kael felt overwhelmed by Beorn's extraordinary generosity. He had mentally prepared for possible refusal or even outright hostility to his request. After all, transformation abilities represented the very foundation of skin-changer power. Having those secrets decoded by outsiders, or worse, having others develop methods to counter them, would be like placing their lives entirely in foreign hands. Yet Beorn willingly offered himself as a research subject. Such trust represented an incredible gift that demanded proper repayment. An idea struck him immediately. Since Beorn possessed internal magical reserves, Kael could craft a proper wand for him. Upon hearing this proposal, Beorn's eyes lit up with genuine delight. "Is such a thing truly possible? I mean, I'm merely a skin-changer. Could I actually use a wand to cast proper spells?" Kael nodded with complete confidence. "You have substantial magic flowing through your body. With the right wand, you could definitely cast spells. Here, try using mine to see for yourself." He handed over his wand and patiently taught Beorn the most basic illumination charm. While Kael's wand wasn't naturally compatible with Beorn's magical signature, casting the simple Lumos spell proved manageable enough. As soft light bloomed from the wand tip, Beorn stared in wonder as though witnessing the most miraculous phenomenon imaginable. His weathered face broke into a joyful grin. "Kael, you absolutely must craft a wand for me! This is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced!" Kael smiled warmly at his enthusiasm. "Of course. That was my intention all along." Creating a proper wand for Beorn required finding suitable materials for both the wood and the magical core. Kael possessed several potential core materials: strands of Galadriel's luminous hair and pristine Great Eagle feathers. However, when he tested these materials against Beorn's magical aura, neither proved compatible with the skin-changer's unique energy signature. The breakthrough came when Beorn retrieved a Warg he had slain the previous day. From the creature's remains, Kael extracted a heartstring that resonated perfectly with Beorn's magical essence. For the wand wood, the nearby Mirkwood contained numerous trees with inherent magical properties. Taking to his flying broomstick, Kael ventured into the ancient forest and located ideal material: a section of heartwood from an extraordinarily old oak tree that hummed with natural power. With both wand-making components secured, Kael prepared to begin the intricate crafting process. However, he had no intention of working here at Beorn's cottage. Wand creation demanded time, precision, and ideal conditions. He had been absent from Dale for several days now and couldn't know whether Orc armies had arrived during his absence. More importantly, he worried about his dragon's behavior during his extended absence. Smaug's obedience depended on the magical contract, but the creature's natural instincts remained dangerously unpredictable. "Beorn, would you be interested in experiencing Floo Powder transportation?" Kael asked with an inviting smile. Gandalf had been frantically preparing for the approaching Orc invasion, and Kael couldn't simply remain idle while his friend worked alone. Inviting Beorn to join their defensive efforts made perfect strategic sense. He recalled that in the original timeline, this formidable warrior had played a crucial role in the Battle of Five Armies, devastating Orc forces and personally slaying Bolg, Azog's vengeful son. Upon hearing they would be fighting Orcs, Beorn agreed without a moment's hesitation. His entire people had been slaughtered by Orc raiders. His hatred for their kind burned in his very bones. Any opportunity to kill Orcs earned his immediate, wholehearted support. After making arrangements for his livestock, both men used Floo Powder to travel through the magical fireplace connection to Dale. Brilliant green flames flared to life in Dale's hearth as Kael stepped through first, brushing ash from his robes. Seconds later, Beorn's towering frame emerged from the fireplace. Having accidentally inhaled some of the magical ash during transport, he doubled over in a fit of embarrassed coughing. Seeing his friend's discomfort, Kael waved his wand to magically clean away the clinging ash while asking with good-natured amusement, "Beorn, are you alright?" Beorn coughed until tears streamed down his cheeks, waving away Kael's concern with an expression of profound discomfort. "I'm perfectly fine!" he managed between coughs. "Though I think I prefer traveling on foot!" Bilbo's voice called from outside before the hobbit appeared in the doorway. His eyes immediately brightened upon seeing both visitors. "Kael! And Mr. Beorn! What a wonderful surprise to see you both together!" "Excellent to see you again, Mr. Baggins," Beorn replied politely. He had always appreciated the brave little hobbit's courage and good nature. Kael explained their arrival with a warm smile. "Beorn is my invited guest. He's agreed to help us fight the approaching Orc armies." "Speaking of which, where has Gandalf gotten to? Hasn't he returned yet?" Bilbo shook his head with obvious concern. "Bard successfully moved all the Lake-town residents here to Dale, but we haven't seen Gandalf in days. According to Bard, he traveled to Mirkwood, hoping to convince the Elves to form an alliance with humans and dwarves." Kael shook his head knowingly. Gandalf's diplomatic mission would likely prove fruitless. Unlike the wise and worldly Elrond, King Thranduil cared only for protecting his own Woodland Realm. The isolationist ruler had no interest in broader Middle-earth politics. As for allying with dwarves after their ancient grudges and recent conflicts, such cooperation seemed utterly impossible. Setting aside those political concerns, he asked, "What are Bard and the others doing now?" "They're working frantically to build defensive fortifications," Bilbo explained. "Bard has everyone filling gaps in the old city walls, hoping to create barriers strong enough to hold back Orc attacks." "Then let's go see how we can help!" Kael declared. The three companions made their way through Dale's partially ruined streets. Along the route, Kael observed Lake-town refugees constructing makeshift shelters from salvaged rubble and debris. His expression darkened with concern. The season was transitioning from autumn into harsh northern winter. Dale's elevated location made the approaching cold even more brutal than usual. Such crude living conditions could easily prove fatal to the elderly, sick, and young among the refugees. They reached the main city gate area, where Bard labored alongside other men, hefting massive stone blocks to stack against breaches in the ancient walls. After wrestling a particularly large stone into position, Bard paused to catch his breath. Spotting the three approaching figures, his tired face immediately brightened with surprise and relief. "Kael! Bilbo mentioned you had departed on some long journey. I never expected your return so soon!" "You're repairing the city defenses?" Kael asked, studying the extensive damage. Bard nodded grimly. "Dale's walls suffered terrible damage over the years, but the basic structure remains sound. We're racing to repair them before the Orc armies arrive. If we can seal the major breaches, we might prevent the enemy from entering the city and slaughtering our people." "In that case, allow me to assist," Kael said, drawing his wand with purpose. He pointed the magical focus at the damaged fortifications and spoke with clear authority. "Reparo!" The effect was nothing short of miraculous. Time itself seemed to reverse around the ruined walls. Everywhere except areas permanently scarred by ancient dragon fire, the stonework began healing itself. Scattered rubble lifted from the ground, flying through the air to perfectly fit back into their original positions, sealing gap after gap in the defensive barriers. Within minutes, what would have taken hundreds of men weeks to accomplish was restored to functional condition. [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? 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