After completing the casting of Eclipse, Alan finally fulfilled a long-held wish. He had been planning this sword ever since he obtained that dragon heartstring in his third year. He knew from his past experience with martial arts that the longsword was his most proficient and favorite weapon, and now he was finally satisfied.
In the thundercloud, Alan had gained significant benefits. After rushing into the storm, he had constantly chased the lightning, much like the Thunderbird that birthed Wild Lightning. The clouds had even seemed to spread out to avoid his pursuit. He had traveled far across the sky, passing over Hogwarts at one point. Ultimately, he managed to draw enough lightning with the help of Eclipse to trigger a mutation in his internal magic.
The most obvious change was in his spellcasting intensity. Given his mental power and will, if his original intensity was a base of 1, it had now increased to at least 1.1, or perhaps close to 1.2. A 10% or 20% increase might seem small, but Alan's base was already exceptionally high. If tested against a humanoid target, he could achieve a score near five hundred.
He had seen little improvement over the past year. Spellcasting intensity relies heavily on willpower and emotion; once a wizard reaches a bottleneck, it is difficult to make breakthroughs without drastic emotional shifts. Now, breaking through five hundred would no longer be an issue, and he might even approach six hundred. He wasn't sure if the humanoid targets he had built could even withstand a spell of such extreme intensity.
Secondly, he found that in addition to the power surge, his physical constitution had mutated. Whether it was the change in his magic or the direct effect of the lightning tempering, he felt significantly stronger. His strength, stamina, and reaction speed were all beyond his previous limits. He didn't have the massive physique of Hagrid, but compared to normal humans, he was now a superhuman existence.
As Alan returned to Diagon Alley after his trip to the centaur camp, he noticed his mastered spells were also affected. During Apparition, the targeting speed was faster, and the sense of spatial compression was greatly reduced. He could even perceive a subtle control over his direction and landing point mid-movement—an advanced technique he had always wanted to master.
Furthermore, the Wild Lightning within him acted upon the teleportation. While other wizards turned into a puff of smoke, his Apparition transformed into a laser-like current, moving like a spherical lightning bolt traversing the air.
Shalltear and Kiki, inside the Silver Lightning Trading Company, watched a flash of electricity streak through the room before Alan suddenly appeared. Hog, whom Alan was holding by the head, had his fur standing on end as if he had been electrocuted.
The two women were startled. How could their master and the wolf have changed so much in only two days? Hog looked like a puffed-up dandelion, and Alan's Apparition now came with sparks and lightning.
"Master, although this Side-Along Apparition feels much more comfortable and faster than before, could you please not make me feel like I'm being shocked every time you use it?" Hog looked at his bristling fur, on the verge of tears.
"Sorry, it's a new technique I just mastered, and I'm not entirely proficient with it yet," Alan said, realizing his Apparition had mutated. It was a positive change, but he was still a bit rusty.
"Master, what have you been doing? I feel like your whole being has changed. Besides your magic, even your demeanor and scent are different," Shalltear noted. As an expert in art and aesthetics, she was sensitive to such details. She stared at Hog. "And you, how did you become so cute? This long hair is quite interesting."
Shalltear leaned forward and stroked Hog's back. She had to admit, the fur felt quite nice.
"Don't touch me! You stinky vampire, don't you dare give me your fleas! I'll bite you!" Hog's fur, which had almost smoothed down, bristled even more fiercely. He bared his teeth and gestured wildly. The two rivals began bickering again until Alan pulled them apart.
Afterward, Shalltear and Kiki learned what had happened from the talkative Hog.
"Master, are you in such a hurry to forge a weapon to deal with the Thunderbird?" Kiki had known Alan intended to forge a weapon, but it had happened much earlier than expected. Originally, Alan had planned to do it after graduation.
"Indeed." Alan curled his lips into a sneer. "In two months, I'm going to Egypt. I'll be attending the International Alchemy Conference, but primarily, I'm going to deal with the Thunderbird. The trouble is that Egypt will likely have other Silver Spears present, and at least one 'Spear.' My previous preparations weren't enough."
"Since you're dealing with them, why don't you seek help from the local Ministry of Magic? I heard the British Ministry is also sending specialists to the conference," Shalltear said. she loathed those smugglers and wanted to see them swarmed and caught.
"Eliminating them is the process, not the goal," Alan sneered. "I have a plan, but it must remain absolutely confidential. No one can know I'm going there to target the Silver Spears—not even the Ministry."
"Oh? What's the secret? Can't even we know?" Hog's eyes lit up, looking at Alan curiously.
"I can't reveal it until it's successful. You'll know then," Alan shook his head. He looked at Hog. "I'm taking you to Egypt, so for the next two months, you need to intensify your training and get used to the new tactical vest."
Hog was instantly excited. "Yes, Master! You can rest assured, Hog will never disappoint you."
Shalltear pouted. "Master, why do you always take Hog and not me?"
"Your identity is a bit special. Bringing a vampire into the country could easily anger the Egyptian Ministry. Also, your sensitivity to sunlight would hinder our movements. Once we've tested a suit that can protect you from exposure, I'll consider taking you along," Alan said with a chuckle, comforting her.