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Chapter - 3: Alchemy
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The professor's lesson had ended. I watched the students leave the classroom, noticing the members of my House heading towards the dormitory or the Great Hall, as today's lessons were over.
Unfortunately, I had not received an invitation to dine with Daphne's group. Such a thing did not surprise me; in fact, it was within my calculations, considering that my father and Lucius Malfoy are in business together.
And for that reason, I could understand her caution in approaching me.
However, I was satisfied with having made an excellent first impression, not only on her but also on her friends. That was more than enough for me at the moment. Now, I only needed to approach slowly, and the game would be set.
I remained in the classroom while I observed Professor Flitwick tidying up the room with a simple flick of his wand. After finishing, he turned to me and asked, "What can I do for you, Mr. Nott?"
I cleared my throat, trying to mask my nervousness. "Professor, I was doing some research in the library and came across a particular discipline that captured my interest. I was hoping you could answer some questions about it to help me gain a better understanding."
Flitwick smiled, evidently pleased with my thirst for knowledge. "Of course, I would be happy to help." However, a shadow of curiosity crossed his gaze. "But tell me, why have you not directed these questions to Professor Snape?"
I tried to show a somewhat embarrassed expression. "Well, Professor, Professor Snape would have been my first choice, of course." I lowered my gaze for a moment, then continued, "It's just that... I find it difficult to talk to him because of his eccentric personality. For this reason, I came to you, knowing how vast your knowledge of magic is."
Flitwick nodded understandingly. "I see. Well, what are your questions?"
I cleared my throat, trying to formulate my words correctly. "Professor, I have found several books that talk about alchemy, but beyond the legend of the Philosopher's Stone, I have found nothing that explains its fundamental principle. I was wondering if you knew anything more."
Flitwick smiled with a mix of interest and regret. "Unfortunately, alchemy is not my field of expertise," he admitted, "but I see that you are very curious. And that is always a good sign. I will tell you what I know."
He settled more comfortably behind the desk and folded his hands. "First of all, you must know that alchemy is a combination of all the different disciplines taught in Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies... Only by understanding and integrating these fields correctly can one begin to take the first steps in alchemy."
I leaned slightly forward, increasingly intrigued. "So, alchemy is a sort of advanced magic that combines multiple disciplines?"
"Precisely!" exclaimed Flitwick enthusiastically. "But it is also dangerous. It takes great skill to succeed in this practice, and even with all the caution in the world, the risks remain enormous. More than one alchemist has blown themselves up trying to uncover the secrets of matter and magic."
"Really?" I asked, surprised. "I didn't think it was that risky."
The professor nodded gravely. "Oh, yes. And that is why so few true alchemists remain today. Most of those who call themselves such are merely scholars of past theories. They do not want to—or cannot—explore new mysteries, preferring to blindly follow what previous generations have left behind."
"And what makes a true alchemist, then?" I asked with genuine curiosity.
Flitwick gave me a pleased smile, as if he had been waiting for that very question. "A true alchemist must be willing to face the unknown. They must have the courage to go beyond what has already been discovered and try to understand the mysteries of magic on a deeper level. But they must also be cautious, because the pursuit of knowledge, if carried out without wisdom, can lead to ruin."
I remained silent for a moment, reflecting on his words. "I see… Thank you, Professor. But there was one last thing I wanted to ask. I've practically read everything about Nicolas Flamel. I don't know if you could recommend other interesting readings?"
Flitwick stroked his chin, pondering for a moment, then nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, certainly! If you've exhausted the readings on Flamel, then you should delve into Asclepius. He was one of the greatest healers in history, known for his studies in magical medicine. His writings are a bit complex, but if you have the patience to decipher them, you'll find truly enlightening information."
I easily recalled the name from the Fate series as the professor continued. "Some historians believe his research paved the way for many of Flamel's discoveries. Some say he was obsessed with the concept of immortality and sought a way to achieve it without the Philosopher's Stone."
I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. A healer who tried to challenge the boundaries of magic and science without the aid of the Philosopher's Stone… Yes, definitely interesting.
I became even more curious. "And did he succeed?"
Flitwick chuckled softly. "If he had, he would probably still be around, wouldn't he?" he joked, then added, "But his story is fascinating, and although many of his theories have been dismissed over time, they might still contain some interesting insights."
Professor Flitwick observed me with a more serious expression, taking a moment to reflect before speaking. "And finally, if you wish to delve into a truly unusual figure in alchemy, you should look into Paracelsus. He was an alchemist, physician, and philosopher of the past, known for his revolutionary theories and his unconventional approach to science and magic. Some consider him a pioneer in the field of magical medicine, while others see him as an eccentric who challenged the traditional knowledge of his time."
I frowned, intrigued. "Paracelsus… Isn't he the one who said, 'The dose makes the poison'?"
Flitwick nodded with a small smile. "Exactly. He believed that everything could be both a remedy and a poison, depending on the amount used. This idea of his influenced not only medicine but also alchemy and potion-making."
I nodded slowly, absorbing all that information. "Thank you, Professor. It all sounds incredibly fascinating. I'll see what I can find."
Flitwick gave me an encouraging smile. "I'm pleased to see a student so eager for knowledge. But remember, Nott… Alchemy is a complex and dangerous art. Do not let yourself be drawn too deep without the proper preparation."
"I'll be careful," I promised seriously, giving a respectful nod before taking my leave. As I exited the classroom, my mind was already racing. I had obtained far more information than I initially expected, and this could only fuel my determination.
Some might wonder why I was doing all this. The answer was simple: I was charting a clear path for my future while simultaneously beginning to prove my worth to everyone.
Honestly, I wasn't worried about Dumbledore, as from what I had seen in my memories, he was exactly as I remembered from the books. But of course, that wasn't enough to put me at ease, since the more I discovered the subtle differences in this world, the more my paranoia grew.
For this reason, after much reflection, I decided to become an alchemist… No, not just any alchemist that you could find in this world, but a true alchemist in the purest and deepest sense of the term, inspired by what I have seen and studied in Fullmetal Alchemist.
To be clearer, what I desire is not just to master transmutation, but to apply its logic, method, and principles to the world I live in. The alchemy of FMA is not mere magic: every line, every shape, every symbol drawn in a transmutation circle has a precise meaning, and their combination determines the final result.
They are not just random scribbles drawn without purpose but a complex, codified, and powerful language. If someone were to draw a magic circle without understanding the meaning of the runes inscribed within it, they would achieve nothing more than a grotesque, meaningless drawing.
Even if my beginning was slow, thinking I could create a perfect circle relying solely on instinct, without a solid foundation of knowledge, would be like trying to program complex software with only basic commands.
The alchemy of FMA provides an explanation of how it works, but not a detailed manual on the meaning of every single line or their correct arrangement to achieve specific effects.
Superficial knowledge is not enough: it takes study, dedication, and, above all, time. I was certain that, in the end, I would become strong enough to survive and live a good life.
This meant I would have to invest months, perhaps years, in research and experimentation to decipher the transmutation code and adapt it to this world. In essence, I was about to walk the path of the Fool.
For this reason, first of all, I needed an operational base. Every true alchemist has their own laboratory, and I could not call myself one without a proper place to conduct my experiments.
And so, deciding to establish my base in the Room of Requirement became one of my new priorities. Since it was as spacious as I wished, isolated, and far from prying eyes, it would be the perfect place to avoid unpleasant incidents in case something exploded.
Reflecting on the magical power of this world, after the magic lesson and my memories, I theorized that the magic of wizards and witches came directly from their souls.
This would explain what made them naturally more powerful than Muggles, whose bodies were nothing more than shells devoid of magical energy, considering that great wizards like Dumbledore and Voldemort were not just skilled but seemed to possess a higher-than-average amount of magical power, allowing them to perform feats impossible for others.
Unlike magical creatures, whose strength derived from their inherently magical bodies, wizards had to draw from their souls to fuel their spells.
This made them strong, but at the same time, vulnerable. It was a fascinating concept, one I would have to keep in mind as I developed my personal understanding of alchemy.
As for the wizarding world, I realized another thing: wizards, despite being incredibly powerful, were often surprisingly ignorant about many things. But one thing was certain: rich wizards were truly rich even in the Muggle world, thanks to the use of precious metals for their currency.
After these reflections, I found myself wandering through Hogwarts until I reached a very specific point: the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. His image was nothing short of ridiculous—a bearded old man surrounded by trolls in ballroom attire.
I wondered who had ever thought it was a good idea to display such an artistic horror. Why would anyone put up a painting of an old man with multiple trolls in ball gowns? I might need brain bleach after this. Or maybe even go erase my own memories.
But this was exactly where I would find what I was looking for.
It was also where I wanted to be, so I began pacing in front of the painting with a single thought in mind. Well, I had found the tapestry. I waited and double-checked to make sure no one was nearby or likely to pass by soon.
Then, I proceeded to take the necessary steps to locate a specific version of the room: the Room of Hidden Things.
The very place where Tom Riddle hid Ravenclaw's Diadem, where Draco found a way to bring Death Eaters into the castle, where Harry held training sessions for Dumbledore's Army, and the place where I would begin my journey in this world.
I looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then did what needed to be done. I walked back and forth in front of the tapestry, focusing my mind on a single thought: I want to find the Room of Hidden Things. On the third pass, a door appeared in the wall.
My heart raced with excitement. I pushed the door open and was met with an incredible sight: absolute chaos—an endless accumulation of forgotten objects stretching as far as the eye could see.
Overturned furniture precariously stacked, books scattered everywhere, broken and dusty items, abandoned portraits, locked bags and trunks with rusted clasps. Even old broomsticks and skeletal models were hidden among the mountains of junk.
It was perfect.
The sanctuary of what had been forgotten and abandoned. I couldn't have asked for a better place. A location far from prying eyes, where no one would think to look for me.
My laboratory would begin right here. Within these walls, I would start my journey in search of the truth. Not that I wanted to become a god or anything like that—I knew better than to mess with such things.
But I couldn't help but crave more knowledge.
After all, I was just a simple human being.
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Son of Li Qiye?: 3 advanced chapters
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Chapter- 16: Shocker - Chapter- 17 (Incoming)
Chapter: Interlude - Chapter - 8 (Incoming)
Chapter - 7: Hobby - Chapter - 8: New Hunt - Chapter - 9: Past unknown
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