"I've learned something new again today." Ian watched as Nicolas Flamel was about to start a dangerous experiment, and immediately packed up his things to withdraw from the office.
Last time, he was splashed by the exploding Black Sand because he left late, and turned into a baby for three hours. As the saying goes, a fall into a pit gains you more wisdom, so he had to avoid the risk in advance.
Indeed.
Nicolas Flamel softly chanted an ancient spell, and as the spell echoed, the solvent in the container began to ripple, as if resonating with the pulse of the universe's depths.
He was attempting the final stage of refining Hourglass Sand again. Though this Alchemy Master might know the formula, specific processes and proportions still required practice to summarize.
As he saw the spell and ritual completed, the most dangerous step was approaching.
"By the way, Professor." Just as Ian reached the office door, he suddenly stopped and looked up at the paintings hanging on the wall beside the door.
They didn't move, yet their colors were vivid and contrasting, full of visual impact.
"Can I borrow these Van Gogh paintings to study?" Yes, Ian had only recently learned that Nicolas Flamel had bought many paintings from Van Gogh himself at a low price.
One can only say Nicolas Flamel truly knew what it meant to take advantage.
Those who live long easily find bargains.
"You're not thinking of selling them, are you? Although I have quite a few at home, they are all unique. I was thinking of taking these paintings with me... No, never mind, just take them." Nicolas Flamel paused his work and changed his mind as if he suddenly thought of something.
"I'm just borrowing them."
Ian felt that Nicolas Flamel misunderstood him deeply.
"Really just borrowing?"
Nicolas Flamel's face was full of doubt.
He had witnessed Ian one night come carrying that strange Black Phoenix, asking if his previous claim of five million gold Galleons for a Phoenix was true.
Would such a money-minded person pass up a chance to profit?
"You should have a little faith in my copying skills." Ian declared confidently, leaving Nicolas Flamel momentarily stunned before grasping his meaning.
Good heavens!
This kid actually thought about selling forgeries in the Muggle World!
He had overestimated the other's integrity!
"You..."
Nicolas Flamel's throat bobbed twice, and in the end, he could only wave his hand numbly, watching Ian happily take away two original Van Gogh paintings.
"Gurgle~ gurgle~ gurgle~"
After Ian left.
Nicolas Flamel poured out the refined Black Sand. After completely removing the residue on the surface, he turned it over into a container he had magically reinforced.
Then a violent reaction began to occur.
The solution and Black Sand in the container started to undergo intense changes, merging and transforming, ultimately condensing into grains of shimmering Hourglass Sand with intertwined golden and silver hues. Each grain seemed to be imbued with life, dancing and intertwining in the liquid, forming impressions of the past, present, and future.
"It's done! I did it!"
Nicolas Flamel also danced with joy. He regretted not forcibly keeping Ian, as he could have shared this joy and sense of achievement with someone.
"It's just turning into a baby for a few hours... I changed too, and got beaten by him, and yet he's this scared." Nicolas Flamel looked at the oversized Living Map hanging in his office.
The little wizard had quickly slipped back to the Room of Requirement in just a few minutes—honestly, Nicolas Flamel clearly misunderstood Ian's real reason for running so fast.
He thought Ian was afraid of being affected.
However.
That was only a minor reason; the main reason Ian hurried back to the Room of Requirement was that today was uniquely his Mysterious Night.
"Finally, I can hand over the Magic Mirror to Teacher Morgan, and also ask Teacher Morgan about my confusions." Ian eagerly enjoyed the Dementor's foot massage service.
He then quickly dove into the bed he'd set up in the room long beforehand.
The soft bedding seemed to engulf all fatigue, wrapping him gently. As his consciousness gradually blurred, Ian indeed saw the Teacher Morgan he'd been yearning for.
But!
"Oh my! Why am I dreaming tonight!"
Ian found himself hanging on a cross, with candle wax dripping like raindrops from the sky, bursting into crimson plum blossoms on his body.
The Morgan he had been thinking about was standing in front, but wearing a witch's outfit and holding a whip with barbs that made Ian shiver in fear.
"Wake up!"
Fortunately, Ian had learned Dream Control.
Before the whip could fall, he abruptly awoke on his soft bed, returning to reality, where the familiar surroundings allowed him to breathe a big sigh of relief.
"What's going on, why didn't I enter the Misty Illusion Realm?" Ian rubbed his eyes in great confusion and recalculated the time, confirming he hadn't mixed up the dates.
As he lowered his hand.
"Hmm?"
The contract mark from the Black-robed Skeleton on his wrist was flickering continuously, like breathing, and at that moment, Ian seemed to immediately comprehend the peculiar reason behind it.
"Oh no!"
He sprang up from the bed and dashed towards the Black-robed Skeleton that never needed sleep or food, grabbing a Dementor to forcefully play cards with him all night.
"What the hell is your contract doing! Give me back my passage rights!" Ian tackled the much taller Black-robed Skeleton, pinning it down and grabbing its neck.
"You must have been blacklisted for stowaway!"
Ian frantically shook the Black-robed Skeleton's empty head.
Its Soul Fire darted around inside its skull.
"I'm dying, I'm dying."
Who would have thought.
This skeleton could actually scream in panic.