Chapter 196: Decorating the castle
With Levi responsible for teaching and Hermioneresponsible for learning, the little lion intended for Professor McGonagall was gradually being refined.
"Roar~"
A cat-sized male lion shook its mane and let out a majestic roar, pacing back and forth on the ground as if patrolling its own territory.
"Except for its size, it's actually just like a real one!"
Hermione picked up the lion puppet, holding it by its two front paws and lifting it up to examine it.
Whether it was the weight, the feel of the fur, or even the lion's reactions, it felt almost the same as a real lion cub, as if a male lion had been scaled down proportionally.
"Of course, don't underestimate my craftsmanship!"
Levi said proudly, then explained to Hermione the Ancient Runes used in the process of refining this lion puppet.
Hermione noted them down one by one. Under Levi's guidance, her mastery of Alchemy progressed rapidly. Within two or three days, she was already able to serve as Levi's assistant.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger also enthusiastically completed Levi's request, providing him with design drafts for the castle's interior decoration.
During this process, Hermione also participated in the design, offering many ideas and opinions, and asking for Levi's thoughts.
But when the design drafts were delivered to Levi, his eyes couldn't help but twitch.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger had completely combined wizarding stereotypes with British royalty and religious tones, adopting a Baroque design style.
The interior decoration and ornaments featured gold, black, and vermilion as the primary colors—solemn, majestic, and mysterious, even including many reliefs of gods and angels.
Rooms decorated like this felt as if they were shrouded in power and magic, like being in a solemn and majestic hall.
The decoration style Hermione adopted was fitting for a young witch—youthful and romantic. The color palette was mainly sky blue, pink, and cream white, with a Rococo style.
It made one feel as if they were in a brilliant garden under the summer sun, full of a light, soft, sweet, and charming girlish style that made one relax unconsciously.
Though both design styles originated from the French court, they gave Levi two completely different feelings.
Moreover, what was the Granger family thinking? Hadn't they considered that a British Wizard's castle should perhaps use a Gothic decoration style?
Actually, Levi had no right to think that, because for some room designs, he had actually used a Song-style aesthetic that neither Mr. and Mrs. Granger nor Hermione had ever seen.
The elegant charm brought by solid wood, flowers, and the atmosphere of poetry was simply the polar opposite of the Baroque and Rococo styles!
"Three decoration styles—beautiful as they are, and a fusion of East and West—but it still feels a bit weird!"
Hermione said, frowning as she looked at the design drafts.
"It's settled then. Anyway, Wizards are a bunch of weird people; maybe designing it this way will actually look perfectly normal in their eyes!"
Levi said nonchalantly. After all, he wouldn't be the only one living in this castle in the future. Using multiple styles would bring an unprecedented sense of freshness!
He immediately decided to proceed with the renovation, purchasing materials from the Shop, refining various puppets, and starting the decoration with the Granger family according to the design drafts.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger also witnessed the infinite power of magic during this process.
They thought that getting the entire design draft completed in Levi's castle would take at least a few months!
But with the puppets and the magic of Levi and Hermione, in just one week, the noble castle they had envisioned was completely finished according to the design drafts!
That's right, the Trace inside Hermione had also been sealed by Levi.
When Levi was sealing it, the little witch was a bit of a tsundere, saying it was wrong while her body honestly cooperated with him to complete the seal on the Trace.
"magic is truly wonderful!"
After taking a good tour of the finished castle, Mr. and Mrs. Granger felt as if they were walking through a royal palace that blended East and West, and they marveled once again.
They had truly experienced the power of magic and no longer had to worry about Hermione not finding a job after graduating from Hogwarts.
With such miraculous magic mastered, even if she became a contractor after graduation, she could probably earn tens of thousands of pounds a month!
"I also have to thank you for your help, Uncle and Auntie, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to finish decorating the castle so quickly!"
"Uncle, Auntie, why don't you stay here a while longer? Anyway, there's still more than a month before Hermione's school starts!"
The renovation was complete, and Mr. and Mrs. Grangerfelt they had rested for a long time, so they prepared to return to their dental clinic.
As for Hermione, she was naturally staying behind to study magic with Levi!
Having stayed at Levi's home for so long and inspected it more than once, Mr. and Mrs. Granger were completely at ease leaving their daughter there!
"That won't do, Levi," Mr. Granger refused with a smile.
"Staying here is just too comfortable! Especially with all the different kinds of delicious food. If we stay any longer, your aunt and I might turn into two big fat people! Hahaha~"
"That's just you; I won't become a big fat person," Mrs. Granger immediately retorted, nervously touching her stomach and face.
But she also smilingly declined Levi's invitation to stay, explaining:
"Thank you for your kindness, Levi! But your uncle and I can't stay here any longer!"
"The dental clinic at home can't be closed for too long, or we'll lose our customers for nothing!"
Hearing Mr. and Mrs. Granger say this, Levi had no choice but to stop trying to persuade them.
He once again put them into the Bestiary and sent them back to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron in London, where their car was still parked.
"You're back. Did you get my parents to their destination?"
As the Apparition ended and Levi had just returned to the castle, Hermione, who was reading, didn't even look up as she spoke to him like the mistress of the house.
"Don't worry, I saw them get into the car with my own eyes!"
Levi was momentarily dazed and replied instinctively.
"That's good. Finally, there's no one to watch over us!"
Hermione nodded, a bright smile suddenly appearing on her small face, and she seemed much more relaxed and at ease!
"Levi, hurry up and let Norbert out. Let's go for a ride!"
"I've wanted to do this for a long time!"
Hermione said impatiently to Levi, looking like Professor McGonagall finally getting the chance to cast Piertotum Locomotor!
"Alright, but Hermione, are you sure you're not someone else disguised with Polyjuice Potion?"
With a wave of his hand, Levi opened the Bestiary's gate of light and released the Dragon Norbert, who had already entered adolescence, from the Fire Peaks Archipelago!
"What are you saying? Don't you want to ride a Dragontoo?"
Hermione looked at Norbert eagerly and turned to urge Levi:
"Hurry, let's ride Norbert for a flight in the sky. There's no one around here, right?"
Levi shook his head with a helpless smile. He hadn't expected the little witch Hermione to have such a reckless and impulsive day!
Chapter 197: The wizard tower's Basement
"Whoo-hoo~ Takeoff!"
Levi embraced Hermione, riding on the back of the Charmander Norbert, and soared into the sky!
Amidst the howling wind, the mountains and rivers below had become a landscape painting spread out beneath them.
The blue sky and white clouds were right above their heads, within reach; between heaven and earth, only boundless freedom remained!
"Levi, Norbert, let's go take a look over there!"
Hermione turned her head, her delicate and lovely face showing an excited smile in Levi's eyes, and spoke enthusiastically as she pointed toward the mountain range sprawling across the distant land.
"Roar!"
Levi immediately roared at Norbert. Under the power of the dragon kings crown, Norbert flapped his wings, whipping up a gale as he headed straight for the distant mountain range...
A day of wild fun riding a Dragon had finally given Hermione a great time!
Levi also hadn't expected that the scene he saw in the Mirror of Erised seemed to be gradually becoming reality.
Just like now, after a day of wild fun with Hermione, they had already begun building the prototype of the wizard tower!
"Diffindo!"
Hermione waved her wand and chanted the spell, and the boulders on the peak of the mountain behind the castlesplit into several pieces!
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
Levi also waved his wand, moving the shattered stones to the side to be saved as materials for building the wizard tower later.
The branch of the Cairngorm Mountains where they were currently located was mostly composed of granite, aside from the surface soil.
If not for the use of magic, building a wizard tower on the mountain would have required mobilizing massive amounts of manpower and resources.
"Levi, don't you already have a castle to live in? Why are you building a house on the mountaintop?"
Hermione asked Levi while casting magic.
In her view, the castle on the mountainside was too empty just for living; Levi couldn't possibly use it all alone, so she really didn't understand why he wanted to build another house on the summit.
"Hermione, do you believe a house can fly?"
Levi asked Hermione in a leisurely tone full of longing, and explained:
"The castle on the mountainside is just my usual residence; the house we're building now is where I'll practice magic in the future!"
"How could a house possibly fly?"
"Even if you enchant the house with a Levitation Charm, there wouldn't be enough magic power to make it fly!"
"But since you've decided to build a house specifically for researching magic, I'll just help you!"
Hermione clearly didn't agree with Levi's idea, but as his good friend, she was willing to help him without hesitation.
"You'll see in the future. When the house flies, I'll definitely invite you to witness it!"
Levi said with great certainty, extending an invitation to Hermione.
He understood that people cannot imagine things they have never seen.
Even if Hermione knew about airplanes and satellites, she couldn't imagine what a massive, heavy tower or a Floating City broader than Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would look like flying.
But it didn't matter. Once he finished the wizard tower, once he crafted the Floating Rings, and once an unprecedented structure took flight by his hand, Hermionewould know he wasn't lying!
"Well, everyone needs to have dreams!"
Hermione said helplessly, her eyes full of doting affection for Levi, like an older sister indulging a headstrong younger brother.
Making a house fly? How is that possible?
After all, she was a young wizard who had studied physics; she knew that even with magic, Earth's gravity would pull down anything that tried to fly!
But since Levi wanted to try, she would just lend a hand!
Sigh, you reckless young wizard, I really can't do anything with you, Levi!
Thinking this, Hermione quickened the pace of waving her wand.
Under Levi and Hermione's magic, the uneven granite peak was leveled bit by bit, as if sliced flat by a sword, and a basement was excavated.
The basement, in Levi's conception, was the first basement level of his wizard tower, the location of the entire tower's energy core.
Once the wizard tower was completed, the basement would be completely sealed off, accessed only via spatial teleportation, and only he would be allowed to enter.
However, just excavating a basement in the granite mountain was not nearly enough.
Levi also had to perform a complete transformation on the walls of the basement and the ground base of the wizard tower.
Before that, Levi first exchanged for two fifth-circle Spell Templates in the arcanist mod—Fossil to Mud and Mud to Stone!
Levi was still just an Arcane Apprentice; despite many days of meditation, he hadn't yet broken through to a first-circle Arcanist, so naturally, he couldn't imprint fifth-circle Spell Templates.
But with the help of the Spell Templates, Levi could complicate and increase the difficulty of these two fifth-circle arcane arts, transforming them into Ancient Magic of the Harry Potter world.
To transform the basement, it would be impossible without mastering these two fifth-circle arcane arts.
Fortunately, with Levi's talent for Spells and his previous experience in modifying spells and converting them into Spell Templates, he finally mastered these two types of Ancient Magic.
Besides that, Levi also purchased two pieces of knowledge in the wizard tower MOD:
"wizard tower Modification — Basic Animation"
"Main Construction Material of the wizard tower — Manufacturing Method for anti-magic obsidian"
The two pieces of knowledge—one a magic incantation and the other a method for creating extraordinary materials—were not cheap!
The Junior Activation Spell alone cost Levi a full ten thousand Academic Credits!
The manufacturing method for anti-magic obsidian cost Levi another fifty thousand Academic Credits!
I was right; the wizard tower is a gluttonous gold-sink. Just exchanging for two pieces of knowledge has already cost me sixty thousand Academic Credits.
Such a massive expenditure truly pained Levi, yet he had no choice but to spend it.
Basic Animation and the manufacturing method for anti-magic obsidian were essential knowledge for building a wizard tower!
Compared to the two pieces of knowledge, exchanging for the two fifth-circle Spell Templates only cost six thousand Academic Credits, which seemed insignificant!
Having learned the two types of Ancient Magic, Fossil to Mud and Mud to Stone, Levi immediately began refining the Alchemical Magic Liquid for creating anti-magic obsidian with Hermione's help.
"Levi, what exactly are you refining?"
"It requires so many precious metals; isn't that a bit much?"
As an assistant, Hermione couldn't help but ask in surprise as she looked at the large quantities of Adamantine, Mithril, gemstones, mercury, and other magic-sensitive precious materials Levi had prepared.
Who uses so many precious materials to build a house?
The house built from this might be more expensive than one made of gold. Who would be so wasteful as to use these precious materials for construction!
"To make a house fly, these precious materials are necessary. Don't be so quick to doubt, Hermione; just watch me work!"
Levi held his +3 enhanced Elderwood and Phoenix Feather Wand with phoenix feather and chanted an incantation toward the massive alchemical furnace:
"Ignis Aeternus Gubraith!"
A silver-white shimmer bloomed from the tip of the wand, and a pure, quiet, never-extinguishing golden flame was created by Levi and placed under the alchemical furnace to burn slowly.
Surprisingly, this flame produced no black smoke, emitted no heat waves, and burned nothing. Instead, as the flame licked the alchemical furnace, it achieved the alchemical temperature and conditions Levi required.
"I didn't expect you to know the spell for creating Gubraithian Fire!"
"I want to see what's so special about a house made with these materials."
Seeing Levi create Gubraithian Fire for Alchemy, Hermione's curiosity was completely ignited, and she took the initiative to assist him with the process.
After a series of extremely complex alchemical operations, and under the pained gazes of both Levi and Hermione, a large pot of dark, metallic-looking Alchemical Magic Liquid—refined from a vast amount of incredibly precious magicmaterials—appeared before them!
Carrying this large pot of Black-Gold Alchemical Magic Liquid, Levi and Hermione went to the mountaintop, above the excavated basement.
Squatting down, Levi aimed his wand at the granite forming the basement and chanted the Fossil to Mud spell:
"Lapidis Durities Solvete Terraevis Resolvete..."
Murmuring the incantation, Levi's wand continuously traced one Ancient Rune after another under Hermione's tense gaze, slowly channeling magic into the spell and letting it flow into the granite beneath his feet!
Like raindrops hitting dust, silently, the hard granite basement slowly turned into grayish-white soil before Hermione's astonished eyes.
She couldn't help but step back, watching as the grayish-white soil consumed all the granite on the mountain bit by bit; the entire peak of the mountain turned into a grayish-white mound under Levi's spell.
Hermione didn't ask Levi what magic this was; she could sense that it wasn't a simple Transfiguration, but an incredible permanent material change!
Levi's magic had actually turned granite into grayish-white soil; it was truly unbelievable!
Hermione looked back at the magic she had learned and known; never had there been a spell with such terrifying power!
While Hermione watched in a daze, Levi did not stop, even though casting Fossil to Mud to transform such a large area of land had consumed more than half of his magicpower.
But the dragon heart was still thumping vigorously in his body, and the ten zero-circle Spell Slots were still constantly extracting magic like a water pump.
He could feel that his magic would likely be fully restored before he cast the next spell!
Relying on his control over Fossil to Mud, Levi picked out the impurities from the soil that made up the basement bit by bit.
Minerals, rotten wood, bones...
A pile of miscellaneous junk was casually tossed into the valley by Levi.
After clearing the impurities from the soil, he gave his wand a simple wave, and the Black-Gold Alchemical Magic Liquid in the large pot was evenly splattered out, merging into the grayish-white soil.
As the Black-Gold Alchemical Magic Liquid fused with the soil, Levi began to cast the Basic Animation.
Spreading the spell across every inch of soil, every speck of dust in the soil became activated, linking together as if they possessed life.
The Basic Animation wasn't meant to bring the masonry of the wizard tower to life, but rather to make the stones possess self-healing capabilities like a living organism.
anti-magic obsidian, as the name suggests, possesses "anti-magic" capabilities once refined. Unless it's an extremely powerful spell, ordinary magic would find it hard to have any effect on anti-magic obsidian.
But because of this, if the wizard tower were damaged, it would be very difficult to repair, since anti-magic obsidianis magic-resistant!
Therefore, the Basic Animation had to be cast within the masonry before the anti-magic obsidian was finished refining, allowing the anti-magic obsidian to be activated for self-repair.
Moreover, the Basic Animation had to be performed personally by Levi, the future master of the wizard tower, without any other person's magic mixed in.
Only in this way could the wizard tower, built in layers, fuse into a single entity under the activation art cast by the same person's magic.
Creating a wizard tower that is entirely anti-magic, with invincible defense, as if cast as a single piece with no weak points or gaps!
Once the Black-Gold Alchemical Magic Liquid was fully applied, Levi once again cast the Ancient Magic—Mud to Stone!
The grayish-white soil hardened at a visible rate, gradually revealing the black-gold color of the Alchemical Magic Liquid. Without even needing a test, one could tell that the hardness of this strange material was likely far beyond that of ordinary stone or metal!
But this was still not enough; the strange material before them could only be considered Alchemical Obsidian, not yet anti-magic obsidian.
Levi still needed to continuously cast Spells, chant incantations, and combine them with the Basic Animationto refine true anti-magic obsidian bit by bit using the refining method!
Hermione witnessed Levi's operations from the side. At first, she could just barely understand the process of Leviconverting granite into soil and picking out impurities.
But when Levi began refining the anti-magic obsidianthrough the activation art, she was lost.
The magic involved was too profound, and she couldn't understand why Levi was going to so much trouble just to build a house.
Casting Alchemy and then magic—this wasn't just building a house; it was practically refining an incredibly complex alchemical item!
In fact, Hermione was exactly right: rather than a building, a wizard tower is more like a massive and extremely complex alchemical item!
However, this alchemical item could not only fly and teleport but also integrate multiple functions, being both offensive and defensive—the ideal magic fortress for a Wizard like Levi!
Long after, at sunset, Levi finally stopped. The first basement level of the wizard tower—built from anti-magic obsidian—was finally preliminarily complete!
Hermione rushed to Levi's side, wiping his sweat, handing him water, and even conjuring a chair for him to sit and rest.
Seeing Levi exhausted to the point of collapse, Hermionehesitated but finally asked curiously:
"Levi, you went through all this effort just to change the basement into this?"
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Levi's slightly pale face, and he said proudly:
"This isn't just a simple basement; it's an anti-magicbasement. If you don't believe me, try casting a spell on it!"
"I'll try then!"
Seeing how exhausted Levi was, Hermione felt so bad she wanted to pretend she believed him, but she still had doubts that this basement could be immune to magic.
Having read so many books in the Hogwarts library, she had never heard of any material that could be completely anti-magic!
Even magic creatures as powerful as Dragons or Basilisks had magic resistance that couldn't completely withstand the power of magic.
There were always powerful spells that could easily destroy or kill them!
Could this obsidian basement Levi built, even with all that effort, really be immune to magic?
Thinking this, Hermione took up her wand. To prevent actually destroying the fruits of Levi's labor, she prepared to try a simple Transfiguration spell first!
Chapter 198: Energy Core
"Vera Verto!"
Hermione waved her wand, and the Transfiguration spell struck the anti-magic obsidian that formed the basement. The magic power she unleashed was like a fleeting dream, shattering into pieces upon impact without causing so much as a ripple!
The anti-magic obsidian didn't change in the slightest, remaining as steady as a thousand-year-old reef by the sea, as firm as Mount Tai.
"This..."
Seeing her Transfiguration have no effect at all, Hermionewas momentarily stunned!
She hadn't expected that what Levi said was actually true—the basement made of obsidian really could negate magic!
"I didn't lie to you, did I? Once I build the wizard towerusing this anti-magic obsidian, this will be the most secure magical fortress in the world!"
Levi said with a bit of pride on his face.
Of course, if he simply used anti-magic obsidian to build a wizard tower, it might not be able to withstand the bombardment of destructive weapons like nuclear bombs!
But once the wizard tower was fully functional and equipped with various features, even if ordinary people launched a nuclear strike, there would be ways to easily deal with it.
Hermione was speechless for a moment; she could only marvel in her heart: Levi was truly Levi. Not only did he love causing trouble, but he also always managed to create these world-shaking things!
As night deepened, the two returned to the castle to rest for the night. The next day, they followed the same method to build the first floor of the wizard tower above the basement.
Also using Animation Spells and anti-magic obsidian, Levichose to construct the first floor of the wizard tower in an octagonal shape.
In his vision, the wizard tower was divided into one underground floor and eight above-ground floors.
Each floor would be octagonal, cast entirely from anti-magic obsidian, and each floor would serve a different function for the wizard tower.
The basement level would be the location of the energy core, and no one except Levi would be allowed to enter.
The first floor above ground, in Levi's conception, would be set as the reception hall and the basic defense layer.
Every guest visiting the wizard tower would be received in the reception hall on the first floor.
At the same time, the first floor would also store magic puppets and the Golem Legion to serve as the basic defense layer.
However, whether it was the basement, the reception hall, or the magic puppets and Golem Legion, they were all too far off for Levi right now.
There was a difficult problem right in front of Levi that urgently needed to be solved.
That was the energy problem of the basement level!
According to the design in the wizard tower mod, the most basic setup for the energy core placed in the basement should be the [Four Elemental Pools of Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire].
But to establish the Four Elemental Pools, Levi needed the ability to communicate with the four elemental planes of Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire.
Setting aside the fact that it was impossible for Levi to achieve this with his current strength, he didn't even know if the Harry Potter world had links to the four elemental planes.
Constructing the Four Elemental Pools was basically impossible for Levi.
Fortunately, in order to become an Arcanist, Levi's worldview had been expanded. He not only realized that the entire world was an alchemical creation composed of magic, runes, and even soulful will,
But he also understood the essence of a Wizard: a supernatural profession formed by the mutual influence and interweaving of a magic source and a soul symbol.
The inability to construct the Four Elemental Pools certainly troubled Levi, but it also made him think of an alternative approach.
That was, could the entire wizard tower be viewed as a Wizard, changing the energy core from the originally designed Four Elemental Pools to a Wizard's magic source?
In this way, wouldn't the problem of being unable to build the Four Elemental Pools be easily solved?
However, Levi's understanding of the magic source was still only at a superficial level. He could indeed use the Source View to see the location of the magic source light point within his body,
But he simply didn't have the technology to construct a magic source within the wizard tower.
He hadn't even figured out what that light point representing the magic source actually was.
"The idea is good, but unfortunately, I have no idea how to implement it!"
"For now, the wizard tower's energy core can only rely on two types of Ancient Runes: magic absorption and magic storage!"
Restricted by technology and the limitations of the world, Levi could only rely on the old method, using two types of Ancient Runes from the Harry Potter world to replace the more advanced energy technology.
As a result, the magic stored and the energy intensity of the wizard tower's energy core would be far weaker than that of the Four Elemental Pools.
"However, I still need to purchase the construction technology for the Four Elemental Pools.
Among them, the energy containment technology, transmission technology, and other energy conversion technologies are all extremely valuable pieces of technology and knowledge that I can learn from!"
Levi opened the wizard tower mod and thought with great heartache as he looked at the Four Elemental Pools technology priced at 150,000 Academic Credits.
Even if he couldn't construct the Four Elemental Pools, he could rely on these technologies to find another way, converting energy such as thermal, fire, wind, and electrical energy into magic and storing it in the basement to power the wizard tower.
This would solve the wizard tower's energy shortage problem, so what pained Levi was that 150,000 Academic Credits instantly deducted half of his accumulated Academic Credits.
Adding in his previous expenditures, he had just over 80,000 Academic Credits left—he was about to run out!
"The more Academic Credits I have, the faster they seem to disappear!"
Levi lamented helplessly, wishing the school term would start immediately!
After redeeming the Four Elemental Pools technology, Levialso bought a set of technology for a small nuclear reactorfrom the Shop.
Since he couldn't build the Four Elemental Pools, he could only find another way: generate enough nuclear energy through a small nuclear reactor, then convert nuclear, electrical, and thermal energy into magic, and use magic absorption and storage runes to serve as the wizard tower's energy core!
"My wizard tower can be considered a dual cultivation of science and magic!"
Levi commented with a helpless smile. While learning the knowledge to construct the Four Elemental Pools, he worked with Hermione to build the basement's energy core.
Hermione had really had her eyes opened these past few days. Not only did she witness incredibly miraculous Alchemy Skills through Levi, seeing various magic puppetswith different functions born from his hands,
But she also personally witnessed Levi refining a miraculous material like anti-magic obsidian, which made magic as useless as a fleeting dream.
Finally, acting as an assistant, she helped Levi refine the energy core before them—a combination of technology and magic, a terrifying magic furnace loaded with a miniature nuclear reactor!
That's right, the energy core of the wizard tower finally designed by Levi was a furnace-like existence.
The dark basement was completely illuminated by the furnace-like energy core.
For the entire furnace energy core, Levi consumed a large amount of magical metal; in essence, it was a miniature nuclear reactor!
Through the Uranium-235 bought from the Shop, nuclear fission was occurring inside the core of the furnace at every moment.
The energy produced was converted into magic through the elemental pool's containment, transmission, and conversion technologies. This magic was then absorbed by the magic absorption runes and stored outside the furnace core, conversely containing the nuclear fission within.
At the same time, through the elemental pool's energy transmission technology, Levi built an energy network that spread throughout the entire basement and the first floor of the wizard tower.
In other words, the prototype of the entire wizard towerhad now been "powered up."
With the energy support from the magic nuclear reaction furnace, the prototype of the entire wizard tower could be considered to have preliminary come to life!
Chapter 199: The Headmaster's Invitation
With the energy supply from the magic nuclear reaction furnace in the basement,
Levi had enough energy to construct the reception hall on the first floor of the wizard tower and the magic puppetslegion.
But before he could even start, Professor McGonagall's visit once again brought Levi's great construction project to a halt.
In the castle's reception room, Professor McGonagalljoyfully held the lion puppet Levi had refined for her, unable to put it down, loving it immensely!
"Thank you, Levi! I like this little lion very much!"
Professor McGonagall hadn't expected Levi's Alchemy Skills to be so superb, refining the lion puppet so lifelike, as if it were real!
"This is a gift from Hermione and me; I'm glad you like it!"
Levi responded with a smile, not forgetting to include his assistant, Hermione.
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall nodded with a smile, stroked the lion's mane, and stated her purpose:
"Levi, seeing your Alchemy Skills are so superb, I can rest assured and tell you what comes next!"
"Actually, I came here not only to collect this little lion but also at the request of Headmaster Dumbledore to invite you, asking if you would like to visit an old senior in the field of Alchemy and learn Alchemy from him!"
"Of course, Hermione is also invited and can go along to learn magic from that senior and his wife!"
Levi was stunned. An old senior in Alchemy invited by Headmaster Dumbledore—could it be the soon-to-be-dying Nicolas Flamel?
"Uh, Professor, I wonder which old senior in the Alchemyworld it is?"
"And why did Headmaster Dumbledore suddenly issue this invitation?"
He asked Professor McGonagall curiously; even if he had guessed the answer, he still had to ask to make it logical.
"This matter has a lot to do with you as well. Do you still remember the Philosopher's Stone?"
Professor McGonagall said in a leisurely tone.
She had been wearing the Invisibility Cloak, following Leviand Hermione the whole way, witnessing how the group of four passed through various obstacles to drive away Voldemort, who was occupying Quirrell's body!
"Could that senior be Nicolas Flamel!"
The exceptionally intelligent Hermione said in surprise. That was the legendary alchemist who refined the Philosopher's Stone and lived for over six hundred years by taking the Elixir of Life!
Being able to learn Alchemy with him was as legendary as receiving teachings from Merlin in the legends!
She couldn't help but look at Levi. Even though she didn't speak, the urgency in her eyes clearly showed she wanted Levi to agree immediately!
Such a good opportunity was not to be missed!
Professor McGonagall nodded with a smile. If it weren't for Headmaster Dumbledore's wide circle of friends, such a fortuitous opportunity would never fall upon two young wizards like Levi and Hermione.
"Levi, what do you think? Both Headmaster Dumbledoreand I hope you will agree!"
"Even if it's not to learn Alchemy, just think of it as keeping two elderly people company whose lives are coming to an end!"
Levi felt Hermione's gaze. Even without her prompting, he was willing to agree to such a good thing!
The deeper he delved into refining, the more Levi felt the shallowness of his Alchemy Skills.
Especially over the past month, while refining the energy core of the wizard tower, Levi felt his Alchemy Skills were increasingly stretched thin!
The energy core of the wizard tower he refined was almost strictly by the book, relying entirely on the technology of the four-element pool energy core and the technology for building miniature reactors, barely cobbled together.
Although the energy core of the wizard tower had been built by him, Levi felt that such a core was not perfect. Not only was the energy conversion and utilization efficiency low, but it was also not long-term stable.
He estimated that the magic miniature reactor furnace he refined would probably only run steadily for ten years before it had to be dismantled and re-refined!
The so-called magic miniature reactor furnace looked like a mysterious product of science and magic combined, but in reality, it was a completely crude and poor-quality product!
With such a rare opportunity to learn from Nicolas Flamel, how could he refuse?
If he could inherit the mantle of this top alchemist, his Alchemy would undoubtedly reach the peak of what could be achieved in the Harry Potter world in a very short time!
"Thank you for the Headmaster's invitation. I am, of course, honored to have such an opportunity! Professor, when do we set off?"
Levi quickly agreed and asked Professor McGonagallimpatiently.
"No rush. You two pack up first. We will go see Headmaster Dumbledore first, and he will take you to see Nicolas Flamel!"
Professor McGonagall said to Levi and Hermione.
In fact, there wasn't much for Levi and Hermione to pack; they just needed to bring a change of clothes and they could set off with Professor McGonagall.
As for the villa manor and the prototype of the wizard tower at Levi's home, they could be safely left to the magic puppets.
With the energy core in the basement of the wizard tower, these magic puppets were like robots with infinite energy, capable of patrolling the manor indefinitely.
The puppets, which originally needed a long time to store energy to move and cast magic continuously, now had infinite firepower, as it were, and could constantly cast the magic Levi had enchanted onto them!
For instance, the smashing pumpkin, powered by the wizard tower, could cast Reducto without ever stopping!
If an ordinary Dark Wizard dared to break into Levi's manor, just facing the smashing pumpkin alone could leave them with no bones left!
After several Apparitions, Levi and Hermione followed Professor McGonagall back to Hogwarts during the summer break.
Hogwarts now seemed a bit empty, with almost no one there except for the staff.
"Cockroach Clusters," Professor McGonagall said the password for today and led Levi and Hermione into the Headmaster's Office, which they hadn't seen in a long time.
"Minerva, you're back?"
Like an NPC, Headmaster Dumbledore, who was tasting candy, greeted Professor McGonagall and then asked Leviand Hermione with a smile:
"Mr. Keins, Miss Granger, how was your holiday?"
"Thank you for your concern, Headmaster. Our holiday was very happy!"
Levi and Hermione quickly greeted Headmaster Dumbledore.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall left the Headmaster's Office. As the Deputy Headmaster, she had a lot of things to deal with even during the holidays.
"You two young wizards must have many doubts in your hearts, right?"
"For example, why did I send you an invitation?"
"And why did Nicolas Flamel accept my request and agree to teach you in the final moments of his life?"
Headmaster Dumbledore said with a chuckle, unobtrusively pushing a snack toward Hermione.
As for Levi, he wouldn't give this little prankster any snacks!
The joke this fellow played back then made Headmaster Dumbledore decline some heavy-flavored sweets even now!
Levi and Hermione both nodded. They were both a bit curious and looked forward to Headmaster Dumbledore's explanation.
Chapter 200: Going to Visit
"I imagine you're all quite curious—since the Philosopher's Stone can refine the Elixir of Life, why would Nicolas Flamel die?"
Headmaster Dumbledore didn't answer the question he had previously posed to Levi and Hermione; instead, he raised another one.
Without waiting for Levi and Hermione to voice their guesses, he answered himself: "That is, of course, because the Philosopher's Stone has already been destroyed!"
Levi's face showed a feigned look of surprise; he had long known the final fate of the Philosopher's Stone.
Hermione, on the other hand, was pale with shock. She hadn't expected that the Philosopher's Stone, which they had fought so hard to protect last semester, had actually been destroyed!
Even if she hadn't seen the stone itself, she knew it was a great creation capable of refining the Elixir of Life and turning lead into gold!
Who on earth would be willing to destroy such a rare and precious treasure?!
Facing the surprised and curious gazes of Levi and Hermione, Dumbledore slowly explained:
"Levi, Hermione, for a Wizard, all worldly things are but a part of life!"
"The world after death, though strange and unknown to a Wizard, is also a great adventure!"
"Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, had actually long since grown weary of an immortality that felt like a living death."
So they entrusted me to destroy the Philosopher's Stone, leaving behind only a little Elixir to finish the final chapter of their lives!"
"However, at the end of his life, Nicolas Flamel saw something interesting—that hero king game console you refined, Levi!"
"He wrote to me asking about you, and I took the opportunity to introduce you to him, asking if he would be willing to help me teach you Alchemy in the final moments of his life!"
"As for whether Nicolas Flamel agreed?"
"Since I have extended this invitation to both of you, it means Nicolas Flamel did not refuse this little fellow's request!"
Headmaster Dumbledore gave a mischievous wink at the end. Compared to Nicolas Flamel and his wife, who had lived for over six hundred years, this grey-haired old man was indeed just a 'little fellow'!
Levi nodded; it was much as he had thought. Headmaster Dumbledore's connections were once again fully demonstrated, and he was the beneficiary!
Hermione blinked, beginning to realize something—essentially, she was just a tag-along; the person truly being invited was Levi!
However, she wasn't angry. Regarding Alchemy, she was indeed just a beginner without even a representative work to her name, acting as Levi's assistant.
Being able to visit Nicolas Flamel with Levi and learn from him was already a benefit of being in Levi's orbit!
Dumbledore quietly observed the reactions of Levi and Hermione. In truth, there was one thing he hadn't mentioned: he was taking this opportunity to groom Levi.
To be honest, Headmaster Dumbledore felt a bit overwhelmed, like he was playing a game of whack-a-mole where as soon as one problem was pushed down, another popped up!
Voldemort's appearance last semester made him increasingly certain that the prophecy regarding Harry Potter and Voldemort would definitely come true in the future.
Yet at this very moment, his old rival and former lover, Grindelwald, had actually escaped from prison!
Dumbledore was somewhat baffled; he couldn't understand what had stimulated Grindelwald to choose to escape after so many years of self-imprisonment!
Furthermore, a year had passed, and Grindelwald had shown no trace of himself, which made Dumbledoreincreasingly uneasy!
Voldemort and Grindelwald—two powerful opponents stood before Dumbledore. The peace and tranquility of the wizarding world seemed poised to vanish in an instant!
Dumbledore would also ask himself in the dead of night: even if Harry Potter could defeat Voldemort with his help, how was he to deal with Grindelwald?
He had the confidence that if he could corner Grindelwald, he could defeat him again and confine him to Nurmengardonce more.
But Dumbledore's fear was that Grindelwald would remain in hiding, as he was now, without revealing a shred of information, only to suddenly emerge and stir up trouble after Dumbledore and Voldemort had exhausted each other or even after Dumbledore had died!
At that time, if his strength was greatly diminished, or if he had already died to defeat Voldemort, who would be able to face, let alone defeat, Grindelwald?
Dumbledore had lived for over a hundred years; he basically knew and understood every powerful and talented Wizard in the entire wizarding world!
Thinking it over, he realized to his dismay that if he were no longer around, not a single Wizard would be a match for Grindelwald!
For legendary Wizards like him and Grindelwald, living for over three hundred years was an easy feat!
In other words, Grindelwald could still live for another two hundred years; he couldn't count on Grindelwald quietly dying of old age!
Ultimately, he could only pin his hopes on Levi, whose talent had just begun to show and who had defeated Voldemort alongside Harry Potter!
As for why not Harry Potter?
Could Dumbledore not understand the Boy Who Lived of the prophecy?
Harry Potter and Grindelwald had no fated connection in any prophecy.
Even the magic of love that Lady Lily left on Harry Pottercould be easily bypassed by someone like Grindelwald!
To counter Grindelwald in the future, he had to start systematically training Levi now, hoping that if he were truly gone one day, Levi would remain as the hope to stand against Grindelwald!
Alas, Grindelwald, what on earth are you planning?
Dumbledore felt physically and mentally exhausted, filled with worry. Two generations of Dark Lords had appeared because of him, yet he could resolve neither!
One couldn't be killed, and the other couldn't be found. Sometimes, Headmaster Dumbledore truly felt that his life was one big mistake!
After chatting with Levi and Hermione for a while, Headmaster Dumbledore led them out of the school and used a long-distance Side-Along Apparition to reach Devon, Britain.
Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, lived here in seclusion. To prevent being disturbed, their residence was even hidden with the Fidelius Charm.
Headmaster Dumbledore happened to be one of the Secret-Keepers; otherwise, it would have been impossible to bring Levi and Hermione to find Nicolas Flamel's home.
"...This is the place. The reason you two cannot see Nicolas Flamel's house is because of the Fidelius Charm!"
As Headmaster Dumbledore led the way, he didn't forget to give Levi and Hermione a lesson, explaining the Fidelius Charm and its effects.
Levi listened intently, and Hermione was even taking notes. This was the Headmaster personally giving them a lesson on a magic as advanced as the Fidelius Charm; of course they had to study seriously!
"Professor, how can Levi and I visit Nicolas Flamel?"
Hermione raised her hand to ask Headmaster Dumbledore, looking as if she almost thought they were in a classroom!
"It's simple. As the Secret-Keeper, I tell you the address. Once you know the secret, you will naturally be able to see the hidden house!"
Headmaster Dumbledore replied to Levi and Hermionewith a smile, then spoke an address...
Chapter 201: The Nicolas Flamels
As Dumbledore spoke the address, Levi and Hermione, who had now learned the secret, watched in amazement as an exquisite villa squeezed itself out of thin air.
Clearly, there had been nothing there just a moment before!
"Let's go. Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle live here in seclusion!"
Dumbledore led the way as he spoke; he had been here countless times and was long familiar with the path.
Levi and Hermione followed Dumbledore to the front door. Before any of the three could knock, a House-elf dressed in a proper suit and neatly groomed opened the door, bowed to them, and welcomed them, saying:
"Welcome! Welcome, Headmaster Dumbledore!"
"On behalf of my masters, Mr. Nicolas Flamel and Madam Perenelle, I welcome Mr. Levi Keynes and Miss HermioneGranger. Welcome to you both!"
"Please, come in! I am the masters' House-elf, Lure!"
Headmaster Dumbledore clearly knew this House-elf. He nodded and smiled as he exchanged pleasantries:
"Thank you, Lure! How has Nicolas been lately? And how is Perenelle's health?"
"Thank you for your concern, the masters' health is quite good," Lure replied politely, raising a hand to lead the way:
"Please follow me, the three of you. The masters have been waiting for you for a long time!"
Levi and Hermione followed Headmaster Dumbledore into the villa, quietly eyeing the secluded residence of the legendary Alchemist, Nicolas Flamel, with curious gazes.
Upon entering, the area used for receiving guests showed no traces of an Alchemy laboratory. However, the internal space had clearly been expanded by an Undetectable Extension Charm, appearing far larger than the interior volume the villa should have been able to contain.
Inside the entrance hall, two pale elderly people, Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle, had come to the door early to welcome them.
As soon as Dumbledore saw the two, he broke into a joyful smile and moved to offer a handshake. But just as his hand rose, he lowered it again, greeting them somewhat helplessly:
"Nicolas, it's good to see you again! My memory is getting poor; I actually wanted to shake your hand!"
Nicolas didn't mind Dumbledore's gesture. He and his wife, Perenelle, looked together at Levi and Hermione:
"These two young wizards must be Mr. Levi Keynes and Miss Hermione Granger!"
"Welcome to our home. I hope you won't be frightened by Perenelle and me, looking so old and nearly pale as ghosts. You know that we two have truly lived for far too long!"
Levi and Hermione looked at the faces of Nicolas Flameland Perenelle with some restraint.
Hermione was clearly startled by just how old the two were!
Even though she had known for a long time that these two had lived for six centuries, seeing them in person made them seem so aged it was almost terrifying!
An idiom even popped into Levi's mind—'skin like a chicken, hair like a crane'.
In his perception, the bodies of the two elderly people seemed like fragile husks made of soaked, rotting paper scraps.
If not for the majestic, nearly infinite magic power within them and the nourishment of the Elixir of Life, they would likely have crumbled and dissipated long ago, leaving not even a pile of white bones behind!
Six hundred years—even stone and steel cannot withstand the erosion of such a vast amount of time, let alone a human body.
However, the Elixir of Life brewed from the Philosopher's Stone indeed had its unique merits.
In Levi's perception, aside from their decayed bodies, the magic power inside the two elders was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea. Their souls, rather than rotting from the baptism of time, seemed as fresh as gold, becoming newer the longer they lasted!
He even suspected that if he entered his Source View, he would see an incredibly powerful source of magic and exceptionally stable soul symbols.
The decayed physical bodies were merely earthly cages imprisoning the two. Once they stepped onto the unknown journey of death, they might welcome an even more brilliant rebirth!
After all, by then they would have cast off these fragile physical forms, relying on magic and their souls to exist in the world of the dead.
Choosing death might not be painful for the two elders, but rather a rare relief and the beginning of a new life!
"No, not at all," Levi and Hermione quickly pretended they weren't frightened and said gratefully:
"Thank you, and thank you Madam Perenelle, for taking the time out of your busy schedules to teach us. To be able to learn Alchemy from a top Alchemist like yourself is a rare experience!"
Levi and Hermione weren't lying or just being polite; being able to learn Alchemy from Nicolas Flamel and his wife and taking the opportunity to learn about some lost magicwas indeed a rare opportunity!
"Alright, no need for such polite words. Sit down, children!"
Perenelle kindly invited Levi and Hermione to sit, saying with a face full of gratification:
"What's this about teaching? Nicolas and I should be the ones thanking you two for keeping us two old fogies, who are already tired of living, company in our final days!"
"As for magic or Alchemy, those are all external things and aren't important at all. If you're happy to learn, we're actually very glad!"
"By the way, Levi, Hermione—I can call you that, right?"
"If you want anything good to eat or any drinks, just say so and tap the table, and the House-elf will bring it to you!"
"Don't be formal; it hasn't been this lively here in a long time!"
Perenelle clearly liked the two young wizards, Levi and Hermione, very much. Even though her body wouldn't allow it, she still welcomed them with great excitement and joy.
Levi and Hermione could even hear the creaking and cracking sounds coming from the bones inside Perenelle's body due to her excitement, as if if she got just a bit more excited, this old lady might shake herself to pieces!
The two hurried to sit down as Perenelle had suggested and asked for a drink and a snack each, fearing that this six-hundred-year-old lady might cause herself some harm in her excitement!
Nicolas Flamel also very happily welcomed Levi and Hermione, praising Levi:
"...Levi, the hero king game you created is truly interesting!"
"It's such a novel idea. I don't think anyone in the wizarding world has ever thought that a game could be like this... cough!"
The excited Nicolas Flamel's chest bones gave a crack, making him cough. But after a few coughs, he acted as if he didn't care at all and continued:
"Seeing the path and hope for the future of Alchemy in you, I asked Headmaster Dumbledore to send you an invitation, hoping I could give you a little bit of a help!"
"The design of your hero king game console is very clever, but the Alchemy techniques seem a bit crude. It's not hard to change that; you just need systematic study..."
When speaking of his favorite subject, Alchemy, an unprecedented light shone in Nicolas Flamel's grayish-white eyes, and he spoke incessantly!
"Alright, you old thing, the children just arrived today. Don't go on with your endless, boring talk!"
Perenelle suddenly interrupted impatiently, inviting Leviand Hermione:
"Oh, children, let me take you to play with some toys this old man and I invented back in the day. I guarantee you'll find them interesting!"
"As for studying Alchemy, this old man and I aren't going to die just yet!"
As she spoke, Perenelle shot Nicolas Flamel a look, leaving him with a face full of helplessness. His wife, even after several centuries, was still like this, possessing the heart of a playful young girl.
It was precisely because of this that she could spend over six hundred years of dull time with him; otherwise, even if life could be sustained by the Elixir of Life, the spirit would have withered away long ago in the vast stretch of time!
Levi and Hermione looked at each other and then at Headmaster Dumbledore. The flirting between these two six-hundred-year-old people truly stunned the two young wizards!
This was a legendary love that surpassed even a golden anniversary, becoming more brilliant like a diamond through the polishing of time, remaining fresh forever!
Dumbledore also watched this scene with a smile. Facing death, the Nicolas Flamels felt nothing; the affection between them was still as beautiful and radiant as a sunset!
This is love—a power that transcends time and magic, capable of easily conquering death!
He had sent Levi and Hermione to Nicolas Flamel's place to study, hoping that besides learning Alchemy and magic, they would also deeply understand:
Only love, the most miraculous magic of all, can traverse six hundred years of time and easily pass the test of death!
Chapter 202: Learning Alchemy
Levi and Hermione accompanied Lady Perenelle, witnessing all sorts of strange and eccentric alchemical items.
This truly opened their eyes; they never imagined that Wizards had already achieved miracles through alchemical techniques that ordinary people couldn't reach even with technology.
For example, remote video calls, which were not yet popularized, existed in Nicolas Flamel's home as a magicbook. Once opened, one could have a long-distance video call with another person holding the same magic book!
Even though such technology had long existed in the Muggle world, it was still not widespread, yet Nicolas Flamel had mastered this alchemical technique hundreds of years ago!
Another example was the Prophecy Orb, which could easily amplify a Wizard's faint talent for divination, allowing them to easily see events that would happen in the future.
In the eyes of Levi and Hermione, this was the true miracle of magic. Even if Muggle technology developed for another century or two, it probably wouldn't be able to achieve this!
While broadening their horizons, Levi and Hermione also began their studies with Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle, respectively.
Levi, of course, followed Nicolas Flamel to focus on learning Alchemy.
As for Perenelle, she was the old lady who had accompanied Nicolas Flamel for over six hundred years.
Although she wasn't a top-tier alchemical master like Nicolas Flamel, she had turned herself into a polymath over the long years!
Involving every aspect of magic, whether it was Spells, Potions, Alchemy, Divination, or Magical Creatures... Perenelle had reached the level of a top-tier Professor in all of them.
Having Perenelle teach Hermione was actually more suitable for Hermione, that greedy Ravenclaw's Claw of Knowledge!
Levi didn't know about Hermione's study situation, but his own learning of Alchemy with Nicolas Flamel was quite unique.
Before the lessons began, Nicolas Flamel gave Levi a crystal ball and a magic book. With a few casual explanations, Levi realized the preciousness of these two items!
Recorded within the crystal ball were all the Ancient Runes Nicolas Flamel had collected globally over his career of more than six hundred years!
Not just Ancient Runes and Ogham from Europe, but also Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Cuneiform, Chinese Cangjie Characters, Oracle Bone Script, Bronze Script, Ancient Indian Sanskrit...
Almost all Ancient Runes that could be found in the Harry Potter world were passed down within this crystal ball!
Ancient Runes are the foundation of Alchemy. The value and importance of the crystal ball Nicolas Flamel passed to Levi were simply self-evident!
Besides the crystal ball, the magic book recorded the design blueprints of all the alchemical works Nicolas Flamel had created over the past six hundred years!
These design blueprints included not only Nicolas Flamel's inventions but also the blueprints of all alchemical items in the wizarding world that he had analyzed.
One could say that from the Auto-Answer Quill to the Philosopher's Stone, alchemical design blueprints for everything could be found inside!
In other words, as long as Levi's level of Alchemy was sufficient, he could recreate any alchemical item through this magic book!
The ancient rune crystal ball plus the alchemical blueprint magic book—two priceless inheritances!
In Levi's view, this was Nicolas Flamel's version of the 'Flame Mantra,' part of his legacy, and it had now been handed over to him without reservation!
"Thank you, thank you, Teacher!"
Levi expressed his gratitude to Nicolas Flamel with a sincere heart.
At this moment, he truly understood the feeling of those gifted geniuses who learned world-shaking inheritances from powerful masters!
Setting everything else aside, within his master mod, the name of Nicolas Flamel had already lit up as a master, and he had extracted the skill inheritance exclusive to a master.
However, Levi didn't check it carefully now; instead, he first expressed his gratitude to his teacher, Nicolas Flamel.
"No need for thanks," Nicolas Flamel said, waving his hand with difficulty as he refused, then requested:
"This knowledge regarding Alchemy originally belongs to the Wizard civilization. It must not end with me, and it certainly must not end with you!"
"Levi, you must promise me that if one day you decide to stop exploring the path of Alchemy, you will find a suitable successor to pass this knowledge down to!"
Levi nodded seriously and promised, "Teacher, please rest assured. I guarantee that I will not let the inheritance of Alchemy break in my hands. I will ensure this knowledge continues to be passed down!"
Nicolas Flamel showed a smile of relief. Levi's words made his mind drift momentarily, as if he had returned to over five hundred years ago.
At that time, he was just a young wizard who had recently graduated from Beauxbatons, and he had similarly embarked on the path of practicing Alchemy under an ancient alchemist.
He no longer remembered exactly what he had said back then, but it must have been a similar promise to the one Levi just made!
Now, he had finally fulfilled his promise to his teacher, passing down the Ancient Runes and alchemical blueprints he had accumulated once again!
Nicolas Flamel began Levi's Alchemy course, but the content was unexpected. He didn't start by explaining various alchemical techniques right away.
"Levi, what do you think is the essence of Alchemy?"
"Is it equivalent exchange, or the reshaping of magic power and matter?"
"Creation or change?"
"What do you think is the difference between the alchemical items we refine and the scientific products used by Muggles? What is your view on Alchemy?"
At the start of the lesson, Nicolas Flamel sat across from Levi, chatting and smiling like a close friend having a heart-to-heart.
However, Levi began to think seriously about Nicolas Flamel's questions. As the saying goes, 'A single sentence of true teaching is worth ten thousand volumes of false books.'
Nicolas Flamel didn't teach any specific alchemical skills but instead asked him to talk about his views on Alchemy. This was likely meant to guide him into the magical worldview, to look at Alchemy from a Wizard's perspective.
"Teacher, I think Alchemy..." Levi didn't hide anything and discussed his various views on Alchemy and alchemical items.
Particularly when he mentioned that the world could be seen as an alchemical item, where the three elements—magic power, runes, and soul emotions—constituted the world and everything in it, a satisfied look appeared in Nicolas Flamel's eyes.
"Exactly! Exactly!" Nicolas Flamel clapped his hands with joy and excitement, unable to stop smiling:
"I didn't expect your alchemical talent to be so outstanding, Levi!"
"To have actually realized the essence of the world in the eyes of an alchemist on your own!
This is much rarer than having someone else explain it to you. Having understood this point, Levi, your path in Alchemy is already a smooth one!"
"Both magic and Alchemy are extraordinary paths based on the mind. Changing your worldview to see the world through the eyes of an alchemist is far more important than learning any Ancient Runes or mastering any alchemical blueprints!"
Nicolas Flamel made no secret of his admiration and praise for Levi.
If before he merely appreciated a successor, his gaze toward Levi now was like looking at a brilliant pearl excavated from the sand!
In the final moments of his life, being able to find a successor like Levi, Nicolas Flamel felt he no longer had any regrets!
He felt he had lived up to his alchemical inheritance and to all the predecessors and peers who had taught him Alchemy!
He also sincerely believed that this incredibly profound Wizard skill of Alchemy would surely be carried forward in Levi's hands, blossoming with a brilliance that had never been seen in his own!
Facing a disciple like Levi, Nicolas Flamel burst with unprecedented enthusiasm and began to teach in detail, based on Levi's views, how to see the world through the eyes of an alchemist.
"Levi, in fact, your entire perception of the world comes from your sensory organs, but senses can deceive you!"
"You should use your heart to experience the magical world, using your heart as your eyes to see the world as an alchemist does!"
Nicolas Flamel said this, unaware of the existence of Levi's Source View, describing a dreamlike scene as he tried his best to explain:
"magic power does not only flow within a Wizard's body. As an energy capable of changing all things according to one's will, it flows throughout the entire world. In essence, magic power is the world!"
"An alchemist performing Alchemy is not changing the shape of matter, but rather manipulating the magic power flowing within that matter."
"The Ancient Runes we imprint during Alchemy are actually using a framework to envelop and guide this magic power, making it operate according to that framework!"
"And the injection of soul emotions is the will that drives the magic power to operate according to the framework!"
"Just as you said, all three are indispensable. Without any one of them, Alchemy cannot succeed!"
"You might think these words sound abstract and ethereal, so next, I will teach you specific alchemical techniques."
"You must not only learn these alchemical techniques but also experience the verification of these words through these techniques."
"It is easy to master specific alchemical items, but difficult to grasp the Dao of Alchemy. Remember, you must feel it with your heart!"
Nicolas Flamel spoke with earnest words, laying out the Dao of Alchemy he had realized in great detail before Levi.
Levi deeply agreed after hearing this. If he didn't have the assistance of the Source View, he would indeed need to experience Alchemy with his heart like Nicolas Flamel to thoroughly understand the Dao of Alchemy.
But he already had the Source View and had already understood the words Nicolas Flamel spoke. The Dao of Alchemy he then demonstrated shocked even this top-tier alchemist!
"...Wait, why did you arrange these three runes like that?"
"You said you felt it? Yes, exactly! That's exactly how it should be!"
"Levi, your alchemical talent is truly the greatest I've ever seen. Aside from myself, there is probably no one else whose talent in Alchemy can compare to yours!"
"Remember the feeling of this moment. Do not let your eyes blind your heart. The world is just the appearance; the three elements are the essence in the eyes of an alchemist!"
Looking at Levi, who was performing alchemical operations with divine-like understanding under his guidance, Nicolas Flamel finally knew what it felt like for others to look at him!
He knew that with Levi's performance, he no longer needed to teach Levi how to see the world through the eyes of an alchemist with his heart!
In the future, what he should do, besides teaching Levispecific alchemical skills, was only one thing:
Guide Levi in tempering his heart and self, teaching him how to refine a pure original heart amidst the miracles of Alchemy!
Thinking this, Nicolas Flamel brought out his third and final core inheritance item—the The Book of Abraham!
The Philosopher's Stone was just a superficial technique recorded in this book. The truly forbidden knowledge recorded within even touched upon the realm of the gods.
Longevity, material transmutation, biological modification, the soul, and the creation of life!
All of these were knowledge recorded in the ancient The Book of Abraham, carrying the wisdom of those ancient Wizards who were comparable to gods!
Originally, Nicolas Flamel did not plan to pass this The Book of Abraham to anyone; he only intended to leave it as a foundation of knowledge, sealed within the Department of Mysteries of the French Ministry of Magic.
But now, facing this fine piece of unpolished jade that was Levi, Nicolas Flamel had a change of heart.
He wanted to pass this knowledge to Levi and, in the process, let Levi understand that while mastering alchemical knowledge is easy and becoming an alchemical master is not difficult,
how to control those forbidden alchemical techniques—not letting one's heart be twisted by techniques that seem like miracles but are actually forbidden, and not being manipulated by desire and arrogance—is the hardest thing for an alchemical master to achieve!
Looking at the twelve-year-old Levi, Nicolas Flamel was somewhat hesitant yet extremely expectant. He didn't know if the young Levi could maintain his heart!
But Nicolas Flamel understood that he could not create obstacles for Levi out of thin air just because he feared things that hadn't happened in the future!
What he should do in the final moments of his life was to take on the responsibility of a mentor, using his own choice to give up immortality and actively embrace death.
Through teaching by example, he would show Levi how to maintain the clarity and purity an alchemist should have amidst those temptations, desires, and arrogant thoughts!