Chapter 145: Ritual Magic

Alchemy was more astonishing and fascinating than Wizard Sean had imagined.

The professor said she’d give him an afternoon, yet she was so meticulous that even class time was woven into it.

She led Wizard Sean into the classroom, where no one had a moment to notice the extra young wizard—everyone was already overwhelmed just trying to finish their assignments.

Only then did Wizard Sean have a chance to observe the place: a classroom filled with all manner of instruments, and few people inside.

Most were Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, with occasional Gryffindors and Slytherins.

As she taught, the professor had Wizard Sean observe them from the very beginning—processing materials—all the way through engraving magical runes and infusing magical energy.

In the entire class, only a few managed to produce howling letters.

The professor’s expression was no better than those who had sent out the howling letters.

“Before learning, witnessing the full process of alchemy is like setting the course for a sailboat.”

The professor ignored the departing upperclassmen and turned, hands behind her back, speaking with solemn gravity.

Compared to the confused, limited upperclassmen who struggled to learn—Professor Tera held Wizard Sean to stricter standards:

“Alchemy, as a noble and ancient art, has always kept secret its pursuit of infinite wealth and perfect souls.

On those true wizards with innate talent, these secrets will eventually be unlocked.”

Professor Tera held a notebook, blank and empty, nothing written in it.

“You have one week to record the material choices for howling letters. Remember, Mr. Green—slow is fast.”

Accompanying the professor’s task were several books, clearly chosen with great care; some of their contents were obscured by confusion charms, leaving only the most precise parts.

It seemed Professor Tera was well aware of the dreamlike notes left by alchemists.

“It’s not that alchemists must make their content obscure—remember that. Just as you remember the three stages of alchemy: selection and melting of materials, transformation and sublimation of metals, engraving and metamorphosis of magical runes.”

The professor seemed to read his thoughts and smiled.

“Throughout magical history, alchemists have sought to turn base metals into gleaming gold; to them, the world is alive, infused with spiritual power.

With the right knowledge and proper tools, one can harness these forces. Through this noble and ancient art, metals can be born, die, and be reborn from death.”

Wizard Sean quietly left the classroom, lost in thought.

He roughly understood the three stages of alchemy in practice—selection, transformation, and sublimation through magical rune engraving.

And the professor’s task lay in the “blackening” stage: selecting materials and purging impurities.

The professor forbade him from looking up the materials used in howling letters, only telling him:

“Think deeply before choosing, Mr. Green. Think deeply.”

Thus Wizard Sean focused all his attention on the books the professor had provided.

They described dozens of materials, mentioning nothing about the four elements, seven planets, or the Philosopher’s Stone—just straightforward listings of possible materials, enough to keep Wizard Sean exploring.

Alchemy truly was vast, especially after the professor urged him not to stay on the surface, but to feel, through intuition, what alchemy meant to a wizard.

For several days, when the wizards of Hope Cottage saw Wizard Sean, he was always studying the differences between materials.

He read every page of the professor’s books, and soon he found his answer.

Another Monday arrived.

The cold wind howled as Professor Tera sat in her chair, studying Wizard Sean with quiet curiosity.

“Five days, Mr. Green—have you gained any insight?”

“The book ‘Development of Alchemy’ states that wizards have studied alchemy nearly as long as Muggles—so why have only wizards created the Philosopher’s Stone?”

Wizard Sean spoke as if to himself, yet also as if declaring:

“Because alchemy, like potion-making, shares a root thread. This root thread belongs solely to magic.

Correct knowledge and proper tools are merely the essentials for a wizard performing ritual magic; the true test remains the wizard’s spiritual power—history, knowledge, and the metaphors of materials all reinforce the wizard’s will.

As ‘The Fifth Element: Exploration’ states, the success of alchemy is the success of the wizard’s magic.

It is the wizard’s belief that the alchemical creation will work—not the creation itself that moves.”

Wizard Sean’s eyes gleamed; if these ideas were right, he could forge the same path as potion-brewing.

Professor Tera’s expression changed slightly; she rose quickly:

“Child, three days a week, I expect you in my alchemy office.”

…

In just five days, Wizard Sean understood why the professor found Muggle science merely interesting.

Because alchemy inherently carries mystical effects; destroy that mysticism, and alchemy struggles to succeed.

Think: if a wizard believed the world had gravity and was certain feathers couldn’t fly, could feathers still fly?

The professor’s task seemed unfinished—and yet, it was finished.

Because she taught Wizard Sean a remarkable spell, one that made his material search effortless—

Scarpin’s Revela Spell.

It was a spell developed by Scarpin to correctly identify the components of a given potion; naturally, it could also be applied to alchemy.

Professor Slughorn introduced this spell in his sixth-year Potions class, though only Hermione was the sole student who truly understood it.

“A few small tools, Mr. Green—necessary tools.”

Professor Tera’s gaze toward Wizard Sean was now filled with unmistakable admiration; she naturally assumed he’d master the spell quickly.

Reality, however, made her frown.

Her student—the one naturally suited for alchemy—was baffled by this simple spell.

“Same time tomorrow, Mr. Green—I’ll give you the whole afternoon.”

The professor said this, then entered her office, puzzled.

Leaving Wizard Sean standing there, dazed.

Tomorrow afternoon… he had to go to the dungeons to brew potions…

The Joy Potion was just ten proficiency points away from reaching beginner level—he could unlock a new potion talent and officially open the door to alchemy.

But now these two doors collided; if he opened only one, he dared not imagine what would burst out of the other.

As Wizard Sean wandered absentmindedly down the corridor, Michael and Terry, his hair a wild tangle, happened to pass by.

“Oh—Wizard Sean, I knew you’d be here! Just returning your Spellcraft notes—huh? Scarpin’s Revela Spell? You’re not going to count windows too, are you?!”

Michael suddenly exclaimed.

“Windows are important!”

Terry retorted, his face flushed.