Chapter 250: Ritual Magic

Alchemy was even more shocking and interesting than Sien had imagined.

The professor said she would give him an afternoon, and it was so rigorous that it even included class time.

She led Sien into the classroom, where people had no time to notice the extra young wizard, because they were already overwhelmed just by doing their class assignments.

Sien finally had time to look at this place; it was a classroom filled with various instruments, and there weren't many people inside.

Most were Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, occasionally one or two Gryffindors and Slytherins.

While teaching, the professor let Sien watch them from the beginning of processing materials, all the way to engraving runes and injecting magic.

In the entire class time, only a few people made Howlers.

The professor's expression was no better than those who sent the Howlers.

"Before learning, witnessing the complete process of alchemy is like setting the course for a sailboat."

The professor ignored the senior wizards leaving, turned around with her hands behind her back, and said earnestly.

Compared to those senior wizards who learned in a muddled way and had limited levels—Professor Taila's requirements for Sien were even stricter:

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

In those wizards who truly possess talent, these secrets will eventually be unraveled."

Professor Taila held a notebook, which was blank, with nothing on it.

"You have one week to record the material selection for a Howler. Remember, Mr. Green, slow is fast."

Following the professor's assignment were several books that had obviously been carefully selected; some content on them was even covered by Confundus Charms, leaving only the most precise parts.

It seemed Professor Taila was also well aware of the dream-like records of alchemists.

"It's not that alchemists must make the content obscure, remember this. Just like the three stages of alchemy you remember: material selection and melting, metal transformation and sublimation, and rune engraving and metamorphosis."

The professor seemed to see through his thoughts and turned to smile.

"In the history of the magical world, alchemists have all tried to turn base metals into shining gold; for them, the world has life, and there exists spiritual power.

As long as you have the right knowledge and the right tools, you can harness these powers. With the help of this noble and ancient art, metal can live, can die, and can also die and be reborn."

So Sien left the classroom in thought.

He roughly understood the three stages of alchemy in practice—selection, transformation, and the sublimation brought by the engraving of magic runes.

And the professor's assignment was just in the "blackening" stage, which was selecting materials and removing impurities.

The professor didn't allow him to look up the materials used for Howlers, just told him:

"Before choosing, think more, Mr. Green, think more."

So Sien's attention was entirely focused on the books provided by the professor.

They introduced dozens of materials, without mentioning the four elements, seven planets, Philosopher's Stone, etc., just simply and directly introducing possible materials, but it was enough for Sien to explore.

Alchemy was indeed vast, especially after the professor told him not to stay on the surface and to feel the meaning of alchemy for wizards according to his intuition.

For several days, when the young wizards of Hope Cottage saw Sien, he was studying the differences between various materials.

He read all the professor's books, and soon he got the answer.

It was another Monday.

The cold wind was blowing, Professor Taila sat on a chair staring at Sien, asking him with slight curiosity.

"Five days, Mr. Green, have you had any insights?"

"In 'History of Alchemy Development,' it is mentioned that the history of wizards studying alchemy is almost as long as Muggles, so why did only wizards create the Sorcerer's Stone?"

Sien seemed to be talking to himself, and also seemed to be declaring,

"Because alchemy itself, just like brewing potions, enjoys a source line. This source line is destined to belong only to magic.

Correct knowledge and suitable tools are just points for wizards to perform ritual magic; this ritual ultimately tests the wizard's spiritual power—history, knowledge, and material metaphors are all reinforcements of the wizard's spiritual will.

Just as mentioned in 'The Fifth Element: Exploration,' the success of alchemy is the success of wizard magic.

It is the wizard who believes that the alchemical creation will have an effect, not that the alchemical creation moved by itself."

Sien's eyes were shining; if these thoughts were correct, then he could open up the same path just like brewing potions.

Professor Taila's expression changed slightly, and she stood up quickly:

"Child, three days a week, I want to see you in the alchemy office."

In just five days, Sien understood why the professor only felt it was interesting when mentioning Muggle science.

Because alchemy itself came with mysterious special effects; destroying this mysterious characteristic made alchemy very difficult to succeed.

Think about it, if a wizard believes the world has gravity, and is very sure that feathers can't fly because of it, then can feathers still fly?

The professor's assignment didn't seem to be over, but it also seemed to be over.

Because she taught Sien a very magical spell, which made his material searching very simple—

Scarpin's Revelaspell.

It was a spell used to correctly identify the ingredients of a given potion, invented by Scarpin. Of course, it could also be used in alchemy.

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

"Some small tools, Mr. Green, necessary tools."

Professor Taila's look at Sien was already irrepressible appreciation; she took it for granted that Sien would soon master this spell.

Reality, however, made her frown.

Her student, the student naturally adapted to alchemy, was actually stumped by this small spell.

"At the same time tomorrow, Mr. Green, I have an afternoon left for you."

The professor said, then entered the office in confusion.

Leaving Sien dazed on the spot.

Tomorrow afternoon... he had to go to the dungeon to brew potions...

The Draught of Peace was only ten proficiency points away from reaching beginner level, and he could also unlock new potion talent and officially open the door to alchemy.

And now these two doors were colliding; as long as he dared to open only one, he didn't dare to imagine what would rush out of the other.

Just as Sien was passing through the corridor in a daze, Michael and Terry with messy curly hair happened to pass by here.

"Oh—Sien, I knew you were here, just in time to return your Charms notes—hmm? Scarpin's Revelaspell? You're not going to count windows too, are you?!"

Michael suddenly exclaimed.

"Windows are very important!"

Terry's face turned a bit red as he retorted. ===== CHAPTER 251 =====