As the lesson drew to a close, most of the students, although still unable to successfully Apparate, no longer showed the fear they had at the beginning. Instead, their faces were filled with exhausted yet excited concentration.
They had experienced that wonderful "feeling," as though a door to a completely new world had been opened before them.
"Apparition is not something you can master overnight."
Sagres gave his final summary.
"It requires extensive practice and a deeper understanding of your own magic. Today's lesson was meant to help you understand the principles and experience the process. Before you gain full control over it, you must never attempt it elsewhere on your own, unless you want to permanently leave part of your body behind as a souvenir."
His gaze swept across the room, making sure everyone had heard the warning clearly.
"Class dismissed."
The students left the duelling platform in small groups, many of them still immersed in the experience, excitedly gesturing as they discussed that strange and wonderful sensation.
Hogwarts Staff Room.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting warm patches of light throughout the staff room.
The air carried the faint scent of tea and old books. Several professors without lessons were enjoying a brief moment of rest.
Professor Bathsheda Babbling, the Ancient Runes professor, set down her teacup with a soft sigh. Her brow was furrowed as she looked at the stack of test papers resting on her lap.
"Another batch of failures?" Professor McGonagall looked up sharply from the pile of parchment before her.
"Worse than that, Minerva."
Professor Babbling rubbed her temples.
"It's a complete lack of understanding. They can memorise the rune symbols and their basic meanings, but they absolutely cannot comprehend how those symbols function in practice, let alone understand them as a language infused with magical power."
She picked up the top test paper and pointed at a rune that had been drawn incorrectly.
"Look at this. A secondary rune representing 'decomposition' was mistakenly inserted into a protective rune sequence. If this child had done that during a real Alchemy experiment, blowing up half the classroom would have been the least of the consequences."
At that moment, Sagres happened to walk past a nearby bookshelf, holding a cup of black coffee. Professor Babbling suddenly called out to him as though she had just thought of something.
"Professor Greengrass, a moment please."
Sagres stopped and turned to look at her.
"Professor Babbling?"
"I heard... that you're particularly skilled at constructing those... ah, 'practical teaching environments.'" Professor Babbling chose her words carefully, clearly referring to the magical transformations of the duelling platform. "Like the ones you created before."
Sagres gave a slight nod, neither confirming nor denying it outright.
Professor Babbling leaned forward, her tone becoming noticeably more eager.
"I was wondering whether you might be able to construct a scenario. One that would allow students to truly 'feel' how runes function, how they form the foundation of magic, and how they can also become its weaknesses. Simply explaining it on paper will never make them truly understand."
She waved the frustrating test paper in her hand.
"Theory must be combined with practice, especially in Ancient Runes, which is practically an engineering language of magic. They need to witness firsthand the terrible consequences that can result from an incorrectly carved rune, as well as the incredible effects created by a properly arranged rune sequence."
Sagres fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful glint flashing through his pale eyes. He gently swirled the coffee in his cup.
"A practical environment built around Ancient Runes as the core mechanism."
He slowly repeated the idea, seemingly calculating its feasibility in his mind.
"Not merely identification, but analysis and application. Forcing them to observe the effects of runes within a dynamic environment and use that knowledge to solve problems."
"Exactly!"
Professor Babbling's eyes lit up.
"If rune theory could be integrated into combat or puzzle-solving... you understand, danger is the best teacher. Even if it's only simulated, they'll remember it far more clearly."
Sagres considered it briefly before nodding decisively.
"Yes. A scenario based around an out-of-control ancient Alchemy laboratory would be highly suitable. The core power systems, energy transmission, and defensive barriers of Alchemical constructs all rely on precise rune sequences. Their weaknesses are often reflected in unstable rune structures."
The proposal aligned perfectly with his teaching philosophy: precise, efficient, and rooted in genuine understanding rather than brute force.
"Excellent!"
Professor Babbling finally smiled.
"I'll provide examples of typical Ancient Rune sequences and common faulty combinations for reference. This will certainly be far more useful than marking another hundred dreadful essays."
"Very good."
Sagres replied calmly.
"I'll handle the scenario construction and construct design. The focus will be on observation, analysis, and precise attacks."
And so, during this brief conversation in the staff room, the concept of the "Alchemy Construct Workshop" instance was born.
It began as one professor's concern over her students' academic performance and another professor's support for practical teaching, eventually evolving into a training ground designed to improve students' understanding and application of Ancient Runes while also sharpening their practical combat abilities.
Over the next few days, Sagres devoted nearly all of his spare time to constructing the instance. Fortunately, he was highly experienced in this area, so progress proceeded quickly.
Instance Name: Alchemy Construct Workshop
Instance Background: An ancient Alchemy laboratory known as the "Ixos Workshop," where the core energy source has gone out of control, causing all defensive systems and experimental constructs to rampage uncontrollably.
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