Chapter 139: Explanation
"One month, one month…"
Professor Tyra's expressionless calm slipped slightly.
"What year are you in, child?"
"First year, Professor," Shawn answered.
"Oh. Of course. Otherwise you would not…"
The professor froze. After a few seconds, she seemed not to doubt him at all. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the corner of her mouth kept trying to rise.
"Give me your process diagram for making the floating quill. You improved the process, did you not?
Otherwise, the final step would not match so perfectly."
"Yes, Professor," Shawn said.
Shawn was a little surprised.
She could tell that?
When he made the floating quill, he had noticed the twins' sample could be optimised. The Weasleys did not seem able to use will to directly sense the fine flow of magic.
That made their floating quills look rough. Shawn was different. He could always catch the minute currents of magic within, the same way he could sense it inside a broom.
So he had naturally refined the process, and only after finishing did he realise how dangerous that refinement had been.
"An excellent alchemist can sense the profound changes within a creation. That is exactly what divides alchemists into ranks once again," Professor Tyra said, her voice growing warmer.
Shawn had read that line in a book. Hearing it from the professor's mouth made it feel even more familiar.
"Sounds familiar. You have read The Fifth Element: Exploration. That is very good."
Professor Tyra looked even more pleased. What she did not tell Shawn was that the title page bore several bold words: by Flora Tyra.
"Among the many branches of magic, Alchemy is one of the most talent‑dependent. A great alchemist connects to truth through aether and reshapes the world.
"A mediocre alchemist is only fit to be a minor Ministry clerk, or a producer of mediocre wares, never seeing truth for their entire life."
As she spoke, Professor Tyra waved her hand. A stool hopped out from the office, and she sat down slowly.
"Now tell me, child. Why do you want to study Alchemy? In other words, how do you see Alchemy?"
Shawn paused, thinking of the Weasley twins' inventions. They were only simple combinations, yet they produced astonishing results.
"Alchemy may still have many blanks, and many things waiting to be awakened. A dormant Transfiguration trigger and a trigger charm can create products like Extendable Ears. A Copying Charm and a Sustaining Charm can create Everlasting Ink. Magic, in a way, completely ignores science.
"If there can be Extendable Ears, then there can be Hawk Biscuits and Shark Pies.
"If there can be endless ink, then there should be endless quills and endless clothing.
"If a greenhouse can be enchanted with a temperature-stabilising charm, then teapots, clothing, and boots can have it too."
"And that is only what has already been explored by those who came before. There are still vast areas that are completely blank. A wizard can boil a kettle with a simple fire charm, yet does not understand how steam works. A wizard can create pressure by copying and compressing, yet does not understand the principle of a pressure pump…"
The more Shawn explained, the brighter his eyes became.
"Why must we study the mysteries of Alchemy?
"Because… it is there."
For a long time, the corridor fell into a deep silence.
In that instant, Professor Tyra thought of many things. She remembered alchemists at the last Alchemy conference who had transferred in from Muggle Studies, and the breathtaking ideas they brought.
Even so, limited by talent, they could only imagine and advise, serving as reference consultants.
"Are you a half-blood?" the professor asked softly. There was no bias in her words, only pure curiosity.
"I am Muggle-born, Professor," Shawn said.
"I have heard many interesting ideas from that Weasley. The flying car he made was quite good as well. Every Monday and Wednesday, I can spare one afternoon for you," Professor Tyra said gently.
"Child, tell me your name."
"Shawn Green, Professor," Shawn replied.
"Flora Tyra. I am glad to have met you today. Tell those two Weasleys that from now on, I will be in this corridor. Also, stop pretending to trip every time. No wizard can fall in the same place seven times."
After speaking, Professor Tyra stared for a long time at the notebook Shawn had placed on top of the pile of books.
"You still have not given me your quill construction diagram, Mr Green."
Only then did Shawn snap back. He had actually forgotten. He quickly handed her the notebook.
…
In the corridor, Sir Cadogan had been dozing off far more often lately, perhaps because of the cold. The knight drank until midnight every night, then slept through the entire day.
Shawn walked along lightly, heading to the Transfiguration office to practise. Two balls of bright red suddenly shot out from the corner.
"You came out too fast. How did it go?" Fred yanked off a suit of armour's visor, revealing the face he had hidden inside it.
"Do not tell us you failed. Next time we start charging Galleons."
George was hiding behind the armour and was currently hauling Fred out by sheer force.
Shawn flicked his wand. The armour moved on its own. Plate by plate, it came apart, then clanked back together.
"Brilliant," Fred breathed.
"The professor told me to find her after class," Shawn said, his voice full of gratitude. After thinking, he added, "Oh, and the professor said she will always be in that corridor. Also, stop pretending to trip. No wizard can fall in the same place seven times."
Fred and George's faces flushed bright red. They exchanged glances, then started muttering under their breath. "Wizards don't trip," one said, "it was the floor." "It's just too slippery," the other added. Without another word, they turned and vanished at once.
Shawn had expected both the Weasleys' reliability and their unreliability. He quickly left the corridor. There were still two days until Wednesday, and in the time ahead, he needed to familiarise himself with the framework of Alchemy as much as possible.
At the same time, in the Alchemy office,
Professor Tyra sat in her chair, reading the notebook with obvious interest. The moment her eyes landed on the first sentence, her gaze deepened: [Potions should share a single root thread with Alchemy].
The following explanation of Alchemy's three stages, and their correspondence with Potions, made her nod slightly.
Shawn had not written down methods like will reinforcement, but without realising it, those theories had already shaped his view of magic, giving his notes a sense of deep, deliberate thought.
Professor Tyra grew more and more satisfied. She turned to the structural diagram of the floating quill. It was still youthful, but the control of detail was excellent.
But… what was this "two days"?
The time it took to inscribe the runes?
[Spent two days, barely made a floating quill…]
Professor Tyra stood up.