Chapter 145: Ritual Magic
Alchemy was far more awe-inspiring and engaging than Sean had imagined.
Professor Terra had said she would give him an afternoon, and she was precise, even incorporating her scheduled class into that time.
She led Sean into the classroom. The students there were too engrossed in their own struggles to notice the extra first-year. The room was filled with strange instruments and not many people – mostly Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, with a smattering of Gryffindors and Slytherins.
While teaching, Professor Terra directed Sean to observe the students' process, from preparing materials to inscribing runes and infusing magic.
In the entire lesson, only a few students managed to successfully create a Howler.
The Professor's expression wasn't much happier than the faces of those who had just mailed off their screaming letters.
"Observing the complete alchemical process before attempting to learn is like setting the course for a ship," she said gravely, ignoring the departing upper-years and clasping her hands behind her back.
Compared to the older students, who stumbled through with limited understanding, Professor Terra's expectations for Sean were far stricter.
"Alchemy, as a noble and ancient art, has always kept its pursuit of limitless wealth and the perfection of the soul shrouded in secrecy. But for those wizards truly gifted, these secrets will eventually unravel."
She handed Sean a notebook. It was completely blank.
"You have one week to record the material selection process for a Howler. Remember, Mr. Green: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast."
Along with the task came several carefully selected books. Certain sections had been obscured by Confundus Charms, leaving only the most precise information visible. Clearly, Professor Terra was well aware of the alchemists' tendency to ramble in riddles.
"Remember, alchemists don't make their texts obscure just for the sake of it. Recall the three stages of Alchemy: the selection and dissolution of materials (Nigredo), the transformation and sublimation of metals (Albedo), and the inscription and metamorphosis through runes (Rubedo)."
She seemed to read his thoughts, smiling slightly. "Throughout magical history, alchemists have sought to turn base metals into gleaming gold. To them, the world is alive, imbued with spiritual power. With the right knowledge and the right tools, one can harness these forces. Through this noble and ancient art, metal can live, die, and be reborn."
Sean left the classroom deep in thought.
He grasped the three practical stages of Alchemy – selection, transformation, and the sublimation brought about by magical runes.
The Professor's task corresponded to the "Nigredo" stage: selecting materials and eliminating impurities. She had forbidden him from simply looking up the ingredients for a Howler, telling him only: "Before you choose, think, Mr. Green. Think deeply."
Sean focused entirely on the books she had provided. They described dozens of materials without mentioning the four elements, the seven planets, or the Philosopher's Stone. It was straightforward, yet enough to keep him occupied.
Alchemy was indeed vast, especially after the Professor urged him to look beyond the surface and use his intuition to feel what Alchemy meant to a wizard.
For several days, whenever the others in the Room of Hope saw Sean, he was studying the subtle differences between various materials. He devoured the books Professor Terra had given him and soon found his answer.
Monday.
The wind howled outside. Professor Terra sat in her chair, gazing at Sean with curiosity.
"Five days, Mr. Green. Have you had any revelations?"
"In The Development of Alchemy, it mentions that wizards have studied Alchemy almost as long as Muggles. So why is it that only a wizard created the Philosopher's Stone?" Sean asked, sounding both contemplative and declarative.
"Because Alchemy shares a fundamental thread with Potion-making. This thread belongs solely to magic. The 'right knowledge' and 'right tools' are merely essential components of a wizard's ritual magic. Ultimately, this ritual tests the wizard's mental strength – the metaphors of history, knowledge, and materials all serve to strengthen the wizard's will.
"As stated in The Fifth Element: Explorations, the success of Alchemy is the success of the wizard's magic. It is the wizard believing the alchemical creation will function, not the creation animating itself."
Sean's eyes shone. If these ideas were correct, he could forge a path in Alchemy similar to the one he had in Potions.
Professor Terra's expression shifted slightly. She stood up abruptly. "Child, I expect to see you in my office three days a week."
In just five days, Sean understood why the Professor found Muggle science "amusing." Alchemy inherently possessed a mystical quality; destroying that mystery made success nearly impossible. If a wizard truly believed in gravity and was convinced a feather couldn't fly, then the feather wouldn't fly.
The Professor's task seemed finished, yet not quite. She taught Sean a fascinating spell to simplify his material search: Scarpin's Revelaspell.
Used to correctly identify the ingredients in a potion (invented by Scarpin), it was equally applicable to Alchemy. Slughorn would later introduce it in his sixth-year Potions class, though Hermione was the only one who truly grasped it.
"A small tool, Mr. Green, but necessary."
Professor Terra looked at him with undisguised admiration, assuming he would master the spell quickly.
The reality made her frown. Her student, naturally gifted in Alchemy, was stumped by this minor charm.
"Same time tomorrow, Mr. Green. I have an afternoon free for you."
She dismissed him and retreated into her office, puzzled.
Sean was left standing there, dazed. Tomorrow afternoon... he was supposed to be brewing potions in the dungeon...
The Elixir to Induce Euphoria was only ten proficiency points away from reaching 'Novice'. That would unlock a new Potions title and officially open the door to Alchemy on his Panel. Now, these two doors were colliding. If he dared to open only one, he dreaded what might burst out from the other.
As Sean walked distractedly down the corridor, he ran into Michael and a disheveled Terry.
"Oh—Sean! I knew I'd find you here. I'm returning your Charms notes—Wait? Scarpin's Revelaspell? You're not going to start counting windows too, are you?!" Michael exclaimed.
"Windows are important!" Terry retorted, blushing.
(End of Chapter)
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