Chapter 157: The Alchemical Symposium
The Alchemy classroom was a wonderland of self-animating instruments. Through the window, Sean saw Professor Terra holding a biscuit, lecturing the sixth and seventh-year students. He was slightly early.
"…a Canary Cream, yes. Of course, you might think of 'Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump' from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, where the witch transformed herself into an old, whiskered rabbit to frighten the King. You might believe that Alchemy-driven perfect human transformation must exist, but I must regrettably inform you that the alchemical community has long since dismissed this notion."
Professor Terra paced before the class. "Even if the story were true, Babbitty Rabbitty could only have been a rare Animagus. As for an Animagus casting spells while in animal form… Hmph. The probability is lower than any of you presenting me with a satisfactory alchemical creation right now."
She paused, her expression stern. "I must warn you: this is the consequence of an arrogant alchemist attempting to transform himself into an owl, believing he could 'truly understand flight.' A century later, he remains trapped in a state between reality and illusion, neither wizard nor bird, eventually dying of old age on a cliffside."
Sean listened quietly from the corridor. While the wizarding world hadn't yet found a way to maintain consciousness during a complete alchemical transformation, that didn't mean it was impossible. He trusted his intuition more than history. More importantly, his own self-transfiguration into an animate form had recently reached the 'Apprentice' level.
"A five-foot essay on runes, and a flawless bottle of Everlasting Ink. By our final lesson before Christmas… I expect to see these on my desk."
With those parting words, the classroom door swung open, and a stream of upper-years filed out, their complaints confined to their thoughts. Only when they reached the end of the corridor did someone groan, "What set her off this time?! Two weeks' worth of homework in one week? Merlin's beard—is there anyone at Hogwarts who can create an alchemical object in a single week?"
One a week? Sean recalled the professor's demand for him: one every five days.
Wait, this doesn't have anything to do with me, does it...?
"Come in, Mr. Green. I trust you heard the cautionary tale of perfect transformation," Professor Terra said, her voice smooth. "For those barely scratching the surface of Alchemy, it is an irrefutable fact, a necessary fear to prevent catastrophic consequences. But for those with true talent, facts can be overturned."
Her silver hair gleamed in the afternoon light. "Let me see your Howler… and your other project."
Sean presented the Howler first. The Weasley twins' voices instantly erupted from it:
"ESTEEMED PROFESSOR TERRA—"
Before the shouting could escalate, Sean deactivated the magical circuit. He wasn't accustomed to yelling, but the Weasleys were always happy to oblige.
"Good. Ah, very good," Professor Terra nodded with satisfaction. From material selection to runic inscription, right down to the effortless control at the end, it was a competent piece of alchemical work. Far superior to the upper-years who still struggled with Scarpin's Revelaspell and basic runes. Those students, filled with dreams of easy galleons and illogical, whimsical notions…
At that thought, she snapped her fingers. The parchment on her desk transformed into a flock of owls. Moments later, in the Great Hall, Pamela Peyton and a Gryffindor student yelped as scrolls dropped onto their heads.
"An essay on Scarpin's Revelaspell?!"
"Merlin's beard!"
In the Alchemy classroom, cauldrons simmered. Beside them, Professor Terra gazed at Sean with a deep, expectant look.
Sean's Owl Biscuit vanished from his hand the moment he presented it, reappearing in hers.
"Advanced Transfiguration involving animate-to-animate conversion… meticulously carved runic circuits, raw but stable and persistent… the Trigger Charm is perfectly placed… Is this—Food Magic?"
Her expression shifted rapidly. She stood up, pacing nervously around the room.
"Oh—of course—of course, an alchemist will always encounter a few exceptionally gifted children…"
Her hands trembled slightly with excitement. Her face blurred momentarily, as if she had cast a spell on herself; her voice dropped to a whisper so faint Sean couldn't hear it. He had no idea how his work was being received.
He started to feel nervous. The Weasleys had hyped his creation to the skies, but Sean still had no clear gauge of his standing in the wider alchemical world.
Think about it. Nicolas Flamel, creator of the Philosopher's Stone, the pinnacle of Alchemy. The creators of Portkeys, the Knight Bus, Vanishing Cabinets, Undetectable Extension Charms. Professor Terra herself traveled between multiple magical schools; the standard of student work she saw must be incredibly high, right?
Sean regretted not unlocking the Alchemy title first. He checked his Panel:
[Howler: Locked (10/30)]
[Levitating Quill: Apprentice (1/300)]
[Owl Biscuit: Apprentice (10/300)]
[Create three Apprentice-level Alchemical items to unlock the Apprentice Alchemy Title.]
The Howler had succeeded on the first try. He'd spent the rest of his time perfecting the Owl Biscuit, leaving no time to check his talent stats.
"Oh, quite good. I mean to say, very good. Few can achieve such high proficiency in both Alchemy and Transfiguration," Professor Terra said, composing herself. Her dignity would not allow her to lose composure, even though she had just secretly dispatched several letters under the cover of a Confundus Charm. The content was brief:
I will be bringing my student to the next Uagadou International Symposium on Alchemy. I hope you will be bringing yours.
(End of Chapter)
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