Seeing Nicolas Flamel nod, Mahard paid it no further mind.
Wizards occasionally came to visit the Centre for Alchemical Studies anyway. Even if there had been no such rule, they could simply create one on the spot for Mr. Nicolas Flamel's sake!
After a brief, casual introduction with Tver, he led Nicolas Flamel toward a modern building on the bustling street, his excitement and pride written all over his face.
"Given how many magical traces remain here, Egypt is the only country in the world permitted to use magic on muggles."
"Likewise, our Egyptian Centre for Alchemical Studies stands openly on this street. Of course, the interior certainly won't be the same as an ordinary building, though I'm sure you already know that."
It was an elegant red-brick building, not particularly tall, only two stories high, and its footprint was not especially large either. At least, for a place known as the world's largest Centre for Alchemical Studies, it seemed rather small.
But with magic involved, such a minor issue hardly mattered.
What truly interested Tver was the first part of Mahard's explanation.
Cairo was called a magical city not because, like Bhutan, it had an entire district belonging exclusively to wizards.
Rather, in this muggle-majority city, certain magical and alchemical devices were allowed to be used.
The reason was not simply that many magical traces remained here. In fact, all ancient civilizations had left behind plenty of magical traces.
What made Egypt unique was that its ancient wizards had left behind far more curses than other forms of magic…
Among the artifacts dug up by tomb raiders, there might be all manner of curses hidden inside.
So, to protect the muggles and wizards here, the Egyptian Ministry of Magic had no choice but to frequently use magic and alchemical devices to monitor all major cities, while employing large numbers of Curse-Breakers year-round to help remove curses.
Because of this, Egypt's government and Ministry of Magic had the closest relationship of any country.
And it was in this environment that Egypt's research into curses, as well as its use of alchemical devices, was the most relaxed.
Naturally, those two points were exactly what Tver had come for.
Once they entered the building, the space before Tver suddenly opened up.
What struck him most, however, was that the temperature inside seemed to be deliberately controlled within a very comfortable range. At the very least, it was far more comfortable than any magical building Tver had ever seen.
Mahard did not know what Tver was wondering, but that did not stop him from showing it off in front of Nicolas Flamel.
"We took inspiration from muggle climate-control systems and modified some simple air-conditioning equipment, placing special emphasis on the stability of magic so that this place can maintain a comfortable temperature all year round!"
It had to be said that alchemical research around the world had indeed declined. This magical climate-control system alone was enough to leave other countries far behind.
More than that, with a quick glance around the spacious hall, Tver spotted what looked like automatic cleaning puppets, hostility warning devices, adaptive lighting, and all sorts of other alchemical tools.
If the British wizarding world he had seen before resembled a backward medieval environment, then here, Tver seemed to glimpse a modern magical world!
If the wizarding world across the globe could reach this level, he would not need to worry about technology overtaking magic in the future.
Unfortunately, this advanced Centre for Alchemical Studies was the only one of its kind in the world.
It was not only Tver. Even Nicolas Flamel nodded approvingly several times as Mahard introduced the place.
"The last time I came here, your Chief was still a newcomer, and there were nowhere near this many novel alchemical devices."
Ahem. No one could really respond to a seniority-based remark like that…
At that moment, a pair of twins came running over excitedly.
"Professor! We just saw an incredibly cool device that can make someone look like a monster!" George gestured animatedly, as if wishing he could become that imposing himself.
"That's called a robot!" Fred slapped his hand aside in disdain.
"If you ask me, the best one was that little magical spider. Add invisibility and venomous fangs, and aside from not being able to tell friend from foe, it's practically flawless!"
"…"
Tver increasingly felt that these two brothers were going off in the wrong direction, or rather, charging straight down the path of military industry without looking back…
"Are these the two you called the future of British alchemy?" Nicolas Flamel asked Tver with a smile.
Tver was at a loss for words.
"No. Please forget I ever wrote that in my letter."
Although British alchemy had indeed fallen into decline, he really did not want pranks and military industry to become the mainstream…
For some reason, Tver finally understood Mrs. Weasley's worries about the twins.
If no one kept a close eye on them, they would sooner or later leave him with a massive disaster to clean up!
Nicolas Flamel, however, was studying the Weasley twins thoughtfully.
For Britain, simply having young people willing to study alchemy was already quite remarkable.
Moreover, he had heard of Weasley Workshop's reputation, which meant the two were certainly not lacking in talent.
More importantly, unlike other British alchemy researchers, they had reached this point without a teacher, without a family inheritance, and with nothing but books and natural ability to guide their research.
Though their path was rather unconventional, that kind of ability could be called genius in any era!
"Would you be interested in studying alchemy here? I could teach you for a while."
Moved by his appreciation for talent, and partly by a desire to cultivate alchemists for Britain before his death, Nicolas Flamel spoke in a tempting tone, like a mischievous old grandfather with ulterior motives.
Mahard's eyes widened at once.
Even the Chief, the most accomplished alchemist here, was nearly ten generations below Nicolas Flamel.
And now, Nicolas Flamel was actually planning to personally guide two students!
Hearing this, the Weasley twins stopped excitedly explaining things to Tver and turned to Nicolas Flamel in confusion.
"Who are you, old man?"
"???"
Mahard clutched his chest, feeling as though he was about to have a heart attack. Fortunately, Tver saved him.
"Then allow me to thank you on their behalf, and on behalf of their parents as well, Mr. Nicolas Flamel." Tver pressed his hands down on their heads, forcing them to nod.
Originally, he had only planned to borrow Nicolas Flamel's prestige in alchemy so the Centre would assign the twins a decent teacher.
He had not expected such a gift to fall from the sky!
Personal guidance from Nicolas Flamel, even for only a short time, was an offer no one with any pursuit of alchemy could refuse.
Even if the twins remained obsessed with researching joke products and military equipment, Tver would accept it!
That said, the Weasley twins were not completely clueless. The moment they heard the name Nicolas Flamel, they knew they had struck gold. Their excitement immediately shifted toward him, and they began pestering him eagerly with question after question they had been saving up for ages.
Mahard watched with burning envy, but before he could shamelessly sidle over, Tver caught him by the sleeve.
"Mr. Mahard, I heard you are the leading expert here in curse research. Is that right?" Tver asked solemnly.